tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:10:52 +0000kenpoabout-mediybnlgiveawayholidaysbookspoliticsfamilyzombiesvideotattoozenquotesstuff-and-nonsenserelationshipscommunicationgeekphotosminions"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy" ~ Spider Robinsonhttp://onezenmom.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)Blogger296125http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M1opvMI59pMidH5VMaxnDg?authkey=Gv1sRgCNLs_4_TkMzjFw&feat=directlinkonezenmomhttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-271472527945904975Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:34:00 +00002012-01-16T09:34:04.661-08:00tattoobnlabout-meSo, this is new. <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dFne6gIhdnA/TxI30ScQfDI/AAAAAAAACBE/eX6nnU_kh5I/s1600/Photo%2BJan%2B14%252C%2B5%2B42%2B17%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dFne6gIhdnA/TxI30ScQfDI/AAAAAAAACBE/eX6nnU_kh5I/s320/Photo%2BJan%2B14%252C%2B5%2B42%2B17%2BPM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br /> Artfully yours,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span> <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/w7ijCSs6n_g" width="420"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-271472527945904975?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kwITXvrbrwb0YTVD0rdCtRFkpm4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kwITXvrbrwb0YTVD0rdCtRFkpm4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kwITXvrbrwb0YTVD0rdCtRFkpm4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/kwITXvrbrwb0YTVD0rdCtRFkpm4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=nIgK0uQ30xU:H2BgCZh2HUo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/nIgK0uQ30xU" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/nIgK0uQ30xU/kick-at-darkness-till-it-bleeds.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)1http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/kick-at-darkness-till-it-bleeds.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-8373381062659313592Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:14:00 +00002012-01-06T08:32:21.368-08:00videostuff-and-nonsenseI vlog'd. <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wjZixA9S9xI" width="560"></iframe><br /> <br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /> <i>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tule_fog">fog</a> comes</i><br /> <i>on little cat feet.</i><br /> <br /> <i>It sits looking</i><br /> <i>over harbor and city</i><br /> <i>on silent haunches</i><br /> <i>and then moves on.</i><br /> <i><br /> </i><br /> <i>~ Carl Sandburg (1878-1967)</i></blockquote><br /> <br /> Happy commuting,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-8373381062659313592?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xiIKCJc5F2KJHrBP2QVgS4NXO6c/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xiIKCJc5F2KJHrBP2QVgS4NXO6c/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xiIKCJc5F2KJHrBP2QVgS4NXO6c/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xiIKCJc5F2KJHrBP2QVgS4NXO6c/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=-azXWHdDcog:pLTN3c3NjAs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/-azXWHdDcog" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/-azXWHdDcog/on-little-cat-feet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-little-cat-feet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-7790884944930899778Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:53:00 +00002012-01-06T08:14:47.769-08:00booksHappy New Year!<br /> <br /> I've pretty much <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/resolved.html">established the fact</a> that I <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/theyre-more-what-youd-call-guidelines.html">don't have much use</a> for <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/01/irresolute.html">New Year's Resolutions</a> in general. But, for 2011, I did set a resolution-like goal for myself: To read a minimum of 60 books.<br /> <br /> Based on recent years, that seemed like a realistic, but challenging goal.<br /> <br /> I'm pleased to say I made it to 61. Though, I have to admit, I know I could have read more. There were a few times this year when I went weeks without any "pleasure reading" at all - which is very unlike me and is probably a testament to just how crazy 2011 was. (As is the dearth of posts here on the ol' blog-front, I know.) In fact, about 45 of those 60 books were all read in the first 6-7 months of the year. So, fall and winter were obviously pretty lacking in "me-time". <br /> <br /> Still, I've set the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/challenges/207-2012-reading-challenge">same goal for 2012</a> ... but (shhhh!) I'm secretly hoping to beat it buy a greater margin than my stunning one-more-than-planned in 2011. ;)<br /> <br /> Like my reading lists for the last few years, 2011 was chock full o' brain candy and speculative fiction. But there are a few exceptions.<br /> <br /> One notable standout - for me - is an actual best-seller! I almost never read those. I guess I'm something of a ... what's the opposite of a books-snob? Wait, I think that's still a book snob. Just a different kind. ;)&nbsp; But, in general, if it's "popular", I'm almost almost instinctively averse to reading it. Strange, I know. But, still true.<br /> <br /> And yet, something about this one appealed to me ... so, for one of my last reads of 2011, I got a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545265355/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=zen06d-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0545265355">The Hunger Games</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=zen06d-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0545265355" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> on Kindle ... and read it straight through (virtual) cover to cover in about 4 hours. And then I did the exact same thing with it's two sequels. (Those are on my 2012 list.) I have to admit - they were really good books. You should read them.<br /> <br /> <i>What did YOU read that was pleasantly surprising this year? :) </i><br /> <br /> Happy Reading,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> <b><i>"We read to know that we are not alone." ~ C.S. Lewis&nbsp; </i></b><br /> <br /> <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-reads-2010.html">Good Reads 2010</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp; <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/12/inside-of-dog-its-too-dark-to-read.html">Good Reads 2009</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp; <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/01/wear-old-coat-and-buy-new-book.html">Good Reads 2008</a><br /> <br /> <style media="screen" type="text/css"> .gr_custom_container_1325632449 { /* customize your Goodreads widget container here*/ border: 1px solid gray; -moz-border-radius:10px; -webkit-border-radius:10px; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px; background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #000000; width: 300px } .gr_custom_header_1325632449 { /* customize your Goodreads header here*/ border-bottom: 1px solid gray; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; font-size: 120% } .gr_custom_each_container_1325632449 { /* customize each individual book container here */ width: 100%; clear: both; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; } .gr_custom_book_container_1325632449 { /* customize your book covers here */ overflow: hidden; height: 60px; float: left; margin-right: 4px; width: 39px; } .gr_custom_author_1325632449 { /* customize your author names here */ font-size: 10px; } .gr_custom_tags_1325632449 { /* customize your tags here */ font-size: 10px; color: gray; } .gr_custom_rating_1325632449 { /* customize your rating stars here */ float: right; } </style><br /> <br /> <div id="gr_custom_widget_1325632449"><div class="gr_custom_container_1325632449"><h2 class="gr_custom_header_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1630590-candace?shelf=2011&amp;utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" style="text-decoration: none;">2011 Reading List</a><br /> </h2><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031506?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Day After and Other Stories"><img alt="The Day After and Other Stories" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292888732s/9971026.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031506?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Day After and Other Stories</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/37075.Wil_Wheaton">Wil Wheaton</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Kick Ass"><img alt="Kick Ass" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266599131s/615941.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Kick Ass</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064.Maggie_Shayne">Maggie Shayne</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76597609?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows, #8)"><img alt="Black Magic Sanction" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1310918991s/6547188.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76597609?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Black Magic Sanction</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/147437109?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate, #3)"><img alt="Blameless" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293436281s/7719355.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/147437109?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blameless</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2891665.Gail_Carriger">Gail Carriger</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486680?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Bayou Moon (The Edge, #2)"><img alt="Bayou Moon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1307445460s/7130616.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486680?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Bayou Moon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92460662?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1)"><img alt="Storm Front" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309287471s/47212.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92460662?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Storm Front</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149745490?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Unshapely Things (Connor Grey, #1)"><img alt="Unshapely Things" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309138300s/388793.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149745490?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Unshapely Things</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/221073.Mark_Del_Franco">Mark Del Franco</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150827436?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Beg For Mercy (Mercy Hollings, #1)"><img alt="Beg For Mercy" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519wb916NwL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150827436?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Beg For Mercy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/784176.Toni_Andrews">Toni Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151019214?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="How to Traumatize Your Children (Self-Hurt)"><img alt="How to Traumatize Your Children" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51t2jCziIfL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="2 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2cnulzsnzwz8f.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_2_of_5.png?1325627663" title="2 of 5 stars, it was ok" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151019214?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">How to Traumatize Your Children</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/944205.Various">Various</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, funny, non-fiction, and parenting</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151025392?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Curran (Curran POV, #1)"><img alt="Curran" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1289094693s/9394156.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151025392?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Curran</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/203070.Gordon_Andrews">Gordon Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/153590789?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Hunter"><img alt="Hunter" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297394071s/10433835.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/153590789?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Hunter</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/37075.Wil_Wheaton">Wil Wheaton</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011822?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Serenity: Those Left Behind (Serenity, #1)"><img alt="Serenity: Those Left Behind" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172027943s/133765.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011822?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Serenity: Those Left Behind</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18015.Joss_Whedon">Joss Whedon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, graphic-novel, and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125500112?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Guild"><img alt="The Guild" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1289350918s/8693600.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125500112?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Guild</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3440476.Felicia_Day">Felicia Day</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and graphic-novel</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011784?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Better Days (Serenity, #2)"><img alt="Better Days" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255729070s/3186100.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011784?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Better Days</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18015.Joss_Whedon">Joss Whedon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, sf, and graphic-novel</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155462391?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2)"><img alt="Fool Moon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309280371s/91477.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155462391?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Fool Moon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155680284?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, #3)"><img alt="Grave Peril" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317388072s/91476.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155680284?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Grave Peril</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156095551?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Wicked Appetite (The Unmentionables, #1)"><img alt="Wicked Appetite" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316728039s/8205669.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156095551?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Wicked Appetite</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> funny, mystery-suspense, and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/152107128?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum, #16)"><img alt="Sizzling Sixteen" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HZhqoFcRL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/152107128?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Sizzling Sixteen</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> funny, 2011, and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155805500?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Summer Knight (The Dresden Files, #4)"><img alt="Summer Knight" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1322780887s/91478.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/155805500?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Summer Knight</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy, mystery-suspense, and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157183410?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Kitty Goes to War (Kitty Norville, #8)"><img alt="Kitty Goes to War" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312061172s/7662235.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157183410?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Kitty Goes to War</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8988.Carrie_Vaughn">Carrie Vaughn</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847354?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Angel Of Mercy (Mercy Hollings, #2)"><img alt="Angel Of Mercy" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519DJIiOimL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847354?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Angel Of Mercy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/784176.Toni_Andrews">Toni Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847378?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Cry Mercy (Mercy Hollings, #3)"><img alt="Cry Mercy" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285213494s/6056671.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150847378?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Cry Mercy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/784176.Toni_Andrews">Toni Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038539?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters"><img alt="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280824618s/7269507.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038539?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26064.Martin_H_Greenberg">Martin H. Greenberg</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038882?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Sherlock Holmes in Orbit"><img alt="Sherlock Holmes in Orbit" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178945495s/858860.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151038882?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Sherlock Holmes in Orbit</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/54475.Mike_Resnick">Mike Resnick</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> sf, 2011, and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters"><img alt="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1265662770s/7619046.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26064.Martin_H_Greenberg">Martin H. Greenberg</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76598398?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Sunken Treasure: Wil Wheaton's Hot Cocoa Box Sampler"><img alt="Sunken Treasure: Wil Wheaton's Hot Cocoa Box Sampler" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1234551521s/3962785.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76598398?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Sunken Treasure: Wil Wheaton's Hot Cocoa Box Sampler</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/37075.Wil_Wheaton">Wil Wheaton</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/101327332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Hard Magic (Paranormal Scene Investigations #1)"><img alt="Hard Magic" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311276584s/7303068.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/101327332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Hard Magic</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/168090.Laura_Anne_Gilman">Laura Anne Gilman</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy, mystery-suspense, and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149750580?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Secrets of the Demon (Kara Gillian, #3)"><img alt="Secrets of the Demon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279144652s/8107779.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/149750580?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Secrets of the Demon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/852078.Diana_Rowland">Diana Rowland</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, mystery-suspense, and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/163052388?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Spirit Dances (Walker Papers, #6)"><img alt="Spirit Dances" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51d2KhH7KLL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="0 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_0_of_5.png?1325627663" title="0 of 5 stars, " width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/163052388?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Spirit Dances</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8695.C_E_Murphy">C.E. Murphy</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)"><img alt="Magic Mourns" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1306015342s/11027748.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978332?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Magic Mourns</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898689?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Indulgence in Death (In Death, #31)"><img alt="Indulgence in Death" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292915498s/7685763.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898689?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Indulgence in Death</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166093774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Atlantis Complex (Artemis Fowl, #7)"><img alt="The Atlantis Complex" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1274866326s/7005865.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166093774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Atlantis Complex</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10896.Eoin_Colfer">Eoin Colfer</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, fantasy, and kids-ya</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978790?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Fathers and Sons (Curran POV, #2)"><img alt="Fathers and Sons" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517UJE-SQ6L._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/170978790?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Fathers and Sons</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/203070.Gordon_Andrews">Gordon Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125354786?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="You Suck (A Love Story. #2)"><img alt="You Suck" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168444145s/33453.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/125354786?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">You Suck</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16218.Christopher_Moore">Christopher Moore</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, urban-paranormal-fantasy, and funny</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/114760334?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="River Marked (Mercy Thompson, #6)"><img alt="River Marked" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1305738320s/8087906.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/114760334?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">River Marked</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40563.Patricia_Briggs">Patricia Briggs</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)"><img alt="Magic Slays" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1288727226s/8559047.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/121486774?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Magic Slays</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031933?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Pale Demon (The Hollows, #9)"><img alt="Pale Demon" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1280381240s/8138071.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/156031933?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Pale Demon</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086135?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Death Masks (The Dresden Files, #5)"><img alt="Death Masks" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297555961s/91479.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086135?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Death Masks</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, #6)"><img alt="Blood Rites" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1272455867s/99383.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blood Rites</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)"><img alt="Dead Beat" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198026s/17683.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Dead Beat</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Mysteria (Mysteria #1)"><img alt="Mysteria" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198299s/30199.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Mysteria</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429808.MaryJanice_Davidson">MaryJanice Davidson</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Phenomenal Girl 5 (Elite Hands of Justice, #1)"><img alt="Phenomenal Girl 5" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1323073019s/3564777.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Phenomenal Girl 5</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1508570.A_J_Menden">A.J. Menden</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, #8)"><img alt="Proven Guilty" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171229615s/91474.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Proven Guilty</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Smokin' Seventeen (Stephanie Plum, #17)"><img alt="Smokin' Seventeen" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320505764s/9583508.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Smokin' Seventeen</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, mystery-suspense, and funny</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Treachery in Death (In Death, #32)"><img alt="Treachery in Death" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285908143s/8315872.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Treachery in Death</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Electric Church (Avery Cates, #1)"><img alt="The Electric Church" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266888716s/1765771.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Electric Church</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/809148.Jeff_Somers">Jeff Somers</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and sf</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="White Night (The Dresden Files, #9)"><img alt="White Night" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309552288s/91475.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">White Night</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087818?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Small Favor (The Dresden Files, #10)"><img alt="Small Favor" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298085176s/927979.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087818?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Small Favor</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/188695637?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Digital Plague (Avery Cates, #2)"><img alt="The Digital Plague" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266787293s/2395444.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/188695637?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Digital Plague</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/809148.Jeff_Somers">Jeff Somers</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and mystery-suspense</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051762?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Good Eats: The Early Years"><img alt="Good Eats: The Early Years" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255644785s/6567682.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051762?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Good Eats: The Early Years</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58480.Alton_Brown">Alton Brown</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051813?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Good Eats 2: The Middle Years"><img alt="Good Eats 2: The Middle Years" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1279088747s/7997408.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/222051813?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Good Eats 2: The Middle Years</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58480.Alton_Brown">Alton Brown</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187268945?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blood Work"><img alt="Blood Work" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320500477s/9532901.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187268945?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blood Work</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/230679077?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Necroscope (Necroscope, #1)"><img alt="Necroscope" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170652860s/66655.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/230679077?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Necroscope</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20602.Brian_Lumley">Brian Lumley</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246218329?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Silver Shark (Kinsmen #2)"><img alt="Silver Shark" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316029956s/12620241.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/246218329?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Silver Shark</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21748.Ilona_Andrews">Ilona Andrews</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/243062707?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum, #18)"><img alt="Explosive Eighteen" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320458880s/11746513.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/243062707?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Explosive Eighteen</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011, mystery-suspense, and funny</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/221479919?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Down These Strange Streets"><img alt="Down These Strange Streets" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311280365s/10559622.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/221479919?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Down These Strange Streets</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/346732.George_R_R_Martin">George R.R. Martin</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92463310?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Shady Lady (Corine Solomon, #3)"><img alt="Shady Lady" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1302689192s/6767883.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/92463310?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Shady Lady</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/835348.Ann_Aguirre">Ann Aguirre</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and urban-paranormal-fantasy</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251841900?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="New York to Dallas (In Death, #33)"><img alt="New York to Dallas" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SYAK%2BcDKL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251841900?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">New York to Dallas</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> mystery-suspense and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252217087?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference"><img alt="Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Pq95ZCDAL._SL75_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/252217087?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1791.Seth_Godin">Seth Godin</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011 and non-fiction</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251036691?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate, #4)"><img alt="Heartless" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309148956s/8356487.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d2owxupnsl35mn.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.png?1325627663" title="4 of 5 stars, really liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/251036691?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Heartless</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2891665.Gail_Carriger">Gail Carriger</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> urban-paranormal-fantasy and 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150858752?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)"><img alt="The Hunger Games" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293504845s/2767052.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://dkt27ch3b0vq7.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.png?1325627663" title="5 of 5 stars, it was amazing" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/150858752?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Hunger Games</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/153394.Suzanne_Collins">Suzanne Collins</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011</div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1325632449"><br /> <div class="gr_custom_book_container_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254612566?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Umbrella Academy, Volume 1: Apocalypse Suite"><img alt="The Umbrella Academy, Volume 1: Apocalypse Suite" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1277485130s/2795053.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1325632449"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://d16kthk4voxb3t.cloudfront.net/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.png?1325627663" title="3 of 5 stars, liked it" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1325632449"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/254612566?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Umbrella Academy, Volume 1: Apocalypse Suite</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_author_1325632449">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1218557.Gerard_Way">Gerard Way</a></div><br /> <div class="gr_custom_tags_1325632449">tagged: <br /> 2011</div><br /> </div><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <center><br /> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><img alt="goodreads.com" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif" style="border: 0;" /></a><br /> </center><br /> <noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Share &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book reviews&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; and ratings with Candace, and even join a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book club&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; on Goodreads.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; </noscript></div><br /> </div><script charset="utf-8" src="http://www.goodreads.com/review/custom_widget/1630590.2011%20Reading%20List?cover_position=left&amp;cover_size=small&amp;num_books=100&amp;order=a&amp;shelf=2011&amp;show_author=1&amp;show_cover=1&amp;show_rating=1&amp;show_review=1&amp;show_tags=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;sort=date_read&amp;widget_bg_color=FFFFFF&amp;widget_bg_transparent=&amp;widget_border_width=1&amp;widget_id=1325632449&amp;widget_text_color=000000&amp;widget_title_size=medium&amp;widget_width=medium" type="text/javascript"> </script><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-7790884944930899778?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/W3So3VrzSW9cvDTNISbFycUGFU8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/W3So3VrzSW9cvDTNISbFycUGFU8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/W3So3VrzSW9cvDTNISbFycUGFU8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/W3So3VrzSW9cvDTNISbFycUGFU8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=KurXYyM2krM:_DDmteJLnIc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/KurXYyM2krM" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/KurXYyM2krM/we-read-to-know-that-we-are-not-alone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)1http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/we-read-to-know-that-we-are-not-alone.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-4486941870768671002Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:16:00 +00002012-01-06T08:16:42.046-08:00holidaysHappy Holidays! <br /> <br /> This is normally the time of year when this agnostically atheist Taoist with Buddhist leanings goes on a bit of a tear about things like the ridiculousness of people getting offended by the use of "Happy Holidays" vs "Merry Christmas" or the differences between secular and religious holidays of the season. <br /> <br /> But, frankly, it's all been said. <br /> <br /> And I'd rather spend the very few minutes I have free for blogging today to just wish *everyone* a jolly holiday - whichever one or two or six you choose to celebrate and whichever way you choose to celebrate them. <br /> <br /> We observed the Winter Solstice earlier this week, and today, we're baking cookies and pies and other yummy things for the first of two Christmas feasts this weekend. <br /> <br /> Personally, I'm kinda looking forward to Boxing Day, too. Any excuse to celebrate works for me. ;)<br /> <br /> Take a minute to tell me what and how YOU celebrate this time of year?<br /> <br /> Happy Chrismahanakwanzayulestice,<br /> Zen<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-4486941870768671002?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YRB-vBszdVquNfYN_udwR0VQ6Zg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YRB-vBszdVquNfYN_udwR0VQ6Zg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YRB-vBszdVquNfYN_udwR0VQ6Zg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/YRB-vBszdVquNfYN_udwR0VQ6Zg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=-JKnpz1G6gg:0NhYFdJSZn0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/-JKnpz1G6gg" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/-JKnpz1G6gg/dear-buddha-please-bring-me-pony-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)2http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/12/dear-buddha-please-bring-me-pony-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-6007418108596345165Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:50:00 +00002011-10-14T14:09:29.097-07:00about-me<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8W7M6VIAy4/Tph0RW4_spI/AAAAAAAAFBo/_QPID7nSUg8/s1600/7+x+7+Award.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8W7M6VIAy4/Tph0RW4_spI/AAAAAAAAFBo/_QPID7nSUg8/s1600/7+x+7+Award.png" /></a><a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/SeattleDad">SeattleDad</a> over at <a href="http://liayf.blogspot.com/2011/09/linkin-blogs.html">Luke I am Your Father</a> - one of my favorite Dad Bloggers - posted this fun little meme the other day and "tagged" me to suggest I might like to try it, too. You know what? He was right. This is kinda neat. And, hey, it's not like I have a lot of fresh content on here lately. Might as well delve into the archives for a bit of fun, eh?<br /> <br /> <b>MOST BEAUTIFUL: </b>This is a tough one to start with. I'm not sure that anything I write is "beautiful". Still, if anything comes close to it, I suspect it must be this: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/moments-in-life-well-lived.html">Moments in a Life Well-Lived</a> - the eulogy I delivered at my Grandfather's funeral.<br /> <br /> <b>MOST HELPFUL:</b> I'm not so much with the helpful. Unless you find sarcasm to be therapeutic? But I suppose<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-must-be-this-tall-to-ride.html"> You Must Be This Tall to Ride</a> - my Disneyland-in-a-Day plan - must have <i>something </i>useful for some people, because I still get a ton<i> </i>of hits on it every week. Or maybe people just like the picture. *shrugs*<br /> <br /> <b>MOST POPULAR</b><b>:</b> Going by <i><b>visitor stats</b></i>, I get <i>tons </i>of hits on <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/06/kick-ass-chicks-2-moving-pictures.html">this post</a> <i>every single day</i> ... but I suspect that is because it has the word "chicks" and a three-letter word for your posterior in the same sentence. (Didn't post the title because I already feel bad enough for accidentally diverting people looking for hot bums to my post about fictional heroines. Sorry guys, I'm not intentionally misleading your pr0n searches, I swear!) <b>BUT </b>... going by <i><b>comments</b></i>, this post is probably one of my more popular posts: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/11/im-not-extrovert-but-i-play-one-on.html">I'm not an extrovert, but I play one on the interwebs</a><br /> <br /> <b>MOST CONTROVERSIAL: </b>I'm about as non-confrontational as they come. But I do have opinions about controversial specific topics and I don't mind sharing them. I'd like to think I usually do so in a rational manner rather than in a trollish tone. Whatever the reason, I can't say as I've ever had any real "controversy" about a post. Maybe it's just because my readers are all so nice? ;) Still, if there were any controversy to be found, I suspect it would be either in my annual <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/12/merry-merry-quite-contrary.html">Xmas Rant</a> or one of my numerous posts in support of <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/all-animals-are-equal-but-some-are-more.html">Same Sex Marriage</a>. <br /> <br /> <b>MOST SURPRISINGLY SUCCESSFUL: </b>This little meme surprised me not only because it just seemed to flow so easily that it almost wrote itself, but also because it turned out that other people seemed to like it too: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-im-from.html">Where I'm From</a> <br /> <br /> <b>MOST UNDERRATED:</b> This is a tough one. Because saying a post is underrated is like saying it "deserves" more attention. I don't write for attention. I write because I love to write. Because it helps me process my thoughts. And sometimes just because it's fun. I do enjoy interaction with readers: Those "oh-wow-we-have-something-in-common" moments are great. But I don't think my posts "deserve" attention or comments. Still, if I have to choose ... I quite like this post, which I don't think many people have seen: <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-know-its-here-somewhere.html">I know it's here somewhere </a><br /> <br /> <b>MOST PRIDEWORTHY:</b> Next to my post about my grandfather's death, this is probably my favorite. Again, this one just seemed to flow with no effort. It's simple and yet, I like to think, somewhat poetic. <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/06/but-if-life-were-only-moments-then-youd.html">But if life were made of moments, then you'd never know you had one </a><br /> <br /> (Yes, I know I totally cheated and linked up more than one post for couple of those topics. I'm indecisive. Sue me. ;) And now I'm going to cheat again by linking to my <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/p/best-of.html">Best Of</a> page and suggesting that you might find other interesting reads there or elsewhere in my archives. Ooo, I feel like such a meme-rebel.)<br /> <br /> Now, the rules of this meme are that I should pass this along to seven other Bloggers. Well, I think I've just proven I'm not much for following rules. But, in this case, I'm happy to oblige, because I'm always happy to help point people to blogs I enjoy. I don't know if they'll want to play along and post their own 7x7 links. But, even if they don't, these are seven links that are worth clicking over to. Good reads. Seriously. :) <br /> <ol> <li><a href="http://theonesfd.blogspot.com/">TheOneSFD</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.daddygeekboy.com/">DaddyGeekBoy</a></li> <li><a href="http://kcanedo.blogspot.com/">Brutalism</a></li> <li><a href="http://didactic-pirate.blogspot.com/">Didactic Pirate</a>&nbsp;</li> <li><a href="http://www.whithonea.com/">Honea Express </a></li> <li><a href="http://ruggerjay.typepad.com/pet_cobra/">Pet Cobra</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.hipmamab.com/">HipMamaB</a></li> </ol> <br /> Oooh, that was harder than I thought to just list seven! Let me channel my inner rebel again and suggest that you should check the "Blogs You Should Read" section in my sidebar for more links to smart folks. AND, if you are so inclined, I invite <b><i>you </i></b>to try this meme, too, even if I didn't "tag" you! If you do, please share the link! I'd love to read it!<br /> <br /> Resting on my laurels,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> PS: You really should click over and visit <a href="http://liayf.blogspot.com/">LIAYF</a>, too. Not only is he a great blogger, he's a great dad and a great husband and that really shines through in his writing. I'm absolutely terrible about leaving comments (anywhere) lately. But I still love reading his posts. <i>Plus</i>: He and his wife are planning to adopt and YOU just might be able to help! So go say "hi" to him and the Missus and their adorable son, will ya? ;)<br /> <br /> <a href="http://liayf.blogspot.com/2011/09/were-adopting-you-can-help.html"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/hmNLN.jpg" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-6007418108596345165?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/niwBleUSKHTLRg17mU0B28YjkTk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/niwBleUSKHTLRg17mU0B28YjkTk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/niwBleUSKHTLRg17mU0B28YjkTk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/niwBleUSKHTLRg17mU0B28YjkTk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=Fv1efjOf3SA:u45yinHld4g:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/Fv1efjOf3SA" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/Fv1efjOf3SA/seven-give-or-take-few.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/10/seven-give-or-take-few.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-120440757314891573Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:16:00 +00002011-09-29T12:18:31.200-07:00bookspolitics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv2YWKsXsKI/ToSv3kH8QhI/AAAAAAAAFA0/lBWh6yN4O08/s1600/BBW_Web_Badge_801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv2YWKsXsKI/ToSv3kH8QhI/AAAAAAAAFA0/lBWh6yN4O08/s1600/BBW_Web_Badge_801.jpg" /></a></div>It's <a href="http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/">Banned Books Week</a> ... you might be surprised by some of the titles on the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads/2011banned.pdf">2010-2011 List of Challenged or Banned Books</a> as reported by the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/index.cfm">American Library Association</a>. <br /> <br /> Even though I advocate for <a href="http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/">Banned Books Week</a> every year, and post these lists <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search?q=banned+books">every year</a>, I'm always still surprised by some of the thoughts and ideas that people want to censor. Though I have to admit that it doesn't surprise me that the vast majority of these challenges come from parents.<br /> <div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: right;"><blockquote><i>"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." ~ Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas</i> </blockquote></div><br /> As always, bear with me as I whip out my soapbox and make my annual open declaration in support of freedom of thought:<br /> <br /> Look, I get it: I'm a parent. I want to protect my kids from all that "bad" stuff out there, too. And I agree, wholeheartedly, that it's perfectly acceptable - important and necessary, even - for parents to guide their children's content-intake.<br /> <br /> You, as a parent, should absolutely be as aware as possible of what your child is reading, viewing or playing. And you have the right and responsibility to censor that content as you see fit FOR YOUR OWN CHILDREN.<br /> <div style="text-align: right;"><blockquote><i style="color: #b45f06;">Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~Voltaire</i> </blockquote></div><br /> Please note my oh-so-subtle emphasis there. Attempting to remove a book or other material from the public domain is NOT a parental right - it is an act that infringes on the rights of others.<br /> <br /> Even the best of motivations - to protect children from inappropriate content - has a hugely detrimental effect on one of our most fundamental rights: The freedom to think and to express those thoughts without censorship by the government.<br /> <div style="text-align: right;"><blockquote><i> <span style="color: #b45f06;">"Congress Shall Make No Law Respecting an Establishment of Religion, or Prohibiting the Free Exercise Thereof; or Abridging the Freedom of Speech, or of the Press; or the Right of the People Peaceably to Assemble, and To Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances." <br /> ~ First Amendment</span></i></blockquote></div>&nbsp;Even more than protecting my kids from the "dangerous" thoughts of people I don't agree with, I am personally and passionately compelled to protect that right for my kids. <br /> <br /> Are there books that I personally wouldn't mind going away forever? Yeah, in theory. There are some pretty reprehensible thoughts out there.<br /> <div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: right;"><blockquote>"If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all." ~ Noam Chomsky</blockquote></div><br /> But I would - and do - still defend their right to exist. And, in my opinion, none of the books on this year's <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/ideasandresources/free_downloads/2011banned.pdf">Challenged or Banned Books</a> list or on the <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/index.cfm">Frequently Banned Books</a> list come even close to that level of "inappropriate content". <br /> <br /> <i>But, that's just the point</i>. It's not <i>my </i>opinion that matters for <i>you</i>, nor <i>your </i>opinion that matters for <i>me</i>. <b>You only get to decide for you.</b><br /> <br /> So, here's the deal: <i>You </i>stay the hell away from my public library with your black marker and red pens, and <i>I</i> won't give you kid a gift-wrapped copy of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Boxed-Childrens-Contains/dp/0747593698?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=zen06d-20&amp;link_code=btl&amp;camp=213689&amp;creative=392969">Harry Potter collection</a>, and we'll all get along just fine, 'kay?<br /> <div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: right;"><blockquote><i>"The paper burns, but the words fly away." ~ Akiba ben Joseph</i> </blockquote></div>Enjoy your book,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen </span><br /> <i></i><br /> <br /> Don't forget to check out the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/BannedBooksWeek">Banned Books Week Virtual Read Out</a> on YouTube.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-120440757314891573?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A3At5cHHnrR5VTtTa34sg6V9yUY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A3At5cHHnrR5VTtTa34sg6V9yUY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A3At5cHHnrR5VTtTa34sg6V9yUY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/A3At5cHHnrR5VTtTa34sg6V9yUY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=jaPnxKe1k1k:0EQ4wdThEYw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/jaPnxKe1k1k" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/jaPnxKe1k1k/paper-burns-but-words-fly-away.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)2http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/09/paper-burns-but-words-fly-away.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-4948989792618263839Tue, 06 Sep 2011 23:39:00 +00002011-09-19T10:35:04.582-07:00geek<i>"Nerd!"</i> <br /> <br /> Once upon a time, hearing that from my classmates made me cringe. <br /> <br /> I was the girl in the twisty pig-tails with her nose stuck in a book while the other kids played on the jungle gym; the one who actually took pride in raising my hand in class and knowing the right answer. I was the girl who would really rather go home and play with my brother's Masters of the Universe and Star Wars action figures than go out and play Barbie or Cabbage Patch dolls with the girls down the block. And I was probably the only girl on that block who couldn't decide who she wanted to date more: Han Solo, Gambit or Starbuck. (What? I like the bad boys, so sue me. I totally had a thing for Wesley Crusher, too, if that helps.)<br /> <br /> I learned pretty quickly that it wasn't "cool" to be a nerd - especially a nerd of the girl variety. So, I learned to be a little bit "in the closet" about my geek girl tendencies for most of my school years. <br /> <br /> But in college - I learned to embrace my nerdiness. Partly because it was around that age that I started to realize that what random people think of me is nowhere near as important and what <i>I</i> think of me. And partly because I found, for the first time, friends who shared my interests. <br /> <br /> Suddenly, it was okay to be smart. It was cool to quote scifi movies. It was fun to spend a Saturday in a Buffy marathon.<br /> <br /> And it was finally okay for me to <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/12/coming-out-of-geek-closet.html">buy and wear the awesome "guy" tees</a> that I secretly coveted as a little girl. (I cannot tell you how desperately unfair it was that only boys got to have superhero Underoos when I was a kid. I am still traumatized by the injustice of it all.)<br /> <br /> Still, even then, I was buying "guy" shirts. They just didn't make "nerdy" tees for girls.<br /> <br /> Today, it's a little easier to find geek girl gear than it once was (yay!), but it's still more of a man's world when it comes to nerdy apparel.<br /> <br /> When I find a cool place to buy new and fun nerdy tees and accessories - AND when that place actually sells shirts made to fit over *gasp* <i>boobs</i> and not just skinny basement-dweller torsos and Comic Book Guy proportions - my previously oppressed inner geek girl gets pretty excited. <br /> <br /> So when the nice folks at <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> asked me to check out their site and *ooooo* pick out a free t-shirt to try out ... well, I'm not gonna lie, Marge, I kind of *<i>squeeed</i>* a little. Then I got to shopping.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MiaXMG2-bk/Tnd9M6dpWfI/AAAAAAAAE-A/e0TRajnOkH8/s1600/watchmen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MiaXMG2-bk/Tnd9M6dpWfI/AAAAAAAAE-A/e0TRajnOkH8/s320/watchmen.JPG" width="222" /></a></div>I have to admit, I spent a loooong time browsing around <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a>. I had a really hard time picking out just one shirt <strike>to get my grubby little hands on</strike> to review for you, my awesome readers, who I love and would <strike>pimp myself out</strike> offer up my review services for. <br /> <br /> First: My one little criticism ... the selection at <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> is not as broad as some other similar sites. BUT, the fact that they have a whole section of "girl" shirts that's <i>almost</i> as big as the "guy" section goes a <i>long </i>way for me.<br /> <br /> The prices are really pretty good, too - most of their shirts are $14.99. That's better than a lot of other similar online shops by at $5-$10. But the lesser price doesn't mean lesser quality. Based on the shirt that I got (see awesome pic above) these are not cheap, thin, flimsy tees - it's got decent material and construction that should last as least as long as your average scifi tv series. (Kidding! It will totally outlast most of those.) ;) <br /> <br /> I also <i>really </i>like that you can easily filter your search results by gender and size and theme - cuz, you know, sometimes you want an XL <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/shop-by-themes/star-wars-t-shirts">Star Wars</a> shirt for your favorite geek guy and sometimes you're looking for a size small vintage <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/shop-by-themes/comic-books">comic book</a> tee for your gal pal and sometimes you need a last minute birthday present for your medium-sized brother the recovering <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/shop-by-themes/funny-video-game-t-shirts">Nintendo-addict</a>.<br /> <br /> My verdict: Overall, <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> is a great site: Easy interface, quality products, good prices - and, my personal favorite - a great "girls" section. Oh, and apparently, these guys never read the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, because, if you're not happy, they've got a great return/exchange policy, too. <br /> <br /> True story: I've already picked out my brother's xmas present from <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> and I suspect Santa will be doing a bit more shopping there before the end of the year. <br /> <br /> So: Geeks and Gamers and Nerds (Oh, my!): Check it <a href="http://www.nerdyshirts.com/">NerdyShirts</a> yourself and let me know what YOU think?<br /> <br /> Let your geek flag fly,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-4948989792618263839?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AtTVU3d1PZ0gqpA3Fyr7wKfP29g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AtTVU3d1PZ0gqpA3Fyr7wKfP29g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AtTVU3d1PZ0gqpA3Fyr7wKfP29g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AtTVU3d1PZ0gqpA3Fyr7wKfP29g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=8gbVkXLsEIo:MQcoB5DnyII:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/8gbVkXLsEIo" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/8gbVkXLsEIo/geek-girl-meets-nerdyshirts-love-story_06.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/09/geek-girl-meets-nerdyshirts-love-story_06.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-999920136318608540Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:47:00 +00002011-07-27T12:48:16.841-07:00minionsstuff-and-nonsensefamilyWe've inherited a cat.<br /> <br /> A kitten actually.<br /> <br /> As she was something of an unexpected addition, were a bit at a loss at first for a proper name for our latest refugee.<br /> <br /> Our other two cats are Mojo-Jojo - black-as-pitch with a hellish temper and an overdeveloped sense of her own importance, sometimes referred to a Basement Cat - and Mocha - a sweet Siamese mix with a tendency to shed and drool, also known as Ceiling Cat.<br /> <br /> This latest feline refugee is something of an in-betweener: She's a sweet and somewhat fearless little ball of fluff - a gray tabby with little white boots to match the tip of her tail.<br /> <br /> "Boots" seemed an obvious choice. But as she doesn't show any signs of talent for the long con, we decided against it. <br /> <br /> The Professor's first choice was "Sneaky Ninja Kitty" after she affected a daring escape from her carrier right under our noses on her first night home and managed to stay hidden for almost an hour. But that was a bit of a mouthful.<br /> <br /> Bam-Bam offered up "Bam-Bam" and "Mr. Potato Head" as possible monikers. But we convinced him that having more than one of each would just get confusing.<br /> <br /> After a few more rounds of suggestions from the kids that would have had even Hollywood Moms doing spit-takes, I decided to pull out the big guns. And I sat down to read to the boys <i>Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats</i>.<br /> <br /> Then I had them sleep on all they'd learned about the Naming of Cats. The next day, they made their decision.<br /> <br /> And so, I'm pleased to introduce you to Ms. Jennyanydots:<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF2uhLU5fvM/TjBpFfKlXsI/AAAAAAAAEns/m_FE6JOpnBw/s1600/jennyanydots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF2uhLU5fvM/TjBpFfKlXsI/AAAAAAAAEns/m_FE6JOpnBw/s320/jennyanydots.JPG" width="196" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <br /> When the day's hustle and bustle is done, then the gumbie cat's work is but hardly begun,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-999920136318608540?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/swiszV1QlA_w7vo2C7g4lFMKTXw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/swiszV1QlA_w7vo2C7g4lFMKTXw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/swiszV1QlA_w7vo2C7g4lFMKTXw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/swiszV1QlA_w7vo2C7g4lFMKTXw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=wUfvpuLhLzs:IroIBcFzXMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/wUfvpuLhLzs" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/wUfvpuLhLzs/naming-of-cats.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/naming-of-cats.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3764044068480096336Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:50:00 +00002011-07-19T17:55:28.091-07:00minionsfamilyMy father-in-law's funeral service was today.<br /> <br /> At one point, the pastor invited people to come up to the mic to share a personal memory of my father-in-law. After several people spoke, my 4-year-old, who had been standing a few feet away from me holding my own father's hand, calmly pulled away from his Papa and confidently strode up to the pastor. <br /> <br /> Silently, solemnly, he met the pastor's eyes and pointed to the mic. <br /> <br /> The smiling pastor lowered the mic and lifted my son, who clearly and boldly pronounced to the assembly: "I hafta go Potty."<br /> <br /> The crowd dissolved into giggles and guffaws as my Dad caught up to my little Bam-Bam and led him off to take care of business.<br /> <br /> I have to tell you, I think my father-in-law would have been rolling in the aisles with laughter.<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-3764044068480096336?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bgP3GCrg71i9q07jAqVYsL8dV8U/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bgP3GCrg71i9q07jAqVYsL8dV8U/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bgP3GCrg71i9q07jAqVYsL8dV8U/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/bgP3GCrg71i9q07jAqVYsL8dV8U/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=dHdyDdzy8H0:YM1cUzbEUXA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/dHdyDdzy8H0" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/dHdyDdzy8H0/laughter-and-tears.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)9http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/laughter-and-tears.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3956304292196235303Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:51:00 +00002011-07-15T15:54:07.704-07:00booksOn a whim, I set a goal to read 60 books in 2011. Seemed a realistic, but satisfying number. And I'm pleased to report that, as of about the midway point, I'm ahead of schedule at 45.<br /> <br /> Those playing the home version of <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search/label/books">Zen's Book Bingo</a>, will find several of the "<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/scifi-junkie-kick-ass-chicks.html">usual suspect</a>" <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/08/building-mystery.html">authors</a> and <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/sf-junkie-books-that-suck.html">series</a> and <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/confessions-of-scifi-junkie.html">genres</a> on this (half) year's list.<br /> <br /> One pleasantly surprising new-to-me author this year is <a href="http://www.jim-butcher.com/">Jim Butcher</a>. People have been telling me for years that I'd like the stories of Harry Dresden, Wizard for Hire. But I just never got around to picking one up before. So glad I did: Part gritty hard-boiled detective, part urban fantasy, all fun.<br /> <br /> I also really enjoyed <a href="http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/books/">Wil Wheaton's latest stories</a> as well as <a href="http://www.darkhorse.com/">Dark Horse</a> Graphic Novels based on <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/">Firefly</a>/<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/">Serenity</a> and <a href="http://www.watchtheguild.com/">The Guild</a>.<br /> <br /> And I still totally want to lick <a href="http://www.ilona-andrews.com/">Ilona Andrews</a>' brain every time I read something new of hers (theirs) - they are just so deliciously fun!<br /> <br /> But, hey, here's the whole list ... check it out ...&nbsp; <br /> <style media="screen" type="text/css"> .gr_custom_container_1310765839 { /* customize your Goodreads widget container here*/ border: 1px solid gray; -moz-border-radius:10px; -webkit-border-radius:10px; padding: 10px 5px 10px 5px; background-color: #FFFFFF; color: #000000; width: 300px } .gr_custom_header_1310765839 { /* customize your Goodreads header here*/ border-bottom: 1px solid gray; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 5px; text-align: center; font-size: 120%; font-size: 80% } .gr_custom_each_container_1310765839 { /* customize each individual book container here */ width: 100%; clear: both; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: auto; padding-bottom: 4px; border-bottom: 1px solid #aaa; } .gr_custom_book_container_1310765839 { /* customize your book covers here */ width: 39px; height: 60px; overflow: hidden; margin-right: 4px; } .gr_custom_author_1310765839 { /* customize your author names here */ font-size: 10px; } .gr_custom_tags_1310765839 { /* customize your tags here */ font-size: 10px; color: gray; } .gr_custom_rating_1310765839 { /* custoimize your rating stars here */ float: right; } </style><br /> <br /> <div id="gr_custom_widget_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_container_1310765839"><h2 class="gr_custom_header_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1630590-candace?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" style="text-decoration: none;">2011 read (Jan-Jul)</a><br /> </h2><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="The Electric Church (Avery Cates, #1)"><img alt="The Electric Church" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266888716s/1765771.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/182389799?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">The Electric Church</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/809148.Jeff_Somers">Jeff Somers</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Treachery in Death (In Death, #32)"><img alt="Treachery in Death" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285908143s/8315872.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/151898732?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Treachery in Death</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17065.J_D_Robb">J.D. Robb</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Smokin' Seventeen (Stephanie Plum, #17)"><img alt="Smokin' Seventeen" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297164109s/9583508.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="5 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_5_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="5 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/181727644?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Smokin' Seventeen</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2384.Janet_Evanovich">Janet Evanovich</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, #8)"><img alt="Proven Guilty" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171229615s/91474.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087742?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Proven Guilty</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Phenomenal Girl 5 (SHOMI)"><img alt="Phenomenal Girl 5" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266709567s/3564777.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/180505479?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Phenomenal Girl 5</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1508570.A_J_Menden">A.J. Menden</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Mysteria (Mysteria #1)"><img alt="Mysteria" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198299s/30199.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/179941325?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Mysteria</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429808.MaryJanice_Davidson">MaryJanice Davidson</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)"><img alt="Dead Beat" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309198026s/17683.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157087694?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Dead Beat</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, #6)"><img alt="Blood Rites" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1272455867s/99383.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="4 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_4_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="4 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086222?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Blood Rites</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10746.Jim_Butcher">Jim Butcher</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/157086135?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" 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title="Better Days (Serenity, #2)"><img alt="Better Days" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255729070s/3186100.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011784?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Better Days</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18015.Joss_Whedon">Joss Whedon</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/126011822?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Serenity: Those Left Behind (Serenity, #1)"><img alt="Serenity: Those Left Behind" border="0" 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href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76597609?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Black Magic Sanction</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17054.Kim_Harrison">Kim Harrison</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="Kick Ass"><img alt="Kick Ass" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266599131s/615941.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/140211036?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">Kick Ass</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064.Maggie_Shayne">Maggie Shayne</a></div><br /> </div><div class="gr_custom_each_container_1310765839"><div class="gr_custom_book_container_1310765839" style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget" title="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters"><img alt="A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1265662770s/7619046.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_rating_1310765839"><img alt="3 of 5 stars" height="15" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/stars/red_star_3_of_5.gif?1310764497" title="3 of 5 stars" width="75" /></div><br /> <br /> <div class="gr_custom_title_1310765839"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/159112400?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=custom_widget">A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters</a></div><div class="gr_custom_author_1310765839">by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26064.Martin_H_Greenberg">Martin H. Greenberg</a></div><br /> </div><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <center> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><img alt="goodreads.com" border="0" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif" /></a><br /> </center><br /> <noscript>&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Share &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book reviews&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; and ratings with Candace, and even join a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;book club&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; on Goodreads.</noscript></div></div><script charset="utf-8" src="http://www.goodreads.com/review/custom_widget/1630590.2011%20read%20%28Jan-Jul%29?cover_position=left&amp;cover_size=small&amp;num_books=60&amp;order=d&amp;shelf=2011&amp;show_author=1&amp;show_cover=1&amp;show_rating=1&amp;show_review=1&amp;show_tags=1&amp;show_title=1&amp;sort=date_read&amp;widget_id=1310765839" type="text/javascript"> </script><br /> <br /> What have <i>YOU</i> been reading lately? I <i>love </i>book recommendations! In fact, if you're on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1630590-candace">GoodReads</a>, or <a href="http://zenmom.paperbackswap.com/profile/">PaperBackSwap</a>, pop over and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1630590-candace">"friend" me</a>, so I can poke my nose into <i>your</i> reading list. ;)<br /> <br /> Words, words, words,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen </span><br /> <br /> <i>"I have always imagined that Paradise will be some kind of library."<br /> ~ Jorge Luis Borges</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-3956304292196235303?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5JgKarBHV7oyIBEGIUDxu_1D3IU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5JgKarBHV7oyIBEGIUDxu_1D3IU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5JgKarBHV7oyIBEGIUDxu_1D3IU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/5JgKarBHV7oyIBEGIUDxu_1D3IU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=1wnSBN9F33c:x9Jk2FddVMo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/1wnSBN9F33c" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/1wnSBN9F33c/i-have-always-imagined-that-paradise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-have-always-imagined-that-paradise.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-5909798853361484361Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:48:00 +00002011-07-12T09:54:34.277-07:00familyzen<i>"Give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak<br /> Whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break."</i><br /> <i> ~ William Shakespeare Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 3</i><br /> <br /> <br /> <blockquote><i>"Whatever became of the moment when one first knew about death? There must have been one. A moment. In childhood. When it first occurred to you that you don't go on forever. Must have been shattering, stamped into one's memory. And yet, I can't remember it. It never occurred to me at all. We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out we come, bloodied and squalling, with the knowledge that for all the points of the compass, there's only one direction, and time is its only measure."&nbsp;</i><br /> <i><br /> ~ Tom Stoppard</i><br /> <i>Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead</i></blockquote><br /> Inhale. Exhale. Gone.<br /> <br /> Death is a wound - a hole where our loved one used to fit snugly. <br /> <br /> It might be a violent puncture, leaving you bleeding out and fighting for every breath. It might be a slow burn, devouring you by inches. It might be an illness, weakening you from within.<br /> <br /> We know, from experience, the wound will heal over. Time will knit ragged flesh together, transmute the pain to numbness, cover the gaping emptiness with layers of scar tissue.<br /> <br /> Still, we fight it, for a while. We huddle over our wounds like protective mothers, hating and loving the pain. Because to heal is to admit that life goes on, that the clocks don't actually stop, that the stars and the moon still shine. Without them.<br /> <br /> Every day is a step farther from the love we knew. Every day the now becomes the then. Every day is another layer of memories sliding in on top of the old.<br /> <br /> Every day becomes a reminder that our entire lives are spent within the tiniest span between the breaths of the universe.<br /> <br /> Inhale. Exhale. Gone. <br /> <br /> The knowledge would be humbling to the point of paralysis. <br /> <br /> If it weren't for those moments.<br /> <br /> Those moments that are so beautiful, so painful, so brilliant that they rip the breath from your lungs and scream through your brain: <i>This</i> is life! <i>This</i> is why! <i>This</i> is what is so fucking amazing about this fragile existence that we persevere through the knowledge that we are only candle flickers on an insignificant rock at the ass end of the universe.<br /> <blockquote><i>"You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? ... If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. ... For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?</i><br /> <i><br /> ~ Kahlil Gibran</i><br /> <i>The Prophet</i></blockquote>The ultimate irony is that the knowledge of death is what makes every moment of this life so heart-achingly beautiful. And the ultimate tragedy is that we are so preoccupied with "life" as a whole that we miss SO many of those moments. Because they're not just the big moments. They're the "normal" moments, all day, every day, every moment. If we just stop to live them.<br /> <br /> Inhale. Exhale. Gone.<br /> <br /> But, oh, what comes between.<br /> <br /> <object height="486" width="299"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jNVPalNZD_I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jNVPalNZD_I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="486" height="299"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <br /> Namaste,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-5909798853361484361?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xGIbnHBjzsliTo_QtCe_2YVTmlo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xGIbnHBjzsliTo_QtCe_2YVTmlo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xGIbnHBjzsliTo_QtCe_2YVTmlo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xGIbnHBjzsliTo_QtCe_2YVTmlo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=P-iKza5IoJM:Mltvkn7Erns:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/P-iKza5IoJM" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/P-iKza5IoJM/give-sorrow-words.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/give-sorrow-words.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3121249137282709213Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:26:00 +00002012-01-06T08:32:21.369-08:00relationshipsstuff-and-nonsenseAs the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2009518/Carolyn-Bourne-Mother-law-hell-sends-email-bride-Heidi-Withers.html">story</a> goes, Mrs. Carolyn Bourne of England sent this email to her future step-daughter-in-law after a family weekend that, apparently, quite ruffled her fur. Before she knew it, her little rant had gone viral and she was making <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?searchPhrase=carolyn+bourne">headlines </a>halfway around the globe.<br /> <br /> This is apparently one of three emails the genteel Mrs. Bourne - also dubbed by the media as "Momzilla" - dashed off to her step-son's fiancee, Heidi Withers. <br /> <br /> (Read it with a British accent - makes it even more scathing.)<br /> <blockquote><i>It is high time someone explained to you about good manners. Yours are obvious by their absence and I feel sorry for you.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately for Freddie, he has fallen in love with you and Freddie being Freddie, I gather it is not easy to reason with him or yet encourage him to consider how he might be able to help you. It may just be possible to get through to you though. I do hope so.<br /> <br /> If you want to be accepted by the wider Bourne family I suggest you take some guidance from experts with utmost haste. There are plenty of finishing schools around.<br /> <br /> Please, for your own good, for Freddie’s sake and for your future involvement with the Bourne family, do something as soon as possible.<br /> <br /> Here are a few examples of your lack of manners:<br /> <br /> When you are a guest in another’s house, you do not declare what you will and will not eat – unless you are positively allergic to something. You do not remark that you do not have enough food. You do not start before everyone else. You do not take additional helpings without being invited to by your host.<br /> <br /> When a guest in another’s house, you do not lie in bed until late morning in households that rise early – you fall in line with house norms.<br /> <br /> You should never ever insult the family you are about to join at any time and most definitely not in public. I gather you passed this off as a joke but the reaction in the pub was one of shock, not laughter.<br /> <br /> You should have hand-written a card to me. You have never written to thank me when you have stayed.<br /> <br /> You regularly draw attention to yourself. Perhaps you should ask yourself why.<br /> <br /> No one gets married in a castle unless they own it. It is brash, celebrity style behaviour.<br /> <br /> I understand your parents are unable to contribute very much towards the cost of your wedding. (There is nothing wrong with that except that convention is such that one might presume they would have saved over the years for their daughters’ marriages.)<br /> <br /> If this is the case, it would be most ladylike and gracious to lower your sights and have a modest wedding as befits both your incomes.<br /> <br /> One could be accused of thinking that Heidi Withers must be patting herself on the back for having caught a most eligible young man. I pity Freddie.</i></blockquote><br /> <br /> That, kids, is what we in the writin' bid'ness call "<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irony">Irony</a>". <br /> <br /> I know I'm just a crass American with no business chiming in on finer points of eti-quette and pro-to-col ... but I do know about a bit about trying mothers-in-law. So, I've taken the liberty of channeling my inner Dear Abby and drafting a little missive of my own:<br /> <br /> <i>Dear Mrs. Bourne:</i><br /> <br /> <i>I hope your letter made you feel better.&nbsp;</i><br /> <br /> <i>I'm guessing it felt pretty good to blow of some steam at Heidi Withers. I bet raking her over the coals made you feel superior and in control. You probably even managed to justify to yourself that your little lecture might even be good for Ms. Withers - that it might inspire her to "improve" herself. </i><br /> <br /> <i>But we both know that's bullshit.</i><br /> <br /> <i>Oh, I don't blame you for needing to vent. In fact, I think that can be quite a healthy and helpful exercise. But, oh, Mrs. Bourne, don't you know the proper button to push as the end of such a missive is almost always "DELETE" rather than "SEND"? </i><br /> <br /> <i>I've been guilty of dashing off angry, frustrated words many times, myself. There but for the grace of "Save as Draft" go I. So, trust me, I understand the urge.</i><br /> <br /> <i>I just hope those few moments of shallow enjoyment you got from lashing out at the girl were worth it. Because whatever short-term pleasure you may have derived from your verbal flaying will likely soon be overshadowed not only by the embarrassment of the media frenzy it ignited, but also by the possibly irreparable damage you have done to your relationship with your step-son, your future daughter-in-law, her family, your family and, potentially, your future grandchildren </i><br /> <br /> <i>If *I* was your future daughter-in-law, my reaction to your email would have been to immediately re-categorize you from someone I might have someday grown close to based on our mutual connection, to someone to be tolerated at annual visits. I hope, for your family's sake, that Ms. Withers turns out to be a more forgiving sort than I am.</i><br /> <br /> <i>And poor Freddie. Your words and tone imply a complete lack of respect for your step-son as well as a a rudely dismissive attitude toward his personal judgement. Again, if it were me, there would be some serious mending to be done to repair that rift. </i><br /> <br /> <i>The funny thing is: I actually agree with you on a few points in your letter. Based solely on the content of this email, I'd say it's entirely possible that Freddie's fiancee is as irritating as you make her out to be and that she may, indeed, need to work on her manners and good judgement.</i><br /> <br /> <i>But this email makes it equally obvious that Freddie's Step-Mum could use a manners refresher as well.</i><br /> <br /> <i>The main difference is that Ms. Withers is not much more than a child and you, Mrs. Bourne, are old enough to know much better. </i><br /> <br /> <i>If you'd truly intended to help or "improve" your future daughter-in-law, you know there are a dozen different better ways to have approached the perceived flaws in her character. No, this email was intended to hurt </i><i>her and to make </i><i>yourself feel better, plain and simple. As such, </i><i>you are the one who should pull the stick out of your arse and apologize to the lady in question, as well as to your step-son.</i><br /> <br /> <i>If Freddie does marry Heidi, you'll all be happier for the quick and honest extension of an olive branch with a side of crow.</i><br /> <br /> <i>For future reference, remember that you catch more flies with honey then with vinegar, even if they are diabetic.</i><br /> <br /> <i>Toodle-pip,</i><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-3121249137282709213?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mphVyAMCsM60AYEPL-Kk-Kf-LqM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mphVyAMCsM60AYEPL-Kk-Kf-LqM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mphVyAMCsM60AYEPL-Kk-Kf-LqM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/mphVyAMCsM60AYEPL-Kk-Kf-LqM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=bTOeDyQu9G4:WDWomoD5LKw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/bTOeDyQu9G4" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/bTOeDyQu9G4/hello-pot-this-is-kettle-youre-are-so.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/hello-pot-this-is-kettle-youre-are-so.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-1091697080453696466Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:34:00 +00002011-06-30T09:20:31.613-07:00stuff-and-nonsensefamilyabout-meI am from science fiction stories and Saturday morning cartoons.<br /> <br /> I am from summers that melt and winters that drizzle.<br /> <br /> I am from acres of farmland, spring fruit blossoms and fall harvests.<br /> <br /> I am from laughing voices raised over classic rock radio in crowded kitchens with kids and pets underfoot; from hand-me-downs and potlucks; camping and fishing; climbing trees and running around barefoot. <br /> <br /> I am from mom's patience, dad's temper, brother's humor.<br /> <br /> I am from fierceness and freckles.<br /> <br /> I am from more-the-merrier and anything-for-family and own-your-choices.<br /> <br /> I am from logic and reason, from compassion and kindness, and from just doing the laundry. <br /> <br /> I am from the Emerald Isle and the Dust Bowl, pan-fried chicken and homemade biscuits.<br /> <br /> I am from hallways lined with photo collages, doorways climbed by faded pencil marks, concrete impregnated with tiny hand prints, cedar chests filled with handmade quilts.<br /> <br /> I am from simple homes and strong roots. From extended families and generational gatherings. From births and deaths, celebration and mourning, love and loss - all made better by the sharing.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <br /> <i>Inspired by: <a href="http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm">Where I'm From</a> and <a href="http://theonesfd.blogspot.com/">SFD</a> and <a href="http://twobusy.typepad.com/twobusy/2011/06/where-im-from.html">TwoBusy</a>.</i><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-1091697080453696466?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PuelGmUrXWVD1va3Uw-OX1X7WtA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PuelGmUrXWVD1va3Uw-OX1X7WtA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PuelGmUrXWVD1va3Uw-OX1X7WtA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/PuelGmUrXWVD1va3Uw-OX1X7WtA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=pP5sJ9eJlkc:sWYQdgiaOCw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/pP5sJ9eJlkc" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/pP5sJ9eJlkc/where-im-from.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)8http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/06/where-im-from.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-1206002250116666918Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +00002011-06-30T09:04:59.253-07:00stuff-and-nonsenseDear Dental Office:<br /> <br /> I know I'm OCD, but it's annoying that you force me to confirm my appointment by phone the day before. Um, it's an APPOINTMENT. By DEFINITION, we have both agreed to be there at the appointed time and place. If I can't make it for some reason, I will call and tell you. Because that's what responsible adults DO. Don't make me call just to tell you that I'm NOT breaking the appointment. It's a waste of my time and kind of insulting.<br /> <br /> Chronically punctual, <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear McDonald's:<br /> <br /> "Sweet" should not be the default for iced tea. Sugar or sweetener should be an option, not a standard ingredient. But, even if I accept the fact that you make me specify that I DON'T want you to add extra stuff to my drink ... when I clearly and repeatedly make that distinction and you STILL give me sweet tea, it makes me kinda stabby. <br /> <br /> Never been accused of being sweet,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear Undergarment Industry:<br /> <br /> Is a DD-cup sports bra that actually supports without suffocating REALLY so difficult? Really?! I mean, the world is full of engineering marvels, but comfortable full-figured underwear is beyond the reach of modern science? All I want is to be able to run and jump and throw some kicks and punches without giving myself black eyes or cinching myself into a whalebone corset. Is that really too much to ask? <br /> <br /> And as long as we're on the subject, can you please 'splain to me why >D sizes cost so much more than A-C? It's - what? - an extra 6 inches of fabric and underwire? I suspect your overhead is not so adversely affected that I should really have to pay half-again to twice as much as the less-endowed ladies. But, if you ARE going to overcharge me, could you at least make the a few more of the pretty ones in full-figure sizes, too? The C cups get a lovely variety of colors and patterns and fabrics to pick from, and the curvy girls get to choose between the exotic options of "white" and "nude" in cotton or polyester? Seriously, bra dudes, not cool.<br /> <br /> Desperately Seeking Support Garments,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear "Gentlemen" standing around outside the store:<br /> <br /> There's a difference between an appreciative glance and a predatory stare. The first might get you a smile. The second is likely to get you a sidekick to the knee if you step any closer. <br /> <br /> Just sayin',<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear iPad auto-correct:<br /> <br /> If you don't stop changing "onezenmom" to "obese mom", Ima sit on you.<br /> <br /> Just fluffy,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear Gods of Potty Training:<br /> <br /> Please just tell me what animal you need me to sacrifice to get my now-4-year-old to learn to love the potty. Pleeeeeeeeaaaaassssssee?!?!?! We're going on 7 years of diapers and Pull-Ups and I'm just about at my limit here. I've tried every method and tip and trick in the book, and even made up a few more - no joy.<br /> <br /> Ready for some divine intervention,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Dear You:<br /> <br /> Yeah, you - reading this sad excuse for a blog - thanks for sticking around through the thin times. Thanks for not purging me from your RSS feed or deleting me from your blogroll. Thanks for still taking the time to stop by and read and comment on the meager offerings I've been serving up lately. *fingers crossed* I do hope to get back to writing - and reading - blogs again, soon.<br /> <br /> *mwah*<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 18pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-1206002250116666918?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FUvU8fjEskQGOX3BU5B9fjyWmt0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FUvU8fjEskQGOX3BU5B9fjyWmt0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FUvU8fjEskQGOX3BU5B9fjyWmt0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FUvU8fjEskQGOX3BU5B9fjyWmt0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=A8e6XZvBks8:fBtZu3EQAZ8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/A8e6XZvBks8" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/A8e6XZvBks8/better-than-therapy-letters-ill-never.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)18http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/06/better-than-therapy-letters-ill-never.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-7899911346462212765Fri, 20 May 2011 15:00:00 +00002011-06-29T16:16:42.438-07:00zombiesgeekWho's laughing now, eh?<br /> <br /> I've been <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search/label/zombies">saying for years</a> that waiting until the walking dead are on your doorstep to worry about your armory is just <i>asking </i>to become a brain-buffet. My Zombie Apocalypse motto: Plan ahead!<br /> <br /> So, how much do I love the CDC this week: <br /> <br /> <a href="http://emergency.cdc.gov/socialmedia/zombies_blog.asp">The Centers for Disease Control: Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse </a><br /> <br /> Okay, seriously, this is a hilarious and totally effective marketing strategy on the part of the CDC. The PR-Chick side of my brain is giving them a big ol' standing O for it.<br /> <br /> BUT ... the <i>geek</i> side of my brain (which may arguably be the more dominant lobe), is screaming: "Dude, that list is fine for your standard earthquake or tsunami or pandemic, but these are the <i>walking dead</i> we're taking about! You're gonna need more than some jugs of water, a change of clothes and some duct tape!" (Though duct tape IS one of the staples of my own ZAP* Kit .)<br /> <br /> Which is where this brilliant bit of journalism - featuring the awesomely funny <a href="http://thebloggess.com/">Jenny Lawson (aka The Bloggess)</a> - comes in: <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/cdc-prepares-for-zombie-apocalypse-tips-on-how-to-survive/2011/05/19/AFHPqD7G_blog.html">Washington Post: CDC prepares for Zombie Apocalypse: tips on how to survive</a><br /> <br /> Like Jenny, I believe in being prepared. Which is why we have this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Survival-Guide-Complete-Protection/dp/1400049628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1305833837&amp;sr=8-1">little gem</a> on the shelf, right next to the first aid kit.<br /> <br /> All due respect to the CDC, if you really want to survive the impending Zombie Apocalypse, I suggest supplementing the CDC's list with a weekend at home with a stack of zombie flicks and a fresh notebook. My personal favorites:<br /> <ul><li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365748/">Shaun of the Dead</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156398/">Zombieland</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100258/">Night of the Living Dead</a> (The <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063350/">1968 original</a> AND <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100258/">1990 remake</a>)</li> <li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077402/">Dawn of the Dead</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120804/">Resident Evil</a> (And it's sequels) </li> <li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Comet">Night of the Comet</a></li> </ul><br /> Now, to be honest, some of these are going to offer good and useful advice for the Zombie Apocalypse. Others ... well, you're gonna want to take notes on what NOT to do. I leave figuring out which is which as an exercise for the student.<br /> <br /> <i>Your turn: Any movies or books or other study guides that </i><i><b>you</b> would add to the list? </i><br /> <br /> Locked and loaded,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen </span><br /> <br /> <i>*ZAP: Zombie Attack Plan.</i><i> Patent Pending.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-7899911346462212765?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3gMrV1NNJCmsWZk5pwkQcU8Gf00/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3gMrV1NNJCmsWZk5pwkQcU8Gf00/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3gMrV1NNJCmsWZk5pwkQcU8Gf00/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3gMrV1NNJCmsWZk5pwkQcU8Gf00/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=N5WnK8hCMHs:bUtOvXLrX-s:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=N5WnK8hCMHs:bUtOvXLrX-s:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=N5WnK8hCMHs:bUtOvXLrX-s:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=N5WnK8hCMHs:bUtOvXLrX-s:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=N5WnK8hCMHs:bUtOvXLrX-s:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=N5WnK8hCMHs:bUtOvXLrX-s:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/N5WnK8hCMHs" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/N5WnK8hCMHs/and-you-people-mocked-my-zombie-attack.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)6http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/05/and-you-people-mocked-my-zombie-attack.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-6500874746136874056Thu, 19 May 2011 16:52:00 +00002011-10-14T08:46:45.229-07:00stuff-and-nonsenseI'm on cold meds. I hardly ever take cold meds - or, really, almost any kind of meds besides OTC pain relievers. Because they make me all loopy - like light-headed and silly and kinda philosophical and babbly. (Think college freshman after three shots of Tequila.)<br /> <br /> On the rare occassions when I DO take meds, I try not operate any heavy machinery - including my blog. Cuz when I do, it usually results in things like <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/04/rainbows-and-unicorns.html">this</a>. (Warning, that link is not for the faint of heart.)<br /> <br /> But, I've been neglecting the old blog lately, so, I figure a meds-induced babble-fest is better than nothing, right? Hmm. We'll see.<br /> <br /> So, compliments of ample parts pseudoephedrine, brompheniramine maleate, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, phenylephrine hydrocholride and probably some other things I can't pronounce - I bring you:<br /> <br /> <u><b>It's the End of the World as we Know It ... Again</b></u><br /> <br /> Apparently there are people - as in plural ... as in more than one ... as in several, even* - who actually believe they are going to be physically transported to Heaven this Saturday.<br /> <br /> Seriously? No. Really. Seriously?!?!<br /> <br /> I've been vacillating between "<i>so stupid it's not even worth mentioning</i>" and "<i>What the Flagnar</i>?!" on this all week.<br /> <br /> Because, on the one hand, it's too ridiculous to even be worth talking about, right? But, on the other, it kind of makes me LOL - especially when I read things like this:<br /> <blockquote><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/theauthorguy?sk=wall&amp;filter=2">Christopher Moore</a>: "Hey, the rapture falls on a Saturday! How cool is that. I guess I won't be driving. Not early in the day, anyway. Later in the day, I will probably be driving a really nice car with some fish bumper stickers and shit on it. Give a little time to scrape them off."</i></blockquote>But, on another hand (Shut up, I <i>might </i>have three hands. You don't <i>know</i>. I <i>told </i>you I'm on drugs!) ... it also makes me kinda sad. That people are that ... I dunno, desperate, deluded, divorced from reality? ... that they seriously believe not only that their god is going to beam them up to heaven a la Star Trek, but that some random radio personality from Oakland has "cracked the code" (like their god is some kind of hobby cryptographer fucking around with his lab rats by planting random clues about the location of their cheese) and can tell them exactly when it's going to happen. Again. Because, you know, he got it <a href="http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-01-01/bay-area/17466332_1_east-bay-bay-area-first-time-camping">wrong the first time</a> - as did, well, <a href="http://www.abhota.info/end1.htm">everyone who has ever predicted the end of the world</a>. But, hey, that was a just a math error - could happen to anyone! But <i>this time</i>, he's sure.<br /> <br /> Okay, I'm back to <i>"What the Flagnar?!"</i> again.<br /> <br /> But I have to seriously wonder: What does a True Believer do on the day <i>after </i>the last day, when the world just keeps on keepin' on? I have to admin, <i>that </i>thought kinda scares me. <br /> <br /> See you Sunday,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> * You know what the best part of this particular lil' rant is? If I'm wrong, the people who would could say "I told you so" won't be around to do so.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-6500874746136874056?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/DA-m6vduNbNV3yt1wuLJZaTsVFg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/DA-m6vduNbNV3yt1wuLJZaTsVFg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/DA-m6vduNbNV3yt1wuLJZaTsVFg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/DA-m6vduNbNV3yt1wuLJZaTsVFg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=PdTPLvwQoE8:KNt6maPTXVY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=PdTPLvwQoE8:KNt6maPTXVY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=PdTPLvwQoE8:KNt6maPTXVY:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=PdTPLvwQoE8:KNt6maPTXVY:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=PdTPLvwQoE8:KNt6maPTXVY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=PdTPLvwQoE8:KNt6maPTXVY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/PdTPLvwQoE8" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/PdTPLvwQoE8/zens-brain-on-drugs-rapture-edition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/05/zens-brain-on-drugs-rapture-edition.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-2686701120871848445Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:02:00 +00002012-01-06T08:32:30.769-08:00zenOh, this is a lovely reminder that <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/06/but-if-life-were-only-moments-then-youd.html">life</a> is made of&nbsp;<a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2009/05/moments-in-life-well-lived.html">moments.</a><br /> <br /> <object height="486" width="299"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jNVPalNZD_I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jNVPalNZD_I&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="486" height="299"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <i>"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." ~ Buddha</i><br /> <br /> Not taking it for granted,<br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> * Post Title: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsT2URr1Igc&amp;safety_mode=true&amp;persist_safety_mode=1">Little Wonders</a>, Rob Thomas<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-2686701120871848445?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yhm5Omfe6dnfnmS9eYCBI0tBENU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yhm5Omfe6dnfnmS9eYCBI0tBENU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yhm5Omfe6dnfnmS9eYCBI0tBENU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Yhm5Omfe6dnfnmS9eYCBI0tBENU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=zJpEBO-NnWE:UjA8JnftvH0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=zJpEBO-NnWE:UjA8JnftvH0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=zJpEBO-NnWE:UjA8JnftvH0:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=zJpEBO-NnWE:UjA8JnftvH0:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=zJpEBO-NnWE:UjA8JnftvH0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=zJpEBO-NnWE:UjA8JnftvH0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/zJpEBO-NnWE" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/zJpEBO-NnWE/oh-this-is-lovely.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/oh-this-is-lovely.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-2291407432255875859Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +00002011-04-04T16:30:09.377-07:00kenpo<i>But here in BlogLand&nbsp; ... Belt mean Zen work damn hard. </i><br /> <br /> So, I took my Yellow Belt Test last night - almost 4 months to the day since I started practicing <a href="http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/search/label/kenpo">Kenpo</a>.<br /> <br /> I know it's only the first rank you can earn. (Everyone starts as a White Belt, which pretty much = total noob.) But I have to say that I'm kinda proud of this pretty new accessory of mine. Because it represents a lot of hard work on my part. And because I've really enjoyed every step of earning it. Kenpo makes me feel more fit, more confident and, well, happier. My teachers are great, my classmates are nice, and the learning is fun. :)<br /> <br /> The test was basically an on-command demonstration of Yellow Belt Techniques and Basics with a smattering of oral quizzing in between. It took a little less than an hour.<br /> <br /> This is brief outline of most of the things I had to know and be able to do to earn my Yellow Belt - along with a few iPhone photos a classmate snapped for me during my test. (Thanks, Megan!)<br /> <br /> TECHNIQUES: <i>(The parenthesis is the attack, the Technique is a defense against that attack)</i><br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWL4c6zOtmM/TZYDD6eBKrI/AAAAAAAAEj8/HUDPsG2N8II/s1600/2858-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWL4c6zOtmM/TZYDD6eBKrI/AAAAAAAAEj8/HUDPsG2N8II/s200/2858-1.gif" width="176" /></a>1. Delayed Sword (right hand grab or punch)<br /> 2. Aggressive Twins (two hand push to chest)<br /> 3. Sword of Destruction (left hand punch)<br /> 4. Deflecting Hammer (right front thrust kick)<br /> 5. Spreading Branch (rear bear hug, arms pinned)<br /> 6. The Pincher (right headlock from 9:00)<br /> 7. Checking the Storm (right overhead, followed by round-house club attack)<br /> <br /> TECHNIQUES (Short Three):<br /> 8. Destructive Twins (front two hand choke, pulling in)<br /> 9. Crashing Wings (rear bear hug, arms free)<br /> 10. Twirling Wings (rear two hand choke, arms stiff)<br /> <br /> FORMS:<br /> Star Blocks<br /> Leg Exercise<br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwTTWlU7dpk/TZYDEGUgLpI/AAAAAAAAEkA/SFKXTD215xA/s1600/2862-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwTTWlU7dpk/TZYDEGUgLpI/AAAAAAAAEkA/SFKXTD215xA/s200/2862-1.gif" width="155" /></a><br /> STANCES:<br /> Attention<br /> Horse<br /> Neutral Bow<br /> Forward Bow<br /> Reverse Bow<br /> Cat (45/90 degree)<br /> <br /> MANEUVERS:<br /> Step Through<br /> Step Drag<br /> Drag Step<br /> Push Drag<br /> Switching<br /> <br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1JEU-85CRg/TZYDEQZ37FI/AAAAAAAAEkE/IijBEO2bK3U/s1600/2865-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1JEU-85CRg/TZYDEQZ37FI/AAAAAAAAEkE/IijBEO2bK3U/s200/2865-1.gif" width="200" /></a>BLOCKS:<br /> Inward<br /> Vertical Outward<br /> Upward<br /> Downward<br /> Extended Outward<br /> Push Down<br /> <br /> PUNCHES:<br /> Straight<br /> Vertical<br /> Uppercut<br /> Vertical Back Knuckle<br /> <br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ogletc_owt0/TZYIqEkU0rI/AAAAAAAAEkI/8NFne4fCM-Y/s1600/2857-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ogletc_owt0/TZYIqEkU0rI/AAAAAAAAEkI/8NFne4fCM-Y/s200/2857-1.gif" width="200" /></a>STRIKES:<br /> Straight Heel Palm<br /> Underhand Heel Palm<br /> Horizontal Heel Palm (in/out)<br /> Hand Sword (in/out)<br /> Elbows (in/out/up/back)<br /> Overhead Elbows (in/out)<br /> <br /> FINGER TECHNIQUES:<br /> Overhead Claw (in/out)<br /> Flea-Bite<br /> <br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ogh96RLbqSo/TZYDDSdnruI/AAAAAAAAEj4/-XQY6njX-c8/s1600/2872-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ogh96RLbqSo/TZYDDSdnruI/AAAAAAAAEj4/-XQY6njX-c8/s200/2872-1.gif" width="200" /></a>KICKS:<br /> Front Snap (ball)<br /> Side Snap (knife-edge)<br /> Rear Snap (back-heel)<br /> Wheel (instep)<br /> Knees<br /> Rear Scoop<br /> <br /> <b>Next stop: Orange!</b><br /> <br /> <i>Kiai!</i><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-2291407432255875859?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BpfP-EqsRbe-x9lX3HaBG0xS4Z0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BpfP-EqsRbe-x9lX3HaBG0xS4Z0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BpfP-EqsRbe-x9lX3HaBG0xS4Z0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/BpfP-EqsRbe-x9lX3HaBG0xS4Z0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=GN6uIoCwGO0:VXhLX0QL5oA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=GN6uIoCwGO0:VXhLX0QL5oA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=GN6uIoCwGO0:VXhLX0QL5oA:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=GN6uIoCwGO0:VXhLX0QL5oA:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=GN6uIoCwGO0:VXhLX0QL5oA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=GN6uIoCwGO0:VXhLX0QL5oA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/GN6uIoCwGO0" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/GN6uIoCwGO0/in-okinawa-belt-mean-no-need-rope-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/in-okinawa-belt-mean-no-need-rope-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-5679936157733458721Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:00:00 +00002011-06-30T09:04:59.254-07:00stuff-and-nonsense<div style="text-align: center;">So, I created a personal coat of arms.<br /> Because that's the kind of thing Photoshop geeks do for fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ekg1KxA3OPI/TX-eT0U_1wI/AAAAAAAAEjo/QvXNC8gmc1U/s1600/coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ekg1KxA3OPI/TX-eT0U_1wI/AAAAAAAAEjo/QvXNC8gmc1U/s400/coat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is hanging in my office, now. No, seriously. I framed it and everything.&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's on my wall with a collection of other black-and-white "art", next to this one:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKfJfo7UAfA/TX-jQhrJ_cI/AAAAAAAAEjs/QJ430sslH1o/s1600/dont-panic-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKfJfo7UAfA/TX-jQhrJ_cI/AAAAAAAAEjs/QJ430sslH1o/s200/dont-panic-thumb.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;and this one:</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t3Xm1xCNTc0/TX-jdMoikoI/AAAAAAAAEjw/oWv2flo0rI4/s1600/caffeine_molecule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t3Xm1xCNTc0/TX-jdMoikoI/AAAAAAAAEjw/oWv2flo0rI4/s200/caffeine_molecule.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wanna take bets on how long it will take someone to Google the dog-Latin motto in the middle and I'll have to take it down? ;) </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /> Pax et Lux,<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-5679936157733458721?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ULioD3oNRWq3WXqFfFCDsdKBU3Y/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ULioD3oNRWq3WXqFfFCDsdKBU3Y/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ULioD3oNRWq3WXqFfFCDsdKBU3Y/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ULioD3oNRWq3WXqFfFCDsdKBU3Y/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=MqF2siSsa1w:YgS5zQ7eMAg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=MqF2siSsa1w:YgS5zQ7eMAg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=MqF2siSsa1w:YgS5zQ7eMAg:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=MqF2siSsa1w:YgS5zQ7eMAg:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=MqF2siSsa1w:YgS5zQ7eMAg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=MqF2siSsa1w:YgS5zQ7eMAg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/MqF2siSsa1w" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/MqF2siSsa1w/nil-illegitimi-carborundum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/nil-illegitimi-carborundum.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-8136777283459310932Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:36:00 +00002011-06-30T09:21:00.002-07:00geek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nfThhTMr42E/TYPjJytsEXI/AAAAAAAAEj0/OCyBbjdjY88/s1600/ww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nfThhTMr42E/TYPjJytsEXI/AAAAAAAAEj0/OCyBbjdjY88/s320/ww.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>Dear David E.Kelly:<br /> <br /> I'm suddenly very glad that I DON'T currently have television programming at my home.<br /> <br /> Because, if I did, I'd probably have to watch this heinous interpretation of the costume of one of my favorite super heroines prance across my 38 inch TV. In Hi-Def. And that might just burn my retinas out.<br /> <br /> I'm okay with the pants <i>idea</i> - and the semi-sensible heel on the boots is alright. But those are just about the only nice things I can say about this ... outfit.<br /> <br /> Head-to-toe (or, in this case, breast-to-toe) shiny latex?! Really?! That is just <i>hideous</i>. It looks like she was dressed by a fetishist. Seriously, she looks all lubed up. And not in a good way.<br /> <br /> And can she even <i>move </i>in that thing? Hell, can she even <i>breathe</i>? I get that it has to be all tight and sexy, 'cuz that's what people expect in a superhero costume. And I admit the bustier is Canon. But there's no way in hell she could actually do anything heroic in <i>that </i>top except stand very still while other Justice League members feel her up.<br /> <br /> I'm pretty sure if she raised her arms to actually <i>throw </i>that lasso on her hip, her boobs would pop right out the top like one of those snakes-in-a-peanut-brittle-cans. Not to mention the fact that she can forget about sneaking up on any villains since she's going to sound like a balloon animal convention every time she moves.<br /> <br /> So, I guess the target audience here is ... what? ... horny basement geeks and slutty co-eds? <br /> <br /> You know, David, it's hard enough for a Geek Girl to find a decent Super Heroine to look up to, ya know? And you go and take one of the good ones and make her look like a cheap whore. <br /> <br /> Nice. Thanks.<br /> <br /> Just so you know? Joss would never have done this. <br /> <br /> Disappointed,<i><br /> </i><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-8136777283459310932?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pDWi3fQM65WWtdZfV_KqzzmLkG8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pDWi3fQM65WWtdZfV_KqzzmLkG8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pDWi3fQM65WWtdZfV_KqzzmLkG8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pDWi3fQM65WWtdZfV_KqzzmLkG8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=w-Cwc-azXPc:UErH-o9cE20:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=w-Cwc-azXPc:UErH-o9cE20:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=w-Cwc-azXPc:UErH-o9cE20:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=w-Cwc-azXPc:UErH-o9cE20:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=w-Cwc-azXPc:UErH-o9cE20:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=w-Cwc-azXPc:UErH-o9cE20:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/w-Cwc-azXPc" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/w-Cwc-azXPc/wonder-woman-fail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/wonder-woman-fail.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-4273784253175858771Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:11:00 +00002011-04-04T16:32:03.246-07:00geekBrace yourself, kids, I have a big confession to make:<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I have no TV.</i></b></span><br /> <br /> Well, to be specific, I <i>do</i> have a <i>television</i> (and great big HD LCD, in point of fact), but I have no television <i>programming</i>. And I haven't had it since last June, when we canceled our DirecTV subscription. Because we are <strike>too lazy</strike> not motivated enough to get a roof antenna, we don't even have "local" channels.<br /> <br /> I <i>know</i>, right?! The <i>HORROR</i>!<br /> <br /> But you know what?<br /> <br /> *whispers* It's not that bad. <br /> <br /> Wait,I know what you're thinking: How can a self-professed pop culture and scifi geek such as myself have possibly have survived so long without TV?!?!<br /> <br /> How have I not gone all <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081505/">Jack Torrance</a><i> </i>and started chasing down the neighbors with an axe?! How have I managed to keep from cutting my co-workers' <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102798/">hearts out with spoons</a>?! How is it that no bunnies have ended up in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093010/">soup pots</a>?<br /> <br /> Quick, before the TV people come breaking down my door with their <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/">flashy thingies</a> and force-feed me <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485301/">Retcon</a> - let me let you in on a little secret: Between our <a href="http://www.netflix.com/">Netflix Instant</a> steaming video and the <a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_bang_theory/">full-length episodes</a> of many of my <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/castle">favorite shows</a> that are <a href="http://www.fox.com/bones/">available online</a> (not to mention our own extensive DVD collection), we've hardly missed our satellite programming at all!<br /> <br /> Sure, there are a few shows we miss. But, the truth is, we got used to the change pretty quickly.<br /> <br /> Ha! So <i>there</i>, satellite TV company! Take <i>that </i>TV advertisers! We <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040897/">don't need no stinkin'</a><i> </i>TV programming! Not us! We are unplugged, man ... we are free ... we are ...<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Wait, <i>WHAT?!?! </i></span><br /> <h1 style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_17627118?nclick_check=1"><span style="font-size: large;">AT&amp;T To Cap DSL Internet Data Usage At 150GB</span></a></h1><br /> Guh-wha?! But I ... You can't ... I need ... <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892782/">What the Flagnar?!</a> Noooooooo!<br /> <br /> If you need me, I'll be the one in the fetal position under the coffee table frantically Googling alternative ISPs.<br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-4273784253175858771?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dz_jFUaWXa6iaXn5GqqFmK2szy4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dz_jFUaWXa6iaXn5GqqFmK2szy4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dz_jFUaWXa6iaXn5GqqFmK2szy4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dz_jFUaWXa6iaXn5GqqFmK2szy4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_rIJtyN55RM:rvs_onf3Tew:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_rIJtyN55RM:rvs_onf3Tew:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_rIJtyN55RM:rvs_onf3Tew:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_rIJtyN55RM:rvs_onf3Tew:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_rIJtyN55RM:rvs_onf3Tew:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=_rIJtyN55RM:rvs_onf3Tew:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/_rIJtyN55RM" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/_rIJtyN55RM/no-tv-and-no-beer-make-homer-something.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2010/03/no-tv-and-no-beer-make-homer-something.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3315292900236662398Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:10:00 +00002011-04-04T16:32:14.215-07:00photos<div style="text-align: center;">I took a a couple of lovely walks in a couple of lovely <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Discovery-Center-Fresno-CA/168323763215230">places</a> this weekend ... with my camera.</div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WtaqSqocolw/TX5kCpOINQI/AAAAAAAAEi4/wrAMeNsMs0I/s1600/IMG_7039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WtaqSqocolw/TX5kCpOINQI/AAAAAAAAEi4/wrAMeNsMs0I/s320/IMG_7039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zj1tYokWYvI/TX5kL5AWzLI/AAAAAAAAEi8/ed2UIpc1wyo/s1600/IMG_7068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zj1tYokWYvI/TX5kL5AWzLI/AAAAAAAAEi8/ed2UIpc1wyo/s320/IMG_7068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z5KLJL0G6cM/TX5kea5eGqI/AAAAAAAAEjA/yBybbsL6XSM/s1600/IMG_7175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z5KLJL0G6cM/TX5kea5eGqI/AAAAAAAAEjA/yBybbsL6XSM/s320/IMG_7175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qafdl87xqTg/TX5khNFT0sI/AAAAAAAAEjE/DYp83hP8sa0/s1600/IMG_7082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qafdl87xqTg/TX5khNFT0sI/AAAAAAAAEjE/DYp83hP8sa0/s320/IMG_7082.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TEEFykoSTAI/TX5ktPzxJVI/AAAAAAAAEjI/yuzR83oRzwQ/s1600/IMG_7062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TEEFykoSTAI/TX5ktPzxJVI/AAAAAAAAEjI/yuzR83oRzwQ/s320/IMG_7062.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vVW0Np7zUMU/TX5lNUR3xWI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/W68iKWUdCh8/s1600/IMG_7118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vVW0Np7zUMU/TX5lNUR3xWI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/W68iKWUdCh8/s320/IMG_7118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a6Ica7888bo/TX5lgI-sLsI/AAAAAAAAEjY/JHq157ZKRrI/s1600/IMG_7138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a6Ica7888bo/TX5lgI-sLsI/AAAAAAAAEjY/JHq157ZKRrI/s320/IMG_7138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6SBf5awrtLU/TX5lpxu1_yI/AAAAAAAAEjc/93BnF1btPoU/s1600/IMG_7126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6SBf5awrtLU/TX5lpxu1_yI/AAAAAAAAEjc/93BnF1btPoU/s320/IMG_7126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PA5u7t0zXmM/TX5lfvoV3_I/AAAAAAAAEjU/bj5MF_dktxw/s1600/IMG_7120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PA5u7t0zXmM/TX5lfvoV3_I/AAAAAAAAEjU/bj5MF_dktxw/s320/IMG_7120.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-68DcvvJgWTw/TX5l3FAqhoI/AAAAAAAAEjg/qj3Vh0QAma4/s1600/IMG_7156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-68DcvvJgWTw/TX5l3FAqhoI/AAAAAAAAEjg/qj3Vh0QAma4/s320/IMG_7156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kvfVjzZ0h1E/TX5l9tQsCwI/AAAAAAAAEjk/8kzRKZE-tqI/s1600/IMG_7167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kvfVjzZ0h1E/TX5l9tQsCwI/AAAAAAAAEjk/8kzRKZE-tqI/s320/IMG_7167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;">If that didn't bore you to death, you can check out <br /> more photos on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/onezenmom/">Flickr Photostream</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>&nbsp;Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet <br /> and the winds long to play with your hair.&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~Kahlil Gibran</i><br /> <i>&nbsp; </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-3315292900236662398?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_1i9-qRPe92BIXe-YohSlB1NeaE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_1i9-qRPe92BIXe-YohSlB1NeaE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_1i9-qRPe92BIXe-YohSlB1NeaE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_1i9-qRPe92BIXe-YohSlB1NeaE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Yl6TmM8V808:k9EtYseWCc4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Yl6TmM8V808:k9EtYseWCc4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Yl6TmM8V808:k9EtYseWCc4:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Yl6TmM8V808:k9EtYseWCc4:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=Yl6TmM8V808:k9EtYseWCc4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=Yl6TmM8V808:k9EtYseWCc4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/Yl6TmM8V808" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/Yl6TmM8V808/forget-not-that-earth-delights-to-feel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)3http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/forget-not-that-earth-delights-to-feel.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-3588824582210770188Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +00002011-06-30T09:23:41.262-07:00minions<i>Borrowing a page from my pal <a href="http://www.daddygeekboy.com/search/label/wit%20and%20wisdom">DaddyGeekBoy</a> today to document some of the funny and/or interesting "Wit and Wisdom" moments&nbsp;of my kids. If you follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/onezenmom">Twitter</a> or Facebook, you may have seen some of these pearls, already. </i><br /> <br /> <i>I swear both of my boys say the most hilarious (to me, at least) things almost every day. At the time, they crack me up. And I think to myself, "I have to tell&nbsp;their dad&nbsp;(or grandparents) about&nbsp;that, later." But I usually forget. And then I wish I'd written them down.&nbsp;</i><br /> <br /> <i>Do you ever do that?&nbsp;</i><br /> <br /> <i>So, I'm using the power of social media to preserve a few of these gems&nbsp;for posterity. And by "posterity",&nbsp;I mostly mean to torture them with when they are older.</i><br /> <br /> <i>Please to enjoy ... </i><br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> Bam-Bam, picking up my umbrella: "Does it shoots? Like da Ping-wen?"<br /> Me: "Nope, sorry."<br /> Bam-Bam: "Aww, man. Dat wud be bedder."<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> <div style="text-align: right;">The week before The Super Bowl:</div><div style="text-align: right;">Me: "We'll go to the library Sunday."</div><div style="text-align: right;">The Professor: "Mommy, Sunday is a Holiday!"</div><div style="text-align: right;">Me: Huh??? </div><div style="text-align: right;">The Professor: "It's Feasting and Football Day!"</div><div style="text-align: right;">Husband: *Sheepish Grin*</div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> The Professor: "I learned to French kiss today!" <br /> Me: o_0 <br /> The Professor: *plants air-kisses on each&nbsp;side of my face* <br /> Me: "Oh!!! That's GREAT, Sweetie!"<br /> *ohthankyousweetbabyjeebus*<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> <div style="text-align: right;">On the way home from the Sitter's, driving by plant nursery: </div><div style="text-align: right;">Bam-Bam: "Plants! Plants turn into pizza!"</div><div style="text-align: right;">Me: "Watched Wall-E today, didja?"</div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> Bam-Bam, getting out of tub, genuinely freaked out:<br /> "Aaaaaahhhhh! Mommy, my hands are OLD!!"<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> <div style="text-align: right;">The Professor: "Mom,&nbsp;Bam-Bam is adopted."</div><div style="text-align: right;">Me: "Um, no, he's not. What makes you think that?"</div><div style="text-align: right;">The Professor: He doesn't look anything like me! Except for our skin."</div><div style="text-align: right;">Me: "Honey, what do you think 'adopted' means?"</div><div style="text-align: right;">The Professor:&nbsp;It means 'different'.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Me: "No. That's not what it means. C'mere and let's talk about where some babies come from ..."</div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> At the dinner table:<br /> The Professor to Bam-Bam, the finicky-eater (In a bad British accent.):<br /> "You can't have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat."<br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> <div style="text-align: right;">Bam-Bam: I have 5 arms and swim backwards! What am I?</div><div style="text-align: right;">Me: Um, a squid?</div><div style="text-align: right;">Bam-Bam: A michelinoceras!</div><div style="text-align: right;">(Yeah. I had to look it up, too. Thank you, DinosaurTrain.)</div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###</div><br /> 6yo: Know who I love best? You, Mommy ... And Gaga (Grandma) ...<br /> Me: Awww.<br /> 6yo: Oh, and the Yo-Yo guy! (who performed at his school last week.) He's <i>awesome</i>!<br /> Me: Ah.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;">###&nbsp; </div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><i>What funny things have the kids in </i><i>your life spouted off lately?</i><br /> </div><span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-3588824582210770188?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sv6mhcMO-yGHmLPrjVQu4Rb8VmM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sv6mhcMO-yGHmLPrjVQu4Rb8VmM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sv6mhcMO-yGHmLPrjVQu4Rb8VmM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sv6mhcMO-yGHmLPrjVQu4Rb8VmM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=G6m68DBKUb0:p6jxrqfCm1Y:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=G6m68DBKUb0:p6jxrqfCm1Y:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=G6m68DBKUb0:p6jxrqfCm1Y:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=G6m68DBKUb0:p6jxrqfCm1Y:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=G6m68DBKUb0:p6jxrqfCm1Y:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=G6m68DBKUb0:p6jxrqfCm1Y:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/G6m68DBKUb0" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/G6m68DBKUb0/kid-logic-conversations-with-my-kids.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)5http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/kid-logic-conversations-with-my-kids.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-7184619753720555713Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:19:00 +00002011-03-04T08:19:24.359-08:00quoteszenI love this quote.<br /> <blockquote>"A problem is just a problem because we think of it that way. Stuff happens. If we don’t like the stuff, we label it a problem and try to jam the world back into the way it was going before. If we do like the stuff, we label it an opportunity and try to take advantage of it. The difference between a problem and an opportunity is what we do with it, not what it is to begin with." ~ <a href="http://getitdone.quickanddirtytips.com/">Stever Robinson, The Get-It-Done Guy</a></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-7184619753720555713?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0phC2Y9mqKIpBlU7BWVf6_e15iU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0phC2Y9mqKIpBlU7BWVf6_e15iU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0phC2Y9mqKIpBlU7BWVf6_e15iU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/0phC2Y9mqKIpBlU7BWVf6_e15iU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=XGQ2cc_wfOc:wv_SPuBAofY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=XGQ2cc_wfOc:wv_SPuBAofY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=XGQ2cc_wfOc:wv_SPuBAofY:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=XGQ2cc_wfOc:wv_SPuBAofY:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=XGQ2cc_wfOc:wv_SPuBAofY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=XGQ2cc_wfOc:wv_SPuBAofY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/XGQ2cc_wfOc" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/XGQ2cc_wfOc/yes-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)4http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/yes-this.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357310914232685506.post-6275417874456663319Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:52:00 +00002011-04-04T16:33:37.088-07:00politicsSeems like every time I read a news article lately, that little spot right between my shoulder blades starts to tighten up and I find myself clenching my teeth. Gee, I wonder why ... <br /> <ul><li>Members of Congress are trying to do an end-run around a woman's right to choose when and how to reproduce by cutting <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/us/politics/18parenthood.html?_r=2">Federal funding for Planned Parenthood</a>, which, by the way, offers a <a href="https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp_ppol_ws_I_Stand_with_PP&amp;s_src=standwithppfeb2011_taf&amp;JServSessionIdr004=ybij1tjkl2.app210b">hell of a lot of necessary health services for a hell of a lot of women</a> who might not otherwise have access to them.</li> <li>On a similar front, legislators in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/24/nebraska-justifiable-homicide-abortion-bill_n_827507.html">Nebraska</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/23/antiabortion-georgia-lawm_n_827340.html">Georgia</a> have apparently lost their ever-lovin' minds and are trying to pass laws that 1) Make miscarriage a crime, punishable by the death penalty, and 2) Make murder of an abortion provider defensible as a "justifiable homicide". Then there's the Federal "Protect Life Act" that would allow hospitals to <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/143535-so-called-protect-life-act-puts-womens-lives-at-risk" target="_hplink">refuse to perform emergency abortions</a> -- even if the woman would die without one. <i>What kills me is that these people sincerely do not see the irony in the fact that they call themselves "Pro-Life".</i></li> <li>Meanwhile, Mike Huckabee is throwing Straw Men into the ring with his comparison of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/16/mike-huckabee-abortion-slavery_n_824020.html">abortion to slavery</a>, claiming that a woman's right to choose to have an abortion or not is analogous to a slaver having the power of life and death over a slave. Nice try, Mike. But an embryo is not a person, it's a group of cells with the potential to become a person. By that logic, if you donate an ovum, you're guilty of human trafficking? But if you're so concerned about it, maybe you could take some time out of your campaign schedule to address the real and ongoing issues of <a href="http://www.womensfundingnetwork.org/resource/past-articles/enslaved-in-america-sex-trafficking-in-the-united-states">forced prostitution and human trafficking</a> that are still happening <a href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html">in our country</a> every single day?</li> <li>And then there's<a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/rape-victim-inviting-so-no-jail--rape-victim-inviting-so-no-jail-116801578.html"> this Canadian judge</a> who needs to be taken into a dark alley to be pawed and penetrated by a 250 pound drunk and then see if he still thinks rape can be explained away as "misunderstood signals and inconsiderate behaviour," excusable if the rapist is "insensitive to the fact (she) was not a willing participant."</li> <li>He must be having drinks at the boys' club with the politicians who thought it would be a good idea to specify that federal funding can only be used for <a href="http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/republican-plan-redefine-rape-abortion">abortions resulting from "forcible" rape</a>. You know, as opposed to the enjoyable kind. </li> </ul><br /> Is it any wonder that I'm feeling a little <i>defensive</i>, lately?<br /> <br /> I hate politics. I don't usually have really strong feelings about "party" associations. I do lean to the left on most social issues. But, in general, I also agree with Mark Twain that most politicians are idiots, regardless of party affiliation.<br /> <br /> But given the increase in outright attacks on women's rights and women's issues coming primarily from the right side of the aisle recently, I'm <i>really </i>not loving the Republican Party these days.<br /> <br /> In fact, I'm starting to feel a bit like the proverbial moose in the GOP's helicopter lights. *BLAM*<br /> <br /> I dunno about <i>yo</i>u, but <i>my</i> head's not going to be mounted in someone's den without a fight. <br /> <br /> <i>Dear Republican Party: </i><br /> <i>Screw you, too, you misogynistic SOBs.&nbsp;</i><br /> <i>Bring it on,</i><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Lucida Calligraphy&quot;; font-size: 26pt;">Zen</span><br /> <br /> ###<br /> <br /> Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. <br /> ~ Pericles (430 BC)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div><br/><br/>"Shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased, thus do we refute Entropy." ~ Spider Robinson </div><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4357310914232685506-6275417874456663319?l=onezenmom.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Xk75pwy_Se8_mh9NWjsnlvMcao4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Xk75pwy_Se8_mh9NWjsnlvMcao4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Xk75pwy_Se8_mh9NWjsnlvMcao4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Xk75pwy_Se8_mh9NWjsnlvMcao4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_zjvxNkQ2DI:nSqjuN0_z9w:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_zjvxNkQ2DI:nSqjuN0_z9w:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_zjvxNkQ2DI:nSqjuN0_z9w:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_zjvxNkQ2DI:nSqjuN0_z9w:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?a=_zjvxNkQ2DI:nSqjuN0_z9w:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/onezenmom?i=_zjvxNkQ2DI:nSqjuN0_z9w:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/onezenmom/~4/_zjvxNkQ2DI" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onezenmom/~3/_zjvxNkQ2DI/just-because-you-do-not-take-interest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (OneZenMom)8http://onezenmom.blogspot.com/2011/02/just-because-you-do-not-take-interest.html