Slacker Blogger

So, I've been a slacker blogger (but so have the others). I do have excuses for being such an irresponsible blogger, though.

In the last month, here's what's been going on.

• We have a new President-Elect. A guy I didn't vote for. (Clearly.) I'm less than enthused.
  
• I've gotten into two car accidents. None bad enough to total the car so I can get a new one. So I've had to drive around a loaner, which is just a clever marketing plot by the dealership, I've discovered, since now I desperately *NEED* the newer, nicer, sportier, shinier car with more options.
  
• I had a mini freakout since the market fell more severely than it did in the 1920's. A mini freakout which resulted from getting in on companies that I had assumed hit record lows. But it wasn't the low. So now I'm out - a lot of g's. And I haven't even looked at my 401K. I refuse.
  
• I've been traveling a little bit. Nowhere exotic, but places like Visalia, California. Can anyone say cows?
  
• I've been toying with the idea of going to Africa next May. I've invited all of my close girlfriends to come along, and I have a firm commitment from 2. We need a group of 8 to make the trip worthwhile and get the biggest ROI. Any takers?
• I went to go see Twilight and laughed through the whole thing.
• I've (nerdily) put some time aside to make maps and strategic shopping spreadsheets for Black Friday. Yes, the annual tradition for the 10-kp sisterhood is back in full force for 2008.
  

The good news is, I get to be with family and old friends for Thanksgiving. So I have much to be grateful for. Gobble-gobble. In the meantime, enjoy this blast from the past.



-10-key princess

Mini Clubbing

I recently discovered that if you own a Mini Cooper, you can join an exclusive owner's club, which features up-to-date information on nationwide Mini events. I happened to be in Chicago yesterday to witness one of these events firsthand, the "Mini Takes the States 2008 - Chicago." I was forcibly stuck watching probably 300+ Minis Cooper-vaning up to Wisconsin's "Road America" race track.

While outwardly I'm bitter about having to yield to the parade of Minis, deep down, it made me secretly want to be part of a cool car club. It was actually pretty impressive to see how each owner personalized their cars and made them unique. Unfortunately, they don't have a club for such mainstream cars as the Honda Civic or Toyota Rav 4.

What a brilliant way to drive up demand for their product. Props to the marketing department at headquarters. They actually made me want one of these for a day. (Incidentally, I did see a zipcar Mini drive by. So somebody actually did just get one for the day. I guess that's one way of feeling like an insider.)

-SM

Under Where, Part 2

The last time I was in Times Square, I got my picture taken with The Naked Cowboy. He had a publicist/manager with him who, in true Sopranos style, said that nobody could take a picture of or with him without shelling out some singles. So I did. I didn't want to be the reason for an unhappy tooshie.

It looks like he's out for more than just singles now. The Naked Cowboy is suing M&M Mars. For millions and millions of dollars.

That's right. The guy who did nothing to be infamous except strip down to his underwear (which is nothing new), paint (in bad manuscript) "Naked Cowboy" on the back of his tighty-whities, and play the guitar with a cowboy hat and long (and not particularly Fabio-esque) hair, is suing giant candy conglomerate USA for their latest ad featuring a hard-shelled blue candy that looks somewhat like him.

His classic quote when asked his reason for suing:
"Type II diabetes and childhood obesity is (an) epidemic," he said. "I am the opposite of that. I don't endorse that product."

My opinion? He should have gotten his mobster dad, Tony, to write something a little more believable for the press.

For the record, if he gets any sort of sizable settlement, I'm going back and asking for a refund.

-SM

2008 - The Year of the Vegemite Riots

Australians are sure to be upset about the Chinese ban on foreign food for the 2008 Olympics. Containers en route to Beijing are about to be rejected by customs officials.

Hey, if I had the power to turn away a shipload of Vegemite, I'd do the same thing too. This stuff looks like axle grease, tastes like plain yeast (but certainly not like beer), smells like rotten beef that's been sitting in a moldy, humid, shady Chicago alley for 3 months . . . I just can't describe it.

That said, it's probably how the Aussies view Cheese Whiz, Spam, eggnog, and chili cheese Fritos. Yum.

-10-key princess

Who Needs a Truck?

-10-key princess

Still holding out hope

When I was in elementary school, we did this project where we each wrote a note that was then put inside a balloon. The balloon was then filled with helium and released, free to travel the world and choose someone out there to be the recipient of my note.

For all these years, I was sure that my balloon got tangled in some telephone wires or just popped after hitting a tree branch no more than 200 feet from my school, the note torn to shreds by some birds looking to build a new nest. But this story gives me renewed hope. Sure, this girl used a bottle instead of a balloon (wise choice). And yes, she dropped her bottle in the ocean (smart move). But now, 21 years later, her note was found. And the guy who found her bottle got in touch with her. Pretty cool.

Somewhere, my note is out there. And maybe someday, it'll reach its destination. I just hope that when it does, my note wasn't something like this.

-JT

Dieses ist ganz verrückt!

Ok...Germany just fell down a notch for me. I guess nobody is perfect...

I ♡ L.A.

It's all true.

Dance, Sing, Floss and Travel

Last weekend was pretty awesome. Not only did I almost get mugged, have a 4-hour intensely emotional conversation with someone from my past, and make a commitment to apply for a reality show with a friend (not all the same person!), but I also got this shopping tote, which - let's face it - was almost more exciting than the dance clothes I took home in the bag.

So, here are some Deep Thoughts a la Lululemon Athletica:

• Coke, Pepsi and all other pops will be known as the cigarettes of the future. Colas are NOT a substitute for water. They are just another cheap drug made to look great by advertising.

• Do one thing a day that scares you.

• Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.

• Choose a positive thought. The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time.

• The world is changing at a rapid rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you 2 steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW!

• Friends are more important than money.

• That which matters the least should never give way to that which matters the most.

• Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions.

• Write down your short and long-term goals four times a year. Two personal, two business, and two health goals for the next 2, 5, and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.

And of course, my favorite (and this is so me!): DANCE, SING, FLOSS AND TRAVEL.

-10-key princess

Splurges for Mom

I found this article on Babycenter's website entitled "6 Splurges that are Worth It." Taking a bubble bath, buying a nice new outfit (sans stains), a DQ blizzard, mani-pedis, getting a sitter and going on a date, and going to a movie alone were some of the highlights on the list.

I'm taking it upon myself to add a few things to this list.

• Go on a trip with girlfriends only - and don't talk about the kids back home!

• Get Tivo. Record your favorite non-PBS shows to watch late at night with a pint of Ben & Jerry's. Mine include House, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, Dancing With the Stars, and Divine Design.

• Join a gym with free child care. Go often, even if it just means you're going to sit in the locker room and watch Oprah and The View back-to-back.
• Get an iPod. I put in my earbuds whenever I'm doing laundry, cleaning the toilets, scrubbing the showers, or vacuuming. Makes chores fun and tunes out the kiddos.

• Once-a-Month Cooking. Cook everything you need one day a month. You can go to places like Dinner by Design if you don't like the prep and clean up.
  
• Get a pet. Goldfish, bird, dog, cat, whatever. Apparently, it's good for your health, too.
  

• Splurge on home decor. If you want a Restoration Hardware Parisian Armchair, get it!
• Get a DSW frequent shopper card. Enough said.

We deserve it! Moms, let's get a bit decadent and indulge!

-SM

Who We Are

We have a readership! I've gotten a few random e-mails and comments from blog readers asking us who we are. I thought we could do a little Q&A to appease our (small but growing) fan base. (This reminds me of those slam books we used to do in middle school. Does anyone else remember those?)

In the meantime, here's a bit about us: 10-key princess, Janos, JT, and SM (the Suburban Mommy).

Hit us with your best shot.


10-key princess








Janos







JT







SM





What's the best advice you've ever given?
10-kp: To my little brother: "Don't drop out of college, idiot."
Janos: Telling one of my high school best friends to quit being a waiter and get a real job. He became an engineer for Lockheed Martin 3 months later.
JT: "Um, guys. Guys. Guys!" (Said while pointing up in the air) to two of my friends sitting next to me in the bleachers during batting practice before a baseball game. They were being stupid, throwing peanut shells at each other. All of the sudden, thwack. The batter crushed a ball, and it was heading directly at them. They have no idea as they're still playing around, and the ball's getting closer. I start pointing in the air as I'm like, "Um, guys. Guys. Guys!" Finally, they realize I'm talking to them, look up, can't find the ball and just scatter. And about 2.438 seconds later, the ball comes crashing down right where one of them was sitting. Luckily for his future wife, whoever it may be, I was paying attention.
SM: I told my husband on 9/12/01 while working in the airline industry, "Look for a job IMMEDIATELY."

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
10-kp: Tahiti. They speak French. It's an island. Perfect.
Janos: Costa Rica. Imagine being a 2-hr drive from the Atlantic, the Pacific, mountains, rain forests, volcanoes, warm weather, and LOTS of bikinis.
JT: Australia. Kangaroos and koala bears. Enough said.
SM: Marin County, CA - or, my husband prefers Berkeley Hills. But that's too liberal for me.

What is your deepest fear?
10-kp: Clowns. Admit it. You're scared of Ronald McDonald, too.
Janos: Failing in front of people I know.
JT: Getting a papercut on my eye. Just writing that makes me shudder.
SM: That someone I know will get Alzheimer's.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
10-kp: Dalai Lama, probably
Janos: There are so many...Pablo Casals is one of them.
JT: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The footprint he left on this world makes my life seem insignificant.
SM: My great-grandmother. I hear she was a great storyteller.

What is your favorite food?
10-kp: Pomegranates
Janos: Almost anything from any small hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant, preferably in Italy.
JT: A nice juicy steak. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of guy.
SM: Louisiana Chicken Pasta, Cheesecake Factory - yum!

Favorite song today?
10-kp: No One - Alicia Keys (again, thanks, Philip)
Janos: Calling - The Clash
JT: Circus by Craig Cardiff
SM: It seems all I listen to is Little Einsteins classical selections these days

Do you have any pets?
10-kp: Not right now. I can barely keep my houseplant alive.
Janos: Not since I moved in 2005
JT: Define pets, please.
SM: Almost got a goldfish last night, but then decided to let a teenager adopt it. Was that a good idea? That poor goldfish.

What is the last book you read?
10-kp: Eat, Pray, Love. An Oprah book club book.
Janos: As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner
JT: Finding Fish. It's Antwone Fisher's autobiography.
SM: The Friday Night Knitting Club

Do you like to cook?
10-kp: Not for myself. But I like hosting dinner parties.
Janos: Not unless it's for people. I'd rather do dishes!
JT: Yes. When it's something I know how to make, at least.
SM: I prefer it if my husband cooks. He used to have a chef as a roommate. I don't mind cleaning in exchange for a good meal.

Are you married or single?
10-kp: Joyfully single, apparently.
Janos: Not married but "it's complicated"
JT: Married. I think.
SM: Married, almost 8 years

Do you have brothers and sisters?
10-kp: 2 older sisters, 2 younger brothers
Janos: One older brother and one younger sister
JT: An older sister. Living in DC. Trying to save the world. She's great.
SM: Only child

Do you live alone?
10-kp: Yes. But I have a Taser. And mace. And self-defense training. ;)
Janos: Sure.
JT: See the answer to "Are you married or single?"
SM: Husband and son live in the same house. Interesting concept, huh?

Have you ever lived in another country?
10-kp: Switzerland, France, Belgium, UK (briefly)
Janos: Once or twice. I am right now.
JT: No.
SM: Long term? No. I did a study abroad in Europe during college.

Have you ever met a famous person?
10-kp: (not including sports or concerts) David Schwimmer, Angelina Jolie, the Olsen twins, P. Diddy (or is he just Diddy now?), Tom Brokaw, Jay Leno, Angelica Huston, Vanessa Paradis, Jessica Biel, Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Caroline Rhea, Clay Aiken, Barack Obama
Janos: Define "famous". On numerous occasions I've embarrassed myself in front of Nobel laureates. I once spent an afternoon with Hillary Hahn.
JT: Forest Whitaker. Jewel. Shigeru Miyamoto (created Super Mario Bros. and other Nintendo characters). The band Cheap Trick. Mayor Richard Daley. Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Hillary Clinton. Ms. Pac-Man. Toni Kukoc. Glen Phillips (solo artist and former lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket). Chris Brown. Jen Scheff and Andrew Firestone (from the Bachelor). Mario, Luigi and Zelda (the official ones, not people dressed up for Halloween). Warren Brown from Cake Love (Oprah loves him). Otis Wilson. The band Collective Soul. Harry Caray. The Marlboro Men. The band Good Charlotte. That's who I can think of right now. And yes, a lot of them are musicians and characters - it's one of the job perks.
SM: I did get my picture taken with Steve Young when he was a top QB... my other friend was also in the shot. I conveniently enlarged the pic and cut her out of it when I framed it. But his arm was around me, not her!

How old are you?
10-kp: 28
28
JT: 28
SM: 29

Are you religious?
10-kp: Christian
Janos: Not at all
JT: Jewish but not religious.
SM: Christian - Mormon/LDS

What's your political stance?
10-kp: Morally Republican.
Janos: I'm for human rights and well-educated decisions. I guess that makes me a left-libertarian communist fascist hippie, depending on how you interpret that.
JT: Democrat
SM: Moderate - Republican

What do you think you'll be doing five years from now?
10-kp: married, kids, house, a dog named Marley, Volvo station wagon, working, traveling
Janos: Hopefully married and beginning a career as a research professor
JT: Five years from now, I'll still working at an ad agency, although it's hard to say where. Wherever it is, I'll probably be sitting at my desk, notebook in hand, writing for whatever assignments I'm working on at the time. Oh, and I'm guessing I'll be scrambling to put a Valentine's Day present together.
SM: My son will be in 2nd grade! YEAH!!! And, yikes! I'll probably go back to work.

Are you a morning or night person?
10-kp: Late night, early morning. I tend to work best during those hours with few interruptions.
Janos: Night person
JT: I'd say I'm more a morning person than a night person, but I'm adaptable. Like a chameleon.
SM: Neither. I like my sleep too much.

Sunrises or sunsets?
10-kp: both
Janos: Sunsets
JT: Both. For different reasons.
SM: Sunsets on the beach in San Diego.

Do you like bananas?
10-kp: yes - they're easy to eat, peel, and clean up
Janos: Not particularly
JT: Yep. Especially after going on a run.
SM: They're the dream food for a mom. No prep. Convenient packaging.

Flip flops or sandals?
10-kp: flip flops
Janos: Sandals
JT: Flip flops. I mean, they flip and they flop. How could anything be better?
SM: Both, all year round.

Tell us about your first kiss.
10-kp: 8th grade after school... my "boyfriend" and I had been "going out" for about 2 weeks. He told his friends he wanted to kiss me, and they told my friends. So that's how we communicated that it was going to happen. We gave each other a peck by the science lab. Then, our parents came to pick us up. It was so hot. ;)
Janos: I was 16. It was at night on a big rock at orchestra camp with the cute redhead. She smelled like shaving creme and neither of us had ANY idea what we were doing.
JT: A bunch of us were at this one girl's house in eighth grade, and after getting bored with watching TV, we decided to be a little randy and play a little spin the bottle. This smoking hot eighth grade girl was up - I'm talking hairsprayed bangs and different colored braces - and when the bottle stopped spinning, it was pointing at me. So we both leaned in, over the center of the players' circle, and pecked the lightest, fastest kiss in the history of PDA. My heart never pounded as hard.
SM: Junior Prom. It was magical. Hold Onto the Nights. Richard Marx. Dancing.

What did you study in college?
10-kp: Finance, then MBA, and a bit of slacking off in between
Janos: Physical sciences and cello mostly, with some dabbling in government, econ, journalism, soviet history, and early cinema.
JT: Got my undergrad degree in advertising, and then I went to portfolio school to put my book together.
SM: International Studies, Global Economics. Totally useless these days with a toddler. Maybe when he goes to kindergarten, I can get him started with the concept of market equilibrium or at least some basic cultural geography.

A Place for Literary Nerds

Next time you're wandering around Paris and you're so over the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, and Musee D'Orsay, check out this local utopian bookstore that romanticizes the bohemian lifestyle.

The owner even lets aspiring authors stay there in exchange for helping out around the place. So if you ever find yourself homeless in Paris, George will hook you up.

-10-key princess

Lessons from Sex and the City

I don't know if I'm getting older, if everyone else just seems so much younger, or if I'm just *SO* much more mature than I was 2 1/2 years ago (doubt it), but I've only been "re-single" for 4 months and I'm already dreading the dating scene.

The single life has been good to me. I go where I want, when I want. I don't answer to anyone. I flirt with cute traveling businessmen and guys at the gym without feeling guilty. I spend my money a little more impulsively than I did before and travel as much as I want. I'm investing time in relationships with my family and girlfriends. I even have a flowery duvet on my bed since the departure of two-and-a-half-year-relationship ex.

But I know eventually I'll have to get back out there. But I really, really don't want to. I don't know how the game is played anymore. I have no idea what to expect. The thought makes me tired and weary. I think Charlotte on S&tC said it best:

Charlotte: Women just want to be rescued. I'm sorry but it's true. I've been dating since I was fifteen. I'm exhausted. Where is he?
Miranda: Who? The white knight?
Samantha: That only happens in fairy tales.
Charlotte: My hair hurts.

Maybe I should consider becoming a social smoker. Then I won't have to wait to be rescued by my knight in shining armor.

-10-key princess

Where "If I Talk Louder, Will You Understand Me Better?" Came From

One night earlier this week, a friend and I were discussing random daily happenings, and somehow landed on the topic of travel and tourism (not a surprise, for those who know me).

Said friend (and brilliant writer/hopeful future guest poster JT) and I were recounting all the funny tourist experiences we've either been a part of or seen:

-Being completely horrified as my best friend's mother stood in the middle of a ghetto foreign neighborhood, visibly opening a map in the middle of the sidewalk, proudly donning her American flag baseball cap, $5 Old Navy t-shirt, and true-to-form fanny pack;
-Two American guys getting cornered their first night in London by a stereotypical strip club owner and "big bouncer friend" after *almost* refusing to pay for 30 minutes/$800 worth of "sexy talk" from the so-not-worth-it ladies;
-Watching from the sidelines as an unsuspecting American family (with quite a conspicuous southern drawl) tried to buy tickets for a train ride in Madrid, dad's voice getting louder and LOUDER BY THE WORD (so that Madrid-ticket-counter-guy would understand him better, of course) until he could hold back no longer... and spit in American dad's face.

So, sometime during this conversation, I told JT that I wanted to start a new blog. Being the creative genius he is, he rattled off at LEAST 10 truly appropriate blog titles. But this is the one I decided on to track hilarious experiences that make life... life: family, friends, relationships, lack of relationships, politics, religion, pop culture, music, books, travel, and who-knows-what-else.

Thanks for the inspiration, JT. :)

-10-key princess