Cannibalistic Bullfrogs and Boggy-Hillocks Batman!

The other day, my niece was telling me about a website that will give you a hobbit name, and it was really fun and entertaining, and we were having a great time laughing at the silliness of it all. And one of the last names it generated was Boggy Hillocks, which is just hilarious, and should be used as an exclamatory phrase whenever possible. "Boggy Hillocks, I lost my keys!" or "Oh, Boggy-Hillocks, I forgot!"

And that reminded me of another funny phrase. I was working with some records one day (paper records, that is. Not that many people know what a vinyl record is anymore, but just in case you were confused), and my co-worker found some records about a guy's trip down south where he encountered cannibalistic bullfrogs. Isn't that a great phrase? "Cannibalistic bullfrogs!" Works for frustration, excitement, or general silliness. And, honestly, can you come up with a better name for a band? I would totally go listen to a band called the Cannibalistic Bullfrogs (as long as they weren't heavy metal or something like that, which just isn't my thing).

Words are so much fun. I am kind of a nerd about words, and have been known to flip through the dictionary looking for fun new words. I am not a favorites person, but I have a favorite word (defenestrate. I just love that we have a word that means that). My favorite shows and books are the ones that have a creative use of language. Clever use of language is a sign of real wit.

I have one simple rule when it comes to words. If you can communicate your meaning with it, it is a word. Gives a lot of leeway to proper speech. And leads to a lot of fun.

So, yeah. I don't think this post really has much of a point, other than words are cool and you should have lots of fun with them. The End.

Just because

One of my goals this year is to improve my photography skills. So, I tend to carry my camera a lot. (Well, for that, and to prevent a certain 3-year old from using it as his toy). It comes in handy when you come across odd things, like tic-tac-toe boards in the sky:

It is also great to have on hand when I come across funny signs. Every now and then, you just come across a sign that is noteworthy. Like this one:

I've never been in a Wheel Control Zone before. Well, before I saw this, that is.








I also saw this sign, which I couldn't pass up. I hope someday, someone says that about the Cake Fairy someday.

So, that is some of the fun I've been having with pictures lately. I know I'm not an amazing photographer, but I have been having fun, and at some point, I'll find some of my really good ones and post them.

On the bright side

My life has seemed pretty bummerish lately and I decided I am definitely in need of some positives. So, despite all of the crazy frustrations of life, there are some bright sides:

It is raining. Not just a little rain. A nice downpour, with thunder and lightning. This is one of my favorite kinds of weather.
I got up at a reasonable time!
There is cake baking on the docket for the day.
I have a nice name. I have not had to go through life with a name like Buttercup.
I practiced the piano this morning.
I listened to some great music this morning. (not referring to the music I played on the piano. Not that that wasn't great, but I am thinking of other music).
There is still chocolate in the world.
I was reminded of an excellent book I read a long time ago, and now I can read it again.
I may have found a place for an eye exam that only costs half an arm.
I don't have to drive anywhere today.
My nephew just asked if we can play Cheddar Cheese, meaning Parcheesi.
I am starting a new book--reading it, that is. Not writing it. (Now I just have to decide which one!)
The other day, I saw a mole. It was awesome. I especially liked watching his trail as he ran away through the grass.

So, life could definitely be worse. Not that I'd complain if my life settled down a bit, but, hey, why complain?

Recalculating

I have a GPS. Right now, it is set to Jill, but I think I need to change it to Jack. It is so much more fun to say "Come on Jack" than "Come on Jill." Which is another discussion altogether and not the topic of this post. See, the thing with Jill is that she doesn't always give the most logical directions. She gets me where I am going, but sometimes she adds steps making it more complicated than it needs to be. I volunteer at the American Museum of Magic each week, and Jill gives me directions to get off the interstate, drive through town, and then get back on the interstate, instead of having me drive one exit further to the junction where the N/S interstate hooks up with the E/W interstate. And Jill always has me skip the closest on-ramp and drive to the next one. It does make one wonder. So, yes, even though Jill is more geographically adept than I am, she is not the most efficient router I've ever come across. I bet there is some brilliant life analogy, but I'm just going to leave it at a funny GPS.

Why the chicken crossed the road

You always wondered. Now you know.

Story Time

Yesterday, I ended up inadvertently starting a new game with my almost three-year old nephew. It goes like this:
Me: Tell me a story about a monkey.
Him: Once upon a time there was a monkey.
Me: What did the monkey like to do?
Then my nephew answers the question, and I ask another question, and so on. And it isn't always a monkey, but I think that is his favorite. So, here is the story we just told, as well as I can remember:

Me: Tell me a story about a monkey.
Him: Once upon a time there was a monkey.
Me: What did the monkey like to do?
Him: ummmm, play with the dragon.
Me: What did the monkey and the dragon like to play?
[I can't remember the first thing they liked to do, so I'm skipping to the next part]
And then what did they do?
Um, they play with the block-thing.
Oh, they played with the block thing? Did they build towers?
uh [This is not really what he says. It is this sound halfway between yeah and no, and it's not a real word, just that uh noise, and I'm guessing it means yes]
And knock them over?
uh
And build them again?
uh.
Then what did they do?
They climbed on the blocks.
And then what did they do?
They bonked their heads.
Oh no! Then what did they do?
They fell off.
And did they bonk their heads again on the ground?
Uh.
And then what happened?
The monkey's mommy kissed it better.
And then what happened?
They went to the library school.
And what did they do at the library school? Did they read books?
uh.
Did they read abc books?
uh.
And number books?
uh.
And then what did they do after library school?
They made birds.
They made birds?
And fish.
They made fish?
And the dragon made a fish too.
They both made fish?
Uh.
Is that the end?
No.
And then what did they do?
They play on the trampoline.
They played on the trampoline?
on two.
There were two trampolines?
Uh. And the monkey mom helped them.
And then what did they do? Were they tired?
Uh.
So they went home and put on their pajamas?
Uh.
And brushed their teeth? I bet that dragon brushed his teeth.
Uh [he is smiling]
And they went to bed?
Uh.

Then, of course, he wanted to do it again (because this is the final step of the game: Let's do it again, and then we start all over). But, I promised him we would do it tomorrow, and by this time he was in bed, so mission accomplished.

Anyway, it is an entertaining game, and it enhances creativity in players of all ages. So I recommend it. Go ahead. Tell me a story about a monkey...

The Secret to Success

It is a little bit of a challenge to feel like a success when you are living with family while looking for a job, only employed part time, and feel completely dependent on others. (Even though realistically, you aren't, but we don't always feel in line with reality). A friend and I were commiserating this week, and made a fabulous realization: despite our circumstances, we are successful. And of course, the natural thing to do, having achieved success, is to write a book about it. So, here is a small glimpse of what our book on the secrets to success will include:

Part 1: All the things I'm not
Chapter 1: I am not Justin Bieber
Chapter 2: I am not one of the Backstreet Boys
Chapter 3: I am not related to Justin Bieber or the Backstreet Boys

Chapter 4: I have never been on the cover of a tabloid
(who knew you could be so successful just by NOT being things?)

Part 2: People like me
Chapter 5: Small children like me
Chapter 6: I know how to win friends and influence people...using baked goods
Chapter 7: I don't need Facebook to have friends

That, of course is just a start.  Many more secrets of success will be revealed, so be on the lookout for the final product!