Weekend Driving

This past weekend David Ann and I ventured to suburban Maryland to visit DA's best friend as his wife had a baby about a month ago. It was interesting seeing David Ann with such a small person, he was scared to death he was going to break her. Lots to practice before Baby Ann arrives!

The ride on the way home provided some interesting sights of what people do in their cars while driving and riding - singing along with the radio, combing their hair, picking their nose, reading the paper, doing their weave. Yes, you read that correctly, putting in a hair weave while riding in the car. I was completely mesmerized. And because traffic was moving slow, I was able to watch as the woman made several attempts. I didn't get to see the finished product as there was a split in the highway and we went our separate ways.

Until the next roadtrip...

It just scared me.

David Ann and I went to BabiesRUs over the weekend to start a baby registry. We were the first ones at the registry desk when the store opened. At that point, the store was fairly empty and not such a bad place. They explained the whole process, gave us a 'parent's necessities' sheet that was organized to drive you around the store and sent us off with the scanner gun. We had barely made it to the bottles section (section 1) before I was freaking out. How can there be 5+ different brands of bottles and all the stuff that goes along with them - warmers, brushes, sterilizers, nipples, the list goes on and on. I literally stopped a woman with an infant strapped to her chest and asked if we could pay her to do this for us. I just hope we don't forget Baby Ann at the hospital, knowing us there is a good chance!

By the time we were finished (and headed off to a baby shower for someone else!) the store was bustling. The registry check-out procedure took a while as there was now a line, but we were given a gift box of stuff that I didn't have a chance to investigate until arriving home. It included a diaper, a small pack of wipes and our favorite treat - a small bottle. David Ann decided he needed to test it out and filled it with Diet Coke. In case you were wondering...it works.

No, really...

To the lady who needed to get on the train before me last night, please, go right ahead. And to when you about knocked me on the floor whipping your multiple bags around to get a seat that had just opened up, how dare I be in your way! I realize I don't look like your typical pregnant woman, but I am and would appreciate not being run over by you because you have decided to move the entire contents of your desk via the subway. I meant the look I gave you. Really.

Subway - Shame on You!

Today for lunch I went to Subway for the $5 footlong sandwich. The plan was to get a turkey sub that would last today and tomorrow. Well, when I arrived, only 5 sandwiches - meatball sub, veggie delight, ham, cold cut combo and tuna salad - were a part of the $5 special. When I asked the vegetable guy to add more, he told me I would have to pay extra. Sure, fine, whatever... And sure enough, I had to pay extra!

I found this to be odd, given that Subway has used Jared and the healthy alternative marketing campaign for the last 10 years. So I called their consumer line. After finally being connected to a customer service agent, I explained to her my frustration with the entire situation. She told me that the $5 special was to be for any sandwich on the 6 grams of fat or less menu (yeah, somehow I don't think that the meatball sub and I know that the tuna salad isn't under 5 grams of fat!) with only a couple of sandwiches not a part of the special. The I also expressed my frustration with the lack of vegetables on a sandwich and being charged for the more than 6 pieces of green pepper on my sandwich. My comments were to be relayed to the store owner and district manager. I also left my name and number in case they wanted to get in touch with me. I am still waiting for that call.

Shame on you Subway for this kind of treatment, shame on you!


But I salvaged the afternoon with a glass of $1 sweet tea from McDonald's. At least they didn't bait and switch or overcharge me!

MMC has been on the road again!

David Ann and I went on a mini-break to Jamaica last weekend to enjoy a bit of sun and fun after a couple of busy months and before Baby Ann joins us. Highlights from our trip include:

*Air Jamaica - Hope you like Jerk chicken. It's all they serve. Really.

*Tattoos - That random tribal symbol you had inked on your lower back, shoulder, ankle or around your bicep at age 20 is there forever. EVER.

*Swimsuits - Before you buy, look at it from all angles. Every. Single. One.

*Beach Aerobics - Unless you look like the instructor, it's probably something you shouldn't be doing in a swimsuit.

*Extreme tanning - Admittedly everyone benefits from having a bit of color in their cheeks, but when you are the color of a weathered handbag, it might be time to break out the sunscreen.

*Pedicures - Both women and men can benefit from a good pedicure, especially if you plan on exposing your toes.

* Being an Ambassador for your country - Usually does not include getting messy drunk within moments of arrival and yelling at other tourists at the swim-up pool bar. There might have been a reason for the stuff on the German's lips. Can you say sunscreen??

*General Rule of Thumb in Jamaica - Don't. Leave. The. Resort.

*Snorkeling - Not smart to do when the waves are surfable (or without sunscreen in David Ann's case.)

*Human vs. Coral Reef - Coral wins every time. See photo.

*Hair braiding - If you're going to have to take it out for work when you return home, I'd suggest not having your entire head done.

*A couple of final travel tips:

You can't take a jar of homemade pickles through security anymore. Not even in Jamaica.

Walking around with bare feet really shouldn't be done in the airport. Kroger feet, anyone??

All in all, we had a really good time and can check Jamaica off our list of places we've visited. Next year a new island!

Driving in the Car

This week I've had a conference event in NYC, which means I can sleep in my own bed at night, but do have to get up to be at work early. The beauty of it is there is a parking garage right across the street from our conference venue so I have been driving in. Parking is $30/day and a car would be $30-35+ each way, so I'm really coming out ahead of the game.

But to get to the point...I forget how much I enjoy driving to work...no one touching you, no one pushing you, no one standing in front of the subway car doors...it was such a beautiful thing. I really want to car commute again.

Joe Gentry is happy!

Joe Gentry dances for his future grandchild.

It's Been a While...

I really have no excuse for the delay in posting other than I just haven't posted. I come up with all these great topics and proceed to forget them by the time I get to a computer. And yes, the answer to the question you are thinking - I do have a notebook, 2 of them as a matter of fact!, in my bag to jot down notes, but I forget to do that as well.

I've been commuting in some great locations in the last few months - London, Paris, Palm Desert, CA. Wish I could remember all the great stories for you. Mostly it boils down to slow moving people that inevitably stop right in front of the stairs/escalator/elevator doors and don't think to move out from the traffic flow.

I'm going to try and post more, but I make no guarantees...I've got pregnancy brain these days. Yes, boys and girls, David Ann and I are going to be parents - probably one of the most frightening thoughts anyone has ever had! :) I'll be my own case study on whether people get up for the pregnant woman on the train. Let's just hope they do...

[Guest Post] Public Decency Announcement

A hooded sweatshirt, even if it is three sizes too big, is not a dress. There's a reason sweatshirts and sweatpants are grouped together and called sweatsuits.

Men in Tights

OK, so maybe not so much tights but more khaki work kilt. Yes, you read that correctly, a khaki work kilt. I really couldn't figure out why the dude had on a kilt in January - thank goodness today is unseasonably warm at 60+ degrees - but it seemed to be working for him. More power to you and your kilt, dude!