10 Things On My Mind This Week
by Jenners • 02/05/2009 • Life, Writers Workshop • 23 Comments
Well, I’ve taken a few weeks off so I’m happy to jump back into Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop. I always enjoy doing this and visiting the other posts as everyone takes such a different approach to the same prompts. If you don’t participate already, you should think about doing it. It is fun! This week, I’m choosing prompt #4: write a list of ten things on your mind this week.
1: What ever happened to Elian Gonzalez?
Remember Elian Gonzalez? Perhaps the photo to the left will refresh your memory. He was the little boy who was rescued in 1999 — clinging to an inner tube off the Florida Coast. His mother and 10 others — all refugees from Cuba –perished while trying to reach the U.S. in a raft. There was a huge custody battle between his relatives in the U.S. and his father in Cuba. Eventually Elian (who was 6 at the time) was returned to his father in Cuba. We were talking about what had happened to Elian recently. Someone thought he had done something horrible — perhaps murdered someone or committed a violent crime. No one really knew. So I tried to find out, and as far as I can tell, the most nefarious thing Elian has done is officially join the Communist Party and pledge his support of Fidel Castro. So now I know.
2: What is the last number?
The Little One asked me this question the other day. That boy sure keeps me on my toes! My answer was “There is no last number. You can always have one more.” Then I wondered what the biggest number we have a name for. I saw googillions, but I’m not sure that is even a real number as I found it on Wikipedia. Any answers for me and the Little One? I’m a bit lazy and don’t feel like doing the research myself.
3: Where in the heck did I put the scrapbook my mom made for me?
At one point, my mom made me a scrapbook telling the story of my “early years.” I’ve been ripping the house apart trying to find it and it is nowhere to be found. If anyone knows, please tell me. I’d really like to find it.
4: Will I regret going on a long plane trip with the Little One without my husband?
In May, I’m flying out to South Dakota for a family reunion (all my family lives out West) without my husband (who does not view this as a vacation for him). I’ve been wondering how I will handle the plane trip alone with the Little One. But I guess it doesn’t matter because I bought nonrefundable tickets this week. However, the excitement of my son getting to spend time with his uncles, cousins, aunts, and grandparents is worth any amount of pain I might experience during the plane ride. I hope.
5: Will I ever make more than $2.00 on AdSense?
I beginning to suspect I will not ever make a lot of money via AdSense, but I’ve found the ads that appear (which are based on my blog content) very amusing. I don’t know what you’re seeing when you visit, but right after I posted about being mistaken for a 30-ish woman’s mother, ads for wrinkle cream started to appear. As a little test, I am going to put an odd word in my label for this post and see if I get an ad about it. My husband just suggested “vaginal odor” so I’m going with that. Might as well get some entertainment value out of this whole ad thing.
6: What should I get my husband for his 40th birthday?
Every “freelance” gift I have ever given my husband has been returned because it wasn’t up to his exacting specifications. (Usually I just buy from the itemized list he provides me.) He will be turning 40 in March, and I need to come through with a great gift that he won’t expect. I know he thinks he leaves me lots of hints, but the fact that I often don’t listen to him and almost instantly forget things he tells me makes this difficult. Note to self: Must begin paying attention more and check his browsing history on the computer. If you all have any ideas, please let me know. His primary interests are photography, gambling and cruising.
7: Why do I let my husband push my buttons?
The latest thing my husband does to get on my last nerve is constantly refer to my blog as “our blog.” Such as: “How is our blog doing today?” or “Any new followers on our blog?” I know he is joking and doing this to get a rise out of me, but it works, dammit. Note to self: Just chuckle and ignore him and he will stop.
8: Should I bother dyeing the gray out of my hair?
Every day it seems that more gray appears. But it is such a pain to keep coloring hair — you have to keep doing it and doing it over and over and over. So I pretty much just stopped bothering (saves money too), but then the Grandma incident happened so I am revisiting this issue. I’m pretty sure I’ll dye it and then stop coloring it in a few months. But since I know that, why even bother dyeing it in the first place?
9: When will Circuit City’s prices really drop so we can score some big deals?
We have a Circuit City about 5 minutes from our home, and we went in this past weekend to see if there were any good deals since the company has gone bankrupt and is closing. The ads said “up to 40% off” but, upon visiting, it was really more like 20% off most items (except for things no one really wanted) and most things still cost more than you can get them on Amazon anyway. I feel a little guilty about trying to score some good deals in this way, but I’m not really sure why. Perhaps I feel a bit like a vulture circling a carcass waiting to swoop in.
10: Should I switch my celebrity crush from Brad Pitt to Robert Downey Jr.?
The more I read about Robert Downey Jr., the more I like him. Brad actually doesn’t seem to exhibit much of a personality (that I can tell) but he is delicious to look at. What to do? What to do?
So there you have it — a look into what has been on my mind this week. Not too pretty, is it? Pretty shallow, huh?
I don’t have many answers, but a few comments. Elian Gonzales —not sure what happened to him, but recently there was a similar case (on Dateline) of an American boy taken by his mother to Brazil. When she died the Brazilian gov’t dragged its feet to get the boy from his stepfather back to his real father in the U.S. (Still not resolved.) I know a lot of people didn’t want Elian to go home, but when it is about a U.S. child, we see that the real father should have custody.
I would dump Brad Pitt (besides, who can compete with Angelina?) I’d take up with George Clooney. Downey seems to have gotten his act together, but I always fear he’ll return to drugs.
OMG – these are so funny
Yeah, I think your scrapbook may actually be with my tax form. Fortunately I can call my mortgage company to get another copy of my form. Think that would work if you called your mom? Go ahead, dye your hair! Do it tomorrow and we’ll be dying our hair the same day!
Wait – Brad Pitt and Robert Downey Jr. (my choice out of those two btw)? What happened to Paul Rudd? Speaking of whom…did you see him dance on The Daily Show?? Heee-larious! But, not as hilarious, possibly, as you adding “vaginal odor” as a tag on your blog!!
So many questions and so few good answers.
On the largest number question, when your son is a little older you might want to get him an introduction to infinite sets and the work of Cantor. For now you could probably blow his mind with the concept of Aleph numbers.
I thought the same thing about Circuit City, and then the next time I went there was nothing left. Literally. Nothing left.
Okay, I’m lying. They were still selling the metal racks and shelving that stuff usually sits on.
But really, there was nothing left. That’s what I call “non-buyers-remorse.”
You seriously crack me up!
Vaginal odor!!! lol!
You friggin’ CRACK me UP! You’re the best. I was laughing at this one so much. Go check your email for another freaky separated at birth factoid!
So many questions! And I have so few answers! *sigh*
I definitely want to do this Writer’s Workshop! I’ve been really getting into writing a lot more recently!
As for the Circuit City stuff, I went two weeks ago, on a lark, and found NOTHING. Well, there was a lot of inventory, but nothing that made my eyes pop out of my skull to make me go “WOW!”
By the time Circuit City’s prices are actual bargains, most of the good stuff will be gone, sadly.
I totally agree that Pitt has no personality but is oh so yummy to look at! Go ahead and cheat on him and start crushing on RDJ!!!
LOL, I’d love to spend just a day in your brain if you’re thinking about all 10 of those totally unrelated things!
And, my hubby refers to MY blog as OUR blog, also. I don’t see him remembering every cute thing our kid does and putting it into readable format for all the world and God to see. Especially not at 1am some times. …. How dare he.
Google Adsense – Video units do better than text units… don’t know why… but they do
Robert Downey, Jr. – Completely scrumptious and totally outdoes Brad Pitt in the looks AND acting department… did you see him in Tropic Thunder? he stole the movie… sigh… what a hunk…
Dye the hair… don’t ask… just do it…
Can’t help you on the scrapbook or the gift… sorry…
vaginal odor… hehe
You will do fine on the plane ride.
I am finally finding out, that fear of the unknown is worse than the actual event.
My friend met Brad Pitt and he was actually friendly!
My theory on the good looks and the body plus personality is.. God doesn’t give it all to one ~
you always make me smile.
5. Vaginal odor? Lol. Snort. That’s great. If ever I was uncertain about adsense, you just provided the cure.
6. How about a gift cert to photoworks or shutterfly so he can have a hard copy version of some of his best photos?
2. Show him an infinity symbol (the one that looks like the number 8 lying on its side) ??
8. Yes. Dye your hair. It is a pain, but maybe you can hook up with a girlfriend in the same boat and you can color each other. A Party to Dye For, so to speak. Your husband will thank you and it will nix the granny comments …hopefully
9. All of Circuit City’s stuff was bought by a liquidator. They are not going to give it away. Prices remain high, and whatever doesn’t sell gets shipped somewhere else. Sorry.
Half is enough, although #3 strikes a very personal note.
I love your number one. It made me go “Yeah what the heck ever happen to him?”
Good list.
I hope you find your scrapbook. I hate when things go missing. It is so frustrating!
One of the funniest ads I have seen on my blog is “Is Your Husband Gay?” And, there wasn’t anything in my blog post that even suggested it!
Sorry, but I love Brad Pitt…he could have the personality of a wet noodle and I wouldn’t care!
Ooooh, I LOVE Robert Downey, Jr. And I’m with you on Pitt’s lack of personality. Sheesh. Why can’t guys be gorgeous and personable. Get with it Brad!!
Just so you know? It is an ad for brinks home security. One of my friends had to laugh when she saw an ad for adult diapers on my blog. Click on people’s ad’s, it brings about 30 cents of revenue. I’m up to 5.00 woo hoo!
the answer to # 10 is YESSSSS!
Also, thanks for upgrading me to bloggy friend. Clicking on your ad for home security right now.
I bet your flight will be fine. I took Ryan on a plane the first time when she was 2. She flew overseas for the first time (8+ hours) when she was 4. Bring lollipops (she wouldn’t ‘pop’ her ears because she was afraid it was going to hurt… when she was 2, she wrapped her blanket around her head and held on, because she thought her ears were going to pop OFF her head
. Bring books. Bring stuff to color with. Let him sit by the window. He’ll be just fine. Oh, and when you see the other screaming children in the airport and the plane (because you KNOW they’ll be there), discreetly point to them and say, “If you act like that, I will push you out the airplane window with no parachute.” Works every time 
I don’t know if I have any answer, but I love the questions.
I’ve been worrying about the adsense thing – I don’t think I’m going to bother for a long time because I’d probably make 2 cents.