Facebook and politics don't mix

I’ve been “friended” on Facebook by several high school acquaintances in the past year. At first, I was flattered. (Really? You want to be friends with me? But we haven’t spoken since high school and even then, your only words to me were “Get out of the way loser.”)

It has been interesting to learn what they have all been up to since we have last spoken. What I find most fascinating is the divergent paths our political beliefs have taken. (He’s a right-wing conservative? She’s now an outspoken liberal? That sort of thing.)

But what makes me unfriend someone faster than the dogs polishing off a bowl of kibble is when these Facebook friends start complaining online about politics and posting charts, graphs and videos. (Oh yeah, there have been several.)

Just this morning, someone complained in their posting about ABC and NBC refusing to air some political commentary. Just before I unfriend this person, I wrote on their wall how much more I like Ugly Betty and 30 Rock. (I mean, really, what’s not to love about Betty Suarez and Liz Lemon?)

I’ve been told Facebook friends never know when they’ve been unfriended – unless they try to look you up again and remember you were once Facebook friends. And even if they do know, who cares? Would you walk into a party with charts about the problems with Obama’s health care reform? No friends of mine would!

Facebook Ettiquette
Emily Post - there's even an email newsletter (not that you need it, of course)
Yearbook Gift Wrap - just because it's fun
Yearbook Yourself - create a new Facebook profile pic using old yearbook photos

Solar Lantern

When the weather is cooler and there are fewer mosquitoes, we like to entertain in our backyard. Unfortunately, it’s a little dark back there at night. Normally, a couple of candles do the trick. But in October, we have a pumpkin carving party for the neighborhood for Halloween. I suppose it’s not a good idea to use sharp knives in the dark. (Cry babies. I mean really, who needs two thumbs, right?)

I realized the best way to protect us from any more insurance claims might be to have extra lighting above the table, not just from candles on the table.

In the past, we have strung lights across the yard from the tree, but lately the squirrels have gotten to them. (I would never have guessed that electrical cords are that tasty. I wonder if it's those Zombie Squirrels...)

I think these solar lanterns are a nice alternative. I’m going to order one and see how bright it is. If it works well, I’ll probably get a couple more just in time for October. The neighbors will be so pleased.

SFMOMA

Vintage Phones

We spent too much money on the bathroom renovations this past spring. So our new mobile phone purchase has been postponed – which is killing me!

Some time ago, I installed software on my Palm Treo that allows me to check work email. (It’s special software that interfaces with Lotus Notes – why would anyone still use this antiquated email program?) Unfortunately, my phone already had a tendency to lock up and restart. The work email software makes it occur more often.

Restarting normally takes five minutes which totally ruins those moments when there is a squirrel outside the window looking at you in the conference room as if you were a caged animal in a zoo (it sure does feel that way) – and you want to take a picture of the squirrel but your phone has to restart. (I do work hard, I swear!)

While I love technology, there’s something to be said for things that work everytime, without complications.

These vintage phones are cool, but does it mean that I would actually have to sit down in one place, actually use my finger to dial, then have a conversation? And how do you send a text message on it?

The Curiosity Shoppe

Genealogy

My dad’s birthday was this past weekend. He brought an old photo with him to lunch on Saturday. Dad asked me to scan it and print copies.

The picture shows my dad holding my older brother who was just seven months old in the photo. (I should have Photoshopped some horns onto him for torturing me as he did while growing up!) Next to my father is his mother. Next to my grandmother is her mother. And next to my grandmother’s mother is her father. That's my great-great-grandfather with the cigar in his hand on the very left.

Five generations all in one photograph! You don’t see that everyday, now do you? (And on top of that, the photo makes my dad look tall!)

My dad spent some time trying to remember his great grandfather’s first name, but could never think of it.

So I thought I’d do something nice and search for it online. I started the search with my grandparent's names. There were more than 15 million entries that might be matches to them. (Oh, if only I had been born with a less common last name!)

Any ideas on the best genealogy sites? Visit the Snackworthy site and submit a comment to provide your best suggestions!

Here’s what I tried so far:

Ancestry.com
Genealogy.com
Familysearch.org

The Poisonwood Bible

A co-worker lent a novel to me from Oprah’s Book Club. I’m not sure how O does it all, between producing a daily television show, publishing a magazine, running a radio channel on satellite radio and managing a cable network. That’s quite an empire. And, on top of that, she reads books. (Or does she secretly just get the Cliff Notes?)

I’m a little behind her schedule. The Poisonwood Bible was on her book club a couple of years ago. (What? You thought I meant behind on managing my own television show, publishing a magazine, etc., etc.? Yeah, well that too – but really way behind schedule. Frankly, I'm lucky if I make it to work on time.)

Anyway, the story is about a family of Southern Baptists from Georgia who go on a missionary trip to the Congo in the early 1960’s. The most interesting aspect to me is the changing narrative. It is told from a completely female point of view, switching from chapter to chapter, between the voices of the four daughters and their mother.

Along the way, you learn about the culture and history of the Republic of Congo.

The book is more than 500 pages, so don’t start to read it unless you have a lot of time on your hands. You’ve got an empire to run.

But if you do, make sure you’ve got a takeout menu handy and a telephone. You won’t want to do anything else until you’ve finished the book.

The Poisonwood Bible
Cliff Notes for The Poisonwood Bible

Next to Normal

My younger brother adopted a dog last year whose fur is completely white. He and his girlfriend Brandy spent considerable time trying to think of a name for the dog. They finally settled on Polar. Brandy’s reason was because the dog has white hair – like a polar bear. My brother’s reason? If anyone asked where Brandy was, he could reply “Brandy is by Polar.” (Read it aloud. Bi-polar. Got it now?)

While mental illness is not humorous (except to my brother), it sure can be the topic for a great musical (I know, who would have thought?). We saw an amazing show in New York last weekend. Titled “Next To Normal”, the show is about a family's unraveling as they struggle to cope with the mother's bi-polar disorder.

It’s from the director of Rent and it has a similar style to it. The lead actress, Alice Ripley, won a Tony for her performance as the mother and she does an amazing job.

Check out the preview on YouTube. It gives me chills each time I watch it.

View a clip on YouTube
Now go buy tickets

Pinch and S'mac

We just returned from NYC yesterday. We were up there celebrating a friend’s 70th birthday. It was a surprise party with about ten guests. (We didn’t yell surprise or anything – I did say it was his 70th birthday, right?)

Last time we visited New York, we found a restaurant that came highly recommended. This restaurant only serves two things – pizza and mac & cheese. (I think they might have salad, but who really cares?)

It’s called Pinch and S’mac and is located on the Upper West Side. I went there for the mac & cheese (of course). They let you select the cheese(s), breadcrumbs or no breadcrumbs and other ingredients to add, including bacon (oh yeah).

Want to know the amazing thing? I really liked the pizza too. (Sorry Poppa Johns, you’re still my regular guy at home.) Honestly though, who would even bother with pizza when you’ve got mac & cheese and bacon? But the pizza was really, really good.

So you know that Pinch and S’mac is now a regular on my tour of NYC. I may not make it to my 70th birthday party. What, from eating so much bacon, and mac & cheese? Oh, no, I just meant, I’ll probably be at Pinch and S’mac, while everyone else is waiting somewhere to surprise me. That is, if it’s still around in 50 years (hey, I look 20, right?)

Pinch and S’mac (they do deliver, but only for a couple of blocks, darn it)