The Last Olympic Straw

I recently wrote about my dissatisfaction with NBC’s coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I really and truly thought that I had gotten it out of my system.

Oh, how wrong I was.

So here I sit on the last morning of the games wondering if we’ll get ANY COVERAGE AT ALL. You see, according to the KNBC website and the listings guide on cable, Olympic coverage came on at 9 am. Really? Because all I’ve seen is Access Hollywood (rerun) and Monk (also a rerun.) The hockey game-GOLD MEDAL GAME AGAINST CANADA is supposed to be on, as well as a few other events that are having their final rounds today.

This is absolutely unacceptable, NBC. You say that your ratings are high? Honestly, it can only be because we have NO other options for viewing. Have you polled anyone lately? And, quite honestly, I think I’m done with you as a network, local and national. This has been the final straw.
Here’s how I think national Olympic coverage should look from you, NBC (and CBS, ABC, and FOX should take notice, should there be a change in networks for the next games. Please?!)

Morning show- Fine. Cute stories about athletes, whatever. Depending on the time zone of the actual games, I get this. (The morning crew has actually done a great job of interviewing the athletes.)

Just after the morning show: LIVE COVERAGE

Noon: 30 minutes of local news.

Afternoon: LIVE COVERAGE

5 or 6 pm: 30 minutes of local news, 30 minutes of national news.

Evening: LIVE COVERAGE

10 pm: 30 minutes of local news

THE END.

Seriously, it’s only 2 weeks out of every 2 years. There is nothing that can’t be put on hiatus for those two weeks. With everyone having digital television now, if a network or local affiliate feels the need to air their regular programming they can now create a digital 2.0 channel for those programs and leave the regular channel for people to find the coverage of the Olympics easily. If you really need your dose of pop culture and celebrity news there are plenty of other networks and online outlets for that.

Here on the west coast we have had to wait until 11-12 pm to watch the medal rounds and races. Why is this if we’re watching it taped? If we tape it to watch later, the morning shows ruin the results. Watching is just not the same if you already know the outcome.

As for the actual coverage? It, too, has been horrendous. Someone actually made a chart of the time that was dedicated to each category: advertising, special stories, Bob Costas, medal ceremonies, etc. Costas is getting more coverage than replays and medal ceremonies COMBINED. The Olympics are not about you, Bob, they’re about the athletes, their competition, their competitors, and their medals. Last night he actually said “If you’re in the central or mountain time zone you can figure it out for yourself,” which I found pretty lame. I tweeted “Bob Costas is a douche,” and I received the following reply from Glennia: @HeadlessMom Amen to that. A botoxed, toupee-wearing douche at that. #shutupcostas. 

Really Bob? As the announcer it’s your JOB to be able to tell the viewers when their national coverage begins and we only have 4 time zones. I guess we’d really be in trouble if we had something like 11 like Russia does.

Thank goodness today is the last day. I honestly don’t think I could take much more. Here’s to a new network getting the rights for the next Olympic games. One that will commit to getting it right.

(Cross posted on Draft Day Suit and Inland Empire Family)

Not The Lunch I Meant to Have

I 've been going to a pilates class once a week for the past month or so, hoping beyond hope that it will inspire me to move more often and eat a little better than I have been.

I feel pretty lucky that I've settled into a place that I feel comfortable about my weight. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to look like Jillian Michaels, but the work involved? I'm just not willing to commit to that. My regular reading on the scale hovers around 150, and at 5'8" I'm ok with that. I (usually) exercise regularly and eat well and my weight hangs out right there without too much effort. Usually.

Enter the holidays. And colder, rainy weather. And a need of new running shoes, and that number has crept up a little.

Really. Just a little, but it's at the number that I know that it's time to get moving again and really watch what I eat. More salads, less caving in to the pizza or fast food or whatever is easiest. More steamed veggies are in our future, more water.

Anyway, the point of all of this, is this. I've been trying, right? Been starting to make better choices. Going to pilates, for pete's sake! So what did I have for lunch today?

English muffin toasted with peanut butter. 2 Samoas (Girl Scout cookies,) and chips and salsa.

Dammit. Feet, meet Square One. Again.

American Idol-The Round of 24, Part, the Boys

Yowza. There are some great guys in the mix, but so many of them did not kill it like they did in auditions or for Hollywood week. That's too bad because I'm afraid that someone might go that should have another chance. Just like yesterday, here are my lists:

The Best:
Todrick Hall, Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grady, Lee Dewyze, Michael Lynche.

The So-So's:
Jermaine Sellers, John Park.

The Oh, No's:
Joe Munoz, Tim Urban (although I might give him another chance since he was called back,) Alex Lambert.

The Guy to Beat: Casey James. Duh. Like Kara said, eye candy and ear candy. What's not to love? I have a feeling that Casey is going to be my Dreadlocks boy for this season. (Do you remember him? ~Swoon~)

What say you, Idol fans? After letting me know what you think, head on over to Sophie/BooMama's and read some more.

BlogHer '10

NYC-HERE I COME!!!!!!!

photo 

Who's in?

American Idol-The Round of 24

 Yea! Idol is back!

First, I must say that Ellen is a great addition to the judges. Since she isn't trained musically, she hears it just like we do at home: for pure entertainment value.

If you've never been with me before for Idol, I critique the show each week during the voting. This week I'll be giving my top picks for the girls. Let's get to it!

The Girls:
The Best: Paige Miles, Lilly Scott, Haeley Vaughn (Go Colorado!), Michelle Delamour,  Didi Benami, Katie Stevens.

The So-So's: Katelyn Epperly, Lacey Brown, Siobhan Magnus.

The Oh-No's: Ashley Rodriguez, Janell Wheeler.

The One to Beat: Crystal Bowersox. Seriously? Girls, guys, whatever, this girl can sing and play and will do really, really well. So, so talented. (Can I gush any more?)

BooMama is doing the Linky thing this week so be sure to check out what every one has to say about the top 12.  Come join us!

ABC's

Schmutzie did this a long time ago, (so long ago infact that I can't find the direct link to hers!) and I saved it because I thought it might be interesting...I'll let you be the judge! Here's the deal: Open the browser that you use the most, and type one letter into the nav. bar. Put the corresponding website into the list below. I'll stick to blogs, etc., because I'm sure that you don't need to know where I do my banking, right?

A- Amazing Greis
B- Barking Mad
C- Can't Remember Diddly
D- Draft Day Suit
E- ESPN
F- Free Fringes
G- Gmail
H- Hope for Peyton (Go Anissa!)
I- Inland Empire Family Blogs
J- Just Breathe
K- Survey Monkey (Hey! Go take my survey if you haven't yet. It's still open for a few more days!)
L- Lowe's (Ok, maybe I can't get through this without putting a few of my shopping spots in...)
M- Mom to the Screaming Masses
N- The Norwindians
O- Owlhaven
P- Picnik (This is a great site for photo editing. Check it out if you haven't already!)
Q- (Nothing came up.....)
R- Random.org
S- Something Funny Happened Today
T- This Full House
U- (Nothing here either...)
V- Violence Unsilenced (Happy Birthday!)
W- Williams-Sonoma (To Die For!)
X- (You thought there'd be one here?)
Y- A Year of Crockpotting
Z- Zazzle

If you play along leave me your link in the comments!

The Truth About Why You're in a Traffic Jam

Dust Bunnies Need a Home, Too

On Thursday I went to put the nice china back in the cupboard over the refrigerator and realized something. (Besides the obvious of, Hey, you left dishes sitting out for 4 days?! Putting them away on Monday would have been bordering on overachievement in my world.)

It was this: I'm a terrible housekeeper.

So, I set out to do the once a year, every other year, oh, who am I kidding? The once every seven years, whether-it-needs-it-or-not-task of scrubbing the top, sides, and under the fridge.

I had to use PineSol to get the layers of grease off of the top. I had to make sure I had shoes on because of the glass shards hidden beneath the seldom moved machine. I had to vacuum the walls before I could even clean them. Oy.

I think that you'll be glad to know that Headless Dad had the camera that day. I kept writing this post in my head, wondering if I would actually post a picture of the filth dust, or just an after pic of the shiny bowels of my kitchen? Oh, you'd thank me for sure for not posting the picture of the dust bunny that was, for real, about 3 feet long. I seriously had to make sure it wasn't alive before I picked it up. Ugh.

I even pulled the fridge out again after HD got home from work so he could actually see my handiwork. (Would your husband have noticed that the back of the fridge had been cleaned?) Oops. Another dust bunny and a handful of broken glass later he was convinced.

And I was convinced that seven years may be a little long to go between cleaning under the fridge.

Love Waits Until Dinner

Lest you think that it's all doom and gloom around here, may I share some of our perfectly lovely Valentine's Dinner with you? Headless Dad was able to get home from Arizona just in time for this:

My centerpiece is a vase filled with heart Christmas ornaments that I got at IKEA. Great idea if I must say so myself. I even got out my good china. We were celebrating! Look! Champagne glasses! (Sparkling cider for the kids, of course.)

I wish I had gotten pictures of the food. Oh my heavens the food! Filet mignon with bernaise sauce, asparagus, and cauliflower, (more commonly known around these parts as cow brain. I live with 3 males, remember?) And chocolate chip cookies, (made by HG,) and brownies for dessert.

I guess there is love floating around here after all.

Ugly, Part 2

You can read the background for this post here: Ugly, Part 1

My day began around 5 am when I couldn't sleep any longer due to the most massive cramps that I've had in years. I got up and took 4 Advil and somehow went back to sleep for a little while. I got up at 8 with a renewed sense of purpose: I was going to finish cleaning the house so HD would come home to no less of a mess than when he left. A mini Valentines day bonus, so to speak. (I'd actually been working toward this for days but today was the final push.)

We had plans for later in the day so after coffee we really had to get moving. Finish laundry, dishes,  shower, bikes in the car for our afternoon outing, general cleaning up.

Lately, I my youngest has had a little trouble hearing me. I think it's selective hearing, but nonetheless, he doesn't listen. Getting ready to go anywhere is excruciating, so I nixed the tv early so we would have plenty of time to get everything done. My routine for this involves getting the kids ready early so that they can play while they wait for me. I sent #2 upstairs around 10:30 to get dressed and brush his teeth.

You see where this is going, right?

Over an hour later (after many reminders,) he was still not dressed. I started to flip my lid. Threatened to make him stay home. Much yelling ensued, and for the next 2 hours he was my chore hound. I would give him a job, then he had to check in with me. Luckily for him he realized that he was on thin ice and complied.

Around 1 pm (about an hour before I was supposed to leave the house,) HG decided to grace us with her presence. I started to give her a list of chores that needed to get done, and one eye roll later I was on fire. She actually tried to argue with me, (which she rarely does,) and I totally layed into her.

I realized that I was pretty unfair and apologized, but the damage had been done. Not only had I ruined my day, I had damaged hers, too. The boys had long since commenced the "Yes mommy" dance.

Remember where I said that I was having massive cramps? Well, back in the fall when I went in for my annual exam I talked to my doctor about my unbelievable moods wings during my period and she prescribed a little blue pill to help me out. She told me that I could take it once a day for the few days that I would need it a month, and should start to take it when I feel like the crazy is taking over. I still haven't taken any, but I walked over to the cabinet today and picked up the bottle.

Thing is? I'm scared to death of taking one.

First of all, the warning on the label said that it could make me drowsy. I had to drive my kids to a location that I was unfamiliar with, on our lovely LA freeways, and since I didn't know how it would effect me I decided not to take it.

Second, after consulting Dr. Google back in the fall I read the other possible side effects. Smart to be informed? Or stupid when a pill could really take the edge off? I'm not sure, but I'm scared to take it. Seriously scared. (Should I insert here that I'm scared of a stupid pill?)

Third, part of me was saying "You don't need this. Get a grip. You're bigger and better than the crazy." The other part? Was saying "Take the pill, already. It's not going to hurt you, and could seriously help!"

When faced with decisions that I can't bear, I do nothing. But in doing nothing could I be hurting them more? What about the days when my husband gets the brunt of this?

Rationally, I sometimes think that I should be able to handle this for only a few days a month. But you haven't seen my crazy. Is it worse than yours? I don't know, but it effects my anger level and it's ugly. Like really ugly. My family suffers. I suffer. But is that really rational?

I have no idea any more, what's rational and what's not. And that's what scares me; what makes this so ugly.

Ugly, Part 1

Today was one of those ugly days. One that you're not so proud of, even while it was happening, but you're somehow unable to stop the ugly.

The background:

HD has been out of town all week working on an emergency job. This is very out of the ordinary-the most he's ever been gone for business was about 2 nights. I so don't know how single parents do it. Although I'm sure I'd get used to it, it sucked. We started baseball this week so I was on duty for wake up, homework, dinner, practice, showers, and bed time. Whaaaaahhh. I know. But when you're used to a break now and then? On a daily basis? It becomes a long week.

On Wednesday evening #2 started feeling yucky: slight fever, glassy eyes, sore throat, sore ear. I did what any mom would-gave him advil and sent him to bed. Worked for about an hour. He ended up sleeping with me and we did less sleeping and more dodging elbows and knees. Not to mention a nightmare that required me to accompany him to the bathroom at 2:30 am. With the lights on.

Groggy, I sent him to school, and groggy I picked him up again before the end of the day. Mother of the Year-Again!

I also knew enough to call the doctor. This kid never complains about his ears and usually has raging ear infections anyway. Luckily we were able to get in that day, and I wasn't wrong. Double ear infection.

I say all of that because I had planned on taking the boys to the mission for #1's 4th grade project on Friday but I couldn't see sticking a sick kid in a car for 2 hours, only to walk around for 2 hours and then get in the car again for another 2 hours. #1 was really understanding about that, but that also meant that we were stuck in the house for the better part of Friday. I chose to do chores, then in late afternoon we had to run some errands. Oh smart me, I forgot to eat for most of the day so by the time we were done shopping I was really done.

Pizza for dinner then we settled in to watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics. Gah, is this day not over yet? Bed after midnight, (thank you NBC for the shitty schedule,) and the kids were up by 7 or so. Yea.

So, this is getting a little long. I'm gonna break it into two parts. It's really about me and my crappy day and my crappy mothering. Thanks for reading my lengthy lead in. It will all make sense soon.

Part 2

Mommblogging and Safety

The following is a portion of an email that I sent in response to Auds at Barking Mad. She is writing a detailed article about Mommyblogging and online safety and asked some of her pals for their thoughts/input. I don't know when she's going live with her article but since I did respond I thought that I would share my thoughts with all of you as well. Below is my response to her question, in it's entirety.

I think that I'm doing some things right. I chose to be 'anonymous' on my blog for safety reasons. When I started I was unsure where I would go with all of this. Now that I've been at it a while I'm more comfortable but that doesn't mean I should let my guard down.

The name 'headless' gives itself to no heads in pictures. I suppose someone could steal them and photoshop something, but since there isn't a face I'm not too worried. I purposely take the pictures without heads, rather than crop, so there is no question of true identity. There are thousands of kids that look the same from the neck down.

I don't use our names or exact location for the same reason. We are just like any other family in the US I think. We go to kids sports, scouts, and school activities. I try to choose photos and stories that are universal, yet talk about how we handle things. I don't shout out where we are but I also don't hide that we are in a major metropolitan area, either.

I am careful not to use the kids names, too, for the 'google factor'. Although I don't write much about the embarrassing stuff my kids do, I don't think that they want their girlfriend at 16 or 26 googling about wetting their pants, or getting in trouble at school. If they want to share my blog at that time it will be their choice: good, bad or ugly. (Do you suppose it will even be here then? Will we have moved on from blogs to something else?)

I think that some of your commenters already said this, but I mostly write about my life. Yes, my kids are a part of that life but not the only part. I run ads. If the measly money that I make from them is "profit" at the "expense" of my children, then so be it. I don't think that anything that I have written could be considered exploitation of my children. I would be a part of the Mommyblogger community whether I ran ads or not. How is this any different than an author writing memoirs about being a mom, then selling their book? I don't think it is. Why do people think that an actual book is more 'legitimate' than a blog? I'm a writer just the same, whether I make pennies or millions. My topic of choice is me, my family, and issues that affect us.

How is a blog any different than moms gathering at the back fence on wash day complaining about Johnny's talking back problem, what we're cooking for dinner, or that Jenny likes that boy that her father thinks is a bad seed? We, as women, have always had our times together to talk about our families, etc. I see Mommyblogging as an extension of that. Only my fence and your fence are sometimes 3000 miles, or more, apart.

(With my sincere apologies to Kelly from Don Mills Diva and the rest of you that hate the term. It fits here when talking about our genre.)

It's been a while since I wrote this and a few things have changed, but my basic take on this remains the same. Can't we put these mommyblogger wars to rest, already?

Blogger's Block

Brought to you by:

• Headless Dad being out of town for the week
• Rain
• 50+ Valentines for 2 classes
• a Mission Project
• Baseball practice
• American Idol
• Sleepiness
• Snow day jealousy
• an autobiography project
• a school field trip

The Drop Off Line

I share drop off and pick up duties with a couple of neighbors. Usually, when the weather is nice, I like to walk the kids to school. Extra exercise is good for all of us, right? But when the weather is a little colder and possibly rainy I get lazy and drive them down.

Our school has 2 drop off zones. One, you must drive into the parking lot and go through the turnaround, then let your kid/s out. I never do that one. Takes too long. Zone 2 is easier, faster, but I have a feeling that it is much more STRESSFUL.

The rules for Zone 2 are easy: drive up to the curb marked "Drop Off Zone", let your kids out, pull left out into the regular lane of traffic. This is easily done in a long line of cars, about 8-10 cars at a time. However, efficiency is lost when the douchbags uninformed come around.

Douchbag #1: The driver talking on their cell phone. Since they are not paying attention to the hundreds of children, they stop where ever they want, thereby stopping the 8-10 car flow up to the curb.
Douchebag #2: The "I'm late for work" driver. They speed around the normal line of cars and cut in line at the first sign of someone leaving. Like that 2 seconds is going to make a difference.
Douchebag #3: The driver that can't read or follow regular rules of the road. Just before the drop off zone is a RED CURB and signs that read NO PARKING OR STOPPING AT ANY TIME. These drivers think that the rules don't apply to them, so they stop there and seriously impede traffic flow down to the regular drop off zone.
Douchebag #4: The person that has to walk their child into the school, from a no parking zone, and have to cut across drop off traffic, not in a crosswalk. Nice example.

I find it fascinating that no matter how often the office reiterates the rules in the newsletters the problem never stops. Seriously. The only time it is ever better is when the police decide to hang out in the morning or afternoon, and then it only lasts while they are there. Then it's back to normal by that afternoon or the next morning.

Why do people think that the rules don't apply to them? What drop off/pick up rules are routinely broken at your school? Do you break them?

Works for Me Wednesday-The Snark Edition

I know that I haven't participated in WFMW in a sweet forever. Sorry about that. However, maybe you'll understand after you read this.

Laziness: definitely working for me. Since I love a messy house and all.
Sleepiness: working because I love to fall asleep repeatedly, every afternoon, during homework sessions. See also: can't seem to drag my a@@ to bed before 11pm.
Lack of Personal Hygiene: works when you stay in your jammies all day, there is less laundry. And really? Why put on your good clothes when there is the possibility of cleaning a toilet?
No Mojo: works because writing for two sites besides my own was such a good idea, right? Who wants to update their own blog when you can work, for free, for other people? Win/win, I think.
Multiple Projects: certainly works when you have the attention span of a gnat and the decision making skills of a toddler. Bathroom doesn't have a light? No problem! It's more important to choose a trim color for the house. Can't choose a color for the trim? No problem! There is some tax paperwork that needs to be found. Can't find paperwork? ......

Uh, yeah. Welcome back to Works for Me Wednesday, Headless Mom. You've obviously been missed.

How to feel good..

Oh, before you read on, have you taken my survey yet? Come on, help a girl out!

I'm sure many of you have seen this before, but damn, it's funny. (Altered slightly to apply to ME, because it is my blog, right?)

I am passing this on to you because it works and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Today show, you too can find inner peace.

Dr. Nancy Snyderman proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished.' So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of wine, a bag of Doritos, the remainder of my old Zoloft prescription, the rest of the chocolate chip cookies, and some Halloween candy.

You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.

H/T to our friend RC for helping me remember to laugh today!