Dial 1, Pass It On

When I moved back to Minneapolis, I got a new cell phone number. The prefix for my number is also an area code used in Northern Minnesota. Not a day goes by that I don't get someone calling me from the area code that I'm actually in trying to reach someone up north. Most of these conversations go like this:

Caller: Is Sally there?
Me: No, you've got the wrong number.
Caller: Is this xxx-xxx-xxxx?
Me: No, you need to dial one first.
Caller: Oh, okay. Thanks.

No big deal, most callers are appreciative of the tip on dialing one. But then there are the others who insist they dialed the correct number. As if somehow I've absconded with the cell phone of the person they are trying to reach. But I'll save that rant for another blog. Oh, wait, I already did.

In any case, I blame cell phones. Ever since people got free long distance with their cellular plans, they seem to have forgotten that you still need to dial 1 before making a long distance call. So dial 1 people, dial 1. And pass it on for Pete's sake. Which makes me wonder, does anyone know the deal with the Pete who is at the root of that phrase? Why don't we say "for Sally's sake" for example?

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Around 2am this morning I was up for a feeding with my son. In order to keep myself awake for these middle of the night feeds I usually turn on the TV, but my husband has been objecting lately. So instead I make him talk to me. I know that sounds kind of rough, but given the alternative is me almost falling off the bed with my son in my hands, I think hubbie will survive just fine. Besides, I think he secretly enjoys these late night convos.

We were talking about someone, who shall remain nameless in this post for 2 reasons. One) I don't think I was saying something particularly nice, and two), I honestly don't remember what the context of the conversation was. It was, afterall, 2am.

I found myself saying something like "thinks they're the best thing since...". I know the saying goes "best thing since sliced bread," but it got me thinking right there in mid-sentence. Do you know how many completely cool, amazing things have been invested since sliced freaking bread? According to wikipedia that was way back in 1928.

My favorites? DVR, smart phones and the Internet. DVR has completely changed my TV watching life and I don't think I can go back. I can't. I won't. Being able to look up things such as "when was sliced bread invented" with one hand using an iphone while I feed my son at 2am is too cool.

Digital cameras. No more paying $7 for a roll of film that has 20 pictures that are out of focus with chopped heads. Preview, delete, and print. Gotta love it.

And those are just in the tech arena. Food wise? Chipotle. I never did meet a Chipotle burrito, taco or bowl I didn't like. Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream? Whoever thought of putting brownies in ice cream deserves a special place in heaven. Bravo, Ben! Well done, Jerry!

Coffee shops. Now I know you could probably go into a diner and get a cup of coffee back in the day, but the latter part of the 20th century took it to another level. Though I haven't gotten to do it in a long time (say since my kids were born), I so used to love being able to buy a cup of coffee and sitting down for 2 hours at a Starbucks reading or just hanging out with a friend. My personal favorite would be the Espresso Royale Cafe in Dinkytown (either location).

Flat irons. As someone with naturally frizzy hair, I do love my flat iron, especially with ceramic plates.

So needless to say, there have been some pretty awesome inventions since sliced bread. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it. I do love me some PB&J every now and then. I'm just thinking, the next time I want to talk about something being the best thing since xyz, I might choose from a whole list of advances to pick from.

Regrets? I've had a few...

When asked if you have any regrets, the popular response seems to be some variation of "I have none. Every decision and mistake I've made has helped shape me into the person I am today."

I get it and to some degree, I agree. I've made my mistakes and some of them have certainly been character building. I love the saying "good judgement comes from experience; experience comes from bad judgement." So, I understand where it comes from.

But no regrets whatsoever? I beg to differ.

That extra half slice of pizza I might have on a Friday night dinner? I regret it the next morning, as do my thighs.

Not sleeping in a whole heck of a lot more before I had kids? I regret it.

My biggest financial regret thus far has been in buying a house in California in 2005. BIG mistake. We made a big down payment, have never missed or was late on a single payment, and yet we are so screwed. Do I regret it? Absolutely.

I think about my regrets sometimes and run through them in my head repeatedly, wishing I could go back in time. Some require just a single second of thought to change. ONE second. Shouldn't we all be entitled to a couple of do overs in our lifetime?

So having a few regrets and owning the fact that I have them, makes me wonder when making a big decision. Will I regret this? Will I regret not doing this? I guess only time will tell, but this much is for sure: if I regret my actions, I will probably call it a regret, not a "character building karmic accident", not that there's anything wrong with that. If that works for you, more power to you. Call me crazy, but I think having some regrets is a good thing. The lyrics to one of my currently favorite songs goes "to never regret means you have to forget, and I don't think that could." That sums it up much better than I ever could and it sort of rhymes. Nice one, Weepies, nice one.

Are We There Yet?

Today was the day I bought my first tube of anti-wrinkle cream. I told myself it was more of a pro-active, preventive measure, but seriously? Apparently, we are so there.

The items in my Target shopping cart today included the anti-wrinkle cream, something called "butt paste" (for my 4 month old, not me, thank you very much), and decaff coffee. Who is this person?? If it weren't for those familiar onset wrinkles, I'd hardly recognize myself.

Beverly Hills 90210

While on maternity leave, I began to DVR reruns of Beverly Hills 90210 on the Soap channel. I needed something to get me through those 3am feedings that last an hour. House and 90210 did the trick.

This is the classic 90210, mind you, the original. No 21st century fancy zip code show for this girl.

Two episodes every day. You can get through almost an entire season in just 2 weeks. God bless the man (or woman) who invented DVR! I could go on and on about how much I love it, but I'll save that for another blog.

I am loving the reruns, but man, oh man, how my perspective has changed. In my 11 year old head, Brandon was the perfect friend/son/brother/student. He was the all around good guy who always did the right thing.

Now? I think he's a pompous, arrogant ass. First of all, who the hell calls their parents by their first names? Jim and Cindy, my arse. Second, the guy was such a freaking know it all! So PC, so diplomatic, and yet so freaking annoying.

Then there's Brenda. Will the whining ever cease? Enough said.

And the absolute most annoying, can't stand her, character, in my humble opinion was: Andrea.

Am I alone in this? I used to think she was the smart girl who was trying to keep up with the cool kids, all the while getting super good grades. But now I'm thinking she's the super defensive, hyper-sensitive, know it all with an ax to grind no matter what the topic. Don't even get me started on the college years. Little miss goodie goodie gets knocked up, then cheats on her husband the first chance she gets.

But even as I'm writing this, I'm realizing something. Any TV show that gets you this worked up about fictional characters is serving its exact purpose pretty darn well. It may not be a believable show, but it sure is entertaining, even 15 years later.

Love Letter

Dear Coffee,

I miss you so. I long for the day we can reunite like long lost lovers. I hope you know I haven't forgotten about you. Instead I think about each morning as I pass the coffee maker at work, or sometimes when I wake up I discover that I've had a dream about you. A wonderful dream where you are in a cup and there is a nice warm bagel next to the cup. I add half and half and a little bit of sugar, followed by some gentle stirring. You know what happens next.

The baby will be here in less than 3 months now. That is the first major milestone. Then, a few months after that, say 3, we shall meet again.

I miss you.

-Lovi

The Mom Haircut

A few days after Christmas, I got the itch. No, not a rash. The itch that every girl has to change her hair and try something totally different.

The same thing happened last time I was about 20 weeks pregnant, but then I truly went mad. I had just gotten out of the shower and looked at my long hair and thought, "I can't take this anymore" and grabbed some scissors. I just chopped it off. Not a great idea when you have wet, curly hair and no experience cutting hair.

This time I took a better approach. I scheduled an appointment that very day for a cut and color. She took off at least 10 inches and then colored it to a tone I can only describe as a mix between violet and red. I loved it!

Here's the problem: a few days later as I admired my new hair cut in the mirror, it hit me. I have the "mom haircut." You know what I'm talking about. Short, easy to manage, no frills. There's a good chance you'll see one next time you see a woman get out of her mini-van.

I've decided a few things. One: with a toddler at home and another baby on the way...yes, I am a mom. Two: I'm good with that, even the mom haircut part.

On the plus side I've gotten many compliments on it and no one so far has pointed out that it's a mom-do. Shhhh...it'll be our little secret.