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Wednesday, March 12, 2008
New Truck Series Coming To SPEED
The racing world continues to clash with an element of SPEED Channel's own programming group.
Rather than invest in promoting and exposing "real racing" and the stories behind the on-track action, the network continues to focus on non-racing "lifestyle" programming.
The lastest project is about people who drive tow trucks. Below is the media release from TV Week. Here is the direct link.
Fueled on the weekends by NASCAR programming, Speed is changing gears on weeknights.
Rather than featuring racing, the cable network's newest show focuses on the sometimes risky life at a family-owned tow truck company in Chicago.
The network's strategy is to air what it calls automotive lifestyle programming in prime time.
The Fox-owned cable network is betting "Wrecked" will do for it what "Deadliest Catch" does for Discovery.
Speed plans to air 10 one-hour episodes of "Wrecked," shot in high definition, beginning in July.
When Fox acquired control of Speed in 2002, the network took on part of the company's NASCAR package and showed racing seven nights a week, said Robert Ecker, VP of programming for Speed.
The NASCAR connection helped the network add distribution; it's now available in more than 78 million homes. But Speed's racing programming on weeknights stalled.
"It didn't work. It didn't resonate," Mr. Ecker said.
Viewership for Speed was down slightly last year in prime time and over the entire programming day. In prime time, the network was mostly flat in key demographics. That led Speed executives to start to develop automotive lifestyle programming.
"We have discovered over the course of time that while there are race fans, there are also people that have a love affair with the automobiles but are not necessarily interested in racing," he said.
Shows about automotive culture are all over the dial, from "Pimp My Ride" on MTV to "Monster Garage" on Discovery. In addition to the allure of motoring content for American viewers, automotive is television's largest advertising category. So shows about cars stand a good chance of finding sponsors.
Most of Speed's original programming still has an element of racing, even if it doesn't deal directly with NASCAR or other motor events.
In "Pinks," competitors race each other for registration slips, while on the network's nightly game show "Pass Time," contestants try to guess how fast a car will do the quarter-mile.
But the network is trying to show a broader range of programming.
Mr. Ecker said "Drag Race High," which challenges shop classes at rival Tennessee high schools to build a dragster, is as much about racing as "Friday Night Lights" is about football.
And "Living the Low Life," hosted by model Vida Guerra, is a show about low-rider auto culture. Another show, "Super Cars Exposed," takes expensive cars and exposes them to the elements to see what they will do.
"Wrecked," however, is the network's most ambitious and expensive programming effort to date, Mr. Ecker said.
Rising programming costs have kept Speed's cash flow flat at about $60 million since 2004, which is very low for a network of its size, said Derek Baine, senior analyst at SNL Kagan Research. Kagan estimates Speed's gross ad revenues will rise to $106 million in 2008 from $95 million last year.
Mr. Ecker said Speed is betting "Wrecked" has varied appealing aspects that should attract viewers and generate return on investment.
For one thing, people have an interest in big rigs, and Chicago O'Hare Towing & Recovery uses huge, expensive pieces of machinery. And like the high-rated "Deadliest Catch," which follows crab fisherman in the Bering Sea, it's a show about an occupation that's more dangerous than most people realize, particularly during a Chicago winter.
"I'm told the incidence of mortality is higher than [for] policemen and firemen," Mr. Ecker said. The network said about 100 tow-truck drivers lose their lives on the job every year.
The show plays up the human element, showing drivers waiting in a firehouse-like environment for emergency calls. The family that owns the towing company, headed by Bill Gratzianna and his wife, adds another personal dimension. Their parents are in the business and Bill's brother is married to Bill's wife's sister. The relatives own a competing firm, so sparks should fly.
Speed said it generally seeks between $6,000 and $10,000 for a 30-second spot in high-profile prime-time shows.
Beyond the interest automotive advertisers may have in the content, other sponsors may take note, Mr. Ecker said.
Since the drivers may be on call 24 hours a day during stormy weather, beer and liquor probably won't be a part of the show. But the crew drinks a lot of coffee and eats a lot of doughnuts, Mr. Ecker said.
NASCAR fans continue to fondly recall the Monday night line-up of quality programming on SPEED that used to be required viewing. ESPN2 has invested in a daily NASCAR news series with success.
Other than one night of Wind Tunnel, there is absolutely no interactive programming where fans can voice their views or interact with NASCAR guests on SPEED.
None of the quality programming created by the NASCAR Media Group from the track for SPEED over the weekend is repeated during the week in primetime. NASCAR Performance, Tradin' Paint, Victory Lane and clips of other programs are not seen once the weekend is over. This quality content is lost each and every week of the season.
NASCAR programming is soaring on Sirius Satellite radio. NASCAR content is popular in both text and video forms at sites all over the Internet, just like this one.
Rather then open the doors to new and innovative programming ideas like The Humpy Show, SPEED continues to believe that they are going to attract the MTV and Discovery Channel crowd by investing in "clones" of existing programming series. Did you happen to see the original episode of "Living the Low Life?"
The bi-polar nature of SPEED serves to alienate both crowds. The racing folks love the weekends, and then are cast aside during the week other than the one hour of This Week in NASCAR.
The lifestyle crowd that enjoys entertainment programming comes along for the PINKS-style ride on weeknights, but SPEED then becomes "NASCAR TV" on Friday and through the weekend. Off they go to MTV, VH-1 and Spike TV. Flavor of Love anyone?
It should be interesting to tune-into a Wrecked, Living the Low Life, Super Bikes and PINKS primetime line-up as the best SPEED has to offer after more than ten years on-the-air as America's motorsports TV network.
The one fundamental problem facing SPEED is that racing fans have somewhere to go when SPEED is deep in the middle of their "lifestyle" commitment. The Internet offers a wide array of entertainment and information options about real racing, including several series denied TV access who now stream their own live programming.
Other than considering spinning the lifestyle programming off onto its own digital channel, SPEED needs to take a long, hard look at who is turning off the TV every time the "lifestyle" programming is coming on.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Please address the topic and issues contained in the column above. The rules for posting are on the right side of the main page. To add your opinion, just click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the instructions. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by.
43 comments:
- Tracy said...
Oh, good heavens. They wreck IWC/INC, and add a show about tow truck drivers?
I was just thinking the other day how much viewers would love to have an in-depth look at what goes on at a race shop - nothing fluffy or sanitized - or at the real lives of drivers all the way from ARCA to the local short tracks. What does it take to stick it out year after year when your chances of making the Big Show dwindle by the month? I could come up with ten or twelve ideas for shows that deal with racing and don't try to emulate something else that's been done, and probably a lot better, already.
As I've said before, use The Humpy Show. That was fun and fascinating. Wait, I forgot - it caters to race fans, those folks Speed doesn't want during the week between races.
- March 12, 2008 at 10:29 AM
- Anonymous said...
I am fairly certain this new show will not "resonate," either.
Note to the execs at SPEED: If you don't think your NASCAR-based shows did well enough, make better ones.
- March 12, 2008 at 10:44 AM
- bevo said...
Oh boy! ANOTHER fake "reality" show. Let me guess - a real "intense" character with no inter-personal skills, a wacky free-spirit, one character who tries to keep everything together, one black sheep and of course one sexpot.
Got to hand it to the upper management at Speed. If you want to kill stuff you don't just come right out and try to kill it. You start a process of benign neglect and then you can point to the results and say "Look this stuff isn't working, we tried but hey the ratings speak".
- March 12, 2008 at 10:51 AM
- IMABIGDAWG said...
I love NASCAR but I maintain a great deal of respect for the open wheelers (foreign and domestic) and ALMS. why are there no shows aimed at them? Is the fan base for those leagues oriented more to print media rather than television? I think not. There must be room for such programming. C'mon SPEED, figure it out.
- March 12, 2008 at 12:24 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
Fake reality show indeed. I must admit I did not read the ENTIRE article as the italics was hard on my old eyes but I get the point.
Last year not much racing on speed. Unique whips, Nopi tv, Pinks.
Folks on F1 or Indy racing boards would LOVE to see talk shows on THEIR SPORTS.
My GOD SPEED NEVER reads their own boards. Between the BLISTERING TWIN comments, folks have asked for YEARS MORE NIGHTS OF WT!! Have him feature Robin Miller one night to talk OW. With the merger and all the good things and challenges that goes with it, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT TIME to jump on that boat.
SPEED is trash tv these days. Aside from the weekends when they overdose on NASCAR (EXTENDED overly long RACE DAY, Speed Reports, VL) I have no use for this channel.
They continue to miss the boat and grab at young fickle "MTV" fans.
SHAME. Most EVERYBODY enjoyed the Humpy show in different message boards but SPEED does not listen to the fans.
Man, that station continues to go downhill. I keep wondering what some trashy show "the Low Life" is going to be because imo it is aimed at low lifes.
But the fact they gave up on racing is a shame. Two wheel Tuesdays used to make some motorcross fans happy.
Imagine if they talked and hype OW racing!!! For people that find F1 too much a follow the leader show, the potential for talking about Open When is so there if somebody had some sense to see the bigger picture. :(
- March 12, 2008 at 12:44 PM
- Anonymous said...
Tuesday thru Thrusday I do not watch SPEED channel this year. Enough said. Unless there is a replay of a NASCAR race, be it truck, nationwide, or cup
Kingston, NY
- March 12, 2008 at 12:51 PM
- Desmond said...
I am disappointed that The Humpy Show appears to be a one-time-only special. I was given the impression that it would be on SPEED every week.
I like the point that this is now like two networks in one. The "NASCAR Channel" on weekends and a "reality channel" from Monday through Thursday.
Tracy had an idea about profiles of short-track drivers. I would watch that in a heartbeat, too.
- March 12, 2008 at 1:00 PM
- ruddrpm said...
I agree that Monday should be a NASCAR night. If you re-air Victory Lane right before TWIN then all of a sudden TWIN might make a little more sense. One show which recaps the race with analysis & interviews straight from the people who raced it. Then follow that up with TWIN which starts to look ahead to next week & suddenly that show will "fit".
But anyways, I think SPEED is starting to read the writing on the wall of a stand-alone NASCAR Network. It may still be 5-10 years down the road, but all big sports leagues look at the NFL as a model. And look what they've built in the NFL Network. Now there's NBA TV, the NHL Network, & the Big Ten Network. The NASCAR Network is only a matter of time. And when it happens it could quite possibly carry most if not ALL of SPEED's current NASCAR coverage leaving SPEED in a programming pinch. Whether you like these SPEED reality shows or not(which for the record I can't stand), they're here to stay because its what gets viewers. I'd love to watch the Australian V8 Supercar Series on weeknights, but for whatever reason they don't get ratings for actual "racing" content not sanctioned by NASCAR. Notice SPEED doesn't even broadcast the Touring Series anymore becuase people weren't watching en masse. So when the inevitable happens and the NASCAR Network is formed, SPEED will need something to keep the network afloat & that just might mean Pinks & Wrecked.
- March 12, 2008 at 1:28 PM
- boyd said...
Maybe they should use those big wreckers to haul off this crappy programming and make space for things that go fast.
Remember it's SPEED.
Pinks, Unique Whips, and that stuff could easily be replaced with tech, behind the scene shows.
How about going after USAC midget and sprint races. If the stars of tomorrow are coming from these series it would be nice to see where they begin their careers.
These are the grass roots things that don't cost an arm and a leg, and can be produced by local companies and ran on the channel.
There are a lot of neat things that can add to the content of a racing channel.
- March 12, 2008 at 1:38 PM
- Anonymous said...
"The Fox-owned cable network is betting "Wrecked" will do for it what "Deadliest Catch" does for Discovery."
Interesting goal, considering SPEED's non-NASCAR reality programming often aims at the lowest common denominator. Deadliest Catch (and Ice Road Truckers on History Channel) have acquired not only their network's highest ratings, but a relatively affluent and educated, mostly male viewership. SPEED's going to have to have made a lot of advances in this show, quality wise, to manage that for their network.
Not to mention Discovery Channel and History Channel are often on basic cable, where SPEED appears to usually be on expanded basic or digital cable.
Too bad the Humpy show isn't a go, and also the owner of GEM mentioned long ago already having created and cast a reality series about stock car development drivers. Wonder what happened to that or if it's still in the works.
- March 12, 2008 at 2:25 PM
- Anonymous said...
Forgot to add in my previous post that the NASCAR reality shows that are doing relatively well are the syndicated shows aimed at women. NASCAR Angels is in its second season, and ironically given the SPEED news above, a new show was announced yesterday:
"Family Circle magazine and Nascar are cooking up a new syndicated reality TV show for fall. Nascar: Serving It Up, a cooking competition among aspiring chefs, will feature Family Circle recipes at Nascar events in 40 half-hour TV episodes beginning September 2008."
This show will be taped at the tracks.
- March 12, 2008 at 2:30 PM
- Tom said...
The point about making better shows, or expanding current shows is valid. It seems that aside from the weekends, most of the racing shows have been designed for MTV types, who may not even know the channel exists. If there was a serious attempt at covering other kinds of racing during the week, and perhaps giving us a midweek version of WT and SPEED Report, there is a good chance something might work. As much as I dislike it, it appears PINKS has somewhat of a following, but beyond that I haven't seen anything else catch. Most of it has been mind rotting drivel.
OK JD, now is the time for you to put your consulting business to work!
Inverness, FL
- March 12, 2008 at 2:32 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
JD- I am a racing fan and I am interested in cars. My problem with SPEED is that most of its non-racing shows are not really that interesting and do seem to just be clones of what is on other networks. Also, I watched 1 episode of Unique Whips and was turned off by watching paint dry - too little action packed into too much time.
Not being a TV industry person, it would seem to me that some nightly show like RPM TONIGHT - a nightly show on news of various racing series, such as F1, IRL, NHRA, etc.- might hook racing fans to stick around for non-racing programming. Of course, a return of a nightly WIND TUNNEL would be even better.
I did find THE HUMPY SHOW fascinating & hope SPEED will do more of them.
- March 12, 2008 at 2:51 PM
- Anonymous said...
I like racing. I don't give a crap about quasi-automotive lifestyle shows. I detest PINKs and that NOPI softporn.
I hadn't really realized it but JD is right about Speed turning into a weekend-only network for me. I never even think of checking what's on Speed weekday evenings because I just assume it will be a schedule filled with nonsense shows.
So where does the real racing coverage go when Speed goes out of business because it tried to become the poor cousin to the Discovery Channel?
- March 12, 2008 at 3:02 PM
- David said...
SPEED I have an idea that your racing fans would love!! Okay you ready for it??
Thursday Night Thunder..
I know, I know ESPN did that already but live open wheel racing is such a blast to watch. Tow trucks are boring, How bout the summer Shootout Series live like it used to be. Get some live weekly racing on and you will be surprised how much they would tune you in during the week..
- March 12, 2008 at 4:14 PM
- Newracefan said...
They are kidding right. This is ridiculous, I actually like Deadliest Catch but that is because it is so far from my own reality, tow trucks; not so much. I agree with the poster who wanted to see what goes on inside a race shop (I would love it) but who in their right mind would want camera in the shop 24/7. I personally think the volume of reality TV is so high that people will stop watching them all together. It's a shame that this is what Speed came up with but who knows maybe there are people out there that will love this show, look at Pinks I can't stand it but obviously someone watches it because it is on all the time.
- March 12, 2008 at 4:21 PM
- Anonymous said...
Get some live weekly racing on and you will be surprised how much they would tune you in during the week.
March 12, 2008 4:14 PM
Speed Channel had live racing during the week at least since 2004, when our cable package added it. For whatever reason people didn't tune in.
But Speed's racing programming on weeknights stalled.
"It didn't work. It didn't resonate," Mr. Ecker said.
What people say they want to watch and what they actually watch are often different. See: PBS.
- March 12, 2008 at 4:35 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Anon 4:14PM,
Perhaps, it has as much to do with HOW it is presented as WHEN it is presented.
- March 12, 2008 at 4:52 PM
- Anonymous said...
Is there anything, contractually speaking, that doesn't allow Speed from showing all sorts of "racing" shows? Why not show more dirt track racing from all around the country? Why not show more Arca races, open wheel shows, late model races and the like?
I cannot believe that Speed is stooping to such stupidity thinking that anyone is going to watch a show about tow truck drivers. This is about as bad as that stupid Unique, or as one poster smartly put it, the near porn of Nopi. Speed, you're not MTV, just remember that. You need to concentrate on being a channel for racing and not reality shows---keep those on Fox. You have hundreds of choices for race-related shows, but here you go, thinking up some stupid series that no one, other than tow truck drivers, will care about.
- March 12, 2008 at 5:36 PM
- Anonymous said...
I am disappointed that The Humpy Show appears to be a one-time-only special. I was given the impression that it would be on SPEED every week.
So was I.
But my DVR's only found that one episode.
It was a lot better idea than yet another over-produced "reality" show.
- March 12, 2008 at 6:15 PM
- Anonymous said...
Also, I watched 1 episode of Unique Whips and was turned off by watching paint dry - too little action packed into too much time.
...not to mention that it is a commercial for the company masquerading as a TV show.
- March 12, 2008 at 6:17 PM
- Anonymous said...
daly planet editor said...
-----NASCAR programming is soaring on Sirius Satellite radio.
The guests Tony Stewart gets on radio are amazing. Guess who was on there Monday, 24 hours after Tony ripped Goodyear.
Mike Helton! He said he didn't agree with Tony (and tony didn't agree with Mike), but they were very civil. He was scheduled to be on there before Tony had goodyear issues and they talked about all kinds of things other than the tires, like how he grew up going to Bristol and all that.
Jeff Hammond was on there too. Pretty much everybody in NASCAR calls in at some point during the season, some more often than others, along with a few entertainment people that Tony likes, singers and actors. And he takes listener calls. Fun and funny show.
(When Mike Helton specified he was already scheduled to be on the show and it wasn't because of the tires, he said his schdedule didn't have room to call in every time Tony was in trouble!)
- March 12, 2008 at 7:25 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Anon 7:25PM,
Mike Helton has a great sense of humor, and that was usually on display during his annual visit to Inside NEXTEL Cup racing.
Helton worked his way up the ladder in this sport from the bottom, and has a very thorough grasp of "how things really work."
I would encourage him to get out and put a new face on NASCAR this season since Mr. France is not usually trackside. Fans would come to know that Helton is just like them, and represents a lot of the best parts of the sport.
- March 12, 2008 at 8:58 PM
- Ally said...
Well, I'm a woman but I didn't make it through more than four or five episodes of NASCAR Angels.
Strange show. Extreme Home Makeover sad storyline applied to fixing up a car for someone who needed car repairs along with having them attend a race as a reward. The "lend a hand" part was aimed at women, but they spent a lot of time in the shop showing the specific car repairs, which honestly bored most of my female friends and which makes it think it would have been a better fit for SPEED, if anywhere.
NASCAR drivers who were advertised to be involved each week showed up on camera for a minute or less. The main female host whose name escapes me starred in most of the broadcast, and Rusty Wallace showed up from time to time. It wasn't good.
I like cooking shows so I'll try the NASCAR cooking show.
I think small race shops would let someone in to film if they alternated race shops from week to week. NBS 24/7 managed it for a couple years. Have camera crews in a shop maybe every three weeks instead of every week. The short track/ARCA shop on tv idea is great.
- March 12, 2008 at 10:25 PM
- SallyB said...
The only time I watch SPEED is when they cover actual racing...Nascar, F1, etc. The rest of their 'lifestyle' shows are of no interest to me at all. Get a clue.
- March 12, 2008 at 10:43 PM
- Anonymous said...
if I have to watch one more show of UNIQUE WHIPS I think I`ll puke!
- March 13, 2008 at 9:28 AM
- red said...
tow trucks? TOW trucks, for heaven's sake!?! ok, speed, i am so finished with your channel. i'll (of course) watch the racing that is broadcast but i'm over it with this move. most of what passes for automotive programming on speed is endless episodes of pinks, nopi, unique whips, then that 'game show' and now TOW TRUCKS? nah.
as a race fan, i want to see races -- current and historic. i want to learn about the cars and trucks, i want to see how it comes together. i could care less about the rest of this dreck but i was ok as long as it didn't get outta hand.
it is now out of hand. lost another viewer -- sorry.
- March 13, 2008 at 9:55 AM
- Anonymous said...
Everyone brought up some great points about Speed's weekday/night broadcasts. They do indeed suck. Only thing we occasionally watch is the monster trucks because my 3 year old son likes them.
But please Speed, get a grip and show what your name implies. Show Australian V8 supercars, Cascar (OK Nascar Canada now),bring back Thursday night thunder like someone mentioned,show classic races from the past, anything other than these lame boring shows you current show now.
Wrecked huh? Only thing wrecked on Speed right now is the weeknight programming.
There are so many forms of racing available that fans would love to see it's incredible that we don't get to see any of it on a channel that claims to be all about Speed.
Heck revamp Back in the Day and have it be an hour or two and show much more of the racing then that show currently does.
There's so much about racing that never makes it to TV. It's a shame.
Remember when Wind Tunnel was Mon-Thur? Bring that back!
- March 13, 2008 at 10:13 AM
- Anonymous said...
Ummmm....Is it April 1?? John, PLEASE tell me this is a freakin' joke. Please. This is probably one of the most pathetic ideas I've heard in a long time. And the fact that it's taking up programming time on SPEED (yes, Speed, not TowHD) makes me sick. I can't see the entire 12 hours of Sebring, but we get this crap? What kind of joke is this channel becoming?
- March 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
- Anonymous said...
"Since the drivers may be on call 24 hours a day during stormy weather, beer and liquor probably won't be a part of the show. But the crew drinks a lot of coffee and eats a lot of doughnuts, Mr. Ecker said."
Wow....not THAT is some compelling programming!!!
Seriously, how do I get a job in TV, John? It clearly isn't hard and you don't need a brain. That's quite obvious given the genius ideas the suits at Speed are now coming up with. To think this could, in any way, shape or form, come CLOSE to Deadliest Catch is laughable at best.
- March 13, 2008 at 10:39 AM
- Anonymous said...
whats wrong with the lawn tractor races, the bus races, usac,sprint car, arca, dirt track races. Most of the time I turn on my speed channel it has paid programming on, now thats a real audience grabber, the total work out gym.
I am with the other posters, I pay extra for speed channel and I expect shows that have to do with racing, not paid programming, or pinks, BORING, SPEED wake up and smell the fumming race fans, you want your viewership to pick up then cater to the racing fans. I agree there are enough reality shows on to gag anybody.
- March 13, 2008 at 11:22 AM
- red said...
an additional suggestion? get the production team moving on additional episodes of the humpy wheeler show! these guys aren't going to be with us forever and getting them on tape, just talking and reminiscing about racing is, quite literally, priceless. i don't even care if you can't partner a driver from an earlier generation with one from this generation. just get more shows. one of the ONLY good features of the endless daytona pre-shows was hearing from the older generation drivers! funny, interesting, educational, historic.
hey speed? you want me to pay attention? give me programming that RESPECTS me as a fan and adds to my enjoyment of the sport! give me history, give me "lower-tier" races, give me world of outlaws and midgets and three quarters and sprints, give me sebring and f-1 and irl as well as the 3 divisions of nascar. THEN i'll be committed to turning to channel 36 and spending time there.
- March 13, 2008 at 1:05 PM
- Richard in N.C. said...
JD- Isn't there something somewhat inconsistent about saying that weeknight racing programming "didn't work" - but not making any effort to try to find some new twist on racing programming that might work?
- March 13, 2008 at 2:01 PM
- Anonymous said...
I agree with the comments posted that I rarely watch Speed during the week and this show certainly won't bring me to it. The one show I've been waiting for since the great RPM2nite went dark is a nightly racing news show. Not another NASCAR show but a general motorsports news program. I can get all the NASCAR news I want, whether I need it or not. But I also watch most other forms of motorsport. We've had winter testing for Formula 1 with their season starting this weekend. The Champ Car/Indy Car merger, and all the subsequent news that comes with it. The Daytona 200 this past weekend and the disqualification of the winner and the sanction being taken over by a France family lead group, etc. My point is that's plenty of news for one half hour daily show and I didn't even mention any NASCAR news from this week. Come on Speed, get with the program! Pun intended.
Coconut Creek, FL
- March 13, 2008 at 2:55 PM
- Anonymous said...
When Speed showed racing-related shows every night I watched at least an hour of Speed every night -- plus the daily episode of Wind Tunnel.
Now between 9 on Monday and noon on Friday I don't even check to see what's on because there's nothing but garbage "reality" shows.
- March 13, 2008 at 4:50 PM
- Anonymous said...
Its hard for me to watch what racing SPEED does show when it is on during the middle of the day or at 3:00 am. If I'm awake and speed has dirt racing on I will be watching it. Nopi tunervision, I don't think so . Pinks not really my cup of tea. Show me some late models or modifieds I think that some of the larger USMTS shows would be great TV viewing as well.
- March 13, 2008 at 5:00 PM
- Anonymous said...
Oy vey. What will they think of next? They are serious about this show? What makes them think people will actually tune in for it? I won't. If it's not NASCAR related, I have no interest at all.
I think it's admirable that SPEED is trying to appeal to people from all walks of life but, to me, the way they are going about it is incredibly confusing.
- March 13, 2008 at 5:03 PM
- Newracefan said...
I just realized what this show concept reminds me of and it isn't D. Catch it Dog the Bounty Hunter, and that turned out so well too
- March 13, 2008 at 6:48 PM
- Anonymous said...
this show will be crap just like all their weeknight shows. We need more worldwide racing, more junior races and shows about the history of the sport. They wrecked the only weeknight show that I could stomach watching. Bring back Allen Bestwick and the original Nascar stooges Johny, kenny and Mikey with the occasional bit of Kenny Wallace.
- March 13, 2008 at 7:06 PM
- Anonymous said...
Wreckers? You must be joking. What in the world does that have to do with SPEED? That's what people want on SPEED, race coverage be it Nascar, lawn mowers, some little local short track, bar stools even, but not some ridiculous attempt to shove some Non-racing reality show at us.I don't like Passtime--it's nothing but a lame gameshow. Give us racing, any series anywhere. I'd love to see more coverage af ARCA, Craftsman Truck Series, or any short track. Those guys are where tomarrows racers are coming from. Make it real..show how tight the budgets are for these struggling series. They need all the help they can get & that's REALITY. I'd rather see that than some overpaid Sprint driver showing off his latest $60,000 car, sitting outside his 4 million dollar house on Lake Norman. Put the $$$ & exposure when fans are interested, & it will give exposure to racers...not some wrecker company. No wonder ratings are slipping.
- March 13, 2008 at 8:02 PM
- SophiaZ123 said...
I for one am really bummed ARCA is hardly being shown on TV this year for this crap.
When is the last time SPEED HAD PRIMETIME races during the week
They only promote trash or sexy stuff that has NOTHING to do with racing.
It's positively MIND BOGGLING SPEED, being about racing, or used to be would NOT ADDRESS the POTENTIAL of OW getting better racing.
or how about some shows on F1 to help us personalize those drivers?
Heck some of the ARCA races were great.
I can't stomach ANY WEEKDAY show either, including TWIN ..but this 'truck show' sounds horrible.
SPEED, the JERRY SPRINGER SHOW was number ONE in daytime for years too, once upon a time but it was NOT quality tv.
Thanks for making NASCAR lovers look worse if folks thing SPEED caters to NASCAR and we actually watch the weekday dreck.
If it were not for Wind Tunnel and F1, we would probably learn to get along w/o SPEED as I seem to be overdosing on the SPEED boys this year....no offense.
I just want more racing FOCUS and RACE DAY, love the guys but TWO HOURS IS TOO LONG.
Give an hour of that show back to WT ..the fastest hour on tv and the MOST DESERVING OF MORE TIME on SPEED....imho.
- March 13, 2008 at 8:34 PM
- KoHoSo said...
So, folks, how do we all like the 500 channel universe now? When the era began to dawn, it seemed like it would be a dream come true. There would be a channel all about weather, a channel all about history, a channel all about arts, a channel all about science, a channel all about music, a channel all about racing...
Just last night, the Weather Channel left it's live coverage of the tornadic storms ravaging Georgia, Louisiana, and Arkansas to show a rerun of When Weather Changed the World.
The History Channel? I almost defy anyone to hit that station and not see them playing Modern Marvels which has got to be the cheapest excuse for programming in existence.
Arts & Entertainment? Please. This long ago became a glorified version of the USA Network.
The Science Channel? Hardly much scientific on that station, especially now that their latest most popular show should be sued by the old SCTV gang for ripping off Big Jim McBob (Joe Flaherty) and Billy Sol Hurok (John Candy).
Music Television? When is the last time the flagship of the MTV networks showed a music video at any time other than 3:30 AM?
SpeedVision/Speed Channel?
Do we see a pattern here?
This blog along with a few other racing-related forums have been truly remarkable in how much they have been able to influence major television outlets (mainly ESPN). But, on this count, I think this is truly a lost cause.
Cable/satellite was supposed to bring us a cornucopia of niche channels. Sadly, with almost all of the major channels now held my the big media conglomerates, those in charge (including stockholders) don't have the onions to try to serve any audience other than the oh so coveted 18-35 year old male demographic. Even PBS has occasionally stooped to this level.
I don't like this type of programming, so I don't watch it. But, those who run these channels don't care because I'm now seven years beyond the age of those they want to attract. What's worse is, when that fickle age group turns its back on such a channel's offerings, they won't go back to trying to bring back that core fan audience. Instead, they will bring in more explosions, phony characters, silicone-enhanced tramps, and so on.
Is "The NASCAR Channel" the answer? I honestly have to wonder. Considering everything they have done in Daytona Beach to take more money over keeping various traditions, I don't know if I can expect them to not turn such a station into the same mess we now see on Speed.
Or, here's the short version of this post...
TV sucks when racin' ain't on, so read more books. ;-)
And, for those who missed my SCTV reference above, I'll close with something that might jog some memories...
May the Good Lord take a likin' to ya' and blow ya' up real soon!
Now that was TV, my friends! :-D
- March 15, 2008 at 9:38 AM
- bullo1854 said...
just so you know this show is 100% real, ive been there, ive seen this company in action and its a thrill ride to say the least
- April 13, 2008 at 11:33 PM


text:
It should really go without saying that the fat-shaming America's Next Top Model reality show is as close to feminism as Hitler is to Gandhi. In a rare sign of normalcy yesterday, however, the show crowned Whitney Thompson as America's Next Top Model.
Ashamed that they succumbed to the demands of real feminine curves, the world then proceeded to label Thompson "plus size". The model, who confesses that she waivers between size 8 and 10, should be ashamed of her "otherness". No real modeling agency will work with a fatty!
Yet again the media marginalizes the average woman. The beauty ideal is so ridiculous that we label someone who cannot shop in plus-size stores a plus-size model. I must confess that I wear the same size Thompson does, although I am nowhere near as statuesque, blond, or toned. If I wished to swim in my clothes sans a pool and shorten my pants six or more inches, I might be able to shop in a plus-size store.
I have nothing against real plus-size women. Women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful and unique. However, it is beyond stupid that our culture labels women at a normal weight and average size as "chubby" or "plus-size" while women that are slightly larger than average are ostracized and viewed as barely human.
I am not at all surprised, however, that the original source then links to a story on "weight winners", as crowned by US Magazine. Let us all eat diets devoid of sugar, bread, and fat so we can be as
miserable happy as starving beautiful Hayden!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum. They stretch under pressure and are similar to varicose veins in the legs. Hemorrhoids are either internal or external.
- Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the anus. They are painless and sometimes bleed a lot during bowel movements. They may also protrude during bowel movements. If they protrude from the anal opening and cannot be pushed back, they can cause severe pain.
- External hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus and can easily be felt or seen as a lump. They bleed when broken by straining, rubbing, or scratching.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
The exact cause of hemorrhoids is unknown. The major contributing factor appears to be too much pressure on the veins in the rectum. If the pressure continues, the veins become enlarged and protrude.
Factors that increase your risk of getting hemorrhoids include:
- Straining when trying to pass a stool
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
- Pressure on the veins from pregnancy and childbirth
- Increased age
- Obesity
- Family members with hemorrhoids
- Chronic cough
- Liver disease
- Chronic use of enemas or laxatives
In most cases, symptoms will go away within several days. Although many people have hemorrhoids, not all experience symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
- Bleeding from the anus that may appear:
- On the stool
- On the toilet paper
- In the toilet bowl
- Anal itching and burning
- Swelling and pain during bowel movements
- Sensitive lumps of various sizes around the anus
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your anus and rectum will be examined to look for swollen blood vessels. A digital rectal exam will be done. This is done by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities. Sometimes, it is necessary to do the exam with the use of an endoscope that allows the rectal canal and other parts of the colon to be viewed.
Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool can be a symptom of other diseases involving gastrointestinal tract or colon/rectal cancer. It is important to see a doctor if you have any rectal bleeding.
Initial Treatments
Initial medical treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed at relieving symptoms. Measures to reduce symptoms include:
- Sitz baths — sitting in plain, warm water 2-3 times a day for about 10 minutes each time
- Ice packs — putting cold packs on the anus for short durations to relieve pain and swelling
- Medication — applying hemorrhoidal creams or suppositories to the affected area
- High-fiber diet — eating more fresh fruit, raw or cooked vegetables, and whole grains has been shown to reduce hemorrhoid symptoms.
- Fluids — drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids will help soften stools
Nonsurgical Procedures
If these treatments do not provide relief, one of several nonsurgical procedures may be used to shrink or destroy the hemorrhoidal tissue. These procedures, which are generally performed in a doctor's office, include:
- Rubber band ligation — a rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off circulation and force the hemorrhoid to wither away within a few days
- Sclerotherapy — a chemical solution is injected near the blood vessel to cause scarring and shrinkage of the hemorrhoid
- Coagulation therapy — electricity, laser, or infrared light is used to shrink the hemorrhoidal tissue
If nonsurgical procedures are not an option or fail to resolve the problem, surgery may be needed.
Hemorrhoidectomy is the permanent removal of hemorrhoids by cutting the hemorrhoidal tissue away. Some of the newest surgical treatments involve using stainless steel staples. While many surgeons favor these treatments, there is some evidence that techniques that are more traditional produce more consistent and long-lasting relief.
If you are diagnosed with hemorrhoids, follow your doctor's instructions.
The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep stools soft so they pass easily. The following practices can help:
- Eat a high fiber diet.
- Empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs.
- Avoid the overuse of laxatives.
Speak with your doctor to get a referral. If you don't have a primary care doctor, we can help you find one. Call us at 434.243.3675.
Content was created using EBSCO's Health Library. Edits to original content made by Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.


text:
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In addition to being fun, playing video games can reduce stress, lighten depression, increase vision, improve the ability to multi-task and improve decision-making skillsi. Online gaming is also linked to obesity, increasing depression, poor grades, addictive behavior and increased aggressive or violent behaviorii.
Confronted with seemingly conflicting research findings, parents need to take time to be informed about the games their children are playing, the safety settings and features of the devices they are playing games on, and then apply common sense to their kids' online gaming opportunities. Recognize that what works for one child may not be the right mix for another child.
The term "video game" spans everything from playing a simple game of Solitaire on your own to massively multiplayer online games (MMOG's) with whole virtual universes, where users interact with other players, and where transactions – usually points or game enhancements, but sometimes real money – are involved.
Video games are played on computers and laptops, handheld devices, game consoles – and with increasing frequency – on phones and tablets. Some games are purchased and installed on devices, others are downloaded from the internet, and some are played exclusively online.
Video games are popular at all ages: Older women top the use of simple single player games; young men are the heaviest users of "war games." The massively multiplayer games attract users from 8-80. Some games are educational; others are horrifically violent and may include graphic sexuality. Yet many games are set up to be played with friends or family in the same room and many of these games are a great way for families to interact and spend time together.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) evaluates video and computer games and provides a rating system similar to film ratings so parents can make informed decisions prior to purchasing a game.
These ESRB ratings have two components: 1) Symbols that suggest appropriate ages for players, and 2) descriptors to help parents understand what elements factored in to the rating score. To successfully use the ESRB rating system, you need to look at both aspects. Check the rating symbol (on the front of the game box) and the content descriptors (on the back of the game box).
Game consoles today come with family safety settings (often called parental controls) that allow parents to set time limits, block inappropriate games, and determine whether users can interact with only their friends, whether they can interact with any other gamer, or not be allowed to interact at all. You can find specific instructions for establishing these settings on the game console's websites or you can look at A Parent's Guide to Video Games, Parental Controls and Online Safety.
On computers, you can use the built-in family protection tools or parental control tools you install yourself to set the same types of limits. Handheld devices also have control settings, and one setting to pay particular attention to is whether you allow Bluetooth connections that allow others to interact with your child through this type of device.
If the game is played online, and allows players to interact, keep in mind that the safety settings and controls do not monitor the conversations within the games. While most conversations will be entirely appropriate, there may be some people who choose not to act appropriately. If your child interacts with others, talk to them about the potential for bullying, people who cheat, and people that want to get too friendly (or other grooming behavior). For younger kids, there are many online gaming sites specifically designed for youth with content moderators reviewing conversations. These may be the right option for you.
Explain that you will help them with any problem they encounter like cyberbullying, cheating or other inappropriate behavior by using the report abuse functionality within the sites. Let them also know that any inappropriate behavior on their part will have immediate consequences; and spell out what the consequences will be for failing to follow the family's or website's rules, so these are clear in advance of any trouble.
i http://healthland.time.com/2012/04/20/study-playing-a-video-game-helps-teens-beat-depression/ http://kdvr.com/2012/05/03/new-research-video-games-may-be-good-for-the-brain/ , http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=2764
ii http://www.ehow.com/list_5858966_negative-effects-computer-games-children.html, http://pss.sagepub.com/content/20/5/594.abstract ,


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Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Aftermath
I have a little Christmas quiz for you. The following items filled my stocking Christmas morning. What do these things have in common?
A. They all have some yellow on the packaging.
B. They're all tasty treats.
C. They all have the letter "C" in in them.
D. They can all be bought at your local drug store/gas station around midnight Christmas eve.
My middle son, Jackson, got me the coolest Christmas gift!
He has a chance to earn play money at school for good behavior and excellent test scores. Every Friday, his teacher opens a "class store" and lets the kids use their "money" to buy items from the store. They can buy small toys, candy, and other treats.
Jackson hadn't bought a thing all year. He just kept saving his money week after week (which is really unusual for him since money tends to burn a hole in his pocket.) Anyway, he saved up a ton of money and used it all to buy me a beautiful necklace for Christmas. Is that the sweetest thing ever? Of course, today he told me that I was the worst mom EVER and believe me, after his behavior the last couple days, I felt like the worst mom ever. I briefly considered selling him to gypsies.
Oh yeah! I totally forgot about this to give you a heads up! My interview was featured on NPR this morning. Oops, sorry about that. You can check it out HERE though. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 'web log', they're featuring information and interviews about blogs all week. Here's the web page featuring MY STORY. It always amazes me how they can take hours of tape or film and cut it down to a minute or two. And sheesh, you'd think I could at least slap on some lipstick before getting my picture taken. @@
Posted by Dawn at 3:37 PM
42 comments:
- suburbancorrespondent said...
No,no, the picture looked good. I was admiring your hairstyle, as a matter of fact!
Don't make me feel bad - I bought half my husband's presents at the local (but upscale) supermarket at 7 PM on Christmas Eve (as documented at http://suburbancorrespondent.blogspot.com/2007/12/are-we-done-yet.html).
- December 27, 2007 at 9:16 PM
- Valarie said...
Hey...at least you got SOMETHING in your stocking! It wasn't until late on Christmas Eve that Santa realized he had dropped the ball and forgot to get anything for my stocking! Try explaining that to your kids on Christmas morning. "Wow! Mom....what did you do to make Santa mad at you??"
- December 27, 2007 at 9:33 PM
The picture looked great; the interview was exceptional and you sounded intelligent, articulate (except for the giggle, which I loved) and very human!
Your Christmas chaos was wonderful to view...brings back memories of when my 6 were little. Thank you for sharing the sunshine !!!
- December 27, 2007 at 9:39 PM
- Jennifer said...
on a more random note than you probably often get, Yia Yia brought this to my mind. I assume it is either kid language or some ethnic name for grandma- but it sounds exactly like how one would say, "oh God, God" in Scottish Gaelic. I know many people who say that (yia yia) as an expletive like 'oh my goodness!'. kinda funny... if you are me.
and I LOVED your friend's Christmas poem! I will be giving it even more circulation. good stuff.
- December 27, 2007 at 9:57 PM
- Donetta said...
Life is so amazing and wonderful. I am so happy for the prosperity that has come your way.
- December 27, 2007 at 10:04 PM
As I read this blog entry today I realize this is the beginning of the end of a blog i though very spontaneous, free thinking & funny ; Someone I enjoyed visiting every day.
It saddens me because now that you have a book deal and you are actually going to be paid for being you, you are going to have to change because no one in 'the business' is allowed to remain them self. Someone has to tell you how to be you.
I hope you are allowed to keep the essence of Dawn.
- December 27, 2007 at 10:08 PM
Chirstmas looks like it was fun. At least you have de-icer just in case.
I'll listen to the NPR when I'm not trying to wrangle a little boy into bed, but the part I read was cool
- December 27, 2007 at 10:11 PM
- Val Cox said...
very nice interview, the photo looks great! Val
- December 27, 2007 at 10:34 PM
- Carla Stream said...
I will guess...um...D.
Do the gypsies have email or a cell phone? I have a couple of boyz I need to talk to them about.
- December 27, 2007 at 10:38 PM
- Deb in OPKS said...
We don't have Christmas stockings for my husband and I so I don't get those kind of gifts. I'm not sure if my husband would even know what de-icer was!
Loved the interview and article. I'm thrilled you are bringing in so much extra income from ads. Does this mean Joe is home more often instead of having to put in so much overtime? I hope so. I'm sure you and the kids love having him around more.
- December 27, 2007 at 11:05 PM
- jjack403 said...
Am I the only person who wraps for Santa...I like your way much better. But my 3 kids would freak if they didn't have paper all over the floor...Thanks for sharing your family with us...You make me laugh every day Dawn..Have a great New Year...And good luck in 2008...
You are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
- December 27, 2007 at 11:08 PM
- Kristine said...
Dawn, you sounded great on your interview. I know it sounds premature, but a CD of you reading some of your stuff would be awesome! I love your voice!
My stocking was mostly empty. My husband has yet to figure out that I refuse to fill my own. I'll put the requisite orange, candy and nuts in there, but the rest, well, that's his job. Maybe he'll figure it out one of these years . . .
- December 27, 2007 at 11:39 PM
I remember reading your post for the Pokemon cards as it was recommended reading on some of the blogs I visited. Your photo looks good, and the interview was really good as well. Congratulations on your success.
- December 27, 2007 at 11:45 PM
WOW Dawn, what a nice photo!! (from the NPR story.)
Nice plug in there for Rick, too.
Enjoyed all your Christmas shots.
- December 27, 2007 at 11:58 PM
- Heidi said...
That's a funny comparison about pregnancy and Christmas, Dawn!
I do hope it went well, though, and that was VERY sweet of your son to save up for a necklace for you!
Thanks for the links--this stuff just fascinates me!
- December 28, 2007 at 12:25 AM
- roseys madhouse said...
wow santa sets everything up?????
he doesnt do that for us..... no that is something we spend the next three days doing lol.I havent checked out your interview it is late here and I will do that in the morning.............
- December 28, 2007 at 5:08 AM
- nutralady2001 said...
Glad your Christmas was great!What a sweetie Jackson is too
My DS2 forgot to get a present for his sister-in-law wife of DS1 lol. He now owes her BIGTIME!
- December 28, 2007 at 6:15 AM
- Katharine said...
Santa doesn't wrap presents at your house either! I thought I was the only person who grew up like that. I think it just makes more sense that way. Does this mean you open your presents on Christmas Eve too??
- December 28, 2007 at 7:19 AM
- Rick said...
Wow Dawn! You look and sound great too. I can't thank you enough for getting NPR to credit me and putting a link to my blog. You are too kind.
P.S. If you do sell Jackson to the gypsies would you be using your agent to broker that deal as well?
- December 28, 2007 at 7:36 AM
- Robin said...
YEAH!! It looks like you all had a wonderful Christmas! Thanks for sharing the pics with us.
- December 28, 2007 at 7:37 AM
You look beautiful! I wouldn't have noticed the (lack of) lipstick had you not mentioned it.
Besides, if I had to choose between hair and make-up, I think I'd go with the hair and a few dabs of face-paint (I'm really scary without a light dose of foundation!)
Hang on to the boxes...when the toys break or lose their appeal, the boxes will come in handy for building forts and such...or for the smaller boxes, "Cardboard Man!"
I can commiserate with you about the stockings. Once in the last 20 years, did Santa slip a little surprise into my stocking. Now, I just get a little something for myself, add it to my stocking with all the same junk everyone else is getting, and by morning, I've fogotten all about it and I get to say, "Thanks, Santa...it's just what I wanted!
Enjoy this time with your family, but keep the rake handy in case you have unexpected company!
Happy New Year and God Bless
- December 28, 2007 at 7:39 AM
Wow, Santa left some really cool presents. I think Santa played with all the presents before he left (HEHE).
Whose beautiful Christmas tree was that? It looks like a picture postcard. Very symetrical (only a math teacher would say that).
I loved the t-shirt too!!!
I guessed right off the bat that those gifts came from the gas-station. At least our Walgreens is 24 hours so you can get a halfway decent gift in there on Christmas (not that I would know that, really).
Thanks for sharing your Christmas with us.
- December 28, 2007 at 7:57 AM
- HRH said...
Love the gypsy comment and just so they don't leave empty-handed, send them in my direction.
- December 28, 2007 at 8:29 AM
Your slideshow is fantastic! Something felt funny as I was looking at it, and then I realized that I don't think I've ever seen Christmas morning pictures of kids in jeans! :-) Thank goodness you told us the other day about your Christmas morning rules...otherwise I might still be perplexed!
I especially love the picture of your dad. He looks so sweet - can I bring him home with me? :-) He must be so proud!
Wishing you very happy holidays - and thanks for sharing them with us!
- December 28, 2007 at 9:23 AM
- rare1urwaiting4 said...
Got a huge laugh from your stocking stuffers! Good interview & your photo was darling! I'm loving the new scrolling picture window thingy--I'll have to check into using them as well. Happy Christmas Cleanup!
SAHM - Surviving Assorted Home Mayhem
- December 28, 2007 at 9:44 AM
- edbteach said...
I too have always felt that Christmas was like being pregnant. I am a teacher and I feel like the school year is like a pregnancy too! You work all year long to get the kis the way you want them to be and then you let them go!
- December 28, 2007 at 10:06 AM
- Aubrey said...
Obviously the answer is "d", but before I saw the multiple choice list, I thought they were all items to help get out of the house and take the kids to school (I thought one of the bags of chocolate was coffee at first). Who doesn't love de-icer--I'm all about giving gifts people will use--like the rolls of paper towels I gave to my in-laws. :)
- December 28, 2007 at 10:18 AM
WooHOO! I have been threatening to sell my kids to gypsies for years! I am so glad to know I am not the only one. When they were tiny and colicy (all of my 3 were colicy, actually they finally call it reflux so the last one had reflux and a treatment) I would tell my mom they were on the wagon and heading out of town but the gypsies brought them back!
- December 28, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Yia Yia is greek for Grandma right? My mom is called Nonnie from Nona which is Italian I think.
- December 28, 2007 at 12:51 PM
About the stockings... I am the stocking stuffer for everyone here :) Including myself. I leave mine short two or three things, because a movie or CD usually ends up in there from an unknown source.
This year I bought something I have been needing for what seems like ages, I can never have enough of them, and I can never seem to find the ones I already have. Not to mention how handy they are in the days following Christmas. I've already used them half a dozen times! Have you guessed yet? I filled my stocking with pliers! I bought a set of 5 pairs of pliers, (or maybe it was 7 and I've already lost 2?) and I've already had to fix about 7 zippers from the pile of "mom will fix it"s on the table.
If it can't be fixed with a glue gun, tape, or pliers... it probably can't be fixed! lol.
- December 28, 2007 at 2:59 PM
- morninglight mama said...
Hey Dawn- thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! You're cracking me up about your stocking--lovely husband and I purposely buy each other stocking stuffers from CVS! This year I even added some snacks from Safeway. :) We figure that we are going to eventually need shaving cream, deodorant, and nail polish remover anyway- why not wrap it up! Merry Christmas!
- December 28, 2007 at 3:03 PM
- Colleen said...
great Christmas pictures! Reminds me of Christmas growing up and spending it with all my mom's family on Christmas Eve and my dad's family on Christmas Day...lots of people, silliness, and love.
- December 28, 2007 at 3:55 PM
- Brenda said...
I love Yia Yia's sassy hair adornments!!!! :)
- December 28, 2007 at 4:51 PM
- justgottalaugh said...
So "web log" became "weblog" which became "blog"????? Is that why it's called a "blog"? I get it!!! I guess my brain's not too fried to learn something new!!!
- December 28, 2007 at 5:07 PM
- Sheva said...
*points* I see webkinz! My kids got 3 each and the son got an extra one in a pack of webkinz cards. Its an addiction ^.^
Santa doesn't wrap presents here either.. Though I just save santa the trouble and buy my own presents. This year Santa added more to my dragon figureine collection ^.^
- December 28, 2007 at 7:38 PM
- Kathy said...
Great job Dawn! I liked the pic from the interview. I love all the christmas pics too. Glad you had a great Christmas.
- December 29, 2007 at 10:46 AM
- Daisy said...
Love the stocking gifts! I usually plan my own stocking. Your way, although last-minute, is more creative.
- December 29, 2007 at 5:44 PM
- Lois said...
Having been through both pregnancy and Christmas many times, I had to laugh at the comparison. Perfect! Thanks for sharing your creative brain with us!
- December 29, 2007 at 8:15 PM
- ACB said...
Just had to say, Uncle Sam is a hottie! Bonus points for including Darth Vader! Yum!
- December 30, 2007 at 7:27 PM
Thanks for sharing the pictures, Dawn. I was truly impressed by the organized presents by the tree. I've never seen that so well presented before, except in magazines that make me feel inferior -- now ever your blog is doing that ;) The kids looked happy, and I love how Santa leaves the presents at your house. I was going to ask how each kid knows which presents are for him, but I think I figured it out when I saw how you did it. Love it!
And thank you to Aubrey for commenting because, before I saw the choices, I also thought that the stocking gifts were what Santa had brought you to help out get out of the door in the morning and the kids to school on time. Are you sure that wasn't the *real* theme?
And sorry for going on and on, but I love my stocking story from this year, so I'll share.... My 4 year old son decided to be in charge of the stockings this year, so in the morning when the kids woke us up -- granted it was after 8am, so I shouldn't complain but I had a hard time sleeping three nights in a row -- he brought them up to mommy and daddy's bed, a rare treat. First his, then his sisters, then mine. He went down to get Daddy's and I heard a "OH NO! Santa *forgot* to get you anything, Daddy! It's EMPTY!" I requested he bring it up anyway, so he did. As he was carrying it up the stairs, he was still worried that it was empty, so in went the grubby little paws. "There's only paper in here!" and it was thrown aside on the stairs as he continued climbing. Grubby hands went in again "And money." And gift cards were scattered on the stairs. He ran into our room, holding the stocking open in my husband's face "See, it's EMPTY!" I went back to the stairs with him and collected the worthless "paper" and "money." Santa did Daddy ok actually; the paper was front row tickets to Cirque du Soleil, and the "money" was gift cards for Cold Stone. Poor kid took quite a bit of convincing to reassure him that Santa hadn't actually forgotten Daddy.
Of course, this was also the child who asked us in the car this weekend if toilet was spelled "T-O-T-O." Daddy simply said no and spelled it "T-O-L-I-E-T" which cracked me up. I got it though. We installed new toilets after potty training our son last winter and realizing the the 14 year old low flow toilets couldn't handle a newly potty trained child. They're Toto Drake toilets (highly recommended!) and have the brand name on the back where my son stands several times a day. Tee hee!
Really, I should share this on a blog myself or a diary or something but I never think to do something like that and wouldn't know how to start. This is just too convenient. Sorry, Dawn!
Happy New Year!
- December 30, 2007 at 7:30 PM
- Brenda said...
Actually, I LIKE the stocking stuffers!
To tell the truth, I think I put 3 out of the 5 in my son & his girlfriend's stockings. I even did it on purpose, days beforehand, not from a gas station! LOL!
- December 30, 2007 at 10:27 PM
- Amy Barry said...
My almost 4 year old Jaxon got the same green garbage truck and Lightning McQueen track (both noisier than I anticipated) for Christmas (along with several of the Cars characters to go with it.) He loves them both! It was funny seeing that picture though - I knew immediately whose gifts those were!
- December 31, 2007 at 12:28 PM


text:
I used Looney Tunes as my main example because they did everything right and succeeded because of it.
Looney Tunes created more popular characters than any other studio in history. Their cartoons have lasted 60 years.
Their key Directors are all famous and looked up to decades later.
How did they do all this? They had a logical studio production system that developed and encouraged talent:
They didn't put all their eggs in one basket, like when a Saturday Morning Studio green lights a whole series at once and then when it fails, a lot of money is lost in one shot.
Leon knew that his success depended on the talent. He was always on the lookout for the stars within the studio.
He would promote his experienced animators to director then let him sink or swim. If the director made cartoons that made the audience laugh, they got to keep their jobs.
Sometimes certain artists would migrate to other directors whose sensibilities were more in tune with their own.
Partly because of his awesome talent, but also because he knew how animation worked in every sense, from working with experienced folks for years and working in various departments himself. He paid his dues first.
A good director has to understand how all the parts fit together in a cartoon, because he has to manage them and coordinate them for the most entertaining effect. He also needs the respect of the artists working for him, and an inexperienced director is not going to be respected by experienced artists.
No one today gets the opportunity to learn what it takes to be a director, because the execs split up all the director's duties and don't start people at the bottom anymore.
Look back at the last 15 years of cartoons at any studio today. Anyone see any progress? It all seems to be slipping backwards to me.
The directors knew when they had a hit cartoon and they would get inspired and run off and say "Let's do more of that!" If no one laughed, they would be ashamed, and go back and try to figure out what they did wrong and not repeat it. They didn't go into the audience and ask people what to change, as we do now with "focus testing". Imagine an architect asking a house owner why the house caved in and how to fix it.
He only remembered part of what I said though. He remembered that shorts are there to discover new talent and new star characters, but the rest he kinda discarded.
I helped him find some potential new director talent and he found some of his own, but in my opinion he jumped the gun.
He started too many units at once. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians.
Then on top of that, he hired a pile of sub-executives out of nowhere, people who didn't know the first thing about cartoons and didn't like cartoons and didn't like cartoonists.
The artists would overhear these lieutenants in the hallways talking about how stupid this whole shorts idea was. It was ridiculous to write cartoons on storyboards and give cartoonists any say in the making of cartoons. "We should go back to using scripts, like we did at Ruby Spears." Yeah, that was successful! How many people can even name a Ruby Spears character today?
Of course when they were in meetings with Fred, they were all gung-ho about what a great experiment this was.
Many of these bottom feeders have now migrated to other studios and hired more of their kind and the creative process has become more complicated and illogical than it ever was.
Fred is the most logical and sincere of the modern execs for sure, but he combined some purely logical elements of cartoon making with modern crazy witch doctor management theories that undermined the cartoonists-even though he didn't mean to. It's just his hippie executive management background.
Even so, just doing something right was enough to revolutionize Hanna Barbera and put the Cartoon Network on the map. They made some pretty successful series based on the shorts created by Dave Feiss, Genndy Tartakovsky and Craig McCracken.
Since then, every studio has started up their own shorts program. Why? Because they want to discover real talent and new characters the logical efficient way?
No. They all have them because it's the thing to do. No self respecting network can have a studio now without having a shorts program. It just isn't done.
Executives don't do things for logical reasons. They do them because everyone else is doing them. Slaves to trends.
The whole reasoning behind shorts programs has now been undermined and they are managed crazily.
...In the next post of free advice for execs


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text:
Here's a couple of links to a schools genealogy project in Lincolnshire (UK). The project is called Making History and is supported by actors Miriam Margolyes and Colin McFarlane.
There are 12 schools involved in the pilot and it is hoped it will then be rolled out across the country.
The project will help children discover who their ancestors are and they will have the chance to make their family history into a short film.
Sounds like a really exciting project.


text:
Brattleboro home destroyed by fire
BRATTLEBORO -- A Wednesday night blaze kept firefighters at the scene from 9:40 p.m. until the last unit left at 6 a.m. Thursday morning.
Fire Chief Michael Bucossi told the Reformer that there is not a known cause as of Thursday afternoon.
"We know an area of origin," he said, "but because of damage, it's going to be too hard to narrow down the exact cause."
A husband and wife had been living in the mobile home with built-on additions on Covey Road where the fire took place, but the couple was not there when it started. They were just getting home when the fire had been reported to Brattleboro Fire Department.
"They discovered the fire when they came home," said Chief Bucossi.
One small dog died in the fire.
The Brattleboro Fire Department reported that the fire had been under control around 11:36 p.m.
Town fire departments that aided in the incident included Putney Fire Department, Greenfield, Mass., Fire Department and Dummerston Fire Department. Tankers that had been brought to the scene came from the towns of Guilford, Putney, Dummerston as well as Chesterfield and Hinsdale, N.H. There was also an engine from Keene, N.H. on scene. Other organizations present included Rescue Inc., Brattleboro Police and Brattleboro Department of Public Works.
The cold temperatures kept firefighters monitoring the weather throughout the fire to keep everyone safe by rotating members. Temperatures fluctuated between minus 3 degrees and minus 10 degrees.
"Because of the cold and the conditions, there's no better way to describe it than brutal," said Chief Bucossi. "We try to get the firefighters in a warm area for a little while and make work periods short if we can. It's really a difficult situation."
The couple who owned the mobile home are currently staying with friends.
"Because (the house) is in the rural part of town, it's out of the hydrant district and our water supply actually came from a pond. The dry hydrant was actually built, dug out and installed this past fall with the combination of grant money that the fire department secured and landowner funds," said Chief Bucossi.
The water used at the scene had come from a dry hydrant on the pond at the intersection of Ames Hill and Abbot Road, which is about a mile away from Covey Road.
"We do live in New England and the winters get harsh. The weather gets harsh. You just got to be prepared," said Chief Bucossi. "You should get your heating appliances serviced on a regular basis and if you use alternative heat sources, make sure they are installed and vented properly by certified people.
Chris Mays can be reached at 802-254-2311, ext. 273, or email@example.com. Follow Chris on Twitter @CMaysReformer.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


text:
Online harassment, like Cyberbullying, is using information and communication technologies to carry out a methodical, deliberate, and persistent manner that is intended to harass, threaten, humiliate or harm the recipient.
If you see repeated deliberate harassment or bullying of another online user this can be very distressing, but there are a few avenues you can take. First, you want to be sure what you are seeing is harassment and not simply banter between two people. For example is someone says "I'm going to kill you next time I see you" it may be a serious threat, or it may be an entirely harmless comment between friends. If you are sure you are witnessing harassment you can:


text:
Spikes above, furnace below: have you and your friends got what it takes to Bouncedown?
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Megahertz (MHz) / Gigahertz (GHz) is a measure of how fast your computer's processor is. This affects how quickly you can run things like games and applications.
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text:
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Sky is Blue. No it's Not.
CLAY: Did that fish get eaten?
ME: The mom fish was eaten. The dad fish and Nemo are ok though.
CLAY: A shark ate them?
ME: A big fish ate them.
CLAY: Actually, a shark ate them.
ME: It was a big fish.
CLAY: And sharks are big fish, right?
ME: I give up. You know everything.
I really don't know how I made it to the ripe old age of 38. My kids point out daily just how stupid I am. Austin is especially good for this. It doesn't matter what I say, that kid will find a loophole and exploit it every time without fail.
"The sky is blue."
"Well actually, the sky isn't really blue. The gas molecules in the sky just absorb the shorter wavelengths blah blah blah blah blah..."
Of course, if I gave the scientific explanation, he'd counter with something else.
"The sky looks blue because the molecules absorb the short wavelengths and...."
"No. The sky is blue because it would look weird if it was purple."
It really doesn't matter what I say, Austin's greatest joy in life is achieved by proving me wrong. Oh, if only I were as smart as a teenager. I used to be that smart. I used to know everything. I did!
I think I've figured it out. Babies are born knowing very little. You teach them important stuff. You teach them how to talk and walk, how to feed themselves and read, how to dress themselves and poop on the potty. They look up to you. You have all the answers to life's problems. In fact, you do such a great job teaching them that they eventually become smarter than you.
You begin to realize that you really don't have all the answers. I mean, you don't even know what MileyWorld is. You can't name all the Jonas Brothers. It takes you 12 minutes to send a text message and you have no clue what Webkinz are. You think that Fergie is the Duchess of York and Wii is simply "we" misspelled. Suddenly your kids are rolling their eyes at you because clearly, only the very simple-minded wouldn't know what "IDK" means.
Take heart though. You won't be stupid forever. Some day your kids will probably have kids of their own and suddenly you'll regain your intelligence. In fact, you may even be called wise by your children.
Posted by Dawn at 11:45 PM
51 comments:
- Mum-me said...
We obviously are from the same generation. What does "IDK" mean?
- July 24, 2008 at 11:51 PM
- Rachel said...
the big fish is actually a baracuda... if you want to throw some info his way. i know this only because i seem to find myself watching finding nemo at least twice a week (either that or cars). yeah, i'm that mom. i enjoy your blog so much. thanks for reminding me that my 3 aren't so completely abnormal as i sometimes think they are. and, yes, i realize that i don't capitalize... i do that on purpose - have for years.
- July 25, 2008 at 12:32 AM
- Emiliy said...
HA! i tutor junior highers. i'm 25 so i feel like i'm still young. until i started tutoring. my students were talking about fergie and i thought the same thing...the duchess of york. they corrected me and told me that york is on the east coast of america and californians really don't know anything about geography because new york is a state and we have a president not a duchess. they then told me that fergie was in the black eyed peas. all while rolling their eyes. i didn't feel like arguing with them about york being in europe. because i already lost all credibility when i didn't know who the real fergie was.
- July 25, 2008 at 1:02 AM
- AlaneM said...
So what does IDK mean?
You mean to tell me this gets worse??? My 6 yo argues with me Clay style all the time & it's driving me insane!
I can't do homework with him because it becomes a he said/she said nightmare. But for some reason what daddy says is ok - girrrrrrr!
- July 25, 2008 at 1:06 AM
- Rick said...
Take heart. Austin probably really is a genius, and you just look dumb in comparission. The only question is... Which side of the family does he get it from?
P.S. It would be kind of cool if the sky turned purple - at least for a little while.
- July 25, 2008 at 1:30 AM
Yay!! I know the answers to all the questions! But I still feel like I'm the odd one out at all times. Ugh. I hate that. But then I think of how MY mother was treated by me. Humm>Thanks for your insight.
- July 25, 2008 at 1:42 AM
- Jules said...
So do I get to be called smart before my 100th birthday, or after?
Just asking.
- July 25, 2008 at 2:01 AM
The big fish who eats Nemo's mother and siblings is a barracuda. The sharks don't come into the picture until Dori and Marlin meet them in the shipwreck while searching for Nemo.
- July 25, 2008 at 6:57 AM
I agree with Rick about the genius stuff. I have one of those who would argue about the color of the sky, as well as what is wrong with society and how she could make it better. And she learned all of this from her invisible scientist friend. She can't show you how she gets her answers in pre-calc, but she gets them right 98% of time. I just listen to her point of view and then say "veddy intedesting..."
Thanks for your humor and wit, and even the sarcasm. It reminds me to laugh at myself, and to not take myself so seriously!
Thanks also for all of the info from the convention. I am enjoying linking to those on your list. I have been privileged to get to know so many wonderful people because of you and your referrals. Muchas gracias comadre!
And Fergie...my teens and my job at a middle school both have given me white hair, but have also taken 10 years off my life! Enjoy the ride...soon you will be moving them into dorms where they will be writing their thesis (thesi?) on the color of the sky!
God Bless,
- July 25, 2008 at 7:11 AM
IDK means "I don't know". I just learned that one. I also learned that g2g means "got 2 go". I still don't see how they came up with that. I read the internet and gossip sites and I'm still at a loss on things. If you watch "The Hills" on MTV, you are so in with any teenage girl. Try it. Ask them about Lauren, Lo and Audrina. Kids, if they didn't irratate us, we'd never let them go to college.
- July 25, 2008 at 7:16 AM
My four year old is already a know-it-all who's favorite phrase is "I was right and you were wrong, Mom." He's going to be one downright annoying kid as a teenager, methinks!
- July 25, 2008 at 7:28 AM
- SuburbanCorrespondent said...
Dave Barry's theory is that our children siphon off our brain cells for their own use. That would explain how they get smarter as we get dumber.
- July 25, 2008 at 7:44 AM
Per my texting nephew, IDK is "I don't know." There may be regional differences in texting terms, but I'm told that one is pretty standard.
- July 25, 2008 at 7:44 AM
Just wait until he hits high school...I teach high school, I'm constantly being taught the things I don't know. Just when I think I've got it all studied up, they throw another one at me, complete with eye rolling, of course. I just find it interesting that they have no problem educating me about their made up "vocabulary words" and "important" pop culture figures, but they get offended when I'm appalled that they don't know SAT words or actual cultural figures that they most certainly should know by 11th grade (Bhutto, anyone? Anyone? Bueller? ...and most of them don't know who Bueller is, either, btw. Oh, the humanity!). Oh well. In ten years they'll realize how smart I am, too (right?!).
- July 25, 2008 at 7:45 AM
- Mabunny said...
OH I know Dawn. Nicole will correct my english... Shes only had 9 yrs of it. It ticks me off sometimes but then I'll correct her too. /sigh oh well,she wil also correct me while I'm on the phone which realy makes me mad. If i"m talking to a friend and kind of get the story right, she is in the back ground telling me what really happened. I'm so glad shes at my moms for a week atm:)) But by tomorrow th house will get too quiet!
- July 25, 2008 at 7:53 AM
In our house I say, "Quit being so Snarky." Using big or unusual words seems to stop the Snarkiness, until they figure out what I just said. Hey, it's not a permanent fix, but it does buy some time, and they are getting good use out of their dictionary, lol. Keep it coming, your blog is great!
- July 25, 2008 at 8:39 AM
- Kearsie said...
Ugh, my two girls are still in that precious bubble where they believe everything out of my mouth is the Gospel Truth. My four year old will ask me the most bizarrish questions like, "Do turtles miss their mommies when they grow up?" to which I say "I don't know" and she'll respond "Yes you do! You're mommy!" Ugh-soon they'll realize I'm not an expert.
- July 25, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Oh, I have two teenagers and according to them, my IQ is non-existant. I keep waiting for them to say I'm wise..but I'm not holding my breath. LOL...
- July 25, 2008 at 9:04 AM
For those who don't know, IDK stands for "I don't know."
This site has a pretty good list of IM/texting shorthand that may be helpful to you:
- July 25, 2008 at 9:07 AM
- MayberryMom said...
When I was a teen my dad used to say "you'll be amazed at how smart I'm going to be 5 years from now" LOL So true.
- July 25, 2008 at 9:24 AM
I'm 32 and I have an 18 month old. My mom isn't nearly as dumb as I thought she was when I was 16....
- July 25, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Kids are so funny! Just wait til yours are teens. Mine are 16, 18, 20, okay. I finally got this texting thing and LOVE it however, my kids are like OMG mom, you are so slow texting why don't you use T9Word? WHAT the heck is that!? I swear, this is never ending!! However, if it wasn't for their insight on things I would be more technology challenged than I am! Judy
- July 25, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Oh, but I DO know the names of all the Jonas Brothers. Kevin is the oldest one who plays guitar but doesn't sing very much. Joe sings lead and just starred in "Camp Rock" on the Disney Channel. Nick is the one with the curly hair and is the youngest of the three. They have a much younger brother, whose name I cannot recall at the moment. Can you tell I have a 10 yo daughter who has repeatedly tried to get me to remember who is who? I can't remember my own phone number, but I can tell you all about the Jonas brothers! Oh, and rumor has it that Nick is now dating Selena Gomez, but their publicists claim they are "just friends".
- July 25, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Ok I know this one IDK means I dont know, and Fergie is from the group Black Eyed Peas also so funny though i'm 28 and i still think i know more than my mom guess my kids will start knowing more than me really soon though love your blog--sasha
- July 25, 2008 at 10:00 AM
- momumo said...
My son is also smarter than I -- and a freakin semantics wizard -- so not only does he correct my misinformation, but regardless of how I try to speak my mind about it, he finds another loophole to expose my ignorance! He's 16, it doesn't appear this will ever change -- I feel pain for the wife he may someday have (if any woman can ever tolerate his huge brain).
On days when I feel particularly grateful that my mother didn't just run off to Alaska and leave us to fend for ourselves (there were 9 of us) I call her and thank her.
- July 25, 2008 at 10:04 AM
- laklisa said...
I don't know which is scarier, knowing the answers to who Fergie is and what IDK stands for...or knowing it at the age of 32? LOL
And I have to say that I learned in my late 20s that my parents are usually right-there fore smart. So while we may not know anything now, there will be hope in the future!!!
- July 25, 2008 at 10:22 AM
- Larisa said...
When the kid hits 21, you become smart again. It's amazing.
- July 25, 2008 at 10:24 AM
IDK stands for "I don't know".
- July 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
- Sunny said...
Oh, to be wise! I remembered thinking my parents were so "out of it" with current life. Now I look at my little sisters, and I'M the one who's clueless! I very much understand the taking 12 minutes to send a text. My DH tells me "you don't need to write a novel", and I blush, because I've managed to type out half a sentence!
- July 25, 2008 at 11:02 AM
- iheartchocolate said...
This is so true, it's not even funny! wii, haaa
- July 25, 2008 at 11:04 AM
- Pudgy Pencils said...
i wish your kid would've been around yesterday when we tried to watch Finding Nemo. the brilliant store clerks at the video joint forgot to remove the security pins and I spend half an hour (even more brilliant me) thinking it's just "hard to get out" of the DVD case. I end up breaking the pin and still not getting anywhere. we ended up calling to find out what the problem was (and how stupid I am). But hey at least we got a couple free rentals out of it ;)
- July 25, 2008 at 12:56 PM
- Michelle said...
Hey Dawn!
Send your kids to this website: Why is the sky blue?. It should keep them busy for 10 min.
- July 25, 2008 at 1:21 PM
- Matchbox Mom said...
I love it!
- July 25, 2008 at 2:33 PM
- My Kids' Mom said...
Ha! So close to home. My four year old will argue ANYTHING and one day he asked me why we sometimes just say "Oh." to him. I laughed, as did his brother and dad. I decided to explain to him. My example was that sometimes he tells us that the sky is red and we correct him and tell him it is blue. He then, always, tells us we are wrong and the sky really IS red. Then we say, "Oh." He thought it was funny and we keep using it as the example when he starts to frustrate us. But now, instead of "Oh" we say "The sky is blue."
I worry that some day he'll join the Debate Team and we'll have nothing left to ever say to him again, except, "Oh."
- July 25, 2008 at 2:36 PM
LOL! I feel your pain. Here's a twist on that same conversation.
ME: Want to watch Nemo?
MY 2 YR OLD: Nemo's Mommy died. A shark ate her. (Repeat this like a broken record.)
ME: (finally about ready to pull my hair out) No honey, it wasn't a shark, it was a barracuda.
MY 2 YR OLD: (pauses, thinking) But it MIGHT be a shark!
This is how she "wins" all arguments at the age of 2 - if I point out she's incorrect about something, she comes back with "But it MIGHT be!"
- July 25, 2008 at 3:03 PM
- JCK said...
A loophole! That's EXACTLY it! And my children are already finding them at ages 3 and 4...I'm in serious trouble.
I'm looking forward to someday being called...wise, if not an elder.
- July 25, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I talk to my mom daily on the phone. I usually start my conversation with, "I'm sorry, Mom" for all the things I put her through when I was growing up. And I was the GOOD kid in the family! haha
Donna in PA :)
- July 25, 2008 at 3:52 PM
- Pam said...
I was sitting in the DR office this afternoon with my TWO teens (it gets worse!!) and an old edition of Better Homes and Gardens. It had a whole list of text terms so we parents can understand what our kids are saying!! It included things like what they use when their parents are in the room (which I guess I should have written down, because I now can't remember what it was!!) Turning 36 on Sunday, trying not to feel that old!! LOL!!
- July 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Lol! It was a barracuda. (Teehee!)
- July 25, 2008 at 6:03 PM
"why don't you use T9Word? WHAT the heck is that!?"
T9's objective is to make it easier to type text messages. It allows words to be entered by a single keypress for each letter, as opposed to the multi-tap approach used in the older generation of mobile phones in which several letters are associated with each key, and selecting one letter often requires multiple keypresses.
It combines the groups of letters on each phone key with a fast-access dictionary of words. It looks up in the dictionary all words corresponding to the sequence of keypresses and orders them by frequency of use.
- July 25, 2008 at 7:04 PM
I have never heard of any of the things you listed.
I do know big fish are not necessarily sharks and the sky is blue. Period
My son has been corrected me since he first learned to speak.
I should have stuck with my idea of just teaching him sign language.
It's so easy to close your eyes.
- July 25, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Hi Dawn,
I just had to comment about the sky being blue... and the poop in the potty...
I was born/raised in Seattle. One famous quote in my baby book "look mommy, the clouds are blue today!" I guess only those in Seattle would think that is funny!
Do you have any suggestions about how to get poop in the toilet? My son has been potty trained for 2 months - but refuses to poop in the potty. He goes and gets a pull up on, and poops in it. Then he takes the pullup off, puts the poop in the toilet, and the pull-up in the diaper bin. He still wears diapers at night... Both DH and I have decided we can't fight this one - no matter what I try, he won't go poop in the potty... any ideas short of sleeping on the pot?
Thanks! Pam (Seattle)
- July 25, 2008 at 9:14 PM
It's simple, really. We need to stop teaching the babies to talk. ;-P
- July 26, 2008 at 6:24 AM
- erika325 said...
I remember my parents got a lot smarter when I went off to college ;)
I just appreciated them and all their hard work a lot more when I had kids ;)
Kids, I tell ya!!
- July 26, 2008 at 9:04 AM
- Cort said...
Just to make you feel better, my mom and dad seemed to get REALLY smart when I was around Age 21 or 22. All of a sudden, it was like a light came on and I realized that they were right about almost everything (I still disagree on some points, but I don't point them out). I don't have kids yet, so this shoudl reassure you that you won't have to wait until you're a grandmother for your children to appreciate your brilliance. It may take another 12 years or so before the first one does, though. Hang in there!
- July 26, 2008 at 10:19 AM
- Lauren said...
My friend has a sign hanging in her kitchen:
Young adults and teenagers, act now! Move out, get a job and pay your own way... While you still know everything!
- July 26, 2008 at 7:45 PM
I just stumbled onto your blog through a friend of mine and I couldn't resist leaving a comment. This post made me snort my milk I laughed so hard. I love your sense of humour.
- July 27, 2008 at 8:20 PM
- ummmhello said...
ARGH! My ten year old does this and I want to hand him my checkbook and say, "You're so smart, YOU handle it!"
- July 28, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I am sooo glad we are not the only ones with this "the sky is blue" thing. My son (only child) is 8. He's been making these arguements with us since he was about 4. I so could not home school him. Thank goodness he respects his teachers enough to accept what they say. ... At least for now! ;-P
~Just Me
- July 28, 2008 at 8:57 PM
I'm one of those "southerners" that tells the kids to play "in the floor" instead of on the floor...as you mentioned in an earlier entry. Now I read that you teach your kids how to "poop on the potty." I try to teach mine to poop IN the potty...much cleaner that way!
Love your blog!
- July 29, 2008 at 2:28 PM
I have to laugh at Austin. I think your explanation of life is so entertaining. But, he is the most like my kids. I think my 12 year old son may be his clone, named Andrew.
Anyway, if you have read books on qualities of gifted children, you may find that Austin fits all of them. He is EXTREMELY creative, has a strong sense of fairplay and justice, likes exactness and seeks correctness in all descriptions, often argues a fact to death just for the sake of arguing it, just a little bit weird, has a very advanced and sophisticated sense of humor, more developed than others at the same age, very sensitive and emotional at times, enjoys spending time with adults as much as with children, etc.
Many of these qualities and many others are common among highly gifted children. They don't always do well in school or in life, and they have trouble relating to the world around them since the rest of the world is so slow, stupid, boring, ___(you fill in the blank.)
I recommend a fabulous book that made me laugh at my life and was pretty educational. The woman is not the best expert/writer/mom on the planet, but the book is somewhat entertaining while helping understand something about gifted children. It is titled "Raisin' Brains." I have 3 copies. One for myself, one for lending, and one that we lend out and forget until it shows up a year later. My kids love it, too.
It is a fast read and perfect for those quick bathroom breaks....
I have five kids and it seems the only time I get to read, you know....
I have 3 teens now and I so know what you are talking about. I don't fall into the IDK category at all. Teens are a world apart. And fergie is not early teen music! (Not in my house!)
But, the kids do what they want when alone with friends ( like lending money, or watching movies mom doesn't like) so I try to teach them right, and then cross my fingers and let them go.
Good luck. And enjoy Austin. He is a treasure!
- July 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM