The Guest List, Please

Every year my sister Susie lives it up on her birthday... She goes out to eat, celebrates with friends and family, and always has a great time. It got me thinking. What if I could plan an amazing party? You know, invite anyone in the world. Besides the typical family and friends, if I wanted to extend my list who would I invite? Well, since I am having a party on the 4th, maybe I should invite some people. Well, here it is:



Kate and Wills, I mean, who doesn't want these two at their party?




Barbara Harris, AKA Mrs. Andrews from "Freaky Friday". Farah will tell you I love "Freaky Friday" with Jodie Foster, and her mother in the film is totally ridiculous. She looks like she'd be a hoot at a party.




Weird Al. I've been watching his ridiculous video of "Preform This Way" where he parodies Lady Gaga and I can't get that dumb porcupine out of my head. I love it.




Oprah. Especially if Gayle is in tote. 'Nough said.



Buddy, The Cake Boss. I would love to have this guy at my party. He is rather amazing. Sigh. If only we lived on the east coast.



Abraham Lincoln. Ever since I got over my fear of Lincoln (thanks for that one, Susie) I have been fascinated by this American Icon. He would be good fun at a party because you could play games with his hat.

Those are the party guests as of today... We'll see which ones show up on the 4th.

Summer Doodle

Summer time has been going wonderfully well. I have been enjoying the "nothingness" we've had planned, while sneaking in a few productive days. I have to say my favorite part is spending time with my lovely wife and cute Mini-Doodle.

Mini has started laughing when I play with him, which is quite possibly the best thing he has done yet. Other than that, life has been pretty status-quo. (Sorry, this blog is a little boring)

Here are some pictures of us (well, him) this summer:

First Father's Day--AMAZING

Well, my first Father's Day was pretty spectacular.

I woke up and went to church where I sang at both services (a line up I picked). I forgot at first, but I did wear my new swanky watch that Farah got me as a Pre-Father's Day gift. AMAZING!

Then I came home from church, only to find a great gift on my countertop "Harry Potter 4 Deluxe Collectors Edition". AMAZING!

Then it was off to SLO where we celebrated my Dad, Uncle Burt, Ky, and me. It was a great BBQ thanks to Burt's Morro Bay restaurant "The Embarcadero Grill". Yet again, AMAZING!

Then it was time to head home, but we were both hungry again, so Farah got me Olive Garden! Woot! Woot!

Now, we're home chilling with Mini-Doodle and enjoying some Harry Potter Special Features (this one is on Sound and Music).

Happy Father's Day to my great dad, and to all the dads out there!

I Wish... But I...

During the summer, I often find myself wondering about other career paths I could take/could have taken. Then I find reason why I shouldn't. Alas, here are my delusional dreams.

1. A Writer



I'd love to write a great story... It would be great fun to twist some plots to my liking. But I have a hard time staying on one plot line...

2. A Lounge Singer



This would be amazing. If only I could sing in a Vegas lounge (preferably wearing a leopard jacket). It would be amazing, except then I'd have to start smoking... at least second hand...

3. A Party Planner



I think I could throw some mean parties. I would love the thrill of setting up a great event. But I'd probably always go over budget...

4. An Actor



I love acting. I think I'd prefer to be a stage actor and I'd love to journey into the world of another person's life for 2-3 hours every evening. But I think I'd be worried about forgetting my lines...

5. A Journalist



I'd love to interview fascinating people about their lives and struggles and report them to the world. But I guess I would have to be daring, and hurt a lot of people's feelings...

6. A Movie Critic



I'd love to be paid to give my opinion (on anything, but primarily) on movies. I would have a hard time sitting through a bunch of crappy movies and making deadlines though...

7. A Cartoonist



I'd love to make remarks and jokes about the world through the ink pen. It would be fun to do. But my hands tend to cramp up when I draw a lot...


Thankfully my job, one of the greatest on the planet, allows me to use all of these career focuses on a regular basis.

Writer- I write a ton, not always my favorite type of writing, but it is writing

Lounge Singer- There are two moments where I sing to my high schoolers: during Animal Farm and Haroun (one is good the other bad)

Party Planner- My 4th period class ALWAYS asked for parties, on a rare occasion I delivered

Actor- My students never know when I am having a bad day

Journalism- My students are always being interviewed by me--though my reports are more like Detentions

Movie Critic- I host the film club where I always give my opinions

Cartoonist- I draw absurd cartoons for my classes

But... Sigh. Every summer. The same delusions run wild through my head.

Summer Time By Will Smith

Well, the summer is here.

Things I'll miss about the school year:

1. Absurd high school trends including: Rebecca Black Hating, Nyan Cat music, and Fail Pages

2. Mostly-intellectual discussions on literature

3. Thursday mornings (they were the best)

4. Listening to the morning talk radio

5. My classroom... I forgot to take a picture of it this year, and sadly I was forced out. We'll see if I remember next year!

Things I'm excited about for the summer:

1. Sleeping in

2. Playing games (I am on a chess kick right now--though the computer is kicking my butt)

3. Bike rides in the morning (I went on a short one this morning)

4. Giraffes (I guess).



Sigh. I love a good summer.

Humf.

I feel rather topic-less. Any ideas on what I should post about?

Confessions from an Ig

I was reading through Farah's blog today, and it got me thinking. Maybe it is time for a Confession from an Ig... So here it goes:



Confession 1- I love making up ridiculous nicknames for Westly. This week I have started calling him "Ludwig van Baby" because of his little tuft of hair that sticks up on the back of his head. He looks like a musical genius of the 19th century or a mad scientist of the 20th. You take your pick--I vote Ludwig.




Confession 2- I am actually bummed this school-year is coming to an end. I have loved this group of students, even the ones who talk incessantly--yes you Charlie--does that count as a shout out? I know next year will be wonderful, but this group has that certain something. Alas, there are some years where you are just blessed with a great group.



Confession 3- I want to make ice cream. The last time I made my own ice cream was in the fifth grade during summer school. Back then it was a "fun" thing to do. There were interactive games and lessons that were all hands on. My favorite three were peanut butter taste testing (I picked Laura Scudders), Magic Class (seriously, I am Harry Potter), and the day we made ice cream in science. This summer, I want to get an old coffee can and make some ice cream in it.



Confession 4- I like the mornings. I know, for years I said I hated waking up, I liked sleeping in, yada yada yada. But in reality, I have come to love the mornings. Some good quiet time when no one is awake. The thought of "I can make this day anything I want it to be." The excitement of, "When will my doodles wake up so we can hang out?" To me, all mornings have that Christmas morning excitement. Maybe that comes with living in the Manor...




Confession 5- I haven't had a Diet Coke in 515 days. Not that anyone's counting. I know I should be proud, but just last night I had the urge to go out and buy one. To taste the processed sugar-free drink upon my lips. I can't help it. It has been around since I was born and it is a part of who I am. Perhaps I will always have a faint craving for the NutraSweet drink... But I mustn't drink one. I have an addictive FEAST OR FAMINE lifestyle, so I better stay away. Sigh.

So there they are. My confessions. Do you have anything to confess?

What is that I smell...

The Summer Breeze, rolling in.

I can hardly wait for Summer to come! I am anxious for all of the Summer Goodness awaiting me. There are 17 days of school--four of those being set aside for finals and such, which means only 13 more days of teaching... Well, if you count the two days set aside for tests and such, that makes it only 11 more days.

In all honesty, I am rather sad to see this group of students go. They are a bright group with a lot of personality. Part of me wishes I could follow them up, but what's best for the family is less prep. So bring on the new set of 9th graders...

As for summer plans, here are some of the ones I hope to make happen:

1. Go on our anniversary/honeymoon retreat. This will be the first year we don't journey up to Carmel for our anniversary, but we will invest in a lush hotel here on the coast--complete with fine dining and babysitting services thanks to some wonderful family members.

2. Ride my bike more often. I haven't been very good about riding my bike since the Mini-Doodle was born, so I hope to improve that with free mornings and lazy afternoons. I see many Starbucks and Jamba Juice rides in the coming months.

3. Double Pay-Checks. I love the summer because I work part time for the college. With that said, I only work two days a week and I get double pay. It is a good thing for a guy like me.

4. My gift certificate to Amazon is coming! Just the other day I completed a survey for a textbook company where I earned a hefty gift card to Amazon. This summer, I plan to save up some money and use the gift card to buy something epic. It will most likely not involve Odysseus, however it may involve Literature. More to come on this...

5. Spend more time with Doodle and Mini-Doodle. I am excited for Mini to get into a routine and possibly allow his Mother and Father some regular down time together. But even if that doesn't happen, it will be nice to be able to explore the world with him. I plan to take him out and about to experience the joys of infancy. Maybe even his first trip to Disneyland will take place...

That's it for now... Look for an extensive list after Memorial Day. Ah, just the sound of Memorial Day around the corner sounds like a Princess Tiana jamboree!

Mummy

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mommies, Moms, and Mums out there. I have been blessed with a wonderful mum! Cheers to her and all of you wonderful maternal caretakers.

In addition, this year I wish my lovely Farah a Happy Mother's Day as we celebrate one month of our Mini-Doodle.

Here's to moms!

One Month

Tomorrow, Westly turns one month old. Time has zoomed by, and in someways it has stood still. But with either feeling, things have certainly changed in the Shaw Manor.

Here are 10 changes I've noticed:

1. I come home and give a kiss to not one, but two doodles.

2. I have a better memory than my wife now (though I doubt this will last long).

3. I rarely sleep longer than 4 hours without being woken up (I use to get 8 to 9 hours people).

4. When I sneeze, cough or feel overly tired, I worry about passing on my germs.

5. There is a lot of stuff in our house.

6. I take photos and videos like a crazy man on summer vacation.

7. On the weekends, I weigh the merits of getting dressed and going downstairs versus staying in bed and wearing my robe all day.

8. I looked up recipes this week.

9. I count rest time in minutes, not hours.

10. My mult-tasking skills have exponentially improved.

Alas, as the weeks go by I'm sure I'll see more changes. They are all welcomed because we couldn't be happier. Simply, couldn't be happier... Ahh...

Tony Danza

Oh, Farm Boy, you are a loud doodle.



Last night, he reminded us who the boss of the house is.

The End is Near

Well, Spring Break is almost over... Only 36 hours of vacation time left...



The Mini-Doodle thinks I should quit my jobs and stay home... Sadly, we have developed this habit of eating, so I'll be back to work on Tuesday. Today, we'll sit at home and enjoy some TV. But I think I've lost control of the remote...

To-Do

Since this is the official first of 7 days of Spring Break I thought I'd better write my list of things I intend to do over the Vacation:


1. Finish my Maya Angelou Book



2. Read to Westly



3. Go on at least three bike rides



4. Take Westly out on a walk around the neighborhood



5. Play a game of Scrabble with le Fauf



6. Grade papers (urg)



7. Eat a chocolate bunny



8. Watch bucket-loads of TV



9. Trick someone into making chocolate chip cookies for me



10. Consider the merits of going to the Drive-In to see two movies I have no interest in




Well, there it is. In the past I would have written about London, LA, Disneyland and all sorts of wonderful locations, but I have now entered the world of parenthood so I had best keep my goals practical. Here's to the Vacation! He is risen!

A Room for 1

Here are the pictures of Westly's room. It was a lot of work, but it came together quite well. We just put the finishing touches on it two weeks ago, but since he arrived I have been too daffy to remember to post pictures, etc.

Farah did all of the sewing, I did the painting and artwork on the walls, and we collaborated to find the right stuff for the room.

Westly

He is cute.

He is here.

He is loved.

There will be more soon (seriously).

Inspiration

My wife is such an inspiration to me.



She is living her dreams right now. She's an author, artist, soon-to-be mommy, and teacher. Amazing. Just this week she had two (and a half) author visits to schools here on the Central Coast. Well--I am living my dream too, but not all of my dreams just yet.

One dream is to be an author (is that every English Teacher's dream?).

I am currently inspired to write again. I have been dragging my feet and my thoughts on this idea I've had for quite awhile. It's funny how one day you think of it and months later you finally have enough inspiration to write. At any rate, I've just started a book about something I know quite well: Teaching.

This won't be a "how-to" guide by any means, rather it will be a novel about an insane school with a colorful group of characters. The hard thing will be making the real things I have seen and heard sound believable. Honestly, the observations and anecdotal records I've acquired over the years sound like something right out of fiction--but I assure you they are real situations.

We'll see if it goes anywhere. At this point in time I am just content to have a strong idea.

Last night we watched "Julie and Julia" which always inspires me to chase after my dreams. Then again, all I need do to be inspired is look at my AMAZING wife and her career of awesomeness.



Alas, I'm still in love.

Smarties Kick

Sigh. I just read some of my students' essays. I am thankful for some students who happen to have something in between their ears. Hooray for smarts.

Tonight I felt Westly kick. While this is somewhat common, it was especially significant since I could physically distinguish his foot. Just another reminder that he is on the way. I can only hope and pray he will come out with something in between his ears. Hooray for doodles.

More to come this weekend...

The Bucket

About three months ago I started creating a "Bucket List". Two Sunday's ago I heard a sermon on these types of lists--though I think he said not to make them. I obviously was only reminded of the one I created and missed that part of the sermon as I started to muse away at the possibilities of this world. At any rate, here is the start of my list:

1. Take a drive down the East Coast (preferably in the fall)
2. Go to Washington DC
3. Sing at a Karaoke Bar (though I did this once, I want to do it again)
4. Go to Disneyworld
5. Go to the Oscars
6. Be in a movie
7. Go on a cruise
8. Publish a book/story
9. Sell a painting I've created
10. Hear Celine sing in person (laugh all you want)
11. Go to Paris
12. Go to a presidential/gubernatorial debate
13. Serve as a STInt missionary or work at an orphanage for a month
14. Ride in a hot-air balloon
15. Stay in a penthouse suite at a 5 star hotel
16. Win the Lottery (at least on one of those scratchers--I'm looking at a jackpot of $20 or more people)
17. Meet my grandkids, and hopefully my great-grandkids
18. Go to a filming of "The Tonight Show"
19. Record a CD
20. Attend a swanky New Year's Eve Party
21. Go to a Hollywood Premiere


Those are some of the things on my list... If you can help me accomplish these things let me know. :-)

Do you have any other ideas for me? And no, I will not jump out of a plane with or without a parachute.

Grumpy Grumptertons Strike AGAIN!

For some odd reason everyone I run into wants to spoil the joys of us being new parents. I walk around excited to set up my baby's room and they say, "Well you know, this will probably be the last time you have the energy to paint a room like that."

Or if I mention I am going to have a nice evening of dinner and a movie with my wife they'll say, "Don't get too use to that. Once your son comes you'll never go out again."

On Facebook I post that I'm so thankful that my buddies brought me over 1,000 diapers for Westly and what do people say... "Hope you didn't just get [this] size or [that] size."

Or even better was the oddly trollish woman in Target who looked as if she could care less for her little tot--who may I add was playing with a DVD--when the mom looked at Fauf and said, "Enjoy them while they're in the womb. After that it's just..." To this I walked away.

People, let me tell you. I am happy to be having a baby. I am excited. I know it will be more work. I know I'll never have "my own little life". But I'll still be me, still be happy and still be excited to have this little doodle in my life.

Needless to say I am so delighted by this time of life. I love planning. I love the anticipation. I love the expectancy. It is delightful.

So the next time you see me just say, "Hooray for babies!" and I'll cheer along with you!

Love is in the air...

I was thinking about things I love, which got me thinking about things I love but I don't like to admit. Well, those are Guilty Pleasures... Luckily (or unlucky as it may be) for you I am not bashful. So here it goes...

My Guilty Pleasures:

1. Flying Monkeys

I think they are absurd and delightful all in one breath. Elphie made me realize they were just tortured animals being tested on, and The Wizard of Oz slot machine made me realize they mean bonuses are coming your way.

2. The phrase "epic"

I know it is being overused, but I love saying things are epic. It just seems to fit my view of the world.

3. "Love Actually"

I am always a little embarassed about this one. Maybe it is all of the nudity in the film--but I love this movie. Every year I watch it and every year I tear up a little bit. Stop laughing at me, you know you cry with Emma Thompson stands by her bedside while Joanie Mitchel plays in the background. It is EPIC. There, I said it.

4. Googling Farah's Book

I love checking the stats on her book and seeing who is looking up her information. Yes, I am obsessed with my own wife's success, but at least it isn't "creepy"... I think...

5. Bubble Baths

I know. I gave Parker a really hard time about this one. And then we moved into this beautiful home and I fell in love with our Jacuzzi-sized tub. There is nothing better than reading a book while bubbled up to the neck. Sorry, people. It is the warm, bubbly truth.

What are your guilty pleasures... (To out my wife, she has a love for Bieber).

My life.

Getting ready for Baby Westly is a lot of fun, and a lot of work. We've been very busy taking care of his pre-world needs and entrance in the world needs. Here is a list of a few of the things we have done:




1. Birthing Classes--in preparation to push this little bugger out we have been learning about the options available to us during the 12-48 hour time period whilst my lovely lady is in labor (say that five times fast).




2. Your Baby Week by Week--once a week we crack open the book before going to bed and read about the insane development of our little doodle. He is always growing and changing and it has been fascinating to read about him.



3. Awkward Family Photos--we have viewed these photos regularly to ensure we don't fall into the trap of taking absurdly positioned photos. Nevertheless, we do plan on taking absurd pictures of our little scoundrel doing absurd things.




4. Decorating the Nursery--I spent a lot of time painting, Farah spent a good amount of time sewing and we have both spent a lot of time organizing all the loot (woot, woot). It is a lot of work, but well worth it.



5. Praying for this little Tike--he needs all the prayer he can get having parents like he will.

Sigh...

The blog bug has bitten me and I am infected. That’s right, here’s another blog for you, just 24 hours after my last post.

Since I spent yesterday complaining about the world, today I thought I’d spend time telling you some of the reasons why I love this town…

1. Katie Marzullo--She is Santa Maria’s Sweetheart and a delightful newscaster (sorry, Arturo, we like you a lot but Katie is delightful). From her chuckles at the end of her newscast to her serious tone during intense clips—she’s awesome.

2. Small but SPEEDY--If I want to get somewhere I need only drive 10 minutes. I like things being close together and quaint. Give me 10 minutes—not to mention, traffic free—and I’m happy!

3. Small Town Excitement—Oh yes, that’s right. The news showed up (Drat, not Katie Marzullo) to cover the opening of a drive up mailbox. We televise the Elk’s Rodeo. We discuss around the water coolers the implementation of new stop signs. Small town excitement is so much better than shoot outs and riots (though soon riot worthy news may spread as I heard there are strange high schoolers in colored suits lingering around the Oak Knoll’s Center).

4. The Bump—No. Not Farah’s (though that is one of my favorite things about this city right now), I’m talking about bumping into people you know. Farah use to think I was some sort of celebrity in this town only to discover I was anything but a local celeb. The great thing is you bump into people you know all over the town. You see your old gym teacher, your neighbor’s gardener, and gasp even Katie Marzulo. The Bump is a good thing.

5. BBQ’s—Oh baby. I am so thankful Westly is going to grow up in a world filled with BBQ aromas permeating the air on a Sunday morning. Life is good in the ‘hood when you can buy some Pilipino BBQ in front of Smart n Final.

6. Lastly, I love my town because we have our very own SONG! Yes, that's right I know it by heart and will willingly sing it for anyone who wishes to hear the beautiful ragtime styled theme.

Yes, I love my town.

Grrr...

I know I often tote around my favorite things (i.e. Greg's Kindle, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, my wife) and I give them lots of shout outs, but today I am filled with gripes.

Today as I sat in the staff lounge we attempted to "fix" our bell schedule (ugh, this is a lovely little chore) and when someone said, "Let's just get out of school at 2:50 and that will be fine." To this I thought, "I hate 2:50. That is an evil time."

It got me thinking. What else do I hate? Well, here are some things I like to call my anti-guilty pleasures.

1. Fast Food Windows-- Ugh. This is the Achilles' Heal of America! We fatten up in a hurry while the window slides open. Ugh. The next time I even think of using one I am going to park my car and buy groceries at a market and fight the evils of American obesity.

2. Chocolate Covered Pretzels-- yes they are chocolatey. Yes they are salty. But together I just think they are kinda blah. It probably all goes back to an old sermon I heard from this man about a chocolate covered pretzel stick... At any rate, I don't like this beloved treat.

3. The phrase, "There's an App for that."-- While I love the whole i-movement, I am sick of people telling me about all of the absurd apps that exist. I like the apps themselves but SHUT UP about the apps for goodness sake!

4. The Superbowl-- I try to enjoy this. I like the commercials. I like the pre-show. The half-time show. Heck, I even like the coin toss. But the actual show always stinks worse than shredded Green Bay cheese.

5. Camping-- why do I want to spend my weekend--my long deserved weekend-- sleeping on a rocky floor in freezing temperatures, only to discover when I have to pee I have to shoot it off into some bush. Nope. This is why God made 5-star hotels.

There it is. I'm back.

This blog is dedicated to those who have bugged me to no end to get my blog up and running again (Yes, that means YOU!)