Hypnosis at the Dallas Palace

So, after our big day of bird-spotting on Sunday, we had to get home and get ready to go to Kev's work party at Southfork Ranch. I hadn't been there since I was a kid. My grandma Kelly and I think my great aunt Mary were in town once in the 80's, and we took them to Southfork to watch them filming some of the outside scenes of Dallas, which was in it's hey-day at the time. It was kinda cool, and we got a few autographs, but on the other hand, it was kinda boring, because they had to do take after take of the same scene, and it was really hot, and we had to be very still and quiet. Somewhere, I still have a photo I took of "Sue-Ellen" with my Kodak Disc camera. Remember those?

Anyway, Sunday night, Kev and I arrived at Southfork ready for an evening of fajitas and hypnosis. The ranch looks pretty much the same. Now, they do tours of Ewing Mansion, and host events like proms and work parties. Our party was in the Dallas Palace, which we got to by passing Miss Ellie's Deli and then parading ourselves through the gift shop, which sells mostly high-end lady's western-wear - colorful skirts and vests with lots of fringe and bolo medallions - as well as cowboy hats and leather accessories.

There were several round tables set up and ready, and after a short time designated for engaging in co-worker small talk, they opened up the fajita buffet and we got food. There was only one guy at our table prepared to volunteer for the hypnosis show, which didn't bode well for the hypnotist since he had 14 chairs ready up on the stage. I kept trying to get Kev to volunteer, but he said he was too much of a skeptic, and he didn't want to get up there and have it not work.

We ate our fajitas, which were pretty good, and then the company president got up to introduce the Master Hypnotist and start the show. The Hypnotist gave a little introduction, actually a pretty dang long introduction, explaining hypnosis, debunking some myths, and describing how he had used hypnosis to do many miraculous things, like solving crimes and stopping smoking and curing fears and so forth. He got my attention when he told of a lady in Oklahoma City that he had hypnotized, and how she delivered shortly thereafter a ten-pound baby with no anesthesia and no pain. Then he started asking for volunteers. Up went the one guy from our table, and a couple of other people, and then the poor hypnotist had to really start cajoling the crowd. He promised that if we were hypnotized, it would be like having 8 hours of solid peaceful restful sleep, and that we would also sleep well that night, and be more relaxed than ever, etc. All the while, Kev is nudging me and trying to force my hand up, and I'm saying "no way" because I am shy and 8 months pregnant and don't want to be on any stage in front of 100 people. But the poor guy was having a hard time getting volunteers (keep in mind this is a room full of very rational-thinking engineers) and the next thing I knew, I was headed up to the stage. After all, it has been months since I have had 8 solid hours of restful sleep, and I could use it.

I figured I would be super-easy to hypnotize. I am able to put myself in deep relaxation at yoga all the time, and I have a very active visual imagination. So I got up there, and he started the show (he finally got his 14 volunteers), and I'll be damned if I couldn't relax at all. When all was said and done, he only hypnotized 3 of the 14 people, and the rest of us had to leave the stage. I think under different circumstances, it would have worked, but here is my theory about why I didn't get hypnotized:

• I was nervous in front of all those people. I kept thinking that with an audience that big, there was probably at least one person looking at me. I don't like people looking at me.
• The chair was uncomfortable. I kept figiting around.
• The chairs were too close together. I was sitting between the company president and another guy, and their shoulders and arms kept touching mine, and I don't like that either.
• I had just enjoyed a delicious sopapilla, which was causing the Peanut to kick frantically with joy.

So, the guy went through his routine, and my heart was beating really fast and I was NOT getting sleepy and my eyelids were NOT getting heavy and I was starting to panic, thinking "It's not working! What do I do, what do I do?!" which made it worse. Then he told us we were going to forget our names, and he went along asking us one at a time what our name was, and I was happy to discover that 10 others besides me still knew good and well what our names were. We were then asked to join the audience, and the show proceeded with the three people who forgot their names. It was pretty entertaining, and I was glad to be in the audience, because those three had to act pretty silly, and it was all video-taped, so people are going to watch it later.

So, that's the story of how I didn't get hypnotized at the Dallas Palace. I would try it again, though. But not in front of an audience.

PS. When we got home, it was after 10pm, and guess who was at it. Rush guy. He is just about the worst guy ever.

Porch Time / Rooftop Beatles

On Saturday, the weather was sunny and delightfully cool, so we spent a lot of time on our porch. Unfortunately, the view from the porch (left) includes a large dumpster full of dirt and the McMansion across the street. But it was still a pleasant place to spend a Saturday. We ate breakfast out there, and lunch. And then we decided to play some Canasta. So, I got the cards, and Kev put on some Canasta-playing music (the great Herbie Hinkle) and we began our game. However, while Kev was inside putting on the CD, the Rush guy arrived home from his loser job and I feared we were in for it. Sure enough, Herbie Hinkle was soon drowned out by the screeching diddly-diddly-diddly of WAY too loud Rush songs (the same three or four as usual). It was truly a beating. His landlord, who lives downstairs, was outside, and she did not appear to be bothered by the noise in the least, which is a very bad sign. Then she began to mow her lawn, and I was never happier to hear a mower. However, even the mower did not overpower the loud and obnoxiously poor Alex Lifeson impression coming from above. After sticking it out for three hands of Canasta, we finally went inside.

That night, after Kev's soccer game, we decided to go out somewhere. We ended up at The Public House, a rooftop patio on Lower Greenville that is shared by three different restaurant/bars. It was pretty cool, because there is an actual view of downtown from up there. I'll take the camera next time. On the roof next door, there is a little three-sided house/stage, and performing that night was A Hard Night's Day, which is a local Beatles cover band that has been around Dallas for years, but that I had never seen. They were actually pretty good. They wore Beatley-looking suits and everything. The best part was a little old man in the crowd who did some elaborate and indescribable dance moves with lots of spinning and occasional arm flourishes. It was very entertaining.

Rooftop dining is where it's at when the weather is good.

This is a Painted Bunting.

Spotting the Bird

Just when you think Dallas is void of any and all natural beauty, along comes the Cedar Ridge Preserve. It has actually been there all along, previously known as the Dallas Nature Center, but we have just never been there. Until Sunday, that is. It was a really nice day, so we decided to go check it out and do a little hiking. There is Kev at the start of the Cattail Pond Trail (click to enlarge). Before we started the hike, we talked to a bird man who told us that first Painted Buntings of the season had been seen on that trail that weekend. I was excited, as I haven't seen one before, and they are really pretty and colorful birds. But I didn't think we had a chance at all to spot one, because I don't know their habits or their song, and you guys know how my luck has been with owls. (I am still having the dreams, by the way). Anyway, as we were walking along, there at the top of a tree as if posing for us, was my first Painted Bunting in all its colorful glory. We actually spotted two of them. They were too far away to get a picture, but I will get one off the internet and put it on here so you can see how pretty they are.
Here's me at Cattail Pond. Betcha can't even tell I am 8 months pregnant!

Here is a cool butterfly that we saw. There were tons of butterflies and dragonflies on the trail.
Cactus Flower. So pretty.

So, if you are looking for something to do on a nice day, I recommend going to Cedar Ridge Preserve. You will have a nice hike and see some cool birds, and it is very peaceful and serene.

Construction (or Destruction?)

Here is the progress on our addition so far. Sadly, the guys took the cool Bobcat truck away before I could take a picture. At the moment, a building inspector is here, and any further progress depends on his report. As you can see, we still have our satellite. It will probably be removed just in time for the next series of the Mavs play-offs.

Sports Update

Update to the Update:

MAVS WIN! Bring on the Spurs/Kings!

Tim Rall had a great outing last night for the Sacramento team...He pitched 2 and 2/3, giving up no runs or hits, and struck out 3. Way to go, Tim!

Please see LarryFeathers in the comments for more sports.

Well, it looks like the Mavs should be moving along to the next series, as they are up 3 games to none against Memphis in the first round. What a game on Saturday! I hope some of you watched it. I almost feel sorry for the Grizzlies after that one. (Their coach looks like the Nazi guy from the Blues Brothers, by the way.) Game four is tonight, and if the Mavs win, they will face either the Spurs or Kings in the next round. Bleach, you should pay attention to the Mavericks, not because of us all, but because they are great, and with the exception of their ridiculous owner, they are a bunch of really good guys. No thugs on this team.

Now for a little news on the Official Minor League Baseball Player of the LRHS, the great Tim Rall: The deceptive Long Island Leftie started off the season in Midland, playing Double-A ball for the Oakland organization. His stats looked really good, and it appears he has been moved up to Triple-A, which is not only a good move baseball-wise, but also location-wise, as Sacramento is about a million times better than Midland. If any of you have ever been to Midland, you know what a horrible place it is, only slightly better than its sister city, Odessa, which may be the worst place in Texas. So I hope Tim gets to stay in California in spite of a rough start. I have gotten all my info from minorleaguebaseball.com, so some of it might be inaccurate or not quite up-to-date. Maybe we can get an update from our reporter in the field, Marty. He is very inside.

The Stars were a real disappointment.

Somehow, the Rangers are in first place in spite of being not very good.

And there is your sports update.

Coming Attractions

Coming soon to the LRHS:

• Hypnosis at the Dallas Palace
• Porch Time
• Rooftop Beatles
• Spotting the Bird
• Sports Update

And, by request, a photo-journal of construction.

But this morning, I have no time to blog. Please check back later...

At Last

Just arrived home to find construction on our addition is FINALLY underway. There is a dumpster on the lawn, and some very exciting-looking noisy trucks digging up dirt out back. Maybe they will let us use some of the dirt to level our back yard so it won't be a swamp next time it rains. Anyway, I am glad Kev isn't here, because I think he would feel a little sad about not getting to drive the cool trucks himself. I bet if they leave the trucks here overnight, Kev will go sit on them. I might even go sit on them myself. They are cool. I took some cokes out to the two workers. I think they appreciated it. I am happy to report that at least for now, we still have TV, so I shouldn't have to miss the Office tonight (which is a new episode, by the way). At some point though, the Dish is gonna have to come down, and unless we find a temporary spot for it, we will be without TV for the duration of the building. That wouldn't be so bad, except the Mavs are in the middle of the play-offs, and I don't want to miss it. I think they really have a shot this year. If they can just get past the Spurs. Ooooh, that Mike Bibby makes me crazy. And don't even get me started on Tim Duncan. Go Mavericks!

PS. Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies looks like he comes from Jesus' time.

Please Leave Alaska Alone

Senate Republicans have proposed giving all American taxpayers a $100 rebate to offset gas prices. Nice, huh? However, attached to this proposal (once again) is opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling. How many times are we gonna have to go through this?

And $100? WOW! THANKS! As if that helps much. That's about 2 tanks of gas in the car I am currently driving. I'll give all the senators $100 to leave Alaska alone and start thinking about legitimate long-term solutions instead of short-term quick fixes with irreversible consequences.

Nothing to Blog About

I have nothing to blog about. I am at work. I have had a cancellation, so I am free for the next 30 minutes. Plenty of time for a blog, that is if I had anything to say. I could blog about the builders at my house, but they haven't bothered to show up yet. I am trying to keep from complaining about the trash men, so I've got nothing there. Even the Rush guy has been quiet. Oh, here is one piece of gossip. The girl who moved into the McMansion across the street just had a baby...a boy named "Jensen Drake." I am glad we are having a girl. Boy names are difficult. Uh...I have been playing the melodica a lot lately. I think the Peanut likes it. She is very still while I am playing, but starts kicking me when I stop. She also has been getting hiccups a lot lately. Um...what else? I hope there is a new episode of The Office this week. It has been reruns for a few weeks. Oh yeah, this Sunday, Kev's office is having another party. You may remember the Christmas Party with the Snake guy. This time, the party is at Southfork Ranch (home of TV's Dallas), and the entertainment will be a hypnotist. I am trying to get Kev to volunteer to be hypnotized, but I don't think he will. I think it would be fun, but I don't think I should volunteer in my condition. Well, that's all I've got. Maybe something interesting will happen soon.

Friday Shout Out

http://www.thetrustmusic.com/home.html

or

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=17232330

Happy birthday to my cousin Jeremy. He is the drummer for a cool band called The Trust, so check them out with the links above.

Defeat

Today I had to make some copies, so I went on an errand to Kinko's. Here is the conversation I had with the Kinko's dude during the small talk and chit chat portion of our transaction:

Kinko's Dude: (Noticing my belly) How many months are you?

Me: I have six weeks to go.

KD: So you must be starting to diet, then.

Me: No, I don't think I am supposed to diet. I am supposed to eat more.

KD: But in the third trimester, you will get a lot bigger.

Me: Yeah, I guess so.

KD: How many kids do you have?

Me: This is my first.

KD: REALLY???!!!

Me: Yes.

KD: This is only your first?

Me: Yes.

KD: Wow! How old are you?

Me: (Shocked silence)

KD: Sorry.

Me: It's OK. I'm 37.

KD: Wow. It's hard to have a baby once you're past 30.

Me: So, how much for the copies?

People Watching, Etc.

On Sunday night, Kev and I decided to go out for a nice Easter desserty treat. Actually, I was craving dessert and wanted a treat, and Kev just went along for the ride. We went to Mockingbird Station. Our favorite gelato shop was closed, so we sat on the balcony of the Trinity Hall pub and ordered a creme brulee (which we split) and some coffee (decaf). There was a nice breeze and there were lots of people-watching opportunities, as there usually are at Mockingbird Station. This time I noticed a sort of alarming trend...men wearing capri pants. I suppose it was only a matter of time. In fact, I think Kev predicted it about two years ago. I tried to picture Kev in capri pants, but I just couldn't. Maybe if it catches on, I'll get used to it, but now I think it just kind of looks weird. If you are a boy, and you have a hot capri pants opinion, please feel free to share.

As I am trying to avoid any and all production of cortisol, I shall refrain from commenting on the 101 degree day we had on Monday.

Today I had a sonogram, so I got to see the baby, which was cool. The first time, she looked like a peanut (hence the name), the second time, an alien, but this time she looked very human. The doctor noticed some hair on the back of her head. I hope she doesn't come out with a mullet.

Mavs play-offs basketball starts this weekend, so that is exciting.

When I was young and still lived at home, whenever we would have pizza delivered, LarryFeathers would make someone else answer the door. Then he would hide around the corner and make goat noises while we paid the dude for the pizza. It was pretty funny. Feel free to try it next time you get delivery.

Dangit

Tom and Katie stole our name.

Just kidding.

I am so tired of celebrities.

Speak of the Devil

Happy Easter, everyone, and I apologize for the inappropriate devil talk on this particular day. But I have the increasingly rare combination of a story to tell and some time to blog, so there you go.

When I first went to the baby doctor last fall, she projected the Peanut's due date as June 9th. There was soon thereafter some joking around with friends about how we hoped she wouldn't be 3 days early, as that would make her birthday 6/6/06, or 666, which is a number often associated with the "beast"(devil). I didn't think too much about it, and laughed it off, as I am not really a supersticious person and think such talk is silly. But then, this past Friday night, we went to the movies (Inside Man is pretty OK, but not great, by the way) and there was a preview that went like this: You see a park on a gray day, and a sort of scary looking dog sitting on the ground minding his own buisiness. Then the camera pans over to a kid on a swing. You see him from behind, and he is wearing a red British-looking prep-school uniform and he is swinging slowly, and the swing is going creak...creak...creak...and then the camera goes around to the front of the boy, who is maybe 5 or 6, and he is just sort of staring off into space, and then he turns and stares VERY creepily into the camera, and the movie announcer voice says something about him being born on 6/6/06, and some scary dramatic music plays. I looked wide-eyed from the screen to Kev to my belly in distress. Then I laughed.

Now, here's the thing. My doctor has recently decided that if the baby doesn't decide to come out on her own beforehand, we are going to induce labor early in the morning of June 5 (like 7:30am). She said on average, it then takes about 12 hours. So as long as the baby arrives before midnight, which I fully expect she will, we will not have to worry about the 666 thing. And frankly, I'm not worried about it anyway. But then today during breakfast, Kev and LarryFeathers were going on and on about trying to get my doctor to change the date, because while they don't buy into such deviltry silliness, other people might, and thus give the Peanut a hard time about her birthday for the rest of her life. I couldn't tell if they were just trying to get me going, or if they were really serious about trying to change the date. Now, I can't very well go in in there and look my doctor in the eye and say, "Well, you see, now we're going to have to alter the plan a little so I don't have a possible devil baby." How embarrassing. And I told this to Kev and Larry, but they kept on insisting I was making a big mistake taking a chance like that. It was a stressful meal.

So, that is my Easter story about the devil.

On a happier note, here is a little song you can sing (if you want) to the tune of the Oscar Mayer balogna song:

Our Peanut has a first name
We think it's pretty swell
Our Peanut has a second name
And that one's nice as well

We'd love to tell you if we could
But we don't really think we shooooooould...
'Cause if we did, it wouldn't be
an S-U-P-R-I-S-E.

Happy Easter everybody!

Saturday Shout Out

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!!

Hope you have a great day!

Peanut Palace

The Crib (click photos for larger view). The little white cabinet in the corner was built by my grandpa in the 40s. It was used for my dad's diaper storage, and then for mine, and now for the Peanut's.

It didn't take us long to fill the book/toy shelf.

Changing table/ Dresser. Cool bunny rabbit band art from Whitney.

This chair is gonna see a lot of action soon. It glides.

The parents are ready. Especially the one with the belly.

We think poor old Ralph is jealous. We caught him trying to take over...

Waste

So, I just found out I have to get new license plates for my car before I can have a new registration sticker. Apparently, this is something that is supposed to happen every 7 years, and this is my 7th year. Here is my question: WHY? There is nothing wrong with my current license plates. They are in great shape, and I have recently even memorized the number. Now, I will have to get whole new plates with a whole new number, which will probably take me another 7 years to memorize. And what am I supposed to do with my old perfectly good plates? Does the state of Texas plan to recycle them for me? Or will they just go into a landfill somewhere? This may seem kind of trivial, but if you think about it, it is really stupid, and a waste of time and money. Who makes these dumb rules? I need to know where to send my letter...

Happy Anniversary, Kev!

Love,
T.

Serenity Now!

I have just witnessed the garbage men once again hurl my trash bin thoughtlessly onto my lawn, but I am not going to let it bother me today. I am calm and serene. It's all good.

We had a nice weekend. We went to Dallas Blooms at the arboretum on Satruday morning. It was raining, but that was fine. We had a little picnic lunch and walked around looking at the tulips and azaleas. It is beautiful there.

It stopped raining out, and we had dinner on the porch, as well as breakfast on Sunday morning. It is threatening to get hot, so we are enjoying the outdoors while we can. I made a jambalaya, and it turned out good, so I was pretty proud of it. No kitchen disasters this weekend.

Last night we took a walk and saw some bats. I think bats are cool (unless they are flying at my head which happened one night last summer), and I hope they stick around and eat the mosquitos that torment us every year.

On previous recent walks and outings, we have seen unicyclists on parade and a pair of bag-pipers. So you never know what you might see if you go outside and pay attention.

The Peanut is most likely coming nine weeks from today. The final countdown has begun. I hope that will be enough time to pick a name.

Hope you all had a good weekend.