Tuesday, April 15, 2008

I Upped my Mom Status to Rad

Where does a mother of two boys, aged eight and eleven, take her sons for entertainment? Chuck E. Cheese? No. Book reading at a library? Nope. Theme park? Negatory. Baseball game? Not even close. Speed metal gig in a seedy joint in a questionable part of town? Certainly! And stop looking at me like that. I feel it's important to introduce my children to such lyrics as "AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRHEEHHHHEEGGGG" and "LLOOOOOGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH" and "AAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGG" and maybe "kfliiggfflip" even when they're all strung together like that because of the iconic representations that hold particular conventional meanings. Also? It has a funky beat that you can really ska out too. Even though my boys were decked out in their long black shorts, Vans, and SRH t-shirts (that would be Support Radical Habits because I totally do) I did manage to keep them out of the mosh pit. And by keep out I mean making them stand with their mommy. Should it concern me that Boy-Child#2 liked the fact that he could scream during the show and no one could hear him? More importantly, who will sponsor my sign language courses now that I'm completely deaf? You? How 'bout you? Will I have anyone to blame but myself when they one day come home with tribal tattoos, stakes through their ears and OHMYGOD, CD's of this? Who am I kidding. Kids don't buy CDs anymore! They download to their iPods, duh mom! Gaaawwhhhd.

When their set was done, my boys high fived the band members and I hugged a very sweaty drummer*. And the audience was all, "Dude. Who's the mom?". Then we left before the next band came on. Because, did I mention I'm deaf? What?

*My best friend's son and very talented drummer. I've been his pseudo-auntie for 16 years. Gotta support the team even though I was all "you call this music"?

************************

My horoscope for today:

Libra ~ Listen to that nagging voice in your head, now -- it's actually the voice of wisdom.

Huh. And all this time I thought it was my mother. And who do all of the other nagging voices belong too?

Monday, April 14, 2008

Lookin' Good Mistahhh Kot-tair...

Spring break is over! Can I get a WOOT WOOT! Now we can get back to our regularly scheduled program. I've been appropriately tagged by Jenn at Juggling Life with the following school related meme with a note from Epstein's mother:

Five Classes That Should Have Been Taught in School

  1. Introduction to What it's Really Like to Have a Child - session includes such topics as: a) You will have a child that acts just like that, b) Welcome to life without sleep, c) How to effectively use a pacifier to muffle screaming, d) Time-outs: The Colossal Joke, e) Blow-out diapers (aka poop soup OR how did shit get on my baby's neck?)
  2. A Wedding is not a Marriage 101 - session includes lectures from couples married ten or more years and currently withholding sex from one another because the sound of the other's voice is unacceptable. Also scheduled to appear: couples in their 17th honeymoon faze (sign up quick for this lecture because it is extremely brief! There is also a chance that it will be canceled. Choose alternate elective as a back up.)
  3. A Wedding is not a Marriage Advanced Honors - An excellent class for necessary reinforcement of concepts. It all bears repeating.
  4. Meet Your Future Self - Travel in time to find out that high school is not the beginning and end of your life, there really will be sun damage, smoking will have an effect, Metallica will still rule, and STD's aren't even kidding.
  5. Packages and Toy Retrieval - This is a shop class that will teach you how to effectively remove toys from packages without breaking a nail. Or a screwdriver. Or one of the tires on your car.
Tag! You're it:

Hope for the Hopeless
The Madame Queen
The Rocking Pony

Saturday, April 12, 2008

She's Totally My Daughter

Boy-Child#2 and Girl-Child were upstairs playing some make believe game that involved a party on a boat, some people, and a backpack. Oh, and a baby. I don't know what the hell is going on but according to Girl-Child:

"That was NOT AWESOME! The people were NOT on the boat! NOT AWESOME!!"

I would just be guessing here but I'm gonna wager that it was also NOT MOST EXCELLENT! And probably TOTALLY BLEW!!!

Friday, April 11, 2008

The Post Where I Die From Link Fatigue

Welcome to award central! The very sweet Melissa at Hope for the Hopeless and the oh-so-very classy OHMommy at Classy Chaos are both keen to my love of very shiny things and bestowed this lovely Tiara Wearing Blogger Award upon me! Thank you, ladies!!! And I will wear it proudly while blogging in my pajamas!


I now pass this on to some lovely bloggers:

Burgh Baby's Mom
Mrs. G
Juggling Life
Motherscribe
The Madame Queen for when her crown is being polished (like jewelry not like the sausage)

The beautiful and talented (and lover of cowboys) Jennifer H from Thursday Drive thinks my blog is Excellent and sent this award my way (even though this blog is really more of the NC-17 rated variety). Thanks, Jennifer!!


I'd love to throw it right back at her because she's pretty excellent herself, but those ain'ts the rules. So this award goes out to these excellent bloggers:

A Mom Two Boys
Anglophilefootballfanatic
June Cleaver Nirvana
Minnesota Matron
Laughingatchaos
The Mom Bomb

Enjoy y'all!!!

Tootsie Talks ~ Some People Listen

Tootsie's weekly advice column. She's no expert, although she's not really sure what constitutes "expert". If it involves school, she attended the school of Very Strong Opinions. Questions are welcomed. Answers may borderline ridiculous.


Vintage Thirty would like to apologize for the tardiness of today's edition. The editor fell asleep on her new couch last night, woke, wiped the drool from her chin, went to bed and then overslept. Tootsie has been put on notice but hasn't made it to the "dead to us" list. Yet. She has indicated that she's sorry but we're not so sure if we believe her.

Q: Joeprah asks the "Oh Lawdy it's a Man" question of the day: "Any advice for the men out there struggling with fashion?"

A: Yes! Ask women. Or? Watch Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Because, seriously? I'm a little bit in love with Carson myself. I totally want to be his BFF, go shopping, and hell, let him make me over! Also? Be more specific. "Struggling with fashion" is a very broad statement. And here's an example of something I witnessed the other day and should be made public so that it can be addressed: the only thing worse than a woman wearing "mom jeans"? Is a man. In mom jeans. With his shirt tucked in. And a belt. The sight rendered my corneas almost entirely useless. Also to be avoided: Parachute pants ala MC Hammer.

Q: Angie at KEEP BELIEVING would like to know: "I have box-shaped feet. They are a size 5 or 5-1/2 wide with high arches. I hate paying a ton for shoes, but have so few options for cute shoes. I am trying to change from frump-mom-in-sweats look to slightly-stylish-yet-not-overdone-and-comfortable-but-still-drives-a-mini-van look. Besides too many hyphens in my make-over attempt, shoes are a HUGE obstacles. Any suggestions."

A: First of all, admitting that there is a problem is a step in the right direction. So kudos to your hyphenated make over! Secondly, do you live in OZ? Fraggle Rock? Size five to five and a half? The hell? Are you that traveling gnome? What are you, twelve? Does it make me feel better that my shoe size is twice that of yours? No. No it doesn't. Buy some cute shoes in "wide" and consult some Dr. Scholls inserts so you can be gellin'. They're gellerific!

Q: Laughingatchaos and The Stay at Home Mom Going Quickly Insane each have skin care questions: "any other skin care recommendations? Please oh please?" and "what type of eye cream do you use/recommend?"

A: I can't even make jokes about skin care. Recommendations: wash your face every night even if you aren't wearing makeup. Moisturize! Moisture is your friend. Get intimate with it. Stick your tongue in its ear. Use sunscreen and don't forget your chest and hands! The poor neglected things. Eye cream? Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift anti-wrinkle firming eye cream. I've used some that tend to pull the skin too tight and, in my opinion, end up making the skin in that area more susceptible to creasing. I use this in the morning before applying my makeup and also at night. Although, after meeting BOSSY, I'm curious what she keeps in her medicine cabinet.

Q: Jess at Zoe asks the serious questions via email : "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? My second question is: What exactly is this "chucking" of wood that seems to be going on? Is he throwing the wood, or is "chuck" a cleverly disguised description of something dirty that the woodchuck is doing to the wood. Why does the woodchuck chuck wood? What does he do with it after he chucks it? What IS a woodchuck exactly? I have a feeling it's a fancy term for beaver but I'm just not sure and the questions are keeping me awake at night."

A: The answer to your first question is as much as he damn well pleases. 2) The "chucking" is just a variant of "Charlesing". 3) He would never throw his wood. Fondle, yes. Throw, no. 4) Because he can. 5) You don't want to know but it involves a gym sock that's kept under his bed. 6) It's a groundhog. Also known as a "whistlepig" or a "land beaver" who I'm guessing prefers to be a dry beaver rather than the wet variety. I wonder if Massengill has a product for that?

Q: Colleen at Wine Please asks OCD laundry Tootsie: "do you have any good tips on how to do laundry more efficiently?"

A: Doing laundry can be like picking up dog poop. If you do a little bit every day it doesn't get out of hand. I actually like doing laundry because there is something seriously wrong with me.

Q: Holly from Anglophilefootballfanatic asks on behalf of Mr. AFF's head: "men hair styles? Why does my spouse think Pat Riley hair is stylish? For 13 years I've been trying to "do something" with his hair. Any suggestions? "

A: I'm a big advocate of people wearing their hair the way they feel comfortable. However, if you substitute the name "Pat Riley" with "Donald Trump" then an intervention is in order. Consult friends and family. And perhaps clergy. And Jose Eber.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

No Pressure. Just Like Getting Ready for a Blind Date with Fifteenish People


Did you feel a breeze yesterday coming from the west? It was SoCal doing the wave for BOSSY. I toyed with the idea of enlisting the USC marching band to spell out her name in big letters on the field of the Colosseum while playing Fleetwood Mac's Tusk, but I don't have any connections and I'm more of a UCLA gal, anyway. So, just like many cities in recent weeks, a bunch of Los Angeles bloggers got together for a very BOSSY welcome. BUT! Important decisions needed to be made first. Like: flat iron or curling iron? Dark rinse or stone wash jeans? I guess it really depends on the assless chaps. Boots, heels, or flats? Colorful or neutral shirt? Sweater or coat? Real bling or fashion jewelry? Which of the 40 purses will be the lucky accessory who's a lucky accessory coochie coo? I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard. I prefer to look like I walked into my closet and magic just happened. "Oh this? You like it really? No, I don't know. Just threw it together". Lies v. white lies let's not split hairs.

(She is i am bossy)



We met at a restaurant. I removed my camera from my bag and what evening isn't complete without me also flinging my feminine hygiene products on the floor? We plied BOSSY with more guacamole because this is California and that is what we do. Put avocados on stuff. There was red wine, jack and coke, and a two or several three margaritas. Some water and who ordered the iced tea? There was discussion of blogs and who writes what, and why, and how it all started, and how unappealing the word "blog" itself is. We talked about our kids, our families, John Cusack, and stuff like OMG you're in a band? I'd love to tell you more about what was discussed but OHMYGOODNESS I can't stop thinking about BOSSY'S skin! It's flawless. And dewy. And I spent a good portion of the evening trying to figure out if she has pores or not. When we moved from outside to inside our chairs were side by side and I was all, "here let me sit next to you so that I can stare at you some more and no this won't bother you at all and don't be alarmed if I dig deeper because I brought gloves". I'd also love to show you more of the pictures I took but these were the only ones that either weren't blurry beyond recognition, or that someone BOSSY wasn't blinking. And all that were taken with the flash lean very heavily towards suck.


(Above pictured left to right: Leahpeah, BOSSY, and her lovely host The Jason Show)


(Above is yours truly with the lovable JCK!)

And just so you're not left with wondering what the final outcome was...
  • Flat iron
  • Something in between stone wash and dark, whatever, they were Levi's
  • Boots
  • Colorful shirt
  • Sweater? Coat? Neither
  • Jewelry? Both
  • Purse? Same ol' black leather bag because it was all "Dude. I'm with you everyday. You're gonna ditch me now? How you gonna play a pocketbook?"
  • Assless chaps were 86'd

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Controversial Underpants

When I composed my previous entry, I never considered that it might strike controversy (minor as it is, roll with it for the sake of this post) between those who wash brand spanking new underwear and those who don't, prior to their use. I'm such a lover of the way newly purchased clothes fit and feel that first time they're worn; before the evils of soap, water, dryer, air dry, and dry cleaners alter the fabric, no matter how minor the alteration. It also got me to thinking about all the things that strangers, and their questionable hands have touched. Handled things that have come into contact with my body in some way.

Like, for instance, the fast food cashier who handles my money then proceeds to pack up my food to go. And when I say "to go", I mean in my mouth. Money that could have seen the inside of an exotic dancer's thong or used as a vehicle to get some blow into someone's nose.

Or the clerk at the cosmetics counter who gives you a makeover. Without a sink in sight.

Or the salon basin where your hair is being washed. Right after Sweaty McNeck-Hair man.

And all of the restaurants utensils and plates we're trusting weren't sneezed or coughed on (or at least hands that were not touching them that have been sneezed or coughed on OR WORSE) somewhere between the industrial strength dishwasher and our table.

It never crossed my mind that a sealed package of panties would put my vagina in peril. Like say, the mechanical bull at The Saddle Ranch on Sunset Blvd. But that's a whole 'nother story.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Skills Include Gift Wrapping and Shipping Packages

Somewhere in the Hanes factory there is a person or person(s) whose job involves scotch tape and underpants. Let's take a look at the probable procedure meeting that must have taken place:

VP#1: We've received complaints via email that our underwear are trying to escape from their packaging.
VP#2: That is a problem. No doubt.
VP#1: I'm open to any suggestions to ratify said problem.
VP#2: I don't have any. I'm just here for the bonuses and golf trips to the Bahamas.
VP#1: I understand. You may be excused.
VP#2: Thank you, sir. I do have the company jet idling.
Inspector#5: I have an idea.
VP#1: The committe will now hear ideas from Inspector #5.
Inspector#5: Thank you, sir. Well, we could start with selling the underwear in quantaties of ten per package...
VP#1: I'm picturing it. Keep going.
Inspector#5: And we could roll each one up placing them side by side so that the consumer can see each pair.
VP#1: This is gold. But what about their ability to escape? What is your solution?
Inspector#5: We could scotch tape each pair individually so that there is no chance of them making a break for it!
VP#1: GOOD! I like your enthusiasm #5!! Let's get a team on this, post haste. Get a memo out.

Executive Secretary: But won't taping them make it time consuming, not to mention frustrating for the busy parents? I mean, how long do you think it will be before a mother commits suicide over wrestling tape off of her children's newly purchased underwear? Aren't they already bogged down with opening DVD and CD packages? Those things are impossible.

VP#1: I can't even look at you. You're fired.

~~~~

Or something like that. Because I spent a solid twenty minutes pulling tape off of my daughter's underpants just to put them in the drawer. And the tape kept splitting and shredding and I'd try to get it off my fingernail and then it'd get stuck on my finger until I finally burst into tears and jumped out the window.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Fistacuffs and Ding-Dong Ditch

That's just in the last 5 minutes, my friends. I have mentioned it's spring break here and we've entered our second week. Which means that things are getting bloody around here. And that's not just the self inflicted scalping I just gave myself because why pull your hair out a little everyday when you can just be done with it.

Not more than 5 minutes ago there was whining, bickering, and "StoooooooOOOOOP!!!" coming from downstairs. Which meant one or the other of my two sons was doing something absolutely crazy-making to the other. Like breathing. Or living. So I navigate myself half way down the stairs because I've found that I can solve a problem so quickly that I don't actually need to enter the room. Evidence usually presents itself and I'm currently kicking myself for not becoming a prosecutor.

Boy-Child#2: He's bugging me!
Boy-Child#1: I'm not even doing anything...GAHHHHHWD.
Boy-Child#2: He's squishing me!
Boy-Child#1: I didn't even touch him.
Me: (to Boy-Child#1) What is that blue paper sticking out of your pocket?
Boy-Child#1: This? I dunno. Nothing.
Me: Give it to me.
Boy-Child#1: Okay. I was trying to hug him so that I could stick this to his back.

It reads: "I'm a butthead"

Me: Nice. Go to your room. Liar.

Just then the doorbell rings. I open it to find no one there. Either God is testing me to see if I can actually keep my shit together, with a "Haha! Psych! Just checking" or there are some really unique and creative children on our street. I mean, NO ONE has ever done THAT before. Brats. Excuse me while I go find a sharp object to impale myself.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Ward and June Farklepants

A rare event happened here at Vintage Thirty this weekend. Mr. Farklepants finally took an interest in my hobby read my blog. He even left a comment regarding his Senseo that he is currently licking. And because I know that comments from previous posts sometimes go unread, I thought I'd shine a spotlight on it. And pick it apart, of course.

Mr. Farklepants defends his purchase:

"Just to clear something up. I got that damn thing for free.... well kinda... I filled out some survey on the Senseo website and at the end I got a "congratulations!" page informing me that I had qualified for a "free" Senseo. When I went to claim my "free" Senseo I was prompted for my credit card information because while the coffee maker was free, the shipping was not. So I paid $15. Still, not bad."

Adheres to the proverb: All is well that ends well
"I answered all the survey questions in such a way that it would seem I would be influential in getting others to buy one. I lied of course but this blog entry now makes up for it."

Throws me under a bus and confesses that our marital roles are akin to June and Ward Cleaver.
"What my lovely wife is not telling you all is that I do not know how to make my own coffee. I do not know where the filters are, I do not know how much coffee to put in the filter after I find them. I do not know how much water to put in the water thingy (you fill it to like 8 cups, and only 2 come back out. obviously there is some evaporation going on or something but where, i don't know). On top of that I do not even know how much sugar and milk to put in the cup since tootsie does it. (You should have seen the look on the face of our office assistant at work when I told her that one). So next time Tootsie is away and I have to fend for myself I will at least be able to make my own coffee. It still won't have just the right amount of sugar and cream but at least I'll have coffee."

The above is all entirely true. We have very pre-feminist traditional roles in our marriage. He brings home the bacon and I grill fry it up in a pan. We have 3 children so I spent a good portion of our married years barefoot and pregnant. He takes out the trash and tackles home improvement projects and sometimes finishes them. I do everything else. And what Mr. Farklepants did not tell you is that the office assistant he refers to in his comment, is a female. And she wants a wife just like me.

Then he goes on to dissuade any of my readers from ever wanting to come to my house for a cup of Senseo coffee:
"And for the record, I did use my penis."

So, if I promise to make it, then you're at least safe from that.

And last but not least, validation:
"Did you notice I used the Senseo this morning since you were AWOL?"

We've come full circle here, folks. Mr. Farklepants was able to brew his own coffee when his wife drank too much at a friends house the night before and had to sleep in her clothes in their guest bedroom and forgot her favorite hoop earrings on the night stand chose not to drink and drive.

Awwww Shucks.

Karen at The Rocking Pony made my day by giving me this award:


It came at exactly a time that I kinda needed to hear that. I thank you, Karen, more than you probably know.

I'm supposed to pass this on to others but I don't know how to narrow it down to just a few. Every one of you that stops by here, lurker or participant, makes my day. Well, except for that one anonymous troll in the comments of the previous entry. Mean people don't make my day. The rest of you, please take this if you choose. Because your visits and comments show that you're at least interested in what I write. And that makes my day. Thank you!!!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Tootsie Talks ~ Some People Listen

Tootsie's weekly advice column. She's no expert, although she's not really sure what constitutes "expert". If it involves school, she attended the school of Very Strong Opinions. Questions are welcomed. Answers may borderline ridiculous.


Today's slogan is: "Gonna Be a While? Grab a Tootsie" preferably by the nipples.

Q: Dorothy seeks advice from her older sister, Tootsie, and would like to know: "The answer to this might be obvious and I might be stupid but is it okay to wear skinny jeans with a pair of wedges? Like this kind of wedge".

A: First of all, Stupid, those shoes are HAUTE! Secondly, I submit to you dear readers the person asking such a question:
(click to enhance and behold gorgeous)



You are young, hip and with it. I get much of my own style tips from observing you and making some age appropriate adjustments to accommodate a thirtysomething year old's wardrobe. I think it's quite obvious to anyone that A) you should be a contestant on the next installment of America's Next Top Model, and B) you could wear military issued combat boots with a dickie, layered with a poncho and pair it with your gym shorts and a top agent from Elite Modeling Agency would feature you on the cover of French Vogue. In that exact outfit. Inspiring millions of copycats. So, the answer is: yes, you can wear those wedges with skinny jeans and I would pair it with a billowy baby doll top to balance it out. A fitted shirt with that combination would be too, um, much. But maybe that's just the big sister in me. I, however, have to reserve my wedge wearing for skirts and wide leg pants. Because I need some balancing out but for whole other reasons. Now let's discuss chastity belts and the evils of pre-marital sex.

Q: Calicobebop is having difficulties with her face and wants to know: "Here's my question: I'm in my "early" 30's and I don't intend to age gracefully but I'm not ready for surgery. Yet. I've been able to tackle the crow's feet with moisturizers but the laugh lines are resistant. Any advice? Much obliged. Thanks a million!"

A: I'm being completely serious when I advise you to get to the nearest Target or drug store and purchase some L'Oreal Wrinkle De-Crease (night) cream. After countless attempts with a trabillion different lotions, I swear by this stuff. I would swear on my mother's grave except that she is still alive. Although she has a myriad of health issues and is a self-described basket case. So I swear on my mother's basket that this actually produces results (and my first attempt at typing "results" was "resluts" which is something else entirely and you don't even want to know). Use it as the last step in your nightly face cleansing routine. Apply it firmly with the heels of your hands and to tackle those laugh lines; use them as a starting point and rub towards your ears and up. Do this until it is evenly distributed and absorbed. Even use a smidgen before applying your makeup in the morning but not a lot or things can get a little "oil slick" looking. I also use it on my forehead, around my eyes, and my neck. Use a little on your elbows too. You will thank me when you're in your late thirties for that last part. And if you run out replace it as soon as possible. Because if you don't, after a few days you'll exclaim "HOLY CRAP!" when you look in the mirror at the obvious deep creases around your mouth. This was the moment I truly realized that the stuff worked and it wasn't even kidding around.

Q: HRH from June Cleaver Nirvana has heard of my world renowned psychic abilities: "Do you know where I lost my favorite ring?"

A: I want to tell you it is either where you last left it or it is with all of those missing socks. But I'm going to tell you a little story about my friend and her missing ring. Years ago I was at a girlfriends apartment in the vanity area of her bathroom, getting ready for a girls night out; and she was beside herself over her missing ring. I told her the story about my mother's friend who had once lost her favorite ring only to find it weeks later in the grooves of the automatic sliding doors at the mall. My girlfriend then slid open her closet doors to discover her own ring in the grooves of the track of her own closet. I'm pretty sure she was convinced, for quite some time, that I was Samantha Stevens from Bewitched. So, check all known sliding doors and get back to me.

Q: Holly from Anglophile Football Fantatic writes in via email to know: "I am in need of some new jeans. I have a very large butt and a pear shaped body. What kind of jeans work best for my figure."

A: I have seen pictures of you on your blog and I am skeptical about this so-called "very large butt and pear shaped body". I think you're being overly critical but I will indulge you. And I can sum up the answer to your question in two words: Boot Cut (or is it one word? Or a hyphenated word? Ah hell). In all of my years of people watching and fashion magazine reading, this seems to be the one cut that is universally flattering. Anyone who isn't shaped like a twelve year old boy should stay away from skinny or tapered leg jeans. And please don't confuse the boot cut (bootcut? possible. boot-cut? maybe. Google says? All three) for a flared leg jean. Because if you're pear shaped (if you say so) flared will make your bottom half look like a triangle and your top look like an upside down one trying to balance point to tip in the middle. Which makes you look like a walking geometry problem and causing fellow members of society to try to recall the formula for the Pythagorean Theorem. And math makes people cranky. And you might punch someone in the face if they touch your ass with their protractor. Which, you should.