mas means more

Happy Birthday!

Why Wait

My latest blog addiction is a compilation of real messages from beloved moms collected on Postcards from yo momma

Part of the appeal is reading, out of context, the vernacular shared among loved ones.

I was going to save the link for a larger mom tribute on May 11 but, that's kind of like waiting for that perfect moment to say I love you.

Inspiration

"Every day the choice is presented to us, to live up to the spirit that is in us,
or deny it"-Henry Miller



photo via fffound
quote via keri smith-how to make a living doing what you love

Ready to Wear Oprah?

Now you can purchase the clothes off her back or at least from the back of her closet. Lightly used Oprah clothes are for sale in her Chicago store. Read all about it at the link to NY Times article right here and yes, the marvelling continues...

The tale of the stolen SE Racing bike

So what if it was propped, not locked, outside his place of business? MAS called me at 10a.m. to share the disturbing news that his bike was stolen.

Feeling sympathetic to the situation, I offered condolences and asked him to double-check on my bikes upon his return home. It seems every six months a wave of bike thefts occur and my (imagination-fed) fear was that a troop of bike bandits had descended upon Bend wreaking havoc and misery with every beloved two-wheeler stolen.

MAS wasn't buying the scenario. He decided to go on the hunt for his missing SE Racing Stout. Certain that an early morning, alley-walking transient must be the culprit, his logic was that the bike could still be found in town.

Slightly concerned with the vigilante emerging from my kind and sensible husband, I made light of his endeavor. I offered that he could"...call me if you need back-up!"
I suggested he take our 11 year old border collie along on his mission, "just in case." But MAS was not deterred by my jokes, he was on a quest to find the SE STOUT.

AND SO IT BEGAN...

He searched the streets riding another bike from his quiver, this one a stripped down fixed gear. Beginning on the west side of town, up and down the quiet Friday avenues, always on the lookout for his gray single speed steed, he rode. After a couple hours searching, MAS felt a rumble in his stomach and ducked into the Deschutes Brewery for lunch.

Though seated at the pub, his thoughts remained with the loss of his bike. Replacing it would cost a few hundies at least. He chose a cost-saving pretzel and washed it down with two pints.

Now he ventured east. Crossing 97 emboldened him. He stopped in the pawn shops. There he found scores of hand guns and shot guns but no SE Stout. Then to the cop shop further east. He filed the Police report despite his sense of the futility of this action.

The day was wearing on and still no bike sighting. MAS returned to the west side. He stopped by a friends house not expecting him to be home at 3 in the afternoon.

BUT, HE WAS.

MAS shared his tale of woe over another beer. Wii was played, probably tennis, MAS kicked ass due to his wicked serve. Another fellow stopped by and all enjoyed the impromptu dude session. But MAS couldn't forget that time & the opportunity to find his bike were passing.

He left. The canvassing continued though a feeling of dread was spreading within him. With a fading glimmer of hope he continued his search.

Around the five o'clock hour, he returned to the loft where I was wrapping up my work day. Learning of my evening agenda to have cocktails and catch-up with a handful of girlfriends, he weighed his options. With a few drinks and little to eat in his belly, MAS told me that he did not feel up to an evening of girly revelry that would surely ensue. He was headed home, emotionally spent after a day of fruitless searching.

It was nearing 6pm. MAS decided to take a final pass through Drake Park.

AND THERE IT WAS.

Within the walls of the open air amphitheater, the bike was lying next to a man with seven coats, a 40-ouncer wrapped in a paper bag and a transistor radio.

MAS dropped the fixie, yelled "that's my bike" and confidently approached the many coated stranger.

"Why did you take my bike?" MAS demanded.

"I found it in the alley" said the man with seven coats.

"No, you didn't. It was right outside the door of the bike shop." Feeling enraged and
with a fire in his belly MAS continued, "How would you like it if I took something of yours?" Now grabbing for the 40 ouncer, "how would you like it if I took your beer?"

Seven coated man shrunk back, drink cradled close to his chest.

"How would you like it if I took your radio?" MAS considered a dramatic move, such as throwing the radio into Mirror Pond. Choosing words over hasty actions, MAS continued, "You stole my bike. I use that bike for my transportation every day. That is lame."

"You can have it back." said seven coats.

"OH, I AM TAKING IT BACK!" MAS picked up his familiar gray bike, returned to his fixed gear and rode both bikes the 4 blocks to the bike shop from where the SE was stolen not 12 hours before.

True Story. Names have been nicked for minimal anonymity. Feel free to ask MAS for his rendition of this story. It is better live. Plus, he's a really good storyteller.

THE END

Tina Fey Fan Club

What is it about Tina Fey?

Is it that she's a writer and humorist who remains relevant without being vapid?


Is it her creation and portrayal of Liz Lemon who personifies the awkwardness of being a successful woman in the oughts of the 21st century?


Or is it her recent interviews that prove her to be smart and savvy to the curious trappings of celebrity culture?

Who else can articulate the silly aspects of Oprahmania or make a feature film about infertility that is a comedy?

p.s. post title links to Jezebel with fave excerpts from Fey's current press junket.

Happy Siblings Day!

According to Slate today is siblings day?! Don't know what to do with that except
give thanks to my brothers & sisters for sharing their best qualities with me.

Melissa-fierce, fun, entertaining

Amy-compassionate, quick-witted, hard-working

Josh-philosopher, leader, courageous

Shawn-kind, cool, focused

Kyle-strong willed, intuitive, friendly











If I could, I'd give each and every one of you a Trophy cupcake today. Love you all!

Make Out

photo found on a cup of jo
there is a wiki on "How to make out for the first time" but like they say, a picture is worth...

The Power of Oprah

When did it happen? When did Oprah's reign as chief influencer of female America begin? My colleagues and I asked ourselves this question after once again marvelling at her power.

Here is a timeline but I ask you dear readers, what was the tipping point?

1984-January 2, First episode of A.M. Chicago

1986-September 8, Show expands to one hour and is broadcast nationally. Harpo Productions is formed the same year.

1987-Oprah wins her first EMMY.

1988-Harpo Productions obtains ownership and production responsibilities for her show from ABC-TV station, WLS in Chicago

1989-Recipient of NAACP's Entertainer of the Year Award.

1990-Produces and stars in Brewster Place

1991- Initiated the National Child Protection Act and testified before Congress

1992-Bob Green appointed supervisor of her exercise program.

1993- Hosted an interview with Michael Jackson which reached an audience of one hundred million.

1994-Co-authored the book In the Kitchen with Rosie

1995-Became first woman on Forbes list of 400 Richest Americans.

1996-September 16, Oprah announced the start of her on-air book club.

1996-Dr. Phil debuts on her program

1997-Formation of Angel Network

1998-Formation of Oxygen Media

2000-April, Oprah launches O magazine

2002-O magazine named Most Successful Start-Up Ever by Forbes magazine

2004-Time Magazine names her one of the 100 People Who most influenced the 20th Century.

2004-Fall, Oprah gives a Pontiac G6 to everyone in the audience.

2005-Named "The Greatest Woman in American History" as part of a public poll.

2005-May 23, Tom Cruise couch incident.

2006-Oprah signs 3 year contract with XM Satellite Radio.

2007-May, Oprah endorses Barack Obama

2007-Oprah opens Multi-million dollar school for girls in South Africa

2008-March, Oprah's Big Give debuts

There are now an average of 8.5 million viewers per original airing.

Another Question: Can you think of any other person in America with more influence?

Attuned to this

She & Him












= Zooey Deschanel & M.Ward.
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? Stream it here

New School Lunch

Cory Schreiber serves as the Farm-to-School program manager for the Oregon Department of Agriculture. He was previously revered as head chef at Wildwood Restaurant in Portland, known for his "cooking from the source" mantra reflected in frequently changing menus focused on regional cuisine prepared with fresh and organic ingredients.

His current mission is to find a way to feed Oregon students in public schools locally grown, "lightly processed" foods. Schreiber, profiled in the April issue of Portland Monthly, says that schools don't have to change their menus to meet the palates of the "Panda Express generation" they just have to put some care into sourcing and ease back in to on-premise preparation of meals. "I remember when the bread was being baked, the chili was being made. Now, nobody even knows how to use a knife."

cafeteria lunch

Wildwood Restaurant dish


Would improving the food in school cafeterias provide benefits beyond meeting the nutritional needs of youth? Would there be a discernable change in the number of classroom disruptions due to behavioral issues? Would there be an impact to childhood obesity rates?

cafeteria lunch photo found on flickr

Apology Accepted

One of the household duties that falls under my division of labor is managing our Netflix accout. Earlier this week I was slightly peeved that a movie sent back last Friday had still not been replaced with the familiar red envelope containing another selection.

On Wednesday, Netflix sent out a notice acknowledging that, due to their shipping department being down most of Monday, the film that should have gone out was delayed. The statement provided notification that a 5% credit would be applied to our account, no action required (on our part).

The space previously occupied by a tiny slice of annoyance was now replaced with appreciation of their apology. Isn't it interesting that a little gesture like this goes can go a long way towards cultivating loyalty?

How do you see yourself?

"Alice" a self portrait by Brooke Grace
Wired Mag invited submission of readership self portraits. Editors made their picks and readers voted in their top ten. The photo above made the cut, for obvious reasons.

I was recently given a similar assignment. The results are far less provocative. Question is, how do you see yourself?

Frack, it's good!

The 4th and final season of Battlestar Galactica is scheduled for April broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel. Ronald D. Moore created the 21st century version taking the blueprint provided by the late 70's ABC series to build something marvelous and remarkable.

Growing up under the roof of a totalitarian Trekkie father, I was first resistant to Battlestar. One pilot episode later, I succumbed to the charms of the program, appreciative of kick-ass female characters and good writing. The plots thus far have explored the paranoia and damage of homeland terrorism. Cylon Robots look the same (albeit ridiculously HOT when female) but are on a mission to destroy their human creators, or are they? Storylines have included examination of religious intolerance, torture, and a lingering war that takes it's toll on all of humanity.

A series catch-up episode will air on March 28. But do yourself a favor and rent past episodes–they are worth your time.

loved

One of the best sounds in the world are keys hitting the ribbon. Keyboarding has nothing on that.
It is muted, apologetic, earnest.
Typing is industrious, furious, powerful. Or, at least that is how it sounds.