Batten Down the Hatches

I hope that is the right word. This week is going to be crazy insane for me so I might not be around too much or able to comment too much. Our firm is hosting a small event on Sunday and I have a lot to do. It is a client appriciation event and it is at an arboretum close by. It should be a nice event I just am a huge worrier and want it to go according to plan. Not to mention, there is a TON of paperwork involved too.

There is a bright spot. A week from event, I will be on vacation. I just have to keep reminding myself of that.

Wish me luck!

Crackberry Friday: Patriotism in a Surprising Way

Double click to see in the best way. Merci.

Yes, I know what you are thinking. How could you post about the French today!?

Well, because if it wasn't for them we'd all be speaking English... wait, bad example

Ok, we'd be beholden to a monarchy, still not the best example...ummm

Anyway, there are plenty of reasons to be glad today that we did come out on top during the Revolutionary War. As much as there are things we may not like about the way our country is run, at least we are allowed to say so. So even if you are not crazy about the French, don't pigeon-hole them all and remember, essentially, we are part of the reason that Marie and Louis went to the guillotine (them giving us all that money and armed forces during the war and all, helping their country into bankruptcy and BTW MA did not say that thing about cake).

Anyway, this is The French Bakery. It is not a bakery really although they do have baked good there (almond croissants...mmmmmm). It is a little place in Chestnut Hill that Peter and I used to go on a weekly basis. They serve the same things year after year. It is EXACTLY what you would expect a tiny neighborhood bistro in France to be. Paul and Marianne have been running it for over 20 years. They always sit down with us between customers, trade gossip or talk about what they have been up to. We had them to our New Years Eve Party one year. They were the oldest people by about 20 years but they seemed to have a great time.

I think there are many things in there that have not been touched in over 20 years and that is part of the charm. In 1995 they were named Top Minuscule Eatery in Philadelphia magazine. Today I had "George's Special" which is only special because they only serve it during the summer. It is a shallow bowl filled with gazpacho and a scoop of crab salad in the center, served with slices of cornbread. P had quiche Lorraine, gazpacho and a salad. We are now home and I need a nap from my lovely brunch. Enjoy your 4th!

Fireworks

Right now people are setting off illeagal fireworks on the golf course next to our home. It's far enough away that I really don't mind. People do it every year.

What is it about fireworks that make us ooo and ahhh? I think it is different for different people. For some people it's the beautiful sky display, for others the noise invokes a spirit of patriotism, for me, it's everything else.

What does that mean? Have you ever watched the world around you during a fireworks show? Have you ever looked around you, besides up at the sky to see what the world looks like under exploding light? It is amazing. The colors and the light make everything appear so ethereal. The light is never harsh like say a fluorescent bulb or beating like the sun. It is a soft glow that brightens and then fades, then replaced my another. When you couple that with the inner glow of the faces watching the show, the world seems a very different place.

I think you have to have the combination of the people glad to see the display and the light together. When you see the fireworks displayed by a bomb or other type of explosion, where fear is coupled with the same type of light, there is a grotesque look about the people. There is no glow. It's almost like there is a black hole, sucking the light in but not letting it out.

This holiday weekend, take a look around you as you view the show. Look at the glow in the faces and the earth around you, enjoy it, revel in it. Try to figure out how to make it last.

Under Construction

Please excuse the messiness of my blog. I was trying to update it myself. I have now enlisted professionals to help me. Also, don't yell at me for the ads. Mama needs some new shoes.

MacGyver Moment

So the receptionist asked if I could log the mail in today b/c she was having car issues. Of course I said yes, there's a $20 in it for me when I do. :) So the mail was really late today. I went downstairs about 3 times, waiting for the mailperson to finish loading it up into the boxes. Finally, I went into the mailroom b/c it sounded like she was finishing up. Turns out, the key that locks up one of the sets of boxes was stuck in the lock. There were 3 of us trying to get it out. Finally I asked, "Do either of you have a pencil?" The one office worker said, "Oh, because of the lead?" Ok, most of us DO know they don't use lead in regular run of the mill pencils these days right? "No", I said. "Graphite is a lubricant. If we can get a little bit of the graphite in the lock, it might help." So the mailperson happens to have one in the truck. The office person kinda smirkingly asks "Well how are you going to get it in?" I say, "I am just going to try and grind the point into where the lock meets the key." So I go ahead and do it. Blow on it a little, getting the little bits into the lock and then try again. Presto! Key out of lock, all it well in the mailroom.

As I was writing this, I realized that some of it sounded vaguely dirty. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

I'd Like to thank The Academy...

Yea! An award!

Thank you to Sidney at Sidz Kidz and Other Musings for passing on this lovely award.

Now I get to pass it onto 5 people that I think are worthy. Here are the rules:If you already have the award just accept and that's all you have to do.

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.

4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. Show these rules.
So, here are my choices for blog awards and I wish I could give them to everyone!

An American in Norway

Two Dogs Running

Candid Carrie (although she might already have it)

Snooty Primadonna

Hullaballoo

Codes

Me: Do you have hockey this week?
P: Let me check (looks in crackberry).
Me: I am really glad to see you are keeping all your stuff in there now. Now if I ask you about what your schedule is you will actually know.
P: I know. It's a big help. The only problem is when I want to put something in there that I don't want people at work to see. I have to come up with codes.
Me: Codes?
P: Yeah. Like if we have a night planned to play Halo, I have to put in a code word that I understand but work wouldn't so they won't think it's weird.
Me: Uh-huh. (looking at P like he's weird)
P: My Halo code is 117.
Me: Dare I ask why? (
P: Well Master Chief was part of a group of Spartan supersoldiers that all died and he was the only one left. His number was 117.
Me: Uh-huh....so if they know you play hockey and soccer that's ok?
P: Yeah, that's normal to most people.
Me: Do you understand what you just admitted to?
P: (looks at me and blinks)
Me: So anyway, do you have hockey this week?