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! 

Photo Friday

On Friday morning I was greeted by the fact that I am not immune to hangovers. This after taking Advil before, after and that morning. 

One would think that I had learned my lesson the night before. 

Not quite. 

But I have the whole day to get to that. 

Lunch at Loui's. A great little breakfast place between the Seal Rock Inn and the Cliff House.

Yumminess.

Then off to Starbucks. Because lets face it. This girl needed some espresso. Stat. 

Which completely explains why I got a Say Chai Latte.

Yeah, sometimes I can't explain myself either. 

Then on to a Bay Cruise. 

Being hungover and on a boat don't mix. Just in case anyone was wondering. But I did fine. Took some really cool photos. 

I dislike digital photography in its pure form. Too sterile. Very much returning to film photography for art, but otherwise running my digital through Photoshop. 

It was actually a beautiful day on the bay. Not too windy and not too cold. Loved it. 

Met the Captain who was into photography as much as I am, so we talked about what we liked, disliked. It was really cool to meet someone who like photography as much as I did. 

After the bay cruise we drove around stopping and I took a few more photos.

I'm working on getting a body of work together. I've not been taking photos for myself for ages. And it's a blast to create again and figure out where I am as an artist and more importantly who I am. 

Some really cool and interesting results were a result of Friday. And even though Big Brother didn't like most of what I produced, it was a great day for me. At least. 

He liked this one. 

Then it was nap time for the adults. 

As an adult I totally appreciate nap time. What was I thinking as a child?!?!

I will be back tomorrow with Friday nights festivities. (This is the part of the trip where I lie my pants off!)

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. 

Starbucks Gold

I have a Starbucks Gold card.

Yeah. 

I'm one of "those."

Sadly, it has already paid for itself.

Something has got to keep me "retail peppy!"

I normally just use the free wifi I get from the Starbucks Gold card (and iPhone) to check Facebook while I'm waiting for my drink. Today I lugged my laptop to work and will blog during my lunch break.

Yay! WiFi!

Obviously I am woefully behind on blogging.

And I have a ton to say.

I just got back from San Francisco.

Hung out with Big Brother and met his girlfriend. I have thoughts on that matter (all good) but I will keep them to myself, as I have not shared with anyone, not even the brother. 

Also, I met a ridiculous amount of my father's family. People I haven't seen since I was four. 

Obviously, I am still processing a lot from the trip. All told, I met over 100 people and pretty much slept all day on Tuesday.

Needless to say I had a great time. California is one of my favorite places in the world. Previously, I have made my trips out there as often as possible, and that was before I met family.

Yes, people I have been to California before! I'll add my gripe list to my other blog. Urg. Minnesota is not as rural and sticks as they seem to think out there. People almost got slapped by the end of the weekend. That being said, they know how to party out there, I acted like I was in my early twenties again!

For now, I will leave you with a photo....

That's just a SMALL portion of the family I met!!!

I am still speechless.

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

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! 

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! 

The House Rule and other good ideas.

Thanks to my good friend Kellyn, over at The Fritz Facts I have one house rule. It was hers and it's such a great idea I can't imagine not having it. 

No trips to the hospital. 

It's more versatile than you think. 

It takes care of any kind of rough housing, sibling rivalry, most other dangerous activities, messy rooms, and yes, even sassing. 

It's what gets me through school release days. Like today. A workshop day for the teachers although twenty bucks tells me they all stayed home and slept. I wouldn't blame them, if I were in charge of 20+ kindergartners I would sleep all the time! 

The other thing that gets me through school release days is revisiting my other house rule. Love this rule, but had to abandon it when Cub started school this year.

It's the 8 o'clock rule. 

Very simple. Do whatever you want as long as it obeys the other house rule, just do not bother or otherwise wake momma before 8 am. 

This is because I am not a morning person. However, Cub is.

Kitten, my golden child, also enjoys the 8 o'clock rule. This morning Cub went upstairs and watched cartoons until 8:30 (I love that child), then she had to get dressed. Kitten and I willed ourselves up, with Cub rolling her eyes and expressing her frustration. 

But hey, we're all dressed now and in the lull of another lazy Monday. Another housebound Monday. One last day of the deep freeze. I hope beyond all hope that this is our last stretch of below zero weather. Seriously. I think I need to make the weather aware of my house rule, because being -20 is a clear and willful violation. 

I just have one other problem. One that my covers-all house rule can't fix. 

I'm leaving for a long weekend in San Francisco in a month. Cub will be fine. I sometimes think I'm just an annoyance she puts up with for things like, I don't know shelter, and food, and clothes. 

Kitten, on the hand, she won't be fine. I went out on Saturday night and she thought for sure that was when I was leaving. She was absolutely beside herself. She had her boots on, hat and purse. That child was coming with me, come hell or high water! 

The problem with Kitten is that she has only been on an airplane twice. Both times she's gone to California. She thinks that is the only other place in the world to go. She also knows her beloved uncle lives there. The uncle that gave her a flying monkey for Christmas. 

I'm not sure if I should lie to her, because that child is smart and she'll figure it out. I'm trying the whole honesty route and trying to plan a really fun weekend for her while I'm gone. I know after I leave she'll be fine. I've just never come across a child so good at the whole pre-trip guilt trip. You'd think I was abandoning her for good! 

I was more of an Advil mom anyways...

I've only been half following my Twitter feed today and last night, but I've noticed that everyone has been really upset over this Motrin ad. Well, it can't be that bad, right? I mean no huge drug company is going to do something really stupid in how they market a drug. Surely, my twitter friends can't be correct, can they?

So I headed on over to Motrin's website and took a look-see for myself.

OH. MY. WORD!!!!!

They are freakin' kidding me!

Baby carriers/slings/pouches are not back pain causers! 

That being said, I was a mom who had two really bad pregnancies, especially the second one. Seriously, morning sickness EVERY DAY for nine months, and my hip falling out of alignment. No joke, that hurt more than the labor! So, umm, I was in pain for the majority of pregnancy number two. Which may have skewed my take on being pain free after the baby was born.

I also have to say that I have only worn a baby carrier/sling/whatever once. 

Don't judge my appearance too harshly. It was THREE WEEKS after Kitten was born!

Yeah, that didn't make my back hurt at all. So Motrin, what's up with that?

Am I not cool enough to use your drug because my baby carrier didn't make my back hurt? And honestly, I have never met a mom who has had the back aching issues that you describe from wearing a baby carrier.

Honestly, all I've ever heard is how great they are and make it so much EASIER on a mom, because she has the baby so close and doesn't need to carry the baby around. Apparently, long periods of holding a baby are much harsher on one's body than a sling!

So Motrin, get your facts straight. Talk to some real moms who are in the know. And no, I am not over-reacting because yes, your ad is offensive, but also your ad demonstrates how woefully out of touch you are with REAL MOMS!!  Until then, I was more of an Advil person anyways, so I'll stick with them.

For other Motrin giving moms a headache reaction, visits a collection of blogger mom reaction here! 

One more vacation photo!