So it's not just me, then..

... that often falls short of updating my blog regularly? 

(above image borrowed from blog.globalgiving.com/)

According to this article in the in the New York Times (Blogs Falling in an Empty Forest), "only 7.4 million out of the 133 million blogs [that Technorati] tracks had been updated in the past 120 days".  That's about 5%.

All I can think is, phew! So I don't suck as much as I thought I did at keeping up with my blog, or at least, I am not alone in my suckage. At least I've had some kind of a blog since 2005.

I also found it interesting how many people's motivation for starting blogs is getting a book deal or a bunch of money.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I think it's pretty cool when people do get book deals after launching a particularly funny, prolific blog (such as StuffWhitePeopleLike.com or Elyse Sewell's Live Journal), but to set out at the onset writing a blog just so that you get a book deal - well, that seems a little arrogant.  Or setting out to write a blog that makes you at least $4000/month - also kind of lame.

Maybe I'm too much of a purist.  Usually people build huge blog followings because they are great at expressing themselves and have something interesting to say.  Not because they follow some formula guranteed to get them a book deal.

This did make me think that I should try to articulate my reasons for writing a blog - so here goes.

My motiviation for blogging:

- Stay connected with friends and family

- Practice writing

- Creative outlet

- FAME and GLORY! (just kiddin)

In these troubling economic times, please take a moment to think about those poor credit card companies...

So I had to go to the neighborhood hardward store this weekend to get an extension cord, and ended up getting an earful of stupidity.

When I walked up to the cash register to pay, there was a middle aged lady chatting it up with the sales guy.  She was off to the side and clearly wasn't buying anything, so I stepped up to the counter to pay.  Also, and this is not entirely relevant to the story except perhaps for character development, she was holding 2 large stuffed animals (one Elmo, one cat) in kind of a choke-hold/hug for no apparent reason.  She must have brought them with her, since I didn't see any stuffed animals for sale in the store.

Anyway, I tend to rarely carry much cash on me, preferring to use my debit card as credit for even the smallest of purchases. Still, sometimes this pisses off vendors, so when I went to pay for the $6 cord I said, "is it okay to use credit for such a small amount?"  The guys said no problem, but the Elmo lady took it upon herself to weigh in:

"You'd better use them quick - before Obama shuts down all the credit card companies!"

Wait, what?! 

She went on, "You know... there are plenty of people out there that need credit cards every day just to pay their bills, and I'm one of 'em!"

My mind was so busy trying to wrap my head around exactly what she was saying, that I didn't manage to actually get any words out.  Instead, I suspect the look of my face effectively communicated that I was not exaclty in agreement with her sentiments, and the conversation ended there.  The sales guy just stayed out of it.

The more I think about this, the more fumed I get.  I mean, really, right now with everything going on in this economic mess, there are people worried about the freakin credit card companies going out of business?  First of all, that's just not going to happen.  Secondly, does she understand how credit cards work?  That they are not just magical free money that should be used to pay bills on a regular basis and never have to be paid back?

And I'm assuming she's pulling Obama into this because of this new bill he introduced that is designed to stop credit card companies from jacking up fees and interest rates on their customers without any notice.  I'm sorry, but why is that a bad thing?  Even most Repulicans are supporting it, because those sort of practices have caused millions of people to get even further into debt.

C'mon Elmo lady, wise up.

Sleeping With the Enemy

Our cat, Kittens/Kitanos/Commisioner Gordon (sorry, he can't seem to just keep one name), has a complicated relationship with one of our dog's toy's, Mr. Man.

During most of the day, Kittens and Mr. Man are enmeshed in a neverending battle.  Kittens continually beats up on Mr. Man, carrying him from room to room in his mouth - only pausing to take nap breaks. 

But at night, Kittens pulls Mr. Man into the bed, to sleep next to him.  It's just too effin cute not to mention here.

And I'm Back!

Today is my first day back post-vacation, post-moving apartments, post-work-conference-taking-every-spare-minute-of-my-waking-life!

As much fun as time off is, there's something to be said for getting back into a routine.  I still have miles of boxes to unpack here at the new place, and many other to dos, but I am so looking forward to catching up with friends I have been neglecting because of my work overload... and just enjoying life here in nyc.

On a related note, it meant so much to me to be able to see friends and family back in San Diego at my baby shower there last week!  Steve and I will be thanking you individually, but I just wanted to say that I miss you all so much and am very thankful for being able to see you and for all of Mateo's lovely gifts.

New Apartment alert!!

We found an awesome new apt.  It's on a tree lined street in an awesome part of Astoria, right near Ditmars, which has a plethora of stores, restaurants, bars and close to the subway.  I'm pretty much beside myself with excitement.  I mean there's 3 sushi restaurants within 1 block! A fresh fruit and vegetable store on the nearest corner!  Steps from our fav bagel place that we usually drive to every Sat.  Aannd we'll have a guest room for you all to come visit.

We can move in May 1st, but we'll be in Las Vegas and San Diego till around May 13th.  So, moving, being preggers, working on the biggest work event all year all at the same time is not ideal, but these things happen.

I can't wait to start putting the nursery together!  Pics of everything to come soon.

More on the hood:  http://bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/queens/astoria/ditmars/31st-46th/index.htm