Thoughts on Aging

This post is dedicated to my friend who turns 30 today, and also to the people I know who have recently turned thirty even though I did not think of blogging about it until just now.

The fourth decade of life is interesting. 

I have found it to be very busy. 

Nothing really terrible has happened. 

I think it's much later that if you survive that long,

 everyone you know starts dying. 

During thirtys one puts many miles on the car and shoes. 

I have stopped watching TV but am hoping to start again soon. 

Everything is put off until later.

Even dinner.

But those you are responsible for learn to do laundry.

And cross parking lots without holding hands.

Beyond all that,

I cannot say too much. 

One thing I have noticed. 

One is not THIRTYSOMETHING for very long.

Time flies when you never get to sit down. 

Before you know it

(yes, even before I know it)

We will be forty. 

And we won't have to worry about being thirty.

Anymore.

For friends who may think otherwise...

No, this is not me.

(mom, the language in this video is PG-13)

It definitely falls into the same category as nose and lip rings. I wouldn't wear that shade of green, or the body paint.

Iron Cross Blister Beetle

 If you are curious, they are interesting:

Courtship Habits 

More photos

On YouTube

Not good to eat

I need to learn how to upload video from the camcorder

This post would be more interesting with a nice video clip. I'll work on that. Young Adventurer had his Winners Recital today for the piano competition. He did great and was charming and well-behaved as well. He was most excited about the trophy and the check with his name on it. He also likes to dress up. 

The tallish kids in the back were amazing. Playing Chopin and stuff. Young Adventurer liked a piece one of the other kids played: "Cat and Mouse" by Aaron Copland.

We found this charming fellow in the parking lot of the piano competition place:

Anyone know what it is? Brief internet searches have turned up nothing so far. I think the yellow spotted parts are wings. It looked like the entire body was that bright red. It was about the size of a smallish grasshopper. Young Adventurer wanted to catch it, but we decided to leave the bug and take only photographs. 

Edited to add: We identified The Bug. He/she is an Iron Cross Blister Beetle. 

We also went to Amy's cello recital and it was amazing. 

Christ Is Risen!

And that is a good thing. More important than the rest of this post. Needed saying first.

So now, shopping for Easter seems to bear no relation to that aforementioned very important fact. I went shopping for Easter cards to send to moms and dads and grandma. At Hallmark store. There were maybe five "religious" Easter cards in the entire place, cleverly hidden among the gazillions of eggbunnychickenhappyspring cards. Only one was even worth considering. It was labeled "Orthodox Religious" and had an orthodox looking picture on the front but some accurate words. I decided not to buy anything. So if you are wondering, mom and dad, why you didn't get an Easter card from me, now you know.

I also went shopping for Peeps.  Why do stores not think of this--who are the marketing people anyway? There were many (poorly organized) choices, and I only needed one package. Every time I saw them in the store, I wanted to arrange them by the color wheel. I didn't buy any of them either--I was too overwhelmed. I want a box with one Peep in each color rather than fifteen. I may be able to pick some up in the after-Easter clearance. 

Do notice both Venom and Adventurer Two are wearing Christmas shirts. Easter is the culmination of Christmas, after all.

Bravo!!

Young Adventurer played in his first piano competition today. We came home before the results for his level were announced. His piano teacher just called and told us he is a winner!! Congratulations, Young Adventurer. We're proud of you!

Keeping the nerves at bay before his turn--iPod touch and Scraps the dog. The other parents and all the teachers thought it was cute that he brought his stuffed dog.

Air Piano--practicing beforehand

His turn is next. Scraps, and mom, will be listening outside the door.

The winners recital is April 18th. Time TBA

Killer Pizza

The news is interesting tonight. 

Our president met with the queen of England today. He presented her with a personalized iPod (I wonder if it was personalized with her name or his...). She presented him with an autographed picture of her and her man.

If anyone needs a pet, there is a petstore in Connecticut selling a bunny with two noses. Nice. 

On our recent travels, we had some options for meals.  The first:

This looked good until we looked more closely:

Never mind. How about this place:

Maybe this would be a good place to find the Doctor. Or a good place to have a doctor handy.

Finally, does anyone know what this is? I believe Young Adventurer had the camera. It may be a UFO: