A Fairy Godmother at Sakura-con - April 23, 2011

(from the アニメが好きです department)

Hi everyone,

Dana, Rose & I went to Sakura-con (http://www.sakuracon.org/) this year. We didn't cosplay, but Rose did:






When we asked her what her costume was, she said "Fairy Godmother". That's not really anime - but it should be. Here Rose "decorates" me - while dancing:



Another Rose dancing video, plus more "decoration" and I get turned into a robot. This one is in HD:



All of these were taken on April 23, 2011.

Cheers,
Paul

Rose in a Mini Cooper

(from the Original Mini Cooper department)

Hi everyone,

On Saturday, March 5th, 2011, Dana, Rose & I were at the Safeway up near Roosevelt and 75th in Seattle. Walking back to the car, we stumbled across a mini Mini Cooper get together.

Rose & I went to investigate:





Rose was facinated by the original Mini Coopers on display. One of the owners noticed her and asked if she'd like to sit behind the wheel.

Of course she would - they're Rose sized after all!




Rose had a lot of fun! Special thanks to the members of the Seattle Area Mini Owners Association (aka SAMOA) and the owner of the Mini that let Rose have a drive!

Cheers,
Paul

National Pancake Day - March 1st, 2011

(from the It's better with Strawberry Syrup department)

Hi everyone,

Yesterday was National Pancake Day! Rose and I braved the crowds and headed down to IHOP to get our free pancakes!

Rose is ready:


but not quite sure where to begin:


The pancakes were very tasty! And - although the place was crazy busy - we didn't wait too long at all. Kudos to the staff of the Capitol Hill IHOP in Seattle - we had a great time.

IHOP does this each year to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The pancakes are free, but they ask that you'd consider a donation in return. When we left, the Capitol Hill IHOP was about $70.00 from their goal - and they still had several hours to go. I hope they made it!

The history is interesting:

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $5.35 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. While IHOP's National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year, the company will host its free pancake event one week earlier on Tuesday, March 1 to build buzz and excitement prior to Shrove Tuesday. With your help, we hope to raise $2.3 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities!

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products...hence the name Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday

You can read more about it here:
IHOP National Pancake Day - March 1, 2011
and here:
IHOP National Pancake Day - March 1, 2011 - Pancake Day Details
which is where I got the above quote.


Cheers,
Paul

Rose is wise beyond her years

(from the Sophocles was a kid once, too department)

Hi everyone,

We had a classic Rose moment this morning. I was in a super hurry, trying to get out the door to head to work. Almost simultaneously, I had a fan fail on my main server, lost my checkbook, and had to make the morning coffee.

Running around at full speed in the living room, I finally exclaimed: "I am never getting out of this house!!!"

I then heard a small voice from the couch: "There's a door - over there - in the middle."

I think Dana must have laughed for a full minute or so.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you Rose Pietromonaco, the wise voice of reason. Thank you, Rosie.

Cheers,
Paul

Golden Harmonicas!

(from the TV's Craig Ferguson department)

So - I'm an avid fan of The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. It took a little while to find its footing, and it doesn't always work, but when it does, there's nothing like it on television.

One of the things he does is have guests play harmonica to exit their segment. The fun of the exit is that, normally, nobody knows anything about the harmonica, and hilarity ensues, etc.

But - every once in a while, somebody does know how to play. When this happens, Craig gifts them the "golden harmonica".

So far - we've had two:

• Billy Connolly - actor, comedian, legend
• David Pogue - tech blogger NY times

Well - Friday night we got a third. A physics blogger, Jennifer Ouellette. Congrats to all!

Cheers,

Paul

Who can turn the world on with her smile?

(from the Mary Tyler Moore department)

Hi everyone,

Just some quick photos of the joy that is Rose:







These were taken at a local restaurant called "St. Clouds" - well worth a trip if you're ever in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle.

Cheers,
Paul

Rose finds the North Pole

(from the Trip to the North Pole department)

Hi everyone,

It snowed in Winston-Salem, NC on Christmas Day (Dec. 25th), 2010. We went out the next day to play in the snow, and I recorded this video of Rose journeying to the North Pole.

Enjoy!



Cheers,
Paul