Philisophical Thought Experiment

If you are clever and there is no one around to hear it, are you still being clever?

Why I'm Not in a Relationship

He's a selfish, whining, negative loser and I'm a self-aggrandizing intolerant bitch. Let's call the whole thing off.
He's an unstable egomaniacal jerk and I'm a lonely poser of immaterial self-assuredness. Let's call the whole thing off.

Wonda WOman

LIFESTYLE

Email

Wonder Woman's 'urban-hip' makeover

DC Comics is bringing Wonder Woman into the 21st century. Will her sensible new look empower, or neuter, DC's only A-list heroine?

POSTED ON JULY 1, 2010, AT 1:30 PM

Does Wonder Woman's makeover do her justice? Photo: DC Comics

Best Opinion: Boston Herald, Kotaku, Wash. Post, Salon

"What woman only wears only one outfit for 60-plus years?" asks DC Comics writer J. Michael Straczynski who was tasked with giving the aging superhero Wonder Woman a new, darker back story to shake up sales — plus her first big wardrobe upgrade since 1941. Gone is the skimpily patriotic bustier-and-hot-pants look. In its place: A stripeless combo of "urban-hip" black leggings, low heels, and a dark blue jacket with "I mean business" sleeve-rolling. (See aslideshow of Wonder Woman through the years.) Comic aficionados are split on the sensible new look:

The revamp is a "super bummer": I know superhero makeovers always trigger a backlash, says Lauren Beckham Falcone in the Boston Herald, but come on: This evolution into a "waif with implants and a credit card at Forever 21" isn't progress. "When Wonder Woman goes from brazen superpower to Bratz doll in one brushstroke, the bad guys win."
"Wonder Woman's new look a super bummer"

DC had to take some action: Wonder Woman occupies a curious position as "the most popular superhero no one seems to like very much," says Stephen Totilo in Kotaku, so it's not surprising DC's trying to shake her up. Though this look is "nobly," less trashy, unpopular costume changes don't tend to last very long. "Electrified Blue Superman" was gone in a year.
"Wonder Woman costume modified so that it makes sense?"

This is exactly what Wonder Woman needed: It's way past time for Wonder Woman to get a pair of pants, says Robin Givhan in The Washington Post. Now she's "a glamorous athlete" with authority instead of "an unusually muscular Miss America who happens to fight crime." Bonus: By shedding her flag themes, "she has shrugged off parochialism to become an international sophisticate."
"From star-spangled briefs to skintight pants, Wonder Woman is still a wonder"

Making her "dowdy" doesn't make her stronger: Wonder Woman's new outfit has "a certain admirable practicality," says Mary Elizabeth Williams in Salon, but that's not the point. "It's never just about saving the world — it's about looking fabulous doing it," and trading Wonder Woman's "unabashed flashiness" for a less revealing getup is a step backward. "What's super about a jacket? Nothing."

Thought For the Day (not funny like Jack Handy, my apologies)

Anything can change tomorrow:

The economy

Our personal economic state

The oil spill

Your health

Your family

Your winning streak

The conclusion I drew was that we need to take the time and be very appreciative of the good things we have -- almost as if they won't be there tomorrow. And we need not worry so much about the future -- as usual, it will turn out fine, and can be even better!

Flower Series

photos by Hannah. B&W editing by Kirstie

An Afternoon With Cole and His Friend Morgan

Cole Made This Video of Cole -- Enjoy!

Time To Play B Sides

I haven't been inspired to write about anything lately, although I've been doing quite a lot. I have been doing quite a lot for months on end, years on end . . . and frankly I'm sick of it. Literally. My ulcer is burning a hole right through my insides and I feel like dropping everything. Dropping everything and running half naked through a field (not all the way naked because there are stickers - hehe).

But since I can't do that (drop everything that is. I could run half naked through a field if I really wanted to, but riding my bike really, really fast down a hill gives me the same feeling I imagine. All smiles) I will continue to do the best I can at work, be a loving and supportive mother (as many hours of the week as possible), and finish navigating my way through this damn real estate market. I am pretty certain that I feel like the very soul has been sucked out of me is because of that force driving me to 'move on up' in this depressed market before interest rates and home prices begin their inevitable climb. I feel this way for the time being anyway. Once the deals are closed, the moving is done (the bank accounts are drained, but then begin replenishing) and all is settled, I plan on feeling more relaxed and motivated and to see the world as interesting again. sighhh.

Guess Where I Was ???

I saw girls dressed like angles with big feathery wings whoooing and waving across the street at a line of football players who were following a marching band . . . . .

(I was at the Festival of Lights Parade in Auburn, Ca).

Accupuncture

What do you do when your knees ache from injuries and just general thrashing? You have someone put needles in them . . . ahhh, that hits the spot.

I'm not sure where this picture came from . . . it just showed up on the desktop of my computer one day, but I love it. (This just in, I asked Hannah and she said she was Googling "underwater photography" and found this photo. It's our new favorite). What do you think is going on in this picture? Is she summoning him inside and he can't believe it, or is she giving him the finger and he is never allowed back in? It might appear the story is -- after a desperate search he finally finds her and she is saying, well here you are, come in. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to hold a pose under water? I am imagining it. I am thinking it would be kind of fun to try.

People Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend . . .

. . . and her husband. They are the cutest, funnest, most loving couple ever. This is them at their annual ice cream social. Jason is dressed as the fastest ice cream scoop in the West.

This weekend Jason is throwing the "Donnacathalon" party in honor of Donna's 40th b-day. He's taking all of her favorite activities (to include b-ball and dancing I'm sure) and creating a sporting event that will be splitting the guests into teams to compete throughout the town of Auburn. We will end the event with the winners carrying a torch back to their house where I have made homemade "Donnola bars" and "Super D-MO Green Smoothies." Corney? Yes! Fun loving? Yes, yes!

Happy B-Day DMO!

Are You Ready To Rock?

That's what I thought . . .

When I Can't Peddle, I'll Paddle

Brent cruising for shade in the shoreline.

Here fishy, fishy. We saw a couple big ones jump up out of the water. Very cool.

Cole looking for fish. The boy needs a harpoon instead of a paddle.

The view from below: Up in that mountain side is one of the greatest XC trails -- Connector to Foresthill Divide. I'm used to looking down at the water not up from it.

Lime Rock. Auburn, Ca.

Poolside

Since I am grounded off my bike, I have tried to embrace new activities like one-stiff-legged swimming.  It's not quite the rush of mountain biking.

I have also decided to pick the camera back up.  Action shots today.

I did stop to pose with a ginormous (dead) cockroach I fished out of the pool.  It's good to freak out the kids from time to time.

There is nothing good about having a knee that won't bend or that is in constant, uncomfortable pain.  There is no leason learned, no silver lining behind being immobile.  I'm coming out of my skin.  :( (A thousand unhappy emoticon faces).

Things I Am Learning From My Knee Injury

Slow down.  (Not on a bike however.  If anything, I am more determined to perfect the art/sport that I have come so dedicated to and apply even more skill and daring -- in that order.  Skill first, then daring).  With a knee injury (still non-specific, no clear diagnosis yet) everything takes twice as long . . . and surprisingly that is refreshing.  I used to dash around from task to task trying to cram as many activities in one day as I could, usually doing two or three at the same time:  Work, clean house, stock refrigerator, somewhat of a handle on laundry, children's activities, my activities (friends, bike rides, emails), yard work, organizing, planning . . . the list goes on and on and all was to be accomplished in one normal sun up, sun down day.  Why not?  Why not do it all, have it all, and get it all done?  It is possible.

With this lame knee, I hobble from task to task and decide on . . . three.  Three things a day to accomplish is a good number.  I get some work done.  It is enough.  I ask my children to accompany me to the grocery store and make dinner, and they accept.  Instead of it becoming a task to accomplish, it's time we spend together.  So far, in the past two days of hobbling, I can see this as an advantage.  Today while I sat at the river in my folding chair working on my laptop as my friends went on their customary ride together (not wanting to leave me out they escorted me down to the river and set me up in a nice spot) I watched as they took off down the trail . . . I may not tolerate this aspect too much longer.  But the slowing down, I hope I can apply that always.

Sunday Food

Sunday morning waffles.

Sunday afternoon Caprese salad.

Food is beautiful.

Green For Now

I love my lemon tree.  I may have mentioned in a previous post how the lemon tree was uncovered after many years of living in an overgrown back yard.  Now it's the crown jewel of the yard (when the newly planted Dogwood is not in bloom stealing its thunder).  

I noticed this evening as the sun was setting through the yard that the lemon tree boasts promises of a plentiful crop . . . these gems were everywhere!