Did Ya Know There Was a New York Outside Manhattan?

Yeah, yeah city living has a lot of drawbacks.  We hear you.  But at the same time, so many New Yorkers complain about never taking advantage of everything the city has to offer.  For one weekend, Poker Chick soaked it up pretty good.  It's possible.  

Friday night:  Mets game in Shea.  Last season before it gets torn down.  And, of course, to complete the experience, a nice long ride on the 7 train home at midnight.  Before you start to worry our inner snob has gone temporarily missing, don't worry.  We were in a box.  And Mr. Met came to visit.

Saturday:  We experimented with various ways to fend off boredom on a hot summer day in the city.  We went to a local outdoor pool.  We ran through some sprinklers.  We went inside and painted our own pottery.  (It was supposed to be an excellent last minute, but no one would know, father's day gift.  It takes 5 days for the stupid plate to glaze.  So much for the brilliant plan).  Afterwards, we got soaking wet in a series of thunderstorms, because no New York weekend would be complete without getting caught without an umbrella.  Finished off the day with Netflix.  When it costs $11 #@$*! bucks to see a movie these days, in home-viewing is the way to go.  Before you start to think this could be anywhere, it should be noted that dinner was delivered by an unbelievable local italian place.  In 10 minutes.  It took longer to pick a menu.

Sunday:  Coney Island.  Probably the first time Poker Chick had been there for personal reasons.  Pretty stereotypical things: Aquarium, Astroland Park, kiddie rides, lemon ice.  Sponge Bob Square Pants made an appearance, and the local mosquitos got to feast on Poker Chick's thigh. 

 Something for everyone.   

One more day to vote on the poll (right)!

Notes on a Storm (a.k.a. one scaredy chick)

Picture this. A quiet apartment. A child who has just (supposedly) gone to sleep. The microwave beeping that your reheated pizza is ready (I know, I know, but I was too lazy to wait for the oven).

Suddenly, you hear rattling around on the street and a crack against the window. You look out and see trees blowing in a might wind (sorry, couldn't resist). No, seriously. The trees were practically horizontal. The rattling was trash cans in the street, having been picked up and knocked over as if they were light as a feather. You peer down into the street and realize all the people are running. Let me repeat. Running. These are New Yorkers. Unless you run around yelling "Fire!" (or "crane!" these days), they ain't running for anyone, and they may even be cynical enough not to believe you then.

That cracking sound? It was wind so strong you call your husband and immediately ask if a tornado is in New York. Not that you've ever seen one. But if you did, it would probably look a lot like this.

After he pooh-pooh's your concerns and dismisses your fears as being overly dramatic (what? ME! Dramatic?), the lighting starts. This is no ordinary lighting. We're talking serious voltage here, moving straight down from the sky to the street. Faster than you can blink, it flashes. And then the thunder starts. So loud you jump and cover your ears.

Scared yet? Admit it! You would be!

Seeking validation (and ammo against the "drama queen" argument), you scour the internet for news alerts, weather radar, anything. And then you find this:

* AT 853 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS (destuctive, peeps!) IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH (that's like hurricane speed). THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM CALDWELL TO PLAINFIELD... OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM EAST HANOVER TO SOUTH PLAINFIELD... AND MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH (that's a fast moving storm, baby).
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR... UNION...ORANGE...LINDEN AND BLOOMFIELD BY 905 PM... PATERSON...RUTHERFORD...PASSAIC AND NEWARK BY 910 PM... BERGENFIELD AND PARAMUS BY 915 PM... (Poker Chick reports they hit NYC at 9:13pm) IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING (hey! did we not just describe the cloud to ground effect?) IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY! (They said immediately! Them's serious words!) LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.


Okay. Did y'all read that? Now who thinks the reaction was overly dramatic? Mmmm hmmm.. We thought so.

And now, it's time for a laugh

Poker Chick continues to scour the blogosphere. This post admonishing frivolous lawsuits made her laugh out loud so maybe it will do the same for you. We're beginning to fantasize now...Poker Chick v. mean old bus lady....

How do you kiss your kids goodnight?

Note: This post is intended to be a clean and honest discussion about a common but odd parenting question. Any perverts out there that think otherwise need not respond.

All you parents out there (hopefully) kiss your kids. Where you may differ is how. Poker Chick, for example, aside from not being especially touchy-feely, is also not a mouth kisser. Cheek. Forehead. Nose. Bellybutton. All fine. But not mouth. It just feels odd to her and her parents weren't like that. As such, you peeps best not be kissing the mini on her mouth either.

With your kid, however, you can do whatever the heck you want. Some close friends of Poker Chick's do exactly that. They kiss both their boy and girl on the mouth and don't think anything of it. Now, before you pass judgement you should know these are rational, educated people and also great parents with great kids. They were raised that way and they both seem to have come out all right. If that's how they roll, who are we to judge?

Poker Chick was together with these friends the other day and it came out that they did not realize there were people out there that did not kiss their kids on the lips. Similarly, other friends in this discussion had a theory that they were also the only people they knew that did, in fact, do the kissing on the mouth thing.

Poker Chick believes that both schools exist in droves. So, peeps, speak! Take the anonymous survey (right) and let the world know!