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this much i know is true...
i admit it. i've already started panicking about our upcoming flight to america in december. i know, i know. i have seven weeks before we go - but still. having flown over 43,000 miles with MC already i know how tedious flying with an infant/toddler can be. this article made me smile. Flak Magazine: Babies on Airplanes, 04.30.04 parts of it are so true. people generally dislike people flying with children.
we are pretty lucky - MC is a relatively good flier and i think now that she's older we will have an easier time as she can colour, play with doh or plant stickers all over the seat in front of her. we're already training her to wear headphones so she can enjoy a little in-flight entertainment.
haste makes waste
i totally forgot to tell you that you can get off your knees... andrew has a job! of course, it's only until the end of march currently. but there will be re-evaluation then and hopefully they will love him enough to keep him on permanently. yay - we can have christmas!
thank you to everyone who sent well wishes and good thoughts. they worked!
she comes by it honestly.
apparently when mc walked into her room at nusery yesterday, she said 'hello! i'm here!' ... i think she's a bit like her mother. (and grandmother, for that matter) hello world! i'm here!
read my latest essay on dot moms.
why, george, why!?
apparently, the president and his website team (www.georgewbush.com) have decided that only americans need access to their site. i guess the thinking is that in the run up to the election, it's most important that the good citizens IN america see the site. can you believe that they've blocked international access to their website? i guess they feel no real need to distribute content to people who won't be voting next week.
now i'm no republican - but gosh if i were i'd sure feel left out living over here in england. do you think they just forgot that there are citizens overseas? nice one, george. thanks for the exclusion. way to make me proud.
dunno why she's lying on the floor - but isn't she cute
i just love playing with flickr. the next time you have a few minutes to kill - try clicking on flickr pictures on the left and watching a slideshow or two. lovely!
a week from today we should know who the next president of the united states will be. i say should because i think we all know there will be lots of weirdness with counting votes. maybe i'm negative.
6 days until the big vote. i was talking to a long time friend last night and it seems that she's on the fence as to who to vote for. she said that education and the war are her two main points that she cares about. so i thought i would dig up some information. for those of you who don't like it when i talk politics - well tune in later, i'm sure i'll be back to 'normal'.
so.. a few points on the topic of education.
- NCLB includes mandated access for military recruiters A little-known provision of President Bush's education reform act turns every high school into a military recruiting station. Under the act, high schools are required to provide military recruiters with students' names, addresses and telephone numbers. You have to wonder what that could possibly have to do with improving the education of students. Can you kids spell "cannon fodder"?
- Education Secretary cooked the books in Houston Houston schools, under Rod Paige, claimed great success while Bush was governor of Texas. It now appears that their accountants could have worked for Enron. Success was not quite what it seemed.
- Bait-and-Switch on Public Education Congressional Republicans are nervous about a G.O.P. poll that shows them losing ground over education. But how could voters not be disappointed by the Bush administration's mishandling of education policy generally, and especially its decision to withhold more than $6 billion from the landmark No Child Left Behind Act, the supposed centerpiece of the administration's domestic policy?
and moving swiftly on to the war in iraq...
- Fact of the Matter Is That Facts Didn't Matter Well, the CIA managed, barely, to get one thing right on Iraq: There never was a case for linking Saddam Hussein with Osama bin Laden or the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a key rationale for President Bush's invasion of Iraq. In an otherwise scathing report on how American intelligence agencies fell for misinformation that touted Iraq as an imminent threat to the United States, the Senate Intelligence Committee went out of its way to endorse the CIA finding that "the intelligence community has no credible information that Baghdad had foreknowledge of the 11 September attacks or any other Al Qaeda strike."
- Bush claimed that the war in Iraq would not be very expensive The reality: It is now clear that the prediction of $50-$60 billion was extremely low. Last year Congress appropriated about $70 billion for the war; the latest request is for an additional $87 billion. It is almost anyone's guess how much the U.S. will ultimately spend.
- Senator: Commander Told of Military Drain A former Senate Intelligence Committee chairman asserted Sunday that the general who ran the war in Afghanistan said more than a year before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq that his resources were being shifted in preparation for taking on Saddam Hussein. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., contends that just months into combat in Afghanistan, Gen. Tommy Franks also told him that fighting terrorism in Somalia, Yemen and elsewhere should take priority over invading Iraq. Graham said Franks told him he thought the United States knew less about the situation in Iraq than did some European governments, and the Bush administration should ask them for advice.
and what the heck - let's throw in a few others!
- Bush steps up attack on women's rights No one expects George W. Bush to protect a woman's right to choose -- he's been explicitly anti-choice since 1994. One might think, however, he could at least commit to supporting the kind of sexual health information and contraceptive access that reduces the need for abortion. The administration and anti-choice hard-liners in Congress actively are attacking family planning and medically accurate sexual health education, which are proven ways to reduce the number of abortions and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. This is but a part of a coordinated assault on women's rights, which began the day Bush took office and continues to gather steam. Ultimately, anti-choice politicians hope to stack U.S. courts with justices who will help them overturn Roe v. Wade -- but they're not waiting for that day to begin undermining the right to choose.
- Environment Worsened Under Bush in Many Key Areas, Data Show In the second presidential debate, President Bush said: "I'm a good steward of the land. The quality of the air's cleaner since I've been the president. Fewer water complaints since I've been the president." Sen. John Kerry responded this way: "The president, I don't think, is living in a world of reality with respect to the environment. We're going backwards." He vows to reverse many of Bush's policies. Which presidential candidate is right? How has America's environment fared under Bush? Over the past 30 years, the nation's air and water have become dramatically cleaner, but the steady improvement has stalled or gone into reverse in several areas since Bush took office, according to government statistics. On Bush's watch, America's environment deteriorated in many critical areas - including the quality of air in cities and the quality of water that people drink - and gained in very few.
thanks 1000 reasons.
oooh!
um... can i have one of these for my birthday/christmas, please?
this past sunday we had a family day IN. we stayed in our pj's ALL day and didn't even unlock the front door. it was really fabulous. we played and played, watched a film and made fairy cakes! you can see the bakingpalooza by clicking here.
 
a big heartfelt thank you to my good friend andy. he bought mc this adorable tee shirt while in milan. so trendy, so now, so swish! she and i both love it and him to bits!
the other photo was taken on saturday while we were doing our usual thing at canary wharf. after an exciting trip to baby gap to check out what was on sale (a lovely green tweed skirt and oatmeal cardigan to be exact) we went down to walk back to the car. mc found a shiny doorframe and spent a good 4 minutes singing to herself in it. the child is meant for the stage, i tell you!
well that settles it...
you have to vote for him.. because he's a mac user! (thanks e7 blogger)
hey - it's thursday. i have tomorrow off. so that makes today my friday. woohoo! interesting things possibly brewing on the horizon - more info when/if scenario occurs. but let me say.. hmm.. could be interesting.
i'm hot and heavy on the trail of my elusive 'toddler' bag. i so want a courier type bag to take when out and about with mc. i used to carry a big backpack back in the baby days that worked a treat. but now i'm not hauling around loads of stuff and really just need a tidy little bag to stash 3-4 nappies, some wipes and a sippy cup and maybe a small snack. i totally have my sights on a timbuk2 small courier - but at $60 + int'l shipping. uh. well. no. pity, because it's exactly what i want. AND i can have it made in my own desired colourway.. green, pink, green. oh well. maybe if above scenario comes to light.
i'm still in the mood to spend, spend, spend. help!
i am happy to report that i have not spent spent spent!
letting my inner geek shine through...
okay - so i don't know if it's just the impending one salary family doom that is hovering over my family that makes me want to spend money or what. but man - i've got gadget fever.
check out gizmodo and engadget for fun things to want.. i have a hankering for a blackberry and i'm not quite sure why. i think i just like the idea of checking email whenever. i just got a new phone, so i can't actually justify a little gizmo like a blackberry - spesh since i'd need a relatively new model so i could use it in europe and the states. oh well.
my powerbook is also hankering to be put out to pasture. yes - i know.. i know. it's almost 5 years old and works perfectly so i totally can not justify getting a new one. but it's just... it's just.. i dunno. a new computer would be fun. so lame. and then i start to look at all these websites - you know, just doing a bit of windowsurfing - and all of a sudden i want new linen for my bed and new fluffy egyptian cotton bathtowels, candles and aromatherapy items, loads of toys and furniture for mary catherine, clothes for everyone, shoes for everyone, holidays in the sun, holidays in the snow, and so on..so on..so on.
it sort of scares me how strong the power of 'want' can be. so i suppose to counteract all the mental consumerism i've been doing - i will start my annual campaign to help those who do not have the means to help themselves. it's almost christmas time. what will you be doing this holiday season to help others? i need to start thinking what our family will contribute to the greater good...
any ideas?
grey... grey.. and more grey...
we've been having really blergh weather lately. just grey and drizzle. where do they think i am? london? geez. if you threw in some fog, we'd have all the sterotypes covered.
more later...
today's dilbert...
...could be taken in so many ways.
  
oh look - it's monday again. so soon. so soon. we had a very nice weekend - although it's a pity the weather didn't really get any better than 'grey'. saturday we took mc to the half moon theatre in limehouse to see a show. it was a very artsy fartsy experience and while she seemed interested in the sounds and visuals - i'm not sure she nor i nor andrew knew what the heck was going on! i can tell you the story had a dog, giraffe and elephant in it.. but beyond that your guess is as good as mine.
sunday we went to bluewater and had a nice time walking around with friends. happy to report that my child didn't borrow anything from the disney store (unlike last time where she walked in and out 10 seconds later with luggage). we spent the rest of the late afternoon at home watching alice in wonderland. i'm not so sure mc is ready for that one, really. maybe not until she's in college and old enough to drink. crikey.
oi what a morning.. first i try and implement the oh, so trendy shadowy effect that you see now before you and i DELETE my entire site. i've had about 5 heart attacks today, almost broke into tears at one point and almost threw my computer at the wall another. but - whew - it's back. AND with said trendy thing. like?
also - have you seen this really cool tool?? bloglines.
here's a weird one..
my daughter thinks that everything that has GAP written on it (and i can tell you that people have been very kind to us and we have a LOT) says 'bob the builder'.
even if i spell it out to her G-A-P... she looks down and says 'bob builder'. then we have to sing the song. and i don't mind one bit! but how in the world she thinks that GAP looks like a rotund little fella in a yellow hat is way beyond me.
stop the insanity.
andrew lost his job yesterday. well - more truthfully, the company he'd been loaned to decided that they needed to spend their resources elsewhere. and since his old department at the B no longer exists, he does not have a job/office to return to. so we are staring redundancy right in the face. square in the eye.
his cv/resume is ready to go, a meeting with B HR is scheduled for this afternoon and all the internet job sites are ready to be crawled. i just hope and pray that we make it through this relatively unscathed. any good thoughts you could send our way would be greatly appreciated.
more later..
boycotted
a certain someone is not going to read my site until i stop talking about politics. apparently, my site is not fun and/or exciting to read because i'm writing about ... well. the P word.
but i just can't help it - i mean - the election this year is a HUGE deal. and even though i'm expat, i just can't stop thinking about it or trying to make a difference. what if my incessant ramblings actually help someone get out and VOTE? did you know that a smaller number of citizens vote in the US than in almost any western democratic nation? so - i'm very sorry if i'm offending anyone.. but i'm probably not going to stop at least mentioning the presidential race until midnight on 2 november. i care too much about the outcome. however, my main point is that no matter WHO you vote for - just make sure you VOTE. it's crucial. speaking of .. voter registration ends today in maryland and oregon and ends tomorrow in delaware, massachusetts, utah and west virginia. go here to register to vote.. you can make a difference!
and in other news..
life continues for our family much as it does any old day. mary catherine is talking and talking and talking. she makes us laugh a LOT. i'll try and post a few pictures later. tomorrow is my day on dotmoms - so make sure to pop over and have a look.
more later...
oh melissa - look!
this is PERFECT! an entire site dedicated to helping you convince those you love NOT to vote for bush. click here!
fact: 83% of the U.S. jobs lost during the Bush administration have not reappeared abroad. (source: the us bureau of labor statistics / forrester research)
fact: In April of 2004, the Bush administration created CEO COM LINK, a direct emergency line linking the Dept. of Homeland Security to the CEOs of 150 Fortune 500 companies. No such system yet exists for local police, fire fighters, hospitals, or mayors, nor state governors--the only group capable of activating the National Guard. (source: Tim Shorrock, Harper's Magazine 4/04)
fact: Since 1999, the Labor Department has removed 25 publications on Women's Rights from its website. (source: The National Council for Research on Women)
fact: The Bush administration has re-activated a "global gag rule" which prevents international women's health agencies from receiving US funding if they mention the word "abortion" in any context. (source: Planned Parenthood)
i'm so mature..
ooh - look - pee mail! finally a chance to send someone an e-card that looks like wee in the snow!
blogging the vote..
From: RH
To: mike@michaelmoore.com
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2003 4:57 PM
Subject: Iraqi freedom veteran supports you
Dear Mr Moore,
I went to Iraq with thoughts of killing people who I thought were horrible. I was like, "F*ck Iraq, f*ck these people, I hope we kill thousands." I believed my president. He was taking care of business and wasn't going to let al Qaeda push us around. I was with the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. My unit was one of the first to Baghdad.
I was so scared. Didn't know what to think. Seeing dead bodies for the first time. People blown in half. Little kids with no legs. It was overwhelming, the sights, sounds, fear. I was over there from Jan'03 to Aug'03. I hated every minute. It was a daily battle to keep my spirits up. I hate the army and my job.
I am supposed to get out next February but will now be unable to because the a**hole in the White House decided that now would be a great time to put a stop-loss in effect for the army. So I get to do a second tour in Iraq and be away from those I love again because some guy has the audacity to put others' lives on the line for his personal war. I thought we were the good guys.
Will They Ever Trust Us Again? Letters from the Warzone to Michael Moore by Michael Moore, to be published by Allen Lane on October 7 Copyright © Michael Moore 2004 .... read more excerpts from Michael Moore's new book here.
blast from the past..
i've been spending some time with flickr again and in my searches for pictures to post, i came across this one. it was taken in april - we'd just returned from atlanta and were trying to stay awake by making a trip to the farm.
i love going to mudchute farm because it's so green and earthy and yet, right smack dab in the middle of the city. there are a number of urban farms in london and we just visited a new one a few weeks ago called stepping stones. we drive by there every morning and always see if the pigs, sheep and chickens are awake. it's sort of our family ritual. for what it's worth - the pigs are usually asleep, the sheep are grazing and the 'cockadoos' (MC's version of cock-a-doodle-doo) are always awake.
mom and dad are taking MC to the health visitor's clinic today to have a general quick check up and her weight measured. since we're in a new area - we need to get to know the health visitor and nurses that will be taking care of MC until she's 5 and her care is transferred to her school nurse.
i'm lucky that mom and dad are able to take her - so that i don't have to take time from work. hope it all goes ok. more later..
why do i do this to myself?
i just got a package at work - inside was a book i'd ordered for MC. it's called 'when mama comes home tonight' and after having a quick read through - it is fantastic! this book was written for MC and i - even the pictures look like us. it's a little freaky, actually.
it's a book for working mothers - and it totally made me get a little weepy. you just can't read lines like 'when mama comes home from work tonight, she make three wishes and tell them to the stars' without the mommy weepies grabbing you. well - at least i can't. i highly recommend it.
the birthday party was a success - i think everyone had a very lovely time. i know we were tired and very happy at the end and MC wanted to wear her fairy wings to nursery today. many thanks to everyone who came.
the weather outside today is horrid. nothing like waking up to the weather forecast of 'rain all day today with gales'. ick - roll over, rover i'm going back to bed.
mom and dad made it here safely - and am very glad to have them here. i'm already dreading their departure. at least we'll be there for christmas. more later.. off to get today started. it's positively dary grey outside, almost like nighttime. not very inspiring weather.
new toys... new toys..
so i've discovered this photo thing.. called flickr. check it out on www.flickr.com anyway - you can look through pictures and post them to your site. this is not only a test post - but the sign to a really cool record store in atlanta.
you'll notice that there's now a link to 'flickr pictures' on the left and if you scroll down a bit you'll see three random images from my collection on flickr. enjoy!
friday..
many many many congrats to my friend duaa who gave birth last night. at home, no less! she is far braver than i. mummy and new little girl are doing well from what i hear. i'm so pleased for she and her family.
my parents land tomorrow morning for a week. i so can't wait that i can hardly think of anything else. MC and i are going swimming as normal while A goes to pick them (and their considerable luggage) up at the airport. MC's 2nd birthday party (yes, two months early) is on sunday... very exciting. i drew her invitations this year - here's the doodle i did of MC for the invites. this year's theme is fairy princess. i've been working with her and she can now sing happy birthday, but i don't think she quite 'gets' the meaning.
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