Stardate 61413.47 - Loren Eats Corn

Loren had corn on the cob for the first time tonight. She has also started mugging for the camera, and says "cheese!" when you are about to take a picture! Unfortunately, like her Dad, her eyes get squinty when she smiles big.









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Stardate 61413.72 - More Memorial Day Pictures

From my cousin Justin, here are some additional pictures from Memorial Day weekend in Connecticut.



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Stardate 61409.07 - Loren Loves Dora

Loren really loves Dora the Explorer. It is the first TV show that she actually requests by name. She will bring the remotes (or "amotes" as she calls them), and will say, "Dora on? Dora on?" And now that we are working on "please" and "thank you" she says "Dora on, please?" They show Dora on Noggin, so we have a bunch recorded on the DVR that she watches over and over. We've also purchased 4 Dora DVDs. Loren has learned the words Map and Backpack and "Knock-knock Door" from the show, and also knows "Dora Spanish" - words like Abre (open). In fact, she uses Abre more than she says open when she wants things opened.

If you haven't seen Dora, she and her friend Boots (a monkey) always have to go somewhere to solve some problem. They use a map which almost always requires three steps to arrive at their destination. For example, "Bananas - Corn field - Little Blue Tree!" The formula is the same in every episode, and people who have watched this show realize how infectious it can be.

One day in the not too distant past, Cheryl and I were going out for dinner while Loren was home with a babysitter. I started to say, "Subway, East Village, Restaurant! We've made it past the subway, now we need the East Village! Do YOU see the East Village? Where is it?" This dialog is precisely what transpires on every Dora episode, but with new place names. I continued to repeat these "Doraisms" as Cheryl and I proceeded to the restaurant (not that I can ever be annoying).

Finally, Cheryl said, "I declare a Doratorium! No more Dora!"

There was a slight pause, and then we both started laughing out loud!

I know that was a long way to go for a joke, but it really made me laugh out loud at the time, and I still snicker when I start to use Doraisms and I think about having to have a "Doratorium" on my Dora humor.

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Stardate 61404.32 - The Big Orange Car

Loren loves cars, and at Herb and Randi's place on Sunday there was a big orange car that she enjoyed playing with. Here is a video of Loren showing us the proper way to get into and out of the big orange car.



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Stardate 61404.13 - Family Fun in CT

On Saturday I went for a morning sail, but had pretty weak wind and except for the good company of my fellow sailors the morning was a bust. Cheryl took Loren over to Central Park while I was sailing and they had a picnic.


On Sunday we drove up to Connecticut to my uncle Herb and aunt Randi's place and got to visit with my cousins, Erinne, Angelique, and Justin and their families. Growing up there was a 2-3 year period where we were visiting them in CT or they were coming down to VA every 6 months or so - it was kind of like having two extra sisters and a brother. Over the years we've managed to keep in touch, and I even have them convinced to occasionally read this blog! ;-)

The following are some pictures I took at the event. Justin told me he would be sending pictures today or tomorrow and wanted them posted, so you may get even more pictures tomorrow.


















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Stardate 61399.32 - Artemis Eternal

I told you it was coming.

I told you to be a part of it.

Artemis Eternal is now revealed.


Artemis Eternal poster is (C) 2007 by Stover Electric, All Rights Reserved. Poster reproduced here by permission.

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Stardate 61396.35 - Loren is Much Improved

Loren is much better and was back at daycare today. I'm going sailing Saturday morning and we have a family even in Connecticut Sunday, and Cheryl may try to get out for a sail on Monday. And Cheryl's Mom has been visiting as she has a conference here in the city she is attending.

And, we might, just possibly, maybe, could be closing on the co-op next week. Knock on wood. Fingers crossed!

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Stardate 61388.32 - Loren has Croup

Been home all day today with Loren, who has come down with croup. It is no fun to hear her wheeze on every breath. Because she is a little hoarse, she sounds a little like James Earl Jones right now, but she seems to be getting better. Since it is contagious we probably cannot take her to daycare tomorrow, even if she is much better.

Cheryl took her to the doctor this morning just to make sure it was not serious, and we just have to keep her calm (crying constricts the airway even more and makes the situation worse).

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Stardate 61388.82 - Another sailor in the family

This past weekend Cheryl took the ASA Keelboat 101 course from the Manhattan Sailing School and is now ASA certified! The course is all day Sat and Sun, which is why I was on Loren duty. Unlike the time I took the course, the weather mostly cooperated and she was able to complete the course and exam on the same weekend. Now I just need to get Loren signed up...or is 1.5 years old too young?

P.S. Here is a photo of Cheryl from 2005 when we were in California on vacation, sailing on her Aunt's boat.

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Stardate 61382.69 - Daddy Day Sunday

While Cheryl was occupied elsewhere on Sunday, Loren got to spend all day with Daddy. In the morning we played with toys and had a small lunch of soup that Loren prepared. You can see some of the ingredients in the bowls in front of Pooh Bear, the doggie, Loren, and my place. We then went to the playground for 30 minutes or so, but Loren was getting tired and cranky so after returning home for a snack we headed back out so Loren could fall asleep in the stroller.




After a 90 minute nap, Loren and I played with toys and read books for almost 3 hours and then Loren was ready to watch some Dora episodes so I put Dora on and Loren is watching while I'm putting this entry up on the blog.

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Stardate 61380.43 - Su Ming Visits

Su Ming came into the city Friday night and stayed over for a visit (on Saturday she left to go visit another friend in the city). Loren enjoyed playing with her, and even could say her name pretty well by the time Su Ming left!

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Stardate 61375.15 - Loren Stats

Loren had a regular check up this morning:

Length = 33 inches (85th %tile)
Weight = 23 lbs 10 oz (40th %tile)

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Stardate 61369.67 - Got $5?

I put a post up a short time ago about Jessica Stover being in pre-production on a movie and asking people to donate a small amount to the cause and in return receive a credit in the film. The target for the film are festivals, the exact ones are still TBD. I'm not sure if anyone took action on my request, but I'm asking again.

Skip that coffee today and instead send $5 Jessica's way.

It is time to step up to the plate. Be a part of independent film. It is just $5. You cannot tell me that you don't have $5 to spare - if you really cannot afford $5 then maybe you should be working a little harder instead of reading this blog. :-)

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Stardate 61363.45 - Opposites?

Here is a picture from the end of April in Central Park where Loren and I are looking in opposite directions. I'm sure there is some spiritual significance...

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Stardate 61360.92 - Loren is 1.5 Years Old (Update)

Loren turned 18 months old this past week and it is so hard to remember that she was ever as small as she was in the picture on the left.

We got some good Mother's Day pictures taken and posted from this weekend, and Cheryl just took the photo below. It shows a good contract in Loren's size from 2 months old (photo on left) and 18 months old (photo below).

We seem to have matching hair in the photo below, because we were both wearing hats earlier today I guess.




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Stardate 61363.23 - Mother's Day Weekend

Loren turned 18-months old this week so Friday Cheryl stopped for cupcakes on the way home and we had a little mini-party for Loren with just the three of us. Loren liked the candle but didn't want to eat the cupcake so Cheryl and I were forced to finish her cupcake as well as our own. The sacrifices one makes as a parent! :-)

Since it was Mother's Day I also stopped at a bodega on the way home from work Friday and picked up some flowers and a card for Cheryl.

Saturday morning Loren was up early and so we started the day with a leisurely morning. Loren showed off her new trick of being able to climb up into the big chair on her own.


Then we got the car and went out to NJ to visit with her parents and I watched Loren while Cheryl, her Mom, and her Grandmother all went out to see this house with a different designer doing each room. Loren did a lot of riding this plastic yellow car up and down the driveway while they were gone.




We all converged on Cheryl's grandmother's condo at the beach before heading out to dinner, so we had to do a quick walk on the beach.




We then went out for dinner at Avenue, which was pretty good. Our two main complaints were that they were not ready to seat anyone for dinner at 5:30 PM (which is when our reservation was) so we had to wait around with a tired and unhappy Loren while they prepared to prepare to think about seating people. There were a lot of wait staff standing around doing nothing, but there were apparently only a couple of people who could actually get all the tables ready for the line of people waiting to be seated.

Our other complaint was that they kept taking the bread away. We like to eat bread with our meal - don't take it away with the appetizer plates! They brought us more when we asked for it, but they swept it away again before dessert. Especially with a 18-month old, having bread around for the entire meal is a good thing. For my dinner I got the Mussels and fries, a salad to start, and cream puffs for dessert - all part of their fixed price dinner. All were very good, but the main course was about half the number of Mussels I got on St. Martin for the same price. Also somewhat annoying was that their cocktails were at NYC prices - $12 for a cocktail in NJ?!? The cream puffs were quite fantastic, however, so I was able to forgive the rest.

Here Loren and I wait outside for everyone to leave the restaurant after dinner.


Sunday we ate breakfast at our favorite Sunday breakfast spot, Le Pain Quotidien. We got the bread basket for us and the large fruit salad for Loren. The praline topping is just the best!

We then took Loren over to the park behind our building to play for a little while. I then watched Loren at home while Cheryl went for a manicure/pedicure.

Now Loren and Cheryl are napping and we are thinking about a trip out to Central Park once they wake up.

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Stardate 61344.83 - Stop, Look, Listen

Stop - Look - Listen.

That was the advice for crossing the street when we were children. It was simple, easy to learn, and easy to remember - I still remember the saying after all these years. Today I want you to:

1. Stop skimming this post,
   
2. Look at it when you have some time to really read it,
3. And Listen to what I have to say.

I have a proposition for my readers - an offer, really. A chance to have your name listed in the credits of an independent film. What does that mean? Why, it means you will have your own little entry on IMDB. Apparently, being listed in a film’s credits under “special thanks” or “thanks” or the like should make your name appear on the IMDB listing.

How can I make this magic happen for you?

We'll I've been pimping for her for a couple of years, and right now Jessica Stover is in pre-production on an independent film intended for festivals, code-named AAE. She is doing some fund-raising to help with the costs of this significant effort - and if you help her, she'll put you in the credits. I suggest you click on the link to get the full story, but here is an executive summary:

• The best thing you can do is to shop - purchase one of the remaining Limited Edition prints from The Silver Legacy (her screenplay project). You get fantastic art from TSL, the profit goes to AAE and you’ll get your name in the credits.
• Follow this link and make a donation of $5 or more via the button and your name will appear in the credits. I'd like you to give at least $10 - barely more than you probably spend on lunch or Starbucks over 1-2 days. And in the comments area, be sure to mention that I sent you. Or drop her a note to let her know you donated because of my recommendation. I have to make sure I keep my standing as her number one fan! ;-)
  
• Donate frequent flyer miles, which will definitely get your name in the credits. Send Jess an e-mail directly if you want to do this (just go to her site and click here).
• Link, e-mail, pass the word on - referrals generate more traffic and support than you can imagine.

Finally, I wouldn't be pimping her stuff if I didn't believe in what she was doing. Her writing is smart, dependable, skillful, and a pleasure to read. Jess possesses the skills, dedication, integrity, and talent that I look for in my entertainment – characteristics in woefully short supply these days. I strongly recommend you give careful consideration to helping her out and supporting her work, and I am positive you will agree the decision is a good one.

If you can help out, please do so. It is a small price to pay to get into the credits of a film!

No pressure - just an opportunity to be a part of the beginning of a rising star. :-)

Years from now you will thank me. Seriously. What are you waiting for?

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