I started thinking about him tonight. We were discussing what happens when people just “lose it”. It made me thing of Phoenix on Letterman  a year and a half ago. Can you believe it? Feburary 2009, we see Phoenix looking like either a rabbi or an amish minister, I still can’t figure it out…

February 09 – Phoenix appearance on Letterman

or was the whole thing a  hoax?

There was kind of a split of “hoax” vs “life changing event” camps. But the entertainment media didn’t really keep up with Phoenix to see if it was a charade.

Today, a you tube video was released with Phoenix in it. Here he is, in a trailer for the movie I’m Still Here.

Is this an example where life imitates art, or visa versa?

What’s your guess?

(I’m just sort of thrilled that there was SOMETHING new to discuss today, otherwise my “timely” topic wouldn’t have been so cool!)

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Hell NO, the irony was not lost on me. Right there at the TSA screening station at Burbank airport. Me, in a tshirt, shorts and flip flops, hair in pony tail, no makeup. One boy on the floor, sprawled out on top of his overstuffed backpack, feet flailing, shoes thrown about.

He can’t get his shoes back on himself after removing them for security.

Sigh.

Ten years ago I was THAT business traveler, the one trying to smile politely at me?…with my laptop and heels, trying to dodge that mom that was about to lose it. Trying to make my flight, so I could make my meeting.

The circle of life, ladies and gentlemen.

Don’t forget who is really in control here. Call it karma or something else, but these moments are sure to knock me to my core, for more than one reason.

I learned another valuable lesson yesterday, not just that life changes dramatically in the blink of an eye. Or in ten years of motherhood…

But lets first go to the beginning of the story (it’s more dramatic that way…)

Three boys…end of summer…Stay At Home Mom…the makings of a disaster of epic proportions. Call in the National Guard. I’m DONE.

After BEGGING the Universe for help, it came to me “STOP ASKING THE UNIVERSE – ASK THE GRANDPARENTS!”

Ahhh, yes! The grandparents. The ones who raised my husband. The ones who love my children! They will help!

After coordinating schedules, draining a portion of the IRA, and packing for days, the boys were headed to the In Law’s for five fun filled days and nights while I regain my sanity.

Getting to the airport shouldn’t be hard…sending them off should make me giddy with delight. But before I get THERE, I must face a cancelled flight, a two hour delayed alternate flight, and three and a half hours of “enlightenment” at the airport with two 7 year olds and a 10 year old. I’m not getting off easy, folks!!

But, alas, here is that second lesson. After (finally!) watching my kids board that plane without me, I felt something. Something different than the bliss I was expecting. What is this?

I bit my lip, kept the tears tucked away, and begged (silently) for the crew to deliver them safely to their destination. My kids + my heart x 3.

The lesson wasn’t wasted on this mommy. I’m blessed.

And I’m going to enjoy the HELL out of these next five days.

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Just read a NYT article about Thousand Oaks native Steven Slater. Slater is (was?) a JetBlue flight attendant. On Monday he was manning a full flight from Pittsburgh to Kennedy International Airport. One of the 100 passengers allegedly defied Slater’s request to remain seated until the plane was stopped. The eager passenger grabbed his bag from overhead storage, hitting the flight attendant on the head. Slater asked for an apology and got cursed out instead. Then Slater sort of went postal– or shall we say flight attendant? He got on the public-address system and told the passenger off. That wasn’t enough for our local boy, though. He told the passengers that it had been great serving them for 20 years, then he pulled the lever to the emergency evacuation shoot, grabbed a beer off of the beverage cart and slid away to freedom. He dashed to the employee parking lot, where he made an easy get away to his home in Queens. Apparently, when Slater isn’t working he’s usually here in Thousand Oaks caring for his dying mother, who was also a career flight attendant. Neighbors told the NYT that he did the same when his father, a pilot, was dying. Authorities arrested Slater at his home on felony counts of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. We’re hoping JetBlue gives the guy a break, though…Everybody has a bad day.

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Often times our posts are about suburban moms…because we are suburban moms, and 81% of our readers are women. But here’s to you, the suburban dad, the lower class (at least here) the 19%…

Dad Life

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A small gathering for a big change.

After only hours of Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling to overturn Prop 8, Thousand Oaks teens celebrate an “Epic Win” by parading at the corner of Lynn/Hillcrest. This corner has taken on the political hot spot here in TO over the last few years. Candidates and supporters are often found holding their signs and asking for support.

Today’s celebration didn’t seem to be getting the support of many drivers (I say this because usually drivers are honking in support of groups who come together to represent). Is this typical of white suburbia?

In part of the District judge’s 136 page opinion on certainly the most controversial proposition in California in years, he included statements  ”Proposition 8 singles out gays and lesbians and legitimates their unequal treatment,” and  ”Proposition 8 perpetuates the stereotype that gays and lesbians are incapable of forming long-term loving relationships and that gays and lesbians are not good parents.”

We are wondering what you think of the overturning of Prop 8. Was it unconstitutional to begin with? What are the repercussions of gay marriage? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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