Saturday Snapshots

So today is all about a picture or two. Since a picture is worth a thousand words I thought I would express at least two thousand today. Two walls I painted in the Shaw House:

Ignore the clutter. I was about to paint over it so everything was in the middle of the room.


Ah. This was my relaxation center for playing chess/checkers.

Friday Fears

Yes, tuck the kids away... it's time for: Friday Fears.

As many of you know I have many obscure, somewhat ridiculous fears. In all honesty I think they are things that creep me out mainly because of personal experiences... these are not total blown phobias. However, I thought I should share these fears in this public forum so I can perhaps get past these problems and realize these are really things of the past.

This Friday I bring issue up with: Kuwait.


Yes, it was once proclaimed during a game of Scattergories that I was afraid of Kuwait. It was laughed at (Farah), scoffed at (Morgan), and dismissed (all the rest of you who participated in this life altering game). However I have to admit if I were to list the places in the world I would be most fearful to travel to it would in the Top 5(ish).



This fear may be illogical, but it is based in childhood realities. (Yes Jon. I know this goes against the 1 Corinthians verse about being a man, but still. At least I know where Harbor Freight is.)

In 1991 we joined the Gulf War and I was merely a 9 year old boy. Just your innocent boy who was sitting on the ground of his living room while he heard Dan Rather, Ted Koppel, and Tom Brokaw discuss this breaking news event.



I, being a young lad with little historical reference (Yes, I thought Lincoln was black) and very little understanding of basic distance (I mean come on, Kuwait is 7,939 miles away from Santa Maria) assumed the whole war was being caused by... Hitler's Ghost. This troubled me. But it troubled me more when I thought Hitler would want to bring the battle to my backyard. Because, in my mind all terrible things would end up plaguing the beloved Orcutt.



I know that is a lot to take in. But it all came to a head when one sunny afternoon in 1992 I sat in my garage thinking about how horrible Kuwait, all Ghost-Infested and evil, really was.



Suddenly, out of no where, I heard an old airplane fly over head. And then another. And another. What was it? I didn't know. So logically, like any kid would do, I turned on the transistor radio and listened for the airport radio frequency. After turning the knobs I finally found the airport's station. It was then I heard the word "bomber" and I panicked! The Kuwait War Lords and Hitlet's Ghost had found their way to the land of Orcutt. I ran inside and screamed, "It's the end of the world! I think Hitler's back!"

In the end it turned out to be the Santa Maria Air Show. Who knew? Not 9 year old Michael, he assumed Kuwait was to blame.

And that's why I fear Kuwait.



...That's also why I should get a point for that answer in Scattergories.

Thoughts of Randomness on Thursday

Well today is the first day of my daily-weekly posts. I am going to start my themed blogs for the next few weeks and see how they go. So be sure to check my blog daily for the new update.

Thursdays I will focus on: Thoughts of Randomness.


Why do we call hot dogs, hot dogs? It seems to me we could have selected a different animal to fulfill the role/roll (he he he—punny) of the hot tube-shaped processed meat. So I did a little research to find out why we call it a hot dog.


In fact, when we eat a hot dog we are actually eating a sausage. The hot dog was initially called a frankfurter after the German city where it was created. The story goes that the frankfurter was compared to a dachshund hound (wiener dog). No doubt some bumbling English teacher first made the analogy and included it in some ridiculous metaphor or simile during a lesson. Well, from that point on (though the English Teacher part was made up) people started calling it the dachshund sausage.


Moving across the pond, rumor has it a vendor who sold ice cream and soda found out about these sausages and the owner, “had his vendors hawk the sausage, instructing them to sell it by yelling, ‘They're red hot. Get your dachshund sausages while they're red hot.’”


From this there was an apparent cartoon made where the vendors were selling actual dogs and the caption said ,“Get your hot dogs!” Since then the name stuck, and millions of children since then have wondered, “Am I really eating a dog?”


So there it is. Random? Perhaps. Happy Thursday.

HP6

Sure we had to wait a year, but sometimes you have to wait awhile for a delightful experience.

I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say. But I got home last night around 3:30 and all I could think was how satisfying Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince was. It was like eating that Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory. Simply delightful. I found myself feeling as though the movie was tuning pages of a book. In some ways I equated it to a fine dinner. Quality art, beautiful presentation, and a great sense of fulfillment.

I figuratively (see, I didn't say literally) saw chapter headings swoop across the screen like Hedwig on a clear night. It was very well done from the coloring, music and editing (I dare say the editing was the best yet). I loved the added heightened romances and I really loved all of the references to the subtleties (fan favorites) from the book.

Well done David Yates. You did it again.

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.