Conceptualize That

Ok, this has been bugging me for a long time but I drove by it again and you guys are now going to hear about it. The billboard on Riverdale Road that says "Teens who abstain are more likely to reach their full potential" has got to go. There are two reasons this bugs me:

1. I live in the heart of Weber County, which just happens to have an astronomical teen pregnancy rate. So what do the all-knowing white guys in charge do? They spend a million bucks on abstinence only billboards and junk. Great idea. I'll bet that's going to work like a charm because the past 10 years of abstinence only education has sure been successful!

2. Maybe I've been spending too much time talking with academics and discussing the proper way to conduct research and present your findings, but can you answer this: How in the world would anyone know if a teen has reached their "full potential"?! This is a concept that is not definable and therefore, not measurable. And I can't help but wonder about those millions of kids out there who have already had sex and now are just never going to reach their "full potential." May as well have a baby, get a job at the Common Cents and move in to a trailer park, because once you do it your potential is gone forever, just like your virginity and any chance you had at heaven.

Seriously, is it just me?

Put it in Writing

I finished book three of the Twilight series today. Yeah, I started book one on Friday night and am now done with all of them. I am going through such serious withdrawls (since finishing at 1!) that I have been actively stalking the author and the movie online. I have problems.

Good news from the stalking front though, Stephenie Meyer has posted the first chapter of Edward's version of Twilight on her website. Um, it's on my desktop now, so I can read it later tonight after I do my regular stuff.

In short: Duchess, call ASAP as we have much to discuss - including our date on December 12 to see the movie. And, I believe you and your little friend who started this whole obsession owe Mr. Eris an apology for getting me hooked on this.

You Should See the Other Guy

This is what came home from school today. The Little Mr. fell off his scooter, but luckily his face broke the fall.

UPDATE: Tonight Mr. and I looked at the helmet Little Mr. was wearing today. There are big scrapes on the outer shell and the foam on the inside is dented at least 1/4 inch, if not more. This means three things: first, he is not riding his scooter tomorrow because we have to get a new helmet; second, he will take the helmet to school tomorrow to show his class why you wear a helmet; and third, we are very lucky to not be at the hospital tonight. ~grateful sigh~

Hurry Home, Athena!

We have moved the Little Ms.es downstairs to what used to be the office (or the video game room if you asked Little Mr.). We will be painting for the next couple of days and teaching Littlest Ms. to sleep in a big girl bed. I cried last night when we took the crib down - what is that all about?

But most importantly, this means I have a beautiful new office upstairs with oodles and gobs of shelf space. Athena, there are books to categorize and alphabetize! There file cabinets to rearrange! There is furniture to be perfectly centered against the wall and placed evenly spaced apart. And then I will sit in the big comfy chair and bask in the glow of the symmetry and order.

aaaaaaaaaaahh......

CARRIER

I am a NAVY Brat. Born on a NAVY base, I don't think you get much brattier than that. I used to have a sweatshirt that proudly advertised this fact. Lately, not so much about the bragging about it. Long story.

Little Mr. and I have become completely engrossed in CARRIER, a 10-part documentary on the USS Nimetz deployment in the Persian Gulf. I am fascinated by this series - so much so that I watch it when it airs primetime and then at midnight when it re-airs. They tackle some very sensitive subjects and show the most personal moments. I cannot tell you how good it is. Fascinating. I have been on the edge of my seat.

Tonight they came home... and it was wonderful and horrible and everything else. Oh, and I finally got to see Lemoore! The sign said, "Historic"?