Two Wishes

52 Seconds of Cuteness

Our dog has fans.  Recently, in our local park late at night, Luke Wilson** paused while jogging past to say, "Hey, I caught your act the other night -- your dog is awesome." 

** (Or a close approximation thereof.)

And the "act" he mentioned was just Zoe Come Here, a lazy way (on our part) to run off energy (on her part), in which we walk in different directions and she runs between us at top speed.  For sheer entertainment value, Zoe Come Here doesn't come close to her favorite game: Sheltie Soccer.  Give the girl a soccer ball, and she's in heaven.

Today, we finally got around to videotaping a game of Sheltie Soccer for posterity:

An Update

Sorry to be so silent, friends.  I have been S-I-C-K, and am barely making it out of bed.

The highlight of my week so far?  Riding the Metro with a jug of my own urine.  (No exciting story there; the docs wanted a "24 hour collection" to be sure my kidneys are working.)  I'm just glad the Metro doesn't have airline-style security.  Imagine explaining that to the TSA!

Fun Paper from Boatman Geller

I am a giveaway junkie ... put me anywhere near an entry form, and I can't resist!  Sadly, I am only rarely a giveaway winner.  So I was particularly delighted with a recent contest from Boatman Geller, where they actually sent consolation gifts to those of us who didn't win.

Included were an adorable plaid luggage tag (not this pattern, but I also love this one):

And a notepad (couldn't find "my" preppy alligator on the website, but this is super-cute):

Don't know how Boatman Geller escaped my notice before, as they have been featured in every imaginable magazine.  But I spent a while browsing their site tonight, and I'm really enjoying their classic-but-fun designs.

 

 

Most items are available on their website; the rest from your local stationery supplier.

Why I Heart DC Public Transportation

Those of you who read my recent post on the Zipcar Low-Car Diet may wonder how it's going....  Er, it's not.

Which is not to say I cheated -- haven't used my car keys since the "Diet" began.  But I've been feeling awful, the weather is extra hot at this time of year, and overall I've dealt with things by just not leaving the house.

Despite my limited contact with DC public transportation in the past couple of weeks, I really am a fan.  Our local public transportation system has had its epic stuggles, and not all the news is good.  But there's a certain forward momentum at the moment that makes me excited to be a DC resident.  So consider this post my little love letter.

Example 1 -- SmartBikes!

DC's SmartBike rental program officially got up and running this week.  Like similar programs in Europe, the DC program allows members to pick up a public bike at one of 10 locations around town and return it to any other SmartBike location.  I'm so proud that DC is the first city in the US to adopt this program.  (Even if they did have to go and name it after ClearChannel....  Gotta pay the bills somehow, I suppose.)

Example 2 -- Streetcars

Streetcars are cool.  Mr. T and I rode vintage ones in San Francisco on our honeymoon tour, and I liked them even better than the much-more-famous cable cars.  (Plus, it was a rare opportunity to discuss the Great General Motors Streetcar Conspiracy.)  And DC will soon have spiffy red streetcars of our very own.  The program is limited at first, with just one line running from a Metro station to an Air Force Base roughly a mile away.  But we're looking forward to seeing the lines expand one of these days.  (Image courtesy of the Frozen Tropics blog.)

Example 3 -- Good Design

It all started with the DC Circulator bus.  Running every 10 minutes and charging only $1, these buses run several loops through DC's most commonly visited areas.  But forget the actual transportation uses -- I enjoy them because, as buses go, they're darn attractive.  Future plans are in the works to redesign DC Metrobuses with sleeker lines, Kevlar seats, and eco-friendly hybrid technology.  (Image courtesy of Washington.org.)

Honorable Mention -- The WMATA Website

Even after a few years in DC, I can't get anywhere without the Trip Planner on the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority website.  Punch in your location, where you'd like to go, and when, and the calculator tells you exactly which trains and/or buses will get you there on time, and even how far you'll need to walk from Metro stop to destination.  It's like Mapquest for public transit, and it's a lifesaver.

Honorable Mention -- Emeka Moneme 

When the Zipcar Low-Car Diet started, fellow participant Emeka Moneme was Director of the DC Department of Transporation.  A few days later, he resigned to become Chief Administrative Officer for the DC Metro.  Either way, I find it heartening to see someone in charge willing to give up his own car for a month and rely entirely on the public transportation he helps to run.  Kudos!

A Photographer for California Budget Brides

For budget brides, finding a reasonably priced photographer who does good work can be a major challenge.  One trick I recommend is searching for talented people who are just starting out in the business.  But where to find them?

I recently had that discussion with a Weddingbee reader from the West Coast.  Curious what her part of the country has to offer, I headed to Craigslist-LA and checked out the first event photography ad on the list.  And I just happened to stumble across a promising photographer at a great price, so wanted to share him with anyone near Orange County who's working within a budget.

Sebastian Ho is new to wedding photography, but his artistic eye and experimental use of light already elevate his photos a notch above the ordinary.  And, for a limited time, he is offering introductory pricing at half off his normal fees -- his middle package of 8 hours' wedding shooting, an engagement session, proofs, and a high-resolution DVD is just $1,000.

 

You can find Sebastian at Triple Eight Imaging.

Anyone else have a great budget photography resource to share?

Hats off to the Discovery Channel

For the past few weeks, Mr T and I have faced one consumer headache after another.  Seems every time we try to get anything done, corporate indifference and/or incompetently designed systems make the task impossible.  And that's not even counting deliberately evil corporate policies.  (Really, Bank of America?  Charging a late fee and hiking my interest because a web payment cleared the day it was due?  I think not.)

So imagine my surprise and delight this week when one company went out of its way to be, for lack of a better word ... friendly.

(The Discovery Channel headquarters celebrate Shark Week. Found via Flikr.)

After my recent Mythbusters post, someone from the Discovery Channel emailed, in a personal and not-at-all-PR-y fashion, to say he's glad we love the show and to let me know where to find more info on their programming.

As it happens, I already had a positive feeling about the Discovery Channel.  Even aside from the programming, I respect their decision to build their (eco-friendly) headquarters in downtown Silver Spring at a time when that area wasn't the most appealing.  Their location helped bring other amenities to the area, and I benefitted personally from the revitalized Silver Spring when I used to live nearby.  

And I'm sure lots of companies receive alerts when their products are mentioned on the Web.  (If they don't, why not?!?)  But how many take those few extra minutes to reach out in response?  Especially to someone who doesn't exactly have a readership of thousands? 

So, well done, Discovery Channel!  You've earned at least one major fan.

Are Elephants Truly Afraid of Mice?

Welcome to a new topic series: "The Most Interesting Thing I Learned Recently."  Can't wait to share some glorious, fascinating randomness with you all!

First up:

We watch a lot of Mythbusters around this house.  (Nothing planned, plus remote in Mr T's possession = Mythbusters.)  And part of this weekend's marathon included a test of whether elephants really are afraid of tiny mice.  Can't describe, must show ... enjoy!

Cancel My Makeover!

Thanks to Smashing Magazine's recent list of 70 Beauty-Retouching Photoshop Tutorials, I never have to look attractive in person again. Apparently, appearance is all in the Photoshop, baby!!

Sure, we know what Photoshop routinely does for celebrities:

(The lovely -- and lovelier -- Christina Applegate.)

But it can do so much for the rest of us as well. For example, why lose weight when you can magically melt away spare tires and cellulite?

Or, perhaps you'd like shinier hair?

How about longer fingernails? 

Other possibilities include nose jobs, thicker eyelashes, a new hair color, bigger boobs, whiter teeth ... and, of course, the all-around touch-up:

I may never visit the beauty salon again! But you'll never know it, my cyber-friends.... A little study time with these tutorials, and I'll be looking HOT.

(All images and all 70 tutorials linked here.)

Haviland Laque de Chine ... the Budget Version

I am crazy for Haviland's Laque de Chine dinnerware, which perfectly blends timeless elegance and playful color.

(Image source)

Unfortunately, $350 for one five-piece place setting is waaaaaaay out of our league.  The coffee pot is my favorite piece, but at $570, the likelihood of picking up even that single piece is slim at best!

But today Something Old Something New featured a set of pretty dinnerware from Z Gallerie.  I clicked over to see what else they had on offer.  And, lo and behold:

Meet Z Gallerie's Avalon dinnerware in Mango.  (Also avilable in kiwi, espresso, and fuschia.)  Sure, it doesn't have exactly the perfect lines of the Haviland....  But at $68 for 4 dinner plates, I think I could overlook that!!

What's your favorite source for budget copies of high-end classics?  I'd love to know!

Losing Weight. (About 2,400 Pounds.)

This month I am trying out a new diet -- the "low-car diet" sponsored by the popular car-sharing service Zipcar. 

As part of the Zipcar Low-Car Diet, participants in 12 cities have pledged to give up their cars for a month and commit to getting around by public transportation, shared cars, foot-power, bicycle -- basically, anything but our own cars.  The DC group had a kick-off yesterday with short speeches by "my" DC Council member (go, Sassy Sixth!) and the head of the DC Department of Transportation.  Then we threw our keys in a bag (symbolic gesture only -- they gave them back), and the diet had begun.  (Photo from DCist)

I have been disabled for a couple of years, and lack of energy has changed my attitude from yay-public-transportation to if-I-can't-drive-door-to-door-I'm-not-going.  Among other things, my weight has slowly crept up as the walking tapered off.  And doctors say some exertion is good, but the trick is making myself do it.  So, this is the experiment.

And how did Day One go?  Er, let's call it "mixed." 

After the kickoff, I had a doctor's appointment.  My knowledge of the area is questionable, but for some reason I didn't see the need to check a map.  I just figured, "it's in Bethesda [wrong!], so I'll get off the Metro in Bethesda and all will be golden."  As it turned out, I got out on the right street, but 20 blocks from where I wanted to be.  And in some crazy fit of wanting to live healthy, I decided to WALK.  Picture Girl With Heart Problem, carrying a heavy bag of magazines, crimson-faced and sweating out of pores I didn't know I *had*, as I labored 1.7 miles in the brutal sun and 90+ degree heat.  By the time I arrived, everyone was giving me the "if she collapses, I really don't want to be the one to have to do something" look.

On the plus side, the ride home from the correct station only took 30 minutes -- less time and much less traffic aggravation than the comparable drive.

Will the World's Least Active Girl make it a month on her new Diet?  Stay tuned!