The Last Lecture

Here is Dr. Randy Pausch's last lecture. Take an hour or so and watch it in it's entirety--definitely worth it.

The Fartiste

I recently learned of a new children's book entitled, Fartiste. It is a biography of Joseph Pujol the book is described as follows:

Across the world there are many an artiste -
But none so outrageous as Joe, the Fartiste.
The Fartiste doesn't sing, he doesn't dance, and he doesn't act. But that doesn't stop him from taking the stage at Paris's famed Moulin Rouge, where he performs his much-loved act for celebrities and royalty with the funniest talent of all - Joe is the man who has perfected the art of the fart.

Now instead of just complaining about the odors and sounds emitted by Rob, I can proudly say I'm married to a talented Fartiste, a world-renowned flatulist!

Dr. Randy Pausch-A true Tigger

I am sad today over the passing of a man I never even personally knew. Randy Pausch, the former CMU professor and inspirational phenomenon, has died today at the age of 47.

I watched his lecture and followed his treatments and story online. I don't know if it's because his lecture and words of wisdom came along while I was navigating my first year of learning how to be a mom, but I read his book with an eye toward my future of raising Bobby and wanting him to "live his childhood dreams."

I can't imagine what his wife and 3 kids are feeling right now, but I hope someday they take comfort in knowing how many lives Dr. Pausch touched-even those who never knew him. I thank them for sharing him with the world.

I will take the wisdom he shared and in tribute to his memory, someday when Bobby is older and asks if he can paint his room, I will, in a true, Tigger-like fashion, smile and say, "Yes, have a blast!

May we live in peace without weeping.
May our joy outline the lives we touch without ceasing.

And may our love fill the world, angel wings tenderly beating.

Affordable Floors

The Affordable Floors were a popular, local Pittsburgh band in the 80's and early 90's--my formidable years, so to speak. They played at local clubs like Graffiti and what was great is the fact that they played Under-21 shows, allowing kids like me to experience "the club scene" early on. I have to thank my sister for taking me under her wing and exposing me to the early alternative rock scene, and the Affordable Floors. I was in H.S. and she was in college, but we could enjoy the Floors shows together. Most times, when she wasn't away at school, she was right there next to me at the concert, with my best friend, Tom. They even played Under-21 shows on New Year's Eve so I thought I was really cool "going out" on NYE when I was in my early teens and couldn't even drive yet! Never mind the fact that I was home before midnight.

A few months ago, some Floors concert videos showed up on YouTube and I was alerted by my brother-in-law to check them out. I don't know when they were taken, what show, or if I was definitely in attendance, but if you check out the girl bopping around in front of the stage (around 1:52 and 2:08-2:28) it definitely looks like me in all my big-hair glory with my killer dance moves...




The Floors performed at the WXXP Reunion show a few years back. I dragged Rob to the show kicking and screaming--being 4 years younger than me, I couldn't blame him for not getting into it--he was in grade school when I was going to these concerts. Anyway, he sat in the seats like a fuddy duddy while I reclaimed my rightful place in front of Harvey. For that one night, I was 15 all over again!

A True Beach Bum

Coming from an Irish background, the sun and my skin don't mix well. If I manage to safely go into the sun without burning myself, I usually just get more freckles. I remember being a teenager at the beach and hating to rub sunscreen in when I was sandy, so I just wouldn't do it. My mom tried to protect me, but I wouldn't listen. Solarcaine was my post-sun friend. Now of course they have spray lotion so you don't actually have to even touch your sandy body parts, and i'm much wiser using at least an SPF 30.

Between Rob and I, Bobby didn't have a chance of getting any skin type that could tolerate sun exposure. We outfitted him in the latest baby sun/swim gear and he was ready for the beach:

He may not look too "cool" but on the plus side there weren't too many sandy body parts to rub his lotion on--we used an SPF 50 on him that I think you could also use as wallpaper paste since it was so thick. Even with all of that he did manage to get a pretty-nice farmer's tan, but no sunburn!