Stop n Shop

Hi Hilary and Arthur.  I just won a $25 gift card to the grocery store "Stop and Shop".  I entered a contest somebody was having on their blog and won it.  The only problem is we don't have those here.  So if either of you have that chain in your area let me know and I'll send you the card.  Otherwise I guess I'll give it to Kurt's brother who lives in Boston, since I know they have lots of them in MA.  I'd rather give it to you though.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow, this guy hates the Supreme Court

So today my torts professor got the lead prosecutor in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case to come speak to us about how it feels to get destroyed by the US Supreme Court. Apparently it doesn't feel too good. To say this guy is just bitter would be an understatement. I can't say I really blame him though. He spent over 20 years of his life prosecuting this thing and only got 232 million dollars in punitive damages in a class-action lawsuit where the original punitive damages were 5 billion dollars. His firm lost money on the case and he's basically done nothing else for hte past 20 years. Oh yea, he hates Exxon corp. too. To hear him tell it you'd think Exxon was its own country or something.

The first interview

I conducted my first interview with Charles last week. 

Blog List

I added a list of blogs to our blog.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not obsessed with blogs.  But its interesting to see what people are up to, and how they present themselves.  (extremely happy most of the time)  Please add to it if you find good blogs.  You can also add websites I believe - they don't have to be blogs.  Its a feature they put so people who read your blog can know what you read on the web, and who your friends are.  I would especially like to know what Arthur reads in the way of blogs, if any.  I bet some of his friends have some.  hint hint.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall that works

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Don't have a baby without insurance

He's discovered his cute face.

Oh my word!  I just got the bill for the delivery....$13, 207.46.  I'm not kidding.  Of course we have insurance so we'll pay only a fraction of that.  Unbelievable though isn't it!  I thought it would be 7 or 8 grand - thats what the internet said was the average price.  But prices must be going up.And this is for a perfectly normal delivery - not C section - and for a healthy baby with absolutely no special needs.  Anyways just a warning to Hilary and Arthur - don't have a baby without insurance.  

No cavities!!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know I have no cavities as of 10:30 am this morning.  I am very very happy. 

Property Tax

Hey I just wondered if anyone knows what's a normal rate for property tax?  I get taxed for my car every year - they assess a value and then tax it, and its almost 10%.  And the value of the car pretty much stays the same from year to year - last year it was $1450, this year its $1380.  And I'm paying $131 for tax this year.  That seems pretty high to me (tax rate wise).  If you own a home is it taxed at the same rate? It all goes to the school system, a little for the blind and for the public library system.  I guess thats normal.  

Anyone else paying property tax on their cars?

Loser

hahahaha, by 700 votes. my vote counted more than yours did.

Poll: Which Costume is Cuter?

I think it's pretty obvious that this duck costume is cuter.

It fits better, as in Corbin's head is in the right place. It is fuzzier, and his legs really look like duck legs. Rachel has also made a magnet and thought of a theme for the costume, "chick magnet". She also bought the costume before Corbin was even born, showing foresight previously unheard of.

Charles' outfit is more like a "duck-blanket". Is he really a duck? I don't know, it just isn't very convincing.

Now, I personally think this raised the larger issue of whether Alice is a good parent. Yes, Alice, you are a better mother than Rachel. She might buy better duck outfits, sew personalized outfits for her children, use earth-friendly diapers, and teach her kids sign language, but that does not mean that she is a better mother.

You are much better.

Charles is cuter, smarter, and better at the piano. And most importantly, he has a much cooler Aunt. There is no comparison in that department.

Hilary versus Eden, Laura, and Emma? Please, make it a competition!

No mean comments.

Well.  I just read a comment Hilary made on Rachel's blog about not liking the costume Charles wore for Halloween.  This is a private blog so you can say things like that here without problems, but Rachel's blog is NOT private.  Every single person who visits her blog will be able to read that comment - all her family members, and many people I'm sure who don't know us.  There is no way to get that comment removed unless Rachel removes it herself.  So I just thought I'd ask all of you not to make derogatory comments about me or Charles on other people's blogs.  I know Hilary's sense of humor, but other people (even Rachel's family) don't.  Maybe I'm being too sensitive but thats how I feel about it.  I in turn will refrain from posting comments to other people about decisions you all make about your clothing etc.

As a side note I'm sorry if you didn't like the costume I had Charles wear.  He looked extremely cute in my opinion and was warm and happy the whole night.  We got a million comments on how cute he looked.  Plus the costume was free.  I'm planning on buying a costume now for next year so it can be more elaborate.  If you see something let me know.

The Swing

Perhaps not the most interesting video footage you'll see in your life, but it gives you a good idea of what Charles does during the day for fun.  

Where Charles Lives