Leopard Spots

My Favorite Photo

I have shared with you all most of my photos from San Francisco but I have saved my favorite for last. 

Amazing? I think so. 

This is a photo that I wanted to do something with. I couldn't just let it sit in my MacBook while I figured out what to do with it. I've always wanted to get a photo on canvas. I've spent so much time scouring the interwebs for places that print photos on canvas and they all have one thing in common.

They are expensive! With prices starting at around $50 for an 8x10, it just wasn't gonna happen. At least for awhile. But then, thanks to my amazing Twitter network, I love my Twitter friends! I found @photocanvas and all he does are canvas prints and for half the price of those other places!

My 8x10 just arrived in the mail...and it was amazing! I immediately put the print in a place I will look everyday, in my room amongst all the photos of my little leopards. 

This photo can't do it justice. The flash washed out the vibrancy of the colors, the sharpness of the print. If you want to know what it looks like, just take a look at first photo posted above. Fabulous. 

The best part is that their prices start at just $25 for an 8x10 canvas print. And on top of that they are amazing photographers. The care and attention to detail that is put into your print will far exceed the care that is put into in a one of those other photo "factories." So if you have that really special photo that you've just been waiting to do something with. Order a canvas print! And the best part is, they come ready to hang, so you don't even have to search for a matte and frame! 

On moms and cooperation...

As competitive as we moms are, we are just as, if not more cooperative. And I love that. 

Sunday night I was in the throes of dealing with uber-sick Kitten. This child has taken "The Plague" to another level this time around and it's been a little scary and a whole lot exhausting to say the least. But I was invited to a show a Bryant Lake Bowl by a radio station I had never heard of before and needing to get out, my mom demanded to baby-sit (she does that a lot). So off this single mom and I went. She is one of my best friends, but because we are both single moms we rarely get to see each other. 

Her daughter also plays hockey and Cub wants to play hockey. So now Cub has a hockey mentor and a connection for hockey gear, because anyone who pays even a little bit of attention to hockey knows how expensive it is. So both of our daughters are crazy excited to get to skate together. I was also given an overview to the world of hockey moms and what my experience would most likely be as single hockey mom. 

It was a great time on Sunday night we are even planning on trying to go to Boston together in the fall. It's always fun to share those experiences especially when we're single moms!

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But Kitten is still sick. She has an ear infection. This is her second one this year and by this year I mean since the beginning of 2009. The last time I had an ear infection, well, I was too young to remember. There is a ton I don't know about ear infections and I don't know what Kitten is feeling and what I can do to make her feel better. 

Thankfully, I know the Queen of Ear Infections (yes, that is a proper title). Kellyn over at Fritz Facts has had a ton to deal with and so I knew she would know exactly what to do. And I was able to help Kitten out a bit more. She has been crying for the past few mornings, but this morning she wasn't so uncomfortable she was screaming. Yeah, she slept till ten and is more bouncy than she has been (by more bouncy, I mean aided by the bed she refuses to leave today). 

Now I just have to get over whatever tertiary illness Kitten was kind enough to pass along by Friday, because we are going to Chicago this weekend!!!! Woohoo!

magic

I have a confession to make.

I am an absolute moron when it comes to grocery shopping. I have no idea where anything is. At all. Telling you how long it took to find graham crackers yesterday would probably get my mom license revoked. 

The little leopards and I made s'mores yesterday. There was a fire in the fire place and we ran out and got the chocolate, strawberry marshmallows (because regular ones just won't do) and the evasive graham crackers. 

I love spending quality time with my babies and I always feel like I don't spend enough time with them. 

Even though since Thursday I've had more time than usual. We had an eye appointment, everything is the same, but we're watching the eyes a little bit, because if they turn in this would be the time it happens. Then I took them out to lunch, because Cub was missing lunch anyways since I had to pull her out of school for the appointment. On Friday, and perhaps this is a statement to how I have in some ways lost my mind, we ran errands I took the little leopards out to eat again. It was a school release day for Cub and it was a perfect day to kind of run around at a mildly lazy pace. But then I get to so used to it. Feeling their weight in my arms. Preparing for the running and slamming hugs (because regular ones would just be too boring).

And on Sunday at work, I had to leave early, I hadn't spent much time with my leopards since Friday morning and my arms ached. Physically ached because I yearned to much for them. Walking through the door two hours early when your children don't except you is about the coolest thing in the world. Okay, IT IS the coolest thing in the world. 

We watched a movie and cuddled and made dinner and s'mores. It was one of those afternoons I never want to end. They fight a little harder when bedtime comes, and I give in, but just a little because it is a school night. 

And the energy still holds in the air. Those are the best nights, going to sleep still feeling the magic of the day. 

On The Amazon Kindle for iPhone

So I'm reading Jodi Picoult's latest novel. 

I didn't pay the hardcover price.

And I can't remember the last time I walked into a library. 

I bought it on Amazon.com.

All y'all can discuss an intervention some other time. I'm as happy as a clam. 

I'm sure everyone had heard about the Kindle 2. And I've secretly always wanted one. Until I found out they were $359. Yeah, I'm good thanks. 

However a new iPhone app just came out. The Kindle books can now be read on an iPhone. And the application is free. I am so all over that!

 

So I ordered "Handle with Care." I'm a sucker for a Jodi Picoult book and figured I would somehow be able to get through this book even it turned out I hated the application. 

The story is great I can't stop reading. 

Except I always have my iPhone with me. Standing in line? Whip out my phone and read a little bit of the book (and I don't even have to flip to the bookmarked page it just opens up). Wake up in the middle of the night? Oh, it's so bad...

I turned the brightness all the way down on my phone so I can read without the harsh backlight. And it saves a ton of battery power so I solved two problems with that one. 

However, I can't turn pages. Or feel pages. There won't be any food or drink stuck in random places when I'm done with the book. The bottom of the book will never be wet from reading in the pool. And I can't give it to anyone when I'm done. 

As much fun and as convenient as it is to always have my latest read with me I truly miss the organic experience of reading. The experience of lending books and getting books from my friends. The feel of a worn page in my hand. The cover of a book that not only holds a preview of within but also tells the tale of who has read it. 

I'm sure I will use this from time to time, but it doesn't replace the book for me. And now I know I will never ever want a Kindle. 

My apologies to amazon. But you guys already get enough of my money! 

Thursday: The Start

If you want to know about my adventure getting to San Francisco read this post. 

So I got in a few hours early. I tried to sleep on the plane, but I don't think I slept that much. 

F.Y.I Peet's coffee is hella good.

Way better than Starbucks. 

Then we were off to check-in to my hotel. The Seal Rock Inn. It's not really close to anything. Except for the Cliff House and Ocean Beach. Really, the view rocked and all I did was crash there. So I was happy. 

Then to the Beach Chalet, I've heard of this place but did not realize it was a micro-brewery. Hello. Me + micro-brewery = true love. 

Yeah, and catching up with the brother. That was cool too. 

Called back home to talk to the little leopards. They weren't sad yet, they were distracted by the nearly 20 inch blizzard. 

Minnesotans, I'm going with 20 inches. I'm not sure, I haven't been able to get a straight answer out of any of you! Our snow stories are almost as bad as our fish stories!

We went across the road to Ocean Beach.

Ahhh...ocean love. It's ridiculously windy at this beach.

But it will forever be one of my favorite beaches. This is where I took Kitten when she was three weeks old. Her first view of the ocean was this view except it was a lot colder, cloudier and windier. 

Then back to the hotel so I could rest and unpack some more, then off to visit a couple of places where my brother hangs out and a quick lunch with his mom (we have the same dad, different moms). 

In case any of you are counting. I had two beers at the Beach Chalet, a wine and Absolut Martini at dinner and then it was off to a club where the brother works.

We stopped at AsiaSF to see the Ladies of Asia show. During the middle of the show he leaned over and asked me why I wasn't taking any photos, because he whispers, "You know they're not really girls."

Thanks, I knew that. I'm not THAT sheltered in Minnesota! 

For those of you keeping up with the drink count. Add a bottle of Corona. 

We also met up with one of his friends. I don't remember how he knows her.

Judge me now for that, but in the next couple of posts, you'll find that I met over 100 people that weekend.

For those of you that know me. Yeah, totally not good at names at all!

After AsiaSF, it was off to the bar. 

Yeah, I said the bar.

Quick sidenote: I did talk to one of my friends tonight. The one I normally "go out" with and she confirmed that I really don't drink that much. I absolutely never have liquor in the house and when I go out, I'm really good about sticking to a low drink limit. Don't judge me by these posts! Also, I blame the brother and whoever bought me all these drinks, I only recall paying for one drink during my entire trip!

I say "the bar" because I don't remember the name. Pretty sure it was Finney's Green, but they don't have a website to link to, so they don't count. 

However, they did have Boddington's. This is where I met the work friends (from his main job). Also, this is where the drink count went out the window and also where I started forgetting names. Or not processing them to begin with.

Thank god for Facebook and photo tagging!

The bar was great and I had a wonderful time. I was able to get my spiel down. When did I get into town, when was I leaving, had I been to California before, blah, blah, blah. 

Sometimes I bore myself. 

So day one over. Met around 10 people. Drank more than I should have. Little leopards at home and happy.

Photo of big brother and me...

Notice our squinty eyes. Mine are squintier than his. I have had a COMPLEX about my squinty eyes for years. Okay, my ENTIRE life. Met him, don't have the complex anymore. Also, pretty sure Cub's eyes will wind up being the squintiest of them all!

Day one: Check.

Come back tomorrow for the adventures of Friday. 

Only me.

Only I can't accomplish getting from point a to point b without drama. Omigoosh! 

At five this morning United called me to tell me my flights had been cancelled going to San Francisco. She seemed shockingly okay with my predicament and was about to wish me a good day and send me on my way. 

Wait?!? 

What?!? 

See. I have like one life goal today. And that is getting from Minneapolis to San Francisco. And she was not helping me out at all! After snapping completely out of sleep I was able to get her to book me on a new itinerary. 

Great.

Except I had to leave for the airport right away. Never having been one to take really early flights at all, being that I am so not a morning a person I have to say that I was more than a little surprised at how busy the airport is at FIVE IN THE MORNING! 

And it's almost all crabby business travelers. Being that I am NEVER awake enough to be completely functional, I dreaded this. But. It seems that they were not so awake either.

Airport survival rocks. 

And I got on my 6:55 am flight to Chicago. Now from Chicago to San Francisco. A five hour flight with 89 high school band members. And they're already rowdy. Fabulous. 

On the plus side I get in earlier, so hopefully more time with Big Brother. There is a pretty "fun" weather system coming into Minneapolis today. 

Which I get to miss. Sorry y'all, and why the first flight got cancelled. And while I thought I had conquered the elusive search foot sleep it seems to have evaded me once again. 

No worries. 

I'm off to San Francisco and hanging with the brother and meeting lots of long lost family. I am totally excited. For real :-D 

Sent from my iPhone

Perpich Day at the Capital as experienced with Plastic Fantastic!

Alright, so there is a HUGE state deficit in Minnesota...along with like what, every other state. Of course, the budget is hotly contended right now and one of the big losers may be the high school I graduated from. 

There is so much I can say about my high school experience. For everything that I may have done or not done with the arts portion of my education, it taught me more about what the real world was than anything else had and prepared me for an ever changing world. Something that most high schools do not do today. 

Perpich Center for Arts Education is not only the Arts High School, but probably more importantly is a professional development and research agency dedicated to "improving the teaching of and learning in and through the arts." Check all this out at the website.

The plan is to convert the Arts High School to a charter school, which would substantially hurt the statewide recruiting of students to the school. But more importantly the state would lose this important state agency. 

Teaching art in school is more than about teaching art, it's about teaching students how to think critically, incorporate different skills from across multiple disciplines to succeed and prepare for an ever changing world. 

I'm toning it down a lot for this blog, but that is the general gist of my rant. I will leave you with some of the photos I took with the Holga. I love shooting with this thing and tried to work with multiple exposure in a low light area, so they didn't turn out exactly how I wanted, but still it's SO MUCH FUN!!!

Current PCAE students performing an original song.

Cool Perpich banners...

Completely where the multiple exposure with no flash in a low light situation did not work, PCAE students dancing...going for the whole movement quality...perhaps you get the gist?

STINKS!!! She was totally digging the stairs!

Holgariffic.

A multiple exposure that actually worked out, perhaps it's a meditation on the two opposing political parties and how they don't always blend....

(look at me being so deep...and totally not what I was thinking when taking this photo) 

Aquariums

So I am earnestly planning and booking our trip to Chicago for Kitten's birthday. You don't even know how excited the little leopards are to go there! And me? I am so much more excited!

Our trip is based around two things. A dinner where deep dish pizza will be involved. Very important. And a trip to the Shedd Aquarium. 

The girls like two things in life. California and water. 

I'm sure there are more things they like. But those two love things that have to do with the water. Their room is a beach/Nemo theme. They love all things that do with aquatic life. 

I've wanted to Kitten to the Shedd Aquarium forever because I know how much she will like it. 

And then I started thinking about all the traveling I have now committed myself to this year. 

A trip to San Francisco for my birthday. Chicago for Kitten's. July will include return trips to both San Francisco and Chicago. 

I'm thinking I need to do something for Cub's birthday. 

And I'm missing going to the East Coast. 

And another fantastic aquarium.

Boston and the New England Aquarium. 

This of course is all dependent upon how well I survive traveling on an airplane by myself with my two little leopards. Yes, I am already strategically planning airport security. Trying to get through with two small children and all of our junk WITHOUT slowing other, more disgruntled travelers. Yes, I'm shooting for the stars I know. 

But, should we survive that. Twice. In July. I'm sure we'll do it again for Boston. 

Brace yourselves East Coast. Momma Mac and the little leopards just might be coming your way! 

My New Year's Resolution

I'm going to talk about one of my New Year's resolutions. 

Yes. In February. 

I only half-heartedly made this one. But it's the one that I'm getting the most support with. Mostly because no one knew Kitten's name. You know, the people that know me in real life. I think some of them thought I named her "The Baby."

I did not. But so often when I talk about my children I refer to Cub by her name and then talk about "my baby." 

The Baby did this, The Baby did that. 

Normally, this wouldn't be a problem except that she is going to be turning three in less than two months.

People keep trying to tell me that she's not a baby anymore. 

Except that she is my baby. 

But I have conceded. 

I'm working on calling her by her name, her actual name. 

And it's kind of working. If I mess up, people are on me. So I'm getting quite good at it. Well, at least at not calling her "The Baby" anymore. 

Now I'm moving on to other nicknames. 

Mostly, Stinker McGee. Shortened to "Stinks" and "Stinka." If you ask her what her name is she'll say, "Stinker McGee." True Story. 

I call her Stinka because she is always getting into trouble and causing assorted mayhem. Because she is, after all, her mother's child. 

So Stinka is my baby. And it's February and I'm still doing good on that New Year's Resolution. Yay me!

Chi-Town

Due to various life circumstance and other business I haven't really made it to Chicago in about, uh, three years. And I miss that place. A lot. Mostly because I miss one thing...

Deep dish pizza. 

Yum.

I'm planning a trip with one of my friends for her birthday this coming summer. But that's six months away. Still kind of a long wait.

But then. I remembered the last time I was in Chicago. For Cub's 3rd birthday. 

As luck would have it Kitten is turning three in less than two months. I've asked her not to. She knows she's going to break my heart by turning three. I might as well mend my broken heart with deep dish pizza. You know. In Chicago. 

I'm working on a plan. It involves me, a 5 hour road trip, two little leopards and one weekend in Chicago. 

And just so it's not a total bust for Kitten's third birthday I suppose we'll visit the Shedd Aquarium. It should be safe for the animals considering the dolphins are gone until June!

Sidenote: For my Mom's cousin...click the email link on the sidebar under my photo. I don't have your email addy, but would love to see you while the ladies and I are in town! Preferably at some place that serves deep dish pizza! Talk to you soon!