ADD Moment

Here I am writing a blog post and at the same time I am watching live cnn.com video from the Oscars and viewing my tweets in TweetDeck, all on the same screen at the same time. No wonder ADD is a problem in this country.

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The Joy of Virginia

razorMy little girl is getting older. Virginia, our first child turned ten this week and her birthday was also her first day at a new school. What a day it was. Her first day at the school couldn’t have been better and it just got better from there for her. She opened her presents with absolute glee, squeeling at the iDog, the Puffle from Club Penguin. When we unveiled the motorized scooter she nearly passed out. Then it was off to Disneyland for an evening of fun.

Kids can be self-centered and under appreciative and Virginia can be as well at times. It’s a maturity thing. Comes with the parenting territory. But on this day, Virginia was so thankful and happy. She appreciated the very air she breathed. I love seeing her that happy. Pure, unadultrated joy. She said “you guys are the best parents ever”

Cynics are saying oh that’s terrible, you’re just talking about her getting material things. Material things don’t bring real happiness. Well, actually they can but not by themselves. I can’t describe it, but it was more than all that. To reach that level of joy it has to go beyond the stuff and maybe that’s why I was so moved by it. This was a level of joy that went well beyond anything I have ever seen at a Christmas. I think it was the culmination of everything that was great in her life comming together for one magic moment. To be able to see that in your child, that’s something I wish for every parent.

Happy birthday Virginia

The New Hop-Hop GOP

Michael Steele, newly minted RNC chairman says he is planning an “off the hook” public relations campaign and will translate the GOP image into “urban-suburban hip-hop settings”. Ever since Barack Obama made black hip in the white house, republicans figure they’ll follow right along. Just like a copy-cat Hollywood movie, this is destined for failure. For one thing, virtually every legit hip-hop artist is already in the Obama camp and for another thing this won’t jibe to well with Sarah Palin’s aspirations. Sorry, but no matter how you cut it, girl ain’t fly.

The Best Computer I Have Ever Owned

Recently I gave my white MacBook to my daugher for use at school and got myself a new MacBook Pro. I had been thinking of upgrding over the summer anyway, but due to circumstances I ended up doing it early. This is probably the most I have ever spent on any computer but I can say without question this is the best computer I have ever owned.

I have owned many computers in my time and many Macintoshes. They have all been great and special in the way only a Mac can be. This MacBook Pro however, is by far the most elegant computer ever. It’s looks fantastic, it feels fantastic. To own this computer is to know what Steve Jobs means by “insanely great”.

So far, this MacBook Pro doesn’t get hot like my old white MacBook. It cuts through video like butter. They keyboard is similar but better than the white MacBook. Illuminated keys are just plain sexy. The screen, wow, eye popping is the only way to describe it. No, I don’t mind the glare and yes there is alot of it. Somehow, I adjust and never really notice it. I love the new trackpad and multi-finger gestures.

My daughter is also thrilled with her new white MacBook as she has upgraded from a typical PC laptop. My wife is getting a Kindle in a few weeks; the whole family is happy.

Chocolate: Crack for Diabetics

BrownieWhen you’re diabetic, it’s a constant struggle for what you can eat. When I was first diagnosed, my father in-law, who is also diabetic, laundry listed me with all the things I could no longer have and detailed all the wonderful complications associated with diabetes. I wanted to through myself in front of a bus. I was already struggling to process what this all meat for my life.

Of course as time went on I learned and I adjusted. Most things I don’t miss so much anymore because I have been without them for so long but there is one thing I cannot get over. Brownies. God, I still love a good brownie. Chocolate, in general, is the most difficult for many diabetics. Chocolate is like crack for diabetics. Once you’ve had that taste in your mouth, you can never completely shake it. Just the smell alone can create the desire. And if you let yourself slip; just one little tiny taste. I have stood at the candy counter, wanting. Thinking about what an M&M would taste like. How bad could it be? Just a little cheating, just today. But once you have let yourself break down once, it’s easier to do it again. Than you’re completely off the wagon and you’re just screwed. You’re sitting in the doctors office, your numbers suck, and you’re trying to explain what happened.

Than there are the pushers. People who say, oh would you like a cookie? A piece of birthday cake? If they know me I just look at them like what are you mental? If they don’t you are into the, “oh, I can’t I’m diabetic”. “Oh, my goodness, I am so sorry. I wish I had something else”. “No, that’s ok really. I’m fine”. Than some clueless guest will say to you, “Oh, you’re on a diet. I get it”. No, I’m not. Fuck.

Does diabetes hit people who love to eat as a curse or do people who love to eat get diabetes because they love to eat? Pass the brownies please, and an extra dose of insulin.