Why I no longer support March Of Dimes

I did the math, folks..

I had committed myself to donate $25 a year to March Of Dimes and have been doing itMarch every year. Maybe that's not a lot but when you consider that I also support the Autism Society, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and my local school fundraisers, I have to have a set amount.

I have a nephew who was born premature and I know a few people who had late miscarriages, so I did it to honor them and hopefully save babies. But I realized that after all the mailings with cute little address labels and free magnetic notepads and calendars and dozens of paid telemarketer phone calls asking me to contribute or do the Walk America or help with a letter campaign, I am pretty much just paying them to hassle me.

In my opinion, they are spending way too much money to market to the wrong people (those of us who already support them!) A few times in the past when they have called, I told them "I'll send my gift of $25 in March as usual, you don't need to call me about it" but they don't seem to listen and they call and send mailings and call some more. I will have to find another way to help science save these young lives.

Wild Boy "Shines"

My two-paragraph review of Andy Taylor's new autobiography

When I heard that Andy Taylor was coming out with a book, I must admit I was skeptical. I thought “Here we go.. an angry, astrainged band member out looking for revenge.” like countless books out there written by bitter celebrity ex-wives claiming abuse and infidelity. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Andy’s recount of his life in Duran Duran was incredibly fair and honest. He shows his respect for everyone in Duran Duran, readily praising them for their specific talents and strengths. But he also doesn’t sugar-coat anything, illustrating that they all have their weaknesses, including himself.

In my twenty-six years of being a “Duranie” and watching them closely through the media, you would think I’d know every facet of their history, but there was still so much more to know. In this book, we get the story from the inside for the very first time. The book is both informative and amusingly anecdotal. I learned many things about this band, but also about the music business and the rock-and-roll lifestyle in general. The writing takes on an open conversational tone, absent of any bitterness or regret. Over the years, I have had the chance to meet all of the members of Duran Duran on various occasions.. except for Andy. Now I feel I’ve just had him ‘round for a beer and a long chat. Thanks Andy!

Another Hoax gone Wild

Another Hoax gone Wild
Originally uploaded by candy.

There are stories that Christopher Walken will play Ozzy Osbourne for an upcoming movie. I checked with his agent and it's just not true! However, all the big entertainment blogs and sites have taken it and run with it. I knew something about it was fishy, if you are going to hire someone to play Ozzy, Why not just get Ozzy to play Ozzy?

The Neil Hopkins update

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4OZ_oGQXKo

Since last I spoke of Neil Hopkins, he has been in HBO's "Big Love" and in USA's "The 4400" (above) I worked with Neil to write a little article/press release about his ability to do a Walken impression. This led to a radio interview.

In the above clip, Neil plays another addicted rockstar type, similar to his character on "Lost" but this character is not exactly like Liam Pace - it's a brand new turn on the same concept. Great job!

You're Kidding Me, Right?

Apparently, this magazine cover is drumming up a lot of controversy.

C'mon! This is a baby eating, where babies are supposed to eat.

Do people have such virginal eyes that this photo is somehow wrong?

It is a sad world if we ever forget where babies are supposed to be fed.

Not everyone can breastfeed, which is why bottles and formula were invented. But, they weren't invented in order to replace some kind of gross habit.

Every woman owes it to herself to try to breastfeed their baby. It doesn't always work out, but it's not really supposed to be a "choice" any more than you can choose where the baby comes out. Breasts are supposed to make milk. Is this such a strange concept to people?

I think this photo was tastefully done. I mean, if there was some sexy red lace in there and if the baby was dressed in a little pimp hat, then I'd wonder. Otherwise, this is nothing unusual that people should even think twice about. Well, whatever. I am just sad that there are women who still think that way about the functions of a female body. It's too bad for them, but maybe not their fault - perhaps someone told them that doing what all female mammals do is somehow wrong.

Bedtime joys

Reading
Originally uploaded by candy.

It's hard to believe that Ethan will be going into first grade in just a couple weeks! Him and his brother have both grown so much over the summer, and summer has just flown by!

Lately, due to babysitters, and other summer things going on, their bedtime routine has become quite flexible. Sometimes they skip a bath because they had one earlier (due to playing outside with the hose or going to the pool) Sometimes they watch a little movie or play together. And, sometimes Ethan takes it upon himself to put his baby brother to bed himself. If asked, he'll help Adam get on his pajamas, get him into bed, and read to him. We always look forward to the day that they'll mostly just put themselves to bed without any kind of long drawn out routine. It would be nice! But, usually, despite being satisfied with enough reading, there needs to be some follow-up with mom or dad - extra tucking, songs and kisses. That's okay too.

I should also mention, if I haven't already, that Adam is fully out of pull ups. After he potty trained during the day, I noticed he wasn't wetting at night at all - almost from the first day of daytime potty trianing success, he had trained himself at night! We have not had a single bed wetting, which is amazing to me because Ethan wasn't this easy.

I used to work here...

I used to work here...
Originally uploaded by candy.

11:36 am | Uncertainty for UAV workers
DENNY SEITZ
dseitz@charlotteobserver.com
Uncertainty continued for employees at a Fort Mill plant this morning, where dozens of workers showed up without knowing if they were still employed.

At 7:30 this morning, Larry Nowak, CEO of United American Video, left a message on the company's phone line telling workers they could come in "knowing you may never be paid for your time."

Nowak, in the phone message, said Monday was "a day of immense uncertainty."

UAV, which manufactures and distributes home entertainment products like CDs and DVDs, reportedly eliminated 171 jobs last Wednesday. On Friday, the company distributed a note to remaining employees asking them to call before coming to work this morning.

"We're in limbo," said a worker, who wanted to remain anonymous. "We aren't fired, but we don't know if we have jobs."

Security was tight at the employee entrance, where many workers were allowed into a break room for a cup of coffee but could not go to their work stations.

Most at the site refused to comment.

Joanne Higgins, assistant to the CEO, said a press release with further information might be released later today.

Wednesday's layoffs come two years after the company laid off 95 workers.

"This one was bigger and hurt more," the worker said. "I've worked here 14 years and I've never seen nothing like this."

-- Read tomorrow's Charlotte Observer for more details on this

Graduating Kindergarten

Graduating Kindergarten
Originally uploaded by candy.

There are times when you think. "Holy Cow, I'm old!" and this is one of them. It seems like just a few days ago, I was cradling a squirmy baby and now he's going into first grade! I couldn't be more proud of all his accomplishments.
Congrats to my little Ethan