Liveblogging Huggy

Just got the call; I'm at work trying to tie up a few loose ends.  Shazbot!

The Village Takes Care of its Own

Sciencemamma came over last night bearing food. Lots of it, all in handy, easy to reheat containers for post-partum noshing.

Thanks, from the Jalas.

"WTF is PC Load Letter??!?!"

Pretty freakin' cool...



One question: how do they reinforce this bad boy? And can they really pour lintels like that without any formwork whatsoever? (ok, that's 2 questions, but still)

"Is my kid a dick, or is he just 2?"

What sometimes gets lost in the whole hubbub of getting ready to welcome HuggyBear into our world is that Roc is growing and changing into quite the little boy. Our baby is gone, and while I sometimes miss those (much quieter) days, he has become a bubbly, vibrant, inquisitive little man. Introduce him to something new, and now you can almost hear those neurons click into place like so many Legos as he processes this new and wonderful information. It's rather fascinating to witness.

Where there is yin, of course there must be yang. We're definitely on the cusp of the Terrible Twos; his favorite word, next to "more," is probably "no." No vegetables, no clean diaper, no daddy. Granted, he learned it from us, but now that he's started to assert some free will we're sort of free-wheeling as we ping-pong off each other to determine what Roc really wants. "No veggies? How about bananas?" "No diaper? Tough." "No daddy? Go to mama then."

We haven't (yet) had any poo-flinging tantrums or grocery store meltdowns, but it's coming fo' sho', and I'm not even sure how I'll handle it. I hope any dickiness is temporary, though in this culture it'll probably be considered a strength.

Week 38-let's get this show on the road already! Jala2 said it's ok for me to liveblog Huggy's birth, so I'll give it a shot.

Golden Brown and Deelish

Took Jala2 out for lunch yesterday since I had a meeting downtown. She asked "Where do you want to go?" First thing that always pops into my head: Teriyaki! I have weakness for teriyaki joints. Love, love, luuuuurve them. And I ain't talking about no Benihana's, you know, the kind you find in just about every nondescript strip mall or hole-in-the-wall you see around here. Salty, sweet grilled meat on a big pile of rice, yum. It's Seattle's cheesesteak/hotdog/pizza equivalent, and for me, comfort food. It tends to be my go-to option for those days I don't have lunch prepared (which usually consists of leftovers from the night before) or I'm on the road or I'm on my own for any meal, really.

I have high standards when it comes to food, but that all goes out the window when I see "Teriyaki" on the front door, for some reason. I could be sitting down to a plate of grey, rubbery, tasteless meat slathered with sauce straight from the Yoshida's bottle and I'll still find a way to eat the whole thing with a smile on my face. I haven't actually been to a lot of the joints in the area, but that's mostly because there's so many of them and I've narrowed down my faves to a select few:

Happy Teriyaki: That to which all others shall be compared. Here's the thing-I always thought teriyaki came with a side of sauteed cabbage until started expanding my horizons. Sadly, too many places serve the same bagged iceberg salad with some nondescript dressing. Boring. I don't understand why; cabbage is just as cheap and it takes a minute or two to throw it in a pan and toss it around. Oh well. The meat is always nicely grilled and never tough. My preference is plain meat with sauce served on the top, rather than pre-marinated then grilled. Seems like, in that scenario, all I taste is the sauce. Bonus points for having, like, a gajillion stores in the area.

Kiku: Best menu choice, with a number of combo options and non-teriyaki items, such as udon and curry. The teriyaki chicken on the bone is particularly yummy and atypical for Seattle (and an exception for my anti-premarinated preference, but they do it so well). When I was in college and had extra cash (which was typically rare), I'd get the beef combo and scarf it down in 5 minutes. Also, try the Oyakodon, which is chicken over rice with egg on top.

There are plenty of others that I regularly stop into, like Yasuko's, Nasai and any of the Hawaiian joints (if I'm not already craving Kalua pork).

There's a deli down the street from my office run by the nicest Korean couple; the teriyaki isn't very good, but every once in awhile they'll offer bi bim bap. But that, as Alton Brown would say, is another show.

37 weeks

As I look over at the mother of my children, I can see this lump on her distended abdomen move from side to side. Can't be very comfortable. We had a visit from the midwives today, they proclaimed our home suitable for birthing.

Any day now...

I'd hit it...

If I were single, of course. Too bad McSame didn't choose Michael Palin. I might have voted that ticket.

I have a confession to make...

When I was in Budapest a couple years ago, I actually ate a meal at TGI Friday's. I was just really really craving a burger.

I promise it won't happen again.

If I could kick Spain in its collective cojones...

First this:



Then this?



Hoo, boy. Give Spain the Gold for Ching Chong Chinamen mocking.

WANT.

For the kids, of course.

Why does this even need to be asked?

From where I'm at, it's a no-brainer.

Before I forget...

Roc's first word: "Bubble." If you picked that in the pool, congrats, you win a afternoon babysitting.

B minus 10 and counting

Here we go...

Rule of Thumb

More so than shoes, buying a glove specific to a particular sport indicates a high degree of commitment to that sport.

7.7.7 + 365

Jala2 and I celebrated our 1st anniversary last week. Well, "celebrated" may be a little inaccurate, unless kvetching about being 29 weeks pregnant and me with a gimpy foot counts as celebrating. She made me watch Stras' raw wedding footage with her. I forgot how small Roc was back then.

But I'm not complaining. Fact is, I couldn't be happier.

And When I'm in Texas, I'm Reminded of Backwards Hicks

Via HuffPo:

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, it is a pleasure to welcome you back to the Oval Office. We have just had a very constructive dialogue. First, I want to tell you how proud I am to be the President of a nation that -- in which there's a lot of Philippine-Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Yes.

PRESIDENT BUSH: And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madam President.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you.

(emphasis mine). *Sigh* It's like when you meet someone and, upon learning you're Filipino, getting asked "Oh, do you know (whatshisorhername)?" No, goddammit! We don't all live together in a 1 room cottage on Beacon Hill.

Actually, I'm a decent cook, but that's beside the point.

I Hate Your Kids

Just now caught this on the Ballard blog. You mean to say that not everyone wants to deal with someone else's uncontrollable, squalling chirrens?

Several Ballard businesses have received some press about their kiddo policy. At Duque Salon + Spa, they have banned children altogether. Their sign reads, “About the little ones … Due to the delicate nature of our business, we ask that children not be brought into the salon, spa or boutique. Thank you.” Apparently moms pushing strollers have been seen flipping off the shop as they walk by and one angry mom had to be escorted out with her toddler. Habitude Salon also has a no-kid rule, leaving some moms in a tiff. The owner of the upscale salon says that it’s not safe having babies around all the chemicals and scissors. Diva Espresso on Phinney Ridge takes a more humorous approach, “Unsupervised children will be given espresso and a puppy.”

Couple things: 1) Business owners are free to serve whomever they want, and 2) parents who voice their displeasure with a petulant bird through the window justify the former's policies.

The comment thread has provided me with my 2 new fave phrases:

"Kindergarchy"
"Crotch Fruit"

Brains!

With his hands held up like that, Roc looks like a zombie, or maybe a Young Frankenstein Welcome to toddlerhood, my man. His confidence is growing quickly; he has pretty much abandoned crawling as a means of transportation. To celebrate his learning how to walk, we bought him some new shoes today at the U. Village sidewalk sale.



Up next: the Electric Slide.

Ong Bak 2: Tony Jaa Tries to get a Haircut

This one's for Mahalie:




Looks badass. Doubt there's much in the way of a story, but I'd hit it.

Rule of Thumb

Google an idea before you publish it, you know, just in case.

Back from Philly

We brought back more than memories and photos; the whole fam has been beset by some kind of wicked chest cold since we returned from the northeast. Man, was it hot, upper 90's during the day, not much cooler at night. Still, it was good seeing friends old and new, introducing Roc to the wonders of a real cheesesteak, and getting some sand between our toes.

Sad to think this is probably our last trip anywhere as a family for awhile. Maybe we can travel with 2 young kids but I can't imagine how we can do it without going batty.

Rule of Thumb

Don't trust a dreadlocked white guy.

Happy Father's Day!

Yay me. Oh, by the way, did your baby's mama get you one of these?



She rocks, more than Gwar. Roc is a lucky kid.

Kids on a Plane

(Rocco learns that it really isn't butter)

Heading out tomorrow for some fun and sun with our East Coast peeps, which forces me to face that which I dread: Flying with Kids. It's not so much the hassle of it all (though it is an incredible one), rather it's another thing I dread: People who Hate Flying with Kids. It's a touchy subject, from both the annoyed (non parental) traveler to the harried, frantic parent. Here's an example from Salon's Ask the Pilot:

[H]ow about a list of the best and worst ideas in airline marketing history? I'll leave the latter to you, and there are plenty to choose from. As for the best, I'll tell you my own pick: Northwest's decision, 20 years ago, to become the globe's first major carrier to impose a systemwide in-flight smoking ban. That'd be a hard one to beat, but here's a challenge to any airline daring enough: a rule that requires the medicating, muzzling or sequestering of all children under 4 years old -- below deck would be nice, or out on the wing.

(emphasis mine) A throwaway comment at the end of an article mainly about American's $15 checked bag fee that ends jokingly (I hope) suggesting kids ride steerage or wingside generates a storm of comments from both sides of the argument. I mean, really? I have no constructive solutions for an already shitty situation, vis-a-vis air travel, but from my perspective, to think that there is a population of people who, upon seeing me and my family arrive at the gate, silently (or maybe not so silently) curse us out for having the gall to leave our house once in awhile, well, I take it personally. Actually, I do have some solutions:

1. ipod + a good set of noise-canceling headphones (I have the Etymotic ER-6i)
2. Fuck You, You Fucking Fuck.

As parents, we are perhaps a bit hypersensitive about the way Roc behaves around others, though in reality there's nothing we can do about it except to distract and redirect. Not like you can argue/reason with a 1 year old. All I ask is for a little understanding and patience; if Roc is upset or acting up, you can be sure Jala2 and I are on it, dealing with it as best we can. We're not one of those parents who sit/sleep idly by and let their spawn wreak havoc with everyone's fun.

As frustrating as flying is, doesn't it make you want to cry sometimes?

The eye in the sky, looking at you

Happy Mother's Day! Roc and I gave jala2 a Flip Video camera this year. Initial review: great for what it does, which is basically to shoot youtube/web videos for sharing with friends and fam. The UI is simple, just a couple buttons, and fairly easy to operate right out of the box. Downloading is a snap, just "flip" out the attached USB dongle and plug into your computer. Works on both Winblows and Mac and even can download straight to your fave video sharing site (well, not all of them). Thumbs down on the non-removable memory (up to 1hr of video) and no optical zoom, but that's kinda nitpicky.

Jala2's posted a couple clips of us goofin' around.