House? Yes, please.

The corner of doors
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

There are doors and windows in our house. And a roof too. And boxes of flooring that we sill someday walk on, I think. I hope. Thanksgiving?
Though no one is working on the house this week and the netflix disc 2 of season four of Six Feet Under was broken, I'm in a pretty happy state.
Seeing the house get further and further along is just amazing. I can't wait to unpack my boxes and move the hell in! We are trying to plan the kitchen cabinet layout right now. Course, it takes a back seat to painting tongue and groove boards (56 of them), showing the Donze rental, finishing up Faye's design job, and oh yeah, taking care of Nora. Also, playgroup on Tuesdays, CASA on Thursday, and AAAGGGHHH, how did I become busy MOM person. I'm going to go watch TV for 15 minutes before I have to leave for work. Bye

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Nora'sChocChipPancakes1
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I honestly have very little to say today. A very long weekend, but since we're over at Vic and Faye's I took this opportunity to upload so cute ass pictures from their computer. This was a few weeks ago, but we made pancakes this morning too. Click on the headless pictures on the flickr site, once you do her head magically appears.
By the way, I'm thirty now.

When Toddlers Dress Themselves

When Toddlers
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Vic and Faye left for Spain yesterday, for a month. I thought we'd just move right over there, that was the plan anyway. Then I realized how much I like my stuff. And their house feels big and dark and kinda cold even. Funny, I really like the warmth and coziness of the studio. But, today I started moving our stuff over there. Mircowave, toaster oven, and some food. I still need to move some clothes, and ultimately my Tivo, which means I really am committed.
The house is moving along very well, I almost can't believe that we will be moving in all in a matter of months. I don't even remember what all we have in storage only that we can get along with very, very little.
Watching the Hurricane survivors cope with the aftermath I'm struck again and again at how impermenent THINGS are. How much energy is spend in acquiring them, caring for them, and ultimately in saying goodbye to them. Yet, I take great joy in shopping, it is hard to reconcile the two sentiments.

Good Morning my dear house

South side of House
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

The shell of the house is pretty nearly done. Done enough, that we had a "topping out" party on Saturday and it was lovely. Lots of people involved in the making of this building were in attendence, from the guy at the planning dept. to the 80-odd year old structual engineer to the contractor and the electrician (who had wired up the house that very morning). Building a house is so very like having a baby. And since cetain people keep waiting for signs of when I"LL next rent my body to a developing person, this is our new baby #939. So this was our baby shower. And, today we have an ultrasound, that is a nailing inspection. I hope we pass and can move onto the next phase.

We've ordered the flooring for the upstairs and the bathrooms. Bamboo! I got it for a steal online 2.64/sq ft. We'll be installing it ourselves. We've been making all kinds of Important decisions about the #939, we feel a little like genetic engineers. Have you noticed that I've used the word "engineer" twice already? Must be working in the Chemical Engineering dept (there's four).

Vic and Faye leave for Spain in one week. So, we'll be moving over there for the month of Sept. which means that anyone wishing to visit, is highly urged to consider September as optimal visiting time...especially since I'll be turning 30 on the 14th and might need a little support.

That's my baby

That's my baby
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Yep, she has my jeans, I mean genes. This was on a recent visit to Macy's. AND that shoe was from the sale rack. I quite literally couldn't be prouder of her. I wonder when she realized that shopping was fun. Was it those cold February and March days when the only possible place to stroll was Cambridgeside Galleria? Or was it the two weeks in Paris that included no fewer than 12 trips to Galleries Lafayette? Okay, she may have been groomed for this particular proclivity. But, if I've had this much success with shopping without really trying, just imagine how easy ballet is going to be!!

BTW Nora really is the cutest girl in the world.

Thank you Eunice

For introducing me to someone I feel I have know for EVOR.
Dooce.com
This woman is awesome. Not only is she MY age but her daughter is only 8 days older than Nora. Weirdness. I had heard of her website from Annie, but never really checked it out. Then last night Susan intrigued me enough to check it out. And that is how obsessions are born. It is like that person everyone keeps telling you you would love and then you finally meet them and yep, pretty much they rock.

I apologize myself for the misunderstood.

This line is from an email from an author. The authors that I "speak" with come from all over the world and many of them count English and a second or third language. As such, lingistic jewels are commonly found in unassuming emails. I have decided to start a list. So far, I have the above, as well as:
Thank you for the following email of you.
and
I can revise our paper thoroughly without anxiety.

I think that last one is my favorite. Wouldn't we all like to revise thoroughly? without anxiety? I know I would.

In other news, I had simply the best time EVOR in Boston. A taste of the old days, pre-parenting. I stayed out late, slept in, and got a wonderful haircut. Back in SB, the house is coming along. The contractor is optimistic that we'll be in the house by Thanksgivig, so long as we don't mind a few plumbers et al hanging around. Uh, no.
I hope to have pictures of the new developments soon...can you second floor!

Old photo New comment

NOT getting her way
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

So, this is the "most viewed" photos on my flickr photostream. I find this interesting. But, I thought I would update everyone on Nora's evolution from this photo to the present in terms of behavior when someone uses the N word. In this picture, clearly, she is in the mode of "pity party". Shortly after this stage she moved onto the "inflicting pain on the user of the word" stage. This included (but was not limited to) biting, pinching, hitting, and headbutting. After a particularly stinging pinch I told her very sternly no and then proceed to tell her how much that had hurt. She appeared sympathetic and even made the frowny, crying face with tears. For the most part she has curbed her outburst againt others. It gave way to the "self hurting" stage. Which I have to admit, as a parent, is more disturbing that her hitting me. When she hears No she either hits herself in the face or pulls her hair. Though the pediatrician says it is good for her to hit herself, I can't help but think of Rainman. I mean, HELLO doesn't that hurt! I know it hurts actually because you've done it to me. Recently, she has started to transition away from the self-inflicted variety of frustration and into inatimate objects, like what ever it is she is told no about. ie my computer. or her doll. I'm not sure this is progress.

Work continues a pace

DSCN0490
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

is apace one word or two. Anyway, as you can see there is more than just a whole in the ground. In fact this is our downstairs. We hope to see some upstairs this week!
In other news, I am coming/going to Boston (depending on who you are). And can't wait to see all my friends. Here's the itinerary:

Wednesday July 27th, arrive in BOS at 9:30pm
Thursday July 28th, Institute from 5pm on...
Friday July 29th, Institute all day and possibly the evening too.
Saturday July 30th, Institute all day and possible the evening too.
Sunday July 31st, Institute brunch in the morning and free in the afternoon and evening.
Monday August 1st, Free all morning and afternoon, flight leaves BOS at 5:41pm
Yeah!

Family photo

Family photo
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

We miss travelling. It was so nice to spend time together as a family. This is one of the few photos we have of the whole family. It was taken on the roof of the Galleries Layfayette (one of MY favorite places in Paris).
Now that we are home the routine of life has firmly settled in. Work, cleaning, eating, errands, and all the rest of the stuff. Of course, the construction of our new house keeps things interesting. Speaking of which, I am going to upload some pics of the progress.

Post sickness

New/Old stroller
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

I've been really ever so not well.
Sinus infection, days in bed watching Law and Order, NYPD Blue, and Buffy. But, now I am feeling much, much better.
I went to the doctor on Tuesday morning and although it was a severely shitty experience, I got some antibiotics and am now feeling less not well.
Except for that pesky little "secondary infection" you know the one I mean, the one that is reserved for the ladies...
So I am three weeks into the new job and it is going well. I like the work, location, and in a month or so I will like the paycheck. It is funny not seeing Miss Nora as much. But, I think I will get used to it. Also it helps me to appreciate the time we do have together.
I leave for Boston on Wednesday! Can't wait to see everyone and have a loverly time on my own!!!!!

On my own at the UCEN

With the Mom
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

Well, nostalgia strikes again. I am currently sitting in the UCen or University Center at UCSB using on of the crusty old terminals. I am waiting until 6:15 when the students in the Children's Lit class finish their midterm and I can gather them up and tote them home to grade with haste. (I will be doing the same thing with their papers at the end of July when I go to Boston for the Institute). Being on campus now though feels so different. I think it is because I am now a career employee, in other words I belong here. Some how I always seemed to know that I would end up working for a University. I guess I thought it would be as a professor rather than as a administrative assistant. C'est la vie. It suits me fine right now. Especially the benefits. Here is the problems with the benefits, though the problem is not specific to UC benefits. I want to have my next baby (NOT in the oven, by the way) as close to possible as I did in Cambridge. The short version: NOT a prayer. The hospitals (2) do not perform VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Ceserean) which doesn't directly affects me, but lets me know the general tone of the doctors and hospitals here: Consevrative. There was apparently one or two doctors that worked with midwives up until a short time ago when something happened during a home birth. Apparently the midwife involved was run out of town and the rest are a bit gun shy. I know that there isn't a Birth Center like in Cambridge, but I would ideally like as little to do with a doctor as possible. Still, I don't want to have the baby at home either. Basically what I am saying is that it suck that there are so little options for birthing in a supposedly liberal state like California. And, since my labor was so short last time round (and sencond babies typically arrive in half the time) travelling doesn't really seem to be a viable option. What to do? Oh, and any doctors that still use a midwife don't seem to take any insurance plans.

In other news, my job is going very well. I like my co-worker, I'm learning the ropes quickly, and I enjoy being away from home on a regular basis. I can't wait to get a paycheck, woo-hoo!

The house is still behind schedule, no surprise there. But, everyday that there is no one working makes me very, very crabby.

Nora with Lake

Nora with Lake
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

This photo is from the balcony of Edith's house in Lugano. If it wasn't for the heat, it would have been perfect. Although with the heat the only possible thing to do was to visit the Lido. It is kind of like a beach club on the lake. There are also pools, kiddie pools, diving pools, swimming pools, and the best fries we've ever had. It was so relaxing to be here, especially with Edith. I can't wait to return some day.

Fun at the fountains

Fun at the fountains
Originally uploaded by jegoffin.

We're back.
And yes, that last post was the worst possible day. I'm all better now.

Tomorrow is 4th of July and we plan to go to the beach for the fireworks, if Nora can stay awake that long. I love the fireworks here they are unlike anywhere else.

I've some new photos on flickr, but I am still too jet-lagged to come up with anything interesting to say.
Sorry.

past the point of wanting to return

I've offically lost it.

It happened today at approximately 6:17.
In the stifling heat
of our incredibly cramped
dirty
noisy
hostel room.

I'm not sure what exactly pushed me over the edge.

It might have been
the four flights of stairs
carrying the stroller
in 100 degree opressive heat
but
I think what finally did it was
having to step over laundry somewhere between the third and fourth floor
stepping into a room faintly reeking of baby shit.

I sat against the wall and started to cry
feeling very
unglobtrottery

A cold shower helped
barely

Now I am just hoping against hope that tomorrow will be better
Fuck
It can't get worse
right?

16 minutes at the BK

Hey, you'll never guess where I am blogging from...
Burger King,in Lugano. Zou get 30 minutes free with everz meal. So,I think it is worth feeling sick from fast food for such an...exotic...local from which to blog from.

Not much new, that is to say, too much new to write in 14 minutes. Here's a small recap.

Marseille (So. of France) verz nice, should have spent one more day. The car rental tried to jack us out of money surprise surprise. Nice hotel, terrible rainstorm.

Genoa or Genova on the map, but don't pronounce it genovah because that isn't right. It was cool ONCE loooong before we saw it. I kept trying to picture it in its original gradeur, the way zou see a reallz old man and trz to imagine him back when we was virile. But in the end it was just depressing. But the gelato was good and cheap.

Lugano: Ever so lovelz to be back in Switzerland where it is clean and clean and Edith and Yannick are here. It is wonderful to have some Baby relief. Speaking of pea, she has two monstrous molars, reallz quite scary. She is doing so well, but she is eating . Bread and the occasional Babybel cheese. We hope that this week she'll get back to eating at least one or two vegetables. I'm getting ready to come home, but am not looking forward to living in a studio again. Why oh why can't everz house be built in 7 days like on TV.

Holy crap;

Durstlöschen
Originally uploaded by ewyler.

I can blog pictures from Edith's page...
How cool is that shit?!

Here's my caption: EVERYONE drinks in Europe.

Link to some photos that don't

show Nora's new haircut.

They are on Alec'S Aunt's flickr page and I'm sure she won't mind all of you tromping over there to take a quick look...Right Edith?

So, we leave Paris on Monday and I can't believe that it has happened so quickly. We have a babysitter coming tonight who is giving us some time to have a civil dinner.

I forgot how completely tiring visiting a place is. Everyday you truck out there ready to cram as much info and sites as possible into a few hours, walking everywhere because go forbid you should be underground and not SEE something and a cab? we all know the only thing you look at in a cab is the meter!

We did manage to get a membership to the local video store across the street. Boy an addict will do anything to get their drug of choice eh?!

Okay, today I am tres fatigue and tres uninspired to write...sorry!

In which I rant and make several errors

Anybody read that David Sedaris book where he speaks with a lisp and so just avoids using words that have ssses. That is how I feel about the french keyboard. The letters A W M Z . and all the numbers are srewy. All this time and I didn't know how many words needed an m or a w, I mean A, of course that one you'd expect. Anyway I've used up most of my patience with the keys with that little analogy.

The RANT*

The woman who rented us the apartment...I emailed her to tell her that the shower curtain had so much mildew on it that it was unhygenic, she emailed back that she doesn't know what mildew IS, I guess she is one lucky lady. Anyone have a worthy translation for MILDEW?

We are getting eaten alive by something. Each day more and more little bites appear on our arms and legs, do you think she knows what bed bugs are? Alas, we've not seen anything that seems like it could be the culprit.

On the up side***

We had a great day today. We went to the Luxumbourg Gqrdens where they have an amazing playground for kiddies (that's what everyone calls them) and Nora had a friggin ball. There was a group of preschoolers who were intriqued by the thing behind her ear; one of them felt behind her ear to see if she had one too. The sky clouded over and because I had taken the parapluie out of my backpack this morning it started to pour, all the kiddies ran for cover and there was mass hysteria, but in a good way. Nora enjoyed the fuss, but still wanted to play in the rain and she did have a few compatriots.

After the park, Nora fell asleep and we had a wonderful lunch in a noisy, crowded and perfectly Parisian restaurant.

**NOTE SCHEDULE CHANGE***
It has come to our attention that Nora reqires some time out of her stroller during the day. Accordingly, we've alloted 11 til 12 for free for all sand throwing/eating, running around, screeching. After that, it is naptime, no negotiations!

A Paris

At last my appetite for massive quantities of Petite Bateau clothing at cheap prices has been satiated. Alec and I shopped the day away yesterday, finding veritable bargins at every turn.
The apartment is a little less than impressive. It is close to the metro and technically speaking it is still in the city limits (the border is across the street). I'm impressed at the photos that were on the woman's website and looking around the apartment I find myself wondering where exactly she was standing to take the majority of them. It reminds me of our apatment in Beacon Hill, only this place is smaller and now we have a baby. Course it is better than what we've got in CA, at least here there is another room to escape to.
Nora is doing pretty well considering she has cut about 2 molars and still has another two that she is working on: Her new schedule is bed around 8p.m.(or 6p.m.tonight because she wouldn't eat her dinner); up at 6:10; nap around noon. Considering all we're asking of her she does really really well. Today, for the first time, she fell asleep in her stroller, which allowed us a chance to have a civil lunch at a cafe looking up at the Sacre Couer. My time is running low so I have to now look for hostels in Marseille....Email Me, I forgot all your email addresses but I can still access my account.