I'll be reading Growing Up with Tamales for story time at Blue Willow Bookshop, in Houston, on Thursday morning, May 15. Tell everyone you know with kids in the Houston area. How do you find and support local indie book stores like Blue Willow? By going to Booksense.
On Saturday, May 17, I'll be in Dallas, reading and signing at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, for the 13th Dallas Children’s Book Fair & Literary Festival.
On June 22, here in Houston, I'm going to do a poetry workshop. It's free and open to the public, y'all, and they're having one every Sunday in June, taught by local poets I love and respect. So come on down.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
busy-ness; current eventsI've spent the last few days either writing stuff for money, or else dealing with domestic dramas. Toby is sick, for one thing. We (his vet and I) think his stomach is upset by the dietary change. We hope he doesn't have some cat digestive disease. Other people in the house get sick, on and off, but they're way easier to diagnose. Toby keeps rolling in dirty things, like a dog. I need to give him a bath tonight, if he'll let me.
Did y'all watch the Super Bowl? I saw the last half. I don't care about any one team, but football is an interesting game to watch, so I was especially excited by the thrilling conclusion to this one. I was kind of sad that the Patriots didn't get their perfect season. But, oh well. Perfect season or underdog victory: they even out, right?
Are y'all watching the primaries? Isn't it fun, to see everyone so excited about them? It's like football, in a way. Our local paper did one of those "Let's ask black women if they're voting for Obama or Hillary" pieces, and I was aggravated and embarrassed. The more often that white men ask those questions, the more it makes me think those white men would never vote for anyone other than white men.
Also, I wonder why everyone calls Hillary Hillary, but no one calls the other candidates by their first names. I'm doing it, too, you see. Hmm. Benefit of the doubt: It's not because most people are sexist -- it's to distinguish her from the other famous Clinton. Right? Sure.
There's an article somewhere today in which people are freaking out that Latinos didn't vote for Barack. Meaning that Latinos must be... racist! Because anyone who doesn't vote for Barack hates black people, right? And it is so, so shocking to the author of this article that Latinos would be racist against blacks. (Another majority culture idea -- that all minority peoples are united in their non-majority-culture-ness.)
And I was waiting for someone to point out that Hillary could be the Latino's Virgin Mary, but no one did. Because, while that would have been offensive, it wouldn't have fit in with the offensive theme of this election process, which is that everyone is racist. Racism!!!
I mean, it's to the point now that I'm more interested in media attitudes than I am in the candidates, themselves. You would think we could just consider electing a non-white person, or a non-male person, without it being this much of a mirrored maze of accusations, suspicions, and flat-out hatred. But that's not how America operates, apparently. Embarrassing.
Meanwhile... the more I have to see photographs of people from that show The Hills, the more I hate that show and vow not to watch it. Those people from The Hills are clogging up my magazines. All I want from magazines is famous women in fancy dresses. Not faux-famous girls who are marrying Spencer or breaking off their engagement with Spencer or cheating on Spencer with Zach and Gossip Girl. What is that crap? Who forces my pretty dress magazines to talk about that?
I feel sorry for Britney Spears because, at this point, she has no one she can trust.
I keep having to watch this show called Drake and Josh. Over the weekend, my youngest son explained to me why iCarly has all the same actors as Drake and Josh, but isn't the same show. My fave is Ned's Declassified, but I don't see that as much. (If you know what I'm talking about, you must have kids.) Besides those, I get to watch reruns of The Fresh Prince of Bellaire on a daily basis. It's held up pretty well, if you listen to it from your kitchen and don't see the primary-colored sweaters.
I heard the other day that Nickelodeon is doing a new show called Ni Hao, Kai lan that looks sort of like Dora the Explorer. That's funny to me because my boyfriend's niece Alyssa, who is mostly Chinese, is really into Dora. On one episode a while back, Dora and her friends celebrated Chinese New Year (which is today, coincidentally -- Kung Hey Fat Choi!) and busted out speaking Chinese. Alyssa, who was three at the time, reacted as if she'd found a Virgin Mary in her tortilla. It was a big deal to her. So I wonder if she'll like this Kai-lan show even better. Or am I being like one of those reporters here, making the racist assumptions? Maybe she won't like Kai-lan at all. :)
Happy Year of the Rat. What does this mean for me? Nothing. My boyfriend is going out to dinner with his family. I'm staying home with my kids, and we'll work out and watch Project Runway.
I've lost 40 lbs total now. Fifteen pounds to go. Over the weekend we went to the mall and I picked up a pair of clearance corduroys at Ann Taylor Loft in a size I literally haven't worn since I was 18. That was nice, even though I've ruined the moment, in my mind, by deciding that Ann Taylor vanity-sizes everything.
Still, though. It may be a vanity size, but it's a smaller vanity size than I wore last month.
That's it. More later. Stay warm, y'all.
Labels: domestic, politics, pop culture
5:53 AM #Comments:
Congrats on the weight loss! It takes so much committment and hard work. I will use you as my inspiration after my baby is born and I have to work off that weight. (hope you don't mind, hee!)Ann Taylor Loft might be vanity sized, but hey, that's why I shop there too! They also have great maternity clothes.
Hope Toby feels better soon, sick pets are the worst because it's nearly impossible to provide them any comfort.
I also meant to tell you that I think your children's book is BEAUTIFUL. I am going to buy it for my Mexican friend who has a new baby girl. You might have mentioned this and I didn't see it - but is it available in Spanish, or is it written in both langagues in the book, like the cover? I'll stop cluttering your comments now!
# posted by
: 10:49 AM
Anon: Congrats on your upcoming baby!
Vanity sizing: I want to make a scale of women's brands, from biggest to smallest sized, and post it here. Very soon.
Tamale book: It's in English and Spanish, both in one book. So everyone can buy a copy. Even people who speak neither English nor Spanish will be able to enjoy the pictures, so everyone on Earth should buy it. :)
# posted by
Gwen : 12:13 PM
Gwen, I saw this and thought of your post:
http://www.nataliedee.com.nyud.net/020408/im-gonna-vote-for-mccain-cause-hes-a-white-dude.jpg
Well done on moving so well toward your fitness goals! I was overjoyed yesterday to see that I've finally shed the 3-5 pounds (not sure exactly) I gained between November and the middle of last month. It doesn't sound like a lot, but just knowing you've moved in the right direction carries a good deal of momentum with it. You remind me not to stop now...
# posted by
jackie : 12:32 PM
Gwen, I love Anne Taylor too! I still don't fit in any of their clothes but I will ONE DAY!!
# posted by
ShoeGirl : 4:29 PM
1. I hope Toby's okay.
2. Last night BBC world News interviewed Willie Brown and asked him why Latinos were voting more for Clinton in California (angling for a race quote I assume) and Brown put a whole other spin on it: They're identifying more with Clinton because she is more appealing to the blue collar voter and Obama is more appealing to the white collar elite.
Then the BBC anchor said (paraphrasing), "So you mean Obama is Whole Foods and Clinton is Wal-mart?"
3. All I ask is for consistence. If Clinton is to be called Hillary than the commentators should refer to the other candidates by their first names. We're not confused about which Clinton is running for office.
# posted by
Jane G. : 4:47 PM
Well, in my experience Ann Taylor is on the smaller side, so they may vanity size, but not by much. Feel good about your 18-year-old pants. :)
As for Hillary Clinton, I've had this discussion with people and I have mixed feelings. I have a feeling it's a mixed combo of the things you were talking about. I think part of it is the sexist thing, but then at the same time it is confusing to just say "Clinton" because Bill is still such a public figure and he sort of claimed the last name first. My only real verification of that is how the two George Bushes are refered to as "George" and "George W." it's the only way to know for sure in a lot of contexts. At the same time, both of my female senators are almost always refered to by their last names (Boxer and Feinstein) so I know it doesn't always happen that women get the "first name treatment." ANyway, as I said, I have a feeling it's a little of Column A, a little of Column B. Which is a little bit good and a bit more bad.
# posted by
Beth : 6:54 PM
I had the same freak-out about Hillary but it was actually her decision. All of her signs and paraphernalia says "Hillary" while all the other candidates use their last names. Her advisers want to downplay the Clinton thing, the dynasty doesn't test well.
More importantly, Ann Taylor Loft doesn't vanity size, a half size at the most. Which is the same as most retail chains.
If you want to find vanity, go to Chicos, it's double vanity sized. They use 0,1,2,3. A 0 is for people who theoretically take a 4-6. I'm a solid 8 and I take a "0". Too bad 95% of their clothes are frumpy
# posted by
: 9:16 PM
First of all, WOW and congratulations on the weight loss! I can't figure out sizes, they seem to change from store to store around here, good to see someone can!
Second, I haven't noticed Texas mentioned in any reports about the tornadoes, so is it safe to assume that your state has been bypassed by the storms? I've been seeing "Mid-South" mentioned a lot and I don't know what counts as where since I don't live in the US.
# posted by
pudding-monkey : 2:59 PM
Oh, and yes, sadly I too know all of the shows you just mentioned. My 6 1/2 year old likes those shows too and of course I find myself watching them with her sometimes.
Too funny, my girlfriend in Spain just wrote me and told me that she's coming home for 2 months this summer and she wants to go shopping where else? Ann Taylor! She's been losing weight too!
# posted by
ShoeGirl : 3:30 PM
Gong He Fat Choy to you too Gwen, (different spellings? is that an Aussie thing, don't know)we were all set to go to parade here in Sydney when our toddler threw a massive tanty and then fell asleep. Thank god it happened before we got on the bus and we could swiftly bail.
I just wanted to let you know that I have awarded you an Excellent badge on my blog which I like to think of as Girl Guides The Internet Version. I have done this because your blog is excellent, as well as petty evil and judgemental, all extremely good things. I don't know if your kind of blog allows you to stick these awards on your site, you may not want the fuss or the mess, but just so you know, I love your writing, I think it's great.
# posted by
OvaGirl : 9:19 PM
May we please have a Toby update??? I think I've clicked on your site a bazillion times this week......
# posted by
pixielyn : 10:33 PM
Congrats on the weight loss!
I have also noticed the difference in sizes at Ann Taylor Loft I'm a whole size lower there as compared to other stores. I'll be waiting to see what you have to say about the vanity sizing at various places.
# posted by
Rebecca : 12:45 PM
I love watching Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide too! Ned is such a cutie. I get a kick out of the principal who wears his Miami Vice apparel. Cool show. Another good show I liked watching is That's So Raven.
# posted by
: 1:08 PM
Jackie: Thanks. Natalie Dee is so effing funny. I love her from afar on a daily basis.
Congrats on shedding your 3-5 pounds. It feels good to control your body, doesn't it? :)
Shoegirl: Yes, you will. Fingers crossed.
Jane G: Whole Foods vs Wal-Mart! OMG, I can't believe he said that. That's hilarious, but no one should be called Wal-Mart. That's just not right.
And, word to what you said on consistency. I've heard a few people say "Barry Obama," but that's not the same thing.
Beth: Thank you for bringing up the George vs George W thing. Very good, rational points you make there.
Anon: Chico's vanity: ha! Yeah, and too bad their stuff is frumpy. They're like a slighter nicer Coldwater Creek, in my mind. But then the staff at the Chico'ses in Houston are always snooty as hell, as if they're at Versace or some shit.
Pudding-Monkey: We're safe here in Texas. Thanks for asking. For some reason, we're not part of "the South," even though we're one of the southernmost states. I think they just call us Texas.
"Texas: It's like a whole other country." That's what they say. Maybe they wish that was the case. Heh.
Shoegirl: Cool. Yeah, Ann Taylor consistently has nice stuff, don't they? I mean, judge me for it if you want, but I always look at their window displays and think, "I would wear anything here." Them and Banana Republic, which I still can't fit into. I think that makes me "classic" and maybe "boring."
Ovagirl: I've seen it spelled more than one way. I mean, I'm sure I probably spelled it wrong, anyway, though. :)
Thank you for the award! That's very kind of you, and I'm glad you enjoy my site so much. Let me go over to your blog and see...
Rebecca: Thanks. And I'm working on it... next entry, we are tackling sizing.
Anon: I've never, ever seen That's So Raven. I think that one only plays here when I'm at work. But now I'll have to check it out, if my kids will let me.
# posted by
Gwen : 8:02 AM
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