Quick Post

Today I am heading to Danbury, Wisconsin for the public opening of a casino to replace Hole in the Wall. The new location will apparently be called St. Croix Casino and Hotel Danbury or something to that effect. Honestly, I am glad that I have an opening to attend. I am not really in the mood to work in the office, so this comes at an opportune time. Since Heather works tonight, I forced myself to not bring my camera, against my better judgment. If I have my camera in hand, I may not make it home early enough for Heather to make it to work on time. I know, I know... but if I see a photo opportunity, I have to take it. If I don't bring my camera, I am absolutely certain I will miss something I want to shoot. On the other hand, traveling for one day without my camera manages my temptation to photograph for hours. It does feel like I left a part of me at home today. [sigh...]

I heard somewhere that if the first thing you want to do in the morning is to grab your camera, if the last thing you want to do at night is to photograph the sunset, then you are meant to be a photographer. The thing is, I don't just want to grab my camera... I have to do it. I just can't help myself. I need to photograph the world!

Thank God I am a photographer!

On the Road Again

I am in a hotel in west central South Dakota. My destination tomorrow is Deadwood where two of my techs work. I can't complain about traveling, because some employees travel more than I do. Further, I do not travel as much as I did when I was a field tech. I miss our beautiful boys when I am traveling. The good thing is that coming home is always a sweet reward. I will see Heather and the boys Friday, so that is cool beans, as Heather would say.


I had a reservation at this hotel. I even contacted the hotel to let them know that I would have a late check-in. When I showed up here, my room was given to someone else. Fortunately, there was a single room still available. Unfortunately for the hotel, it was the king Jacuzzi suite and I got that room for the cheapo rate charged for a standard room. Good for the payer, bad for the payee. For me, this is a "Whoohoo!" moment. I get to enjoy this one facet of being on the road, especially since I was driving most of 12 hours today. The stinky part is that Heather is busy with classes, and the boys are with a sitter during the day while Heather is in class. As a result, I am on the road without my family. But my techs have to be away from their families, so I shouldn't necessarily expect anything different. I manage better by not being too far removed from the things that the techs go through doing their jobs. That is what I think.


That doesn't remove the fact that I am far from my family. I don't like it, but it is a necessary part of the job. I know, I know... homecoming is much sweeter because I am out here on my own.


Time to wrap up my final for this class and call it a night!

The First Week is Almost Over and I am Sticking With It (So Far)

Okay, I know that it has only been six days, but so far I have really stuck with it. Should I be impressed with myself? I think not. In the past, I have tried this and stuck with it for a week or two. This time, I am showing Heather what I am doing and she finds my food intake interesting to see.  Heather is very supportive! The ironic thing is that all the whole foods I am eating make me feel like I never stop eating! I still want to make some changes in my diet, but one step at a time, I am doing that. I look forward to my knees feeling good and being able to keep up with my sons for years to come!

I am heading on a road trip to the Dakotas tomorrow for five days to visit the techs and customers in Deadwood, South Dakota, with a few additional customer visits during the drive. I will be dining in restaurants and from a cooler. I really hope that I can stick with it during this week. I feel like this will be a good test for me. The fact that the program has both a browser-based site and a mobile-based site is helpful.  I can check the food out from a smart phone OR from a computer, before or after I eat.  The plan database is comprehensive, with 50,000 food listings.  I do wish that the database had more foods for Perkins, since I will likely encounter those more than any restaurant. This program forces me to plan ahead so I know what I can eat and remain within my guidelines for that day. I could go over if I want, but I don't want to exceed my program guidelines. I have stayed true to the program for six days, and I don't want to exceed the parameters. I feel that if I do it once, it gets easier to ignore the guidelines in the future, and becomes a slippery slope to failure. I just don't want to go there!

Today, I went out to dinner for the first time since I started the program (to Perkins), courtesy of my mother-in-law for a belated Fathers' Day meal (thank you, Mom/Laura!!!)  I did pretty well, or at least I hope I did. I kept it to 750 calories for the entree (salmon dijon), the bread and rice (I wish it was brown rice, instead of white) and the salad, with dressing. Why do they always serve the refined white rice instead of the vitamin-rich and fiber-gifted brown or wild rice? The funny thing is that about halfway through my food, I started thinking that I had an awful lot of food to eat. I used to live for the Chinese buffet and at least 3 plates of MSG-loaded food. I hope my stomach is shrinking and telling me not to eat too much!

I wonder if I will ever look at buffets the same way again? Honestly, I kind of hope not, though when I go to the store, I see so many food temptations everywhere (mostly the refined sugar junk food, chips, and chocolate) that I really love to eat. I will start eating those foods again, but in much smaller doses, and not for a while, probably not until after the tempting, calorie-intensive Christmas holiday season this year. I know, everyone says that you have to allow yourself to eat junk food or you will want to binge. For me, the best approach is to avoid the foods completely until I get that junk-food mindset completely reprogrammed. That is going to take a while, and I am on-board with this health kick as long as it takes to meet (and exceed?) my goals! Honestly, if I want to really watch what I eat, especially the calories, I have to continue with the program. I am moving in the right direction so I think I am going to stick with it!

To the people who have been positive and supportive, thank you!  This approach sort of reminds me that this is a marathon, not a sprint.  Nobody wins by quitting in the middle! 

On to week two of the program...

Doing Something New and Taking Care of Myself

Today I started doing something new.  I began using this program basead around an online community of people trying to get fit and trim.  You can share as much or as little as you want about yourself.  I am sharing just enough to allow helpful interactions with other users who only know me online. On the other hand, telling a few people in my life about it creates an additional reason to succeed. Who likes to fail at something like this? Nobody!  Telling a few people in my life creates an awareness and a spotlight that creates accountability.  I can work with this, knowing that at least a few people are paying attention.

So, this is the program and how it works, in a nutshell. You keep a food diary, listing every single thing that you eat every day.  The diary breaks down your food intake to include the basic nutrients you are taking in, and details include calories, fat (total, saturated, and trans), cholesterol, sodium, carbs, fiber, sugar, protein and calcium.  The program also makes recommendations for your calorie limit for the day. The site has enough interactions with users that it keeps you focused on where you are going and why.  For instance, to move from the first levels (Bronze 1 to Bronze 2 and 3, and then on to Silver and Gold), you have to complete certain tasks. These tasks include listing barriers to healthy eating and triggers for junk food eating. On the flip side, you create short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals and motivators. The program regularly fires off emails to you to get you to participate so that you can advance and stay motivated. 

My initial reaction is that this really can work.  But it only works if a user commits to doing this, and I mean, really, really commits to it, day in and day out. When you log your food on a diary, it causes you to be accountable and to really think, not just about your calorie count but about how you view food and eating.  It creates a "big picture" mindset and make you consider the food you eat... or overeat.  The program doesn't hound you if you exceed your calorie recommendation for that day. For each participant, it is your program, and your gain or loss if you are not sticking with it. I am trying to view this as the beginning of a new mindset about food.  I want to stick with this for a long, long time... at least until I rewire my mind and body to stay fit and strong.  My sons are growing so fast, I will not be able to keep up, so I need to kick it into gear!

The Political Persuasion of The Daily Show (Part 2)

A classmate stated, "I can definitely agree that he [Stewart] does not have a political agenda, because he spent the majority of his time making a mockery of politicians."  That declarative statement begs for critical analysis:   Are you sure that he does not have a political agenda, despite the fact that he mocks politicians? To answer that question with a degree of veracity requires some study to establish a trend. Watching the show one day probably does not give adequate exposure to the content to declare that he either does have a political agenda or he has no bias. What I would suggest is that to rule out the possibility of a clear bias or to establish the slant of his bias, if any, a quantifying study of content would be needed.

A study of this type would consider the political party of all guests who were politicians and all stories focusing on politicians. It would need to be conducted over a period of time, perhaps a month or a season of the show. Maybe Jon Stewart was a bit grouchy one day, and his sarcasm was over-the-top on that occasion. To rule out things like the influence of mood (since Jon Stewart is human and subject to human nature), the study would need to compile this information over an extended period of time, not a single day.

Even one day can help to make a somewhat informed decision in search of a political agenda for the purpose of discussion, but lacks credibility because of the variability of human condition to which Jon Stewart is subject. However, a single day of viewing lacks the content immersion required to establish a trend that lends credibility to a declarative statement that a TV host is clearly pushing an ideological agenda as a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate the viewers.

After the study is completed, it would be instructive to see quantified results. For instance, if Jon Stewart picks on Republicans like Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, Haley Barbour, and Michelle Bachmann day after day, month after month, but never gives a modicum of equal time to lampooning Democrats like Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, or Nancy Pelosi, can a person say that there is clearly no political agenda because Jon Stewart spent the majority of his time mocking politicians? Does he fairly distribute the mockery among prominent politicians without regard to political affiliation or ideological bent?

To echo a statement from part one of this discussion, the challenge is in judging what constitutes bias. How do a TV host and his viewers collectively establish a centrist perspective that would be completely apolitical? One person’s bias is another person’s reality.

The Political Persuasion of The Daily Show

In my current class focusing on media influence on society, we are discussing sarcasm and irony used by the media as part of healthy political discourse in society. One of the prime examples of irony given by the facilitator is The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. This is part of my discussion with the class about that program. What do you think?

From my viewpoint, it is difficult to dispute the fact that Jon Stewart does have a political bias. I don’t really have a problem with it, because the bias seems clear to me and I can filter my perceptions about the show using my acknowledgement that the program is partisan. On the other hand, it is a comedy show and uses satire and irony for entertainment. The show routinely exaggerates for comedic purposes so I don’t blame the producers and Stewart for creating that bias. The tongue-in-cheek nature of that comedic exaggeration is sometimes evident when you see that Jon Stewart is trying to stifle a grin. The same thing was obvious on the Weekend Update segments with Norm MacDonald. MacDonald's exaggeration was sometimes so over-the-top that it was clear that he was ready to bust a gut laughing at himself and the irony of the stories.

When I read in interviews that Jon Stewart has no political agenda in doing the show, I understand. I believe that he thinks he applies no bias. However, since bias is a subjective perception of self, what may seem nonexistent to him may seem clear to the viewer. The difficulty in judging partiality is that both the host and the viewer have to acknowledge subjectivity, because each person is different. When people watch the Daily Show and get annoyed because of the messages that appear to be part of a political agenda, maybe the viewer misses the point that it is comedy and involves satirical humor and irony. The other challenge is in judging what constitutes bias.

How do a TV host and his group of viewers collectively establish one centrist perspective that would be completely nonpartisan or moderate? One person’s bias is another person’s centrist reality.

This week's classroom discussion: The American Melting Pot

In class, we are debating the "American Melting Pot" versus the Salad Bowl. The idea is that in the salad bowl that they are trying to use as a replacement for assimilating and becoming an American, everyone embraces their ethnic diversity first, and becomes an American as an afterthought, really. That just doesn't work for me and sounds backwards.

All this talk about multiculturalism is so euphorian and politically correct, such nonsense, especially when individual cultures and Americanism can co-exist without the need to erase ethnicity. Some of the reasons that the "Melting Pot" is endangered include the strong emphasis on valuing multiculturalism over assimilation. I see no reason why I cannot celebrate my German heritage at the Oktoberfest back home where most everyone is German, and still be an American. I am not a German-American. My ancestors came from Germany (more or less), but I clearly am not a German! If I must be a hyphenated American, then I am an American-American... I didn't originate in Germany, after all. Whatever my ethnicity, in the end, I am still me, simply an American.

I do not ask others to forget their heritage, but I think that Americans have to remember that they are Americans first. To strengthen the American culture, loyalty has to be to the United States first and with a greater bond than ethnic diversity can ever lay claim. Even becoming a naturalized American, loyalty should be to your new country first, with nods toward the heritage of your origins. I believe that diverse cultures are very interesting and make life more dynamic, but I do not believe that sharing cultural flavor has to diminish the uniqueness of being a flag-waving American. Look at what America offers. There is more freedom to do what you want and to take chances to become who you want here than anywhere else. That is what distinguishes Americans from the rest of the world, the great extent to which freedom of expression and thought sets us apart from most of the world. If Americans of every race, color, and heritage would join together to express pride in being free, proud Americans, that is half the distance to the goal, I believe.

Now, I can see that last statement being taken too far, and that is a danger as well. How far do you have to go toward preserving the American Melting Pot before you become jingoistic or drunk with nationalistic fervor? History has shown countries that started out trying to unite, especially in hard economic times, and then took it too far, when a charismatic leader took the people to nationalism with an eye toward world domination (think of German and Axis powers and a serious superiority complex). So, what do we do, as Americans, to unite and embrace what it means to be an American first? Simple. Celebrate being an American, not a hyphenated American whose ancestors happened to come from some other country! Then, get together with your neighbors who happen to be of a different race or color, and share your cultural experiences and your ethnic cooking. I see this as a raison d'etre that can join people together. Sharing their cultural differences and learning how those things fit together in America can unite people under the banner of American pride. I know that all sounded like a pepfest for American cultural superiority, but America has no originating culture of its own.  At it's core, being American is itself a blend of world cultures, all melted together. That is the essence of the American melting pot.

 

If you are a native-born American, be proud of it and embrace it, because you are mighty fortunate to have been born in this great country. If you happen to be a naturalized citizen, shout out your allegiance to America first! Assimilation is not a curse or a mistake. Be proud to have melted into the stew that is American culture, a mix of the whole world's ethos, only this is better than any individual culture.  Celebrating American cultural pride comes with a great, big helping of freedom on the side. Now what is wrong with that?  

Ethnocentrism: Part 2

I was thinking about ethnocentrism and needed to think of a positive side, because the negative side was making me feel really melodramatic and pessimistic about the human race collectively ever getting it together. I still have big concerns in that regard, but that is what it means to be human, I guess. We make mistakes. But a positive side of ethnocentrism came to me... beer!

Okay, let me explain. I grew up in southern Minnesota. There is a city of about 15,000 people nearby called New Ulm. Sounds very German, and it is very, very German. The people living there could not be prouder about the colorful, festive side of that German heritage. They have a big, old beer party every October and they call it... what else? Oktoberfest. One of the oldest privately-owned breweries in the United States is there, making Shell's beer. They set up huge tents and have ethnic music, people wearing lederhosen are everywhere, and believe me, you have never seen so many yodelers in one place! As a student of history (and communications, of course), it is impossible for me to forget that Germany also had a very ugly period of nationalist fervor that got so far out of hand that it spawned two world wars and tens of millions of people died. I cannot forget the indelible stain that is part of modern history. But living decades later, I can see that there are parts of German heritage that are fun, colorful, and bring people together for good times. That type of ethnocentrism is a positive thing and worth celebrating.

A Post Driven by My Classroom Discussion of Ethnocentrism

This is one of my posts to my class today regarding ethnocentrism:

 

In 2009, there was a news story about how Congress was debating whether or not to pass a resolution telling Turkey that the Armenian genocide that took place in 1915 was, in fact, genocide and a crime against humanity. The debate centered around several things. I don't think that anyone in Congress really believed that this was NOT genocide, but to a degree that is speculation on my part. I would guess that the debate about whether or not to tell Turkey in a formal resolution that a bad thing happened there over 90 years ago is actually driven by concerns over access to Turkish air space and military staging areas for U.S. military maneuvers in the Middle East, especially in Afghanistan.

Now, to keep this relevant to the discussion of ethnocentrism, why is it so important to put it out there and state, without equivocation, that the Holocaust was genocide, that the KKK committed race-based crimes, that what happened in 1915 in Armenia was ethnocentristic genocide? The debate I mentioned above was also driven by the idea that to turn a blind eye to radical ethnocentrism is to empower it and allow it to continue in the future. I am absolutely certain that is continuing in various places in Africa and other locations worldwide, even in places that consider themselves to be civilized by some definition of their own choosing.

So why is it the business of America to say that the Armenian killings were genocide? I think it is a debate that is important for the entirety of humanity to discuss. If you have a pulse, you are qualified to discuss it, in my opinion, the same way that the Holocaust debate is not reserved just for Germans and the Jews. I think that in the rear view mirror of history, it usually becomes more clear that genocide has happened in the past... it becomes less debateable when respected scholars and historians say that it is an objective historical fact. I admit that I struggle with the idea that some people still debate whether genocides such as the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide have taken place. How much evidence does one need to understand that radical ethnocentrism never has a positive outcome? Ethnocentrism at its most fundamental happens when one group of people believes that another bunch of people does not have a right to be. It would be nice to pin down a fixed definition of ethnocentrism (though I agree that this is often subjective) so that in modern society, people do not stand by while one race wipes out another.

Gabriel lost his first tooth!

Gabriel lost his first tooth last night as he bit into a nectarine. He was very excited. He had it in his head that the Tooth Fairy brought a "lollipop". I explained to him that the Tooth Fairy was a lot like the dentist: he wanted you to take care of your teeth. He said "A penny?" I said that I was certain it would be something like that. We stuck his tiny tooth in a sandwich bag and put it under his pillow. The Tooth Fairy took the tooth and deposited 4 quarters in the bag. He proudly showed me his bag of loot this morning.

The Job Summit, Adventures with a Babysitter, and Hell in a Dentist's Chair

Can you believe all of this happened in one day? Well, two of the stories are related. The boys had a babysitter because I was going to the 1st annual MNSRA Job Summit at the Mall of America.

First: my fun. I parked in the parking ramp and managed to find my way back to the van at the end of it, but that just means I was smart enough to right down minute details of where I was parked. I got into the mall and had trouble figuring out where I was supposed to go. I figured, what the heck, at least I know it is on the 4th floor. I got on the elevator and pressed 4. Lucky for me, it was such a big to-do that I didn't have trouble figuring it out from there. I went over and wrote my name on a nametag that wouldn't stick to my polyester suit jacket, picked up a pack of stuff, and made my way over to the booth of only temp agency that was handing out plastic bags. I got their info and handed them my resume (lot of good it will do me) and shook hands. I made my way to another booth. All of these booths, except 2, were temp/temp-to-hire/direct-hire agencies that found work for clerical, customer service, technology, light industrial, and some banking and management positions. Maybe I have a shot if they don't require experience for light industrial or I prove that I'm knowledgable enough in Microsoft Office. Too bad I'm not Doug.

I went into one of the first presentations. It was on what employers are looking for on a resume and in an interview. It is a good thing I sat for that, because I didn't make into the LONG list of those getting a resume review. I liked the interview tips, but I can't get that far, so I need help in a different way. During the break, I found a booth of a company called Gradstaff. They place recent grads in entry-level positions. I asked if they would place a not-so-recent social work grad in an entry-level position. They said they would do that, so I gave them my resume. I am feeling slightly hopeful about that, because they obviously are not looking for experience.

They referred me to their presentation, which I didn't make it to because I couldn't figure out exactly where it was. I got caught in another one that was starting. It was kind of a happy accident, though. I ended up in a presentation by a motivational speaker for a company called FISH. This guy wasn't the founder, but he might as well have been. His passion came across to the entire audience. I know...that's his job...but he really did believe the principles. The principles of this company were based on behavior observed at the Seattle fish market, and were meant for helping companies succeed, but he applied them to jobseekers. It was really fun and uplifting. I even scored a stuffed toy fish for laughing at the guy's jokes. I laughed the loudest once. Afterwards, I even got a nice compliment from a guy. He said I had a wonderfully contagious laugh. Every time he heard me giggle, he laughed. :-) I'm glad I made someone happy. I also got some laughs from the people surrounding me when I told an old guy walking over, looking for a seat with a little uncertainty as to where to go, that I didn't bite.

During another break, I walked over to a table that caught my eye simply because of the word "community" on the brochure. I started talking to the employee running the booth. I asked what they do. She was telling me about the programs and I told her what attracted me and why. She said she is there to talk about their men's program but handed me her business card and told me to email her. I felt like I scored as much from that one as the Gradstaff booth. I hope she can help me.

When I got home, the children were sitting outside on the chairs with DeAnn, the babysitter. They seemed to have had fun, and that was confirmed when I heard about them going out for a walk, discovering the cemetery, talking about the crosses on the headstones, conning car salesmen out of balloons filled with helium, and bringing me back some fake flowers found blowing in the cemetery. DeAnn was really cool with them. They hugged her when she left. I'm sure I'll contact her again, especially since she is the closest babysitter I have met so far.

It was about 1 p.m. when I got back. Doug left his office for his dental appointment around 2:30. He told me the work was only supposed to take 45 minutes so he thought he would be home by 5 p.m.. I was waiting. By the time 6 p.m. came around and I didn't hear from him, I started to worry. However, I figured that the dentist's office had my phone number. I would have heard something if there was really an emergency. I finally got a message from him at 6:30 p.m. that he was done and coming home. He arrived in the doorway swallowing blood, swollen, and in major pain. I had to go to the pharmacy near his office to get some prescription pain killers and amoxicillin. (The darn insurance will only let us get medicine at CVS now.) I left right away because I saw the pain. He told me he didn't like being "a learning experience". Though the doctor was not new, Doug was special. The dentist had his assistant. After some struggling, they brought in the dental assistant of an oral surgeon who was a friend of the dentist. When she couldn't help, they brought in the oral surgeon himself. Eleven shots of Novocaine and two shots of some other "-caine" later, Doug was finally done. He was allowed to take a ton of pain killer, was restricted from many foods and any brushing for awhile, and had to chomp on gauze and ice his cheek. That was hell and I know that without even having gone through it. Poor Dougie.

What Comes Next? Longevity of Power Assured

So what is next? Universal voter registration. Before summer is out, this will be proposed and quite possibly will be the law. This will automatically register people to vote, using DMV records, income tax returns, welfare rolls, unemployment lists and government databases, and the CENSUS (counting citizens AND non-citizens). Why? To ensure the controlling party in 2010 remains in control in perpetuity. No ID? No problem!

Jericho picks out his own clothes

Gabriel has been picking out his clothes for ages. That is why he frequently goes places and doesn't match. Gabriel started helping Jericho get dressed in the morning not that long ago. He was even helping him go to the bathroom. Jericho has been getting more and more independent. About a week ago he started getting his own clothes and randomly going to the bathroom by himself. It is funny watching him struggle to get his pants and pull-up or diaper down and then getting on the toilet. He sits backwards so he can watch the pee hit the toilet and maybe aim it right to get lucky enough and make bubbles. When I say random, it really is random. We definitely don't have the potty-training thing down pat. I've decided to try and bribe him with M&Ms now. We'll see if it works.

Lola plays fetch

We took Lola out of her cage to play with her. Gabriel always wants her, but Lola always flies back to me. So I patiently stood in the kitchen with Lola on my shoulder so Gabriel could play with her. He took a clip out of her cage that I use to hang up sprigs of millet. He held it out for her to grab and she took it. The thing is rather chunky and metal and has a tiny whole in the middle of the parts you grab and squeeze to open the grabbing part. She grabbed that and then dropped it. Gabriel thought that was fun and gave it to her again. About the fourth time of doing it, she actually flung it. You could tell. We weren't sure before that if it was just accidental, but that really made it obvious that she was intentionally dropping it. Gabriel rolled with laughter. He said he was training her. On the inside I was laughing. I let him think what he wanted, but I knew the truth: the bird was training him. Our Sun Conure really is smart. I can't wait to do it again. I've never seen her actually do a trick. I usually put on music for her, but I think I'm going to have to put on those training CDs and see if she ever says a phrase. I'm still laughing that the bird trained my son to play fetch.

Jericho says his name?

The kids were outside sledding on the last bit of snow. It really is nice out. They disappeared around the side of the hill and I didn't know where they were. When I called out to them, Gabriel reappeared first and said that they made a friend. He also said that Jericho said his name. I've never once heard Jericho say his name. Many people have asked him, and he always sits there in stony silence. So I didn't personally hear him, but I guess I'm inclined to believe Gabriel. I just wish I could have heard what it sounded like. Maybe I'll hear it some time in the future when someone else asks him his name.

My animals visit zoo animals

Doug had lots of school work to do and the boys were loud and obnoxious. We needed to leave. We hadn't been to the zoo in awhile, so we went. I wasn't excited to visit animals in the cold air, so we hit the indoor stuff, the trails. The first thing you come upon is the Tropics Trail. I like that one. We saw all kinds of stuff: fish, turtles, birds, lemurs, red pandas, a hedgehog, and various other animals. The gibbons were on maternity leave. Then we went through the Minnesota Trail. It is partly open air. We saw beavers, mountain lions, wolves, a bald eagle, otters, more fish, and stuff about owls. They have these papers with squares with the names of certain animals, like the paddlefish, and paper embossers. Kids match up the drawing next to the embosser with the drawing next to the squares on the paper, put the correct square up in the slot, and press the handle as hard as they can. It puts a cool imprint on the paper. The boys had to do it. When we came out of the Minnesota Trail, you end out where you see the Tropics Trail, so I was lead that way again. When we came out of there, we went through the Minnesota Trail again. Of course, they had to do the paper thing again. I guess they had fun.

Jericho is racing a big dump truck across the kitchen floor from entrance to entrance. "One, two, three...'tum" (here I come). He gets to the end and says, "I wose (lose)! Yeah!" I'm laughing my butt off!

Gabriel amazes me again

Sometimes my kid really amazes me. We just finished watching Horton Hears A Who and he asked me: Mom, does the Grinch live on a speck? Not only did he connect the fact that both are Dr. Seuss stories, but he also realized that both main characters are voiced by Jim Carrey.