Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Could someone please explain to me...
...why my bottle of Penta Ultra-purified Premium Drinking H2O says "Arsenic Free" on the label?
Monday, March 26, 2007
SEGWAY
Back in December of 2001 while on the treadmill at the YMCA I glanced up to see the TV tuned to Good Morning America. All week long Diane Sawyer and friends had been hyping inventor Dean Kamen’s newest creation. Heralded as the invention that would change the world as we know it, I was breathless with anticipation. Yes, breathless – I was at mile four by then.
A drape was dramatically swept away revealing the Segway to the world. It looked like… like what? Like a pogo stick with wheels. "This is the world's first self-balancing human transporter," Kamen said. "You stand on this Segway Human Transporter and you think forward and then you go forward. If you think backward, you go backward." At the heart of Mr. Kamen’s wonder wheels are five micro-machined gyroscopes and two accelerometers that monitor the rider's center of gravity more than 100 times a second, and then signal both the direction and the speed to the device's electric motor and wheels.
By the time Diane was zipping around the studio I wanted one. I was smitten. Maybe I was just tired, I had finished six miles by then.
The first time I saw a Segway up close and person was during a 5K race early last year. A pair of medics zoomed up and down the race course looking for the under trained and under hydrated. Zipping around on the Segway looked so cool, once you could get past the required helmet dork factor. But wait, was it really cool or did I just want to stop running?
Last week while stuck in traffic on Mockingbird Lane I glanced to my right and saw a Segway store nestled in a strip across from SMU. I had to check it out. “Segway is gaining momentum in Dallas,” said Wayne Hager, Segway sales associate without a trace of an intended pun. “One of the exciting things going on in Dallas is its urban lifestyle.” He went on to say that Segway owners are individuals of a wide age range who purchase a Segway for serious use or novelty. The Texas Transportation Code classifies the Segway as an ‘electric personal assistive mobility device’ and states that it is street legal for any residential street roadway or public highway with a speed limit of 30 mph or less. You don’t need insurance or a license to drive and the only maintenance is to keep the tires inflated and the battery charged. One charge will keep you going for about 24 miles.
There are two models to choose from – the x2 and the i2. The x2 is the off road model you can see in action on Youtube being used to herd sheep. And the i2 is the urban commuter version, the model of choice when dragging a co-worker sitting in a desk chair around the office, again, courtesy of Youtube. Accessories abound – headlights, taillights, cargo cases and a trailer hitch compatible hauler – this is Texas after all.
After giving me the basics Wayne asked me if I was ready for a test drive. He didn’t have to ask twice. His main piece of advice was “Don’t over think this. The Segway does that for you.” I hopped on as Wayne stood in front of me like an excited parent ready to catch their tripping toddler. The carpeted showroom awaited me. I was off like a shot; well, as fast as you can go on the ‘turtle’ setting where your max speed is 6mph. Getting started was easy, stopping…well…not so much. After nearly taking out a stack of boxes I figured out my operator error. I had been over thinking, moving my ankles back and forth like I was skiing instead of just standing up straight, tipping back and forth to go. That problem out of the way I was a Segway pro. Within minutes I was doing my best Titanic impression, flying forward, arms spread wide, yelling “I’m the king of the world!”
It was new, it was fun, and I had a blast. With a top speed of 12 mph I can certainly break any personal best race times. But even though the thrill of riding on one got my heart pumping, I don’t think getting a Segway will get my heart rate where it needs to be like the treadmill does. So I’ll be back at the Y tomorrow morning watching Diane for the next big thing.
A drape was dramatically swept away revealing the Segway to the world. It looked like… like what? Like a pogo stick with wheels. "This is the world's first self-balancing human transporter," Kamen said. "You stand on this Segway Human Transporter and you think forward and then you go forward. If you think backward, you go backward." At the heart of Mr. Kamen’s wonder wheels are five micro-machined gyroscopes and two accelerometers that monitor the rider's center of gravity more than 100 times a second, and then signal both the direction and the speed to the device's electric motor and wheels.
By the time Diane was zipping around the studio I wanted one. I was smitten. Maybe I was just tired, I had finished six miles by then.
The first time I saw a Segway up close and person was during a 5K race early last year. A pair of medics zoomed up and down the race course looking for the under trained and under hydrated. Zipping around on the Segway looked so cool, once you could get past the required helmet dork factor. But wait, was it really cool or did I just want to stop running?
Last week while stuck in traffic on Mockingbird Lane I glanced to my right and saw a Segway store nestled in a strip across from SMU. I had to check it out. “Segway is gaining momentum in Dallas,” said Wayne Hager, Segway sales associate without a trace of an intended pun. “One of the exciting things going on in Dallas is its urban lifestyle.” He went on to say that Segway owners are individuals of a wide age range who purchase a Segway for serious use or novelty. The Texas Transportation Code classifies the Segway as an ‘electric personal assistive mobility device’ and states that it is street legal for any residential street roadway or public highway with a speed limit of 30 mph or less. You don’t need insurance or a license to drive and the only maintenance is to keep the tires inflated and the battery charged. One charge will keep you going for about 24 miles.
There are two models to choose from – the x2 and the i2. The x2 is the off road model you can see in action on Youtube being used to herd sheep. And the i2 is the urban commuter version, the model of choice when dragging a co-worker sitting in a desk chair around the office, again, courtesy of Youtube. Accessories abound – headlights, taillights, cargo cases and a trailer hitch compatible hauler – this is Texas after all.
After giving me the basics Wayne asked me if I was ready for a test drive. He didn’t have to ask twice. His main piece of advice was “Don’t over think this. The Segway does that for you.” I hopped on as Wayne stood in front of me like an excited parent ready to catch their tripping toddler. The carpeted showroom awaited me. I was off like a shot; well, as fast as you can go on the ‘turtle’ setting where your max speed is 6mph. Getting started was easy, stopping…well…not so much. After nearly taking out a stack of boxes I figured out my operator error. I had been over thinking, moving my ankles back and forth like I was skiing instead of just standing up straight, tipping back and forth to go. That problem out of the way I was a Segway pro. Within minutes I was doing my best Titanic impression, flying forward, arms spread wide, yelling “I’m the king of the world!”
It was new, it was fun, and I had a blast. With a top speed of 12 mph I can certainly break any personal best race times. But even though the thrill of riding on one got my heart pumping, I don’t think getting a Segway will get my heart rate where it needs to be like the treadmill does. So I’ll be back at the Y tomorrow morning watching Diane for the next big thing.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Queen Linda's Weekly Address
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Good Morning Fellow Queens!
Due to the little man being home from school due to an allergic reaction to his strep throat antibiotic - I don't have to go into detail. You all have seen and starred in that movie - I have been watching a whole slew of kid TV with him.
With apologies to our Queens who have already survived this right of passage and our Queen Mums (those Queens who have grown sons and live to tell, All Hail!) here are my observations.
Either Maisy is a huge, giant mouse or that Eddie the elephant is a pygmy.
When is Ming Ming from Wonder Pets going to get some speech therapy?
Is it me or is Joe from Blue's Clues a little.....creepy?
Diego and Dora are the same person. Just like Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.
I want Cosmo from The Fairly Odd Parents to suffer an unfortunate accident rendering him mute. Such an icky show, now banned from my castle.
And finally, Prince #3 better get better soon. Patrick from Spongebob is starting to sound like an intellectual to me.
Our boy story is a compilation from our Message Board Queens (to join in, click here) who pondered the question- What have you found in your dryer?
Money - I call this getting paid! Rocks -lots of them. A pull-up -eww. Crayons -usually not found until after the clothes come out of the dryer. Toilet paper. Poker chips. Worms. Matchbox cars. School ID's. Shark teeth. Shells. Plastic army guys. Ticks -they evidently survive the wash cycle. Snail - they don't.
Reign On Queens! And check their pockets!
Queen Linda
Good Morning Fellow Queens!
Due to the little man being home from school due to an allergic reaction to his strep throat antibiotic - I don't have to go into detail. You all have seen and starred in that movie - I have been watching a whole slew of kid TV with him.
With apologies to our Queens who have already survived this right of passage and our Queen Mums (those Queens who have grown sons and live to tell, All Hail!) here are my observations.
Either Maisy is a huge, giant mouse or that Eddie the elephant is a pygmy.
When is Ming Ming from Wonder Pets going to get some speech therapy?
Is it me or is Joe from Blue's Clues a little.....creepy?
Diego and Dora are the same person. Just like Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.
I want Cosmo from The Fairly Odd Parents to suffer an unfortunate accident rendering him mute. Such an icky show, now banned from my castle.
And finally, Prince #3 better get better soon. Patrick from Spongebob is starting to sound like an intellectual to me.
Our boy story is a compilation from our Message Board Queens (to join in, click here) who pondered the question- What have you found in your dryer?
Money - I call this getting paid! Rocks -lots of them. A pull-up -eww. Crayons -usually not found until after the clothes come out of the dryer. Toilet paper. Poker chips. Worms. Matchbox cars. School ID's. Shark teeth. Shells. Plastic army guys. Ticks -they evidently survive the wash cycle. Snail - they don't.
Reign On Queens! And check their pockets!
Queen Linda
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
What. The. Hell. Week Two.
My futile attempts to contribute to the Ford Family Fund led me to a job interview yesterday for a small catering company. I figured $25 per delivery would be a way to get some dinero, still get some writing done and take a teeny step out of our seemingly endless financial pergatory. Hopefully I would dodge the fun of last week's Valentine's Day mommy-has-to-work-let's-all-get-sick. Yeah right.
On the way home from the successful interview and commitment to shadow a driving for the next two days I get a call from the school. "Your son has a head to toe rash, you need to pick him up."
After a trip back to the ped it appears that he has had a reaction to the strep antibiotic. nice. But he is back at school today, splotches and all.
I ask you again..
Is someone trying to tell me something?
ps. day one of no smoking. Encouragement please!
On the way home from the successful interview and commitment to shadow a driving for the next two days I get a call from the school. "Your son has a head to toe rash, you need to pick him up."
After a trip back to the ped it appears that he has had a reaction to the strep antibiotic. nice. But he is back at school today, splotches and all.
I ask you again..
Is someone trying to tell me something?
ps. day one of no smoking. Encouragement please!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
My first freelance article!!!
The day I came bearing roses
The Dallas Morning News, 07:46 AM CST on Tuesday, February 13, 2007
By LINDA MARIE FORD / Contributor
I have a list. And my name is not Earl.
It is not the cliché Things to Do Before I Die list. I have a Things I Never Thought I Would Do but Have Done list.
I approach life in a "Hey, that could be one for The List" kind of way.
There are several beauties on The List already, such as spending two weeks in Australia; seeing the Pope on Easter Sunday; running a marathon; being profiled in Ladies' Home Journal and attending NASCAR.
So, last February, when I saw a sign seeking floral delivery drivers, I knew it was something to add to The List.
•
On Valentine's Day, I pull up to the loading dock at 7:15 a.m. The pros have their vans lined with waterproof tarps cradling plastic bins that are partitioned for maximum loading.
I take a clipboard and read over the procedures:
1. Proper loading of deliveries is most important.
2. It is my responsibility to check for missing roses, discolored water or damaged filler.
3. I must get a signature for all deliveries.
4. I will be paid $6 for each delivery.
I am given a sign for my windshield that says, "FTD Floral Delivery." It looks more professional than the one I made that says, "Dear Officer. Please don't tow me. I'm delivering flowers for Valentine's Day. Maybe I have some for you!"
•
7:51 a.m.: The van is loaded and I'm off for my first delivery. I take a right turn out of the parking lot and hear a splash from the back seat. My quick turning skills, perfected during years of driving carpool, will not be needed today. The address is a building at Southern Methodist University. I find it and hustle in with the roses. The receptionist takes them; the lucky recipient isn't in. Buzz kill. But my first delivery is completed.
8:41: Second delivery information includes an address and building that don't match. I check the card to see who sent Mitzi flowers and curse him.
10:17: Loaded and ready to go again. I'm known as the woman who made three deliveries to SMU in an hour. I don't know whether that is good or bad.
11:34: My car smells like flowers. It's much better than the sour-milk-and-stinky-boy smell it usually has.
12:14: The bloom is off the rose, literally. While pulling an arrangement out, I spun too quickly and decapitated a rose. I replace it with extras I brought for just such an emergency.
1:18: My nonexistent sense of direction makes me long for the compass feature in my old car. I eat a power bar and recaffeinate.
2:15: I was in the elevator of an office building when the doors opened and a guy started to get on. When he saw the arrangement I had, he uttered, "Doh!" I surmise that he also forgets his wife's birthday, their anniversary and which day the garbage goes out. I told him to relax, he had plenty of time to get something for his sweetie. He owes me big.
2:43: Time to turn in my paperwork and add floral transport engineer to The List. Everyone likes to peek through the peephole and see someone delivering flowers. Well, except for the woman who was bummed when she realized that the huge arrangement I had was for her neighbor.
Linda Marie Ford is a Dallas freelance writer and founder of It's Good to Be the Queen, a Web site for moms of boys. E-mail her at queenlinda@itsgoodtobethe queen.com.
The Dallas Morning News, 07:46 AM CST on Tuesday, February 13, 2007
By LINDA MARIE FORD / Contributor
I have a list. And my name is not Earl.
It is not the cliché Things to Do Before I Die list. I have a Things I Never Thought I Would Do but Have Done list.
I approach life in a "Hey, that could be one for The List" kind of way.
There are several beauties on The List already, such as spending two weeks in Australia; seeing the Pope on Easter Sunday; running a marathon; being profiled in Ladies' Home Journal and attending NASCAR.
So, last February, when I saw a sign seeking floral delivery drivers, I knew it was something to add to The List.
•
On Valentine's Day, I pull up to the loading dock at 7:15 a.m. The pros have their vans lined with waterproof tarps cradling plastic bins that are partitioned for maximum loading.
I take a clipboard and read over the procedures:
1. Proper loading of deliveries is most important.
2. It is my responsibility to check for missing roses, discolored water or damaged filler.
3. I must get a signature for all deliveries.
4. I will be paid $6 for each delivery.
I am given a sign for my windshield that says, "FTD Floral Delivery." It looks more professional than the one I made that says, "Dear Officer. Please don't tow me. I'm delivering flowers for Valentine's Day. Maybe I have some for you!"
•
7:51 a.m.: The van is loaded and I'm off for my first delivery. I take a right turn out of the parking lot and hear a splash from the back seat. My quick turning skills, perfected during years of driving carpool, will not be needed today. The address is a building at Southern Methodist University. I find it and hustle in with the roses. The receptionist takes them; the lucky recipient isn't in. Buzz kill. But my first delivery is completed.
8:41: Second delivery information includes an address and building that don't match. I check the card to see who sent Mitzi flowers and curse him.
10:17: Loaded and ready to go again. I'm known as the woman who made three deliveries to SMU in an hour. I don't know whether that is good or bad.
11:34: My car smells like flowers. It's much better than the sour-milk-and-stinky-boy smell it usually has.
12:14: The bloom is off the rose, literally. While pulling an arrangement out, I spun too quickly and decapitated a rose. I replace it with extras I brought for just such an emergency.
1:18: My nonexistent sense of direction makes me long for the compass feature in my old car. I eat a power bar and recaffeinate.
2:15: I was in the elevator of an office building when the doors opened and a guy started to get on. When he saw the arrangement I had, he uttered, "Doh!" I surmise that he also forgets his wife's birthday, their anniversary and which day the garbage goes out. I told him to relax, he had plenty of time to get something for his sweetie. He owes me big.
2:43: Time to turn in my paperwork and add floral transport engineer to The List. Everyone likes to peek through the peephole and see someone delivering flowers. Well, except for the woman who was bummed when she realized that the huge arrangement I had was for her neighbor.
Linda Marie Ford is a Dallas freelance writer and founder of It's Good to Be the Queen, a Web site for moms of boys. E-mail her at queenlinda@itsgoodtobethe queen.com.
Monday, February 12, 2007
What. The. Hell. work day 4
Today it is strep. The little man is home with me but should go to school tomorrow.
Aint antibiotics grand?
Aint antibiotics grand?
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