crazychild1234’s Neighborhood

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Hospitalized (again)

DRB2008
3 days ago
10 comments

I was in the hospital a couple days last week, after passing out in a parking lot. The fifth time something like this has happened over the last 5 1/2 years.

The cause is not clear. I may end up with a pacemaker sometime. Some doctors think it would help, others don't. But for the moment, there have been some changes in medication.

This stuff is no fun. However, I would rate the ambulance crew top-notch, the emergency room pretty darn good, but the hospital itself, sort of so-so plus. Too many people, too much confusion (over meds and other issues). Plus I had a roommate who was trying to help his wife deal with a flooding basement by phone.

Never did get any sleep really. If you want "bedrest," it is easier to get at home....

Wedding Bells on Vox! (Plus, a few new themes.)

Team Vox
Aug 11, 2008
10 comments

CONGRATULATIONS PAPI CHULO & SECRET AGENT SCOTCH!

The Happy Couple

10 comments

"When was the last time you were at a wedding that had a death defying hike, rogue waves, a luau, ultimate fighting, a presidential candidate and a budding bromance?" asks Papi Chulo. For most of us, the answer is never, but luckily, Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch took the time to Vox all the amazing moments during their unforgettable Hawaiian wedding on 08.08.08 so we could all take part in the festivities.

The story began last February, when Papi Chulo popped the question and Secret Agent Scotch said yes! Since then, they've kept us in the loop about all the details, from the bride's veil to the wedding song to the final To-Do List. And throughout it all, they inspired us with their love for each other. (I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than knowing your future husband thinks you are The Perfect Girl.)

It's an amazing love story and we are thrilled they shared it with us. Watch the video of the ceremony and please join us in wishing Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch the fairytale ending they deserve.

And What's a Team Vox Post without New Themes?

Spice up your Vox blog with one of our latest themes (found in the design area under "New") or any of our hundreds of themes. From shopping to sushi, comics to cycling, there's something for everyone.

Vox Themes August 08

Left to Right: "Starlight," by Jamison Wieser; "Civic," by Lilia Ahner; "Lone Tree," by Jamison Wieser; "Rainbow Day," by Susan Smuk Jorgensen.

Can't get enough of the wedding? A few lucky Voxers - Krissy, djchall, and Beau Smith - made the trip to Hawaii to take part in the celebration. Check out their Vox blogs for more pictures and stories.

Congratulations again to Secret Agent Scotch and Papi Chulo! Enjoy the Honeymoon!

~daisy

Follow Your Themes

Team Vox
Jul 28, 2008
11 comments

At Vox, we believe that change is a good thing. After all, you wouldn't wear the same t-shirt day in and day out, so why should your blog have to suffer the same fate? Give your blog a new look with one of our latest themes (found under "New"), or pick from any of our hundreds of themes designed with your passions and personality in mind.

Vox Themes July 08

6 comments

L to R: Anchored, by Wolfsavard; Feel the Sun, by gollykim; Dare to Inspire, by Teresa Jones; Magic Night, by valuexofxpain; Like a Loving Fish, by lilfairy; Neue Hass, by Jesse Gardner.

And, on the off chance, you do wear the same t-shirt day after day after day? Well... That's another post for another day.

Until then... Enjoy!

-daisy

No news is good news?

DRB2008
Jul 28, 2008
5 comments

I find that I am watching much much less news now than I did previously. Instead, I often have the TV tuned to the Travel Channel, the Food Network, the Discovery Channel, etc. (At the moment I am learning a bit about the insects of Paris).

The news is too dreary! The coverage is disgustingly poor: little in the way of useful "perspective" is offered.

Maybe I will try BBC?

Maybe I will try PBS once again? (I gave the latter up some years ago).

In addition, I have cancelled subscriptions to most of the many magazines I have received--though not Atlantic.

Perhaps I will just stick to getting news off the web. What the New York Times is offering on the iPhone (through a little app available on system 2.0) is pretty darn good!

Or perhaps I just won't bother with whatever the heck is going on. My wife, for sure, can hardly stand to hear really any of the political coverage and commentary. Her animosity started with Bush, expanded to embrace Hillary, and certainly includes John McCain. I do know a couple people who watch no tv at all, ever--although most of my acquaintances try hard to be informed and "up-to-date" and accurate.

Still, like Walt Whitman said, "I think I could turn and live with animals, they are so placid and self-contained."

Perhaps they know something we don't.

Expiring??

DRB2008
Jul 28, 2008
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I am letting my membership in the American Political Science Association (APSA) expire. I have been a member since 1966 or 1967, which is to say more than forty years.

But I am really fully retired now.

And, looking at the roster of officers, I don't recognize the names of the president, president-elect, any of the three vice presidents, or for that matter any of the 23 other officers listed. So I guess it is time to get out! A "new generation" has taken over.

But I will keep up my membership in the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) for at least another year or two. The incoming president of that organization is a good friend.

After so long working in one general field of interest, it is hard to let go.

Still, I don't think it is so much the "retiring/expiring" that I don't like. It is the getting older!

Become a Vox Fan on Facebook

Team Vox
Jul 22, 2008
21 comments

Facebook

9 comments

Gimme a V! Gimme an O! Gimme an X! What's that spell? VOX!

What better way to tell the world how much you love Vox than to announce it on Facebook? That's right: Vox now has an official Facebook page! Become a fan of Vox.com on Facebook and let your friends know what you really care about: staying connected with friends and family through blog posts, photos, videos and comments.

Once you're a fan, you can also add photos and videos to the page, write on the wall, and connect with other Voxers in ways you may not have previously. Plus, it's a great opportunity to let people know about your Vox blog, or start discussion topics. To become a fan, just visit the official Vox.com Facebook page and click the "Become a Fan" button in the upper right hand corner.

Once you've joined, why not post a response to the current discussion topic? Just post a link (and a brief description, if you'd like) to what you consider one of your all-time best Vox posts.

What are you waiting for? Become a Vox.com fan on Facebook today!

Mommy Bloggers Hit the Road

Team Vox
Jul 15, 2008
10 comments

Summer Road Trip '08

2 comments

Although we typically post on Team Vox to let you know about things that are going on with Vox (to, uh, state the obvious), once in a while, we like to let you know about other cool things that are happening around the blogosphere. And we think the idea of four hilarious mommy bloggers traveling across the U.S. on their way to the BlogHer '08 conference - all the while blogging and video blogging the journey - is one trip you will not want to miss.

Four adventurous bloggers from the Silicon Valley Moms Group were selected to participate in the Summer Road Trip '08 and blog about their travels, hotel stays, media appearances, time away from their families, and life on the road. Six Apart helped them partner up with General Motors, who provided the blogging mommies with a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV to help make their journey comfy, safe, and a little more green.

In case you're not familiar with them, SV Moms is a group of over 200 bloggers who showcase the ups, downs, outrages, struggles, victories, and everyday humor of motherhood. There are currently nine regional and demographically tailored sites that give mothers from D.C., New Jersey, the Deep South, Rocky Mountains, L.A., and Silicon Valley a powerful voice and sense of camaraderie across the country. Whether you're a mother, a child, or just a person who enjoys a good blog, you'll really love reading the words of these amazing women.

Packed and Ready!

4 comments

The moms buckled into their Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV on July 11th and even got an encouraging message from Katie Couric to kick things off! They are currently somewhere in the middle of America making their way to San Francisco where they'll attend an SV Moms Group Party, as well as BlogHer '08.

You do not want to miss these entertaining and irreverent bloggers -- or their spontaneous contest giveaways! -- as they blog from the road. Experience the journey at MomRoadTrip.com.

And let us know about your summer road trip - or plane/boat/bus trip - in the comments! (I like to live vicariously.)

~daisy

No such thing as a free lunch?

DRB2008
Jul 15, 2008
5 comments

They say that there is no such thing as a free lunch. And I suppose that is right.

However, I do think that the $4.95 luncheon special at Pequod's Pizza in Morton Grove iL is a good deal:

Special lunch pizza

That price includes a cold beverage.

The pie is, I guess, about 6 inches diameter. And it tastes just great!

It is a kind of rustic little old building, too, in easy walking distance of residences. That impressed me. The first time I went there were women with little children in tow. Yesterday, there were a couple of groups of men, probably co-workers, having lunch together.

I took a photo of the pizza with my iPhone. And it turned out that the waitress has one too!

Give it a try when you are north of Chicago. A fine little neighborhood place.

Pequod Pizzeria

Vox Meetup This Saturday: Cincinnati, Ohio

Team Vox
Jul 8, 2008
8 comments

Cincinnati, Ohio Vox Meetup

Do you live in or around Cincinnati, Ohio? If so, you're in luck because Scott and the Queen City Voxers Group have organized a Vox user meetup!

WHEN: This Saturday, July 12th

WHERE: Ault Park Playground. 3600 Observatory Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208. "We'll look for each other at the playground marked by the red X below. If it's raining, head for the shelter to the north of the [red] X."

Ault Park Map

1 comment

EATS: Bring your own picnic and, if you're so inclined, bring something yummy to share with the other Voxers.

To RSVP (which is not essential, but is appreciated), reply to Scott's announcement or send him a private message. All Voxers, as well as their friends and family, are welcome to attend.

If you do attend the meetup, have a great time and please take lots of pictures and send them to me so I can post them in Team Vox for everyone to see!

Thank you so much to Scott for organizing this meetup. Wish I could be there!

~daisy

Happy Independence Day!

DRB2008
Jul 4, 2008
3 comments

House with American flag (Door County WI)

Hope you have an enjoyable Fourth!

I will be going to a big picnic with a bunch of university students, many of them Chinese officials, who are here in the US to learn more about American government.

But my wife is in New Jersey at a big family reunion--after a flight yesterday delayed five hours in trying to get there. Apparently flights into the New York region were pretty backed up.

I started the day today by going to breakfast at a nearby diner-style restaurant, owned by a family of Greek heritage. There were all kinds of people, of so many different backgrounds, there. The four men at the table nearest me were speaking what seemed to be Russian. The waitress was named "Valentina," and the table crew was Hispanic.

From a very diverse menu, I ordered and enjoyed the Irish Breakfast.

It all seemed so very American!