Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Aug
11
Posted by Arianne
As some of you may know, I’ve been working with the girls of ruby & roja design and we’ve just launched our new site. So shiny, so pretty, so red!
I adore working with such talented and amazing women, they inspire me and show me that moms can have their own business, can do it from home, and can still keep some semblance of sanity.
The best news of today is that ruby & roja is giving away a free blog redesign (Essential package–$70 value!) to one lucky reader. Go here to enter. Good luck!
Jun
30
Posted by Arianne
Something so fun for and so important to women bloggers is right around the corner now — Blogher ‘08. The conference where we attend sessions where bloggers are teaching bloggers about all things blogging. Where the parties are legendary (and important for business) and the caliber of cute shoes will be off the charts.
So if you are going, and, like me, are wishing you had some extra money to help get you there or to spend irresponsibly while in San Fran seeing the sights — I am your new best friend.
HP has not only generously sponsored part of my trip, but they want to help one of you fabulous Blogher go-ers out too. HP is giving away $250 to one lucky Blogher ‘08 attendee!! You spend it how you wish. $250 in sushi, $250 in the gift shop of The Westin, or just $250 to bribe Dooce to autograph your boobs notebook. Whatever floats your boat. The only catch is that you have to actually be going to the Blogher Con.
A couple other people have had this giveaway, and if you didn’t (or don’t) win there, you still have ONE more chance to win here.
How to enter: Twitter about this contest, with the link to this post, and leave me a comment tor email me telling me you tweeted so I can be sure to see it. If you don’t do Twitter (really??) then you can post about it on your blog, leaving me a comment so I know you did it. That’s it. Contest runs until next Monday, July 7th, winner will be picked at random. Good luck!
Jun
17
Posted by Arianne
All too often I notice myself sitting still in the same place in life. It might be a place of resistance against things to come, like me thinking if I put off a phone call or put off opening the mail, the inevitable won’t really happen this time (can’t someone stop the bills from coming each month?). Or it could be just not realizing that changes have happened around me, and needing to notice them and embrace this new season of life.
Tonight as I went through my son’s book bag from school I realized that I’ve been in the same place with him, too, for far too long.
In my head he’s this little kid who needs me for every step he takes in his world. And in my head he needs me to tell him what to play with, to break down every transition enough so that he doesn’t get freaked out, and to give him deep pressure massage every night to help with sensory issues.
But the reality is that he’s growing up–almost 6 now–and is getting better, has his own desires, is making his own decisions and is moving forward without mom holding his hand at every step of the way.
In the book bag I noticed, in a tiny pocket that is meant for a cell phone, that he had folded up a picture until it was small enough to fit perfectly into the pocket. I smiled as I imagined him scouting out the pocket and preparing the picture for it’s new tiny home, folding each crease carefully. So methodically. In another small pocket I noticed a portion of a rock. It looked like it was broken, maybe even as if it was fossilized. It was deep in this pocket, zipped up and likely had been forgotten about. Later on, he would tell me that it was a crystal from school, and he wanted it to stay in that pocket forever.
It struck me so powerfully that this little person would have ideas like “this rock is cool and I want to take it home”. That one minute kids are the tiniest of humans, relying on us for every idea, every whim, and the next they are plucking one single rock off the ground and bringing it home as a keepsake, not even thinking of mentioning it to their mom. Simply relying on the fact that it’s *their* rock, and keeping the secret to themselves.
Now as I look back, and realize that no longer does he need me as often for transitions, for deep pressure or for ideas about what to play with…I am thrilled at what the future will bring. While it feels bittersweet to be needed less and less, I also know that means that huge new discoveries are around the corner, and independence is that much closer. I am excited to get to know this new, improved, and independent boy, and hope next time he has a secret crystal he will ask me to hold it for him.
May
28
Posted by Arianne
Today was rough, ya’ll. Can we do that thingy on Men In Black where there’s a flash in my face and it erases memories? I wonder if it was too traumatizing to forget…like even if I couldn’t remember the details, my heart would still carry the wounds.
I’m too stressed to even go into details, but basically autism kicked my butt today.
Tomorrow is a new day, right?
May
24
Posted by Arianne
…except not possessed (check out my eyes!), isn’t as pale as the arctic tundra, and actually knows how to pose for photos. Sheesh. In my defense I forgot to put on my false eyelashes yesterday…
If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you know that I’ve been attending the Autism One conference this weekend. Above, I am pictured with Jenny McCarthy, who I was able to talk to about the upcoming Green Our Vaccines rally in Washington DC (June 4th) that she and Jim Carrey are spearheading. I can’t wait to share all the details with you.
I’m attending this conference as an autism parent, but I’m also covering the conference here on my blog and on my NWI Parent magazine blog in order to share the latest in autism research with those of you who could not be here in person. Posts will be up in the next couple days–the conference goes through tomorrow evening–and each day is absolutely packed with sessions upon sessions of information. I wish I had 5 brains to take it all in (and my one brain is not all that good at it anyway), but I’m taking mad notes, I’ve got video up the wazoo (that sounds painful) and I can’t wait to share with you the details of what I have learned.
If you think this information is all good and well but doesn’t affect you–think again. There is new research out there that DOES affect you, even if you don’t have a child with autism. Stick around, I think you’ll be enlightened.
Apr
25
Posted by Arianne
We have a winner! After a record breaking (well, for my humble blog…) 537 comments, we have our two winners.
The winner of the set of 5 Envirosax bags was picked by random.org to be #49, QueenB who said “These are great! We have a car wash business and are in the process of putting in a water reclamation system to cut down our water consumption by 80%. And at home we recycle everything possible!”
Congrats!
The winner of the single Envirosax bag was picked by me for having the most witty, funny or otherwise impressive comment, and that person is Lace, because I’m a sucker for mnemonic devices. She said:
We have the ugly 99c. store brand bags and they are not cute in any way and they are huge even when folded. I would love some cute bags that fold up small.
G ave up plastic water bottles
R ide my bike
E at organic when I can
E liminated paper plates
N o toxic cleaners
That’s impressive, no?
Congrats to both winners!
Jan
05
Posted by Arianne
Its been brought to my attention by a certain someone who will remain nameless and who I am married to, that I don’t “write” any more on my blog. So there’s “no point commenting on it”.
If you look at my archives you will see that I did used to “write”. A lot. Lately I’ve been more of a linkage girl. I don’t know why I’m content to just share cool stuff and not write. I didn’t even learn how to do hyperlinks until 8 months into my blogging.
One thing that contributes to the lack of novella is my total and utter addiction to gossip blogs. Most of said blogs I won’t admit to reading, and don’t even have on my blog roll. However, reading gossip isn’t taking away from writing, its a side effect of something. But what?
Well, I had a light bulb moment today. I read those gossip blogs to escape.
I used to read a lot of intellectual blogs, covering a wide array of topics like politics and current events. I also used to work out, have energy and be joyful.
Now I will hit the same gossip blogs 3 or 4 times to see if there’s an update on the whole “Lindsay Lohan’s a bulimic crack whore” story. If I read those, and other light and funny blogs, I don’t have to think about all the sadness going on in the country, in the world. If I read those I don’t have to think about all the sadness going on in my own life.
So what is the solution? Go back to snarky and depressing posts about my life? Or keep on with the linkage? At this point I’m not quite sure. I don’t know where this blog is headed. I don’t really know where I’m headed.**
I will tell you that my Christmas was the worst ever. I wasn’t going to bring it up, but then you wouldn’t be able to come here, read my blog, and feel really great about your own life. So, I’m doing a public service, you see.
I got the flu and was the sickest I’ve ever been in my whole life. My neighbor who I barely know (I’ve only lived here for 5 months, do you expect me to be out-going or something?) started doing laundry for me (we share laundry machines), started saying I’m always sick (won me over with that one) and began taking pity on me.
“After I had my second daughter I was sick for three years”, she said. “I never had any help, so I just wanted to help you out.” It was nice and all, but just made me feel worse about myself. The truth is, I AM always sick. Today I hated the world and figured I must be PMS’ing. “Here we go again”, I thought. I will feel like shit for another week.
On top of being sick and missing almost the entire Christmas season because I was delirious with fever, my son started regressing rapidly. There was way too much crying going on by all the children and the mommy and the daddy in this house. Don’t you want to come visit me now? We are SO fun!
So, I would totally end this post with something inspirational, and talk about how everything will get better, but I can’t. I’m busy. I have to go check the latest on the Brangelina pregnancy. She so is!!
**Existential meanderings will always appear during that special time of the month. Yes, I’m talking about that.
Oct
27
Posted by Arianne
This picture was taken of Charlie in Feb 2004 on Hollywood Blvd (right in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater). Look at how scared and suspicious Charlie is of innocent little (big) Elmo. Turns out the kid is a little psychic. The article below is talking about THE SAME EXACT CREEPY ELMO GUY:
Elmo Impersonator Accused of Harassment
Tuesday October 25 2:12 PM ET
The red and cuddly Sesame Street Muppet Elmo has learned a new lesson: ‘H’ is for handcuffs.
A man dressed as the character was one of three impersonators arrested last week for allegedly harassing tourists for tips after posing for photos on Hollywood Boulevard. Booked with him were people impersonating superhero Mr. Incredible and the dark-hooded character from the horror movie “Scream.”
The impersonators said they were taken into custody at gunpoint, handcuffed and paraded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame before stunned tourists and other impersonators. They were charged with misdemeanor “aggressive begging,” police said.
“With all of the crime in Los Angeles they pick on us?” said Elmo impersonator Donn Harper, 45, who makes up to $400 a day in tips.
Tourists have complained that the costumed characters harass them for not tipping after posing for photos in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater. Merchants say some of the costumed characters are scaring tourists.
Los Angeles Police Officer Michael Shea said police warned impersonators at a meeting last month that the department would start enforcing solicitation and harassment laws. Officers conducted a sting operation by posing as French tourists who didn’t understand English or the American tipping culture.
“Make no mistake about it I wanted the characters to know what we’re doing,” Shea said.
At least Elmo wasn’t arrested for tickling people, an activity he’s known to participate in. Now THAT would be scary.
The fact that Elmo had a gun pointed at him isn’t the only thing that makes me giggle about this. They actually set up a sting and they posed as French tourists. Hee!
Its true, though. The characters down there (aw man, there’s so many jokes to make about that…) are all hovering around and jump in and say, “take a picture!”, and then pressure you for tips. They guilt you into it, and make you feel like you should’ve known that pictures weren’t free. I think I remember Elmo telling me, “this outfit doesn’t pay for itself lady”. Um, Dude? You make more in one day (and if that’s what you admit to, you KNOW its more than that) than a lot of the population, so cut a girl a break. Plus? Its tax free you greedy mofo!
(Source: Yahoo!)
Oct
26
Posted by Arianne
You likey?
(Thanks go to Lucinda for the inspiration and Baby Jane Blogs for the fabulous design!)
Oct
24
Posted by Arianne
Now I won’t have to say “ask your father” or sheepishly talk about the birds and the bees. This German book does all the work for me, and its hilarious curly-haired (and bearded…ew.) male figure makes the reading that much more enjoyable.
Take a look. I would post a pic from the book, but some of them are better left a surprise. (From Althouse)
One Althouse commenter translated the German, here’s an excerpt:
“You can see mother’s slit. The slit is called a sheath (Germanic for “vagina,” which is Latin for sheath). You can see Father’s “little tail,” which is called a member. Mother and father love each other very much. They kiss each other. Father’s member has gotten big. It stands out stiff. Mother and Father would like very much for Father’s member to come into Mother’s vagina. It’s very nice.”
Mother and Father would like very much for Father’s member to come into Mother’s vagina?
Well, sometimes Father much more than Mother. Unless, of course, Father takes out the trash
