Laura Calder's Breasts Challenge Giada's

Perhaps I've grown bored of Giada's breasts? They've been in my face for years and though I rarely tire of boobs, new boobs have swayed my attention.

I couldn't even tell you what Laura Calder of French Food at Home made on the show I just watched. Because I am mesmerized by the perfection that peeks out of her ever so perfectly fitting dress. Thank you, Canada.

Here. You be the judge.

From China to My Wall

We were walking along the streets of Huangshan, the city at the base of the Yellow Mountains. My uncle, who doesn't have a shy bone in his body walked up to the lady tending this store and put on her hat.

It's hand woven and honestly, I didn't see another hat like it in China. I was green with envy when I saw him with it. But it was going to be his. I knew it. He always gets the cool stuff.

He talked with the lady for a moment and came back without it.

"You're not going to buy it?"

"She wants 50 yuan for it."

Turning to our local guide, "See what she'll take for it." (they always started out triple what they wanted for anything)

He comes back, "She wants 50 yuan. No bargaining."

"I'll take it."

I wore it through Huangshan Airport, through Shanghai airport, carried it on board and it had it's own bin inside the airplane. Through Newark airport, where everyone that I came into contact with commented on my fantastic hat! I even saw a handsome student in Newark, that I met on the same street that I bought the hat and he recognized me because of my hat!

Then, I was allowed to hold it like a baby on the plane in my lap on the way to Nashville. The stewardess winked as she said, "Everything that will not fit under your seat MUST be stowed in an overhead bin or be checked as luggage."

Now it hangs on my wall and is a miracle of Airport Security.

P.S. Fifty yuan is about $7.50.

The Yellow Mountains aka We Were CRAZY

Yes, I did. It looks more insane in that photo than it actually FELT walking up there amid the clouds. This is actually a pic of my uncle walking to our hotel.

Hanging off the side of that walkway was this bench. Um, no....I'm not putting my big ass out there so that I can crash to the bottom and make the papers. But I will try out a Chinese photo tip from our guide, Jean. "Point at your cheek! It will make the photo more intelesting!" Yeah, right.

And finally, sunset in the yellow mountains. Wow. Photo credit goes to my cousin and her crappy camera. I was so stunned that I wouldn't run back to the room for mine. I chose to experience the sunset. I didn't want to miss one moment!

Listen to the Mustn'ts

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Another guest post by Dana


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Back in January, I did a silly "Thursday 13" post where I listed Thirteen things I'd like to do but will likely let some irrational fear keep me from accomplishing. Some of the things on the list are long-term projects, but some of them required nothing more than a little belief in myself. And yesterday, I found that belief - I submitted a photograph for juried review and (hopefully) public display.

What surprised me was that accomplishing that goal didn't feel the way I expected it to. No, it felt even better! Why??

When I was living with husband we bought a really nice camera for a vacation we were taking. I was not allowed to take photos - husband reviewed my first attempts and decided I had no talent - I was just wasting space on the memory card.

Whenever we took the camera anywhere, he took the photos. He didn't even want me to take the camera if I was attending an event without him. I saved up my pennies and purchased my own camera. Sure, it was a $149 point-and-shoot model, but it was mine! And I started taking pictures, never sharing them with him.

Since leaving him, I started participating in Project 365 - a photo-blogging project where you post a photo each day for a year (if you are interested, you can find it [HERE]) One of the photos I took (the one below) was a perfect fit for the "Black & White" theme of this juried show. I took a deep breath, attached it to an email, and hit send.

Although I'd be thrilled if my photo made the cut for display, it really isn't about that - it's about surrounding myself with people who support my goals - people who give constructive criticism - people who know that if I believe in myself I will believe in them.

It's a good reminder that there will always be people who gain far more pleasure in telling us what we cannot be than they do seeing our joy in becoming what we were meant to be.

“Listen to the mustn'ts, child.
Listen to the don'ts.
Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts.
Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me...
Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

~ Shel Silverstein

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Corn Ice Cream, Where Art Thou?

We tried and denied some crazy foods in China. But when I heard corn ice cream....I had to have one. I passed on the green bean ice cream after seeing my cousin's face. Looked just like the first time a baby tries green beans. Blech.

OOohhhh but the corn was creamy, sweet heavenly corny goodness! And the outside was cone. Brilliant!

Where in the World is Wonder Woman?

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Another guest post by Dana



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Is nothing safe?? Wonder Woman had remained pristine - relatively untouched - since 1941. I realize that many superheroes have seen their costumes go through changes during their history ... subtle changes — Captain America’s shield gets changed here, little sprucing up of the Batman logo there. But this??


Seriously? Is that a Spider man hand-me-down shirt she's wearing? And square-toed shoes? Didn't those go out of style a decade ago? And do tell, what superhero wears leggings?? And is that "V" style belt to emphasize her ... ummm ... vagina?? They even redesigned her bullet bouncing bracelets?? I mean, hello??


What was wrong with the patriotic undies and bullet bustier? Wonder Woman was a classic beauty - changing her costume is akin to making Marilyn Monroe a brunette!

Lynda Carter, in a story from Access Hollywood, said:

"I think Wonder Woman has a mind of her own. And I think she was just kind of ready for something new. She’s got an attitude and if this is the new thing that she wants to wear, well, by God, she’s going to wear it. And I like that."

Well Lynda, I don't!

What do you think?

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