mad_goat_face's Xanga

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:32:33 GMT

I feel sheepish admitting this, but I'm always kind of glad when Thanksgiving is over because I can finally unabashedly throw myself into the Christmas season. Hooray! Christmas, I am all yours now!!

We ventured out for a little Black Friday action this year - something I've never done in person before. Last year I did the online Black Friday shopping, but that extra something special was missing: the personal touch of human contact as you get in a fistfight over a 50 buck blu-ray player. (*disclaimer: I did not buy a blu-ray player, and no, Husband, this post in no way gives away your present. You can't drag it out of me, so stop trying).

So now we're at the inlaws' in KY, permanently ensconced in PJ's, parked in front of the fireplace enjoying The Karate Kid in HD on the sweet flatscreen. Jack and Sam and I are sick, but there's no cozier place to convalesce than here.

Well, Crap.

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:04:01 GMT

I've been so busy, I didn't even realize that my last post didn't show up. Geeeeeeeeee how embarrassing. Anywho, here it is.

Do You Know This?

Question: What is America's first line of missile
interceptor defense that protects the entire United States?

Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard.

Question: What is the ONLY National Guard unit on
permanent active duty?

Answer: 49th Missile Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard

Question: Who is the Commander in Chief of the 49th Missile
Defense Battalion of Alaska National Guard?

Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska

Question: What U.S. governor is routinely briefed on
highly classified military issues, homeland security, and
counter terrorism?
Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska

Question: What U.S. governor has a higher classified
security rating than either candidate of the Democrat Party?

Answer: Governor Sarah Palin, Alaska

According to the Washington Post, she first met with McCain
in February, but nobody ever found out. This is a woman used
to keeping secrets. She can be entrusted with our national
security, because she already is.

So apparently...

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 02:01:56 GMT

...I'm both old AND fat now.

a) I went to the grocery store for a bottle of wine. The cute little teenage checkout girl didn't card me. The law says you have to card everyone under 30. I almost cried.

b) Today I went out to buy a nursing bra (yes, I just said "bra" on a public blog...on the internet....get over it). The cute, very un-pregnant clerk asked me when I was due. What the -----?!?!

oh what a beautiful day

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:13:51 GMT

Oh it's 10:03 pm and I have nothing better to do than blog - who sleeps anymore these days?? Sleeping is SO last year...

So things at the Lapish household are swell. Our two beautiful boys are a delightful handful and much fun is being had by all (about 95% of the time, anyway). Sam is growing so fast. I want to hold on so tight and keep time from flying by so quickly. People always tell you, from the moment your kids are born, "Be prepared - it goes so fast!!" - as if there were something you could do to slow it all down somehow. I'm here to tell you that indeed it does go fast, but you're just along for the ride, so at least take a bunch of pictures.

We had a lovely weekend with the inlaws and Mel and Steve (who were here Sat afternoon - Sun afternoon on their way to move to PRINCETON so my amazingly intelligent and talented erstwhile roomie Mel can get her *second* Masters' there). Let it be known that wine and beer were created by God for our enjoyment - the Ben Franklin quote comes to mind: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." It is good to enjoy good food and good beverages and good conversation with good friends and family. Much resting and feasting and fun took place in my house, and that is how I like life to be.

And now it is time for sleep....or TiVo'd Prison Break season premiere....whichever comes first. :)

Change

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:50:32 GMT

This is, of course, not my own, but written by Manuel Alvarez, Jr.

__________________

Beware Charismatic Men Who Preach ‘Change’

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day and on July 4 I celebrate America’s. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.
On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.

I’ve thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.

When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said ‘Praise the Lord.’ And when the young leader said, ‘I will be for change and I’ll bring you change,’ everyone yelled, ‘Viva Fidel!’

But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner’s guns went silent the people’s guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him.

By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I’m back to the beginning of my story.
Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America?

Would we?

Manuel Alvarez Jr. Sandy Hook.VA

My boys

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:21:30 GMT

Naptime at the Lapish house

We are so richly blessed.

In the wee sma hours of the morning...

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:54:20 GMT

Oh my friends - what shall we say? I am done with work!! Tonight was my last shift. I am muchly looking forward to more family time, and to actually becoming reacquainted with my husband. It has been a crazy-busy stretch of time...for some time now. But now I am so wound up, I can't sleep. It's so late. I am so tired. But so not getting to sleep. So now I'm bargain shopping online, trying to pinch two or three more pennies out of Target for the stuff I need to order for the baby. Fruitless, my friends. Target does not love me, regardless of my undying love in return.

The Incredible Hulk

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:32:24 GMT

This, my friends, is a movie about the dangers of bloodborn pathogens. Having been totally mind-numbed by endless hours of OSHA videos over the years, I would like to submit for review by the powers that be that The Incredible Hulk be substituted as required viewing instead of these low-budget training films.

The story of how I came to see this film is a sad one. I scored some very sweet free tix to see an advance showing of Get Smart this past Monday (yes, a full two days before it premiered in Hollywood), but upon arrival at the theatre, was informed that even though we had arrived ridiculously early, the showing had been overbooked and was already full. But, out of the goodness of their movie-loving hearts, the managers gave us a free pass to see whatever movie we wanted instead. Hulk was starting in approx 2 minutes, and we were on the clock since we had a babysitter, so the Hulk it was. I highly enjoyed seeing Edward Norton again (hello my long-time friend - where have you been hiding of late??), and yes, it was even good to see Liv Tyler back on the silver screen. So, all in all, what could have been a tragic date gone wrong ended well.

I did, however, have an issue with the ending. Obviously it was a set-up for a sequel, I get that, and I have no problem with it, but it still seemed very "oops, we forgot to write an ending for this film!!" Where did the bad monster guy go (sorry, comic book fanatics everywhere - I don't keep up with their names very well)? He wasn't dead, he just sort of disappeared. And maybe comic book diehards understood that last little scene with the general, but please, people! Throw a bone to those of us who just stumbled into the movie because they couldn't get into the one they really wanted to see! Explique para Emily!! (that's a little Portuegese, in honor of the lovely use of that language throughout the film. That was probably my favorite element of the movie - I could translate the parts that they didn't subtitle).

The end. Be well, friends!

Baby boy

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:23:08 GMT

Here he is, courtesy of the 3D ultrasound we had yesterday to make sure everything was ok. There were concerns, which (praise God) were all put to rest yesterday. He is healthy and beautiful and right on target to arrive on time. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Names??

Mon, 12 May 2008 02:20:40 GMT

OK, so my "currently watching" box hasn't worked in about a year or so. We just finished watching The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. So interesting. So beautifully shot. Not sure I liked it, but I think I'm glad I saw it.

Anyway, on to the point. We are having problems finding a good name for our son. Does anyone have any ideas? Only ten weeks to go. :)