Restless Mama

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2010-12-07T16:00:00.001-08:00

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Posted via email from restlessmama's posterous

Fw: LinkedIn Spamming - SO SORRY!

2010-11-08T12:47:00.001-08:00

Aljolynn Sperber

Account Executive

Marketing Maven Public Relations
Phone: (978) 412-5068
Fax: (805) 388-5292
aljolynn@marketingmavenpr.com
www.MarketingMavenPR.com
Twitter: @MarketingMaven2

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Aljolynn Sperber <aljolynnsperber@yahoo.com>
Sent: Mon, November 8, 2010 12:46:51 PM
Subject: LinkedIn Spamming - SO SORRY!

Hello everyone,

Apparently, my LinkedIn account is sending out SPAM invitations. I apologize for any spam that is clogging up your inbox, I am trying to resolve this and have changed my account settings and passwords in the hopes to stop this.

I'm not sure what happened but I am very sorry for any inconvenience and/or stress this may have caused. I just found out how to "Withdraw" the requests and am going through each e-mail sent to do so.

My sincerest apologies,
Aljolynn

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We've MOVED!

2010-09-13T21:37:00.000-07:00

and soon I'll be getting my own domain.

I'm done with Blogger, it's been great but I just wanted to have a fun looking blog without having to hire the talents of a designer. So I just moved EVERYTHING from here to Tumblr.

I'll leave this here for a while but will delete this page completely in the future.

Everything is now at the new Restless Mama & the Mancub page. That will be an entirely personal blog with updates on the happenings of our lives. I'll soon start another blog with the things that fascinate me; politics, art, culture, design, technology and other fun social media geeky jazz.

You can leave comments on my new page.

Check it out. It's fun, it's me, it's happy!

Yellow Tape

2010-09-05T10:59:00.001-07:00

I'm updating this crib so just bare with me.

How it's been going

2010-09-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Now that the Mancub and I are back on the Island it means that we are no longer with my parents, in Seattle, near my besties and Mr. Fella. I have so much to share and will do throughout the next week along with dedicated posts to the Mancub for his birthday month. Can you believe he's going to be TWO?!?!?!?!?!?! Wow.

But right now, I want to share a bit about Mr. Fella.

Mr. Fella.....

Here's a list as to why I am head over heels over this fella (in no particular order):

His man voice, it makes me purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr;
His laugh and reasons why he laughs. He has the most contagious laugh and he will burst with laughter at the most simplest thing. It's adorable and as I mentioned before contagious. We can have a whole telephone conversation where all we do is laugh and our conversations last longer than an hour most of the time;
He's super easy to talk with;
He listens;
He has values, principles and standards and does not falter from them;
He wanted to meet the Mancub and hoped that my little man would like him...how cute! It just shows that he someday wants a family;
He's a nature man but can still do the city too;
When it comes to relationships, he wants a partnership;
He's motivated and follows through; and
His man hands - I want to hold them.

He's a man. A real man. He works with his hands which I've always found super sexy in a man and he has a brain. Not that men who work with their hands don't, it's just that he does and it's super sexy. I feel like he could challenge me intellectually which is important because I can get bored with a man even if he's super hot and manly looking. If he doesn't use that brain, I lose interest pretty quick.

While Mr. Fella and I are still talking and texting we are not a couple. We like each other. Enjoy talking with each other. And while I would love to go for a long distance relationship, he wants his partner to be present; in the same vicinity. I respect that whole heartedly. So, we're just talking. Texting. And I adore him more and more each day.

I miss him. And we only saw each other twice while we were in Seattle but I sure do miss him. I'm not sure where things will go. He knows that I am available for him and only him. How often are you able to find someone that you're able to have a real connection with? Be attracted to?

A few people have suggested that Mancub and I return to Seattle to live there, so Mr. Fella and I can be together. That idea makes me puke. Not because Mr. Fella makes me puke but because doing something, changing my life for a man isn't me. The only man that I'm going to turn my life around for is the Mancub.

Even though I feel as though I could spend the rest of my life getting to know Mr. Fella, my priority is to do what's going to be best for Mancub and me. What's going to make us happy? What will make us feel fulfilled? What's going to make us thrive? What situation is going to work best for me and Mancub? Those are the most important questions to be answered right now.

Anything or anyone else is secondary.

So for now, Mr. Fella and I are talking. Enjoying our conversations and texts. <-- Indeed! I'm texting. How bizarre.

I'm just enjoying getting to know him.

How it went....

2010-08-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

I'll try to make this quick:

Meeting up with Mr. Fella with the Mancub in tow was nice, interesting and I wouldn't do it again - at least not in the near future.

Here's why:

Whenever the Mancub is with me, my attention is constantly referring to him making it damn near impossible to concentrate on anything else;
This leads to me not being the best conversationalist because I am constantly distracted by but focused on the Mancub;
I'm not used to the Mancub and I having an extra person around who I'm romantically interested in, which made me feel a little awkward;
This my friends does not make for a good first date/first time we've hung out since EVER even though we went to high school together and knew each other.

So even tough we've known each other for over 10 years we hadn't seen each other since maybe one time after high school graduation. It wasn't exactly as though I was meeting up with an old friend with the Mancub, I was meeting up with someone that I am attracted to and think dirty thoughts about. I won't be making that mistake again.

Other than that, it was a great day. There were laughs, I got to know more about him, he's still swoon-worthy in my eyes. We went to the Pacific Science Center, walked around Seattle Center, watched and sat by the International Fountain, watched a train & went promenading at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Mr. Fella was super sweet and played with the Mancub throughout our time together, which was also a little weird for me as well because I'm not used to men who aren't relatives hanging out with Mancub. But it was mostly sweet. I loved watching the Mancub run around the Tot Area in the PSC - he loooooves water so he spent a lot of time splashing around there. The end of the day was rapid, we were in a drop off zone and cars were driving quickly, he was trying to help me unload, I was trying to unstrap the Mancub so we could catch the ferry on time that all we did was a swift hug and a, "Maybe we can do this again before you leave."

Dudes, I wanted a kiss soooooooooo badly because he looked good and smelled, oh so yummy! My pheromones were bubbling just a wee bit. But how awkward of a situation is that for him? It's our first time hanging out, first time seeing me since high school and I don't look the same as I did back then, first time meeting the Mancub during our first time hanging out - ummmm...even I would question to kiss a single dad in front of his kid.

I asked him if he'd like to hang out Monday evening sans Mancub, that's a maybe.....

So now, the fella is camping.

We've had some fun banter via text since yesterday but we'll see.

"I'm breezy."

A Fella

2010-08-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hellllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooo internet peeps! Most of you who read this blog are friends with me on Facebook and Twitter. My Facebook folks are kind of in on a secret that my Twitter tats aren't.

I've got a crush! It's MAJOR and I like it.

How it happened?

A few weeks ago, I decided that I would pounce at everyone who was online on Facebook. I ended up chatting with a few folks from high school and college, catching up on the years gone by. One of them was a fella from high school, who we shall name Mr. Fella. He and I ended up chatting for three or four hours! That is a long ass time for anyone to be on the internet chatting with someone. But it didn't feel like it. Though the conversation was a bit oddball, it just flowed naturally. As if we'd been friends forever.

But, honestly, I didn't think we'd talk again. I thought of it as a nice time to catch up with an old classmate.

A week later, he pounced at me on Facebook and we chatted again. For a long time. About nothing and everything. And then, I gave him my phone number. I'll admit, it was so we could send each other dirty little messages because we flirted like that on Facebook and OH. MY. GOD! I read like a Facebook hooker. Oh well. But this fella was all about the classy. He was not interested in the dirty little messages since we had only conversed twice. What a gentleman! Wrote that gesture in my notebook.

So we sent text messages to each other for a few days. Then I ballsed up and we had a phone conversation, like the people did in the old days. We picked up the phone, dialed a phone number, one of us answered and we SPOKE INTO THE PHONE. Amazing! Do people still do that? We talked on the phone for two hours. Two. Hours. On the phone with a fella. Do people still do THAT? Seriously, who does that anymore? Unless if they're your best friend.

Anyway, we've been texting and talking for two hours almost everyday since the Mancub and I left for our August adventure. I love, love, loooooooooooove talking to this man. He listens, he laughs at my corny-ass jokes, he is caring, he participates in the conversation, he pokes fun at me in the most gentle way, he has a sexy man voice, he is lovely. I love that we both look forward to talking with each other. This guy is swoon-worthy. I'm swooning.

People, I haven't swooned since Mr. Perfect, who we'll now call The Pioneer. That was seven years ago. It's been SEVEN (7) years since I've had a real, makes my cheeks rosy, gets me giddy crush. And I'm crushing hard.

He's the sort of fella that you can see yourself in a relationship with. Dare I even say, spend a life with. We're not there yet. We haven't even established anything, other than we really enjoy talking with each other. But that's the sort of man he is, the kind you marry.

While he's that type of fella, I'm just enjoying this feeling, knowing that I can feel like this and talking with him; getting to know him. I'm in no rush for anything since he's a Washington man and the Mancub and I will soon be California people. Oh yeah, we'll be moving to So-Cal so I can be closer to work. More on that at a later date. So who knows where this will go and I'm just fine with that.

So that's the scoop right now. We'll be hanging out later this week and most likely with the Mancub in tow. And do you know what he said during one of our first conversations?

"I hope the Mancub likes me when he meets me."

And then my heart burst into a million pieces.

Who doesn't swoon over a fella like that?

The Cracked Humidifier

2010-07-08T01:38:00.000-07:00

This evening I was trying to put together the humidifier so that the Mancub could breathe easier while his allergies attack him at night. All I wanted to do was put the humidifier together and provide some comfort for the little man. He cried a couple of times last night because all he wanted to do was sleep and suck on his pacifier but he couldn't because if he sucked on his pacifier then he couldnt' breathe.

So all I wanted to do tonight was make it so that he could sleep easy. But that wasn't going to happen.

I grabbed the humidifier from the linen closet, plugged in the base, poured in the menthol oil and went to put in the water. After I put water in the humidifier it and turned it right side up it started to leak. Water went everywhere. I almost slipped but my groin stretched a bit much when I turned around. While I was trying to find out what the issue was, water dripped onto my face and well menthol flavored water doesn't feel good on the eyes.

During this I was trying to warm up the water for the Mancub's shower so that he could have a pre-relief before bed. I was warming him up for a comfortable night of sleep. Or so I thought.

So the shower is running, the Mancub is in the other room protesting his shower time and the water from the humidifier is all over the bathroom floor.

Usually, USUALLY I can laugh at myself and not think much more of the situation. It's one of those situations that happens to all parents, it's comical from the outside and for the involved party at times. But tonight wasn't one of those nights.

When I came out to the living room to get the Mancub my laptop was on the floor and his toys were surrounding it and he had his milk in his hands. Who knows what he was about to do and what he had done to the laptop. And again, the water was running in the shower and there was water all over the floor.

How could this not be comical?

Except, I haven't had anyone to talk with in the past few days. I'm feeling lonely. Stressed from work. Stressed over my financial situation. Stressed over our upcoming trip. Stressed over the fact that the Mancub is biting and hitting again at daycare. I'm fucking stressed. And these small things happened tonight?

I'm thinking that if I had someone to talk with everyday over these small things, all the big things wouldn't even exist because I would have talked out all the small stressful things. But I don't. I'm in this all on my own and while I'm fine with the whole on my own concept I cannot stand the whole I feel isolated consumption.

So instead of laughing off the running and wasted water, the laptop about to be drowned by milk and the humidifier water draining all over the bathroom floor - I had a meltdown. The humidifier was cracked and so had I.

The hard thing about having a meltdown, as if having one itself isn't hard enough, is being able to reach out to someone when you're on your own. It's hard because my very bestest friends are single and without children and while they try to be understanding they just can't give those words of comfort that I need. It's also hard because people have lives. While they love and care, it's sometimes hard to listen to someone crying over a cracked humidifier.

I don't mind being solo in this remarkable journey called parenthood but at times I just feel so lonely and isolated. Like I can't find anyone who can understand what I'm going through. Sure I have mommy friends but they're all married or in stable relationships. Or if they are single then they have daughters and can't understand what it's like to raise a son. And while I'm grateful for all the people I've met online who are single parents, I just wish that I had more IRL single parent friends or daily companion to talk about my daily jazz.

Ya know so I can avoid those cracked humdifiers.

P.S. Children's Benadryl works wonders. The Mancub is breathing easy tonight. There's always a solution.

Are you happy?

2010-06-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

When I scold you I question if I'm doing it right. I don't want you to grow up thinking that you're incompetent. I sometimes wonder if I'm giving you the correct type of discipline. You are at such a delicate and impressionable stage of life, I sometimes wonder if I'm setting a good enough example for you. Am I yelling to loudly? Am I too strict? Am I too lenient? What is the right balance? Am I putting too much pressure on you to be the perfect toddler? Am I too concerned about what Popi and Tutu are going to think?

Are you happy?

That is the question that pops in my mind the most. Are you happy? Am I feeding you enough? Does food make you happy? Am I reading to you enough? Does reading a book fulfill your fancy? Am I playing with you enough? Does running around the house make you squeal? Am I hugging and kissing you enough? Do hugs and kisses warm your heart? Am I clothing you well? Does fashion concern you yet? Am I giving you enough music to listen to? Do your ears require constant stimulation? Am I providing you enough emotional stability? Are you happy?

You make me happy. You love to wake up with my arms around you and if they're not you crawl over and wrap my arm over your sweet little body and squeeze me hand with your hand. When I read to you, you love to stroke my arm - when you're not tapping the pages and telling me what you see. Lately, you've been wanting to snuggle and when we do you like to stroke my face and flick my nose. You also like to declare that my nose is my nose and not my mouth or eyes. I love to watch you run around the patio in your red rain boots, putting water in your big red bucket and splashing the water all over the patio. I also enjoy and cringe when you drink the water from the hose. You make me so happy.

Although I love to watch you sleep I really do love to see you running around chasing the Geckos in the garden, banging your toy golf clubs on the furniture, getting chocolate pudding all over your face, pointing to objects in books, trying to put together a puzzle, living the wonderful life of a curious and loving toddler.

You make me smile.

When people ask what I think you'll grow up to be or what I hope you'll be (which is sometimes a bit ridiculous because you're not even 2 yet!) I just tell them that I hope you're happy. And when they tell me that I'm a good mother, I'll really only when you're old enough to tell you me that you grew up a happy child and that you're happy with life.

So I will always ask myself, "Is the Mancub happy?" And will continue to until you tell me that you are.

Are you happy Mancub?

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Puzzel(ed)

2010-06-17T15:00:00.001-07:00

Aljolynn Sperber
Account Executive
Marketing Maven Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: 978.412.5068
E-mail: aljolynn@marketingmavenpr.com
Website: www.marketingmavenpr.com
Twitter: @marketingmaven2

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How beautiful is my sister=?UTF-8?B?PyBQcmV0dHkgZg==?=reakin' beautiful!

2010-06-17T14:59:00.001-07:00

Aljolynn Sperber
Account Executive
Marketing Maven Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: 978.412.5068
E-mail: aljolynn@marketingmavenpr.com
Website: www.marketingmavenpr.com
Twitter: @marketingmaven2

Posted via email from restlessmama's posterous

My awesome and geeky brother.

2010-06-17T14:58:00.001-07:00

Aljolynn Sperber
Account Executive
Marketing Maven Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: 978.412.5068
E-mail: aljolynn@marketingmavenpr.com
Website: www.marketingmavenpr.com
Twitter: @marketingmaven2

Posted via email from restlessmama's posterous

Love and a bottle.

2010-06-17T14:56:00.003-07:00

Aljolynn Sperber
Account Executive
Marketing Maven Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: 978.412.5068
E-mail: aljolynn@marketingmavenpr.com
Website: www.marketingmavenpr.com
Twitter: @marketingmaven2

Posted via email from restlessmama's posterous

The cute Mancub and his boots.

2010-06-17T14:56:00.001-07:00

Aljolynn Sperber
Account Executive
Marketing Maven Public Relations, Inc.
Phone: 978.412.5068
E-mail: aljolynn@marketingmavenpr.com
Website: www.marketingmavenpr.com
Twitter: @marketingmaven2

Posted via email from restlessmama's posterous

VEVO - FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert

2010-06-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Who's ready for the World Cup?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

VEVO - FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert

VEVO - FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert

2010-06-10T12:41:00.001-07:00

--> -->

via worldcup.vevo.com

What I'm watching right now.

Posted via web from restlessmama's posterous

Adoption Story

2010-06-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Check it out, I'll be talking about my adoption today on MomTV.com with Melissa of Adoption Angels.

Here's Melissa's blog link: http://www.ourfullcircle.com/2010/06/aloha-from-momtvs-adoption-angles.html

Here's the link to the show which will be airing today, June 9 at 9:00 pm EST, 6:00 pm PST and 3:00 pm Hawai'i time: http://www.momtv.com/adoptionangles.html

Do you know about the common Hawaiian practice termed Hanai?

Tune in to find out!

I'm not in love, I just want to be touched.

2010-05-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

In a few posts back I mentioned that I had been intimate with a fella. I had stated that it had been amazing and it was...the first time. It had been two years and well I'm pretty sure that after a two-year celibattical (I meant to spell it that way) sex would be pretty amazing. It was good enough that the next day I sent a text to my best friend telling her that "I had sex!" And she gave me a text high-five.

The guy was all man and I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooved it. He took total control. He pulled me in for a kiss and I was hooked from there. He wanted to make sure I was having a good time which was a nice change from how the Mancub's father went about our intimate moments. Don't get me wrong those were great times but it was all about him. Where with this guy it was for the both of us. He even reached out for my hand afterwards - even when I pulled away right after he said, "Don't treat me like a piece of meat, Al". It was nice. He was nice.

The second time wasn't as great as the first time but it was still great. And that was it. Just twice. Which is good enough for me. I guess. But it isn't. I want more but I stopped it. My libido is back in full swing and I no longer have a mans to tone it down - just a bit. But that's what exercise is for, right? Except I'm not exercising. I'm EATING instead! Bah!

Anyway, how'd it all start? Well, we've known each other for a while...since after the Mancub's first birthday. I never thought much about him. I just thought of him as that tall guy with the long hair. But then he started flirting with me a few months back - like February? But I didn't flirt back because he had a girlfriend and well I just don't roll like that. Remember my rules? No romance with coworkers and romantically involved men, ESPECIALLY the married sort.

For some reason the past two years romantically involved men just seem to think it's OK to hit on me. That a whole other story.

Anyway, one night he was flirting through text - oh yeah that's totally lame by the way, I think that's why it took me a while to consider returning the gesture - and I decided to just go with the flow. After enjoying a few drinks with my friends that is. Why did I need some fermented help? Because I'm still carrying my baby weight and the dude is cute and has tattoos! Tattoos!!!!!!!!!! So why would fit, good looking, tattoo fella be interested in chubby single mama, me?

I sent him a text back.

Perhaps we could've gone on more but the situation was just too complicated and I don't need anymore complications in my life. He's a single dad. I'm a single mom. He's not sure what's going on with his dead end relationship (he claims that they're not together but they still live together, oh and I saw them driving together yesterday and noticed he was trying to be sneaky - that's right I saw you dude! Ugh, that makes me sound like a crazy person. It's cool I'll take the title for a moment), he's trying to figure out what he's going to do with his life and I just don't have time for that. Plus, I think he's just a bit too flaky for my taste.

I'm at a point where I'm really happy with where I am in life. I know what direction I'm headed in my career. The Mancub and I are happy as a two person family. And I'm enjoying soccer and trying to get back into shape. Although, I could stand to not eat my feelings when I'm feeling....jazzy. Anyway, I just know who I am and don't really have time for any type of bullshit.

So I stopped it. Though sometimes I wish I hadn't only because I'd like to be touched. Or maybe even snuggled by man arms. I wouldn't mind having him as a Maintenance Man but it would be nice if it were someone a bit more stable. Anyway, not my ideal way of reentering the dating world but it's still not that bad of a reintroduction into the world of dating, intimacy and sex. It was nice to be intimate with someone and have someone in my bed to talk about adult things. He was nice enough to do that too, talk afterwards. It was a nice post-coitus act, we were able to be intimate with each other after being intimate. Yeah, not too shabby of a reintroduction at all.

We'll see how the rest of the journey goes.

Happy Restlessness

2010-05-27T00:40:00.000-07:00

Doesn't do us justice but that's how we roll really. I carry him while he wraps his little body around me. In Hawai'i we call lil' critters like that opihis (oh-pee-hee). I love that he's still a little opihi.

So you know how I had announced that we will be moving back to the Seattle area in July? And then I changed it to later in the year.

How about we say that we're enjoying our time in Hawai'i, we miss the folks we love on the mainland and that one day, some day we'll get back to the continental USA. But right now? Right now we're having a good time in Hawai'i so we'll stay for however long.

And as far as Seattle? Who knows. I'd love for it to be Seattle so the Mancub can grow up around his Popi and Tutu but LA sounds nice too. We'd move there so I can work with the team in LA. Or moving back to Boston, my city and love. Indeed, I grew up in Seattle but Boston is my city, my homie, my main lady. I know that city like the back of my hand, with all the aimless walking that I did. Although, who wants to deal with that summer humidity? Maybe Spokane where the rent is cheap, the green initiative is intense and still close enough to visit the grandparents once or twice a month.

Who knows. For all I know we could stay here on the island for another two years.

I leave it all up to the wind.

But how great is it that I'm finally happy with where I am? I hate to swear on this blog but it's fucking fabulous! Finally.

Of course I'm still restless, of course, but happy.

Happy restlessness.

The feisty Mancub and his chalk

2010-05-12T13:07:00.001-07:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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What I'm currently working on...

2010-05-11T10:06:00.001-07:00

I bought my goal dress; a size 9 (8/10). I'm hoping I can reach my goal weight and size by the end of the year. I'm also hoping that I'll be at least one size smaller by my 27th birthday.
Senior photos for my friend's daughter. It was so much fun photographing her, she's so pretty! I'll share more after my friend picks out her photos. We shot at Kekela Beach or as Google Map says, Kuulolio Beach Park. I'd like to thank the Mormons; Sister Stringer who found my phone when I dropped it at the park, thankfully they were cleaning the park (courtesy of BYU students and wards). I seriously love Mormons! Lots of friends from my hometown are Mormons - super, super, super, sooooooooooper nice people!
In about twenty minutes I'll be calling San Francisco and East Coast TV Networks to get some placement for WaterWorks.

Plus more but that's just a preview of what's going on over here on the island.

It's a busy day in the neighborhood.

The annoying post with random updates and tidbits

2010-05-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

***This might be a long one.***

It's been about a month since I posted something about what's going on in the lives of the Mancub and me. So here a few bullet points (some of these points may be paragraphs - DEAL):

I think I already shared with you all that my mama came to visit me and the Mancub in March which made me joyful and homesick - leading to me announcing that we would be moving back to Seattle in July.
I'm not sure that we'll be moving back to Seattle until the end of the year now. With July quickly approaching and me not having the sufficient savings that I'd like the date just seemed to be too soon.
The Mancub is starting to use his words!!! Which is exciting for me since I was a total freak about his speech development but like his pediatrician said - "all kids are different and development in their own time." To add he also read to me his favorite night time book, "Good Night Seattle," and by read I mean using the basic words to describe what was going on in each page. For example, "Goodnight Monorail traveling through the Experience Music Project" turns into "Nigh, nigh mo'rail!" How cute is he?!?!?!?!
The Mancub is ALL BOY! Allllllllll boy! He throws his toys all over the living room, gets dirty in the mud, runs around in the rain, smears food on the table and his hair, bites me when he's excited, and likes to make a big splash in the bathtub. He's all boy and I'm loving it!
I'm currently obsessed with The Wire courtesy of the Mancub's godfather Uncle P-Diddy.
I'm also a little obsessed with listening to Nina Simone while I work.
Speaking of work - I'm loving my new job!!!!! I was able to get a TV placement for two clients in my first month of working full time. Though I'm still trying to find the balance of working from home and lifestyle but I've always been a bit of a workaholic anyway. I guess it is expected to be worse working from home, ay?
Though I love what I'm doing I do notice that I'm still not able to pay more attention to this blog as I would like BUT I'm still contributing to the social media world - just more in a PR role than a blogger role. It's a balancing act as well.
This one is personal and perhaps TMI but I was intimate with a man for the first time in TWO YEARS! This one may need a post of its own but I was debating even sharing this information in our current sharing overload society but it's a part of my life and single womanhood - so there ya go. Now that I'm done justifying my sharing this information let me tell you a little bit about it. We're no longer intimate with each other due to the complicated situation but our intimate moments were amazing. He made me feel like a woman again and I'm very thankful to him for that. He took total control of the moments and made me feel sexy and beautiful inside and out. He reached out to hold my hand and cuddle and went straight into conversations about life - very rare to find in a man. Actually I hadn't experienced that since my first love/ex-boyfriend. Again, I'm thankful to him for letting me feel like a desired woman. Oh and he doesn't know about this blog...I think.
Some family jazz - my brother is an amazing and talented teenager and will be graduating from high school next weekend. I'm confident that he will be changing we watch movies. My sister did her first Model UN at Harvard this Winter and LOVED it. I'm thinking she'll either be making changes in the world by taking part in policy changes or in the classroom, inspiring other hopeful Poli-Sci majors.
Other family jazz - I was contacted by my biological father's side of the family; sisters, cousins, aunts, etc. The plan was to meet up with two of the sisters for lunch this week but that fell through but I was relieved for that. I'm not sure I'm ready to meet them yet. This deserves its own post as well.
Right now an old friend is visiting me from New Mexico. I haven't been the best host but he's a big boy and has been able to run around the island while I work on a few projects. Though we were able to go hiking together yesterday which was nice. The Mancub loves hiking (or getting carried in the backpack carrier while I heave ho up the hill). I love that loves being out in nature! Hopefully tomorrow will be a saving grace - we'll be going to the North Shore for a photo shoot for my friend and then picnic at the beach afterwards.
Next week my friend/boss and two interns will be coming to the island for some training - looking forward to meeting Gabby and Rebecca and seeing Lindsey again. Need PR? Check us out at Marketing Maven Public Relations. We specialize in lifestyle and consumer publicity but I'm also looking into a few digital and clean technology companies as well - since those are my two passions. Shameless, I know.
OH!!! I went out with my friends for the first time a few weeks ago. We hung out at Chinatown's Murphy's Bar & Grille. I was able to drink and speak adult talk in Honolulu. Not at a girl's night at someone's house where we could bring kids. It was a kid-free night! And it was beautiful. Though I did talk about the Mancub a lot but he's my life so that's just how I roll. We'll be going out tomorrow night too - sans kiddos.
And lastly I will be working on my 27 Things to do Before I Turn 27 list full throttle starting next week. Wish me luck!

Man that was boring but that's what's been going on in life. Work, Mancub, figuring out how much more I need to save for Seattle, and other jazz.

What's going on with you fine folk?

Mission: 27 Things to do before I turn 27

2010-05-05T23:13:00.001-07:00

Back in October 2009 I published a simple post listing 27 things to do before I turn 27. That was how many months ago? SEVEN MONTHS AGO!!! Guess when my birthday is.

June 20.

I am now a woman with a mission. To complete at least 90% of what is on that list so that is 24 things to complete before June 20, my 27th birthday. Think I can do it? Well I've already found peace with my present, made new friends, and cooked a big meal for friends. So that's 3 down and only 21 more to go. I could've stalked George Clooney while he was on island filming a movie but chickened out or perhaps had my head screwed on right. I know a couple of my friends would say that I chickened out. Oh well, not too concerned with that one. It'd be great if I could Christen the Mancub before I turn 27 but I think that takes planning and I don't know if I have the kind of talent.

The most important one I've already achieved and that's peace with my present. So the others are bonuses but since I'm competitive (even with myself) I'm thinking I'll try to complete at least 24 of those things.

I think the next important things to accomplish would be losing 30 lbs, but only in the healthy way because I'd like to lose that weight so that I can be healthy. Playing soccer helps but I'm thinking if I attempt to take a paddle lesson, learn to surf, take a yoga class, a hula lesson then those would be great steps into the right direction.

Paying back my parents would've been lovely but I decided to pay off my other debts first since (thankfully and graciously) my parents don't have interest on their loans. So I'll just keep slowly but surely pay back the 'rents.

Anysnooze, I should start blogging/journaling everyday. It's therapeutic. But my writing skills tend to be more lent to work, which I'm loving. Though I haven't obtained five accounts for my new job; Marketing Maven Public Relations, I have gotten more than five placements for various clients and with my recent TV placement I'm thinking I'm on the right track in a successful career. Which was my point in making the "five accounts for MMPR" goal.

OK thems the goals and my new mission. What do you think?

Think I can do it?

Now Accepting Applications for a Cuddle Buddy

2010-04-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

One hundred percent of the time I feel lucky to be a single mom to the most beautiful little manchild. When we get home, it can be just us and it will sound selfish but I don't have to share him with anyone. I'm his all and he is my all.

BUT ninety percent of the time do I feel lucky to be a single woman.

There are times when I feel drained; mentally, emotionally and physically - like the past 5 days. It's those moments or days that it would be nice to have a partner or just a man to cuddle with. Most of the time I can hold my own but during that 10%, escaping into the arms of a man sound like heaven.

Don't get me wrong, I love to snuggle with the Mancub but he can't really snuggle back in the way that I need sometimes. He can wrap his sweet little arms around my face but I need the arms of a man to engulf me.

And friends? Well my gal friends don't want to snuggle me and well I don't really want to snuggle them. Talking with them about what's going on is helpful but I just need a man to wrap his arms around me. And guy friends? Yeah they don't exist here. Or at least I haven't made an effort to meet them because I like my mama friends and finding the time to meet man folk is a bit challenging with the changes I'm going through right now.

So with some stuff that's been going on the past several days I could just use a man and his arms. Like my friend Eric. He was the best cuddle buddy EVER! We had a very platonic relationship but people would think that we were a couple, understandably, because we cuddled, held hands and hugged each other in public but we were just friends.

It would be nice to have an Eric in my life at this moment but he's on the mainland and I'm on this little island we call Paradise.

As my friend Megan said, there should be a place where can rent man arms to hold us in our moments of cuddly needs, Hugs for Rent. I agree - though if I had my druthers I prefer the whole man rather than just the arms because it's nice to have a warm body to spoon with. Ahhhh....spooning.

How many other single parents go through this? What do you do about it?

Fun with the webcam

2010-04-19T21:40:00.001-07:00

We go from, Check out the webcam Aidan! to
I love to give you kisses Aidan. to
Mmmm your hair smells yummy... to
Smile for the camera or make a funny chewy face...to
Mama's going to eat your face!

That is love.

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Watching the big boys play four square.

2010-04-12T23:34:00.005-07:00

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Flying a kite

2010-04-12T23:34:00.003-07:00

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Flying a kite one handed

2010-04-12T23:34:00.001-07:00

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So happy to be outside

2010-04-12T23:33:00.001-07:00

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JACKHAMMERS AND HARD HATS

2010-04-08T12:03:00.001-07:00

We're gettin' a makeover up in this here joint, so please excuse the noise.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Freedom in a Two Week Notice

2010-03-17T23:53:00.001-07:00

Those of you who are close to me or are Facebook buddies already know this but on Monday morning I gave my two week notice to my full time job. But what many of you don't know is that since last summer I've been working freelance for a PR firm based in Los Angeles. The cool thing? They offered me a full time gig!!!! Hence my reasoning for putting in my resignation at my current place of employment. Now is my chance to begin my career in Public Relations! To do something I love to do and get paid to do it, fan-freakin'-tastic!!! But there's a bonus:

WE'RE MOVING BACK TO SEATTLE IN JULY!!!!

Oh yes, it is music to my ears. Moving. Back. To. SEATTLE! Say it with me folks: Seattle, Seatown, The Emerald City, The Evergreen State, The Land of 9 months Straight of Rain, Setting of Gray's Anatomy (I hate that show), Location of the Spaceneedle, HOME. H.O.M.E. Place where my parents, the Bambino's grandparents reside. Place of birkenstockers, liberals, music zealites, good coffee, ferries, and flying fish. That's where the Bambino and I are going. I have the opportunity to work from home and after a few years maybe even open a Seattle office.

Not sure if you know but my mama, the Bambino's Tutu was on island for a visit at the beginning of the month. Tutu and Bambino got along fine after he realized that she was a sweet lady and not someone to be timid with. But after witnessing his (understandble) stand-offish to my mama since we don't live nearby her and Popi I decided that it's time to leave this beautiful paradise of an island and return home to the land of green. I've always wanted to raise my child(ren) around my parents so that they would know their grandparents because I loved having my Grammy around. I think it's important to have a strong relationship with your grandparents, they're the people who will spoil you, tell you funny stories about your parents, and they will swoon, swoon, swoon, swooooooooooooon over you. They are endlessly proud to be grandparents so it's time to get them and the Bambino acclimated with each other.

Now I don't know where we'll live yet but wheels are spinning and my lovely friends at home are helping me out.

I'm not sure how much excitement I can express right now but I am so thrilled to finally be going home. Which brings me to my next new thing, I will be changing the name of this blog and perhaps the privacy as well. Now that I will be returning home I won't be so restless anymore and since the Bambino isn't a little bambino anymore but more of a Mancub that is Toddlerhood I will be changing things up a bit. I'll still be writing the same sort of content but the title will be a little different.

So that's all I've heard for today. For those of you who are still reading this blog, thank you and you now understand why I've been a bit MIA on the blog and Twitter.

More details on the job and company to come later but for now, please just jump in pure joy with me in the new chapter that the Mancub and I will be entering and wish us luck! This is a bit of a risky change but I believe nothing is gained without a good risk.

FREEDOM HERE WE COME!!!!

For my little Mancub

2010-03-17T02:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Bambino,

This Saturday you will be 18 months. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! A whole 18 months, this Saturday, you will have been on this Earth. A whole 18 months we've been mama and bambino. A whole 18 months I've swooned over you. A whole 18 months you went from cute, cuddly blob of newborn to full out curious, helpful, loving toddler. Many parents before me advised me to enjoy each and every moment of the first two years because it all goes by so quickly. At first I thought they were all crazy and thought to myself, "I can't wait until this blob of boob milk obsession of snuggles starts talkin' and walkin'."

I was crazy to think that because while I love that you're a very bright walkin', sassy talkin' toddler, I sure do miss the days of you being able to snuggle all day long without a fuss. You used to love so much to be snuggled, nestled between my bosom, listening to mama's heartbeat. And now you just want to run, bang toy golf clubs on the television, climb, crawl under tight areas, throw food on the carpet, bite my legs, be chased after, and splash water in my face while you're in the bathtub.

You are a full on boy toddler. Mancub! You love to get good and dirty. Stomp your feet in the wet cement when it rains. Throw your toys into the garden and smear dirt in your face and clothes. Toilet paper decorates the floor nowadays if I don't close the bathroom door. Not even cellphones are safe! Remember when you threw mama's phone into the toilet? I'm sorry I yelled at you, my little curious one. Toddlerhood, is a major lesson in patience for parents.

Speaking of patience, we're in that stage right now. Ha! We're both learning together. You don't yet understand what it is to wait so when you don't get something you want at the exact moment you want it, you don't just whine - you scream, fall to the floor, pouty lip in tow and just throw the biggest tantrum I've seen come out of something so small and cute. Wow. But you're learning and you're getting so much better at waiting.

Now, not that I don't adore the aforementioned actions but here are some things that just melt my heart:

You know how to blow kisses! It is the sweetest thing to see you blow a kiss at me when I drop you off at daycare. You're such a sweet little man.

Tonight while you were taking a bath you discovered that the spout had a diverter and that diverter goes up and down. You played with that for a good 10 minutes. In the tub. Full of water. And bubbles. And the bountiful cuteness that is you! What I loved most about that, is that as soon as you realized it, you went "Oh!" in that cute toddler way. I hope to witness more "OH!" moments.

At night you love to snuggle up next to me while I read to you. I don't know if you'll ever know how much I love that because nowadays you don't even have time to snuggle, unless of course if you need something. You know how to melt my heart. Smile and snuggle up next to me. Snuggling next to you at bedtime is one of my favorites, especially after a bath. You smell so yummy, I could just gobble you up! Really, I could you smell that yummy.

You love reading now! As soon as you see a book or something that has a cover and opens up like a book, you sit down and study it. You love to point and babble at the images. Oh the pointing and babbling, it is so special! Most of the time you babble, "yeah!" when looking through the books as if you're really getting what's going on in the story, which is totally possible.

Last week you discovered the sky. A few months ago you noticed it a bit when you saw a plane but last week when we were walking back from a friend's house at night you looked up, pointed to the sky and said, "Dat?" asking what was in it. When I said "stars" you said it back, "stah!" in the most excited way. When I said "moon" you said "moooooooooo" in awe. I too am amazed by the moooooooooooo. You're really starting to get a grasp of the world around you, it's a beautiful thing to witness my love.

You call me both mama and dada. I'm mama when you're sad or need something and I'm dada when we're playing or you're trying to find out where I am in the house. It's absolutely adorable. It is true that I am both. I am your Maddy and love every second of it.

You love to help. While your Grandma was visiting you helped her do the laundry, as in grabbed the clothes out of the basket and threw them on the couch and then threw the perfectly folded clothes onto the floor. Or when you want to tell me that you need a diaper change you just take off the diaper and pee on the floor. The best part is when you go "Uh oh!" I'm still trying to teach about "uh oh." Anyway, you love to help throw things away, clean up after yourself, wipe your own hands and face. Your favorite I think is closing the door. It's more slamming the door than closing though but I think you just love to hear the sound. Which is ok with me. :o)

Let's see, what else? You're becoming much more vocal with "no" and "bye" being your favorite words. Your little wave is so cute and your "no" head shake is a stinkin' riot! Other words are moon, star, door, hi, more, boo (for book), dog, shoe, and many, many more. Though I do feel as though you understand every word that comes out of my mouth.

You're growing up. It's an insane and natural thought. I knew you'd be growing up but I still like to think back on the day when you were born, our time together in the hospital, falling asleep on the couch together at our old place in Salem, watching you crawl for the first time, watching your first steps. I loved to stare at your face and wonder what you'd be like all grown up. Now, I can't help but stare at your face at night, while you slumber and think back when you were such a little squirmy, squirt. I still think about how you'll be when you grow up but most of the time I am just in awe of how much grow with each millisecond.

You are a beautiful, beautiful little mancub, sweet Bambino.

Love,
Mama

P.S. I forgot to mention that you love to growl and roar and they're not at all whimpy ones either. You can make the whole house vibrate with those mancub roars. My how you've grown.

Video: These Toddlers are SUPER CUTE Edition

2010-03-10T18:46:00.001-08:00

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Video: Mama's Visit Edition, Volume Hanauma Bay

2010-03-10T18:37:00.001-08:00

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Video: Mama's Visit Edition, Volume Sea Life Park.1

2010-03-10T18:32:00.001-08:00

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Photos: Whoa! I don't look like that anymore Edition

2010-03-10T01:09:00.001-08:00

Enjoy. The one with me and the jacket...yeah I want that jacket back. It is RAD!

To look that young again?

Oh yeah and that's what I sound like. Woo hoo!

The black and white photo was taken by a high school classmate, Melissa T.

Oh and me in the soccer uniform with the sweatband. That's hot. I know you're jealous.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

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New Photos: Mama's Visit Edition (Unedited)

2010-03-10T00:30:00.001-08:00

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I need a hero!

2010-02-10T10:39:00.001-08:00

***THIS POST WAS INSPIRED BY MELY @ MELYSPEAKS.COM - CHECK HER OUT***

In real life {IRL} I am my own hero, "my own damn god." And in real life I have people that I look up to like my parents, my besties and the Bambino; each for different reasons.

But in the realm of internet I have a few folks that I not only read but am excited for their posts.

Here they are (in no particular order):

Meg from Whatever: She inspires me to create and opens my eyes to the tiny little details of random. For example, who thinks of photographing a watercolors paint tray? Or thinks of baking a rainbow cake? She brings out the happy. Note that I am not a religious person but I'm touched by her devotion to her god with everything she does; she never forgets to recognize him.
Sarah from Becoming Sarah: This lady is funny, tender and oh so honest and I adore her for that. Her devotion to her family is palpable through each and every word, each punctuation mark, each photo. She inspires me to love the Bambino more - which is incredible because my love for him is boundless already. I hope to one day find that love that she and her husband have for each other.
Matt from Matt, Liz and Madeline: I am inspired by his strength to go on each day and raise the daughter that he and his beloved wife created. I am inspired by his will power to write a blog, book, write in general about his two important gals. I am inspired because he is able to look and photograph his Madeline, see the similarity between her and Liz and not be crushed but pure happiness. I am inspired.
Heather from The Spohrs are Multiplying: The word "Strength" needs to have Heather Spohr as its definition. I don't want to imagine what it would be like if anything terrible happened to the Bambino but I'm pretty sure I would be lost and have next to zero will to live. But Heather, my heart goes out to her because she is so honest about what it is like to lose a child, something a parent should never have to do. She is so honest about having another child after her first child passed away and still demonstrates nothing but love for both children. She is a foundation, a pillar, a roof - the whole package when it comes to strength.
Rebecca from Girl's Gone Child: Holy cow do I adore this lady and her two little ones. From great names like Archer and Fable & great fashion sense to stories of trials and tribulations with her husband. My fellow wild child although it seems as though she was a bit more wild than I but I find that to be a good thing. I admire her style and love of music. I applaud her and her husband for making things work so that they can be a united and loving family. I just feel that if we met in real life that we would be great friends.
Amber from Unlikely Mama: because she is my internet buddy and I cannot wait to meet her {IRL} this August at Blogher. We share similar styles of mothering and I just feel like I can relate with her even though we're different; she's a coupled SAHM with a beautiful Bambina and I'm a single WOHM with a handsome Bambino. But other than that I love that she we're in the same stage of parenting - co-sleeping v crib sleeping. Breastmilk v formula. Big first birthday parties v intimate ones. Plus we have similar tastes in music. She hasn't been blogging much lately since she's been super busy with her little one but I always look forward to her posts.
Rachel Sarah from Single Mom Seeking: A read a few single parent blogs even beyond what I have on my blog roll. A lot of them I enjoy reading and am inspired & motivated by their posts. And while admittingly I didn't understand Rachel Sarah's posts in the beginning I've grown to love them. She is a real cheerleader for other single parents which is not only shown through her own blog but through Single Mommyhood as well. She really takes the time to get to know each person who comments or e-mails. She shares great stories about dating as a single parent and being a single parent in general. She also makes it possible for me to believe that I can do this, be a single mom and provide for the Bambino. She provides real confidence that I haven't been able to find on any other single parent blog.

That's the list. I know they're already well-known bloggies but those are the people that I get excited about reading, who inspire me everyday with every word. Thanks for that people!

Do you have a bloggie hero? What about an "in real life" hero?

Honolulu Chinatown - Chinese New Year; Year of the Tiger!

2010-02-08T16:08:00.001-08:00

Toddlers in Backpack Carriers.

Poppers on the streets.

Fun Buildings & Colors.

Hanging Food.

and......

DRAGONS!

Welcome to the year of the Tiger.

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Valentine's Day Blogger Gift Exchange

2010-02-08T12:43:00.001-08:00

I had the pleasure of joining on the fun festivity of Domestic Dork's Valentine's Day Gift Exchange this year. My partner was Kim from 733. She is a sweet and crafty lady who blogs about her creations, family and much more. I especially adore her "What are Little Boys Made of" posts.

I received her package in the mail this Saturday. So excited was I to open it! In our correspondence I had mentioned how much I miss good syrup, the kind that you can only get from New England or Canada. The kind that doesn't taste like liquid sugar but the kind that tastes like liquid gold from trees! Anyway, in the package was SYRUP! Real Vermont Syrup! It's from her Uncle's maple farm - so it's not only from Vermont but from a real farm, dripped from real hands. I'll be pouring some on waffles this weekend.

Also inlcuded in the package were a set of 4 tiles with: Love with all your heart, Live today like it were your last, Laugh until your belly aches and a photo of the Bambino and me. How sweet is that? I'm scouting for a place in the townhouse.

Kim also put in a meal planner and recipe book for me to fill out on my own. I'm going to have to pick at my dad's brain for some yummy recipes and get creative. And every single mom and moms in general definitely need a meal planner so that will come of great use.

So thank you Kim for your thoughtful gift! It was such a treat to receive a fun and yummy package in the mail.

I cannot wait to hear what you think about the one I sent you.

Also thanks Holly from Domestic Dork for putting this together!

Hope you all enjoy your Valentine's Day!

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The Year of Not Buying Gifts

2010-02-05T17:21:00.000-08:00

After crunching some hefty numbers I have come to the conclusion that I will not be purchasing gifts for anyone during the year of 2010 though I am debating on that for the Bambino's second birthday. Perhaps, I'll throw a small party for him at the zoo or some kind of fun place for a two-year-old and his friends. We'll see.

But for the majority - NO GIFTS. That means no birthday gifts, no hostess gifts, no April Fool's pranks (because c'mon those are the best gifts from me), no mom & pop day gifts, no anniversary gifts, and especially NO CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

Though I will not be buying gifts for my loved ones it doesn't mean that I won't send a card or call my mom & dad on their respective parent's days. It just means that they won't have anything materialistic sent from me.

Why? Though I cannot disclose to the general public the main reason, there is one reason that should suffice: TO SAVE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to be financially secure for myself and the Bambino. I'd like to be able to have my emergency fund back. Heck I'd like to be able to have a(n) emergency fund, retirment savings, and start a savings account for the Bambino. That way if my car ever breaks down again (knock on wood that it doesn't) then I'd like to take care of that on my own and not ask my parents for help. I'd like to one day buy a home that the Bambino and I may call our own. I'd like to be able to send us on a trip to Australia or Norway or Tanzania - anywhere in the world. More importantly I'd like to be out of debt.

So that's that. No gifts 2010. I may offend a few people (*wink) but that's ok I'll still love them. If they need a scapegoat then this lady will be a great candidate since she is the one who inspired me to do so.....sorry and thank you SO MUCH Sarah. What you and your family did this past Christmas was such an inspiration and motivation for this. I {internet} heart you. Oh and my Dad because he was the first person to tell me to do so. I {IRL} love you!

It is the year of gifting cards and phone calls with lots of love and hugs and gift of financial stability.

What are you doing to save money?

On motherhood, friendship and making fun of bloggers

2010-02-04T00:14:00.000-08:00

There's this Canadian show (I really, really LOVE Canadians by the way) that I watch called, "Being Erica." It's totally off because Erica, the main character, gets to go back in time and fix all of her regrets and call it therapy.

Anyway, tonight's episode was about friendships and motherhood. Or more specifically about how one friend becomes a mother and the other one doesn't (yet) and how it affects the friendship. For example as soon as I became a mama I found it (and still sometimes do) difficult to follow a conversation that wasn't about poop or sore nipples. Or how it's hard to keep up with what's going on outside world outside of you and your little cub. Nothing else exists and if you don't have friends who understand that or if they give you a hard time then it can sometimes lead to the demise of a friendship.

THANKFULLY! I have fantastic friends who understand, support and totally get me even though I can go weird, spastic, out-of-the-loop mama. It's also helpful that we have similar lives and are so busy that finding time to sit back and have a phone conversation (because by the way all of my close friends live NOWHERE near me) but when we do get a chance to talk it's sometimes interrupted by the Bambino's whines for food, food, food, FOOD NOW! Or because they're walking out the door to have a fun single person's night out. Oh and it also helps that we're all workaholics. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that my friends are freaking awesome and I love them for remaining friends and continuing to build our friendship even though we have taken so many different paths. We're still able to find each other at some junction at some time or another. I love you friends! You know who you are!

If you Tivo or DVR your shows and one of those shows is "Ugly Betty" and haven't yet viewed this week's episode then don't read the following:

Now onto the making fun of the blogs bit. Nothing spectacular other than I thoroughly enjoyed this evening's "Ugly Betty" episode. Betty won a blog award and I'm not sure if the show was intentionally poking fun at blogging and bloggers but I laughed so hard that I had coughing fit which led to me spraying some inhaler in my lungs which has led me to my current hyper state which is why I'm typing 1.5 hours past my bedtime. 10:33 pm is 3:33 am parent time. Yeah, there is such a thing as parent time. Anysnooze, I just loved how when Betty was accepting her award and Daniel was giving her a special award speech that they were getting burritos thrown at them because ya know bloggers get crazy sometimes. Ya know with the whole don't offend me or I'll write evil words about you for 3 readers to see and one person leaving a comment and then throw a can of cat piss on your face in real life.

Anyway, tonight's episode was hilarious and I loved how it poked a little innocent fun at us bloggers.

So....that's all I've heard for today.

Phone Call for Mr. Bambino

2010-01-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Bambino,

For the past couple of weeks I've wanted to do nothing but call you during my lunch breaks. Even today while I was walking to the car on my lunch break I thought of you and wanted to call you. I wanted to hear your cute little manchild voice, about how your day was going, what kind of food you were eating and to just tell you that I love you.

You are always in my thoughts and while I remain patient, I cannot wait until the day that you and I can converse.

If I had been able to call you today I would've talked to you about how excited I am that your Tutu is coming to visit us soon. I'm pretty convinced that she will "kidnap" you for the week that she is here and try to show the Hawai'i that she knew. I know that she cannot wait to see you and hold you and try to talk stories with you. Tutu just loves you and loves being your grandma - she's been waiting for you since I was 22 and didn't even have a boyfriend anymore but hey, that's just how she rolls. ;o) She's always wanted to a mama and has been very excited about being a granny. I'm excited to see her and watch you two interact. I'm also convinced that you'll become best friends and will run away with your Tutu when she returns to Seattle. Please don't do that. I would miss you too much.

I would have also told you that you cried a lot last night which led you to be quite whiny and me to be quite grouchy. Then I would've apologized for snapping at you this morning and that I will try to be more patient with you. I mean the BOTH of us were up all night last night and really who doesn't want to be snuggled in the morning after a long night of interrupted slumber. Then I would tell you that I loved snuggling with you for the 10 minutes that we had left before we had to leave for you Aunty Rose's house. You're the perfect snuggle bug. In fact you are just perfect. Full Stop.

After that bit of conversing I would say that I need to get back to work but don't want to and that I can't wait to pick you up and give you hugs & kisses and snuggle time.

You are missed during the time that I am at work but I'm very thankful that I am able to look forward to coming home to you.

I love you little Bambino.

Love,
Mama

Oldies but Goodies

2010-01-26T20:49:00.001-08:00

From when the Bambino was 5 months and just introduced to bananas...pureed style.

He was such a gooey, giddy, gerber goo!

Now he's a feisty, mischevious love bug.

I love you Bambino!!!!

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Face

2010-01-25T22:57:00.001-08:00

The Bambino's cute little, big face.

Poor fella's allergies are heightened because of the vog (volcanic smoke + smog = vog), hence the runny nose and watery eyes. BUT....

He can still run around like the energetic toddler he is.

Enjoy the cuteness!

xoxo

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Little Poi Boy

2010-01-25T22:54:00.001-08:00

The Bambino LOVES his poi and he's turning me into a convert.

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Peek-a-boo!

2010-01-22T13:30:00.001-08:00

Can you even handle the cute, mischeviousness of it all?

I sometimes cannot.

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Preview of what we did this past weekend....

2010-01-21T13:50:00.001-08:00

More to come later..........

More stuff to text my toddler

2010-01-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

Please stop throwing your food on the carpet - we don't have a dog to lick it up and sometimes mama is too tired to get out the vacuum.

Maybe that's why there's ants in the house?

A winner and a loser....

2010-01-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So things have been a bit busy 'round these parts.

Also, I am a loser because I only went FOUR days without watching the television. I got sick (still am but getting better) and when I get sick, I watch the boob tube. So that experiment was an epic failure.

Though, I won't be setting bets this time I will start again on the less television thing. I did well this past weekend in taking the Bambino out for a playdate and just giving him 100% of my attention on Saturday. Then on Sunday we went to the aquarium and had a great time. Though I have major guilt issues because I let the kid eat some McDonalds fries. Gross. My baby now knows what grease tastes like.

So anyway about the TV wager - NotaSoccerMom won!!!!!!!

NOTASOCCERMOM -Please e-mail me your information and I'll be sending you a Hawaiian Christmas ornament and some yummy Hawaiian treats - you're not allergic to Macadamia nuts are you?

Okay, so the no watching tv was a failure this time around but I've done a great job this week. We've hung out with our neighbors and friends this week and played a couple rounds of "Scene It." I totally lost. But it's cool. And have just been having fun, fun, fun!

Something I would text my toddler

2010-01-14T11:13:00.001-08:00

Please stop taking off your diaper and proceeding to whizz all over the carpet. At least go outside and do that.

Photos from the weekend: Golfing Edition

2010-01-14T11:07:00.003-08:00

This one is for you Uncle Guy!!!!!

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Photos from the weekend: Aquarium Edition

2010-01-14T11:07:00.001-08:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Things I would text to the Bambino if he could text back or talk back and had a cell phone...not like he's getting one until he can drive....

2010-01-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Bambino,

If I could call or text you right now I would tell you that I am so bored at my job and would rather be hanging out with you at the park or having a battle of wills about me wanting you to walk on your own and you wanting me to carry you.

You usually win by the way.

Mama doesn't like to be away from you all day at work but right now this is what she needs to do - until George Clooney opens his eyes and realizes that he wants to marry me and be your daddy. But........that won't happen for a while. *wink*

So, I'm stuck here at work during my lunch break wanting to tickle you, hug you, and just look at your handsome face. I miss you so much during the work day.

I'll see you soon.

Love,
Mama

Men With Sleeve Tattoos Are H-O-TTTTTTTTTT!!!!

2010-01-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

I used to have a men in Buddy Holly style glasses fetish (still do) but I've developed another. Men with sleeve tattoos.

Seriously. I like me a man with tattoos but make it a sleeve and drrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooooooool.

Now I ususally cannot stand David Beckham but ever since I learned about his sleeve tattoos, I've been having nauthy thoughts. Substitute that mouse voice of his with Clive Owen's voice and I'm sold! Watchout Posh Spice (after I get my SLAMMIN' MILF body that is)! I mean soccer, tattoos and British?

YUM!

(Image via MSN Celebrity Fix)

Message to the universe

2010-01-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

While driving to pick up the Bambino from daycare I notice a man-jogger. A shirtless man-jogger. A hot and sweaty shirtless man-jogger with sexy six-pack abs! And that's when I pull a fender-bender from checking out said man-jogger.

Not really, but almost.

So back in October I thought perhaps I was ready to date because the Bambino had turned one-year-old the previous month and I had devoted a whole year to just him and no other man. But really I wasn't. His father was still on my mind, as in I was still a bit angry with him and well Mr. Perfect was still in my heart.

Not anymore.

This holiday season I sent the Bambino's father a holiday card with a photo of the little manchild and a kind note. I don't expect to hear from him. Ever. It was my own bit of closure.

As for Mr. Perfect? Well, he's still perfect - my ideal man but not reality. I've finally come to terms that while we both have some of the same ideals and views on life, society, the world - we both definitely want different things in life. He is a stable man, while I am a restless woman with incredible wanderlust. He is firm in his beliefs, while I can't help but keep changing my mind. He is there and I am here. And the list goes on. He is someone who will be a perfect godparent for the Bambino should anything ever happen to me. It is because he is the ideal man that he will be the only man, besides my dad that I would entrust the Bambino with if I were no longer here on this Earth to be with my little lovebug. Mr. Perfect will always hold a special place in my heart but my heart is finally ready (almost 7 years later) to fully open up to a different man.

I'm finally ready for Mr. Here-right-now. Mr. Makes-me-laugh-a-lot! Mr. Accept-me-for-who-I-am. Mr. Loves-me-and-the-Bambino. Mr. Real.

I thought I would wait until I lost some weight, ya know, got the slammin' MILF body. But I don't want to date a man who only wants to be with me because I have a nice body and look pretty. I don't want end up with a fella who is going to make me feel like turd piles because of cellulite. I also don't want to date a guy who is going to not understand that the Bambino comes first.

Right now, I'm happy with where I am in life. I've got a beautiful little manchild who still loves to give me hugs and kisses - who still runs after me if I try to go to the bathroom without him. We have a roof over our heads. We've got some great family surrounding us. We've got beautiful friends. I'm meeting fantastic new people everyday. I can provide for my little manchild. Life is good and I'm really happy with where I am right now. Even with my body - while I still work to lose weight and get healthy I can't help but feel good in my new Michael Kors jeans. These jeans make my ass look great! and they make me feel great too. Anyway...my heart is open.

I'm ready universe!

Consider my message sent (and sealed with a kiss).

Let's just call these my resolutions......

2010-01-05T13:47:00.000-08:00

Remember my 27 things to do before I turn 27-years-old post?

Well here are the things I've accomplished so far:

Found peace with my present - finally! It feels so good!

Made more friends - I have a playdate with another mama this Thursday and I keep making more friends!

So just TWO so far but I'm searching for a good photo contest to enter, plan on piercing my nose, cooking a meal for loved ones (my mom's visiting), and sew & knit, in March. I'm also on the hunt for a journal to write in, so if you have any advice or places that would have a good, thick, and elegant journal let me know. Though, I'll probably just buy a composition book and go from there.

I'm still working on my AWESOME project so it'll be another while until I post it.

Until then....

Oh and can I get a "Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!" for the Restless Tutu visiting in March. Should be good times, people, good times!

MORE CHRISTMAS PHOTOS

2010-01-03T09:54:00.001-08:00

Us.

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CHRISTMAS PHOTOS!

2010-01-03T09:53:00.001-08:00

We went to Hoku's at The Kahala for a nice Christmas Eve dinner with some family.

Yum.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Sumo New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-31T11:51:00.001-08:00

Another year...

2009-12-31T10:47:00.001-08:00

I'm still working on a special something to post so here is one thing I hope to accomplish in the new year:

Happiness with my present so that I may enjoy what is happening in front of me at any given moment.

How about you?

Please have a safe and happy new year celebration!

With lots of aloha,

Restless Mama & the Bambino

Internet-cation and a Contest!

2009-12-28T15:19:00.000-08:00

I had a four-day weekend last week thanks to the holiday we call Christmas. I also had a four-day vacation from the internet. I can hear Aunty Megs going, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaa?!?!?! That girl doesn't take a break from checking her e-mails for more than 10 minutes! Not possible!!!"

Well guess what Megs! I did it! A whole weekend of no internet. Well ok, I checked my e-mail 4 times this weekend. Once for each day! And it was grand.

Though I was able to disconnect myself from the computer and phone pretty much except for the phone calls to my parents and sister. Unfortunately, I was not able to pry myself from the television - that is when I wasn't hanging out with the Bambino, cleaning, or hanging clothes or folding clothes, doing the whole family thing during Christmas eve and day.

By the way I finally cleaned my room! As in, I actually folded and hung up my clothes that had been hanging out on the floor of my closet for the past month! or so. Give or take. ;o)

Back to the television. I curse it. I curse Gilmore Girls reruns. I curse Doctor Who. I curse Top Gear. I curse Netflix for sending me P.S. I love you and letting me like it! Curse the tv and it's whole exisitence! Because not once did I open up any of the magazines that I haven't read ALL. YEAR. LONG!

That's just one big stack. I have another stack waiting for me in my bedroom. Yikes! Can you see that I haven't opened some of them? They still have the plastic covering.

No wonder I'm a big blob of blubber.

Anyway, I'm very tempted to throw the tv out the back or put it in my brother's room. But then what about those times that I just really want to watch a girly flick? Or that new indie movie? Or crap tv? And then we get back into the cycle of me and the television and the whole not prying myself from the couch thing.

So that's where you come in lovely person who is reading this post of this wonderful, beautiful blog!

How long do you think I can go without watching the Boob Tube? One day? One week? One month? One second?

Rules: Me minus the TV for however long I can. That means no more Gilmore Girls and no more Doctor Who and no more Netflix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Which means I'm going to have put a hold on my Netflix account and find a way to save the last episode of Doctor Who on my DVR. I'll also have to have my brother monitor my no watching of the tv. Though it doesn't count if I turn on the tele for the Bambino - I let him watch Sesame Street at night and a little bit in the morning to help me finish getting ready.

Leave a comment below and whoever is the closest will win a fabulous (undecided) prize from the beautiful islands of Hawai'i! Yes. It will be local. And it will be wonderful! I just don't know what it is yet.

I suppose I'll chronicle the developments of my non-television life. So you all can keep tabs. I think this will be a lot of fun!

Anyway, we'll get this no television party started tomorrow, Friday, January 1, 2010! And we'll keep it going for however long I can go without watching the TV. Oh and no this isn't a New Year Resolution. Just a fun thing for me to do. Though I am curious about yours - do share!

Cheers!

How do you holiday?

2009-12-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

Looking for Santa.

We are holiday-ing like this:

Open gifts with friends Christmas Eve day;

Buy a last minute piece to go with the holiday gifts I purchased for my two aunts, my brother and my uncle;
Go to Christmas Eve dinner with Aunty L, Uncle T, Aunty Maka, Uncle Lou and the Bambino at Fancy McFadden in Paradise Island - we're going to a fancy restaurant for dinner which is great but it totally stresses me out when I have to get all gussied up for anything these days;
Christmas day - open presents with the Bambino;
Go to Christmas brunch with family (Nana Patty and the bunch) in Kailua;
Go to Christmas dinner with the same family we will be having Christmas Eve dinner;
Day after Christmas - sleep. Read. Write. Work on some freelance jazz.

Actually after Christmas I intend to come up with a plan where I don't buy people Christmas presents anymore except for my parents and the Bambino but still send the usual holiday card. Why do I need a plan? Because I know I'll probably end up spending money on other people anyway.

I'd really like to celebrate my Christmas like THIS.

Or like how we did in Boston. Lots of fun family time and no going out to fancy restaurants or having to split time between family. Knowing that good times will be had because everything is relaxed with a dash of chaos but the good kind. The kind where we sit around singing carols but mix up the words because we each have different carol song books.

And it's grand.

But I still look forward to spending time with our loving family here. It will be our first Hawaiian Christmas.

And you know who will be in town for Christmas on the beautiful island of Oahu in a wonderful town called Kailua?

Our President that's who.

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka Obama familia!

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka to you all!

It was my little brother's birthday on Friday.

2009-12-21T14:24:00.001-08:00

He's the big 1-7 now. He can now watch R-rated movies without adult supervision! This is exciting stuff.

You're such a big boy now little brother!

And now it's time for a little b-day embarassment. Photos of you blowing out your brithday cake candles!!!!

Love you!!!!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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The Stuff of Smiles

2009-12-21T14:21:00.001-08:00

Seriously, get a load of the cuteness!

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Just a little bit unfocused.

2009-12-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

I've noticed that in the past month that I've lost a good chunk of my "audience" and for good reason. I mean hey, who wants to read a blog that is totally random and no longer continuously updated?

Errrmm...not me? Not you? Not that guy eating his greasy fast food chain burger with ketchup and fries at his desk?

Thought so.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to close shop. No way. This is my little sanctuary and well sometimes I just can't make a regular appearance to my sanctuary.

Anysnooze. I know that this venue is a bit unsystematic. One day I'm talking about single motherhood. The next I'm showing off my charismatic photo shooting skills. And another day I'm talking about how awesome my friends and family are and how I much I miss this place or that place or some political issue or how geeky I am about gadgets or how I can't go to the bathroom in peace. I know I talk about some different topics and don't really have a focused audience.

In the beginning this place was just supposed to be a place for my friends and family to stop by to see updates on the Bambino. And then it grew into something more because I did something about it but without great effort. I just joined in on some conversations on very focused blogs and wham, bam thank you ma'am here I am.

But that's me. Just a little bit unfocused when it comes to this here blog I suppose. But really I just enjoy talking about a lot of different issues/topics/agendas/baby poop. Because I'm not one thing. Many things make up the person that I am.

The Bambino though he's a person and not ever a thing. Well except for when he was a newborn - he was kind of an alien. But all newborns are. They're just kinda weird beings in the beginning. It's not their fault.

Parenting. The ups. The downs. The sideways. The byways. I'm constantly amazed at how much this little person who I call the Bambino and love with every mililmeter of myself changes everyday. The challenges that I am faced with everyday. The balancing act of single motherhood, work, health and everything that comes with parenthood. The not being able to walk out of the room without the Bambino freaking out because hey for some reason he's got it in his head that if mama leaves the room then she's never coming back!!!! The sharing of how the Bambino loves to blow kisses as he says goodbye to me in the mornings. How he has this HUGE smile when I pick him up from daycare. His refusal to eat with me during the weekends but how he chows down like there's no tomorrow with anyone else. How single parenthood is challenging but I love it and am afraid of the possibility having to share my bed. I like my space. I like the two of us. I love the two of us. I love the Bambino.

Photography. Love to photograph. Love to edit. Full stop.

Music. Love to listen and play any instrument that anyone will let me touch.

Sex. Obviously otherwise I wouldn't be exisiting! Ha ha. Lame joke. But seriously. Sex and the no-sex that is my life right now and will continue to be for another little while which is weird because I used to be a nympho. But in the safe way. You hear that mom and dad? Oh yeah, they don't read this anymore - TMI. T. M. I.

Food. I love it. I love to eat it. I love to smell it. I love to make it. I love to make sure that the Bambino eats lots of it. That's the funny thing about motherhood. We're really never at peace until we know our children are full and happy with lots and lots food in their tiny, tiny bellies. Now I understand why that mom in, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," was always cooking and feeding.

Crafts/design/art. Love to look at it. Touch it if they'll let me. And I always fantasize about how someday I'll know how to make this and that and even better THOSE!

Environmental/political/religious/humanitarian issues. I care about the world. I cry everytime I hear about another child whose life was cut short or doesn't have a chance at higher education. I am not afraid to criticize a person if they don't put that newspaper in a recycling bin. I am eager to learn about a culture different from mine. I especially enjoy a good ecumenical conversation.

Technology. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I am amazed by its advances in connecting people of the world and disgusted at what it has done to interpersonal relationships - it will also be the demise of them. I cannot live without and yet I cannot stand to have it around me. I how it's brought about social media but I also cannot wait until it is the weekend so that I can disconnect myself from the gadget and narcisitic talk. It makes me mad at the world and yet appreciate it at the same time.

Writing/journalism/blogging/pr. Writing. I've been doing it since I was a wee one. I remember I tried writing a screenplay when I was 10-years-old. My dad made copies so that I could bring it to school and have my friends and I act out what I had written. When in high school I knew that if I was going to do any sort of photography it would be photojournalism. So that I could travel and help show the world what was going on. When I lived in Norway I started blogging and writing newsletters to keep my friends and family up to date. And now I do some freelance PR work. It's an interesting relationship these different types of writing but I enjoy each part of it. Though I always have one particular voice in my head when it comes to writing - to help keep my integrity. He knows who he is.

Travel. My heart, mind, body and soul belong to the adventure of traveling. Admittingly I do grow restless when it comes to residence or place of vacation. I want to see what is beyond the fences. Beyond the ocean. Beyond the all that exists. If I could time travel I would but only to witness the "Roaring 20's" or feel the saliva of a Raptor or what the Bambino will be like as a man. I am Hawaiian. I am Irish. I am Jewish. I am African. I am Chinese. I am Norwegian. I am Australian. I am Micronesian. I am part of one big world and all of my self yearns to see it in this lifetime.

All of the above and more are what I am about. What I love to talk about.

So this Restless Mama may be a bit scattered but hey isn't it kind of fun to wonder what I'll be talking about next? I mean we've already got a lot of great people focused on a certain topic or lifestyle or whatever you want to call it. So who needs one more focused blogger on the blogosphere?

Anyway, I choose to see it as the I am focused on life...in general.

And plus, who doesn't like looking at a cute fella like this guy?

Holy Crazy Life Batman!

2009-12-16T10:37:00.001-08:00

Things at the Restless Mama and Bambino house have been a bit busy but in a good way.

I've been pretty busy with my full time job and my freelancing. It's been odd not being able to regularly post something here. But I don't feel guilty about it - I just miss it. The writing. The posting photos. The ranting and raving.

But I have been sending some mobile photos of the Bambino to my Tumblr and Posterous accounts. I still update Facebook. Every now and then I have a moment to check on my Tweeps (yep, I just went Tweeky Twitter on you!!). So I haven't totally let go of my narcissistic ways. *wink*

I love me some mircoblogging but it's just hard to find time to keep the motivation and momentum of writing. Especially during the holidays.

Oh yeah about that. So funny thing. I knew what I was getting for my favorite people on the mainland. I can't say what I got them because they read this blog but I go them at craft fairs, from one of my websites and a little aisle from Target. Oh and my theme? Well the awesome thing about living in Hawaii or any foreign place is that you can make a foreign theme out of your holiday gifts. But it's especially great when you live in Hawaii because what American doesn't like a good gift from the beautiful South Pacific islands of Hawai'i? Yeah, I thought so. So my favorite people are getting a little treat of aloha this holiday season. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

The only thing? The one thing? The it? Is that I don't have any shipping money. I mean yeah I totally saved on those gifts that I bought because I shopped locally. But yeah I forgot about the shipping part. The part where you need to have that extra cash to send those gifts to those far-away-lands because HEY! You don't live on the mainland anymore! You live on an island! Far, far away from any continent! Far away from your favorite people!

So my sister and cousins in Massachusetts? LATE! My best friends in Seattle and Spokane, WA? LATE! My beloved surrogate family in Norway? LATE! Oh and my Philadelphia family who celebrate Hannukah? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY LATE!

Don't even get me started on my holiday cards. The cute little Hawaiian themed holiday cards! LATE! Because I don't have any stamps to put on them.

Yep. This part of being a single mom. The part where you're pretty much dirt poor because a) you live in Hawai'i, b) have a priority to feed and clothe that beloved little person and c) your full time job doesn't pay all that well - yeah that part? That part sucks donkey balls!

Donkey. Balls! Donkey balls!

But hey. It's the thought that counts, right?

Errrrr....I suppose. I hate being late. The only people that I'm not going to be late for are my parents - the most important besides the Bambino - who by the way I still haven't decided if I'm going to get this toy or that toy. And my family here on the islands.

Oh but wait. I still haven't gotten gifts for two people. [BIG sigh of disappointment in self] I'll get them this weekend but I hate, hate, HATE shopping during this time of the year. I learned a few years ago that shopping in December is crazy. Like insane asylum crazy. Like I want to not only rip out my hair but the person standing next to me in line or the person grabbing the same thing as I am. Shopping in December is for the crazy people! So yeah. I'm going to be one of those people this weekend.

So to my favorite people on the mainland and lands far away. How about a HAPPY NEW YEAR! present?

In awe of living the dream....

2009-12-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

I'm really loving this Nikon project and this man's virtue of living his dream everyday.

What do you do to live your dream? Everyday?

My Wordless Wednesday - Pink

2009-12-09T13:04:00.000-08:00

Weekend Docket

2009-12-04T18:47:00.001-08:00

Tonight (Friday) I'll be cleaning my closet so that I can find my clothes for tomorrow
Mililani Christmas Parade - the Bambino and I are in it for Baby Boot Camp. It will be awesome!
Mililani Town Craft Fair
Grab last chance deals @ Target for cheapo tree ornaments
Winter Wonderfland (maybe) in Aiea
Honolulu Festival of Lights
So that was all Saturday up above
Sunday: Windward Craft Fair
Edit photos for the amazing artist brother and his lady friend
Put up tree and decorate!!!!
Buy groceries
Call Popi and Tutu
Call Aunty Megs, Aunty Brooke and Uncle Paul
Hopefully sneak in a visit with Aunty Lass, Uncle Tim and Aunty Maka

And somewhere in there I have to make sure I get in a jog and sleep. So I'm thinking my whole "No TV weekend" just might work.

Have a good one everyone!

If you're in Honolulu for the festival "Tweet" me. I can't believe I just typed that.

xoxo

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I am related to someone famous....

2009-12-04T15:14:00.001-08:00

His name is Edward and he is my brother.

Check out the news segment from KHON TV (TURN UP YOUR VOLUME BECAUSE THE STUDENTS ARE A TAD QUIET):

http://www.khon2.com/content/news/morning/story/Winners-of-Youth-For-Rail-Art-Ad-Contests/_Pg-2s2Djk6wHw4WJK90mA.cspx

xoxo

A Proud Sister

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Check out my brother on KHON TV!!!

2009-12-04T09:01:00.001-08:00

For those of you on the Hawaii Islands - don't forget to check out my brother and his beautiful artwork at 7:15 am on KHON TV TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While watching be sure to do a happy dance and jump for joy because he is the most brilliant artist in the universe!!!!!!!!!

Again, so proud.

Love you Uncle Lou!

xoxoxoxoxo

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My brother is an amazing artist

2009-12-02T14:04:00.001-08:00

The proof is in the link: http://www.movingusforward.net/archives/466 - his is the "Art 16."

If you live in Hawaii then tune into the news at 7:15 am tomorrow, Thursday, December 3rd on KHON TV to check out my little brother!!!! We are one very, very, VERY PROUD ohana right now - especially his mama. He's going to the best graphic arts designer and film director you'll ever know.

Way to go SUPER STAR!!!!

Love,

Your Grouchy Eldest Sister w/ the Really Cute Baby Who Calls YOU Uncle Lou.

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We we did for the four day weekend.....(Part Three of Three)

2009-12-01T17:09:00.001-08:00

And some photography of teenage romance.....

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What we did for the four day weekend....(Part Two)

2009-12-01T17:08:00.001-08:00

Some turkey gobblin' with loved ones....self portraits with our just out of bed hair.....

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from restlessmama's posterous

What we did during the four day weekend.....(Part One)

2009-12-01T17:05:00.001-08:00

Some craft fairing @ the Okinawan Center and Neal Blaisdell Center.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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What I'm Doing.....

2009-12-01T15:31:00.000-08:00

Young Love (a preview).

My brother and his girlfriend were kind enough to let me photograph them so that I could build my photography portfolio from random observations to portraits. I hadn't photographed a couple before mostly because the idea made me puke! But after some inspiration from Our Labor of Love - I just HAD to give it a shot.

Below is a preview of what I've edited so far.

I've still got a few posing/directional things to work on to get a little more edge and originality but I'm pretty satisfied with what I've done so far.

We own our own island....

2009-11-27T12:24:00.000-08:00

Not really but how great would that be?

So I know that some of my friends and family don't enjoy reading some of the jazz I post on here and that is totally understandable and fine.

Soooooooooooooooo.............

I've got a place for just the updates of the (almost) daily happenings of the Bambino's and my life. Have you heard of Posterous or Tumblr? No? That's cool. They're just another source for people to blog at, so that's what I'll be doing at those two places. They're my new found loves because I can post a photo or video from my phone so I can really keep my friends and family up to date. Fantastic tools for a social media geek such as myself - I love my job.

Here are the addresses:

Posterous - http://restlessmama.posterous.com
Tumblr - http://therestlessmama.tumblr.com

Or simply click HERE or HERE.

So there you go Mom and Dad you no longer have to deal with the jazz on this site you can now enjoy daily photos of your grandson. Woo hoo!!!!! And I don't have to crowd your inbox with attached photos to e-mails. Yay!!!!

That's that. For simple updates and photos of us check out those sites.

A Thankful Gobble

2009-11-25T16:09:00.000-08:00

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy never have a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Heavy Part 2 - Depression and the Parent

2009-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Disclosure: All these words are true. It is another post with jumbled words. This post may not make sense to you but know that I wouldn't ever, NEVER EVER do anything to harm my little Bambino. I did not nor do I suffer from post partum depression. My son is safe and one happy little fella. He is my love, my world, my all. Besides living for myself, the Bambino is my biggest reason for life. I hope that any other single parents or coupled parents that have gone or are going through depression will find the words to this series of posts helpful.

Always, Restless Mama

Did you read my last post? Did you click and read the link at the end?

So with my expectations of the Bambino's father, the big move, the major change not being met and many other factors I shut down. Went numb. While this is fine for some people it didn't feel right. For the past 6 years I've been living by the motto, "Life is what you make it," and not being able to get out of my funk was frusturating me. And yes this affected those around me...OK but it wasn't ok that it affected the way I parent.

To me it is not at all acceptable to be numb and/or shut off when you've got a little person to raise. To watch grow and reach milestone after milestone. To be their #1 cheerleader. To love them. And well it's kind of hard to do any of that when you're mind and heart have been shut off.

No I did not stop cheering on the Bambino and yes sometimes my enthusiasm was fake but I did it. For my son to grow to his best potential he needs all of the love and support he needs. That is my job. If he starts crawling you jump up and down for the joy that is that milestone. He turns one? Throw the biggest party and get wild celebrating the beauty that is the first year of a person's life. And don't fake a moment of it.

But my job felt just like that - a horrible, tedious task. Feed the baby. Change the baby's diaper. Stop the baby from trying to pull the plug covers off. Don't yell at the baby. Don't scare the baby by waking up in the middle of the night pounding the area around him because he won't. stop. crying! The crying. The endless crying. The endless and loud crying one night. Then a week. Then weeks. No sleep. The non-sleeping. This job - motherhood sucked.

Now I never wanted to bail on the Bambino. I would never hurt him. NEVER, EVER would I hurt the baby. But at that moment during that one night I just lost it. I had, had enough of the crying. Had enough of all of the letdowns I had experienced since our move. Enough. I needed to let it all out but I had never planned on acting out that way. It all just happened. One minute I was lying in bed with my baby and the next he was crying and then I just flipped out. Freaked the hell out of my baby.

And it was then. At that moment that I knew I couldn't do my job properly if I didn't get any help.

Yes I know that during the first year of the Bambino's life I hadn't taken a break. No time for myself but my plan was to focus on my son during his first year. No men. No time to myself other than work. Just us. Get to know my little Bamino. In retrospect I probably should've taken more time to myself.

Anyway I met with a therapist once before the incident but decided it was time to go back after that. I knew that if I didn't I might turn into a crazy person and not only would the Bambino be without a proper father figure, he'd be out a mama. And I would not have the most important person, my biggest love in my life because I had just let myself go numb and then somehow really explode.

It was time to not just starting feeling but feel good again.

To be continued......

Drummer Baby

2009-11-24T16:12:00.001-08:00

He means some serious drummin' business.

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Heavy: Part 1

2009-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

The words to the following series of posts just might read word vomit and for that I apologize. Also, I did much debating on whether or not I would even post about the following because who wants to hear another single mama complain about her life? But it's more than a single mama sharing her woes - it's me. It's what's been happening and this is my blog. So if you don't feel like reading this jazz then go elsewhere and I mean that in a non-mean yet stern way. Some of you (my parents and my 3 most important friends) know the whole story but here it is for the rest of you.

Depression is a mother chucker. But let me give you a little background as to why I'm dealing with it right now. My doctor says it's Situational Depression and now a story to show why.

Pretty much from the time we landed in Seattle to when we arrived here in Hawaii I've been feeling off. In the beginning I attributed that feeling to the time changes, jet lag, and all that comes with moving from one coast to another - from one way of life to another. Moving is a difficult decision to make and doing the action is just as difficult if not more.

Things in Seattle were only challenging because my parents only wanted what would be best for the Bambino and me. Though we had different opinions on my move I knew that they loved me and only wanted us to be safe and secure. But at the time I thought that our move to Hawaii was going to be the best for us.

You see as great as it was living in Boston, at the time, it seemed impossible with our new situation. My sister had decided to go back to school full time and I didn't think I'd be able to afford anyone to watch the Bambino. I didn't think I'd be able to find a higher paying job in time (I had a month) plus I have this thing called loyalty when I work for a company with people I love, a suitable care provider, and the list goes on. I had already given up anything extra in my life so with the offer of living in Hawaii rent-free I thought it was the best decision.

I didn't think I was going into this big change blind - I had a job, childcare, and transportation setup. I was excited to reconnect with my family in Hawaii - hang out with my cousin, the Bambino's Aunty Maka, my aunts and uncles. It was going to be great to get back in shape by exploring the island and getting in touch my Hawaiian roots. Lady Boss back in Boston named this new chapter, Aloha Zen. And so I thought it was going to be so.

Not so much. Things didn't go as planned. The job, the childcare didn't go as planned. My family here was divided because of my move. The culture shocked me - froze me. I hated the warm weather - crazy I know. And though I am supported by my family it just wasn't the same as being in Boston with the greatness that is the "H" family.

Now I have had some issues with moving before. When I moved to Norway I didn't like it at first because it was different and some creepy man flashed me his penis and I was just scarred for life. Then I moved to Philadelphia and I just wasn't feeling the groove. Then I moved to Boston. At first it was strange but being surrounded by the "H" family and their love made everything feel perfect. Anyway, whenever I move I tend to hate the place I'm at in the beginning but grow to love and miss it when I leave.

So I thought with the combination of moving with a 4-month-old, major time change, massive cultural differences, minor family feuding - i.e. different stimulae that I would eventually get over it since I knew why I was feeling this way.

But I just couldn't shake that feeling. I felt jipped, lost, and all around hopeless. The Bambino and I were stuck on this island. And it sucked.

Good thing I'm not one to totally wallow in my despair. Since I've got the Bambino and I'm his only provider I had to go out and find a job. It took me a month which I thought was preetty impressive for our current economical state. The only thing is that I would be getting paid HALF of what I made in Boston and I would be taking two steps backwards in terms of job duties. But I needed to earn some sort of income so that I could afford to buy his necessities.

Even though I was earning money I still had to fall onto the shoulders of my aunts, which I hated. A mother is supposed to be able to provide for her child. So with the shame of not being able to totally provide for my child I got worse.

More to come later.....

Below is a link to a NY Times Motherlode post about parents & depression: http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/when-a-parent-is-depressed/

Photo of the Day

2009-11-23T15:19:00.001-08:00

Would you like a baby with those toys?

The Bambino having fun in his toy chest with his bountiful booty! Actually he has way more toys than that but I didn't want it to look like he was drowning but in retrospect I think the photo would've been if I had done so.

Anyway look at my cute little fella!

xoxo

Case of the Busy Bees

2009-11-20T16:47:00.000-08:00

I've got a HUGE case of the busy bees.

Will return to regularly scheduled/awesome filled blogging next week.

Thanks for caring.

Now go hug a tree but in the nice way not the dirty way.

Hope and Help for Anissa

2009-11-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

This hits hard at home with me.

With the news of my high blood pressure and my dad's heart health history I am begging you all to please takes these words into serious consideration and help out this family in their dire time of need. I also ask that you take your heart health - your overall mind and body health seriously. You only have one body and one life - please treat both with special care and love.

Thank you,

Restless Mama and the Bambino

--------

12 pm Eastern UPDATE FROM ANISSA’S HUSBAND:

What we know is she had a massive stroke.

She bled into the brainstem and pons areas of the brain. She is no longer sedated but still unconcious and unresponsive. Vitals are mostly stable except for a lowgrade fever most likely due to the damage to the pons. The pons control the bodies ability to regulate temperature. She is still on a vent and it is unclear if she is capable of breathing on her own. She has had an mri/mra/ct today. An eeg is pending. We’re in a waiting game now for survival first, and ultimately for her to wake up.

—————

Original PostAs you may have heard, Anissa, our beloved friend and leader here at Aiming Low, suffered a stroke on Tuesday afternoon. She is in the hospital right now, in the ICU.
More than anything, Anissa needs your prayers and positive thoughts but to the many people in the Atlanta area who have offered help to the Mayhew family, we have set up a form for you to fill out so we can have everyone’s contact info in one place (please be assured your information will be kept private). If you are NOT in the Atlanta area but still want to help, you can also leave your information on that form.

Things that would be helpful right now are gift cards to restaurants and gift cards to the movies or to Blockbuster (to help keep the kids’ occupied) and gas/hotel gift cards for her extended family. A P.O. Box has been set up to receive any items you wish to send, the address can be found below. Please don’t send anything to the hospital or the Mayhew home. If you have questions, please email helpforanissa@gmail.com

We ask that you please respect the Mayhew family’s privacy by NOT calling the hospital and we thank you all SO MUCH for your outpouring of love and support for Anissa and her family.

With thanks and love,
The Aiming Low Team

If you would like to send something to Anissa and her family, we have set up a

P.O. Box.860 Johnson Ferry Road 140-184

Atlanta, GA 30342

Click here for the original post.

Missing you

2009-11-17T15:34:00.000-08:00

Grammy, you are missed.

I miss you stroking my hair after dinner.

I miss your smile.

I miss your flower pillows.

I miss your voice.

I miss finding crayons and paper stashed in your bathroom closet.

I miss your cooking - really I do.

I miss your sweetness.

I miss you making me feel special and loved.

I miss your hugs.

I miss you calling and writing me telling me to write and call you more.

I should've done so.

And now I wish I could call you - your number still resides in my phone.

I'll never erase it.

Because.

Grammy, you are missed.

Love you always,

Follow the Friday Brick Road Dos - Geek Goggles

2009-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Get your nerd on

Thanks to my dad I am in love with technology having a Mac since I was 5 and always having the latest tech toys in the house . Actually, technology and I have a love/hate relationship but it's the kind I can handle. I love it because of how easy it makes life for me; staying connected with those I love but are far away, reminding me I need to do something, accessible free music!!!!!!!!!!! and the list goes on. I sometimes hate it because I get freaked out at how far one can go with it; flying cars, genetically mutated farfen frack by whatever science research project and that just isn't natural.

But anyway I can appreciate a good techno project when I see one. So here are a few things & person that I'm drooling over right now:

Touch - So I don't know if you know but I lived in Norway for a year; best year of my life. Those Norwegians are the healthiest and happiest people I know, for reals. And now they are one of the smartest people I know. Though I already thought they were smart this research project, Touch, just blows my mind thinking about their minds. Here's the scoop on them:

Touch is a research project that investigates Near Field Communication (NFC), a technology that enables connections between mobile phones and physical things. We are developing applications and services that enable people to interact with everyday objects and situations through their mobile devices.

You may be scratching your eczema head wondering, "What the heck are they jibber jabberin' about?" Well here's one of the projects they're working on - it excites and freaks me out Skål. It's a funny little gadget aka media player designed to take certain objects from around the house and act as a sort of remote (for kids). For example, if your daughter wants to watch My Little Pony on the tele then you can send in a My Little Pony doll to the designer and they'll add a fancy chip with My Little Pony shows to the doll. Then whenever she wants to see the program all she does is take a the doll and kinda swoop it around in the media player bowl and wham, bam, thank you ma'am she's watching MLP on the TV.

Freaky riiiiiiiiiight? Right. Anyway check out the site and all of their projects. Then let me know if you think the Nordmenn are just as awesome as I think they are.

Mintpass Select Calculator - I'm pretty much convinced that Mintpass is porn for tech geeks or as my brother likes to phrase it, Tech Savants. They've got handy dandy gadgets that help you get your organize on (very sexy) or they've got radical calculators designed just like the ones you use on Windows or Mac OSX. And aren't those calculators just the hottest thing you ever saw since an iPhone? I think they are. It's like the creators the horror flick "The Ring" e-mailed the designers at Mintpass and were like, "Hey wouldn't it be freaky to have the calculators we use on your computers come to life like Samara does in The Ring?" And the designers were all like, "Hell yeah that'd be some freak jazz! Let's do it." Please check out the site and all of their gadget porn and tell me that you didn't burst from all of looking at all of them.

And finally:

Julia Roy (@juliaroy) - So obviously this gal is NOT a thing but a person -

beauty and brains is this lady. She is my social media/digital world heroine. She was innovative enough to promote fundraising for the Hurricaine Katrina disaster victims via social media/blogging. This was before blogging was the cool thing to do - before Mommy Bloggers!!!!! (please don't kill me mommy bloggers - I'm one of you....sort of...I really hate that title). Anyway here's a little bit about what she does from her site's "About Me":

I'm a thinker, communicator and educator of digitally and socially smart strategies and executions. I advise individuals, corporations and brands on how to plan and activate a social campaign that successfully establishes and maintains mutually-beneficial relationships with the people on the internet they care about the most.

Roy now works for Coach, Inc. as their Senior Manager of New Media. So what does that mean? Read her post about Luxury Brand and Social Media. That's right she's helping this classic luxury brand branch out to the public via social media aka the internet. Rather than consumers purchasing Vogue to find out what's new with luxury brands like Coach they can now just hit the internet and find out what's going on and give feedback while Coach still maintains their image and reputation. This is something very new for these types of brands which is of course due to the current ecnomic state. I'm very interested to see how she does with her new position. Will consumers really feel as though their voice is being heard from a designer company?

Check out her blog and follow her tweets (@juliaroy) and let me know what you think of the Cutest and Smartest Social Media Geek. I just dubbed her that - hope she doesn't mind. She knows how to get her nerd on. Oh and read her latest interview with Gelf Magazine.

That's my friday shout out.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Have a great weekend folks!

The Entitlement Generation - A Giveaway!!!

2009-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

I'm just gonna be straight with you all - I come from an Entitlement Generation and so does every other generation after. Seriously, I had my own t.v. when my parents and I lived in California, if I was sick and told not to go to a dance - I somehow found a way to nudge my parents into letting me go to the dance. I asked for rollerblades and used them........maybe twice but I had to have them. When I graduated high school I got butt loads of graduation money and totally spent it on useless stuff like clothes instead of saving it because it was my money and I was entittled to whatever the heck I wanted with it. Oh and that bowl of Coldstone ice cream? I totally deserve it because I just jogged 3 miles and am sweating like a heavy-weight wrestler on a stair-stepper which means I totally burned a continent of calories.

Yeah I come from that generation. The take, take, me, me, mine, mine, now, now generation.

There's a lot of history (I blame YUPPIES *wink*) as to why a lot of folks my age and younger have this sense of entitlement but I'll just say this: our parents really wanted us to have what they didn't have. This was a blessing and a curse.

Thankfully we now have freighter ship loads of parenting books to help us not to swim into the deep end of parenting and let our own children grow up to feel as though they deserve such and such right now just because.

Thankfully with this recession we are able to tell kids, "No you may not have that new Nintendo Wii Fit just because you got an A+ on your Microbiology quiz even though you're only 8-years-old," a lot easier.

And thankfully we've got people like Karen Deerwester around to write awesome books with practical tips on how to raise children with the, "Me, mine, now" attitude called, The Entitlement Free Child.

But what is an Entitlement Child and how do I get them to become an Entitlement-Free Child?

An Entitlement Child is one who thinks they should have a cell phone just because everyone else and their dog has one at school. They are the child who got a D on their paper and blames the teacher - they're too difficult. It is the child who breaks their friends toy and doesn't feel any sort of remorse or responsibility. They are that kid. A parent's worse nightmare. The Veruca Salt to Roal Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The Entitlement Free Child is the one who asks what they can do to earn a cell phone. The child who will not only own the responsibility of not getting a good grade on a test but a find a way to do better next time - fix the mistake so that it doesn't happen again. It is the child who will tell their parents that they broke their friend's toy and wants to figure out what they can do to fix and how they will tell their friend. They are the Charlie - who does go into the Bubble Room and flies around with good ole Grandpa but owns up to at the end and rides the glass elevator. The angel child. The child that all parents wish they had.

So how do we get to that point?

Well Deerwester gives plenty of examples of "Entitlement issues" such as "my son says he hates me whenever I tell him to do his chores" and then provides Entitlement-Free Perspectives" like not trying to convince your child that you are right, particularly when emotions are high or help your child identify constructive alternatives to reactive behavior.

Or other examples like allowances - should I give my child an allowance? Or how do I handle a tantrum in public?

Whatever the issue Deerwester's book contains great advice and perspectives on how we should parent our children today. Now I'm not saying every parent should get off their tucus and go out, buy this book, and take it as the gospel. If you buy this book, read it - read it again and write down notes THEN see if it's really something that you could use for your daily life. The ultimate goal is to have a family and future where everyone can connect their feelings and thoughts to their choices and actions - where they are able to see the world from many perspectives; think before reacting, where the children become problem solvers and leaders.

But don't forget parents it's YOUR job to raise the Entitlement-Free Child - they don't just get shipped to your door from Stork, Inc. The parent too has to get rid of any sense of entitlement to be able to raise one. And I think that's a real downfall these days with the go-go parents; always on the go - much easier to find a quick fix than to really take the time to parent.

For me a lot of the perspectives Deerwester mentioned were already common knowledge for me but I'm thinking it's because I've been exposed to so many different types of families around the world and cared for so many different types of children. I'm not saying that I'm Super Nanny or a parenting expert but I have enough data to make some pretty sound judgements when it comes to raising the Bambino.

When he's old enough to take out the garbage - he'll be taking out the garbage but not because I will have ordered him to do so. He'll do it because he will realize that he's not just doing a chore but making a contribution to our household and children love to feel as though they do something to make their home. Humans love to feel as though they are doing their part for the greater good.

Anyway, The Entitlement Free Child, is a great parenting reference book but I really only suggest it for the parents who have really lost their way. Otherwise everything in there is pretty much common sense.

And now onto the Giveaway!!!!!!

The awesome PR Peeps for the book and Mom Select were kind enough to pick me to read, review and giveaway a copy of the book so here I go..... :o)

How to Enter:

Leave a comment and be sure to leave an e-mail address I can reach you at if you win.

The contest runs from today, November 10, 2009 until next Friday, November 20, 2009.

Oh and for FTC purposes - this is a sponsored post however all opinions expressed in this post are solely mine - MINE!!!

The Questionnaire Filler Post

2009-11-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

A little something while I work on some things for a friend and write up a review and giveaway for tomorrow. That's right tomorrow I'll be having a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

Tune in tomorrow but in the meantime enjoy this narcissistic list. Oddly enough this was a challenge to complete.

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Excitement and peace with where you are in life.

2. What is your greatest fear?
Not experiencing enough.

3. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Not sure this one's hard. No one. Not a single person.

4. Which living person do you most admire?
Myself.

5. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My procrastination. I'm awesome at it in fact I should get an award. No but really...I can't stand this about myself and am working on fixing this.

6. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Close-mindedness

7. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Bravery.

8. What is your greatest extravagance?
Food.

9. On what occasion do you lie?
I used to lie all the time about money to my parents but I don't lie about that anymore - no more secrets.

10. What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My stomach but I'm fixing that.

11. When and where were you happiest?
I would love to say when the Bambino was born and don't get me wrong I was so excited and so happy but I was happiest when I was on the plane to Norway after college. When I was off on a new adventure on a foreign land with a language unknown to me.

12. What is your greatest regret?
Leaving Boston.

13. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
Familial/Overall - The Bambino
Romantically - Mr. Perfect

14. What is your current state of mind?
Improvement.

15. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
It's a tie between going to Norway and giving birth to the Bambino.

16. What is your most treasured possession?
My life.

17. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The loss of self awareness.

18. Where would you like to live?
Everywhere but I'd really like for the Bambino to be around his Popi & Tutu. I was forunate enough to live with my Grammy for eight years and would love for the Bambino to have the same opportunity - except not live with them but live near them.

19. What is your favorite occupation?
Right now I'm really loving the freelance work I'm doing for my friend's PR firm - Social Networking Manager.

20. What do you most value in your friends?
Their complete and brutal honesty. They do not hold back at all and I love it.

21. Who are your favorite writers?
Haruki Murakami and Dickens.

22. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Delilah

24. What are your favorite names?
Besides the Bambino's real name? For boys - Liam & Connor
For girls - Chloe, Mimi, Lulu, Phoebe, Penelope and the list goes on....

25. What is it that you most dislike?
Cowardice.

26. How would you like to die?
Either in my sleep or instantaneously.

27. What is your motto?
Life is what you make it.

What are your answers?

Follow the Friday Brick Road.......

2009-11-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

If you're a Twitter user then you know all about the #FF or the Follow Friday jazz. If you're not then here's a two sentence explanation:

Twitter users (hash) tag certain other twitter users on Fridays so that other twitter users can find out who twitter user #1 follows. It's like Twitter User PR that's free and totally fun to do.

So instead of just doing it on twitter I'm going to start doing some linky love on Fridays. Of course on the Fridays I remember. I know I won't remember every Friday but maybe I'll be smart enough to pre-post and date so then I will have a post every Friday. Anysnooze you get the idea.

I figure this will be a great way to minimize my "favorites" column because I sure do have a lot of links in it.

The Bad Ass Club Part One

I wish I could be as funny and bad ass as these people. They make bad assery seem so easy.

First up?

The would be Single Mom Survives and not just because she featured the Bambino and me in a little #FF video love but because she's a strong, opinionated, foul mouthed (that's sometimes a good thing in my book), independent, and loving mama. She's also got a really cute avatar (see left) so she's a friggin' MILF!!! Anyway this lady talks about her horror stories dealing with her HOA (how cool is that she owns her own home? something I hope I can do for my little family of two - I'd love for the Bambino to run around in a yard without worries) to something as simple (and still hilarious) as random rantings. She's honest and a side splitter - if those aren't reasons to read her blog then I don't what you're conservative rock you're living under.

Next up is Why Is Daddy Crying? The man makes me laugh when I read his tweets and his blog. He's an all around funny writer. Bonus is that he has really good taste in music. It isn't often I hear someone sharing that they're listening to the Flaming Lips on their commute home. Oh and if his avatar scares you a little - do be scared. In fact if you ever meet him in person... RUN! Because he might be like a dog and hump your arm. Yeah he's that crazy but you gotta love a man that "brings the funny" and hates snuggies just as much as I do.

And really I can't mention the "...Daddy Crying" without mentioning the Nucking Futs Mama. This (totally hot) mama of twins is on some kind of other level of funny. I mean not many and I might get cut for this but not many Stay-at-Home-Moms are that funny (or at least they refuse to admit that their daily lives merit a funny award - it's not all arts and craps). There's maybe like 10 out there on the web (that I've read) that are actually side splitting funny. But this lady doesn't fail you. I mean she talks about her "fredgie" (front wedige from her thong) in public for anyone to read. That's some funny and cajones lady. ;o) She also makes it seem like talking about butt sweat is just like talking about the weather. I mean wouldn't you want a mom who talks about her thong and how she mixed up her kids homework at your tea party? I would.

Ok that's about all I can handle for now. I'll have more to add to the "Bad Ass Club" next Friday. But for now check out these tweeps, bloggers, parents, funniest human beings in the world!

Have a great weekend everyone!

I'm a mass-hole!!!

2009-11-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

Check it out I did a guest post at Mass Hole Mommy's blog-a-rino.

Thanks lady!

CLICK ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE.

Oh and she also did a little mention of me HERE.

The Meandering Bohemian

2009-11-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

The Meandering Bohmeian was kind enough to do a guest post as well. This funny and kind fella and I go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back! You may remember me mentioning that he was an old high school crush, I mean friend. ;o) Well this boho is now a successful married man who does some fantastic writing on the side. His site, Meandering Bohemian, is full of great insight shown with his words, famous quotes & phrases, and showcases fantastic photography from photogs around the globe. His latest post, My Journey with Jack Kerouac, is my favorite yet - maybe because I can connect with what he's saying or maybe because I love a good Kerouac read and anyone else who enjoys him. Anyway check out what he has to say about his mama. It's hilarious but mostly sweet. Don't forget to add his blog to your Google Reader.
Thanks for doing this James!

The Restless Mama and I have known each other closely and from afar for many a year. A fun fact about the two of us is that we share a birthday. We are both Gemini/Cancer cusp people! If you get the two of us in the same room its like having four jealous, protective, spastic people who have been locked in an elevator for six hours. So this should be fun for everyone. Now you can see what she would be like if she was an alcoholic, chain smoking, obsessive cusser… and male! Yeah you’re right, probably a stretch. When I was asked to guest post on the Restless Mama blog my first question was what does a boozing, childless, late twenties male have to say on a motherhood centric blog! But I was honored and here I am.

I figured since I don’t have any kids myself, have a hard time relating to people with children my age and generally am one of those people you’d probably prefer to keep your kids away from. I could only resort to the one thing that was left: talking about my mother.

My mother is and has been, since I was very young,my hero. Those 100 question internet surveys almost always ask “who is your hero” and I always list my mother. I just never understood people who listed sport, cultural, or political figures. I can’t relate to those people. I don’t know them. And it would be my luck that I’d list Michael Jordan or Al Gore or Big Bird and hold onto that for 20 odd years, only to read some post mortem biography about how they were really doped up, sex crazed, assholes.

It’s totally true, Big Bird probably boozes it up with Oscar the Grouch when the cameras are off and lord only knows how much tickling is going on with Elmo when the curtains go down. His friend the Count “1 ah ah ah… 2 ah ah ah…" yeah he' probably Big Birds drug dealer. If my years have taught me anything it's that drug dealers are good at math. Probably all those cash transactions and weighing of product.

I’d be crushed if I had to endure finding that out about my hero. So it always just made more sense to have a hero that a) I personally knew and b) I could defend if ever challenged. Plus girls do that head tilt thing like curious birds, hands held to their hearts, eyes gloss over, long winded “Ah’s” and “that’s so cute” when I reveal who is my hero. Chicks dig sensitive dudes.

But why you ask is my mother my hero? Well I admire her for her hard work. . Plus she’s lived a real rags to riches life. Raised with her two sisters and two brothers, her father left her mother penniless, alone and with five adolescent children. They were poor and at times had to live in condemned houses with no heat and very few luxuries. Her mother, my grandmother, raised the family with an iron fist, probably out of sheer necessity. My grandmother did eventually remarry the man whom I know as my grandfather. But life for the family was never easy.

My mother has a long list of amazing accomplishments in my book. She graduated high school almost two years early. She was kicked out of the house at 18 and survived. She is at the top of her career field and is highly respected despite not having any higher education. She’s not afraid to try new things, places, or people. And perhaps her greatest accomplishment, she raised two healthy, smart and successful young men; myself and my younger brother.

A little about that last accomplishment. I’ve always said that I was raised perfectly. How many kids this day can say that. My mother was always stern but fair raising me. She told me at 13 that everything I needed to know about right and wrong was instilled in me by the age of 10 and I was just going to have to face the consequences of my actions from that point forward. It held true the rest of my life. When I did wrong I had to handle it. Not like so many parents I see today who mop up there children’s problems for them. I was by no means a golden child either. I had my brushes with danger, booze, drugs, crazy girlfriends, and less than ideal choices. But I came out alright on the other side. I’m successful, deeply in love with my wife and happy today. I think her style allowed me to experience life without going overboard because I always new if I went too far there was no one to blame but myself and no one to fix the problems I had created for myself. She was stern but fair. I was spoiled to the point of comfort but not to the point of excess.

My mom was a bit old school raising me. I had nice cloths, good shoes, and nice toys. But that all had to last. Tore a hole in my shoes, “tough shit those shoes have to last you the whole school year". Thought it was a good idea to play with my G.I Joe’s realistically and sacrificially burn them in the yard, “Well you’re not getting new ones”. Crashed my truck at 16 driving like an idiot, “guess you’ll be the only senior riding the bus to school until you can save enough money for a new car”. Had a brush with Mr. officer in college because I was underage drinking, “have fun paying your court fees”. These things while giving my mother gray hairs also gave me life lessons. I think had my mother mopped up my messes I’d be weaker as a person and less of person in general. I do know right from wrong. I understand every action has a consequence, and I’m able to face life’s challenges. Not to mention to this day I can make a pair of shoes last me years, obsessively take care of my most prized possession, and drive an old 94 Nissan Altima. Because it’s mine, I paid for it, and it’s got character. Oh and I haven’t talked to a cop in years… Knock on wood!

So Mom… This Bud’s for you! I think this day and age it’s amazing to have a mother who has a son who claims “he was raised perfectly!” But that’s what I always say when asked about my childhood. So for what its worth the boozing, childless, late twenties male has some advice for all those mothers out there:

Allow your children to experience life, handle their choices and learn the ropes of life. Protect them from harm but allow them to grow! This thing called life is selfish, brutish and harsh. Fixing your children's mistakes does nothing to help them learn, grow and know what it is to be ALIVE!

Many thanks to the Restless Mama for letting me share some words with you all. I think I only cussed twice. When I asked under what conditions I had to post she said, “I couldn’t drop the F bomb”. It was almost a deal breaker :o)

-Meandering Bohemian

The Mass Hole Mommy

2009-11-03T21:08:00.000-08:00

Things around here are still a bit.........hmmm..........ummmm.......dark and while I know talking about the dark times worked for Dooce and other bloggers I just don't feel comfortable talking about it yet or maybe ever.
Anyway, I'm not ready to write any posts or share anymore photos right now so I'm going to take a mini-break. BUT! I'd still like to stay a bit current so I asked a few peeps to guest blog for me while I take this hiatus. The first guest is Robin of Mass Hole Mommy. I'm not sure who tweeted first but we met via Twitter and ever since then we've been "pals." Whenever I'm back in Massachusetts I will be calling her so that we can get crazy together and let our kids cause a wild rumpus.
Anysnooze Robin was kind enough to oblige me when I asked her to write a post for the ole bloggity-blog. I loved reading this post - it makes me miss Massachusetts even more than I already do. Funny how the grass is greener, ay? Enjoy folks and don't forget to check her out on her own blog because it's awesome! Thanks Lady Bird!

Last week I started looking for guest writers for my blog, Mass Hole Mommy, and Aljolynn offered to write one and I was so honored. I mean, she has one of the coolest blogs out there! And when I received an email from her about writing on HER blog, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Who wouldn’t jump on that!

Anyway, if you haven’t figured out by now I live in Massachusetts, about 20 minutes south of Boston. I grew up here in MA and have chosen to raise my kids here, too! I absolutely love living here! With that being said, I have come up with a list of 10 things I love about living here:

1. The New England Patriots. Who can argue this one? 3 Super Bowl titles in 4 years. We have one of the best (side note: I was going to say the best) Quarterbacks in the NFL, Tom Brady. Although he chose to marry Giselle instead of me, I will still hold a very special place in my heart for him.

2. The beach! Living so close to the coast, there are tons of beaches very close-by. Cape Cod is about a 15 minute ride for me, and it’s all beach! I love to take my kids to the beach whether it be on the Cape or Constitution Beach in East Boston. Well at least for the 3 months of summer we actually get around here that is.

3. I mentioned the beach, so how can I leave out the opposite, snow? As much as the majority of New Englanders, me being one of them, complain about it, there is nothing like getting out there to play in it. Then come in for a nice mug of hot chocolate afterwards. The shoveling part, not so much, but building a big old snowman is definitely good times.

4. Dunkin Donuts! I realize that they have not invaded the entire country yet, which is a shame, but they have the best coffee, donuts and bagels around. And here in New England, you can find one on just about every corner. YUM!

5. Sam Adams Brewing Company. Yup, with their delicious seasonal blends, it is by far the best beer company on the face of the earth. And guess what, they brew it right out of their HQ in Boston!

6. Plymouth. Plymouth is probably a town that everyone in the country knows. From the Pilgrims landing there for the first time in America to the first Thanksgiving feast. There is tons of history there and it’s the next town over from me, so I am there a lot. There is a Mayflower replica, Plimouth Plantation, in which they recreate what it was like to live in a village at the time of Pilgrims and tons of fun things to do there, like haunted lantern tours. I love Plymouth and recommend that everyone who makes it to MA goes to spend the day there.

7. The Red Sox. Come on, with their World Series win in 2004 after 80 some-odd years without a win. Who doesn’t like a comeback story? Plus Fenway Park rocks!!

8. Our super cool accents. I actually debated writing this whole post in a Boston accent (pahk tha cah in tha hahvid yahd), but figured no one else would know what I was saying.

9. We have the craziest highways ever. Where else could you be driving north and south at the same time but in MA? Yes, 95 South and 93 North are actually the same stretch of road. Go figure?

10. The Drop Kick Murphys. Go to iTunes and check out some of their music. It rocks!! They are the official band of the Red Sox and everyone here in MA knows all of their songs.

So, there you have it. I would really like to thank Aljolynn for the opportunity to be a guest on such an awesome blog! Believe me, as much as I love where I live, I am extremely envious of the fact she now lives in paradise.

ROAR!!!!

2009-11-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

Guess what the Bambino was for Halloween...

That's right! The cutest tiger EVER!

Us. We went Trick or Treating at the Pearlridge Mall. Never again will do that at a shopping center. TOO MANY PEOPLE!!!! It seems as though the Bambino loved it and all of the people. He even tried to wander off and do his own thing. I'm not sure I'm ready for him to be independent yet.

At home with his Aunty Maka. His aunty was a great sport and joined us in the festitivies. We went trick or treating with our friends The Hubers but were silly enough not to get photos of the two of them in their costumes together. Maybe we'll dress them up later this week just for kicks and get a photo and pretend it was taken on Halloween. *wink*

And the independent Bambino tiger. He looks might fierce!

We hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween!

xoxo

BOO!!

2009-10-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

Patriotistm, schmatriotism

2009-10-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

I recently received an e-mail talking about the "Eid" (a Muslim holiday) postage stamp and how we Americans should boycott it because apparently ALL Muslims are terrorists. To use such a stamp to mail a letter would be unpatriotic.

Hmmmm.....

Then what about the Catholics? Should we not boycott stamps with any of the Popes or Madonna & child on it as well? You know because of the Inquisition. Though it didn't happen in the U.S. - it happened, many people died and many were expelled from their home. And that is not at all what America is about...right?

How about Protestants/Puritans? Many were killed on American soil because they were...witches! Perhaps we shouldn't celebrate Halloween? Perhaps we should ban Protestants?

Or wait, how about this: boycott any and all types of businesses, religious groups, and communities in the whole of the United States because really...this land belongs to the Native Americans. How about that? We could just give back the land to them and then the WE can live on RESERVATIONS! Tax free and autonomous government. How does that sound?

Oo oo!! I might even take it further and tell all of the non-native Hawaiians to get off of the islands - go Akaka bill on them. You know because the United States of America stepped on the Hawaiian soil and said, "Hey! Let's imprison this land's Queen and take over the territory and gain money off of it. Leave the natives poor and full of syhpillis. That sounds pretty patriotic - not at all like the founding fathers were trying to escape. Right?"

Another bothersome note in the e-mail was that the issuance of this stamp was directed by President Obama.

Ummm....

This stamp has been around for about eight years or so. If my memory serves me right Obama was not the incumbent president EIGHT years ago, was he?

Just askin'.

Now some of you know how I feel about religion and I'll most likely never reveal my political views (at least on here) but I am very, very, VERY against people spreading hate messages regarding a people's faith and/or political views. I'm also very, very, VERY against publicly ridiculing our country's representative (even if I don't like them) because we're obviously not the president for a good reason.

You tell me if you're able to step into the Oval Office and do Mr. Obama's (or any of the past presidents') job for even 5 minutes. If you're capable of doing such a task then maybe, MAYBE you'll be able to say a few trashy words but not publicly, not through an e-mail, not through any venue actually. Just to yourself. To do so publicly is the true step against patriotism.

Last time I checked we were still a free country so I think all of the presidents have done their job. But if you don't like the president so much then get involved in your communities government and then work your way to your own presidency.

So whoever generated the rumor is the person who is not at all what this country stands for and is therefore one of the most unpatriotic persons to be on U.S. soil.

Just sayin'.

With a click of a heel

2009-10-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

Whack my head with a paddle and tear my heart out with your bare hands

Just make sure you take me home.

My eyes want to scream and my feet want to shout

Please take me home.

The hands won't take no for an answer and my mouth can't think

How will I get home?

His tears wet my shirt and he yanks it to pieces

I'm supposed to be his home.

My stomach reaches out and shoulders fall apart

Home was supposed to be stronger than that.

The cup is empty and the plate is full

I hunger and die thirsty for home.

My body lies still in fear while my mind twitches for peace

Where is my home?

Firm footsteps lead the way and the fanciful dreams stay behind

Home is in my sight

The street light brightens and the door opens

Is this home?

Got light?

2009-10-26T15:00:00.001-07:00

I'm in a dark & heavy place right now. Will return when I've found a flashlight and a fork lift.

The filler post

2009-10-22T12:54:00.000-07:00

A few changes have been happening around here that I'm not ready to share with the general public yet because I haven't shared it will all of my special people yet (Mom & Dad you already know what it is). Anyway, I'm quite a busy bee with these changes and projects I'm working on and just plain ole trying to get my life in order so I leave you with a filler post.

A list of the "blogs I minimize when my boss is walking in the room so I don't get caught not doin' m'job":

You can find most of these fellas in my blog roll to the right under "Blogs I just Loooooooooove."

And yes they're all dudes aka the male species.

I won't be posting tomorrow since I've got a busy one ahead of me so...

HAPPY WEEKEND FOLKS!!!

[Sigh of relief]

2009-10-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure that I want to state that I'll be changing the format of what I do here but some changes will be made.
I won't get too into things but last week made me realize that I was missing out on something. That something is my photography. While editing some old and new photos last week I realized that I had forgotten how much I love to do this - take photos, edit, and share. The shooting is kind of like an adrenalin rush, the editing is therapeutic, and the sharing...well when I'm proud I'm all about the sharing.
This is all thanks to Our Labor of Love & Whatever. The people of OLO are inspiring and talented photographers. Their smile booths make me giddy and hope that I can be as creative and innovative as these folks. Meg of Whatever shoots the most simple yet elegant photos I've ever seen. I don't know how she does everything with a family her size and the many other projects in her life but again I'm inspired.

So I will be setting up shop somewhere. Location shall be disclosed after I find a decent host or perhaps I'll get my shiz together and update the one I already have. OR maybe I'll go Etsy.

Not that I don't looooooooove to write - it's just sometimes I find myself blocked but still want to share...something.

But anyway expect to see more photos than usual here.