ShannonAlbert.com - June 2009

One of our guides in Belize told us that there is no racism in Belize. Everybody is equal. He hadn't ever experienced it until he came to the US and saw people grabbing their purses when he would get near them. I remember hearing something similar about Sidney Poitier who lived in the Bahamas until moving to the U.S. as a teenager.

"I couldn't adjust to the racism in Florida," he says. "It was so blatant. ... I had never been so described as Florida described me."

But he wasn't having it. As he says, "Florida said to me, 'You are not who you think you are. We will determine what you are.' "

That was in 1943. Over 60 years later, the story is the same. What is wrong with us?

From an ebook I'm reading:

For example, on a train ride between Slovakia
and Hungary a couple of years ago, I figured out that the cost of visiting 100 countries would be roughly equal to that of buying a new S.U.V. When I saw how relatively little that was, I felt encouraged.
I gave up the hypothetical large vehicle and received the world in return.

Me: Blake, I like this music, is it Cirque du Soleil?
Blake: Yeah, Payton hates it.
Me: Is that why you put it in?
Blake: Yeah, I'm serious, she REALLY hates it.

I'm not sure what has spurred Blake's sudden burst of consistent humor and new vocabulary but we are loving it.

to Andy while playing a game: Wow, you are impressive!

to me while going through the Halloween maze at my work: This part is SO horrifying!

Blake: Could you help me button my jeans?
Me: Sure.
Blake: Thanks. Actually, I have two things to thank you for. First, for helping me with my pants. Second, for getting my costume for me!

Blake: Can I eat these?
Me: No, they've been setting out all night.
Blake: But why? I want to.
Me: Because it's yucky to eat those after sitting out all night.
Blake: But I want to.
Me: Quit arguing with me. You just can't eat it.
Blake: I wouldn't call this arguing. More like a conversation.

Me: I'm going to hug you so hard, I'm going to end up squeezing you to death!
Blake: You know what would come out of me? White blood cells. And red blood cells. And farts.

regarding the school election: I'm voting for Obama...that's a woman, right?

Me: Blake, do you want a Pop-tart before you go to the bus?
Blake: Is it regular or reduced fat?
Me: I'm not sure. [I knew it was reduced fat but wasn't sure if he thought that was a bad thing or not.]
Blake: Well, I don't want regular or it will hurt my heart.
Me: Ok, the box says these are reduced fat.
Blake: Eh, I'm not hungry anyway.

Payton: What's that license plate say?
Me: Metallica.
Payton: What's that?
Me: A band.
Payton: An oldies band?
Me: 80s.
Payton: oldies.

And then yesterday, I was showing Payton videos of the band Ludo and telling her that Kami really loved them and I was learning to love their music. Afterward, she said "omg, that sounds like music I listen to...I can't believe OLD people like it."

Andy broke the passenger side mirror on the van recently and was frustrated by it but then remembered a quote from Blake.

Blake: Dad, there are a lot of cars that are broken and still driving.
Andy: Yes, that happens and since the cars still work people drive them instead of paying for new cars.
Blake: Most of those people deliver pizzas.

Andy's email to me about this conversation said:

It just cracked me up, because it is so true. Every car we passed that had a big dent was either pizza hut or papa john delivery drivers. I may have to start delivering pizzas.

Blake: Did God make God?
Andy: I don't know.
Blake: Maybe Santa Claus will tell me. Or the Easter Bunny.

Me: Gots to get one. http://youtube.com/watch?v=zUr7byYaql4

Andy: Yep, pretty cool...now tell me how much.

Me: Can you put a price tag on my happiness?

Andy: I do all the time. But the price is so high, I usually try to put a price tag on your complacency.

Payton: We hate each other, remember?
Blake: No, I love you and you hate me. It's true!

Blake: Mom, do we have Vonage or the phone company?
Me: The phone company.
Blake: Vonage wants to change the way you do things. The phone company doesn't allow you to dial long distance. Go to startvonage.com.