tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-98419712024-03-16T11:53:19.071-07:00sweatpantsmomsweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.comBlogger517125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-67438724078792386052018-11-26T17:48:00.002-08:002018-11-26T17:57:29.338-08:00I'm back, with Tupperware<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nc22THln4RKWRZbLJxSh2i7NZp3C8XyDN6XKatgSdKmYNg2tFE_xaj1osR_w6g_8a-LiL4bEmg_RH_-PRJH9lWZghaxiBYe2_KmFzNVwnexnt-9rk2nKXCIvH9nUH7FG2OdtVQ/s1600/sippin300_photo_by_Bradford_Rogne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nc22THln4RKWRZbLJxSh2i7NZp3C8XyDN6XKatgSdKmYNg2tFE_xaj1osR_w6g_8a-LiL4bEmg_RH_-PRJH9lWZghaxiBYe2_KmFzNVwnexnt-9rk2nKXCIvH9nUH7FG2OdtVQ/s400/sippin300_photo_by_Bradford_Rogne.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I haven’t written here in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">awhile</span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. And maybe doing a giveaway isn’t the best way to re-enter the world of blogging. But maybe it is, revisiting one of the early activities in this space. Sure it was a device to get eyes on your page, but more<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">importantly</span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>a way to connect with others outside of the blogging community and share a product or event with them. Sometimes it even led to meeting someone in real life that you’d only known online. Let's face it – maybe people just like free stuff.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But enough of this sappy reminiscing, I’m here to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">giveaway</span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>tickets to a show that I’ve been wanting to see for so many years,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.dixiestupperwareparty.com/"><b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Dixie’s Tupperware Party</span></b></a><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. If you love live theater, comedy<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">and</span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Tupperware this is the show for you. And who doesn’t love Tupperware? Even though it’s scientific fact that we’ve all spent 7.5 years of our lives trying to find the lid that matches the container, they’re still just fantastic for storing leftovers. Am I right?</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I was so excited when I was offered tickets to attend that they offered me tickets to give away to someone else, too. Leave a comment below about how unbelievably excited you are to see this show and I’ll pick a winner at random<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">tomorrow,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Tuesday</span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>November 27</span></b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. I know it’s short notice because the tickets are for this<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Thursday’s performance, November 29 at 8pm</span></b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. But maybe it’ll give you just enough time to organize your Tupperware drawer.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">What:</span></b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">4 tickets</span></b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.dixiestupperwareparty.com/"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Dixie’s Tupperware Party</span></a><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Thursday, November 29 @ 8pm</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">at the</span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.centertheatregroup.org/visit/kirk-douglas-theatre/"><b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Kirk Douglas Theatre</span></b></a><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">in Culver City.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">How:</span></b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Leave a comment here or on my Facebook link no later than<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">5pm on Tuesday, November 27</span></b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. I'll use</span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://random.org/"><b><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">random.org</span></b></a><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><span id="goog_1915756315"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1915756316"></span> </span></span><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">to draw a winner from the entries. One comment per person. Please don't forget to leave a valid email address.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-85197974328399191832017-05-26T16:30:00.000-07:002017-05-26T16:30:07.007-07:00Aren’t We All ‘Next To Normal’?<div class="section-inner sectionLayout--insetColumn">
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What
is ‘normal’? And are others allowed to answer that for us, or is it up
to us to determine what ‘normal’ feels like in our own skin?</div>
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It’s a question I thought about after seeing <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.eastwestplayers.org/" href="http://www.eastwestplayers.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">East West Players</a>’ production of ‘<a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/next-to-normal/" href="http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/next-to-normal/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Next To Normal</a>’
last week. The Tony-and Pulitzer Prize winning musical centers around a
suburban family struggling to find some sense of order in the midst of
illness and grief. Diana (Deedee Magno Hall), a mother with bipolar
disorder, agonizes over the havoc and stress her illness puts on her
marriage and family. Her husband Dan (Cliffton Hall), while trying to
help his wife, is having a hard time confronting his own depression and
an unfathomable loss. Their overachieving daughter Natalie (Isa Briones)
tries to cope with her mother’s unpredictability and while shielding
her boyfriend Henry (Scott Keiji Takeda) from her family that is not
quite ‘normal.’ And in the midst of it all is son Gabe (Justin W. Yu),
who we discover is the source of all their heartbreak.</div>
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We
see Diana’s journey through treatment and medications that others hoist
on her to make her ‘well,’ but at the same time are making her feel
numb and joyless. (Yes, it will definitely punch you in the gut at
times. Bring tissues.) While there are heavy issues that seem even more
intense because of the intimate staging of the production, there is also
a theme of resilience and hope that carries throughout the story.</div>
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From the production:</div>
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<i>Next to Normal — music by Tom Kitt, and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey — tells the story of the seemingly perfect Goodman family. However, Diana, the mother, is a little too happy. Her husband Dan constantly worries. Her daughter Natalie is awfully intent on getting that scholarship to Yale. And her son Gabe, well… This Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize- winning rock musical is a heartbreaking, humorous, and unflinchingly authentic look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of bipolar disorder. </i></div>
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Being
a parent and a spouse, I found Diana’s focus so relatable — the
overwhelming desire to keep her family and her marriage functioning,
while at the same time tending to her own needs. Hers is a universal
struggle: How do we tend to those we love, when our own well runs dry?
While theirs is a unique story, it also alludes to the dysfunction and
dissonance that exists in the dark undercurrent of so much of what is
perceived as normal suburban life.</div>
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‘Next
to Normal’ will not only move you with its message, uplift you with its
music and make you laugh with its wry humor — it will also give you a
fearless, raw view into the world of mental illness and its sometimes
controversial treatments. It may also leave you wondering what ‘normal’
is, and ultimately what that means to each of us.</div>
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. . . . .</div>
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The
timing of this particular production was significant: May is Asian
Pacific American Month (EWP is and the largest producing organization of
Asian American artistic work) and this month is also Mental Health
Awareness month, which tied in with the show’s themes of mental illness,
loss and suicide. Focusing on the theme of mental illness is
particularly significant with this production, considering the stigma
surrounding mental illness in Asian American culture — Asian-Americans
are <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/00191" href="http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/studies/00191" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">three times less likely</a> to seek mental health services than whites. Additionally, among Asian-American women who witness depression in their families, <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/asian-americanpacific-islander-communities-and-mental-health" href="http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/asian-americanpacific-islander-communities-and-mental-health" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">many stay silent </a>due to cultural pressure and because they fear the stigma for their families even more so than for themselves.</div>
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Kudos
to East West Players for their dedication and perseverance in
supporting these productions that give Asian-American actors, artists
and writers a place to be seen and heard, and for shining a light on
issues that affect our community.</div>
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. . . . .</div>
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“<a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/next-to-normal/" href="http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/next-to-normal/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Next To Normal</strong></a>” is playing through June 11, 2017</div>
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Buy tickets<a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://eastwestplayers.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0Uo0000006vP7XEAU" href="https://eastwestplayers.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0Uo0000006vP7XEAU" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> <strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">here</strong></a>.</div>
<div class="graf graf--p graf-after--p" id="e5a7" name="e5a7">
<br /></div>
<div class="graf graf--p graf-after--p graf--trailing" id="d395" name="d395">
<strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">David Henry Hwang Theater</strong>at the Union Center for the Arts<br />(Little Tokyo, downtown L.A.)<br />120 Judge John Aiso Street,<br />Los Angeles, CA 90012<br />(213) 625–7000</div>
</div>
sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-2409624941850232932016-06-01T14:03:00.002-07:002016-06-01T14:24:37.131-07:00I'm going to see Sandra Tsing Loh's 'The Madwoman In The Volvo' and you can, tooI was at Target recently and did the unthinkable – I bought the really expensive moisturizer and the shampoo that wasn't on sale. Who cares if the rest of my cart was filled with bread from the clearance shelf and cheap toilet paper - I was going to have soft, supple skin and caressable hair! I'm thinking it might be part of my mid-life crisis – giving in to my vain beauty needs while everything else takes a back seat. Next thing you know, the kids will have to go without milk for their cereal because I'll be using it to soak the callouses off my feet. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXaEo9F7M1BZe5iv7kkmY8fZkVkaysZH4yM9ABsY63f8-p2Wwi41Mlf6kxN8iW24PgMMGKhUF2EDMEgWvMb7Vs-0zUSYMgSDHnhkGYGSEJOSLBv1gTY7mgi2Oj2Nfq3fZkyXDrA/s1600/sandra-tsing-loh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXaEo9F7M1BZe5iv7kkmY8fZkVkaysZH4yM9ABsY63f8-p2Wwi41Mlf6kxN8iW24PgMMGKhUF2EDMEgWvMb7Vs-0zUSYMgSDHnhkGYGSEJOSLBv1gTY7mgi2Oj2Nfq3fZkyXDrA/s320/sandra-tsing-loh.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
And speaking of mid-life crises, I'm really excited to see my favorite author/performer/public school mom <b>Sandra Tsing Loh</b> in '<a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/madwoman"><b>The Madwoman In The Volvo</b></a>' – the stage production of her best-selling memoir that hilariously takes us through her mid-life crisis that is fueled, among other things, by a random trip to Burning Man. Loh, who identifies herself as someone who is from the “Triple M Generation—menopausal, middle-aged and a mother," is so relatable and so fantastic live (I saw her years ago when she performed 'Mother On Fire') and I can't wait to see her again. Maybe I'll get to meet her after the show and let her touch my luxurious hair. <br />
<br />
And you can see her, too. I'm giving away a 'Girls Night Out' prize package of 4 tickets to one of her shows during its run at the <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/"><b>Pasadena Playhouse</b></a> from <b>June 2-26</b>. See details below to enter. Self-indulgent shopping spree for beauty products at Target not included. <br />
<br />
Here are the details: <br />
<br />
<b>What:</b> 'Girls Night Out' prize package of <b>4 tickets</b> to '<a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/madwoman"><b>Madwoman In The Volvo</b></a><b>' </b>at the<b> Pasadena Playhouse</b> The winner can provide 3 performance dates of choice excluding Saturday and Sunday matinees (subject to availability.)<br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386104735129_42573" style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<b>How:</b> Leave a comment here no later than <b>11:30pm Friday night (June 3)</b> telling me about your mid-life (or if you're too young to have one yet, tell me about your parents or someone else old.) . I'll use <a href="http://www.random.org/" target="_blank">random.org </a>to
draw a winner from the entries. One comment per person, but <b>you can
share on Facebook or Twitter for additional entries</b>.<br />
<br />
Or, if you don't win or don't care to enter, you can use the special code <b>MOM25</b> for <b>25% off seats</b>, excluding HOT SEATS and Sunday June 5, and buy tickets <a href="http://my.pasadenaplayhouse.org/single/EventDetail.aspx?p=272"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Please don't forget
to leave a valid email address.</b><br />
<br />
<b>The Pasadena Playhouse</b><br />
<b>39 South El Molino Street, Pasadena</b><br />
<br />
<b>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b> </b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-73308857158222867732015-08-28T20:18:00.002-07:002015-08-28T20:18:32.814-07:00Shopping for back-to-school supplies is likely to ruin your day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYUEXgo82T9jlSSvN1ubSzxKtFW_2_FmRAX6hHjvkPDCgZPWQqC3QXy2zM1Wd6Da22j9UnW7-ZCEgDgUNnbJIVohmsRKujwHzYYQyAdK4g8GpleatGthTJh5xoSky5xpXdMWWtA/s1600/back-to-school-supplies-dollar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYUEXgo82T9jlSSvN1ubSzxKtFW_2_FmRAX6hHjvkPDCgZPWQqC3QXy2zM1Wd6Da22j9UnW7-ZCEgDgUNnbJIVohmsRKujwHzYYQyAdK4g8GpleatGthTJh5xoSky5xpXdMWWtA/s320/back-to-school-supplies-dollar.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm not saying standing in an office supply store line with a hundred other cranky parents for forty-five minutes to spend an entire paycheck on a stapler isn't fun. But there are smarter solutions that don't make you want to stab someone with a ballpoint pen. <br />
<br />
This year, we bought all of our school supplies (everything you see in this photo) <b>for under $20</b>. Look, if being a cheapskate is wrong, I don't want to be right.<br />
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<br />
You can read about how we did it by clicking over <a href="http://mom.me/blog/21450-buy-back-school-supplies-under-20/"><b>here</b></a>.<br />
<br />
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b><br />
<br />sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-68348138613052508622015-08-14T14:24:00.001-07:002015-08-14T14:25:31.779-07:00Go see INSIDE OUT at the El Capitan Theatre and unlock the secrets to your teen's brain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFArz4Xmg8W_hVoOLKvxpAlq3sNZiNQUDNyIIvncQAhQay35VR-Y0a0Fryo1-S-1MXa3MjcNAszBHJZruVMawcOAfObW9tEJE0Jmsimn82Tc8ctDIhpZy8Pnrenf-artOhvVB7Q/s1600/IO_NP_Large_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFArz4Xmg8W_hVoOLKvxpAlq3sNZiNQUDNyIIvncQAhQay35VR-Y0a0Fryo1-S-1MXa3MjcNAszBHJZruVMawcOAfObW9tEJE0Jmsimn82Tc8ctDIhpZy8Pnrenf-artOhvVB7Q/s320/IO_NP_Large_.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
You may have seen me mention this on Facebook, but for those of you who haven't seen <a href="https://elcapitantheatre.com/event/1170"><b>INSIDE OUT</b></a>, go see it now. Better yet, go see it now, at the <a href="https://elcapitantheatre.com/"><b>El Capitan Theatre</b></a>. You'll be filled with joy and not sadness, fear, anger or disgust. (If that last sentence makes no sense to you, you need to go see the movie to see what I'm talking about.) Another thing is, this movie is like having a peek inside your teenager's brain. Sure it's kind of scary in there, but in the end it all makes sense.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I was kind of <i>done</i> with animated films. After years and years of seeing them, once my girls got older it was kind of a relief not to have to run out and see the latest kids movie matinee – now movie night is the four of us heading out to see an R-rated flick, which is fine by me. But I'd heard so many great things about INSIDE OUT and since the main character is a tween who is a bundle of emotions and giving her parents a run for their money, I thought it would be like seeing a documentary of my life and I was right. <br />
<br />
From Pixar:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Do you ever look at someone and wonder what is going on inside their head? Disney•Pixar’s original new film “Inside Out” ventures inside the mind to find out.<br />
<br />
Based in Headquarters, the control center inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind, five Emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy (voice of Amy Poehler), whose mission is to make sure Riley stays happy. Fear (voice of Bill Hader) heads up safety, Anger (voice of Lewis Black) ensures all is fair and Disgust (voice of Mindy Kaling) prevents Riley from getting poisoned—both physically and socially. Sadness (voice of Phyllis Smith) isn’t exactly sure what her role is, and frankly, neither is anyone else.<br />
<br />
When Riley's family relocates to a scary new city, the Emotions are on the job, eager to help guide her through the difficult transition. But when Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley’s mind—taking some of her core memories with them—Fear, Anger and Disgust are left reluctantly in charge. Joy and Sadness must venture through unfamiliar places—Long Term Memory, Imagination Land, Abstract Thought and Dream Productions—in a desperate effort to get back to Headquarters, and Riley.</blockquote>
Also, the only place you should see INSIDE OUT is at the El Capitan Theatre – they have a spectacular stage show called "Music of Light" that uses brand-new 3D technology that allows the live performers to interact with a 3D background. Seriously, the kid sitting next to me dropped his popcorn because he thought something was coming at him out of the screen. (Poor thing. I gave him some of mine.) Check it out:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bQhLyge2pp0?rel=0" width="500"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>INSIDE OUT will only be playing at the El Capitan through August 19</b>, and is your only chance to experience "Music of Light" so hurry up and get your tickets <a href="https://elcapitantheatre.com/event/1170"><b>here</b></a>. They also have some other fun activities offered along with the movie, like this Dave & Busters combo. Do they know the inside of a teen's brain or what?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoZ65gf0KGfzS0mX5OYoJK3oL-ZMolZ-p3O8npRGk-fgiJFSiN_DSpWA3Hiqrnzsa5ULe8FDD0QSbresmMWVnblVMvTagHh2bofk1CtGpN3Rs6xtJRICZlWaRZ7DLbarj3ZA2MQ/s1600/IO_MovieMealDeal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoZ65gf0KGfzS0mX5OYoJK3oL-ZMolZ-p3O8npRGk-fgiJFSiN_DSpWA3Hiqrnzsa5ULe8FDD0QSbresmMWVnblVMvTagHh2bofk1CtGpN3Rs6xtJRICZlWaRZ7DLbarj3ZA2MQ/s320/IO_MovieMealDeal.png" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>INSIDE OUT is playing at the El Capitan Theatre through August 19. You can buy tickets <a href="https://elcapitantheatre.com/event/1170">on their website</a> or call 1-800-DISNEY6.</b><br />
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-79060700662641109302015-07-11T14:45:00.002-07:002015-07-11T14:45:51.116-07:00Meanwhile, back at the ranchHello, blog are you there? It's me Marsha. I haven't been here for awhile, since I'm busy writing stories about teens over at <a href="http://mom.me/"><b>Mom.me</b></a>. I promise to get back here soon and tidy things up, but until then please visit me over there for riveting stories about teen angst, parties, tattoos and the odd celeb or two. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://mom.me/blog/19661-time-my-teen-daughter-got-tattoo/"><b><span class="title">That Time My Teen Daughter Got a Tattoo</span></b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TOr0Zd88bNmjAnAUlTaMyHZDXlS9dEs4pfCS6vkv1WmR3Vvf0SxZ3ZXlcJvnOiNDzoiNx10ObEaYf8raU8TcMPFi_SUncdohDAOgXC6TY2NqsiRi_VohyW6sRpYkv4_2qJL6cA/h120/135-103343-img_3373-1431950296.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TOr0Zd88bNmjAnAUlTaMyHZDXlS9dEs4pfCS6vkv1WmR3Vvf0SxZ3ZXlcJvnOiNDzoiNx10ObEaYf8raU8TcMPFi_SUncdohDAOgXC6TY2NqsiRi_VohyW6sRpYkv4_2qJL6cA/h120/135-103343-img_3373-1431950296.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
I remember
watching a show years ago on MTV about extreme fans, and there was an episode that
featured a 14-year-old that was obsessed with Gwen Stefani. One scene showed
this girl's parents taking her to a salon to have her hair dyed pink, just like
Gwen's. My daughters were toddlers at the time, and I recall thinking all
sorts of judgmental thoughts about these parents—what kind of monsters let
their kid do that to their hair? If I wasn't so busy making homemade baby food
and washing my cloth diapers by hand, I would have called <a href="http://mom.me/blog/14847-kids-playing-unsupervised-not-good-reason-call-cps/">CPS</a> immediately. <a href="http://mom.me/blog/19661-time-my-teen-daughter-got-tattoo/"><b>Read more...</b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://mom.me/blog/18595-14-paranoid-thoughts-mom-teens/" target="_blank"><span class="title">14 Times I Was Paranoid About My Teens</span></a></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUeJSTh3FJ3w5Bz4SumdoDvqw8NMmmwLAcjOwhNs5HJIBZhyphenhyphenaso05rSrGugH6Mnuf-ZzeG2NKWDvEDgBTmB2fqUCO2XM544sUOrxEIC1eEHRxmlBy0VdGSt3nkM-Wuc7KtRy3dQ/s1600/photo-1.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdYT3L-uPYnAKQC0xTa8QefM1ivjXp2qP0kn2D6MhSLs8zpVyZZXMzr653JEYp5P0QHDdPXuSoE18PFLs_mDqwGg_Z2zP8MsQtcopzPN-SgFzBj2wXH2CRVwgcCsWkrB1aoyosw/h120/ezgif.com-crop.gif" width="175" /></a></div>
I admit it. I might be just a little
paranoid when it comes to parenting my two teens. Given even the most innocent
of situations, I will almost always go to the worst-case, glass half-empty,
psycho-with-the-chainsaw scenario. Surprisingly, my kids have turned out pretty
good even though my daughter did think someone had planted a bomb in her teddy
bear when she was 6. Of course, I cut that thing open just to make sure. <a href="http://mom.me/blog/18595-14-paranoid-thoughts-mom-teens/" target="_blank"><b>Read more...</b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mom.me/blog/18444-eight-teen-life-hacks-we-need-right-now/"><b><span class="title">8 Teen Life Hacks Moms Could Use Right Now</span></b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw0zeSKHyILzroVKrsQpR_IsYhIExw4juTBtHWCBBBZwW5b7otyRxLfdKK7wwth10H0Y01o7NklkzSWxrmseapp22Pj9er6rqshdYivPG8r4CGH0apEPp34InjaNhVtnEkrpwSQ/h120/135-103343-img_3373-1431950296.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEveI3JaKdcXbYqp7XG1YrQJg94lQyNZ2KilNUUHnbfxMZkcmkiPJaBrTEYgjUZVtndZmk1RmFl4AswmVluGDXhxPswJJByMmbeEqd-PilqD7HinhMgE7C_BZGdgIRoFJik1D0w/h120/135-96726-teen-life-hacks-2-1426636498.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
In case you
haven't noticed, your teen is an expert when it comes to figuring out ways to
make life easier for themselves. While my first instinct is to get mad when I
find out they're pretending not to know how to change the toilet paper roll,
I've come to look at these acts as pure genius and have decided to try and use
these to make my life easier, too. <a href="http://mom.me/blog/18444-eight-teen-life-hacks-we-need-right-now/" target="_blank"><b>Read more...</b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://mom.me/blog/18916-how-do-your-kids-act-when-youre-not-around/" target="_blank"><span class="title">How Do Your Kids Act When You're Not Around?</span></a></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKOf2SWZxCm2O3lFMDOhxvp1uQJcHy94FARbm-In5OekoDfJNc_BcKzCWHev-74sLjme2ex80aiWBelSCBe1jcIdXrG7Ym3ZvhKqAwjhI6ZTqfl9D3LIi4CC5wy8OyV1Gel991Q/s1600/170c63fc4cc011e1abb01231381b65e3_7.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEHUnwfgfsvkU7ddsaUe2E9ODO8IWCQXrhFHSSc4Gt26uvlffTWXYtF7DZhCrmy_VfiRPUjktKVW4lkZ9OMIEmLlOGTL8rPNKM84Fwr52d7mw4mVdlEtqMtpm4KpRsdSUd1ygdg/h120/135-98947-img_5063-1429051121.jpg" width="175" /></a>When my
daughter was in kindergarten they had a weekly "share day" when each
child
could bring something to school—a book, stuffed animal, favorite toy—and
spend a few minutes showing it off to their classmates. After one of the
days I
missed, I got a call from a parent who was there. She said she knew,
as a mom, that we always wondered how our kids did when they weren't
under the
watchful eye of their parents, and she wanted to let me know how
impressed she was with my kid's presentation that day. I was happy to
hear it and a bit relieved—you never know what kind of mayhem can go
down when a 5-year-old gets center
stage. <a href="http://mom.me/blog/18916-how-do-your-kids-act-when-youre-not-around/" target="_blank"><b>Read more...</b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://mom.me/blog/19784-how-you-know-you-were-teen-80s/" target="_blank"><span class="title">17 Ways to Know You Were a Teen in the '80s</span></a></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1deTgDod8HLMT_es6L7sJkGVBSe92OXgJxaznUYnnuORAWRMcO-RPaLAFibX4MFsz6Tal8phUtlWhQzOV5kanCVCGw2k0T9i-K-rw5EN6VQNQeS0HCrJbUwJVp437ndtPeWmGUA/s1600/photo.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyyQQPnubSW4CIzipb7sWboFOTg8iIPq3ySaE1plbUrPyrIs3L6OvLXK0LKSV3qu-WQrtFj3iWPcFFey9dLiooUjhp7BJsxS1NUOCLEKlkA3WOLUZhcT30Md2LpSHkH1RvL0aHQ/h120/135-104306-madonna-80s-car-1432773063.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
Do you find it impossible to
part with your fur vest? Can't dance unless Parliament Funkadelic is on
the
turntable? Then you were probably a teen in the '80s. Sure, this is
admitting you're
kind of old, but think how jealous everyone is that you got to see the
original "A-Team" on your television set—even if you did have to keep
getting up to
change the channel and adjust the foil on the antennae.<br />
<br />
I'm not saying being a teen
in the '80s was the best thing in the world, but we were the first ones to
dance to <a href="http://mom.me/blog/18248-madonna-my-spirit-mom-nimal/">Madonna</a>'s "Holiday" in a club. OK, maybe it really was the best
thing in the world.<b> </b><a href="http://mom.me/blog/19784-how-you-know-you-were-teen-80s/" target="_blank"><b>Read more...</b></a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://mom.me/blog/18671-parents-guide-zayn-malik-one-direction/"><span class="title">Why Your Teen Broke Down Over Zayn Malik</span></a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw0zeSKHyILzroVKrsQpR_IsYhIExw4juTBtHWCBBBZwW5b7otyRxLfdKK7wwth10H0Y01o7NklkzSWxrmseapp22Pj9er6rqshdYivPG8r4CGH0apEPp34InjaNhVtnEkrpwSQ/h120/135-103343-img_3373-1431950296.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQlDBvUazxsJtQ2bnASOFbIjLAMyzEXe6AGAvhGnT-QBjQRUvOzKYKQPJ-0wVKi_o_YZbrQm6wKj_BkO8MZFCBNSoMasKznpmMShJh63XqfXyYEQVi8QjELTkDxXyttgBBswnrQ/h120/135-97918-onedirection-copy-1427846571.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
Has your teen been crying more than
usual in the past week? Unable to eat, clutching her pillow and sobbing "Come
back come back" while "Story of My Life" plays on an endless loop in the
background? She may just be reacting to the news that Zayn Malik has left One
Direction. Yes, I know it's already been seven whole days since the horrible
event, but when the entire Universe comes crashing down and the earth stops
spinning on its axis, it takes a while to recover.<a href="http://mom.me/blog/18671-parents-guide-zayn-malik-one-direction/" target="_blank"><b> Read more...</b></a><br />
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<a href="http://mom.me/blog/18530-9-reasons-teens-are-better-toddlers/"><b><span class="title">9 Reasons Teens Are Better Than Toddlers</span></b></a><br />
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Teens get
such a bad rap, especially from people with young kids. I keep hearing friends
say, "Ugh, I'm dreading the teen years," and they're usually saying this as
they're wiping gobs of baby spit-up off of their arms.<br />
Well, I'm
here to tell you that teens are actually better than toddlers, and here are a
few reasons why.<a href="http://mom.me/blog/18530-9-reasons-teens-are-better-toddlers/" target="_blank"><b> Read more...</b></a><br />
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<b>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b> </b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-79186791748972319432015-02-12T16:36:00.000-08:002015-02-13T16:38:26.083-08:00No pressure, Mindy Kaling, but my kids' future might depend on you<i>Speaking of <b><a href="http://sweatpantsmom.blogspot.com/2015/02/im-so-asian.html">Asians</a></b>, we are big fans of </i><b>Mindy Kaling</b><i> over here. In fact, in one of my latest posts for </i><a href="http://mom.me/"><b>mom.me</b></a> <i>I write about how I'd like for the actress to take over raising my kids if some catastrophe befalls me and my husband. (Just kidding. We all know that job will go straight to </i>Oprah<i>.)</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We all love Mindy Kaling, and I think she’s a great role model.
Not only is she the perfect combination of brains, beauty and kick-ass wit, but
she’s incredibly stylish as well, which means my girls would not only welcome
her, but her closet also with open arms. Here are a few other reasons why Mindy is
the ideal person for my teen girls to look up to. <a href="http://mom.me/blog/17561-6-reasons-mindy-kaling-great-role-model-teen-girls/"><b>Read more...</b></a></blockquote>
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-38393920598117621242015-02-09T21:17:00.000-08:002015-02-09T21:47:40.893-08:00I'm so Asian(<i>Yes, as a matter of fact I </i>am<i> singing the title of this post to the tune of </i>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KdDTjhogsY"><b>That's So Raven</b></a>.")<br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel more Asian than usual. Times when I don't feel like I blend into my world quite so seamlessly and am keenly aware that even though I was born and raised in this country, as were my parents, I'll always feel like a little bit of an outsider.<br />
<br />
One of those times are these months at the beginning of the year, when parents are in the process of choosing high schools and colleges for their kids. Without fail, every year, I'll hear at least a few people make this comment about a school they're considering.<br />
<br />
"That school is full of Asians."<br />
<br />
To be fair, sometimes it's said with affection as in, "I love me some Asians. The math scores at that school are THROUGH THE ROOF," and I can concur with that person and also point out that the after-school Origami class is probably pretty killer, too.<br />
<br />
But other times it's said with a bit more disapproval, as in,<br />
<br />
"This muffin is full of raisins. I FUCKING HATE RAISINS."<br />
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Either way, I try and pretend that nothing happened. Because I'm so Asian like that.<br />
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The past week was another reason to feel my Asian-ness at full volume – it was the premiere of '<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/fresh-off-the-boat"><b>Fresh Off The Boat</b></a>,' a new sitcom on ABC. The story centers around the Huang family – recent Taiwanese immigrants who have settled in Florida – and the culture clash they experience. It's the first TV show in 21 years to star an all-Asian cast; the last was '<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108693/"><b>All American Girl</b></a>' starring Margaret Cho in 1994. Don't start sending me links to PBS documentaries about<b> </b>the royal family in Japan – those don't count.<br />
<br />
I don't think I was prepared for what an impact this show would have on me. A show that was just CHOCK FULL OF RAISINS! I knew it was an important milestone but thanks to social media the night of the premiere was like being at one of my huge family gatherings<b>, </b>except<b> </b>without the fighting over the check and the pressure to take home leftovers.<br />
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<br />
JUST SO EXCITING.<br />
<br />
All of my Asian peers watching at the same time, equally thrilled that we were seeing people who looked like us on TV. It was overwhelming and pretty emotional. Here were Asians that weren't cast in roles as the nerdy best friend, the sushi bar waitress or the dry cleaner owners. They were real, flawed, characters who looked and acted like people I know. Something that most of you take for granted, I'm sure, but an empowering, long-overdue moment for Asian Americans.<br />
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But then that excitement was dimmed a few days later. My friend and fellow blogger <a href="http://hapamama.com/2015/02/07/fresh-off-boat-seat-bus/"><b>Grace Hwang Lynch</b></a> posted a photo on Facebook that was taken during a press tour for 'Fresh Off The Boat.' The thing that stood out about the photo? Not one Asian face among the attendees. A press tour for an Asian show, one that is one of the most important things to happen to network TV in terms of Asian representation and NOT ONE ASIAN HAD BEEN INVITED. It stung.<br />
<br />
I'm not that much of a blogger anymore. I wouldn't expect to be invited to an event like this, but there are plenty of Asian American bloggers who are active online and in the community who should have been at this press tour to represent and to weigh in on the show. For them not to be included felt deliberate and calculated. Was it deliberate and calculated? The jury's still out, but I can only say it felt exclusionary and insensitive. Kind of like how it felt to not be represented on network TV for the past 21 years.<br />
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And the backlash has been swift and harsh. A lot of people are saying that we're just jealous we weren't invited. That we're being too sensitive. That we shouldn't be making it about race. That we should just stop complaining, damnit. It surprised me that so many people couldn't step back, look at the situation and say, 'Hey, that's a mistake. There should have been Asians there," and to see the bigger picture – that Asian Americans have been fighting for a seat at the table for awhile, and this was just one more reminder of the exclusion we encounter on a regular basis.<br />
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People aren't used to hearing Asians speak out, and it makes them uncomfortable. We're supposed to be the silent minority and not rock the boat. I know many of my fellow Asian Americans can attest to the fact that we were brought up to be non-confrontational and passive. I think my 94-year-old Japanese mom would just expire on the spot if she knew I was venting on this blog. To the public. And using cuss words.<br />
<br />
For me, Asians being excluded from the press tour was so much more than what it seems like on the surface. It meant that even after all these years, we're still invisible to some people. That our voices often don't count. That, in spite of our huge presence as consumers and influencers, so many doors remain closed to us. After all our hard work and striving to be heard, there still isn't a seat on the bus for us. <br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone who has spoken up and supported the bloggers who are making our voices heard not just now, but in other arenas and other endeavors. Thank you for sharing our stories and leaving words of encouragement and for seeing us and not making us feel invisible. <br />
<br />
Please read these posts by some of my fellow Asian American bloggers, who inspired me to write this post:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Grace Hwang Lynch shares her conversation with Disney: <a href="http://hapamama.com/2015/02/07/fresh-off-boat-seat-bus/" target="_blank">Fresh Off The Boat? How About a Seat on the Bus?</a></li>
<li>Hey, Mona!: <a href="http://kirida.com/2015/02/fresh-off-the-boat-but-not-on-the-bus/" target="_blank">Fresh off the Boat But Not on the Bus</a></li>
<li>Phyllis on The Napkin Hoarder: <a href="http://napkinhoarder.com/post/110400836886/fresh-off-the-invisible-boat-and-bus" target="_blank">Fresh Off The Invisible Boat and Bus</a></li>
<li>Kathy Zucker: <a href="http://www.kathyzucker.com/2015/02/08/own-yourself-asianvoicesmatter/" target="_blank">Own Yourself</a></li>
<li>Stephanie on Frankly, My Dear: <a href="http://www.queenscarlett.com/2015/02/youre-pepsi-aapivoices.html" target="_blank">You’re a Pepsi</a></li>
</ul>
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b><br />
<ul>
</ul>
sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-4097529273275371702015-01-23T12:05:00.000-08:002015-01-23T12:08:17.236-08:00For goodness sake, take the quiz!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mom.me/teen/17117-quiz-are-you-parent-teen/"></a><a href="http://mom.me/teen/17117-quiz-are-you-parent-teen/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPEoZJjWl9PlPQcTWvFVpJKXkSQvV2qD88BkSCKWmuE4UdKmB-TNA0eOHKa91XPI0QndDUN0aAe3qeS1mDSo99MAbfDaphSwTe8tZw6yMmhIPdwyAXU_zRRuD_YldX9S9vaYLLQ/s1600/QUIZ-PIN-2.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's my latest post over on <a href="http://mom.me/teen/17117-quiz-are-you-parent-teen/"><b>mom.me</b></a>. Taking this enlightening quiz will require only 60 seconds of your time and can determine, once and for all, if you are indeed the parent of a teen or if you are in fact harboring a robot in your home. The more you know. <br />
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-7253977421734516952015-01-22T12:37:00.000-08:002015-01-26T15:08:24.719-08:00Things we're eating: Pasta BarNewsflash: Teenagers like to eat. A LOT. So what do you do when you've got fifty of them about to descend on your house for a party and your kids don't want to serve just pizza? Try a pasta bar.<br />
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We've served this at more than a few parties now, and it's always a big hit. Much like our popular <a href="http://sweatpantsmom.blogspot.com/2014/11/things-were-eating-ramen-bar.html"><b>ramen bar</b></a>, it's all about giving them choices – let them choose the toppings for their pasta and they'll feel like they can conquer the world. Well, at least the dance floor. <br />
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Start by cooking the pasta the night before, and store it in ziploc bags in the refrigerator. I used penne since it's easy to serve up with a spoon but any similar pasta like fusilli or farfalle will do. I suggest you estimate how much you'll need, laugh at that paltry amount and then cook way, way more if you're serving a party of teenagers.<br />
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For example, when we were expecting fifty kids I used the 'two-ounce per person' rule and figured that came out to a little more than six-pounds of uncooked pasta. Just to be safe I bought ten pounds of penne, which proved to be a grave underestimation. Halfway through the party we ran out of pasta and some of the kids started eating the sauce by itself, which was both sad and disgusting. <br />
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The day of the party, keep the pasta warm in a chafing dish on the table. I suggest putting out two pans of pasta at a time for easy serving since teenagers tend to stampede when they're hungry and you don't want any fistfights breaking out over the penne. <br />
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I used jarred sauce, but if you're fancy and masochistic you can make your own the night before. I served both marinara and Alfredo sauces, and also put out a small bowl of pesto for the rebels. Keep the marinara and Alfredo sauces warm in separate chafing dishes. <br />
<br />
For the toppings, use your imagination. I put out another chafing dish of grilled chicken breast strips along with bowls of parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes, chili flakes, fresh tomatoes, olives, chopped parsley, toasted pine nuts and mushrooms. Again, put out way more than you think any humans could possibly eat in an evening and I guarantee you it won't be enough.<br />
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I rounded out the meal with lots of sliced french bread, a platter of fruit and bagged Caesar salad. (Buy a lot of salad. Also surprising: Teens love salad!) At the end of the evening, I kid you not – there was not a crumb of bread or even a single grape left on the table. You would think they wouldn't be able to eat any more after that, but then how would you explain 75 cupcakes disappearing in five minutes.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-34316366210212983432014-12-16T18:47:00.000-08:002014-12-16T19:21:59.782-08:00Sleeping Beauty And Her Winter Knight: Everybody panto now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Let me just start off by saying <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/mainstage/sleeping-beauty-and-her-winter-knight.html" target="_blank"><b>SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT</b></a> at the <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/"><b>Pasadena Playhouse</b></a> is not for everybody. If you like your theater and its music unadulterated and stick-to-the-script you might be better off seeking out a more traditional telling of this classic tale. The one where the princess gets her kiss, gets her prince, and then gets to sing that song. <br />
<br />
However, if you're looking for an invigorating, unpredictable production that is a real kick-in-the-pants with catchy top-40 tunes, big doses of humor and some names your teens will swoon over – I suggest you definitely check out <b>SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT</b> at the Pasadena Playhouse. Don't worry – the princess still gets the prince in the end of this production, too. She just gets to sing a John Legend song while it's happening.<br />
<br />
From the production:<br />
<i>An updated version of the classic </i>Grimm<i> fairytale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, </i>SLEEPING BEAUTY and Her Winter Knight<i>
is a singing and soaring winter adventure that features family-
friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with 'So You Think You
Can Dance' alumni), interaction with the audience and contemporary music
from Jessie J's 'Domino' to John Legend's 'All Of Me,' Pharrell
Williams 'Happy' to Survivor's 'Eye of The Tiger' and more. </i><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOergSKJywvY_tW5-wQuPaRRR_XKcKXc0DOfFC47nvaWmxr9a0Eg7Hj9WmHi0ITiAPiC2W8SfOfCEDq6UYaURGDy_u_VHAX4MvdoaIk7Lrbr0COvIGsDdnaywxyOl33n7dhWnRg/s1600/SB_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOergSKJywvY_tW5-wQuPaRRR_XKcKXc0DOfFC47nvaWmxr9a0Eg7Hj9WmHi0ITiAPiC2W8SfOfCEDq6UYaURGDy_u_VHAX4MvdoaIk7Lrbr0COvIGsDdnaywxyOl33n7dhWnRg/s1600/SB_4.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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I had my first introduction to panto last year at the Playhouse's <a href="http://viewsfromthepants.blogspot.com/2013/12/aladdin-and-his-winter-wish-teen-dream.html"><b>Aladdin And His Winter Wish</b></a>. It took a little getting used to, but I now see it's such a celebratory, exciting form of interactive theater. The audience – especially the kids - are so enthusiastic about participating with the actors on stage, and the contemporary music is especially enticing for tweens and teens. This production had a great cast – Disney Recording Artist <b>Olivia Holt, </b><b>Garret Clayton </b>(Disney's <i>Teen Beach Movie</i>) and <b>Tamyra Gray</b> <b>(</b><i>American Idol</i>) that my teens were familiar with. And while they described <b>Lucy Lawless</b> (<i>Xena: Warrior Princess</i>) as 'before their time,' they agreed she made a great Maleficent.<br />
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One of the things that makes this production special is the Winter Wonderland event that takes place in The Playhouse’s Engemann
Family Courtyard before every performance. Guests and their families can enjoy – free of charge – crafts, activities,
games, Santa Claus (on select dates) and photo opportunities. (There is also face
painting for a nominal fee.) For the adults, there's a no-host bar in the courtyard provided by the adjacent restaurant, <a href="http://www.redwhitebluezz.com/"><b>redwhite+bluezz</b></a> – they'll even give you a cup with a lid so you can have a little wine with your panto.<br />
<br />
If you want to take your family to a unique, family friendly, all ages show this holiday, definitely check out <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/mainstage/aladdin-and-his-winter-wish.html" target="_blank"><b>SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT</b></a> at the <b>Pasadena Playhouse</b>. Performances run through <b>January 4</b> and you can <a href="https://pasadenaplayhouse.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0NE000000DUF8wMAH" target="_blank"><b>click here to purchase tickets</b></a>. There are also a couple of special experiences<b> </b>your kids can take part in, like <b>Golden Tickets</b> (a special on-stage sing-a-long experience during the show) and <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/sleeping-beauty-character-breakfast.html" target="_blank"><b>Character Breakfasts</b></a>. <br />
<br />
<b>The Pasadena Playhouse</b><br />
<b>39 South El Molino Avenue,</b><br />
<b>Pasadena CA 91101</b><br />
<br />
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-30359429596092660122014-12-02T16:55:00.001-08:002015-01-20T15:29:24.706-08:00Things to do besides shopping: SLEEPING BEAUTY AND HER WINTER KNIGHT at the Pasadena PlayhouseIt's December so now you've shifted into holiday season overdrive, running yourself ragged with shopping and family obligations. You might already be decorating like a crazy person. You've definitely cried at least once.<br />
<br />
Here's a suggestion: Take a break and head out for an evening of live theater. Statistics* show that people who attend live theater during the holiday season are 95% more likely to refrain from drinking too much and fighting with family at the annual holiday party. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(*I made that statistic up. Nothing can keep you from drinking too much and fighting with your family.)</span><br />
<br />
To start you off, <b>I have FREE tickets to give away</b> to <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/mainstage/sleeping-beauty-and-her-winter-knight.html" target="_blank"><b>Sleeping Beauty And Her Winter Knight</b></a> at the <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/" target="_blank"><b>Pasadena Playhouse</b></a>. Great casting: Disney Recording Artist <b>Olivia Holt, </b><b>Lucy Lawless</b> (<i>Xena: Warrior Princess</i>) and – for the teens and tweens in the audience – <b>Garret Clayton </b>(Disney's <i>Teen Beach Movie</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW51ZtJnGmLA8ClirwDzrTeESpPodoxJpykxSlgA_c_MiNWGcMfSJKjz_C9X-gsuAFYkApCuXg1bglji10rTvE42YYCtAFjcn07xbtYbRjEMDqWj-5iUl2DTcl9YXfxz1j0o9Sg/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNW51ZtJnGmLA8ClirwDzrTeESpPodoxJpykxSlgA_c_MiNWGcMfSJKjz_C9X-gsuAFYkApCuXg1bglji10rTvE42YYCtAFjcn07xbtYbRjEMDqWj-5iUl2DTcl9YXfxz1j0o9Sg/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how peaceful she looks? She's finished with all her holiday shopping.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even better – before every performance, all Playhouse guests and their families are invited to enjoy a 'Winter Wonderland' event in The Playhouse’s Engemann Family Courtyard free of charge, complete with crafts, activities, games, Santa Claus (on select dates) and photo opps. <br />
<br />
I went to last year's holiday show at the Pasadena Playhouse and my girls and I loved it. The production was first rate, and the activities in the courtyard got us out of our funk and into the holiday spirit. (And that was before they met Neil Patrick Harris in the lobby.)<br />
<br />
From the production: <i>An updated version of the classic </i>Grimm<i> fairytale, in the style of a traditional British family Panto, </i>SLEEPING BEAUTY and Her Winter Knight<i> is a singing and soaring winter adventure that features family- friendly magic, with a comedic twist, dancing (with 'So You Think You Can Dance' alumni), interaction with the audience and contemporary music from Jessie J's 'Domino' to John Legend's 'All Of Me,' Pharrell Williams 'Happy' to Survivor's 'Eye of The Tiger' and more. </i><br />
<br />
So get out and see some live theater this holiday season – the mall will still be there when you're done.<br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386104735129_42573" style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><b>What:</b> 'Family PacK' of <b>4 tickets</b> to <a href="http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/mainstage/sleeping-beauty-and-her-winter-knight.html" target="_blank"><b>Sleeping Beauty And Her Winter Knight</b></a> for <b>Wednesday, December 10 </b>at<b> 7:30pm. </b><br />
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1386104735129_42573" style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<b>How:</b> Leave a comment here no later than <b>11:30pm Sunday night (December 7)</b> telling me your favorite live performance you've seen. I'll use <a href="http://www.random.org/" target="_blank">random.org </a>to
draw a winner from the entries. One comment per person, but <b>you can
share on Facebook or Twitter for additional entries</b>. Please don't forget
to leave a valid email address.<br />
<br />
<b>The Pasadena Playhouse</b><br />
<b>39 South El Molino Street, Pasadena</b><br />
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b><b><br /></b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-24672275541193740032014-11-12T15:15:00.001-08:002014-11-13T13:22:33.486-08:00Things we're eating: Ramen BarOne of our favorite meals around here is something I call Ramen Bar. All I have to do is call out, "Ramen Bar" around dinnertime, and everyone stops what they're doing and comes running. And by 'come running' I mean they actually put their cell phones down and make their way to the kitchen.<br />
<br />
When I've mentioned to people that I'm making ramen for dinner, I've
gotten some judgy questions: "Is a 25¢ block of noodles really a
sufficient meal?" "What about all that sodium? " "You're Asian, isn't
ramen for dinner just a cop-out and a cliché?"<br />
<br />
Once I've given them some serious side-eye, I explain that this isn't your dorm-room ramen. These are fresh noodles that you purchase from an Asian market, and with a bunch of different toppings – all fresh ingredients – laid out that everyone can choose themselves. My teens and their friends seem to especially like this – it's about time we let them make their own decisions, and there's nothing like being the boss of your soup.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LeYEIYEm_qQK_0Hp1dipa7c2yd3a1j39xygHCVznAaa24yHyCIbl8WovhF6PN__oH5kKWMQf7b8uKxJZfRk9I7wytKe0KuqEecFRQe82Zer8oDRk13K-j78AS-WUO4SI6zaNpA/s1600/ramen+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LeYEIYEm_qQK_0Hp1dipa7c2yd3a1j39xygHCVznAaa24yHyCIbl8WovhF6PN__oH5kKWMQf7b8uKxJZfRk9I7wytKe0KuqEecFRQe82Zer8oDRk13K-j78AS-WUO4SI6zaNpA/s1600/ramen+copy.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
Start with fresh noodles - you can find these in the refrigerated
section of most Asian markets. Each package has two servings. Or only one if you want a larger portion. Our local ramen shop offers a 'large order' that comes in a bowl the size of a child's wading pool. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLEyxqZFTB_EdJFbC50t1xxnKAfPjlZdKi0v1BmTsKk50pABWUpobWt-wgKEV35KX_EyU6XD8vyUt4uqKh4ovLfEt_kWttmCBaIIS7eoDrp3673umTR1g0XDPlbSgy2jXD9naPg/s1600/noodles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLEyxqZFTB_EdJFbC50t1xxnKAfPjlZdKi0v1BmTsKk50pABWUpobWt-wgKEV35KX_EyU6XD8vyUt4uqKh4ovLfEt_kWttmCBaIIS7eoDrp3673umTR1g0XDPlbSgy2jXD9naPg/s1600/noodles.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
They
usually have three different flavors available: Shoyu (soy sauce), Miso
and Spicy Sesame. The flavor refers to the broth packet that comes in the package, but this isn't the usual powder that comes in a foil packet that comes with Top Ramen – it's a liquid, slightly oily paste that you mix with boiling water to make your broth. If you're a purist you can even make your own (here's a good recipe from <a href="http://foodnwhine.com/2013/01/08/momofuku-ramen-broth/" target="_blank"><b>momofuku</b></a>) but honestly I've been-there-done-that and the broth that comes with these fresh noodles is really good, so why bother? Use the extra time for sipping some cold saké.<br />
<br />
Sidenote: While you're at the Asian market you should really pick up some of these to reward yourelf for all of your hard work: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QlroAWciHUOu7uvn_AHBxPnV20cR_Utu6wCV8Xv0Il_3oieWRPJd9HPhgjgl6xC9r5TqNunXQtYYo-UukTw1ZoB6UxfMJlyZ0062LYD6OviiyERwL4Viqw3w0dympynELqy7oA/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QlroAWciHUOu7uvn_AHBxPnV20cR_Utu6wCV8Xv0Il_3oieWRPJd9HPhgjgl6xC9r5TqNunXQtYYo-UukTw1ZoB6UxfMJlyZ0062LYD6OviiyERwL4Viqw3w0dympynELqy7oA/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
Back to our ramen: Next, lay out a bunch of toppings. I've used slices of chicken, hard-boiled or fried eggs, tofu, cilantro, basil, sliced jalapeño, shredded cabbage, green onions and lime. This is probably more of a ramen/pho mashup of toppings – more traditional ramen toppings would be bean sprouts, sliced <i>shiitake</i> mushrooms, spinach, <i>nori</i> (seaweed), <i>kamaboko</i> (fish cake) and <i>char siu</i> (barbecued pork.) Really, the sky's the limit – just don't do anything weird like french fries or Oreos because then I'll have to send the Asian police to your door. <br />
<br />
The broth concentrate goes into your bowl and covered with boiling water. Meanwhile, cook your noodles for 2 minutes, drain, and serve up into the broth with the toppings nearby. Yell out, "Ramen Bar" and watch your hungry family stampede over. Sort of.<br />
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(Not to imply that those store-bought, hard bricks of noodles don't have their place. This video of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0594503/" target="_blank"><b>Hayao Miyazak</b></a>i making ramen for his staff is one of my favorites. If Top Ramen is good enough for the director of '<a href="http://www.totoro.org/" target="_blank"><b>Totoro</b></a>', it's good enough for me.)<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bMsaEeq3vXKpf8DiUYRN2K4uMAieasWtdBLc9p1W9TuPMVt_nxWaTv1Q6ZfqTXZFUHHzIlyIxkdIiubd4RzXW4EXimYBv6RmomXmIYdzVBpa0BE5IsksMuVQI64oO4HrpPf44g/s1600/nablopomo_november.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bMsaEeq3vXKpf8DiUYRN2K4uMAieasWtdBLc9p1W9TuPMVt_nxWaTv1Q6ZfqTXZFUHHzIlyIxkdIiubd4RzXW4EXimYBv6RmomXmIYdzVBpa0BE5IsksMuVQI64oO4HrpPf44g/s1600/nablopomo_november.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<i>I signed up to do </i><a href="http://www.blogher.com/novembers-nablopomo-here-join-blogroll-enter-win-pass-blogher-pro" target="_blank"><b>NaBloPoMo</b></a><i> (short for </i>National Blog Posting Month<i>)
which is an online event where bloggers are challenged to post every
single day of the month. This is only my third post out of twelve days, which is bad no matter how you do the math. </i><i></i><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-84167623604679546592014-11-07T23:46:00.001-08:002014-11-07T23:56:13.669-08:00Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?What's on my mind tonight? Fantasy vs. reality. Mainly, this big box of lies:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGi3YjXXhsA_X66831xFYJt80GK20QnhhTSF9j2Ayad4EwT2YyKNSSW8tgLJEMlNOk3qwyPR3yQdY4wg9MlAHMGB_agF424oibUyXsn0WOnZqu1Ge0YbBRnKjoMxo3WjZjZ3s-w/s1600/popcorn2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGi3YjXXhsA_X66831xFYJt80GK20QnhhTSF9j2Ayad4EwT2YyKNSSW8tgLJEMlNOk3qwyPR3yQdY4wg9MlAHMGB_agF424oibUyXsn0WOnZqu1Ge0YbBRnKjoMxo3WjZjZ3s-w/s1600/popcorn2B.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
I bought this for one of the girls' sleepovers, because what could be more genius than food that comes in its own serving container? Can you imagine the possibilities? What if you could buy a big, juicy steak that came on its own plate and then after you were done stuffing your face with that big animal carcass you could just dump the whole thing in the trash? Isn't that the definition of heaven?<br />
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My illusions were shattered, though, when I popped up one of these lying liars and it came out like this:<br />
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<br />
When I followed the instructions and pulled off the top, the bag ripped and popcorn went flying. Also, if you look at the picture on the box the popcorn is bursting out the bowl, but in reality it is barely 1/3 full. They need to rename this Straight Up Lies Bowl.<br />
<br />
Did I eat it? YOU BET YOUR BUTTER-SOAKED FINGERS I DID.<br />
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<a href="http://reactiongifs.com/?p=5893"><img src="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/01/popcorn-yes.gif" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span><br />
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<i>I just signed up to do </i><a href="http://www.blogher.com/novembers-nablopomo-here-join-blogroll-enter-win-pass-blogher-pro" target="_blank"><b>NaBloPoMo</b></a><i> (short for </i>National Blog Posting Month<i>)
which is an online event where bloggers are challenged to post every
single day of the month. I started late, but I intend to finish. Only 23 more days to go! Grab some popcorn and pull up a chair. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-5221498393365715962014-11-06T16:33:00.001-08:002014-11-06T16:51:14.958-08:00Don't come at me with your technology fasts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UnNkHZgpobzvQyj-1865dLNgx4pQgXRCcLxU7KLgVKDKu6VP8wZmLrp-qewMIbDl4G0ABpsQCjm0jpKavEcVR3KuSnCRrE7atzYjO6qxifnnc2AaTpNSlxM2yoPSZSHmlOYlDQ/s1600/phone2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UnNkHZgpobzvQyj-1865dLNgx4pQgXRCcLxU7KLgVKDKu6VP8wZmLrp-qewMIbDl4G0ABpsQCjm0jpKavEcVR3KuSnCRrE7atzYjO6qxifnnc2AaTpNSlxM2yoPSZSHmlOYlDQ/s1600/phone2.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be frightened children – it's just a cellphone from the '90's. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few days ago I was trying to send a photo to a friend via text, and my phone died. My phone is old so this has been happening a lot, and I proceeded to do what I do every other time this happened – curse at it, threaten to throw it out the window (because it feels threatened when I say this) and then eat a handful of potato chips to ease my suffering. <br />
<br />
Of course, then I had my <i>kumbaya</i> moment where I realize how fortunate I am to be able to take a picture with my phone and then somehow miraculously send it through space to my friend's phone fifty miles away, and I took a step back and just praised science. Then I had another handful of potato chips to calm myself down.<br />
<br />
Technology has been daunting to me lately – my phone dies, my computer crashes, my FitBit keeps telling me I'm a lazy bitch – and a friend suggested I join her in a tech fast that she was embarking on. This inhumane endeavor consisted of going three days – cold turkey – without any computer or phone use, except for work or essential activities. This meant no posting on Facebook, sharing pictures on Instagram, conversing on Twitter or texting photos of my cocktail to Rigel.<br />
<br />
This sounded like a hell I wanted no part of. Who would validate my feelings about life if I couldn't share them on Facebook? How would I know about world events without my Twitter feed? And without photographing my lunch and then enhancing it with a pleasing filter, DOES FOOD EVEN EXIST AT ALL?<br />
<br />
I politely declined to participate in this heinous exercise in self-torture, and it got me thinking about how we all love to demonize technology, although I think there are very few of us who could go without it. Is this just a fad? I can't imagine a farmer in the 1800's declaring that he was going to go on a plow fast, or our parents defiantly announcing that they would go without their toaster oven for an entire seventy-two hours. Come to think of it, I don't remember any one of my friends ever bemoaning the fact that they were becoming overly-dependent on their pager, either.<br />
<br />
I'm still going to curse at my phone and threaten to cut my computer if it shows me that goddamn spinning beachball again, and yell – at no one in particular and on a daily basis – "They can put a man on the moon but I can't get a decent WiFi signal in my bathroom?!" But I won't be giving up my technology anytime soon. Come to think of it, not my potato chips, either. <br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bMsaEeq3vXKpf8DiUYRN2K4uMAieasWtdBLc9p1W9TuPMVt_nxWaTv1Q6ZfqTXZFUHHzIlyIxkdIiubd4RzXW4EXimYBv6RmomXmIYdzVBpa0BE5IsksMuVQI64oO4HrpPf44g/s1600/nablopomo_november.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bMsaEeq3vXKpf8DiUYRN2K4uMAieasWtdBLc9p1W9TuPMVt_nxWaTv1Q6ZfqTXZFUHHzIlyIxkdIiubd4RzXW4EXimYBv6RmomXmIYdzVBpa0BE5IsksMuVQI64oO4HrpPf44g/s1600/nablopomo_november.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<i>I just signed up to do </i><a href="http://www.blogher.com/novembers-nablopomo-here-join-blogroll-enter-win-pass-blogher-pro" target="_blank"><b>NaBloPoMo</b></a><i> (short for </i>National Blog Posting Month<i>)
which is an online event where bloggers are challenged to post every
single day of the month. I joined in around six days in, which means
I've already failed before I even started. On the upside, you can come
back here everyday for thrilling stories, like this one about my phone. </i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span><br />
<br />sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-38915057043706661152014-07-24T15:36:00.000-07:002014-07-24T15:43:07.520-07:00Kill It: A Love StoryThis story is 100% true*.<br />
<br />
Last night our cat Milkshake started freaking out, doing this thing where he starts dashing around and leaping at air because he senses danger. To my horror I realized it was this: a humongous beast had appeared in one of the innocent decorations left over from Kiyomi's Sweet 16 party.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrtp9shG64RLVSD2n5t1mrJmfCMBo7qVvTWorPKKLWW2zCloKC5xDGYYfPdpD5sbsv798a9T1djSXgsIFVbwhyB4qKd5e9P0-qkYQ-k5eRpnVRQKICiAoAUNWKIbtylcI8t1gCQ/s1600/bug-storyb+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrtp9shG64RLVSD2n5t1mrJmfCMBo7qVvTWorPKKLWW2zCloKC5xDGYYfPdpD5sbsv798a9T1djSXgsIFVbwhyB4qKd5e9P0-qkYQ-k5eRpnVRQKICiAoAUNWKIbtylcI8t1gCQ/s1600/bug-storyb+copy.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Scale slightly exaggerated for artistic purposes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was 3:30 in the morning. <br />
<br />
First I got out a pair of binoculars so I could get a closer look. Because isn't that what binoculars are for? We aren't bird watchers so I don't know what they would be doing in our house otherwise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ywGDCsbhfD_MTXzfLOybrAzvZ2SqqKU6oh5yy67I-yCVxif8gzHMQj49BJXgoyGqUql-11JV_HRjZQLaX354X8VRbKBZ6GWD_DtFg1wbVDslO1wFMcWNq82fibZYKPtWA0uoZA/s1600/bug-story-e+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ywGDCsbhfD_MTXzfLOybrAzvZ2SqqKU6oh5yy67I-yCVxif8gzHMQj49BJXgoyGqUql-11JV_HRjZQLaX354X8VRbKBZ6GWD_DtFg1wbVDslO1wFMcWNq82fibZYKPtWA0uoZA/s1600/bug-story-e+copy.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Size and facial expression slightly exaggerated for artistic purposes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was more dire than I thought. It was huge, ugly and worst of all it was CRAWLING AROUND AND SHIT. I just knew it was planning to attack me and my family with its hairy arms and ugly feet.<br />
<br />
I didn't know what to do. I considered lifting Milkshake up and letting him get at this asshole and eat him whole. After all, isn't that what he wanted? But then I couldn't figure out how to do it, because that would mean getting pretty close to this savage creature. Should I build a tower of pillows? Get a ladder? Do cats know how to climb ladders?<br />
<br />
I decided I only had one choice.<br />
<br />
No, it wasn't this.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I had to wake up my sleeping husband.<br />
<br />
Sure he had to get up in a few short hours for work, but it was technically July 24, our 21st wedding anniversary. Wasn't there something in our vows about always being available to smash bugs and flush them down the toilet? There should be.<br />
<br />
Me: There's a humongous creature in the living room! I can see his teeth. <br />
<br />
Rigel: Well, of course this means you have to wake up your husband at 3:30 in the morning.<br />
<br />
And with that, he got out of bed, made a few jokes and calmly grabbed a fly-swatter and knocked the predator out of his attack perch. He didn't even get angry when I was yelling, "It's still moving. KILL IT KILL IT," the entire time he went to fetch a paper towel. <br />
<br />
One gets philosophical at 4am when your husband of 21 years saves your life, and at that moment I realized there was one piece of advice I wanted to give to my daughters about choosing the love of your life: <br />
<br />
Find someone who is always happy to be there at 3:30am to kill the bugs.<br />
<br />
Happy Anniversary Rigel! Thank you for slaying all the beasts for 21 years.<br />
<br />
xxxxoooo<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span><br />
<br />sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-5340791101392854082014-06-23T17:22:00.000-07:002014-06-23T17:48:32.168-07:00Nintendo Kids Corner at E3 2014: Feels like she's livin' a Teenage Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We were lucky enough to attend <a href="http://www.e3expo.com/" target="_blank"><b>E3</b></a> this year as guests of <a href="http://www.nintendo.com/" target="_blank"><b>Nintendo</b></a>, and even though the event was called <b>Kids Corner</b> my 15-year-old was crazy excited to attend. She'd been wanting to check out this mythical gaming mecca for years (attendees have to be at least 17 and affiliated with the industry) so just getting to set foot inside was a dream come true.<br />
<br />
Also, she's been a gamer for years and the only system we've owned is <b>Nintendo</b>, so it was sort of like the mothership calling her home (cue <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpsEqINeMS4" target="_blank"><b>the five-note sequence</b></a> from 'Close Encounters Of The Third Kind'!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwULLMGdtkhdva5Ol84WyY6V2uirCz5xYsSSjxslEMhG-Ww64BZ2qQ2QZ715WRhcl3Gn2AWp4MNf6h_Z96BbkgifYkFwXToBpLcsbhxJZ7ev-lzcEs4n3mtSQNfVrrqInJPiWxg/s1600/E3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwULLMGdtkhdva5Ol84WyY6V2uirCz5xYsSSjxslEMhG-Ww64BZ2qQ2QZ715WRhcl3Gn2AWp4MNf6h_Z96BbkgifYkFwXToBpLcsbhxJZ7ev-lzcEs4n3mtSQNfVrrqInJPiWxg/s1600/E3.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk about standing out in a crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the majority of marketing aimed at young kids and their parents, it's great to see brands paying attention to the teen market who – <i>hello</i> – make many buying decisions on their own, have their own money to spend, and maniacally share information with their friends via social media. Know any five-year-olds who have a Tumblr, Twitter, Vine, SnapChat, Instagram and Facebook account? I DIDN'T THINK SO.<br />
<br />
Plus, teens do things like this without your help:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/98917552" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
And who would've thought that with an entire convention center filled with teen boys and costumed video characters, the people she was most excited to see were these guys:<br />
<br />
<b>Reggie Fils-Aimé</b>, President and CEO of Nintendo (who knew he was like a rockstar for hipster gamers?)<br />
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<br />
<b>Tsunekazu Ishihara</b>, CEO of the Pokémon company (standing here with his faithful employee.) <br />
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<br />
And then there was this holy-grail, meta moment - when she got to play <a href="http://e3.nintendo.com/games/wiiu/mario-maker/"><b>Mario Maker</b></a> with the creator of Mario (as well as Donkey Kong and Zelda), <b>Shigeru Miyamoto</b>! For us older folks who have a hard time grasping the enormity of this, imagine playing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6MAkLJ79LE" target="_blank"><b>Operation</b></a> with Milton Bradley himself.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, Mr. Miyamoto – I'mma let you win.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Along with meeting all these gaming celebs, all the kids (and parents) got a chance to play a bunch of the newest <b>Nintendo</b> games that are about to be released. One of my daughter's favorites: <a href="http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/pfF0n2KqVPlrFfdOyxK7sqolDaoIuINt" target="_blank"><b>Pokémon Art Academy</b></a>, that teaches you how to draw all of your favorite Pokémon. Brilliant new video game, or genius method of scoping out future Nintendo employees? My kid's on board either way. <br />
<br />
Then there was probably the highlight of her day - getting the chance to play the new <a href="http://www.smashbros.com/us/" target="_blank"><b>Super Smash</b> <b>Bros.</b> </a>on the humongous screen at the Nintendo booth - and then winning a medal! She said, and I quote, "Best thing that's ever happened to me, and totally going on my college resumé." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxyo9a7qOryNnkKdoARumJTWxSdusHYa4GH5Hhet_vyJgTswp-21WLOQ2As85NOKrRIXdXyBZ5nTzITdcGDNKzsuIDC_ewZMTpoBPE5eUDMdY67d3DM_k36PFOqCAFk9g8ttBzg/s1600/smash-montage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxyo9a7qOryNnkKdoARumJTWxSdusHYa4GH5Hhet_vyJgTswp-21WLOQ2As85NOKrRIXdXyBZ5nTzITdcGDNKzsuIDC_ewZMTpoBPE5eUDMdY67d3DM_k36PFOqCAFk9g8ttBzg/s1600/smash-montage.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crushing you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And if you doubt how seriously people take this game, check out this guy's attire:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI0Z1_YmPHHKMwR9jm5eJiVs1YXJOoPgipTgCCPgDIZT_ZOHtk4rzJMcDfjQwMtms0J7j7YYMVV3ROjUs19_3ZR5oVx-pWVkAs8WKko0gHPZLZJfTzL68dr8iZ5DbesbjlP3Iqw/s1600/champ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI0Z1_YmPHHKMwR9jm5eJiVs1YXJOoPgipTgCCPgDIZT_ZOHtk4rzJMcDfjQwMtms0J7j7YYMVV3ROjUs19_3ZR5oVx-pWVkAs8WKko0gHPZLZJfTzL68dr8iZ5DbesbjlP3Iqw/s1600/champ.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RESPECT THE SATIN ROBE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another game that we both loved: <a href="http://e3.nintendo.com/games/wiiu/splatoon/" target="_blank"><b>Splatoon</b></a>, that lets you use giant water guns to mark your turf and do battle. I liked that there was an aggressive way to play the game (taking down your opponents) and a passive way (marking your territory with your paint color.) I chose the passive way, because I'm a lover not a fighter (and because I have terrible aim and suck at shooting games.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bDWOpPKtw7DwnnH7Q1iOx25BABsc7-PyGFVcRj0uRIvNRPhSG-KFgc9hKBePWw9UQBHGAA3nZaalu4uLEvnMm3HnMEAp_WPJfrowNqxqAhXIbppCVtFarnmvNHTHHQQhWMvX4w/s1600/splatoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bDWOpPKtw7DwnnH7Q1iOx25BABsc7-PyGFVcRj0uRIvNRPhSG-KFgc9hKBePWw9UQBHGAA3nZaalu4uLEvnMm3HnMEAp_WPJfrowNqxqAhXIbppCVtFarnmvNHTHHQQhWMvX4w/s1600/splatoon.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not to take away its street cred, but this game is mom-approved.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I could go on, but I don't want to spoil the excitement for when these games hit the streets and you get to experience them for yourself. Here are the upcoming games, and their release dates. Get your satin robes ready, people.<br />
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<b>Splatoon</b> – 2015<br />
<b>Mario Maker</b> – 2015<br />
<b>Pokémon Art Academy</b> – October 2014<br />
<b>New Super Smash Bros.</b> – October 2014<br />
<b>Mario Party 10</b> – 2015<br />
<b>Fossil Fighters Frontier</b> – 2015<br />
<b>Mario vs Donkey Kong</b> – 2015<br />
<b>Kirby and the Rainbow Curse</b> – 2015<br />
<b>Captain Toad Treasure Tracker</b> – 2014<br />
<b>Yoshi’s Woolly World</b> – 2015<br />
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<i>I participated in the Nintendo Kids Corner event at E3 2014 as an invited guest of Nintendo. I received free product and access to the event, but was not otherwise compensated. All opinions, blurry photography and corny captions are my own. </i><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-62515813082434321822014-06-16T13:57:00.001-07:002015-01-20T15:30:09.365-08:00The Ford Theatre: The other theater under the stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqAQTBC6k6cyhyphenhyphenhVIK1QP6Vqghekp8fptkcnZV-M6rGAFK6mFFXtsB7TXcLCXtnjJ9kSPlx04ior4cOcWXVXGKqriEhFKSgwCJjQZ0r43MpEp9IOwCbqlc0zaFlzbwmY_ugnf5g/s1600/Ford-montage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqAQTBC6k6cyhyphenhyphenhVIK1QP6Vqghekp8fptkcnZV-M6rGAFK6mFFXtsB7TXcLCXtnjJ9kSPlx04ior4cOcWXVXGKqriEhFKSgwCJjQZ0r43MpEp9IOwCbqlc0zaFlzbwmY_ugnf5g/s1600/Ford-montage.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
I've lived in Los Angeles my entire life (that's a lot of years) and drive past the <a href="http://fordtheatres.org/index/"><b>Ford Theatre</b></a> at least every other day, usually with a twinge of guilt because I've never set foot inside the venue. A few weeks ago I was invited to join them as they kicked off their Summer Season and I finally got to check out the grounds – it was like hearing my mom say, "Oh, so you finally decided to stop by and visit?" Suddenly I wish I'd brought some pie.<br />
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I admit I've been many, many times to the Hollywood Bowl (the <i>other</i> outdoor amphitheater that's located right across the freeway), but have never had the opportunity to attend a single show at the smaller, more intimate Ford. But after I saw how it offers so many of the same features that makes the Bowl so enticing (diverse artist lineup, open outdoor setting, picnic areas) I was eager to check out the summer schedule and see my first show at the theater.<br />
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And hey look! I saw that my cousin's band, <a href="http://www.minyostation.com/"><b>Minyo Station</b></a> is playing there for the <a href="http://fordtheatres.org/en/events/details/id/759"><b>Japanese Folk Dance</b></a> event (tonight!), part of their free <a href="http://fordtheatres.org/en/events/jamsessions"><b>JAM Sessions at the Ford</b></a> series. These are interactive shows that allow audience members (of all skill levels) to participate with ondo, samba, tap dance, ukulele, Bollywood,<i> son jarocho<b> </b></i>and other artists and take place on stage on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. (Did I mention they're FREE?) (And speaking of my mom, I'm taking her to this show!)<br />
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Minyo Station</div>
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Take a look at the <b>Ford Theatre Summer Season</b> – everything from film to dance to classical music to rock – and stop by for a relaxing evening under the stars! And don't forget to visit your mother.<br />
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Click <a href="http://fordtheatres.org/events/seasonataglance"><b>HERE</b></a> to see the <b>Ford Theatre 2014 Season </b><br />
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FORD THEATRES<br />
2580 Cahuenga Blvd, East, Hollywood, CA 90068<br />
323-461-3673 <br />
Click <a href="http://fordtheatres.org/en/tickets/boxofficeinfo"><b>HERE</b></a> to purchase tickets<br />
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<br />sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-51336419564658027912014-06-06T14:32:00.000-07:002015-01-20T15:30:39.118-08:005 Reasons to see 'MALEFICENT' at the El Capitan Theatre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXllXh9eFprk-8nsFzlOb74LgWAA-vaAFsYdOEBcP6vwWhjbkrsHTMlL1OijZrKEFvAmnf5KvUIt8YdEZzYnfG4uZT1nBPXWyj0L5r5eF7EUuV9z86a9hWJFEnXOKXeL__sAc8w/s1600/MAL_NP_Large3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXllXh9eFprk-8nsFzlOb74LgWAA-vaAFsYdOEBcP6vwWhjbkrsHTMlL1OijZrKEFvAmnf5KvUIt8YdEZzYnfG4uZT1nBPXWyj0L5r5eF7EUuV9z86a9hWJFEnXOKXeL__sAc8w/s1600/MAL_NP_Large3.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
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This is not a post to try and convince you to see '<a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/event/748"><b>MALEFICENT</b></a>,' because I know you'll be seeing it anyway. The combination of Angelina Jolie, Angelina Jolie's cheekbones, a feminist plot twist and stunning visuals is impossible for anyone to resist. No, this is to convince you to make sure you see 'Maleficent' on the gorgeous screen at the <b><a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/">El Capitan Theatre</a></b> in Hollywood. Angelina Jolie's cheekbones will thank you.<br />
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<b>The 5 Reasons to see 'Maleficent' at the El Capitan Theatre</b><br />
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1) <b>The <a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/events/now_playing">pre-movie magic show</a> by acclaimed magician Greg Wilson</b>. This isn't just your average magic show where you get to see a rabbit being pulled out of a hat (although he does that, too.) Prepare to see Wilson's dazzling assistants get shot out of a cannon (well, not really but how did she end up in that box in the corner of the theater?) sawed in half and in half again (seriously, I still don't know how that works) and levitated with the help of a magic rope. Hurry – this live stage show is only running until <b>July 6</b>. <br />
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2) <a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/events/now_playing"><b>An exhibit featuring props and costumes from 'Maleficent.' </b></a>This is your chance to get up close and personal with Maleficent’s gown and horns and peek into an intricate model of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Getting tired? You can also check out Aurora's bedroom.<br />
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3) <b><a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/about#aboutheorgan">A live performance by the El Capitan's house organist, Rob Richards.</a> </b>I've seen this many, many times and it never gets old. How often do you get to see an almost 100-year-old Wurlitzer played live? Kudos to the El Capitan for realizing the importance and impact of live music and for bringing it to young audiences.<br />
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4) <a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/about"><b>It's not in a mall.</b></a> Sure, there's something to be said for your theater being steps away from Forever 21 and Panda Express, but do you really want to see a fight between Maleficent and King Stefan on a screen the size of a postage stamp? Once you've seen a film in the plush, gorgeous, ornate El Capitan you may never want to see a movie anywhere else again. Besides, there's a Forever 21 right across the street<b> </b>in the Hollywood/Highland center<b> </b>(which also provides <a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/directions">validated parking </a>for the theater.)<br />
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5) <a href="http://elcapitantheatre.disney.com/event/748"><b>You can reserve your seats, buy your tickets online and print them out at home. </b></a>Avoid the lines at the box office and cruise right into the theater. This gives you more time to ponder your popcorn and drink selection. Even easier - select the VIP ticket option and your refreshments are included in the price of your ticket! <br />
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<b>MALEFICENT is playing at the El Capitan Theatre through July 17. To buy tickets call 1-800-DISNEY6</b><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-8679627444826875202014-05-21T17:11:00.000-07:002014-05-22T03:34:59.930-07:00Be Safe Out There: Bing In The Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiuD1C1oYVcoAvbOHoIStC5A2XIjaZpkqmPZyMeZL-ldo4Bi7CFvHLjTVtG0yKQSvxdQtnNk-NgWMK_c18NvgMl0xBmQXgtNuyhFlUppyovKP9cZ_EpywMDyyash8Oxm4ZeGLzA/s1600/DSCN1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiuD1C1oYVcoAvbOHoIStC5A2XIjaZpkqmPZyMeZL-ldo4Bi7CFvHLjTVtG0yKQSvxdQtnNk-NgWMK_c18NvgMl0xBmQXgtNuyhFlUppyovKP9cZ_EpywMDyyash8Oxm4ZeGLzA/s1600/DSCN1226.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
This is Little Brown Bunny, my now-teen daughter's first toy and prized possession. (That she still has, by the way, somewhere in her room underneath all of the teen girl clutter.) Years ago she decided to search for 'Little Brown Bunny' on the internet. We're not sure why – was she looking for his family lineage? His LinkedIn profile? All we know is, what she found instead was a movie from 2003 called 'The Brown Bunny,' and let's just say it definitely was <i>not</i> about a cuddly stuffed animal. (Go ahead, I'll wait – I know you're pulling up the IMDB page for that movie now.)<br />
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<a href="http://soch.us/2MeM-28BH7" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img src="http://info.socialchorus.com/rs/socialchorus/images/BingintheClassroomLogoYellow.png" height="200" width="140" /> </a> Luckily we were there to intervene, but we can't always be there to lunge in front of the screen and cover their eyes. Now there's a new program called <a href="http://soch.us/2MeM-28BH7" target="_blank"><b>Bing in the Classroom</b></a> that provides
<a href="http://soch.us/aovP-28BH7" target="_blank"><b>ad-free, safe, private search in schools</b></a><a href="http://www.bing.com/classroom/showsupport?FORM=MC0YXK&OCID=MC0YXK&__sc_=28BH7">.</a> A customized version of the Bing search engine for use by students (in grades K–12) <b>Bing in the Classroom</b> is ad-free and comes with enhanced privacy controls that allows teachers to utilize filters to block adult content and ad targeting.<br />
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In addition to the search engine features, <b>Bing in the Classroom </b>also offers:<br />
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<b>• <a href="http://www.bing.com/explore/rewardsforschools?FORM=MP10O5&OCID=MP10O5" target="_blank">An opportunity to earn tablets for your child's school.</a></b> By joining <a href="http://soch.us/6Kf3-28BH7"><b>Bing Rewards</b></a> parents, friends and your community can donate earned points towards Surface tablets for your school of choice.<br />
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<b>• <a href="http://www.bing.com/classroom/teachingtools?FORM=MP10OC&OCID=MP10OC" target="_blank">Free lesson plans. </a></b>From the Bing homepage, teachers and educators can access lesson plans that promote digital literacy.<br />
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I realize we can't have control 100% of the time over our kids'
online activities. But it would be encouraging to know that, at least
while they're in school, there are steps being taken to limit their exposure to inappropriate or potentially dangerous content. After all, you never know when they'll go searching for info on their beloved toy bunny only to discover he's involved in some shady dealings on the side.<br />
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Here's more on <b>Bing in the Classroom</b>:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/92662483" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>
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This post was created in partnership with Bing. <br />
<img src="http://soch.us/IEL7-28BH7.gif" />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;"> </span> <br />
<i id="yui_3_7_2_1_1357812656446_7527">Disclosure:
I am being compensated for this post but all opinions and references to the sullying of beloved childhood icons and inappropriate movies are my own. </i> <br />
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<img src="http://soch.us/IEL7-28BH7.gif" /> sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-65612139082893406972014-04-10T13:15:00.001-07:002014-04-10T13:15:26.216-07:00Hospitals Report Rise in Gut-Punch Injuries As Financial Aid Letters Arrive <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholUhs3xKcb70yhC5vpGG9mjkc35d8DACL5acqIuGurj0sShRmGNqioMeVyjIPgU_R20U1Icza9OPb4WlI9oy_QvgeCqZprfwC_gllHragqLIv5NQOWpbG3lpZnoV32KJwWp0bnQ/s1600/1334534_93875724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholUhs3xKcb70yhC5vpGG9mjkc35d8DACL5acqIuGurj0sShRmGNqioMeVyjIPgU_R20U1Icza9OPb4WlI9oy_QvgeCqZprfwC_gllHragqLIv5NQOWpbG3lpZnoV32KJwWp0bnQ/s1600/1334534_93875724.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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Los Angeles, CA – Hospitals are reporting a rise in the number of patients, specifically parents of college-bound children, being admitted after complaining of pain in the abdomen area after receiving letters informing them of their financial aid status. <br />
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“It feels like some guy sitting behind a desk in the financial aid office just punched me in the gut,” said Brad Toller, after finding out he would be receiving a measly $5000 from his son’s Ivy League dream school. “It starts with a dull ache when you open the letter, and then all of a sudden you’re writhing in pain begging your kid to go to community college.”<br />
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Children are being traumatized as well, as they watch their parents deteriorate before their very eyes. “Dude, first my dad started cussing like crazy, and then my mom drank an entire bottle of wine,” said Mandy Taylor, a 17-year-old high school senior who was with her parents when they opened her financial aid packet from the prestigious Ojai Fine Arts Institute. “Next thing I know they’re both on the floor. I freaked and called my BFF Heather and her parents were sick, too! So, like, then we had an Uber take us all to urgent care.”<br />
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“It was horrible watching my parents go through that,” said Mandy, who was only awarded $1500 towards her $55,000 yearly tuition in Experimental Paper Maché studies. But the teen says the worst part of the hospital visit was talking to 30-year-old hot resident Todd Majors, who told her he was still paying off $150,000 in student loan debt and was reduced to living above his parents garage and buying his clothes at Ross. “That’s when it really became serious for me,” Mandy said solemnly. “I hurled all over my iPad.”<br />
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Doctors at East Hollywood Memorial Hospital say they are treating their patients with a combination of Xanax and a list of famous people who didn’t go to expensive colleges but turned out just fine. “Once they see that Oprah and Steven Spielberg seem to be doing reasonably well without having gone to an Ivy League school, they appear to have a significant reduction in their symptoms,” says Dr. Tom Rettig.<br />
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Along with their gut-punch cases, doctors at Hollywood Memorial Hospital are reporting seeing parents with other serious injuries related to the financial aid situation, mainly those complaining about losing an arm and a leg to their children’s intended colleges.</div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-7605464198493409892014-04-03T15:48:00.000-07:002014-04-10T12:49:08.554-07:00The Pollinator Garden at the Natural History Museum is worth a trip or fiveWhen was the last time you went to <a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/" target="_blank"><b>Natural History Museum</b></a> in L.A.? If you're like most people, this is probably the last thing you remember seeing, along with the sound of your second grade teacher screaming your name:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYC8GqKBzQJGhuEQCEdL1eH1oCbHrRkStiLulKgLgXKd2gxskuSYiatzVUmdt22j1BoHtfHdCYlP-ONJeoUu1jAtIo7NjT-XJRpPThnPJuJGiY5avATnB0uG8fHQ5NgGs2fx4aQ/s1600/diorama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYC8GqKBzQJGhuEQCEdL1eH1oCbHrRkStiLulKgLgXKd2gxskuSYiatzVUmdt22j1BoHtfHdCYlP-ONJeoUu1jAtIo7NjT-XJRpPThnPJuJGiY5avATnB0uG8fHQ5NgGs2fx4aQ/s1600/diorama.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
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For most of us trips to the museum were usually courtesy of elementary school field trips. I gained a new appreciation for the place when my kids started going to the <a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/activities-programs/adventures-in-nature" target="_blank"><b>summer camp</b></a> there (which is excellent, by the way. More on this later). I would spend many solo hours exploring the grounds and got to know every nook and cranny pretty well – the sprawling <a href="http://www.laparks.org/exporosegarden/rosegarden.htm" target="_blank"><b>Rose Garden</b></a> is not a bad place to hang out while you wait for your kids. After camp my girls and I would spend another couple of hours checking out the exhibits and end with a visit to the gift shop. We have a pretty hefty collection of NHM pencils. <br />
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But a couple of weeks ago I was invited to the opening of the new <a href="http://www.nhm.org/nature/nature-hunt" target="_blank"><b>Pollinator Garden</b></a>, the last component of their new (well, new to me) 3-1/2 acre <a href="http://www.nhm.org/nature/visit/nature-gardens" target="_blank"><b>Nature Gardens</b></a> and I was completely taken by surprise – the entire garden attraction has completely transformed the space, and once again it's taken on a whole new appeal for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSPDW1XYs82hT80zmAL8rwSgqYcgDAfr-z4CDtpATbBs_Em4OtRn682K2Nu_rISSedmI2URunHlzA81d2hH6edGivJW3V9IgMv2uAfbnw4q9RTQyBJOlTD29lC3ap4ZNuGr9DIw/s1600/pollinator-sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSPDW1XYs82hT80zmAL8rwSgqYcgDAfr-z4CDtpATbBs_Em4OtRn682K2Nu_rISSedmI2URunHlzA81d2hH6edGivJW3V9IgMv2uAfbnw4q9RTQyBJOlTD29lC3ap4ZNuGr9DIw/s1600/pollinator-sign.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
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After I parked my car, I was directed up a gorgeous trail – one of several – and over a pedestrian bridge. (The one on the right leads you to the <a href="http://www.nhm.org/nature/visit/nature-gardens/features" target="_blank"><b>Edible Gardens</b></a>.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOhIdS7MUmpu9jEWMAEvLuKz4h2iYLAHMjs7eb7rZBSNS93E3_DsbAtsKYcAckuDVs_hu91sZaAhMtySLWcQ8u3UWtrX-5qeuuz0mZoMng6GTg2P9uXptHBp9AXw732iBcRW5zA/s1600/trails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOhIdS7MUmpu9jEWMAEvLuKz4h2iYLAHMjs7eb7rZBSNS93E3_DsbAtsKYcAckuDVs_hu91sZaAhMtySLWcQ8u3UWtrX-5qeuuz0mZoMng6GTg2P9uXptHBp9AXw732iBcRW5zA/s1600/trails.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
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What was once a parking lot now looks like this: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWYKBCXSc6F8LUerlvI_83BPc-QlF0q-k5MTPXg1-W3VbVZdQJhnmSXc4AK1ptLPu1U4geHKUVdySkH10T5oKbJSMa2hXpnjTAS9mZvfwX5OdW5nAfe8Y6uaFSufF-XgR6Y5dFg/s1600/lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWYKBCXSc6F8LUerlvI_83BPc-QlF0q-k5MTPXg1-W3VbVZdQJhnmSXc4AK1ptLPu1U4geHKUVdySkH10T5oKbJSMa2hXpnjTAS9mZvfwX5OdW5nAfe8Y6uaFSufF-XgR6Y5dFg/s1600/lake.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
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The <b>Pollinator Garden</b> is located in the northeast corner of the new outdoor garden space, and was created to attract wildlife and demonstrate the relationship between flowers and pollinators. It will be in bloom every month of the year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCx5EDJ0tCo7N6MqSbmIF529RARgXt2fLm2myJr5lGao6iKK0mNzaYtS0lnD72bGjWYS-HSdep2lkamtxtCENWd3kymrYKDWusKGaUjhdbNE1Ea1Iq4BE-0p0i1t-uxVPHaWHfQ/s1600/sunflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCx5EDJ0tCo7N6MqSbmIF529RARgXt2fLm2myJr5lGao6iKK0mNzaYtS0lnD72bGjWYS-HSdep2lkamtxtCENWd3kymrYKDWusKGaUjhdbNE1Ea1Iq4BE-0p0i1t-uxVPHaWHfQ/s1600/sunflower.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
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But wait – I can't resist showing you the other parts of the garden too. Check out these 'trumpets' along the path where you can listen to the roots:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiGXtpvo659zdbOF_DxI3gM1CksJ6xq3cnuwwqYYdxEGZRNCKAWozihnP0-vSk4WgofoICHRa-90Zehf0mZLpiDThZgkHv5Ji54NpSn9GEUzi8e0Q4WT2ffTwOQD7W9Akads2ag/s1600/trumpet-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiGXtpvo659zdbOF_DxI3gM1CksJ6xq3cnuwwqYYdxEGZRNCKAWozihnP0-vSk4WgofoICHRa-90Zehf0mZLpiDThZgkHv5Ji54NpSn9GEUzi8e0Q4WT2ffTwOQD7W9Akads2ag/s1600/trumpet-2.jpg" width="475" /> </a></div>
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No, not these Roots, although that would be kind of awesome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6v4ZkJA3b87P96044kdc48xOXo1fXeaL4miqsqFqa0bng0Yi9LnVOQwvVeXFMEyvp91YKb7ds3sMjqlY0jBiMYIy07xYv66RE6FFfmV-LAy4D30xiD-jRKjIG_Ku4LinS7i_fMQ/s1600/roots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6v4ZkJA3b87P96044kdc48xOXo1fXeaL4miqsqFqa0bng0Yi9LnVOQwvVeXFMEyvp91YKb7ds3sMjqlY0jBiMYIy07xYv66RE6FFfmV-LAy4D30xiD-jRKjIG_Ku4LinS7i_fMQ/s1600/roots.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
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Look at these beautiful areas to climb into and under. These are part of the <a href="http://www.nhm.org/nature/visit/nature-gardens/features" target="_blank"><b>Get Dirty Zone</b></a>. I know just the sound of that gives some parents the dry heaves, but it was one of my favorite parts of the garden and seemed to be the most popular with all the young kids, too. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbNlr01LJkTB8HjOLKGpcLfDKhSMiPCBirSg-ic-220SIR1EgtH7iK2Sjjehoaf95NT9px3Q0o0fGW98gwcoHbL9zgJKOnE2V7c63xRJagah7IuY6Jdlht6gdgQ38Aad4gCH6yg/s1600/dirty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbNlr01LJkTB8HjOLKGpcLfDKhSMiPCBirSg-ic-220SIR1EgtH7iK2Sjjehoaf95NT9px3Q0o0fGW98gwcoHbL9zgJKOnE2V7c63xRJagah7IuY6Jdlht6gdgQ38Aad4gCH6yg/s1600/dirty.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
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Last but not least, the designer in me could not get over these gorgeous hand-made signs. They're everywhere. I plan on a special trip back just to photograph all of them. That's after my special trip just to hang out in the garden with a picnic. That's a lot of trips. <br />
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Getting back to those girls of mine, they're teenagers in high school now but are still fans of the museum, and are eager for a visit after they saw my pictures of the new Nature Gardens. They also want to see the newly remodeled <a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/plan-your-visit/museum-store" target="_blank"><b>gift shop</b></a>. I guess you can never have enough pencils.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/" target="_blank"><b>Natural History Museum of LA County</b></a><br />
900 Exposition Blvd.<br />
Los Angeles, CA 90007<br />
Phone: (213) 763-DINO<br />
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Hours: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm daily<br />
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Check the <a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/" target="_blank"><b>NHM website</b></a> for ticket info. <br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span><br />
<br />sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-11197617384247916992014-01-29T17:32:00.000-08:002014-01-29T17:32:22.753-08:00Everybody cleanse now<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf20jx3PjG2gUTzOOiWn6slnBs-Q8At-Pin6iJT8O7RJVdSkLk-vUpID7nvULN-7veUxKAfD3NeBE30azJJ_bE38NoSZr-VdXZG-ut9p-FEAAzvEycaAy0oorFZAhklslCAHutA/s1600/juicecleanse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf20jx3PjG2gUTzOOiWn6slnBs-Q8At-Pin6iJT8O7RJVdSkLk-vUpID7nvULN-7veUxKAfD3NeBE30azJJ_bE38NoSZr-VdXZG-ut9p-FEAAzvEycaAy0oorFZAhklslCAHutA/s1600/juicecleanse.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*This chart is a lie, since we actually spent 0% of the time doing the juice cleanse, but the pie chart program wouldn't let me do a slice that small. Even science is disappointed in us. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few months ago I managed to convince Rigel to do a Costco run with me (he considers it on par with other hideously unpleasant activities, like cleaning the catbox or watching 'Sex In The City' reruns) and while we were there we decided to buy one of those pre-packaged juice cleanses. We had been talking about wanting to "get healthy," and it sort of made us feel less guilty about that five-gallon drum of beef jerky, oversized bricks of cheese and pallet of beer we already had in our cart. By the time we left the store we were feeling so hopeful, visualizing ourselves as glowing, wholesome beings living life anew with cleansed bodies outfitted in expensive yoga pants and tight tank tops. <br />
<br />
We decided to do the cleanse over a weekend since it would be easier to
coordinate our meals, and we could be there to comfort each other as we went through the
horror of doing without caffeine and alcohol. And as cleanses go, this one sounded reasonable – only three days, and it was more of a supplement to a healthy diet that they carefully outlined in their instruction booklet.<br />
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At least I think that's what was in the instruction booklet, since we never got around to really reading it. In fact, the only thing we managed to do was pay for the cleanse and put it in the refrigerator because this is the conversation we had when we got home.<br />
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Rigel: So let's start this cleanse on Friday.<br />
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Me: Well, we have that dinner party that night. I am definitely going to want to pig out and have a cocktail.<br />
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Rigel: Right. So let's start on Saturday.<br />
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Me: What?! You can't expect me to wake up on Saturday morning and not have a cup of coffee. Or bacon. Let's start on Sunday.<br />
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Rigel: No way, I have rehearsal that night, and I'm going to want to have a beer with the guys. Next weekend it is.<br />
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The next weekend rolled around, and of course there were parties and events with our girls that we just knew prohibited healthy living, so we pushed the cleanse back to the next weekend. We figured it wouldn't kill us if those toxins and liver deposits hung around in our bodies for just seven more days, and besides the date on the cleanse said it didn't expire for another three months. Renewed with our excitement over a robust, fit future, we poured ourselves a scotch and toasted our good judgement.<br />
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Slowly those bottles of cleanse moved to the back of the refrigerator, barely visible behind the jugs of lemonade, Chipotle leftovers and that hubcap-sized disc of brie I picked up at Costco. We tried not to look at those vessels of good health beckoning to us from the back row, because they just reminded us of disappointment and failure. Occasionally when we'd open the refrigerator we'd feign interest in making another attempt. <br />
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Rigel: We should really do that cleanse this weekend.<br />
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Me: Can you move, I'm trying to get to the leftover Chipotle guac. <br />
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As you can guess, those three months rolled around pretty quickly and we eventually just poured it all down the drain, the entire time promising ourselves we'd buy some new bottles and begin anew. I think we also spent some time making fun of people who were so obsessed with being healthy and who did juice cleanses, and agreed that they were just trying to cover up for other problems like not being able to enjoy life or appreciate a monstrous wheel of really good cheese. <br />
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We made a pact right there at the sink that we wouldn't turn into those people, congratulated each other on our ability to admit defeat and sliced open a package of jerky to celebrate. <br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . . </span><span style="color: #999999; font-style: italic;">. . . . . . . . .</span>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-6797791760342131252013-12-20T12:44:00.000-08:002013-12-20T12:49:03.860-08:00Holidays At Disneyland: Our Night Of 5 Firsts <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxEqOLnKdUo3OdfwmWr_-XAgZ8E88_S-Ky_IETyq-Y5EIUzvUv1kpqt0ZH9OYI8cRXhhSKMiVTFR-5hDz3j_QR8KakS1PnlQYk79bAGmxzCR2mftj8I7HvSl9pE5gKrwCQoEykA/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxEqOLnKdUo3OdfwmWr_-XAgZ8E88_S-Ky_IETyq-Y5EIUzvUv1kpqt0ZH9OYI8cRXhhSKMiVTFR-5hDz3j_QR8KakS1PnlQYk79bAGmxzCR2mftj8I7HvSl9pE5gKrwCQoEykA/s400/tree.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
How many times have you been to <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disneyland/" target="_blank"><b>Disneyland</b></a>? I don't have an exact count, but if I had to guess I'd say we've been there close to a hundred million times. It never, ever gets old – especially for my girls – but we do tend to do a lot of the same things whenever we visit, whether it's visiting the same attractions or eating the same foods. For example, I always clap loudly and embarrassingly whenever I get on <a href="http://sweatpantsmom.blogspot.com/2008/10/when-your-favorite-ride-is-parking-tram.html" target="_blank"><b>my favorite ride</b></a>.<br />
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Last weekend we were there for <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/holidays-at-the-disneyland-resort/" target="_blank"><b>Holidays At Disneyland</b></a> – where the entire resort gets transformed for the holidays – and we did some things we hadn't done before. Here they are – see if you can
make it through the entire post without singing Foreigner's 'Feels Like
The First Time' in your head.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK_sfGncl6ybGYpDwY9hQJkzYb0WvG39aDJyx8F9icodYF4V0VrvQVaFTHUP3m2foy1D5asp7ZZ1iCJ1vk2A1QUj1GK_1moqqY5br4ckYPNuFZmXzbi6a06rS6J7XOZ9qhzq0pA/s1600/jingle-cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK_sfGncl6ybGYpDwY9hQJkzYb0WvG39aDJyx8F9icodYF4V0VrvQVaFTHUP3m2foy1D5asp7ZZ1iCJ1vk2A1QUj1GK_1moqqY5br4ckYPNuFZmXzbi6a06rS6J7XOZ9qhzq0pA/s400/jingle-cruise.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
<b>1) We rode the first-ever holiday version of the<a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/jungle-cruise/" target="_blank"> Jungle Cruise</a> – the Jingle Cruise!</b><br />
For the first time, the <b>Jungle Cruise</b> gets transformed for the holidays! I'm not going to lie, this is one of my favorite rides and my girls', too, and I was ridiculously excited to ride this new version. The dock has been decked out in lights, and the skippers have added some holiday humor to their comedy routines – don't judge, but we actually love all of their slightly corny jokes. Which leads me to another first – for the first time ever I followed a Disneyland ride on Twitter. And you should, too because then you can read things like this:<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
One of the hippos just put “arm floats” on her Christmas list. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23lazy&src=hash">#lazy</a><br />
— Jungle Cruise (@JungleCruise) <a href="https://twitter.com/JungleCruise/statuses/411269384976359424">December 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><b></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgtAM_VuN6seLiX3iqY-IGWONIHUm_ezeHYWi4gtTuGpvOCm9ybYm0Qmi-IVYWWGWaTCOCBki9ax_4H2hrMw52RZdSOHopxtk8lxE-hbvbUFJjC6DyIgFc7b8HF-zUpUYGt4iVA/s1600/castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgtAM_VuN6seLiX3iqY-IGWONIHUm_ezeHYWi4gtTuGpvOCm9ybYm0Qmi-IVYWWGWaTCOCBki9ax_4H2hrMw52RZdSOHopxtk8lxE-hbvbUFJjC6DyIgFc7b8HF-zUpUYGt4iVA/s400/castle.jpg" width="475" /></a></b></div>
<b>2) For the first time, someone else besides me took the photos</b><br />
We just bought Kiyomi a new camera, so she was happy to document our visit. She did an amazing job and took all the photos you see here (except for the pics accompanying item numbers 3 and 4. Those slightly blurry, over-filtered Instagram pics are all mine.)<br />
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She did a photo essay of Kira and her Santa hat throughout the park. Here are a few:<br />
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I highly suggest this idea of putting your kids to work documenting stuff so you don't have to. It helps you to see things through their eyes, and also frees you up to enjoy things, like bacon-wrapped asparagus. (See next item.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3xW7oqMh-oP6DcaPlNBGC7IIXQ0wAJ9LZbDm2qFl60Db6P7yPukqBhwubq-xeGBpDFhwq1qjqhl0wyiNebSLyCUDaLy1qAGPSEmvlC8VGmJAGaXGqQ6tXnN0itwoTwhXnv41OQ/s1600/bengal-barbecue-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3xW7oqMh-oP6DcaPlNBGC7IIXQ0wAJ9LZbDm2qFl60Db6P7yPukqBhwubq-xeGBpDFhwq1qjqhl0wyiNebSLyCUDaLy1qAGPSEmvlC8VGmJAGaXGqQ6tXnN0itwoTwhXnv41OQ/s400/bengal-barbecue-2.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
<b>3) I ate bacon-wrapped asparagus skewers at <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/bengal-barbecue/" target="_blank">Bengal Barbecue</a></b><br />
That's a big lie. This is the eightieth time I've eaten these, not the first. But I have to keep mentioning them because some of you out there haven't tried them yet, and I won't stop until every man, woman and child has tasted one of these amazing pairings of meat and vegetable. (However, in keeping with the spirit of the 'firsts' theme of this post, I will say it's the first time I left without wishing I had another one – this is the first time I ordered TWO skewers.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95MkrHx0kvlNJvhXlzrmUSX4n9a_mUbbvdb1GvB2cK2zVQoGxHRQ-505kvrzouyk_Ius2yqSDaM6hVI5PrvgScHdl_sMMPoKEm_uhGf-BW2YWF9ynFMjGONNB3GFjPIGpOSEDNQ/s1600/CA-trolly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95MkrHx0kvlNJvhXlzrmUSX4n9a_mUbbvdb1GvB2cK2zVQoGxHRQ-505kvrzouyk_Ius2yqSDaM6hVI5PrvgScHdl_sMMPoKEm_uhGf-BW2YWF9ynFMjGONNB3GFjPIGpOSEDNQ/s400/CA-trolly.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
<b>4) I rode the <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disney-california-adventure/red-car-trolley/" target="_blank">Red Car Trolley</a> in <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/destinations/disney-california-adventure/" target="_blank">California Adventure</a></b><br />
I'm used to having people yell at me to get out of the way as this thing comes at me while I'm texting in the middle of the street. So this was a much more pleasant experience. The trolley takes you for a short tour through the park – starting in <b>Carthay Circle</b>, up <b>Buena Vista Street</b>, through <b>Hollywood Land</b> and ending at the <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disney-california-adventure/twilight-zone-tower-of-terror/" target="_blank"><b>Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror.</b></a> Along the way the nice conductors (that's one of them there) tell you stories about the the park and Hollywood, including the history of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, the basis for the Tower Of Terror ride. Want to hear the story? You'll have to ride the Trolley yourself. (See how I did that?)<br />
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<b>5) For the first time, we did NOT ride '<a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/its-a-small-world/" target="_blank">It's A Small World</a>'</b><br />
One of our Disneyland mottos is, "No visit is complete without a ride on <b>'It's A Small World</b>,' especially during the holidays when it's transformed into '<b>It's A Small World Holiday</b>.'<b> </b>(Our other motto is, 'Don't eat the corn dog until after you ride the Teacups.') Usually our tactic is to wait until later in the evening when the line is shorter, but this time the wait was estimated at 90 minutes. After we were done cursing everyone who had stolen our tactic, we decided to move on. But not until we had stood in awe for a few minutes and snapped some pics of the gorgeous facade, of course.<br />
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<b>Holidays At The Disneyland Resort</b> runs through<b> January 6, 2014.</b> <br />
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<br />sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9841971.post-61361811092057447942013-12-17T20:01:00.001-08:002013-12-17T21:48:05.555-08:00A plea for help made of gifs from 'Fight Club' and one from 'Grease'A few days ago I <b><a href="http://sweatpantsmom.blogspot.com/2013/12/help-us-get-to-hollywood-bowl.html" target="_blank">appealed for help for my daughters' school</a></b> but apparently no one heard me. So now, you leave me no choice but to re-tell my story and plea for funds using jerky moving pictures and movie captions.<br />
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Apparently the first rule of fundraising is YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FUNDRAISING.<br />
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Let me break it down for you.<br />
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A few months ago the kids had to watch their beloved performing arts department get wiped out. <br />
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It hasn't been an easy year. Everyone is carrying on but we know how they feel inside. <br />
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Now, because of a lack of funding, it's looking like the Senior Class of 2014 will be the first class in the high school's history NOT to graduate at the Hollywood Bowl.<br />
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GO AHEAD, KICK US WHEN WE'RE DOWN, UNIVERSE.<br />
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It doesn't feel good. It fact it hurts like a mutha.<br />
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Now everyone is stressing out trying to figure out how to come up with the down payment.<br />
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All of our appeals are falling on deaf ears. It's like we're the Amway salesman of high schools.<br />
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If we don't come up with the balance of the down payment, the kids won't get to graduate at the Hollywood Bowl, something they've been looking forward to for FOUR YEARS.<br />
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I KNOW I KNOW THERE ARE BIGGER PROBLEMS TO WORRY ABOUT.<br />
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But these kids have been through a lot this year, and man, you don't know how happy they would be with a great sendoff on their last day of school. <a href="http://sweatpantsmom.blogspot.com/2013/12/help-us-get-to-hollywood-bowl.html" target="_blank"><b></b></a><br />
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If you or someone you know would like to help sponsor the Hollywood High Class of 2013, please leave your contact info here or email me at marsha_tm@yahoo.com. <br />
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<b> </b>sweatpantsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02501471972355692992noreply@blogger.com0