Whew, I'm glad it's Monday

[stoney321]

We had a super busy/productive weekend here. I FINALLY convinced my Emily (8 years old) to let me teach her how to ride a bike. I think she was scared she would get hurt instead of realizing how awesome having a bike is when you're a kid. She got on, fretted for a second, I did the whole running alongside thing, and she took off. Never fell. Spent EIGHT HOURS on her new bike that day. Woke up before the Mr. and I and took off around the block and spent all Sunday out, too. LOL.

Man, being a kid with a bike was the best, right? I had a bike like this when I was 7 or 8, but white and purple, with big flowers on the seat. When a friend sat on the handle bars to get a lift, we called that "getting a pump." LOL. Oh, man, did I love riding up to the little 5 and Dime (it was literally a 5 and Dime, too) and buying those nasty wax bottles with flavored liquid in them. Or Bottlecaps. Or my fave, Lik 'Em Aid. I may or may not have tied things to my neck to fly like Superman as I raced down San Juan with my sister and the neighbors.

Our neighborhood was designed with child bike riders in mind, too, so there are these tunnels that run under the major roads so kids don't have to cross busy streets. Awesome. I anticipate a fun summer. Next stop: wicker basket for picnic type items for happy fun times on Saturdays. \o/

Um, I had to go get myself a bike, too. I've been window shopping for a beach cruiser-style, because a) it's relatively flat where I live and b) there are bike paths everywhere, so no off-roading for me and c) there's a grocery store 1 mile away and I don't want to have to drive there for sundries, you know? So. While I wanted an Electra Townie, Balloon 3i (omg, in azure, how cute are they??) I didn't want to spend almost $500 bucks on a bike, then need to spend another $100+ on panniers. And I really don't need Shimano gears, brakes with cooling pads, etc. A basic step through was good enough for Anne Shirley, it's good enough for me! :D

$600: that's not cost effective for the grocery trips/rides to the park with the kids. I ended up getting a cute cruiser made by Huffy and it is ADORABLE. I then had to go to the fabric store to buy material to make my own panniers, because I couldn't find any that weren't utilitarian or shaped right. (It needs to be angled by your heel, or you'll smack the bag with the back of your foot constantly.)

I'm making them up this week, and had to design my own pattern, as I couldn't find anything that was wide enough for a grocery bag (the reusable kind that I have in droves), shaped with the angled side, or looked cute. Because I seriously need them to be cute. I AM THAT GIRL. Be prepared for a major picspam in a few days of my sewper kewt bike bidness.



Other things that happened, I made friends with a new neighbor on the strength of my mojitos. THEY ARE THAT DELICIOUS. I spent the better part of yesterday on my nice, breezy porch sipping on said beverage and reading what may be the greatest memoir ever written. There's more on that to come in the week, I don't want to spoil things. Let's just say that the only memoir that could possibly trump this one would be mine if Falkor showed up at my front door, blinked/mouth-flapped that Bastian actually called my name, not his mother's and Atreyu was waiting for me for crazy fun adventures. IF YOU GET THAT REFERENCE, ADD FIFTY POINTS TO YOUR COOL COLUMN. (Or nerdy/geeky/pathetic column, whichever works.) BASTIAN! CALL MY NAME! (lol. I totally wanted a forehead necklace thingy like the Queen. They look like... strong hands... don't they?)

I have a call back this afternoon for that other children's toy commercial, which would be great to get. I like paychecks, those are nice. I had an audition on Friday at 5:30 PM in downtown Dallas. On a Friday. Downtown. Rush hour. Who the hell... Anyway, everyone was late, the guy I auditioned with (not in my agency) while cute, was a dud, so I'm sure I won't get that one. The casting director had us act like a married couple that can barely stand one another. YES, THAT IS ENTICING ME TO GO TO SAID RESTAURANT. Huh? Whatev, I learn something from each audition. (In case my agent is reading this... Lol.)

I also rewired all of my landscape lighting because the Mr. thought he knew something about electricity given that he's a man (I suppose) and blew out the whole set up. The set up that I originally put in by myself, I might add. I figured out what he did wrong (snipped wires, affixed them to themselves which is a NO NO and blew out the transformer. That would be like taking a plug and bending the prongs to touch each other, not stick out straight.) So my landscape is lit at night and lovely, once more. Look. My husband is VERY GOOD at many things. Many. But he knows dick about cars and (evidently) electricity, so those are officially my duties here at Chez Stoney. Fine by me.

LAST THING and then I'll shut up with the yammering. I have summed up why The Pacific is blowing chunks. (No spoilers, unless stating the goodness - or lack thereof - is a spoiler?) It's all tell, not show. Harumph.
The Pacific (Kinda spoilery for Ep 5)

In BoB, they had the actual guys talking about what happened. Then they showed it happening with the actors. Then they had the actual guys summing it up. It gave weight, meaning, and emotional space to what transpired and got the audience to care.

The Pacific? Old guys talking tersely (I mean, I get that. They had the worst end of the war, hands down. And there's not too many still alive at this point.) and then THAT SERVES AS THE EXPOSITION. That's about it. Then they move on to something else and the show just ends. Um....

Example? Oh, I got your example right here:

They talked about the rats being wall to wall in Pavuvu when they showed up. The only indication was when Closeted Gay Southerner with Asthma ran to find his Secret Lover and there were two rats gamboling in an empty tent. Or when CGSwA was poking at a crab (they're from MOBILE, ALABAMA, this will be important) and SL tried to light its anus with a lighter and CGSwA got huffy with him. "You won't be so tender hearted when you're pulling them out of your crotch in the morning."

And that's how we know that the island was literally crawling with land crabs? How about letting us SEE IT instead of you just telling us and expecting an emotional response? Bah. Oh, and SL says, "Ugly things, huh?" like the other guy has never seen a crab before. IN MOBILE, ALABAMA. Because that's not near water, or anything... WTF?

And of course, I have to see this damn thing through, because I just feel that the guys that served in the Pacific end of WW2 don't get any attention because that wasn't as sexy as the European theater. It was just a whole lot of killing, starvation, dehydration, and mahem. For four fucking years. Oy. So. Can't back out, wishing this was a better show because they deserve it, wishing it had an extra 8 episodes so they could actually go into more DETAIL and make me care.

Positives: crusty old Marine seeing the rain and stripping nekkid, soaping up, and singing a song because that's a great time for a shower. LOL. Now THAT is a Marine. (I have a soft spot for the Corps, I can't help it. My ex was a cadet, and every Leatherneck I've known has been career and they're JUST LIKE that guy. <3)

Here, have a link to a funky little garden to bring a smile to your face. I'm off to work out and sew bike bags, because I know how to party. Oh, I'll do some meth*, because again: I know how to party.

* No, I won't. I do coke, it's like you've not been paying attention or something.

Comments

[turnonmyheels.livejournal.com]

Dude. Bastion called *my* name. And don't you forget it!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH!! *cries*

*watches the Oracles try to eye-zap you*

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Your Huffy is the same shape and style as the bike I had through high school; later I had a gorgeous French country road bike that I rode all over until we moved to this house in 1984 and I was faced with a road with such bad sight-lines and so much heavy truck traffic (and, at that point, no paved shoulders and in some places no shoulders at all) that I gave it up. Even now, with paved shoulders, few people ride bikes on my road, even though the rest of the neighborhood is full of that particular subspecies called Drunks on Bikes: alcoholics who've lost their licenses, as well as serious faced commuters, Japanese exchange students, and roving bands of middle school kids.

Julia, all verklempt over bikish memories

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I finally got a 10 speed when I was 11, and it was stolen two weeks later. FAIL. I stuck with mountain bikes for years until my knees gave out.

[arcana-j.livejournal.com]

Is it wrong that I always just wanted to biff the movie version of the "Childlike Empress" upside the Head?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

NO IT IS NOT. She was quite the emo, right?

[oatmellow.livejournal.com]

Of course it would be coke over meth. You wanna keep your teefs!

Sounds like your weekend was as busy as mine (a different kinda busy, but busy nonetheless.) I need some recovery time--starting NOW!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Although I have been eyeing those flappers that the 8 year old beauty queens use....

I say you take a nap in the sunshine then start drinking at 2, I'm a mom and can write you an excuse note, if you need.

[ivyfree.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the poison gas. Used a lot of poison gas in the Pacific, we did.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Both sides.

[nemesisstar.livejournal.com]

Oh how I longed for Falcor to show up at my door and take me to some wild and crazy adventures with Atreyu, whom I was crazy off-the-wall in love with! Let's be honest here, since my "geek" is showing...I STILL long for Falcor to show up at my door and take me off to some wild and crazy adventuring, minus the crazy-in-love-with-Atreyu thing. *sigh* Thanks for taking me back. :o) Oh, and I'm in love with your bike. I want one just like that, but in powder blue. Total love.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

How hot was Atreyu? With his dual serpetine necklace and leather breeches? SO HOT.

And man, I totally still want to have those adventures. STILL.

(I wish I could have found the perfect bike in powder blue, too. That's what I wanted. But the ones I found were about $450. BOO.)

[mumsisdaughter]

Oh, the joys of being able to ride a bike, the freedom it brings! I assume you're the brilliant mother I know you are and Emily is fully kitted out with snazzy helmet, if not elbow and knee pads. My daughter rapidly graduated to a full size man's bike (I envy her her long legs) but was never allowed out without the helmet, thank God. At the age of 18 a car argued with her at a road junction and she fell from the bike, striking her head on the road. A trip to the hospital in an ambulance later proved she was fine but it could have been so different.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

When we picked out her bike, we not only got a new helmet, but an errERR! bike horn to boot!

My BFF was hit by a car whilst riding to work and was knocked unconscious. The only thing that kept her alive was the fact that she had a helmet on. We're big fans of safety. :)

[secondalto.livejournal.com]

*Adds 50 points to cool column*

You know, I read somewhere they were thinking of remaking that? I wanted to and choke a bitch.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[lynnenne]

I made friends with a new neighbor on the strength of my mojitos. THEY ARE THAT DELICIOUS.

They are! I believe in the power of your mojitos to UNITE HUMANITY!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

If only I could drop bombs filled with the sweet sweet nectar that is the mojito on various wars, we could make this place a sticky, minty fresh nirvana.

[ethrosdemon.livejournal.com]

This is what I think about BoB vs The Pacific:

BoB was written (the book) by Stephen Ambrose, so the narrative structure was created for maximum impact: we meet the dudes in boot camp, we commiserate with them over David Schwimmer (perhaps not the correct name for the CO), THEN the stories branch off to be about individuals.

Where I think they effed up on the Pacific from the get-go was not following the guys from Easy who ended up in the Pacific theater. Then we would have given a crap. It took them too long to make this, too. And then, I guess, they used the unpaid labor of their teenaged kids to write it or something.

Dreamtone + Spielberg need to sit out a few plays

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

The fact that S Ambrose didn't write this is so apparent. (What you've mentioned is what I touched on last week, too. Great minds think alike = MFEO.)

It's so poorly written and feels so slap dash. NOT ON, SPIELBERG/HANKS. Not on.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

Now I have "Neverending Story" stuck in my head. What? I really am just that impressionable. Oh, Limahl, what are you up to now?

Your bike is so cute! The mister just got his bike tuned up and now he's all excited about spring/summer rides. It's really hilly here, though, and I have never mastered the gears on my bike *cries* I am just so uncoordinated and can't pump and shift and watch traffic and flowers at the same time! I know I just need practice.

Good luck on the toy commercial gig!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Limahl! LOL.

I have NEVER mastered gears. Never. I always found one that was comfortable to use, then stuck with it. I mean, I'm not in the Tour de France, I'M GOOD WITH THE ONE. I say you get a beach cruiser, too! One gear = no concentration on anything but the surroundings!

Thank you very much!

[fayeven.livejournal.com]

ahhhh..... i always dreamed of flying on a luck dragon... it just seemed so wonderful! also, am i the only one that thought the casting of the young actors playing 'bastian and atreyu was brilliant in the first one (not only because of their talent)because to me, atreyu looked like what could have been 'bastian's imaginary vision of himself... does that make any sense? ...i've yet to read the book, but it's definitely on my list ;)

p.s. your new bike is adorable! .....hmmmm..... my current old cheapo bike is on it's last legs.....

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

OMG< what a great thought you had - and now I can't NOT think that! Very cool.

My bike wasn't too pricey... :)

[marlo.livejournal.com]

YAY BIKES! It's totally bike-riding season wheeeeeeee

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

It has been GORGEOUS. I'm telling you, these panniers I'm making are SUPER AWESOME.

[weaver42.livejournal.com]

I think I need all your booze recipes. I just need 'em. I NEED 'EM.

So, y'know, get on that.

Mojitos, margaritas, whatever you got.

-- c.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I feel like I've posted them somewhere, but I can't find the tag so.

Mojito, Stoney-Style
1 tsp. Simple syrup (recipe to follow)
mint leaves
splash of Topo Chico mineral water (or club soda - I just dig Topo Chico mineral water)
Rum, a jigger and change
limeade (this is my cheat.)

Mint leaves torn up (not smashed) in an 8 oz. glass, a handful of crushed ice. Drizzle in a tsp. of simple syrup (or more if you like it sweet, most do) and add the rum. Top off the glass with limeade and a splash of club soda/mineral water, shake, and down in one. Or sip like an old lady.

Simple syrup: equal parts sugar and water (1 C to 1 C), bring to a boil, stir until dissolved, and let cool. This will keep in a Mason jar for a long time in the pantry. I do refrigerate it if I add some mint sprigs for extra minty goodness. (Put the sprigs in while the syrup cools, fish out when you store.)

I'll do my margarita recipe later, it's DELICIOUS.

[affectingly.livejournal.com]

I just rewatched The Neverending Story the other day. That movie STILL holds up. Also, G'mork still scares the buhjesus out of me.

Secret: when I was 15, I crashed my bike into the side of our house (dented some guttering and the vinyl siding and everything and bent the fuck out of the frame of my bike). I have never ridden a bike since then. I used to ride my bike EVERYWHERE. I lived in a pretty small town and so the summertime was spent basically outdoors all day, riding around. To this day, I'm unsure how I managed to lose control so spectacularly as to ride into the side of our HOUSE.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

OMG we looooove The Neverending Story. And I love to keep my face frozen - minus my mouth - and say "The nothiiiiiiing!" like him, lol. That was FRIGHTENING, that whole exchange! (Have you read the book??)

That would huuuuuuuuurt. I can't imagine how hard you must have crashed to bend the frame! Laws have mercy, that would send most people off.

[tabaqui]

Ah, man. Summers and springs and falls were spent pedaling our bikes furiously around and around. We had a long - about a quarter-mile - drivway that took a big loop around the house. Two hills! It was awesome.

I also went down and busted my knee big-time at one point, heh.

But yeah - bicycles are a blast. I wish i still had my mountain bike.

Mr. Stoney sounds about on par with Cat vis a vis - being a handyman. Cat? Does not do it.

That garden link is awesome but jayzus god, who has time to maintain all that? I would definitely spend some of my Lotto! winnings on a gardener.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a great driveway - perfect for races and practicing tricks, etc.

I flew over my handlebars when I was 10 and broke out my two front teeth. Eeesh. Bike wrecks are the worst, but man, so fun.

That garden wasn't too much trouble, as far as they go. A lot of up front work, but the only maintenance is sweeping and watering, from what I'm looking at. It's just that getting it set up work that's the big energy rush.

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

I am not cool enough to get your reference. I am planning to run away to Bali in shame.

Aaron was around 8 also when he learned to ride. Zachary was 5 and figured it out long before Aaron. He just got on the bike and rode it into a bush. (braking was an issue) And then, did it again. And again. And in thirty minutes, was riding.

When I was ten, I saw a kid ride into a tree and split open his head. I didn't ride again for years.

Emily is now a free little bird! One of the first big steps toward independence.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Neverending Stooooooooreeeeeeeee! That's the reference. ;)

The older two picked it up early, but My Emily needed a wee more time to wrap her head around it. LOL at Zachary riding straight into the bush. That's actually smart, that kiddo! Softer to land in than asphalt to land on, I say.

She's been whizzing up and down the block since she got home from school HEE.

[shank-lander.livejournal.com]

"Artax! You're sinking!"

Me: NNNoooo! *wibbles*

*holds hand out for fifty points of COOOOL* Please

[ipnotika.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I've had my eye on a Balloon in tangerine. Pretty. :)

However, I'm rather fond of my current Frankenstein cruiser (http://ipnotika.livejournal.com/77340.html).

[soberloki.livejournal.com]

Stop making me sniffle with Rockbiter quotes!!!

[vermin-nz.livejournal.com]

Yay - geek points! (Although I suspect I have plenty of those already.) My two girls would qualify too; we bought it for them on DVD, along with a number of others from days gone by.

So Stoney - any tips on How to Teach Bike-Riding (without ageing 10 years in the process)? It's something we need to work on here, but previous attempts have been pretty hair-raising. My girls don't seem to understand that they have to actually peddle the thing if they want to stay upright.

[nijireiki.livejournal.com]

Aw, man, The Neverending Story! I haven't seen it in yeeeears! However, I did have some really cool/nerdy people at Circuit City (before it closed) call my Pyrenees "Falcor," which would have been more awesome if he gave rides. And, you know... flew.

Confession: I am a grown-up person, who owns a bicycle, and cannot ride one. I got it for like, 30 bucks, and it is purple, and has a gear shifty thingy, and you don't brake by backpedaling, and that is all I know about it. :| Anyway! The point being that you should go to Instructables.com because they have all these DIY instructions for repainting bikes, ghetto-ass panniers (a lot of people make them out of those GIANT cat litter bins), etc. etc., BUT your bike is cute already and Stoney don't play that "No-Clump"-pannier shit. *cough*

When am I going to see you on my TV, man? I live in Florida, so I haven't seen any commercials yet. I'll just have to wait for the Blood on the Highway DVD.