Monday, October 31, 2011

A Lou Bega Halloween

Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo have been in the news quite a bit lately following the bizarre situation where dozens of exotic animals were killed in Zanesville, Ohio. When I lived in Columbus over a decade ago, my Ohio State student organization volunteered at the Columbus Zoo for their Halloween event. While I’m sure that some of the animal exhibits were open, I was involved in the haunted house portion of the zoo’s Halloween celebration. Specifically, the zoo staff dressed me up in a scary costume, and I jumped out and screamed to scare people as they rounded a corner. I did such a good job that Jack Hanna himself complimented me on my performance.*



While I had a great time scaring folks, there was a logistical problem when large groups were involved. There were times when I jumped out from around a corner to scare a group of people in the front of the group, but couldn’t really do much for the folks at the end of the line. It’s not like I could jump out, then go back to my hiding spot and jump out again. Instead, I would start talking to people. When that proved unsuccessful, I just started screaming random things. To go along with one of the most popular songs of the day, I randomly yelled “Mambo Number 5.” Not the actual song lyrics, just the song title.



Surprisingly, this went over remarkably well. So for those of you celebrating Halloween, may you have a little bit of Monica in your life.

Sadly, I’m unable to share the video for Mambo Number 5 here. Please click here to watch the video and have the song stuck in your head the rest of the day!


* This may or may not be true..I would lean towards it not being true.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Get Your Washington Capitals Playoff Tickets Today

Although today is only October 27th, with the Capitals at 7-0, apparently it’s not too early to think about the NHL playoffs. Clearly the Capitals are going to finish the season 82-0, comfortably win the Southeast division and Eastern conference and earn the Presidents' Trophy. Therefore, I received an e-mail today from the Capitals yesterday with the subject, "Secure Access to Face Value Caps Playoff Tickets Today." Here's what the message said:

Mr. Ramblings (not my real last name),

Back by popular demand, the Caps have formed an official partnership with OptionIt, offering fans who are not Full Season Ticket Holders a safe and secure way to access to a limited number of face value tickets for ALL POTENTIAL HOME PLAYOFF GAMES.

The e-mail continues with the advantages of OptionIt and a link to their website which shows this as one of its rotating images on the front page:



I do like how the e-mail discusses tickets for all potential home playoff games. Based on recent history, that could one or maybe even two whole playoff series!

This is now my second Washington Capitals related blog post this week. Who knew that I was becoming a Caps blogger?

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

What Ever Happened To Billy Ocean?

Seriously, where is Billy Ocean these days? You remember Billy Ocean from his 80s hits such as Caribbean Queen; When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going; Suddenly; and especially Get Out of My Dreams (Get Into My Car).

I love the fact that in the video Billy Ocean picks up a random woman who works at the car wash while all of her coworkers encourage her to go with a stranger who yells at her to get into his car. Meanwhile, cartoon ducks are also a big hit in music videos.

Anyway, while I'm sure that I could probably find out what Billy Ocean is up to these days by reading through his website, I feel like it is much more fun asking all of you.


This video was not available on YouTube, so I had to embed it from LiveVideo. Are you finding that it plays automatically? If so, please let me know, and I'll delete the video since you may not want to hear Billy Ocean whenever you visit my blog.

Update: I've removed the video of my blog. As much as I love Get Out of My Dreams, I don't need it playing everytime I visit this site. Feel free to click on the link above to enjoy the song whenever you want!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Trivia Tuesday: Name That Tune

Your challenge for this week's Trivia Tuesday is to name the song title and artist based on the lyrics below. Please note that all of these songs are from the 80s or 90s.

1. I'm not sick, but I'm not well
And I'm so hot cause I'm in hell

2. She is changing her name from Kitty to Karen
She is trading her MG for a white, Chrysler LeBaron

3. You said that I was naive and I thought that I was strong

4. Show me show me show me how you do that trick
the one that makes me scream she said

5. I'll give you love baby not romance
I'll make a move nothing left to chance
So don't you get fresh with me

6. We’re making moves and starting grooves before they knew we were gone
Jumped into the Chevy and headed for big lights
Wanna know the rest? Hey, buy the rights
(A later line is "Everytime I look around. It’s in my face.")

7. Watchin' X-Files with no lights on
We're dans la maison
I hope the Smoking Man's in this one

8. My best friend took a week's vacation to forget her
His girl took a week's worth of valium and slept
And now he's guilt stricken sobbin' with his head on the floor
Thinks about her now and how he never really wept he says

As always, please do not use the internet for assistance and leave your answers in the comments section below. Good luck!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Bruce Boudreau Is a Jedi? (Express Fail)

Matt Swenson wrote an editorial/article in Friday's Express comparing the Washington Capitals with Star Wars. Yes, really. I felt the need to share the article and some thoughts with you.

If Obi-Wan Kenobi had let himself go, and ditched the beard, he might have looked a bit like Bruce Boudreau.

Matt, you know Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character played by the late Sir Alec Guinness, right? Besides, even if Alec Guinness gained 50 pounds, shaved his beard and somehow, um, didn’t die 10+ years ago, he looks nothing like Bruce Boudreau.




Thus far, the two teachers have about the same track record. Each was handed a star full of some sort of force, but neither star has reached the level of success expected of him.

Obi-Wan was “handed” Luke Skywalker who only destroyed the Death Star and later defeated the Galactic Empire. I’m not sure what other level of success you want. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin won two Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL MVP and also appeared in this Eastern Motors commercial.



For those who’ve been hiding in the Millennium Falcon’s cargo bay for the past 35 years or so...

You’ve been hiding in the Millennium Falcon for 35 years, yet you somehow managed to find the free Washington weekday newspaper available almost only at Metro stations or busy DC intersections.

...Anakin Skywalker was the most talented of the Jedi.

Oh, so we’re going with Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan, not Alec Guinness. McGregor also looks nothing like Boudreau.

It was up to Kenobi to help his pupil master the art of the Force. Except for an unlucky few, we all know how that turned out.

I have no idea what this means.

Boudreau has a similarly gifted protégé in Alex Ovechkin. The Great 8 has won plenty of individual accolades, including two MVPs, but hasn’t hoisted the Stanley Cup. And if he doesn’t some may start comparing to Ovechkin, and his hefty contract, to Darth Vader.

Darth Vader killed nearly ever Jedi at the end of the sixth/third Star Wars including children. He was probably responsible for killing hundreds if not thousands of people. Meanwhile, there have been a lot of stories around DC the past few years that Ovechkin parties too much and has gained some weight. Perfect comparison.

It’s early, but this year’s sequel appears closer in quality to “The Empire Strikes Back” than “Attack of the Clones.”

Not only does Matt Swenson write for Express, but he’s also a world-class movie critic.

While Ovechkin hadn’t found his scoring touch yet, the Caps are off to a franchise-best start.

The reason for the Caps' success isn't due to Ovechkin scoring goals, but by using the force from the bench to help goalie Tomas Vokoun make saves.

At least part of the credit belongs to Boudreau, who’s taken a more Yoda-esque taskmaster approach to Kenobi’s pupil-friendly style.

Boudreau spent all off-season watching the Star Wars movies to learn the leadership styles of Yoda. No wonder he talks differently in press conferences this season.

It seems like that’s just what the Caps needed. And, come to think of it, if Yoda weren’t green and were a few hundred years younger, he, too, might resemble Boudreau.

Apparently, Boudreau looks like every Star Wars character including Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca.


I know that it's hard to read, but here's proof that this is a real article and not something I made up.



I also need to acknowledge that this is a rip-off of Big Daddy Drew on Kissing Suzy Kolber.


Please click here for more Express Fail.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Interview with Sarah Wendell, Author & Mullet Aficionado

Sarah Wendell runs the extremely popular blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and recently released her second book Everything I Know about Love, I Learned from Romance Novels available now in bookstores and online including at Amazon.com where the novel reached #2 in Movements & Periods. Yes, you can read the end of that last sentence again and pretend like you’re 12.

Anyway, Sarah has been making the rounds promoting her book by appearing on the Gayle King Show, in USA Today and at numerous book signings. Sarah is also a friend who was nice enough to take time out of her extremely busy schedule to answer some silly (or perhaps brilliant!) questions. Seriously, did Gayle King ask Sarah about Jaromir Jagr's mullet? I think not!



Is the title of your new book, Everything I Know about Love I Learned from Romance Novels, a critique or criticism of the American educational system? (I'm kidding unless you'd like to answer it.)

You know, I hadn't thought of it that way, but romance novels would be a solid addition to any high school curriculum. For one thing, there's a much more accurate portrayal of human sexuality. Plus it would make those with mullets feel like heroes, and everyone deserves to feel like a hero. Especially with a mullet.

So give us an overview of your new book.

Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance reveals the secrets romance readers and writers have known for awhile: that happy endings are possible, and that everyone deserves to be the hero or heroine of their own life. Romance novels, far from being monotonous expressions of love, passion, and questionable weather patterns, are actually a sort of road map of what to do and what not to do in real life relationships.

An excerpt of your book states that “there is a 95 percent chance that a romance novel cover will feature a mullet.” Are mullets still prevalent in today’s romance novels? Is Jaromir Jagr somehow involved in this?

Mullets are indeed still part of romance culture, particularly in the historical cover art. I do not understand this, but I have accepted it. I think Jagr might indeed be involved, though now that I'm attempting to have moves like him (That IS what the song is about, right?) I can't be sure.



As a fairly new parent, I’ve found that I don’t have nearly as much time as I’d like to write my blog. How are you able to maintain an extremely success blog and write a book all while being a mother?

I don't sleep a lot. I also make sure to pre-schedule content to go live on days where I am busy. And most importantly: the entries you spend the most amount of time on seem to gather the least commentary, while the ones you wrote quickly and posted will ignite a fascinating discussion. That takes a little pressure off me, when I feel overwhelmed.

You are a graduate of the high school that now boasts two of the biggest stars currently in hip-hop (Wiz Khalifa & Mac Miller). How did you contribute to this success?

I thought it was you who snuck in and left the magical funky dust in the hallways. Despite going to a different high school, clearly they were influenced by your proximity. You have way better moves like Jagr than I do!

I apologize for asking this question since I’m sure that you’re tired of constantly answering this throughout all of the interviews for your new book. Is 2012 the year the Pirates finally reach .500?

You mean they didn't? I maintain an elaborate fantasy that they're in the World Series this year. And when that grows too much to sustain on a functional level, I absolutely believe that 2012 will be the year they reach .500, and get to the NLCS.


Thanks again to Sarah for agreeing to answer these questions and for putting up with me referring to her as a mullet aficionado! I definitely encourage you to check out her new book and/or consider buying a copy as a holiday gift.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Lunch Rut Update

Six months after writing that I was in a bit of a lunch rut, I’ve decided to make a significant change in my eating habits. I’m tired of the Wegmans Lite Wheat bread for my salami sandwiches and am ready to try something new. Perhaps I’ll go back to regular white bread or spice things up with non-light/lite wheat bread. I could go crazy and make rye bread a daily fixture of my diet, though I think of rye more for special occasions or eating only at a deli. Pumpernickel bread may blow my mind.

This may be the dumbest question I've ever had on my blog, but what type of bread do you like for your sandwiches?



Oh, you’ll be happy to know that I continue to eat Rold Gold pretzels, a banana and Dannon’s Light & Fit yogurt regularly for lunch.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Random Ramblings

Trivia Tuesday will return next week, but I hope you enjoy this post which is all over the place.

On the final play of Sunday’s Steelers-Jaguars game, Jacksonville QB Blaine Gabbert did a play-action fake to his running back even though everyone in the stadium and watching the game knew that the only option was a Hail Mary pass attempt. Why even pretend that you’re going to run?

At a birthday party this weekend, a two year-old kid walked up to my 6 month-old son and slapped him on the head. I was stunned and really had no idea how to react. I think my son had no idea how to react either though he was unfazed. The mother of the kid ran over to scold her child but didn’t offer nearly the apology that I thought was necessary. To paraphrase Larry David, I thought it was a S*!t apology.



I’m not going to identify this person by name, but I need to call out an individual in one of my fantasy football leagues. This guy started Titans RB Chris Johnson and the Kansas City defense this week even though both teams were on a bye. When I asked this person who I have known for 33 years why he started these players, he said that he didn’t have time to visit the league website this week. He also didn’t even know that his team won last week (beating me). Why even play fantasy football (in a pay league no less) if you don’t have three minutes to change your line-up each week?

Speaking of fantasy football, I went 0-4 this week meaning that my teams are now 3-3, 2-4, 1-5 & 1-5. This is by far the worst I have ever done in my 12+ years of fantasy football. Fortunately, I finished 2nd in my 12 team fantasy baseball league this year, tied for my best finish in approximately 20 years in that league.

I planned on writing more, but this is all that I have right now. It's difficult to write when you fall asleep in the middle of typing.

Friday, October 14, 2011

I Have a Famous Friend (Links & Videos)

My friend Sarah recently wrote Everything I Know About Love, I Learned From Romance Novels and was invited to appear on The Gayle King Show to discuss the book. Check out the highlights as well as her description of what happened behind the scenes [Smart Bitches, Trashy Books]



I hope to interview Sarah soon though I may be a step down or twenty from Gayle King and USA Today.

The Fairfax County Police Department encourages you to adopt a refugee rabbit. Yes, the press release is really titled adopt a refugee rabbit. [FCPD]

Japan may offer 10,000 free round-trip tickets to help boost tourism following the earthquake earlier this year. The catch is that is that the trip must be publicized on a blog. To Japan's Tourism Agency, Hi. My name is Sean. I hope that you like my blog! [ABC News]

Please support Nichole in her 31 for 21 challenge. [Long and Winding Road]

Congratulations to Igloo Dreams on six years for writing about the Penguins. [Igloo Dreams]

Benstonium has been killing it lately. Check out the "Steelers Matters" video below.



Finally, be on the look out for the biggest giveaway in Sean's Ramblings history!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

I Am an Idiot (Ziggy Update)

When we last left Ziggy, he freaked out at veterinarian office and needed to stay overnight since we couldn’t get him to calm down. The diagnosis was some type of bacteria in his bladder and possibly a urinary tract infection, but he was given an antibiotic and has been quite happy and affectionate since he returned home. The vet wanted me to return a few weeks later with a urine sample (from Ziggy not me) as a follow-up. Have you ever tried to collect a urine sample from a cat? It’s impossible! The vet suggested emptying the litter box leaving only this small amount of non-absorbent litter (a cup cost $9). Ziggy refused to use the litter box without his normal litter. I tried an empty box, a small amount of his regular litter and even saran wrap, but Ziggy never used the litter box unless it was at its normal state. At one point, I think he went almost an entire day without going because he didn’t like the conditions.

Finally, I made an appointment to bring Ziggy back to the vet, where, unfortunately, they would need to extract a urine sample in what I’m sure is an unpleasant process. Fortunately, the vet felt around his bladder and decided that she didn’t want to put Ziggy through that procedure. It’s probably not 100% accurate, but since Ziggy has been fine since he returned home (except when we messed with his usual litter box routine), we were instructed simply to monitor Ziggy. The cat also received his annual shots, and we were on our way home in only minutes.



Now to the idiot part. The vet said that Ziggy needed to drink more water and suggested adding a little water to his food. Ziggy eats wet food twice a day and dry food as a late night snack. I asked the vet whether I should add the water to the dry food. She was nice and after a brief pause replied that I should only add the water to the wet food since Ziggy probably wouldn’t eat soggy “dry” food. After I left, she probably (understandably) laughed with the vet tech about my brilliant question.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Trip to the Pharmacy

This may be a shocking revelation based on the title of my post, but I went to the pharmacy at my grocery store recently to drop off a prescription. I had a fancy patient savings card that allowed me to save money on the prescription. So I handed the card to the pharmacy technician, and she noticed that there was a sticker on the card meaning that the card probably wasn’t activated. So I called the number on the card, but after about two minutes, my cell phone lost reception. The technician was extremely nice and allowed me to use their phone since it was a 1-800 number, but the process to activate the card was painful. I had to verify that I lived in the United States but not Massachusetts. Apparently, the prescription card people don’t like the Red Sox and Patriots. I had to verify that Medicare wasn’t paying for the prescription. I think I even had to verify my SAT scores.

Unfortunately, the process to activate the card took nearly 20 minutes. The prescription was ready by the time I completed the call, and I hadn’t even started my grocery shopping yet. I went to check-out only for the technician to inform me that the prescription cost was $9 less without the fancy card. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Trivia Tuesday: Greeks vs. Romans

Before we get to this week’s trivia, please allow me to share my weekly fantasy football rant. (Please skip to the next paragraph if you don’t care about my fantasy teams.) I lost by one point in one of my leagues this week because Kyle Orton scored -1 points. That’s not a typo; he scored negative points. If Orton didn’t play or if I started Tony Romo (who was on a bye), former Steelers and Birmingham Stallions QB Cliff Stoudt (retired in 1985) or even Johnny Unitas (died in 2002), I would have won via the tie-breaker. I ended up going 1-3 this week meaning that my teams are 3-2, 2-3, 1-4 & 1-4 (including a loss to my brother this week. Ugh!). I am terrible this season.

Your challenge this week is to name the Roman equivalent of each Greek god or goddess listed below. This is clearly a blind spot in my knowledge since I only got one or two correct.

1. Athena

2. Zeus

3. Eros

4. Ares

5. Aphrodite

6. Demeter

7. Hermes

8. Hades

9. Dionysus

10. Poseidon

As always please leave your answers in the comments section below, and do not use the internet for assistance. Good luck!

This quiz is courtesy of the fine folks at Stump Trivia.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Random Steelers-Titans Notes

That was a fun game! The Steelers led early and held a convincing lead throughout the second half to defeat the Tennessee Titans 38-17. I don’t think I bit my fingernails once during the game! While you can read a full recap of the game on the Post-Gazette or on the many Steelers blogs on the sidebar of my website, here are some notes that you may not read anywhere else.

The CBS telecast started with a nice story about Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak growing up in Scranton and apparently returning to Pennsylvania. It was very nice, but there's one significant problem. According to Google Maps, Scranton is 283 miles from Pittsburgh. Scranton is also only 121 miles from New York City; 125 miles from Philadelphia; 201 miles from Baltimore; 242 miles from Washington; and 296 miles from Boston. Therefore, I hope CBS runs the "returning home" piece for Munchak whenever the Titans face the Jets, Giants, Eagles, Ravens, Redskins or Patriots. If you want to make the case that Munchak returned to his home state, how often do you see similar stories about players or coaches from New York City returning to a game in Buffalo?

At least for one week, the maligned and banged up offensive line played extremely well. The Steelers rushed for 174 yards (6.7 yards per carry) and only allowed one sack. Maybe Max Starks truly is the answer!

We interrupt my notes for a brief commercial. I don’t understand why guy #1 doesn’t ask for a haircut rather than casual Wednesday. Meanwhile, guy #2 has no right to get in Gary Cole’s face. You don’t do that to Gary Cole! I hope Gary Cole punched him as soon as the director yelled cut.



I like the Jonathan Dwyer era. 11 carries for 107 yards is not too shabby. With that written, if Mendenhall, Redman and Moore are all healthy next week, Dwyer should return to the 4th string running back.

Did you know that Ryan Mundy was an excellent wide receiver at Woodland Hills High School catching passes from current Kansas City WR Steve Breaston? He looked good on the terrific pass from punter Daniel Sepulveda who has proved that he can do anything on the football field. Seriously, if Dwyer got injured in the fourth quarter, I’m sure that Sepulveda could have filled in at running back.

Hines Ward had a very Hines Ward day with 7 catches, 54 yards and two touchdowns. Even more significant is that I don’t think the announcers referenced Dancing With the Stars after any of his catches.

In one of my many poor fantasy football decisions this week, I started Antonio Brown. Although Roethlisberger threw for 5 touchdown passes, none of them went to Brown.

I hate to give Dan Dierdorf credit, but he made a great point late in the game when he said that they had not mentioned Ike Taylor. “Face Me Ike” (who apparently changed his website name from Face Me Ike to officialiketaylor.com and hasn’t updated it since June) is truly an underrated cornerback.

Congratulations to Cameron Heyward on his first NFL sack!

I’m sure the Steelers D is excited to face 1-4 Jacksonville and their rookie QB Blake Gabbert next week.

Friday, October 07, 2011

What Do You Eat Before Fasting

Let's say that you will be fasting for 25-26 hours in the near future. You will not have any food or water from approximately 6:00 PM one evening until about 7:30 PM the next day. What do you eat for dinner just before the fast begins?

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Herman Cain Goes to Costco

Let’s say that you’re a U.S. Presidential candidate. You are surging in the polls and gaining a higher profile from numerous appearances on television including a recent stop on The View. What’s your next move?

More campaign appearances in New Hampshire and Iowa? Fundraising dinners and meeting with donors? How about more television appearances?

If you’re Republican Presidential candidate and former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain, the perfect move is to, um, sell copies of your book by appearing at the Arlington Costco tomorrow from noon to 1:00. I wonder if Mitt Romney and Rick Perry will follow this shrewd political move.

Of course, this is only open to Costco members, so BJ's Wholesale Club members are out of luck.

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Hockey-Themed Bar Mitzvah

I had a very cool Bar Mitzvah reception at my synagogue. It was baseball-themed with each table having its own colors to represent major league baseball teams. Naturally, I sat at the Pittsburgh Pirates table with black and gold napkins and tablecloths. I remember there being tiny chocolates wrapped in a baseball wrappers and a magician who ended his performance with a banner by presenting a banner that stated "Congragulations Sean!" I guess they didn't have Spell Check that many years ago.

Anyway, meet David Cohen. Based on the video below and this story from Yahoo's Puck Daddy, it looks like he also had a cool Bar Mitzvah. I'm not sure that he has the moves like Jagr though. (Seriously, the song Moves Like Jagger is so much better if you think Adam Levine of Maroon 5 sings Moves Like Jagr.)

David Cohen "Mitzvah Teaser" from Timeline Video Productions Inc.


I guess Henrik Zetterberg was unable to attend.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Trivia Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! Not that anyone cares, but I actually went 3-1 in my fantasy football leagues this week. It has been an awful season for me thus far (my teams are 3-1, 1-3, 1-3 & 1-3), but after this week, there's a glimmer of hope. Completely unrelated to fantasy football is this week's Trivia Tuesday. Given below are 10 definitions; your challenge is to supply the English word borrowed from Spanish.

1. A sun-dried brick made of clay and straw, common in arid climates

2. The Freight of a ship or airplane

3. A broad-snouted large reptile, common in the Southeastern US

4. A source of great and sudden wealth of luck; also the name of a long-running TV western

5. A restriction imposed upon any type of commerce, usually by government edict

6. A person who engages in irregular warfare, employing tactics such as surprise raids and sabotage

7. A blood-sucking flying insect of the family Culicidae, some types of which are transmitters of disease

8. A violent windstorm characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud

9. A person who takes the law into his own hands

10. Deprived of communication with other people


As always please leave your answers in the comments section below, and do not use the internet for assistance. Good luck!

This quiz is courtesy of the fine folks at Stump Trivia.

Monday, October 03, 2011

Six Months of Fatherhood

I recently passed the six-month mark of being a father which has been a wonderful, tiring, and life-changing experience. Since I don’t feel like writing about the Steelers today, I figured that I’d share my recent experiences of fatherhood.

- At the six-month check-up, my boy weighed 16 pounds, 11 ounces and his height was 27 inches. This corresponds to the 37th and 72 percentiles respectively. My driver's license, an official legal document, states that I am 5' 7". Therefore, I am extremely excited that my son has a chance to be relatively tall.

- I am very fortunate to have a fairly easy baby. He has slept through the night the majority of the time since about 4 months. He has a great demeanor and is a happy kid. Both the doctor and the nurse at the recent appointment commented on his positive attitude. He also regularly smiles.

- For the most part, the only time he is unhappy is when we take his bottle away to burp him. I guess he doesn’t like us interrupting his meal. Of course, I can’t really blame him since most people would cry in this same situation.

- Wondering how my son and Ziggy interact? When my baby sees Ziggy he smiles and makes noise. Although Ziggy likes to be around us, he keeps a safe distance away from my child. Of course, he likes most of the new toys and places to sleep.



- The itsy bitsy spider is a big hit in our household. He lights up when the song begins. Personally, I think my hand-motions of the spider climbing up the water spout are magical. Seriously, I would dominate an itsy bitsy spider competition,

- I am not the primary bath giver in the household. In fact, up until last week, I had only played the supporting role in giving my son a bath. So in my first experience giving my son a bath, he welcomed me to this role by pooping in the bathtub for the first time.

- Have I mentioned that I have a very cute child? I realize that I’m biased but I have a really cute kid. In fact, former White House correspondent Helen Thomas even told me that I have a cute kid.

- When I need to dress my child, I take whatever is on the top of the drawer. I know he has other clothes in the closet but for all I know they are too big or too small. Basically, my policy is that he’s going to wear only what is at or near the top of his drawers.

- My son loves putting anything in his mouth, and while his hands are his usual choice, his favorite toy is Sophie, the all-natural teether. When you wash Sophie, she loses her squeak; however, it is always fun to see how Sophie gets her squeak back.



Just like a team in the NCAA basketball tournament, I have survived the first six months and now advance to the next round!