BREAD AND FEAR

The wondermutt can be a skittish pup. the sound of water, anything metal, and wheeled objects are just a few of the things that send her scurrying. But unparalleled among kashi's fears is the Big Blue Ball. While you and I might see an exercise implement (or, lately, a bouncy seat to keep sam from crying) kashi shes a round blue monster sworn to hasten the dog's demise.

We thought that kashi's terror knew no bounds and she would be forever frightened of the exercise ball. But apparently, if there is a left-over hunk of bread right next to the exercise ball, kashi is able to summon the appropriate amount of courage to navigate close enough to the ball to get her tasty treat.

I suppose there is a lesson in all of this. Something about irrational fears melting away if the reward is great.

MIDTOWN CONSPIRACY

Some folks out there might say that I have a tendency to go overboard with things. For instance, a minor startle with a stuffed animal turns into a multi-post drama about bunnies and elections. Well, I suppose I am at it again with my compulsion to get everyone I know and love to move to my little corner of the world (i.e. Midtown Raleigh, NC). Last night I tried to make the 'soft sell' to a couple of friends and ended up spending the better part of the evening sounding like a real-esate agent. Perhaps this guy should be cutting me a check

DAD'S IN THE NEWS

The Media Grab started out with a simple mission: To be the first step in a strategic plan that culminates in a 24 hour cable channel devoted to all things circostian.

Well, a few blips on the local news isn't quite a 24 hour cable channel, but it's a start.

Here are two recent clips of dad on the local news. Note the heavy use of the word franchise. Also note how awesome it is that everyone is excited about voting and elections.


http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/video/2753091/
(at the 1:08 minute mark)

http://www.wral.com/news/local/politics/video/2733825/
(at the 1:30 minute mark)

DEAR SAM

Note: my good friends over at Chez What inspired me to write a monthly letter to our boy and post it on the blog. I did this while little man was on the inside, but haven't gotton around to it in the last 7 (seven!) weeks. anyway, here is what I hope will be a monthly feature on the grab.

Dear Sam,

Well, you are seven weeks old now and getting close to ten pounds. Someone told me that at ten pounds babies start sleeping through the night, but seeing as how you are more on a 3 hour tour, I think this ten-pound rule is bogus. Mom and I aren't complaining though. You make us tired, and sometimes a bit grumpy and distracted, but then you will smile at us and it will totally rock our world. Seriously, just one little smile and we are giddy.

For the first few weeks it was pretty much sleep, cry, eat, cry repeat... but now you are having longer stretches of awake time where you are checking out the world. Last night we went to Mexican food and you chilled out almost the whole way through dinner (granted we were in and out in 35 minutes, but still.)

Yep, you are starting to warm to the world and when I make silly sounds at you, you smile and almost laugh... but then you get sick of it and do this thing where you kind of avert/roll your eyes as if to say "dad, you are embarrassing me".

It is sort of weird to think that when you get older you won't have any conscious memories of the last seven weeks. Even in our groggy, sleep-deprived state, this has been the most memorable time in our lives. I told Amy once that even though I can remember certain events before I met her, I have a hard time remembering how it felt before me and your mom met. Hard to describe, little man, but the context, or fabric of my everyday before Amy is totally erased. I tell you this because I'm starting to feel the same thing about you. I mean, sure, I remember my life before you. But what's slipping away is the feeling of what our world was like before you showed up.

Trust me. It's a good thing.

Anyway, until next month, I love you

Dad

FAIR BUNNIES?

If you have been chronicling the Sam Cam campaign you might be interested in the following website, created by a bunny supporter not affiliated with the bunny campaign.

This, for the election law nerds out there, is called a 527. for the North Carolina nerds out there it looks as it was modeled after a recent judicial 527. For the record, the Center for Voter Education (my employer) opposes 527 activity.

Anyway

http://fairbunniesdotnet.blogspot.com/

THE BREAD AND BUTTER

Silly fake electoral campaigns where dad spends entirely too much time playing with sam's stuffed animals are great and all, but the true beauty of this site is the photos. So, for your viewing pleasure a smattering of shots over the past week:

Sam, not entirely sure he is on board with the 'aloha' lifestyle


"Um, mom, you think you can put down the camera and pay attention to me?"


I never thought I'd be so proud of another human's neck mobility


Uncle Roy, baby whisperer

NEW FAVORITE PIC

Hot off the presses

A LIST OF WEEKEND THOUGHTS

Here, for your reading pleasure is a smattering of thoughts I had over the weekend. None of them important or spectacular, but hey, it's not like the Media Grab is the New York Times.

- I'm starting to think that Sam, (like both his mother and GPS) just needs a little alone time every now and again. I'm trying not to take it personally.

- Barack Obama using the term "Clinging to Guns" on the same week that Charlton "pry this gun from my cold dead hands" Heston passes away is one of those coincidences that makes you think it is all connected in some weird way.

- If there is a better performance food than a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich, I'm yet to find it.

- The West Wing really was one of the best shows on television. Sure it got a little (to use the word of the week) "elitist", but no matter how many iterations of reality programming occur, there is always room for good acting.

- If scientific inquiry is categorized by being able to replicate results by repeating a process in a controlled manner, then making meatballs and sauce is the least scientific thing I do.

- It might be obsequious to say so in this forum (they are part of the grab-nation), but since it is a rarity in American culture I'll go ahead and mention it: I really miss my in-laws and can't wait for them to get back to mid-town.

- Sometimes I think that Kashi wants to be Sam's mom, or at the very least, Sam's overly concerned guardian. Then, just when I get all sappy about what a good and noble thing that is, Kashi totally makes a bee-line for the exit when Sam starts crying.

NO WORD FROM EVIL

About a week ago, on the Media Grab comments someone named 'evil' said to anticipate a blog launch on 4-11. Well it is that day and we here at the grab haven't heard a pip. Nevertheless the Sam Cam campaign team is not resting on its laurels. We are hard at work and another video is in production. Also, a few other things of note:

- We are headed out to dinner tonight. It will be our first extended family outing. Pictures to be posted.

- He slept 6 consecutive hours last night. We are hoping this is a new era in nocturnal peace. But then again, he pulled a 6 hour stint last weekend and followed that up with a couple of all night cry sessions, so I suppose we will have to stay tuned.

- This morning, when Sam woke up I came in to get him and he put the biggest smile on his face. It took everything I had to leave that smile and come into to work today.

SAM, FIRE YOUR CAMPAIGN TEAM

Sam,

Your campaign manager might have scored a coup by getting the best voice-over man in the business to cut your commercial. And he might very-well care about your election more than anyone in the world (including you). But he doesn't know the first thing about politics. If he did, he wouldn't have gone on TV a few months ago and said this about NC's role in presidential elections.

If you want to see Damon being dead wrong click HERE for the video

(Fast Forward to the 1:02 mark)

ON THE TRAIL

There has been quite a lot of response to Sam's campaign video. Everything from charges of child exploitation (probably true), to calls for more positive campaign messaging. Evil Bunny himself left a post promising his own blog by 4-11. Sam's campaign team will be convening this week to see what else we can hit the airwaves with. Oh, and for all of you asking who did the voice over, that's B-warn... one of my co-workers. I swear he has a future in this.

GOING NEGATIVE

I don't know if Y'all have been following the saga of the evil bunny, but things are heating up. Sam Circosta, a baby of the people, did not want to go negative, but his campaign team felt that voters needed to know the truth about evil bunny.

Anyway, here is Sam's first campaign video. Enjoy.

I'VE BEEN REMISS

This is my first post since Sunday and I am asking myself where did the week go. We have a bunch of stuff on tap, so in exchange for your patience, I promise the following:

1. A picture of Sam smiling. He totally does it every now and again and if watching your son smile doesn't just melt your heart, then it is possible that nothing ever will. The only problem is getting footage of a smile is like getting footage of a yeti.

2. Some random pop culture references. In a recent poll I asked what flavor of pop culture you prefer. I don't know what it says about my audience that will smith raps won out over the Beatles (HELP!), but I won't quibble. I'll just get jiggy with it.

3. Some edited video shorts. Ok this is a long way off but we have video editing software and I'm thinking about making Sam's first campaign commercial. If you have ideas or would like to offer help, let me know.