Ed's Birthday

So let's see...

Yesterday was Ed's birthday. He's 27. I got him a photo album for his pics from China, a cook book, and afishing pole and tackle box. It was really cute to see how excited he was about the fishing rod. Seriously, like a kid on Christmas. He had gone fishing when we were ND, and was really excited about doing some out here.

I haven't been able to post about the shopping experience for the fishing pole yet (for obvious reasons). But I felt like a fish out of water--pun intended. I went to this HUGE outdoor store--i have blogged about it before. There were seriously hundreds of fishing poles--rows and rows and rows of them. So I go back and talk to this man working there, who was very nice, and was like....aaahhh I need a fishing pole...aaahh. PS the range of fishing poles is like $20-several hundred dollars. Some come with the reel on the them--others not. He asked me a series of questions about what kind of fishing Ed would be doing etc. Um, no clue. He showed me stuff in my price range and I tried to "compare" them, which is basically a joke. The red one is cute?? So finally, I went up to this guy in who was in about in his 60s, and he just looked like a guy who fishes. I asked him for some recommendations and he directed me to a pole--not very expensive at all--that he had fished with for over 20 years. Perfect!

We went out for a nice dinner to this Italian place and we both ate too much. Then we went and got icecream with Brenda and Paul. I was stuffed before we went for icecream and seriously felt ill afterwards. In general, Ed and I--okay mostly Ed but me by default--have been eating lighter meals and the food was wonderful but I swear my body rejected the quantity it had to digest. I also pretended that i was going to eat half and bring the rest in for lunch--didn't happen.

I found this ironic

Quotes from when Clinton committed troops to Bosnia:

"You can support the troops but not the president."--Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)

"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years."--Joe Scarborough (R-FL)

"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?"--Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/6/99"

[The] President . . . is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy."--Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)

"American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy."--Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)"

If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy."--Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of George W Bush

"I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning . . I didn't think we had done enough in the diplomatic area."--Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)

"I cannot support a failed foreign policy. History teaches us that it is often easier to make war than peace. This administration is just learning that lesson right now. The President began this mission with very vague objectives and lots of unanswered questions. A month later, these questions are still unanswered. There are no clarified rules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our over-extended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today"--Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)

"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."--Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)

A long time no blog

You would think that with Ed gone I would have been a mad blogging woman—telling you of my adventures in cleaning and organizing. But last week at work, I had *the* busiest work of week since I got here. This week is slightly better, but not by much.

I actually did a great job on getting organized. I went through closets, organized shelves, filed papers. You name it, I was on it. Felt really great! I didn’t get it 100% done, but I would give myself an A-. Not bad. I had over two weeks, so really…

I also spent a lot of money while Ed was gone. I have been in this insatiable shopping mood. I am never like that. I am the queen of anti-stuff. But I just have felt the need to shop, lately. I bought a bunch of Ed’s birthday presents, some new dress pants, a skirt, a couple of organizing bins, a new swim suit. I really must stop! The checkbook is hurting!

I got my hair cut—a good 3-4 inches off. It took some adjustment, but overall it was a good move. The woman was like Edward Scissorhands though. She definitely took more than I said, as they all do. I have to blow dry now, which is good because it looks better but bad because it, of course, takes more time in the a.m.

Ed got back last night. His trip to China was fantastic. I looked at all 250 pictures. He got me a beautiful silk robe and a great tea pot with 4 cups. He was exhausted last night, but was able to get up pretty well this a.m.

Swimming Pools, Avocados, and CVS: this is my life

I am addicted to avocados lately. I seriously can not get enough. I have them on my sandwiches and my salads. I bought a lot of them because I was making those quesadillas and then I ran out of tortillas, so I had to find other uses. Mmmmm sooo good. Any one know of other uses of avocados (other than guac. which is the obvious one)?

On Tuesday, I went to the pool in our neighborhood. I feel a little guilty for not using it. It is really nice, it costs $3, and it is literally a five minute walk. When I got there to “swim” I had my own lane because there were about four people in the whole pool. By swim, I just use a kickboard because I am a crappy swimmer. It’s a great workout and a great break for other forms of exercise. I felt so refreshed when I was done. Seriously, I am ashamed I don’t use it more. I am going tonight.

So I really love were we live because it is such a great neighborhood, and so convenient with the hardware store, CVS, dry cleaner, and grocery store all within blocks. CVS is across the street, but it is it possible for it to be too convenient? I was literally over there 3 times last night!!! I have to go back tonight because my prescription wasn’t in…it’s getting embarrassing

Ed is doing well in China. Today he goes to the great wall. It sounds like he has done some fun things: went to the market, met with “important” people, gone to some museums, ate Peking Duck etc. He leaves tomorrow for Shanghi (sp?)…

In other news, my stupid DVD has not show up from netflix. It was supposed to be here Tuesday! I have already sent the other two back!!! I am DVDless!!!!

Brother of Blogger Makes Editorial Page

This is Danny's editiorial in the Star Tribune from Aug. 9 (at least the online edition)

Don't go backward

I hope one of the most important public health initiatives in a generation isn't scaled back because of the political ambitions of Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. Previously he accepted a smoking ban to protect nonsmokers from the excesses of a smoking minority. So it's disconcerting to see him possibly ready to sacrifice this important measure, apparently for political expediency.
McLaughlin is looking for political traction at the expense of the public's health. That future-be-damned bias already reigns in Washington; do we really need it here in Minneapolis?

Danny Carlson, Minneapolis.

Sunday am updates

Ed is off to China. I dropped him off before nine o'clock and his plane leaves at 12:20. With time differences/layovers, I will here from him Monday a.m., which is when he will get in (except it will be Monday night there (I think!?!). He was up late packing, so I hope he sleeps. I have never him seen him so concerned about his packing--making lists, checking them, weighing himself and then weighing himself holding his suitcase to see how much the suitcase weighed.

It seems everyone on is on vacation these days--just an observation. I can think of 5 friends off the top of my head that are currently on or going on vacation. I think we are getting older and people are taking real vacations. I guess some of the trips that I am thinking of are for work, so we are getting older because we are traveling for work.

I am taking the opportunity while Ed is gone to "makeover" my life. I can hear the laughter now from dear friends. I feel like I pull a scheme like every so often. In college, I did it alot. But, sometimes you have to do it. I mean I just have felt out of control with things. Work is a perfect example. I am here right now (Sunday a.m.) because my desk was just a disaster; I could not see my desk and there were no longer piles, it was just one big explosion of paper. I have been working for about an hour or so filing etc. and it feels so good. Except the AC isn't on--so I don't know how long I will last. Next stop: my purse and drawers at home. Watchout. I hope to get back into exercise and start eating better.

Okay, survey: do you use photo albums or photoboxes? which do you like better, and why? Do you actually use this consistently? and the optional question: how have digital cameras/online photo developing changed the course of our "picture history"?