Morning Quotes

Tim and I commuted to work together today so the grandparents could enjoy a day with the boys. After we say our goodbyes and remind them to be good listeners, Patrick tells us:

"Drive safe and don't let the bed bugs bite. "

Earthquake

5.4-5.8 near chino hills (LA area). We felt it in Sorrento Valley up on my 5th floor office. It was pretty mild as we are all the way in San Diego. My husband didn't feel it although his coworker did. One Midwestern transplant was upset that she couldn't feel it and hoped for another. Not me. I have been through enough large earthquakes to have my heart drop when I start feeling those beginning shakes. I am just glad the one today didn't escalate and didn't cause serious damage/injuries. I don't mind moderate earthquakes like the one today since I think it relieves some of that fault stress preventing those really scary big ones.

Skills that probably wont pay the bills

As I have mentioned previously, there are certain personal attributes/ skills/ passions that I wish I had, but would probably never obtain. When I think about this question my mind wanders back to a Seinfeld episode where George (I think) proclaims he wished he was a history buff. Well, although being a history buff would be pretty high on my list here are my top 3 "useless" traits:
1. classical music aficionado
Some people really dig classical music. I truly wish I would desire to turn the radio on to classical music and passionately enjoy what is being played. In addition, I would also be able to identify the title and composer of the piece. Sadly, it is not without trying as I have been exposed to classical music all my life, participated in ensemble (clarinet), and attended many symphonies. I just can't seem to fall in love with it even though I think I should and want to. This category can also be applied jazz music, opera, and the Latino stations.
2. cheese connoisseur
I love cheese. But my love for cheese stops short at stinky goat and blue cheeses. I have tried these "delights" over and over. I keep hoping it will one day be like sushi was for me and I will grow to love it after a few attempts. Yet, I am like a picky toddler and thinks that goat cheese smells like BO and makes me want to vomit. Blue cheese just makes me think that I am eating expired food which also makes me want to vomit. In the meantime, I will continue to force myself to keep trying and hope for a change in taste. Tastebuds die as we age, right?
3. Political junkie
Why can't I get pumped up over politics? I love seeing the passion that people have for politicians and their platforms. People get so excited and go to rallies, hit the campaign trail, and visually show their support with signs and pins. It is not like that I don't vote (I am a permanent absentee voter), but I just wish I had the exuberance for the topic and campaigning like others.

What are your useless skills you wish you had?

Summer evenings

Here is what we love doing everyday after dinner.






PS. These images were captured using my new iphone. I feel very cool. Tim even stood in line for it as a sweet surprise gift for me. It a little weird having a cell phone again. I think I haven't had an electronic leash for almost 4.5 years.

A funny

Check it out:
http://galleryoftheabsurd.typepad.com/14/2008/07/if-scientists-w.html

I almost passed out reading this. Hilarious.

Skills I wish I had

Driving up and down California is exhausting. It is even more exhausting when the radio reception is poor (no satellite radio in the truck- bummer). However, I have found that one type of radio programming always seems to come in clear no matter where you are in the state of California- Latino. Because of this, I started thinking that I really wished I was more proficient in my Latino music knowledge. Driving always goes better when you know the words and can sing along. So I am adding Latino musica to my list of expertise I wish I had.

Home

We are back from our week vacay up north. The boys had a wonderful time with their grandparents while their parents ventured north into the redwoods and northern California coast. Their grandpa had set them up with a week worth of swim classes and we were so surprised to see how well they can swim in the water. They both even learned to do a kneeling dive into the water from the edge. Adam is loving diving for items at the bottom of the pool and Patrick loves to jump off the steps and take a ride on his "surfboard" (it is his new kickboard but he calls it his surf board). Very cute. Hopefully, by the end of the summer they will proficient swimmers. Having a pool is a scary thing with little kidos.