Monday, June 3, 2013

Airline Travel Brings Out Social Ineptitude.

Flying brings out the absolute worst in people. It just does.

There's the elbowing and jockeying for boarding positions. Because everybody needs to be the first to- do what, exactly? Sit down? Really? Even though every single one of us already has a seat (or boarding number), out of nowhere comes this competitive urge to beat the jerks onto the flight. And get settled. Because then we'll be home faster. Obviously.

Once boarded, some people have the inability to just step into their row without fluffing jackets perfectly over seats and armrests. Or turning their overhead luggage sideways- taking up two spaces- to ensure it doesn't get dinged. But God help the person in front of them doing the exact same. Flying must breed a special type of self-importance mixed with an utter lack of self-awareness.

On last night's flight back home to Chicago, I overheard a middle-aged woman brag to her seatmate that she always shoved her luggage in the first available overhead bin- so she didn't have to lug it all the way up and down the plane. And she could disembark more quickly! I wanted to slug her. I wanted to [loudly] point out that the seven rows of hands-free traveling in which she was luxuriating pretty much guaranteed that a person sitting towards the front of the plane would have to shove their bag towards the rear of the plane. And thusly not be able to retrieve their bag and get off the plane until every other person had left. But no, totally. Take it easy on those T-Rex arms of yours and enjoy your SkyMall.

There are the people who shoot dirty looks at the parents of screaming toddlers. Or at folks needing extra assistance or a wheelchair on the ramp. Or in the direction of people needing to climb over them to get to window or middle seats- even after the flight attendant announced that it would be a completely full flight.

Then there's just the weirdness.

Like the people coughing directly into your eyeballs.

Or the one-sided "conversations" that last two and a half hours.

Or this woman sitting next to me who, moments after takeoff, placed her jacket over the entirety of her head for the duration of the flight.

I was seated next to The Mummy.

But even janky air travel is worth it when you get home safely to your two edible munchkin children and your heartthrob of a husband who cleaned the house.

And as long as that's my constant, I can take the occasional 8 buck bag of in-flight chips.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Super Stolie Saves Your Sanity.

As a ton of you know (as well as random passersby who are subjected to my seemingly out-of-the-blue rants), the category of Kid Music is extremely hit or miss for me.

When it's awesome, it's catchy and witty and intelligent with exceptional production values.

When it's horrid, it's patronizing and trite and grating with voices that make me want to jump out of a window.

So guess what, guys? I've found you an awesome one.



Super Stolie (a.k.a Rebecca Stoelinga) is something of a Chicago kiddo-music institution. (True story: Back when I was a nanny, I took one of my charges to an outdoor festival where she was playing- and would've stayed and danced even without the three year-old in tow.)

And her newest CD Press Play is an album that toddlers and preschoolers (and their parents who're reluctantly sharing the stereo rotation) will enjoy. I swear it up n' down.

Some track highlights (as judged by my toddler and preschooler):

-I Just Wanna Dance (Solo Quiero Bailar) has a beat and hook that could be featured in a Top 40 song (or its club remix). Also, Nora's a big fan of songs that lay out what she's doing while she's doing it. So there's that.

-Chocolate Chip Cookies is a song that Susannah adores because of the chorus, wherein everyone shouts "chocolate chip cookies!" It's a good song, don't get me wrong, but that part of the tune is a family favorite. (I'm yelling it in my head right now.)

-See Saw Seen sounds like a jigtacular Irish romp and details the beauty of days and nights (and everything in between) in a super fun, utterly danceable way.

-Oh! Susanna is on this album. You guys, there is a rockin' version of Oh! Susanna on this album.

-Dreamland is a floaty, gorgeous song, which details all of the wonderful and fleeting moments of childhood. And it makes me Ugly Cry.

-You Are Getting Older is a sweet riff on Happy Birthday and, again, makes me sob with its utter loveliness and truth and- yeah, sure- lack of sleep.

But you know what? There are fourteen tracks on the CD and I could happily listen to all of them all day long. (Which is good, because we listen to all of them all day long.)

Wanna join us? Go here and listen, download, buy, and jam out.

We'll be here, spinning in circles and shouting about desserts until you return.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Family, Sleepiness, And Ill-Advised Travel.

Last night, I flew to Boston.

Last night,  flew to Boston during a Category 5 thunderstorm.

Last night, I flew to Boston during a Category 5 thunderstorm that took off 45 minutes late, had to circle up to Maine for an hour in a holding pattern, and featured some of the craziest floor-dropping turbulence I've ever experienced.

At one point, the ceiling of the plane began to rattle and whine in this sorta "I'm about to snap in half" way.

And the lady in front of me hacked up a lung the whole [extended] journey, finally explaining to the flight attendant that she was "really, really sick." (Yeah?!)

But I got to read a book and watch a show by myself, so it was still awesome.

I did feel super bad, however, that my Dad and my bro-in-law were waiting to pick me up at the airport until midnight. Getting us back to the house around 12:30am. And in bed by 1:15pm. Which, for a family that includes an exhausted new Mom, an exhausted back-to-work Dad, my exhausted Mom, and my Dad (on an off-week from chemo)- plus a newborn- those are some pretty ravetacular hours.

Alarmed by the camera. Him, not me.

But it was absolutely awesome to meet Garrett. He's rather fantastic and adorable and baby-magical.

And it's always fun to see my folks- even if they leave before lunch to go back to their home on the other side of the state, boo hiss.

My Daaad!

And, of course, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have a blast with all four of my nephews. And my sister. And my bro-in-law. And there's even talk of me seeing my youngest sis and her boyfriend tonight.

It'll be the best time ever.

Once I regain the strength to get up off the floor.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

A Tad Too Wordy For "Wordless" Wednesday.

I've been feeling a wee bit wordy lately, so I'd like to showcase a few of my favorite pix from the past week. I can't do a Wordless Wednesday- I JUST CAN'T- but I'll do my closest thing.

Pushed an ottoman into the corner of the playroom, shoved some pillows and blankets
and half-wondered if the girls would use it as a little nook...turned around and saw Zu.

Quiet jammie reading time with seeestah.

Nora von CrazySmile and her favorite- and only- preschool teacher.

"I'm not tired. I'm just gonna...sit here for a second."