January 9th, 2012 by Erin

Today, I called my mom to lament about the size of my ever-expanding baby belly.  Specifically, I was upset that the jeans I wore all day on Friday without incident were feeling extremely uncomfortable and tight when I put them on on Sunday.  I could tell it was going to be a short conversation because I could hear my 2-year-old niece, Allison, in the background saying “Dinosaur Train!”  Clearly, my mom had her hands full.  I pressed on anyway. 

“Mom,” I said, “I got fat in a day!” 

“Fat in a day?” she responded. 

Suddenly, the background noise changed:  “Fat in a day!  Fat in a day!” 

Thanks, Allison. 

(c) 2012 The Beehive All Rights Reseved.

January 2nd, 2012 by Erin

We spent New Year’s Eve with Steve’s boss and her husband.  The short version of the story is she needed help with her computer and he was the man for the job.  I ended up watching a movie with her husband while the two of them worked on the computer, and then we all went out to a delicious dinner. 

When Steve told me the situation just a few hours before we left the house, I remarked it was a good thing we didn’t have any New Year’s plans.  He said she initially asked what time he needed to be home so we could do our thing, but he told her we had no plans.

“‘Cause we’re big fat losers,” I replied. 

“Yeah, but we’re big fat losers together.” 

Happy New Year!

(c) 2012 The Beehive All Rights Reserved.

December 21st, 2011 by Erin

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned to my mom that I need to find some new blogs to read.  I usually read a little online in the morning while I’m eating breakfast.  A (non-news) substitute for the morning paper I suppose.  Most of my friends with blogs do not post daily (nor do I, obviously), and a couple of the good ones I’ve been reading for years have become less frequent posters.  The few I read that seem to have consistent new posts I’m ready to move on from.  Let’s just say it’s not my cup of tea when grown-ups frequently describe things as “adorbs.” 

So back to my mom, and my lament that there are mornings when I have nothing worthwhile to read on the queue.  She says to me, “Maybe you should start your own blog.”  What a great idea!  Except . . . I already have one.  Nobody reads it.  Not even my mom. 

(c) 2011 The Beehive All Rights Reserved

December 20th, 2011 by Erin

I once heard somewhere that the “natural flavoring” that gives Dr. Pepper its distinctive taste is actually prune flavoring.  It sounds weird, but whatever.  I like Dr. Pepper, and it’s one of those things I’d rather not turn myself off of ever consuming again by thinking about what it’s made of.  Kind of like hot dogs. 

Today I cracked open a can of Diet Dr. Pepper (or, as Steve would say “DDP”), and by coincidence I happened to be snacking on a couple of prunes.  Yeah, I eat prunes now.  Regularly (ha!).  Because apparently 33 is the new 80.  And I can safely say that Dr. Pepper, or at least Diet Dr. Pepper, tastes nothing like prunes.  In fact, I would go so far as to say Diet Dr. Pepper and prunes do not pair well together at all. 

Here’s more info dispelling the prune rumor.

(c) 2011 The Beehive All Rights Reserved.

December 8th, 2011 by Erin

I say “Rant of the Moment” rather than “Rant of the Day” or even “Rant of the Hour” because it seems I have something to complain about pretty constantly.  Usually it’s about stupid people, so it’s not surprise that this rant is about stupid people.  Or maybe I should give them the benefit of the doubt and say normal people who are acting stupid in a momentary lapse of judgment.

To set things up a bit, I am just finishing a semester of school where probably 90% of my work has been group work.  Now, all the instructors say they do so many group projects because in the “real world” we will always be working in groups.  I think it’s because they don’t want to grade as much, but that’s just me.  In the “real world” when you are working in groups, your group members sit down the hall from you from 9 to 5 (or whatever your office hours happen to be), are typically there to do the group work all day long, and get fired if they don’t do their jobs and do them well.  So to say they are trying to mimic the “real world” doesn’t really work for me.  But I digress.  The bottom line is, my last group projects were due yesterday and I was glad — ecstatic, really — to be done with these groups. 

Imagine my dismay today to receive yet another email (I have literally hundreds in my inbox) from one of my group members.  (Ug, I thought I was done with this and would finally get some peace!)

“Our final is on Monday at 9:40?  I vaguely remember hearing the instructor saying it was earlier.”

Considering the final exam time is printed on the instructor’s course schedule and in the catalogue of classes, I thought this was a stupid question that she needn’t have bothered me with.  But, my Grandma Heaton used to say, “you can always be civil,” so I responded politely with a flip remark about how the instructor does not have her act together and can’t be trusted to tell us the correct time, but yes, it is at 9:40.  I thought that would be the end of it, but shortly thereafter, she responded.

“I’m going to email the instructor to ask.”

Really?!?  I expressed no uncertainly whatsoever about time, suggesting to me that she would have asked the instructor regardless of what I answered.  Which begs the question, why did she bother to ask in the first place?  I threw up my hands, but again figured that was the end of it.  Not so.  At this point, our third team member, also copied on these emails, chimed in.

“hmmm . . . . I thought it was Monday at 9:40?”

Let me remind you that this is published in two places and I had just confirmed it to be my understanding as well.  I was at the end of my rope a week ago and this was just more than I could take.

“yeah, that’s what I just said.  if anyone is still confused, I suggest checking in the schedule of classes.  over and out.”

Perhaps a bit too harsh and not well thought out.  But I don’t think totally undeserved.  Is it so hard to just open up the schedule and check, rather than go back and forth over email like this?  We’re not finished yet, though.  Team member number one has to have the last word.

“Ladies, were (sic) done . . . . . . . . . . . . it’s just Monday and it’s open book.”

. . . followed by a link to some stress relief breathing exercises.  Now, I don’t dispute that I could probably benefit from some sort of stress relief program.  However, in this case, I think my stress would be significantly relieved by not having to deal with these people any more.  We’re all adults here.  Is it really too much to ask that we take some personal responsibility for our own schedules rather than expecting others to keep track of it for us?  Apparently so.  I will be glad when this is over — for real — on Monday.  I’m sure I will shortly be blessed with another group of annoying, stupid people to deal with in some other arena, but I will savor my time to myself in the meantime.

(c) 2011 The Beehive All Rights Reserved.

August 24th, 2011 by Erin

Like pretty much everybody else here in California, I scoffed at yesterday’s east coast earthquake.  “Pshaw!  5.8?!?  That’s like a truck driving by!”  We talk a good game, like it’s no big deal.  We have to because we live with the reality that “the Big One” could strike at any moment.  But, at least according to this article, most Californians haven’t even really experienced a major quake. That is certainly true for me.  I was away at science camp for the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.  Didn’t feel a thing.  I guess I experienced the aftermath when I got home a day or two later, but no actual shaking.

This got me to thinking, how prepared are we for an earthquake?  The answer is, not really at all.  Steve and I don’t have any water or food put aside for an emergency right now.  This is not a good situation, so I decided to do a little research into what we need to get ourselves ready.

Experts say you should be able to fend for yourself for at least 72 hours after a disaster, not counting on utilities and emergency services.  There are three main categories of things you need to do to get ready for such a scenario.

Make a plan:

• have at least two escape routes to exit your home
• keep a pair of shoes and a flashlight under each bed in case you need to evacuate at night
• have two designated meeting areas, one near the house and one within walking distance in case the neighborhood is evacuated
• have an out-of-state emergency contact to let family/friends know your status (long distance lines are usually fixed faster than local lines)
• know the location of the gas main and other utilities and know how to turn them off

Make your home safe:

• have fire extinguishers on each level of your home and know how to use them
• make sure your smoke detectors (and as of July 1, 2011, CO detectors) are functioning and change the batteries every 6 months
• make sure all heavy furniture,  such as bookcases, hutches, or media centers, is properly secured to walls
• don’t hang mirrors or heavy pictures/artwork above beds or sofas where they can fall on people; make sure all wall hangings are properly secured with a closed hook
• secure books and knick-knacks on shelving with non-skid surface material or putty; store heavy items on low shelves
• be sure your house number is visible from the street so emergency services can find you

Make disaster kits:

• water (1 gallon per person, per day) and non-perishable food items; can opener; plates, utensils, and cups
• first aid kit
• flashlight or battery operated lantern and extra batteries
• battery operated radio and extra batteries
• copies of important documents and phone numbers
• warm clothes/rain gear/hats
• blankets
• work gloves
• dust mask
• liquid bleach and an eye dropper (for water purification and sanitation)
• hygiene items (toilet paper, paper towels, moist towelettes, feminine products, hand sanitizer, soap, etc.)
• heavy duty plastic bags and a bucket (for waste and sanitation)
• emergency cash (including small bills and change)

In addition to the general household emergency kit, each person should have a “go bag” containing similar stuff in smaller quantities in case they need to get out of the area fast.  You might consider keeping it in the trunk of your car, so you’ll have it if a disaster happens when you are not at home.  Or, Steve, for example, should probably keep one at work.  Since he works in the city, and a big quake would probably shut down the Bay Bridge and BART across the bay, he might not be able to get home right away.

Here are some online resources that I found helpful in learning how to prepare for an earthquake:

• Ready America – includes a printable Comprehensive Family Emergency Plan
• 72hours.org – readiness site from the City and County of San Francisco
• Red Cross Earthquake Safety Checklist – what to do before, during, and after a quake
• Be Red Cross Ready – general guidelines about plans and kits

I’m not sure any amount of preparation can truly make anyone ready for a major earthquake or other natural disaster, but with a plan and enough supplies to get through at least a few days, there will be a lot less to think (or worry) about during a very stressful time.  I hope this post inspires you to check out your own situation and make sure that you are prepared for emergencies too.

© 2011 The Beehive All Rights Reserved

August 12th, 2011 by Erin

Speaking of procrastination, it’s about time I finish our last vacation post.

Day 5 of our vacation we were headed to a wedding in San Juan Capistrano, which was really what prompted the whole trip to Southern California in the first place. It didn’t start until 5:30, though, so we had most of the day to kill. We decided to head to Mission San Juan Capistrano, which was actually just about a block away from the wedding venue (and less than half a mile from our hotel).

Established in 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano was the seventh of California’s 21 missions. Because the parish population grew so rapidly, a great stone church was built on the site around the turn of the century. An earthquake destroyed the church in 1812, and it was never rebuilt.

The mission’s four bells survived the earthquake. Two of the four hanging in the bell wall today are reproductions.

The mission also boasts the oldest building still in use in the State of California, the Serra Chapel, which also happens to be the only remaining church in which Fr. Junipero Serra actually celebrated mass.

Speaking of Fr. Serra, we can’t pass a statue of the guy without taking a fun picture emulating the statue on 280 (a.k.a. the Junipero Serra Freeway).

We did a lot of fun stuff on our vacation, but I really enjoyed the mission. I thought the grounds were beautiful. In other words, I wouldn’t mind if my yard looked like this.

There is also an edible garden. I’m not sure who maintains it, or who eats the produce, but it was a pretty good garden.

Amongst the edibles was a grape arbor with vines that looked quite a bit healthier than the ones we have here at home. Of course these are not the original vines, but Mission San Juan Capistrano was home to the first wine grapes planted in California. Not surprisingly, they grew the grapes and made sacramental wine from them so they would not have to import it from Europe.

I liked some of the shots I got of various insects among the flowers.

And of course, San Juan Capistrano is famous for the migration of the swallows. We did not actually see any, but we did see evidence of them.

So that’s it. Five days of vacation.

© 2011 The Beehive All Rights Reserved

August 9th, 2011 by Erin

This morning, as I sat at my computer checking my email and doing a thousand other time wasting things that people do on the computer, I noticed a post-it sticking out from a pile of papers on my desk.  I pulled it out and saw a list I wrote a couple of weeks ago of things I wanted to write about on the blog.  One of the items was “this is what happens when you procrastinate.”  I cannot for the life of me remember what I did or saw that made a good story about the perils of procrastination.  The mystery list item does, however, provide another apt example of why you shouldn’t procrastinate.  If you don’t get to your to-do list in a reasonable amount of time, you’ll forget what your notes mean.

© 2011 The Beehive All Rights Reserved

August 5th, 2011 by Erin

Are you tired yet?  Because by Day 4, we were tired.  Nonetheless, we pressed on to Disneyland.

Digression:  We went to Disneyland, not California Adventure.  We ran into families at the wedding we went to on Day 5 and I asked the kids, “what was you favorite ride?”  and got a lot of “Tower of Terror!” and “World of Color!” and I was like “huh?”  Anyway, the point is, it’s really one park, even shares a parking lot, but they give it two names so they can charge you more for access to the whole thing.  I’ll remember that next time and get the park hopper pass.

Back to our day of fun.  A few days prior, when we got back from the Queen Mary, I checked Facebook and I saw that my friend Ashley had just arrived with her family at Disneyland.  Long story short, we ended up talking on the phone and planning to get together.

So we met Ashley, her husband Mason, their girls Ava, Norah, Keira, and Serena, Ashley’s brother Jared, and Jared’s daughter Isabelle in Tomorrowland shortly after we got to the park.  Sound like a big group?  It was actually two short, because Ashley’s parents were also with them and just hadn’t arrived at the park yet.  We got Fast Passes for Star Tours (more on that later) because they run out, well, fast,  and rode the Buzz Lightyear ride.  It’s funny, Ashley lives two blocks from my parents and I randomly run into her 400 miles from home.  It was a great surprise that they were at Disneyland at the same time, and a delightful visit.

Ashley’s family had a few days at the park and we were only there for one, so we went our separate ways.  We rode all the usual suspects: Indiana Jones Adventure, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, the Tea Cups, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and so on.

Our first misadventure occurred on Splash Mountain.  We were actually nearing the end of the ride when the boats suddenly started to stack up.  We sat motionless for at least 15 minutes, with a loudspeaker periodically reminding us to stay seated and assuring us our experience would continue shortly.  It didn’t.  Finally, an attendant came out and helped us all out of the boats and led us through the ride to an exit, where we received front of the line passes for the ride of our choice before being released back into the park.

I don’t think I’ve ever been on a ride when it broke down before.  It was weird to walk through the ride, behind the animatronic characters, and see all the inner workings, and to see the sort of “back stage” area of the park where only employees go.  I took a few pictures, but I’m not going to post them because they really didn’t want us taking pictures and because I think it really does take some of the magic away.

Let’s return to our Star Tours Fast Passes, shall we?  Even though we got them at 9am, our return time was not until between 5:30 and 6:30 pm.  We spent the day doing other stuff and returned shortly after 5:30, only to find that the ride was closed.  Closed!  Apparently for the second time that day!  Needless to say, we were disappointed.  But it was nothing a Dolewhip float (me) and a funnel cake (Steve) couldn’t fix.

We re-visited some of our favorite rides, and eventually decided we were about ready to head out.  Steve suggested that we might stop by Star Tours, just in case it was up and running again.  I was skeptical, but agreed.  And sure enough when we got there they had just opened it!  They honored our Fast Passes and we were pretty near the front of the line, which grew very quickly behind us.

And now, here is the one and only picture from Disneyland that turned out:

That is Steve in front of a vehicle at the Indiana Jones ride.  He’s pretty convinced it’s one of the actual vehicles used in Raiders of the Lost Ark, pointing out that it has the same license plate and a number of other details are identical.  And of course there is no way Disney’s imagineers could possibly have recreated something from the movie, right?

Sorry, Steve.  I only poke fun at you because you are cute.

August 4th, 2011 by Erin

On to Day 3: Universal Studios.  We did the “V.I.P. Experience.”  It’s pricey, but Steve has wanted to do it for a long time and for a number of personal reasons we decided now was the time to splurge.  I’ll talk about the stuff that isn’t part of the regular park admission.  It started with valet parking — not something I’m used to.  When we got to the park, an attendant ushered us into a V.I.P. room through a private entrance, where we were treated to a light breakfast and a screening of Back to the Future, Part II.

While we relaxed, our guide, Heather, came in and introduced herself.  After a few more minutes, she gathered our group of 15 or so, and off we went.  We started with rides.  Heather escorted us to the front of the line for each ride and held our bags while we road.  She also provided us with ponchos for the Jurassic Park ride in case we didn’t want to get soaked.  I opted to use the poncho; Steve did not.  I enjoyed The Mummy ride the most.  I think it’s less than a minute long, which sucks if you’ve been waiting in line for an hour, but it really doesn’t matter so much if you just walk right in.

After we exhausted all of our ride options, it was time for lunch:  a private, gourmet buffet.  I ate lobster macaroni and cheese and Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough ice cream for dessert.  (No criticizing my food choices — we were on vacation!)  Everything I sampled was tasty, but the best part was security turning people away because the restaurant was for “V.I.P.s only”.

After lunch, we started our back lot tour, which includes everything that’s on the regular tram tour and some extra stops.  We first stopped at a sound mixing studio, where actors “loop” dialogue that didn’t get picked up properly when the scene was shot.  Next, we walked around the sound stage for the TV show “Parenthood.”  I’ve never seen the show, but I gather most of it takes place inside a suburban home.  And that’s basically what the set was.  Walking through the inside, it was just like we were in a real house . . .

. . . except for one thing . . .

No ceilings.  This is because with all the actors, crew, and lighting that are in the space, it gets very hot, so they need the heat to be able to dissipate.  Who knew?

After the sound stage, we walked through a prop warehouse.  It was basically like a giant Goodwill, except they had a huge selection of pretty much anything you might need.

Of course, we went through some of the same areas the normal tour does. Jaws . . .

. . . a flash flood . . .

. . . Wisteria Lane (guess what: the flowers are fake!) . . .

. . . and the Psycho house . . .

. . . but when we got to the “War of the Worlds” set, we got to get our and walk around.  It was kind of fun because another normal tour drove through, but they couldn’t get out, and our group ended up in all their pictures.

They’ve also changed the King Kong exhibit since our last trip.  It’s now a 3D, 360 degree movie experience.  It’s cool, but lacks the charm of the big animatronic ape.

When our tour was finally finished, it was still only mid-afternoon, so we were able to do a second round of the rides we liked best (still with front-of-line privileges, but our guide was no longer with us to hold our bags).  It made me realize that a big reason an amusement park takes all day is because of all the time you spend waiting in line!  It was still pretty early when we were ready to go.

Before we drove back to our hotel, we did a quick lap of City Walk.  That place does not impress me.  But, we did see Jay Leno filming one of his “Jay Walking” segments for the Tonight Show.

And that’s about it.  We stopped at an awesome little burger-slash-Mexican place for dinner (Sam’s Burgers in Norwalk, maybe I was just starving but those were the best fries ever), and just relaxed for the rest of the evening.

© 2011 The Beehive All Rights Reserved