I just wanted to give a heartfelt to all of you who were so kind to respond to my little love note to my grandson. He is, indeed, a wonderful young man, and both Drew and I are really in awe of how well he is turning out.

I've never viewed what Denny does to be a testament to how Drew and I are raising him, though, but it's nice to, on occasion, get positive feedback from other people.

Another season of Top Chef has concluded (I don't really watch, or comment, on "reunion" shows) and, now I'm just waiting for the new season of my beloved "Project Runway" on July 16th. That was the show that carried me to Bravo, and it's my true "guilty pleasure". I guess that means that, regardless of a post here or there, this is the end for me.

I want to thank those friends that I see from year to year, and say what a pleasure it's been to meet the newer people here. It's been a good time, and you all made it that.

I hope to see you on the Runway boards after the show has it's annual "rebirth", and we will have fun there, once again. I just hope for characters as talented as Jay McCarroll, Daniel Vosovic, Jeffrey Sebillia and, my favorite, Chris March. It's always fun, even when the bum shows roll along.

As always, it's been a slice of heaven, and, I hope to see you all there. And, by the way, Denny calls me "Papi". This is fine with me, as I'm still not ready for "grandfather". I know it's a little vain, but it is what it is.

Tom—

I wish you would reconsider Shear Genius. I'll be watching and commenting and would love to have your take. However, if it's not to be, it's not, and I'll be looking forward to finding you on the PR5 boards later this summer.

Love to Denny and Drew. You are lucky to have them, and they are lucky to have you.

Okay Pita I will. Just let me get past this weekend. My first wedding anniversary was 10 June and the official legal first anniversary is 15 June. There was more than 10 days of food so I am going to have to leave some out and cover the highlights. I can tell you that it involved the purchase of several sheep, a few cows and dozens upon dozens of chickens not to mention the seafood.

I will try to do some posts by Monday night or so. Thank you for asking!

*winks* I'm waiting!!!!


Mind you, though, Hajar my friend, this is one of my ComicCon "cosplaying" costumes, no attempt at authenticity, but just thought it'd be fun to share! Enjoy your weekend!

And welcome Na'amah, so long till PR to Papi Bear :-), and Supe....love Reverend Grandma....mixed up families like that are so much fun. My last official concert in college was attended by my

Biological Mom
2 maternal half-sisters
maternal Grandma
maternal Step-Grandpa
Biological dad
Paternal Step-Mom

I just introduced everyone as "these are my folks/family" and let them try to figure us out!!!
Am resting today, catch all y'all later
Jazzie

PS: Kidlet has requested my famous "fried spagetti" for dinner....cooked and cooled pasta, lightly sauteed in olive oil and topped with dehydrated spinach and parsley (and I did the dehydration myself LOL) parmesan, grated onions, and garlic. Have some small beef steaks to go with it....any takers? I'm putting the pasta on now LOL!
Edit: Correction, nice pork chops rather than beef steaks....I thought the hubby took the beef out of the freezer. Should have looked LOL!

And for anyone who doesn't partake of pork....we still have a bit of chicken left over!

Bear,

I'm going where you are going!

Love ya!

tcfan

Hey Na'amah (what a beautiful name BTW). Welcome! See you on the runway!

You are blessed my friend. Enjoy every moment you and Drew have with that young man!

I wish to give a testamonial...(left hand on the pewback in front of me-right hand and eyes raised skyward)..."Thank-you Jesus, for FLOMAX!!!"... ...

..."you'll never catch me..."

...flit...

This is for Jim and all the other Grammar Hammers on the board. It's from this morning's Washington Post.

The Fate of the Sentence

Enjoy it—if you can!

When my first grandkid started to talk my wife and I became "Gummie" and "Boppy".... and those names have stuck for him and his sister. My sons daughters use the more traditional grandpa and grandma but the middle one calls my wife "Mickey"..( my wife is a Disney person"...

Many Thanks . . .

You've given me yet another quote for my "siggie" file!

Many, multiple moons ago I had a volunteer intern working with me. I'll call him Bill. He was a second year Social Services undergraduate student. One day when our work load was light he asked if I cared to read a term paper he was working on and comment on it. I was appalled! My first reply to Bill's prose was, "Well, to start off, every sentence must have a subject and a verb."

Thus I started a four year stint as a mentor, editor and contributor to his education. Each week we would review Bill's works in progress for hours on end. The longer we toiled together the shorter our sessions became. He was an eager learner.

Bill invited me to attend his Masters Degree ceremony and congratulatory party. He was the first in his family to even attend college. Clutching his son's parchment Bill's proud father announced before all the assembled guests, "Son, you should cut this diploma in two and give half of it to Supe!"

Hello all,

Just curious about yalls plans for Fathers Day.

We told my dad he could pick the place for dinner and he picked Texas Roadhouse. Ive never eaten there but I looked at their menu online and lets just say his heart doctor would not approve. I think they put cheese on their cheese. A friend had told him the place was really good so thats where we are going. There will 16 of if going,three of them being great-grandsons.

My dad is my hero. Both my parents mean the world to me but my dad is special. I cannot put into words what that man means to me. You know those dads you see in old movies,the ones who work a full day and always give their best,even if the pay is bad? The ones who take the job of being dad,husband,neighbor,friend,son,brother,citizen seriously. They do whats right even is nobody is looking. They always put others first and if its their birthday thats forgotten,they never say a word. They are the first to lend a hand if someone is in need and will be the last to ask for help if the tables are turned. Thats my dad plus so much more. I aspire to the kind of person he is when I grow up.

I know how lucky I am to have both my parents still with me but Im doubly blessed because they are such good people.


Happy Fathers Day to all you dads and Grandpas and also to all those dads who may not be related by blood but you still took the time to do a dads job.

Thanks!

Welcome to the board..... pull up a chair grab a drink and post away.... we usually dont bite!!!!

I like the "usually"!

Brillke... thanks for the note... in this world of dysfunctional families it is nice to see that there are people out there that still apprieciate thier parents. I wish I had a better feeling that I was as important to my kids as you state how you feel about your dad... but in many ways I feel like my kids would rather not bother. That is probably my own fault... holidays like these were just "Hallmark" holidays and not that important as they were growing up and now I see that they really are important but it is too late. Please understand... I have been acknowldeged... my son got me a nice paella pan and a new golf shirt and my youngest bought my lunch as we moved her home yesterday for the summer from college. What I really would like is to have my kids and grandkids together for a meal and visit but that is not to be. Oh well .... life goes on.

On a lighter note I am reporting that my wife and I are going to get to see my current favorite country singer this Thursday night... Brad Paisley so I will post a brief report of that show later in the week.

Ford....love it! You know, I'd forgotten about this....my best friend throughout the seventies and eighties, her dad was a crusty old retired navy officer, submariner, short little banty rooster kind of guy....but the grandson christianed him "doo doo" and he wore it proudly the rest of his life!
Jazzie

Happy Father's Day!!! Hope everyone is doing something fun today.

We did the usual breakfast/brunch routine that is never truly successful, but for some odd reason we keep on doing it. Brunch on Mother's Day or Father's Day, at any kind of restaurant is insane. When we go we usually have at least fourteen people in the group....and we can be a difficult group. They all love the buffet and I am not a big fan of any buffet but especially breakfast. I like my eggs cooked to order, please. This morning we got our water at the end of the meal!! I felt bad for the wait staff---they were working their butts off. I laugh every year when we do this cause it's always something. One year Great Grandma got her coffee in a sugar bowl.

KK,
I am winding down from Top Chef and will probably move to some of the other bds I frequent when Top Chef is not on.

John

Well, Father's Day has been a bit difficult for me for 10 years now. I usually just ignore it and hope that it passes quickly. But your stories on here have touched me, and helped me to look back, and treasure the memories of my father on this day even though he is not here today for me to spend it with.

I was blessed to have him for 33 years - the best Daddy one could ever hope for. Never thought of himself as heroic, but could not have been more heroic in his daughter's eyes! He loved my mother, loved us kids (and his grandkids), loved his God and loved his country. He worked hard, was kind, gentle, helped others, had a very subtle (and wonderful) sense of humor. He belived that there was nothing that a chocolate chip cookie or a bowl of ice cream could not fix! He was quiet... but when he talked, you listened, because he really had something to say. When he disciplined us he told us that it hurt him more than it hurt us, and when we looked into his eyes, we could see that it was the truth. He gave great advice, and left it to us to decide if we would take it or not (more the fools we were when we did not!). He was a great man, even if he did not think he was, and he is a part of what made his children (and now grandchildren) what they are today.

So Happy Father's Day! Those who do not have fathers with them today, remember the times you had with them. Those who do, give them an extra special tight hug and tell them that you love them (and realize how lucky you are that you can!).

Happy Father's Day!

I know this day has great meaning for many of you as sons, fathers, and grandfathers.

Personally it is a meaningless day. My father talked with me once when I was seven, decided after a few words that I was not the son he wanted, and never contacted me again. Luckily I had a "step" grandfather who thought I was the best thing since sliced bread. So, I had a father figure if not a literal one. I'll celebrate Grand Parents Day and Mother's Day instead!

KSBEAR,

From what you write, IMO, Your "step" grandfather IS your father, in every MEANINGFUL sense of the word, and the one who rightly deserves the honor of the day! I am glad he was able to see what he saw in you! And glad that you had (have?) him in your life! It is his relationship with you that encompasses the spirit of the day!

NiCi

Brilke,

Quiet day, the wife got me out of bed to receive father's day call from my daughter. I received a similar call from my son in the afternoon. It was a fairly quiet day. I spent it repairing the back door stoop. Ribeye steak dinner and watched Tiger Woods sink a 15 foot birdie to face an 18 hole playoff tomr am against Rocco Mediate. Even with one leg Tiger can create drama.

okay, so I am sure someone has mentioned this already but I do not have time to go back and read now, so I thought I'd post it for your pleasure. It's a little ways down the page.

Top Chef Junior

here is my question. The article says this



2-17 year olds up for that time slot???

So here is a little snip from Tom C.'s blog (which I did like in general) that exemplifies why I like to call him an arrogant bahstahd (again, not without reason-but nonetheless a teensy weensy arrogant)



So modest! Wow Tom, no one ever told you you had a problem with self confidence did they!

I could write all day about my father and never do him justice. I'll just say that I loved him then, still do, and hope to be the person to my grandson that he was to me. He was the sun, the moon, the stars, and he left me when I was 39; much too soon, but I'll always have him in my heart.

no no no. I thought it was arrogant (in a totally innocent and funny way) that he said "The great American Chef's" and then a sentence later said "We" thereby putting himself in that group. Such things are generally said about a person by OTHERS not by ONESELF! it was just funny. and poor guy, that is probably not even what he meant, but it was just funny b/c reading it that was the essence I got ("The Great American Chefs-such as myself). That's like an American writer saying, The Great American writers of today focus more on character than plot. I know I always put character development first. (or something like that-you know)

I will say though, in reading his blog it made me think of The Pursuit of Happyness". I loved the movie, don't get me wrong, but I remember saying to my friend, THAT is the quintessential difference between women and men right there. Most women would do WHATEVER job they could do to provide for their child and put themselves second b/c that child is always #1 whereas he just wouldn't give up that he could be great and do something better. (course momma left, so well, she wasn't doing too hot either on that one! ha-ha) Which is fine, but and this is something Tom said in his blog, How many women out there could be just as good as Keller or Ripert etc etc but they chose a different path in order to spend more time with their families. He is so right about men just assuming that some caregiver will fall into place. I think that is b/c OFTEN (and I am not saying always men, please don't think I am) men think about the future and women think about the now. Maybe? Don' really know.

Well I have two little brats coming to visit their dad at my house does that count....for a MONTH! No they aren't my boyfriend's/husbands before anyone says anything and I am sure they are lovely little people, I just am not sure how comfortable my house is going to be with six people in it for a month. It's my roommate's boyfriend's kids. but I'll get over it.

I hate to be the party pooper but I actually usually don't even realize it's father's day. My dad died when I was very little. 18months old. and it's just never been hard on me I guess b/c I didn't know him. Also, grandpa's are gone. (well never knew my Dad's dad-he could still be living a I guess-no one know him as he was one of those odd people who had two families and when my dad's mom found out she left him and never saw him again) For my other brother's and sisters, it is hard though. And I don't have a hubby or bf with any kids so it is one of those holidays that just kind of passes me by. We are a very matriarchal family in general actually when I think about it. My brothers and brother in law are far away so I didn't get to see them, but I hope they had a great father's day and their daughters aren't giving them heart burn too bad

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flatery. By the sound of things, you have a very good start on being all to your grandson that your father was to you. What an incredible legacy to pass down! Happy Father's Day!

Thanks, KK and NiCi - He was the father figure in my life, and I was proud when I was asked to give the eulogy at his funeral. I blubblered like an idiot,but I got through it. It's nice to know that others out there care, and I have been lucky to have an extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles) who decided long ago that my being different from them was okay.

Ok just what the "eff" happened to Dave(David)Lieberman???... ...This like REALLY hot chef on the FN... ...He kinda blew in for one season...Made some really great food(I still make his Cherry Tomato, Pesto, and Bowtie Pasta, Salad)...and like vanished... ...Maybe Flay, couldn't stand anybody "prettier" than himself...LOL... ...

No worries!

THAT IS FANTASTIC!!!

Thanks bJason! Can't tell you how great it is to really breathe again!!!

Psh
you are so adorable I don't think it should be legal.
I'm gonna 'post your pix again as some may not have seen the wonder of your eye.

Me thinks you are a Renaissance pixie who flits through the ages with style and grace and
every now and then you become a
mischievous pixie eating troll meat.

You are [expletive deleted] Tinkerbell

Here is a song for my Dad...passed 9 years ago. I guess he loved me.Ialways had a roof over my head,clothes, and food.


The Greatest Man I Never Knew

The greatest man I never knew
Lived just down the hall
And everyday we said hello
But never touched at all
He was in his paper
I was in my room
How was I to know he thought I hung the moon

The greatest man I never knew
Came home late every night
He never had too much to say
Too much was on his mind
I never really knew him
And now it seems so sad
Everything he gave to us took all he had

Then the days turned into years
And the memories to black and white
He grew cold like an old winter wind
Blowing across my life

The greatest words I never heard
I guess I'll never hear
The man I thought would never die
S'been dead almost a year
He was good at business
But there was business left to do
He never said he loved me
Guess he thought I knew

I love my pets but even these,except #10 which I own,is too out there for me.


http://www.petside.com/news/crazy-pet-gadgets.html

Awww TT my Father never told us either
But we do know he told other peeps.Isn't it always the way. My mother said he was great when we were little and I do remember him kissing me.But I wasn't the daughter he wanted.
I mean I was a terror Funny story.

When he was dying we had Hospice there and we all gathered around him like they told us to.
And we were watching *Something About Mary*
I know but they told us to laugh 'cause he was in a coma like state from the morphine and they said it was good for him..So ALL of us including mum were on the bed watching... all 4 kids and we were talking and laughing and how weird but that is what they said we should do I mean we even said it was weird.So he hadn't said a word like in days and when the part came on when she had the you know in the hair we all started laughing really hard and all of sudden he yells
SHUT UP!!!!

We laughed soooo hard 'cause that was my father he wasn't like mean to us ...Just indifferent.
He was grouchy for sure...Except when he
went out..THEN he became Mister Personality.

I mean he was always home with us if he wasn't working.. and he was kinda' close to my brother's as they did the outside work.I would call down here before I moved here and he would answer the phone and say. Hi here's your mother.lol BUT the weirdest thing is that Hospice told us that sometimes they wait to die till you leave the room. And after a week of being here we all kinda' did our own things...SO one night we all came in the bedroom quite by accident...We all hadn't
been in there for days at the same time together.
And then we said ok let's go eat after agood while...And 5 minutes later he passed away..And I didn't believe those Hospice peeps ...but he did it.

And after that I wasn't afraid to die anymore.
Moral of this story..Kiss your peeps and tell them
you love them....A LOT!!!

Cat Stevens.. Father & Son
sob and lol to the new porch peeps.

Those are pretty bizarre. I like the one that lets you carry your dog like a shoulder bag though....course I have a very small dog.

Yes...people do need to SAY IT. That is kind of unusual the way things went down with your Dad's passing. Some Dads just don't like to express their feelings. Oh well...I guess it all comes out in the wash.

Don't you dare apologize...Oh LAWD I am
sorry...Sounds like my husband's father.
He threw hammer at him once and beat him like every day...Ouch....My father beat the hell out of me ONCE...when I was suspended for the
for the 12th time lol

I can't blame him I was a bad goil.
My motto. Most peeps should be neutered
at birth and love to your mother as she gave us the wonderful you.

Im glad theres an upside. Have a great time at the concert sug.

So here is a personal problem. I need you guys' objective opinion on this matter. I know you will give it to me b/c you don't have any needs from me like my friends/co-workers/family. which situation do you think is better? I know there isn't much to chose between the two, but moving out on my own is not an option right now, it's just too expensive.

A. Largest room in a 4 bedroom house. Own bathroom, gigantic closet, garden tub, huge room.
Bills paid-Internet, trash, water, electricity
Bills I pay-Cable, Telephone
Drawbacks:
4 people live in the house. 1 person is a total jerk. he is dating the roommate whose family owns the house. The other roommate is her brother and I am number 4. The jerk wears his boxers around the house, is an alcoholic, smokes behind his woman's back, does no chores, takes other people's beer and comments to roommates brother how hot 17 year old girls are while he is in his 40's and talks down to his gf.
House is southwest of city. Somewhat of a commute but nice area. All my friends are south or central and all my favorite cool places to eat and hang out are south central.
Internet sucks and roommate seems to not care to try and get it fixed.
Roommates leave dirty dishes piled up on the counter for days.
Dog hair is everywhere.


B. Have a bedroom and bathroom to myself for 100 dollars less than what I am paying now with bills included except phone and cable.
My niece would love to have me as her roommate.
Drawbacks
Live with my niece (who is a good friend, more like a sister) her two young kids (3 & 1) and her boyfriend who certainly have their fair share of drama. BF can be somewhat of a douchebag.
Family will think something is wrong that I have to move in with my niece when and it will look like I am broke or something.
Much smaller closet
No garden tub.
Way way up north-but have the possiblity of working from a north location to save on gas. However, I would still have to drive to other locations frequently for meetings and such.
friends and fun places I like to hang out south and central.
Would have to find a new place April of next year when nieces lease is up b/c they are most likely going to move.

I have to think that option 2 is the best.... just from your description it sounds as if you know that already. Yes it might be short term but if you look at is a means to buy some time towards your own space it might be more palatable. Option 1 sounds like you would be unhappy from the git-go.

If I found myself in the same situation I think I'd opt for plan B. It's the lesser of two evils and you could be up front about it to those in your family who might misconstrue your motives for doing so. At least you have a good friend in your cousin and the emotional "background noise" is more tolerable than coming home every night to a filthy house with dirty dishes in the sink, an untrustworthy alcoholic running around in boxers, stealing his roommates beer and badmouthing his girlfriend.

Even if your cousin moves at the end of her lease next April I rather doubt that you'd last any much longer than that at the other "Funny Farm." At least I know I wouldn't -- even with the biggest room in the house and a private bath with a garden tub and a closet to get lost in.

Another option might be to put an ad in the local paper for a shared apartment opportunity. At least you could interview and perhaps even find a better situation right in your prefered area.

Good Luck!

.

Sheesh, daverocks, sounds like a choice between the lesser of two evils. Where is "way way north" to you in Austin? I've been here a really long time, PM me, I may know parts of town where you could afford to live solo.

AI

You've a PM, hope it goes well for you! Trust your inner voice is the best advice I can think of!
Jazzie

Boy, no kidding.....but number ten....yeah, I could see that. Course, I'm the woman who gives a different end of a long yarn string to two different meows!

Jazz

KK, I apologize for running out on you before I read your invitation to go OT.

The thing about grammar is, that indeed the rules were invented by old dead white guys and some of them don't make a lick of sense. In the bad old days, when educated people conversed in french, wrote law in Latin, and studied ancient greek just for the fun of it, English was a silly, savage, stepchild of a language. It did not have a standardized spelling, grammar, or many advocates.

Good King Alfred (I may have misremembered the king's name, but I'm on a roll) commanded that an Academy of Study be formed to codify English grammar, spelling and usage. Ta-da! In order to be taken seriously, the academicians decided to adopt the rules of grammar and usage of Formal Latin, Greek, and French.

(Hang in there, this is so funny) English has since then been divided into two main camps - Formal (Academic) and Vulgar (What the People Want) and the funny part is, language is changed from the common to the formal. Things that weren't acceptable 50 years ago are commonplace in formal usage. The rules, through common usage, appear to slacken. Actually, I believe that the rules adopted from the Greeks and Romans are slowly being replaced by rules that make sense.

The prime example of a rule that English doesn't need is the one against split infinitives. (Punchline coming up!) The ancient languages were inflected - the infinitive verb form was a single word, not an infinitive phrase as it is in English. Therefor, it was impossible to split an infinitive in the classical languages. English is more flexible and fun. What sounds better? "To go boldly where none have gone before?" Or: "To Boldly Go . . .?"

I am an advocate for good grammar, standardized spelling and other benchmarks of civilization. But stupid grammar that gets in the way of rhythm and clarity must fall by the wayside. Split an Infinitive today!

There. I told you it was funny.