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Most amazing American League games of 2016
The Indians came thisclose to bringing a World Series title home to their fans and to the American League after an amazing 2016 season. Taking the Chicago Cubs to the 10th inning of the seventh game of the Fall Classic was just about as memorable as it gets.
But the Indians were one of 15 teams in the AL, and each one had its own Game of the Year. In consultation with the MLB.com beat reporters for every team, here are the best individual games for each AL club during another fantastic year in Major League Baseball:
The Indians came thisclose to bringing a World Series title home to their fans and to the American League after an amazing 2016 season. Taking the Chicago Cubs to the 10th inning of the seventh game of the Fall Classic was just about as memorable as it gets.
But the Indians were one of 15 teams in the AL, and each one had its own Game of the Year. In consultation with the MLB.com beat reporters for every team, here are the best individual games for each AL club during another fantastic year in Major League Baseball:
• Most amazing National League games of 2016
Angels: 10-3 win on Sept. 3 at Seattle
In a banged-up, otherwise-down year for the Angels, there were still great moments, and the ongoing highlight reel that is Albert Pujols' career provided many of them. The stately slugger seemingly made history with every big hit, and on this night, that was the case. Pujols hit two home runs, giving him 588 for his career to move past Frank Robinson (586) for ninth on the all-time list. Pujols had already passed Reggie Jackson, Rafael Palmeiro, Harmon Killebrew and Mark McGwire earlier in the year and finished 2016 with 591 career homers, which puts him in position to eclipse 600 in '17. Full recap >
Video: LAA@SEA: Pujols mashes two-run homer to left-center
Astros: 5-3 win on May 11 vs. Indians
The Astros didn't reach the postseason in 2016, but their young, exciting core of players had them battling in contention until the final weeks of the season. That spirit was evident throughout 2016 and in this particular game. The Astros had a lead in the ninth when the eventual AL champions tied it up. The game lasted seven more innings, into the 16th, when Astros infielder Marwin Gonzalez ended the five-hour-plus nail-biter with a walk-off two-run homer that sent the Minute Maid Park crowd home happy. Full recap >
Video: Must C Clutch: Gonzalez hits walk-off homer in 16th
A's: 8-5 win on May 17 vs. Rangers
A's slugger Khris Davis had a breakout season at the plate, with 42 homers, and three of those came in this game, including a grand slam that walked it off in the ninth after Texas had taken the lead. Davis had six RBIs in the game, which the slugger punctuated in true Bay Area style with a Steph Curry jump-shot re-enactment while rounding third base. Full recap >
Video: TEX@OAK: Davis crushes three, including walk-off slam
Blue Jays: 7-6 win on Oct. 9 vs. Rangers in Game 3 of the AL Division Series
This ALDS rematch was as emotionally charged as the previous version, in 2015. Game 3 was a big part of that, and it went all the way to the 10th inning. With the game tied at 6, Josh Donaldson led off with a double and moved to second base when the Rangers elected to intentionally walk Edwin Encarnacion. With one out, Russell Martin hit a bouncer to shortstop Elvis Andrus, who flipped to second baseman Rougned Odor for one out. Odor's throw to first was in the dirt and was not handled cleanly by Mitch Moreland. That was all Donaldson needed to let it ride by rounding third and diving home with the series-sweeping run. Full recap >
Video: Must C Clinch: Blue Jays walk off in the 10th inning
Indians: 3-0 win on Oct. 19 at Toronto in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series
The Indians were working with a short-staffed starting rotation because of injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, so they turned to rookie left-hander Ryan Merritt in Game 5 of the ALCS, and the kid delivered. Merritt, a 24-year-old with a previous total of 11 Major League innings under his belt, pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up only two singles. The tough Cleveland bullpen took it from there and closed out the victory to send the team to its first World Series since 1997. Full recap >
Video: ALCS Gm5: Merritt keeps Blue Jays scoreless in 4 1/3
Orioles: 3-2 win on Sept. 28 at Toronto
One of the best stories for the 2016 Orioles was the emergence of Mark Trumbo as the Major League home run champion. Trumbo got the O's rally started in this game in the eighth inning with a solo shot, trimming the Blue Jays' lead to 2-1, and Hyun Soo Kim put a wrapper on it with a two-run homer in the ninth as the Orioles stayed in the race for the AL Wild Card. Full recap >
Video: BAL@TOR: Statcast™ measures Kim's go-ahead homer
Mariners: 16-13 win on June 2 at San Diego
It was rally time in San Diego, and the Mariners were ready. Things started out, well, quite poorly, to say the least, as Seattle was losing, 12-2 after five innings. But two innings later, the entire picture had changed. The Mariners scored nine times in the seventh to take the lead and became the first team since 2009 to rally from 10 runs down and win a game, winning one of the craziest games of the MLB season in the process. Full recap >
Video: Must C Comeback: Mariners erase a 10-run deficit
Rangers: 7-6 win on May 15 vs. Blue Jays
These teams had scuffled, literally and figuratively, during a charged 2015 ALDS, and in the finale of their second series in 2016, things got heated again. With the Blue Jays leading, 6-3, the Rangers scored four times in the seventh, taking the lead on Ian Desmond's three-run homer. In the eighth, Jose Bautista's hard slide into Odor at second base sparked a confrontation between the two, which led to a benches-clearing incident that highlighted the competitive rivalry between the two clubs. Full recap >
Video: Must C Clips: Tensions boil over in Arlington
Rays: 3-2 win on April 5 vs. Blue Jays
The Rays won their first game of 2016 in bizarre fashion. After second baseman Logan Forsythe hit a two-run homer in the eighth to give Tampa Bay the lead, things got weird in the ninth. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the final inning, the game ended on a controversial call when the umpiring crew ruled that Bautista was out at second base on the new slide rule, giving the Rays the victory with a double play. Full recap >
Video: Must C Conclusion: Rays win on reviewed double play
Red Sox: 6-5 win on May 14 vs. Astros
When it came to the Red Sox in 2016, much of the talk centered around the final season of the great David Ortiz, and Big Papi factored into this one in a big way. Ortiz homered in the third inning for his 513th career round-tripper, which broke a tie with Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews for 22nd place in MLB history. Then he tied the game with a rare triple with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and hit a walk-off double in the 11th. The two-base hit was the 600th double of Ortiz's career. Full recap >
Video: HOU@BOS: Ortiz comes up clutch with walk-off double
Royals: 8-7 win on May 28 vs. White Sox
The Royals showed the grit that helped them win the previous year's World Series with one unforgettable never-say-die ninth inning. Down 7-1 vs. White Sox closer David Robertson, the Royals rallied, and after Tommy Kahnle replaced Robertson, they continued, with Drew Butera tying the game and Brett Eibner winning it. That's a seven-run comeback in the ninth if you're scoring at home, a rarity even for the rallyin' Royals. Full recap >
Video: Must C Comeback: Royals score seven in the 9th to win
Tigers: 10-7 win on June 30 at Tampa Bay
As if borrowing a page from the Royals' handbook, the Tigers orchestrated a dramatic ninth-inning comeback of their own at Tropicana Field. Down, 7-2, Detroit put up an eight-spot in the top of the ninth, with outfielder Cameron Maybin's three-run double putting them ahead for good. Full recap >
Video: Must C Comeback: Tigers rally back, stun the Rays
Twins: 12-5 win on Aug. 1 at Cleveland
The Twins were rebuilding in 2016 and never got into the pennant race, but they were capable of some offensive fireworks and occasional dominant outings by talented young pitchers. They put both facets of that potential together in this game against the eventual AL champs. Rookie slugger Max Kepler went 4-for-6 with three homers and six RBIs, stalwart first baseman Joe Mauer had four hits and a homer of his own, and Minnesota racked up 19 hits to back rookie right-hander Jose Berrios, who earned his second Major League win. Full recap >
Video: MIN@CLE: Twins crush five home runs vs. Indians
White Sox: 2-1 win on June 1 at New York Mets
It took 13 innings, but the White Sox gutted out a quality Interleague victory in the home park of the defending National League champions with some timely hitting by an unexpected source and some good old-fashioned small ball. Chicago reliever Matt Albers led off the top of the 13th with an opposite-field double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Jose Abreu's sacrifice fly. Albers pitched the bottom of the 13th to make his big hit and run stand up. Full recap >
Video: CWS@NYM: Albers leads off the 13th with a double
Yankees: 5-3 win on Sept. 28 vs. Red Sox
One of the most long-standing and heated rivalries in sports had one of its signature games of the 2016 season in the last week of New York first baseman Mark Teixeira's career, and the big man rose to the occasion. Down, 3-0, the Yankees scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and in the fourth-to-last game of Teixeira's wonderful ride through the big leagues, he hit his first walk-off homer, a grand slam that sent Yankee Stadium into utter bedlam and clinched the club's 24th consecutive winning season. Full recap >
Video: BOS@NYY: Teixeira wins it with walk-off grand slam
Doug Miller is a reporter for MLB.com based in Seattle.


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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Goodbye 2008...Hello 2009!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Holiday Memories
Here's the first story. It was the day of his birthday and we were at my parents' home in Pennsylvania. My mom and dad had to work that day and so we were just hanging out at home without them. All of a sudden Lucas walked into the room holding the (empty) box to his big Christmas present from them: a wooden tool bench. He was so excited and said, "Mama! Mama! My present from Grammy!" Apparently they had put it together already but had left the box in plain toddler-level-view under their bed! I didn't know what to say, so of course said the totally wrong thing. I told him it wasn't for him that it was for another little boy. He freaked out and started crying "No, Grammy got it for ME!" He was positively heartbroken. After some soothing and many birthday presents later that night, he seemed to forget about it.
Until, that is, two days later when we were in Ohio visiting Abel's parents. There is a cute independent toy store at their mall that we really like. It happened to be right next to Santa so we stopped in. Wouldn't you know that right up front was a very similar wooden toy bench! Lucas stopped right in front of the display and I prepared myself for a meltdown. Instead, he very nonchalantly commented "Oh man, Grammy forgot my present." And them moved on. I burst out laughing!
After Christmas, when we got back to my parents' house, they had the tool bench set up under the tree. He was so excited! After a few minutes of play, he exclaimed, "Grammy remembered!" And, the next day, my Mom tells me, he said to her, "That other little boy must be sad he didn't get his toy." She told him that his Mama was just joking and this present was for him all along. He still insisted "Well, he must be very sad. But, I am SO happy!"
The second story is of Lucas's visit with Santa. By virtue of a very busy December, we never got to our town Christmas party or even a local mall for Lucas to sit on Santa's lap. So, on Christmas Eve in Ohio we went over to the mall. We were psyched that there was only one person in front of us but as we got closer Lucas started literally shaking with fear. He was totally freaked out. I didn't want to scar him for life to we just said hi to Santa, got a candy cane and left the area quickly. Oh well, no photo with Santa this year. After a little last-minute shopping (and a visit to the toy store mentioned above) we left the mall and started running to the car through freezing rain.
About half way to our car Lucas started crying telling us that he was a good boy and wanted to tell Santa Merry Christmas.
Decisions. Decisions.
Do we keep going, get to the comfort of the car and take off telling him he missed his chance? Or, do we head right back in, get back in line (of course now there was a line!) and risk that he'll freak out again upon closer proximity to the Big Guy?
I decided to give it a shot.
We ran back into the mall and waited in line. Lucas was so excited he started dancing. He got right up on Santa's lap and they had a several-minute-long animated conversation. It was a great experience and we paid way too much for the most adorable photo with Lucas and an expression of pure little boy joy! Priceless!
I hope you had wonderful holiday celebrations and created many priceless memories with your family and friends, too!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Backtrack: Lucas's 3rd Birthday Party
Before the party, Abel spent about a million dollars at the Dollar Store on balloons (just kidding! only like $12! The Dollar Store is the best place to get Mylar balloons!)
Lucas loved them! Luckily we were inside so they didn't lift him up and float him away!
I wanted to do a little craft/activity with the kids and my mom had the idea of making marshmallow snowmen. I put together baggies with all the "ingredients" ahead of time and the aunts worked with their nieces/nephew to put them together. A few adults joined in, too.
To make these, you start with extra-long toothpicks. Push 3 marshmallows down onto the toothpicks, top with a gumdrop ring then a small gumdrop. Use mini chocolate chips and cinnamons for the eyes, nose and buttons. Then, add pretzel sticks for the arms! Easy, fun and you can eat your creation when you're finished!
For dinner, we had pizza with applesauce (for the kids) or a big green salad (for the adults). Continuing with the snowman theme, Sarah and I made cupcakes and my mom found these adorable toppers.
Birthday cake is one of Lucas's favorite things in the entire world!
After a lovely sugar high from eating some of the extra snowman ingredients and cupcakes, the kids had fun running around like crazy before their aunts took them home.
We sent the kids home with their own snowman cup, an extra baggie with the ingredients to make another snowman at home and a (very annoying!) light-up snowman wand my mom had found at the Dollar Store. Because we were leaving the next day, we tied each bag up with 2-3 balloons as well.
It was an absolutely lovely 3rd birthday party!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Favorite Things Friday: Aunt Gloria's Broccoli Casserole
Before I give you the actual recipe, I want to tell you why this particular recipe is getting honored as a favorite thing on this, the Friday after Christmas. Well, I'll be honest, I considered writing about my family (definitely one of my favorite things!) or my new phone device (my Christmas gift from Abel that I'm obsessed with!). But, ultimately I settled on this recipe because, honestly, it has helped make this Christmas more special for me.
You see, this year was our year to celebrate Christmas with Abel's family and when we spend holidays with them there are, of course, a few things that I miss. My family is at the top of that list, but right below them are all the special foods that my mom prepares each and every year for Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve or Christmas.
So this year I decided to take things into my own hands. I packed up some recipes and the necessary supplies and brought them with me to Abel's parents' house. I scoped out the pantry and went to the grocery store for additional ingredients and on Christmas Eve afternoon I got to work making sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies (my MIL doesn't bake!). I also made an egg & sausage strata and a crumb cake for Christmas morning and--suddenly there appeared a multitude of heavenly host singing--Aunt Gloria's Broccoli Casserole.
Most of my in-laws didn't try it, but I didn't mind because that meant more leftovers for me. Having that one dish--a dish that is a favorite at every Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family--helped make my Christmas with my in-laws feel just a little more like home.
So, here you go. I hope you can see past the Cheez Whiz and give it a shot!
Aunt Gloria's Broccoli Casserole
1/4 C finely chopped onions
4 TBS butter or margarine
2 TBS flour
1/2 C water
8 oz Cheez Whiz
2 10 oz packages chopped broccoli (thawed and drained and--this is key--squeeze out all the water from the thawed broccoli about a fistful at a time)
3 beaten eggs
1/2 C bread crumbs
2 TBS butter or margarine
Saute the onions in 4 TBS butter. Stir in the flour, add the water. Cook over low heat until thick and bubbling. Blend in Cheez Whiz, broccoli and eggs.
Grease a 1.5 quart casserole dish. Pour mixture into casserole. Cover with bread crumbs, melt 2 TBS butter and drizzle over the bread crumbs.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
(You can definitely make this the day before and re-heat in the microwave! I swear that it is even better as left-overs!)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Merry!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
For Sarah and Mike
A Soldier's Silent Night
Monday, December 22, 2008
Your Dada and I can hardly believe what a big boy you are now. You're so fun. We love to laugh and joke with you. You want to help with everything all the time. Which is awesome and at the same time makes everything take (at least) twice as long. You tell me I'm "the best Mama ever" and that I'm beautiful. You cheer me on by saying "good job!" You also make sure I know the rules. Just the other day, as I was leaving for work you told me "no hitting, no biting and make sure you share, Mama". I appreciated the reminder.
You love watching TV. In fact it is the first thing you ask for in the morning and the last thing you ask for at night. We try to limit it, we really do. But you love it so much. And, I have to admit, I love watching you watch TV. You smile and laugh and get happy or sad or excited right along with Handy Manny or Diego or Dora. (I'm also very glad that those three characters have helped ignite your recent interest in Spanish since your Dada has not done a very good job with that.)
You also love to be outside, especially at the "new park" (our regular old park got some new equipment over the summer, thus making it seem brand new!). You have friends you love to play with, specifically Baby Will (he's only 8 mos behind you but I fear he will always be known as Baby Will!), Isaac and Sophia (pretty much all the girls you know are named Sophia so any one of them will do!). You love your Abigail, whose home you've been going to three days a week since you were 3 mos old. In the not-too-distant future you'll have to move on to nursery school and I know you'll miss her dearly. After a few days home with Mama and Dada you start asking to go to Abby's house.
Trucks--diggers, dump trucks, garbage trucks--and fire trucks and ambulances are just about the best thing in the world. Especially when we see them in person. When driving, your Dada and I will speed up or slow down or change lanes to help you see a truck!
You love to eat grilled cheese sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In fact, you often ask for one of those for breakfast! (I've fed you PB&J but so far have drawn the line at grilled cheese before 11am!)
You love to sing! It is amazing that after hearing a song just once or twice I'll hear you singing it later. You don't always get the words right but the melody is there which is amazing to me.
I could go on and on (clearly!), but I'll try to wrap this up. Lucas, you're the best boy in the world and I'm so grateful to be your mama. I'm looking forward to our 4rd year together!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
My Nativities
This first one was my paternal grandmother's. She actually painted it! She made a total of seven sets so that eventually each of her grandchildren would have their own nativity (there's a complicated inheritance scheme involved!). This was actually her own personal set and the first one she made. I love how colorful it is. It also kinda' cracks me up that one of the shepherds is black. It was actually pretty progressive of her to include a dark face in the set, but if you think about it, they all should have dark faces! There is also a wooden stable but it doesn't fit on our mantle and this year I wanted this set to be as high as possible!
These are three of my favorite small nativity sets. The far left is carved out of olive wood and is from Israel. Abel and I bought that at a church fair when I was pregnant with Lucas. The middle and far right are Peruvian. I purchased the middle one from a vendor at Eastern Market in DC and my cousin and her Peruvian husband brought the far right one back from Lima, Peru for me last winter.
Thank goodness I have relatives who are world travelers! Another cousin bought this one for me in Switzerland. It is so beautifully carved and I love that they left the bark on the wood.
And, of course, I have to get Lucas in on my obsession with his very own set--the Little People Nativity! My parents gave this to him last Christmas. I thought about arranging the figures before I snapped this picture but I kind of like how he has everyone just milling around. (Please note: Sir Topham Hatt and a gorilla are not included in the set! Can you spot them?)
Thanks for joining me on a tour of just a few of my nativity sets!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Favorite Things Friday: Willow Tree Nativity
If you were to make a surprise visit to my house today you'd notice a few things:
- I'm not a very good housekeeper.
- A toddler lives in our house.
- I have a thing for nativity sets.
Today, I'd like to focus on item #3: nativity sets. I've got a thing for them. My Christmas decor pretty much revolves around nativity sets. Don't get my wrong, I've got plenty of Santas, too, but I think I love the nativity sets so much because they help keep us focused on the reason for the season. (I really hate that saying, by the way!)
If you are looking for a beautiful nativity set, I'd like to recommend the Willow Tree Nativity. For the past two years (and hopefully continuing this year?) my parents have given me pieces of this set for Christmas.
Two years ago they gave me this six piece set. I adore that Mary is holding the Baby Jesus. I mean, if you had given birth to the Son of God in a stable, would you really put him down in the straw manger? No! You'd be holding him close. Isn't this just the exact pose you see in every picture of a mom and her new baby? I also love that the shepherd is a woman!Last year they gave me this three kings set. Because I received it for Christmas, I never really took it out of the box, but just packed it away with our other decorations. It was a special treat to open and put it out this year!
All these figures, like other Willow Tree figures, are beautifully crafted, very sturdy and a nice size. I just adore them!
P.S. Check back tomorrow for photos of a few more of my nativity sets!
P.P.S. Mom, if you haven't gotten me another piece of this set, please please don't run out and buy it now! I'm certain you've gotten me more than enough gifts! Seriously.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Inauguration Tickets
I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in the DC-area, coverage of the inauguration festivities has mostly centered around the sheer number of people expected to attend. Estimates range as high as 4 million people. They are talking about things like a ratio of people to port-a-potties of 16,000 to 1. Let me repeat that: 1 toilet for every 16,000 people. They also say that if you are coming from 2 miles or less you shouldn't even attempt taking the Metro but should just walk.
To be honest, all these statistics scare the crap out of me and as much as I had said we'd be down on the Mall no matter what, recently we'd pretty much resigned ourselves to watching the big event on TV with some friends.
Now that equation has changed.
If we have tickets we have to go!
So, I'm mentally preparing myself for a gruelling day. Thinking through the absolute warmest items of clothing I own--or need to purchase.
And I'm starting to get really, really excited.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Just call me the Queen of Sleep
Similar to the day I posted about how great potty training was going and then within days it totally fell apart, I'm certain I'm going to regret this post tomorrow. But, today. Today, I'm going to possibly make you hate me. Today, I claim the crown as the Queen of Sleep.
No, not because, if given the opportunity, I'd happily sleep until 10am or later every day (ah, a girl can dream!). But because all is right in our house once again with Lucas easily going to sleep and staying asleep for 10-11 hours each night.
You see, Lucas has been a champion sleeper since he was just a few months old. I worked really hard to instill good sleep habits and implement a consistent routine when he was tiny and that initial work has truly paid excellent dividends. Well into 2 years old Lucas slept from 7pm to 6am and took TWO 2 hour naps each day. Even after he dropped his morning nap he slept from about 7:30pm until 6:30am and took a 1.5-3 hour afternoon nap each day. We always, ALWAYS, put him to bed awake, kissed him and said good night then left the room. He ALWAYS fell right to sleep and didn't utter a peep until morning.
Then we just had to go and muck it all up by getting Lucas a "big boy bed". He wouldn't stay in bed, wouldn't go to sleep, woke up insanely early. It was awful.
After a few weeks he started staying in bed but would spend 1-1.5 hours yelling down to us. The requests/concerns varied. Sometimes he was scared. Sometimes he just wanted to say hello. Sometimes he was hungry. You get the idea. We tried not to respond but the yelling would just escalate--both in noise level and in urgency.
I was at my wits end. I knew we were making it worse by giving him attention. When he said he was scared we'd comfort him. When he wanted water we'd get it for him. You get the idea.
I knew we had to do something. I knew the key to our old and oh-so-smooth-bedtime was the routine. We'd fallen away from that and Lucas was pushing us as far as we'd possibly go.
I needed to lay down the law. So, Sunday evening right before bed, I whipped up a little chart which outlined Lucas's bedtime routine. This serves two purposes--it gives Lucas control and gives Abel and me boundaries (for example, now we know we can't just sing one more song!).
Here it is:
Obviously I am not an artist! (Also, that tape in the middle of the page is because initially Lucas insisted in hanging it up himself.)
Sunday night we talked about the chart, let him pick out the two books and tell us which two songs to sing. Then he crawled into bed, we kissed him good night and left the room. Then, we went downstairs and I held my breath.
Not. A. Peep.
It was unbelievable.
Monday night and Tuesday night the same thing. Lucas tried to push (and told me that one of those books was actually TV--nice try, Buddy!) but I didn't let him. We just followed the chart.
And all is well, once again.
The Queen of Sleep. That's me.
(And also I'm fully aware that any and all future children will probably never sleep solely because I wrote this post.)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas Giving
The only other gifts we need to buy are for the three gift tags we selected from the tree at church on Sunday: a 4 year old boy, 11 year old girl and 16 year old boy. We're going to get each of them 1-2 clothing items, a hat, gloves and a book. We'll also get the little boy a new toothbrush and toothpaste and the older girl and boy some shampoo and/or body wash. Knowing me, I'm sure I'll pick-up a few extra things like crayons or a little bracelet, too. That 16 y.o., though, what else do I get for him? Maybe something will catch my eye.
I'm planning to wrap each item individually and then put them all into a large gift bag for each child. It is so hard to buy items for someone you don't know a thing about other than age, gender and clothing size, but I hope they like everything.
Last night at dinner Abel and I were talking about these gifts and then started talking about the first Christmas after we got engaged. Abel came over to my apartment one evening just about a week before Christmas with the name and address of a family he'd adopted (through some local agency). It was a mom and three kids. We had their ages and sizes. At first I was so mad at him: it was so close to Christmas and I had so much to do. On top of that, he didn't have a job! You see, we'd gotten engaged that past June and in December he found out he was being laid off (big down-turn in the economy...his lobbying firm lost several clients and he was the most junior staff member...sounds familiar!). He did have severance--he was being paid through March with health benefits. And we were getting married in May (little did we know it would be until August that he found a new job.) So, while things weren't tighter-than-usual at the time, we knew tight times were coming and were being very frugal. (Again, sounds familiar, doesn't it?!)
Right after work one evening I went out to Old Navy and Target and, with a pretty strict budget, got several gifts for each person. I remember buying a hat and gloves, PJs and a sweater or sweatshirt for each of the kids at Old Navy. Then at Target I bought them each a board game and book. We bought the mom some clothes, too. And, I think, gave her a grocery store gift card.
We wrapped everything up really nicely and drove it over to their apartment. Well, that was quite an adventure. The neighborhood, not surprisingly as it was in the Anacostia neighborhood of DC, was very very sketchy. It was pretty dark (though only early evening) and I remember being pretty nervous walking from our car to their apartment. (Luckily I was walking next to a big Mexican guy!!) When we got to the apartment building door, the buzzer didn't work! We had to wait (for what seemed like forever) until someone came out. We told them we were there to give gifts to the X Family and did they know them. They didn't but let us in anyway. We knocked on the door and the family was shocked--and delighted. They were so grateful. They had submitted their name but had no idea they had been "adopted". As we carried in the boxes, the kids were so excited.
I felt bad because I had hoped they'd think it was all from Santa. I guess that it was pretty naive of me to think that these kids still believed in Santa.
Even though that was one of the leanest Christmases for us personally, that experience was one of the most meaningful of all my Christmas memories.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Lucas says...
"Great job blowing your nose mom!" Guess we know our positive reinforcement is working!
"Mom, you are the best helper." After he "helped" me make dinner!
To our neighbor, who was holding his son's paci in his mouth backwards (we've all done that, right?): "Chad, you're a big boy, not a baby. You don't need a paci!"
Friday, December 12, 2008
Favorite Things Friday: TinyURL.com
In today's edition of Favorite Things Friday, I bring you one of my new favorite websites: TinyURL.com. This might just be one of the most useful little, er, tiny, sites you ever visit.
What does TinyURL do? Just what it says: take a long URL and make it tiny!
So, for example, this:
becomes this: www.tinyurl.com/smilingmama
(notice how I directed you to a syndicated post by ME?! Sneaky am I!)
When you create your tiny URL, you can have them randomly assign you what comes after the slash (generally a mismash of letters and numbers) or you can create your own (as I did above). Cool!
So go check it out.
You'll never send a broken link again!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Christmas cards!
But, this year.
Well, time was at a minimum and stress was at a maximum. So, I looked through dozens upon dozens of recent photos and chose 4 to include on a photo greeting card from Shutterfly. I think the "theme" of the photos is the pure joy on Lucas's face and so my greeting is "Wishing you love and joy -- lots and lots of joy! Merry Christmas!"
Our 75 cards arrived yesterday and I am thrilled with the result. The photos printed really, really nicely; I love the retro background and our greeting. And, I think there is enough space at the bottom to write a short personal note (to do: purchase fine tip sharpie) which makes me happy.
I'm very much looking forward to spending the next few evenings addressing, signing, sealing and stamping our cards. If you're lucky enough to be on our list, look for yours soon!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Don't hate me because I'm lucky
I'm particularly excited about these three prizes because they are just so darn useful. I mean, who isn't constantly on the look out for a babysitter? Brain, Child is described as a magazine for "thinking moms" and what am I if not an over thinking mom? Finally, the Spy Museum. I've been wanting to go since it opened, but I have never been able to bring myself to pay to get into a Washington, DC museum. There are so many free museums that I don't go to enough, why pay for one? Now that I have two tickets for free admission, I can't wait to check it out!
Thanks Leticia, Victoria and Kim, for these great prizes that are helping me to keep my sanity during what has been a very trying few weeks in the Smiling Mama household.
Monday, December 8, 2008
We're going for a record here
We got a clean bill of health for Lucas last Tuesday. But, Friday morning when we left for Greensboro he was coughing and had a runny nose. He really was fine, though, running around, sleeping through the night, eating well. Just a cold, we thought.
Then last night he started whimpering at about 11pm when we went up to bed. (Totally stayed up too late watching the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. And I cried over both the movie and the commercials!) I went into his room and he was burning up with a fever. Gave him some Tylenol cuddled and let him sleep with me. Called in sick to work this morning and got him in for a morning appointment.
Diagnosis: ear infection and pneumonia.
Are you kidding me? I thought we were done being sick. Now it starts all over?
So, this is week 4 of 4 with a doctor appointment. We'll have a follow-up next week then he'll be due for his 3 year old appointment so it is looking like we'll be visiting the doctor every week for 6 weeks.
I've written a new Christmas list: All I want for Christmas is for all of us to be well!
A Wedding Weekend
We stayed at the Proximity Hotel, the only LEED Platinum rated hotel in the country! Not only is it incredibly luxurious, it is incredibly green. The water is heated by solar panels on the roof, almost all the materials came from local sources and--how cool is this?--the elevator captures energy going down to use to go back up!
Oh and did I mention that my parents were watching Lucas for the weekend?
So the hotel and weekend alone were nice, but of course, the best part was all the wedding-related festivities. A fun girls luncheon, manicures, rehearsal, rehearsal dinner...then of course the actual wedding and reception on Saturday.
A few fun things I wanted to share...
- Be careful leaving the husbands and boyfriends of the bridal party alone in the back of the church during the rehearsal. They might just end up putting together an under/over bet on the length of the ceremony.*
- I did a great job with my reading. In fact many people came up to me during the reception to tell me what a great job I did. One person, a cousin of the groom, told me that the reading and the way I read it "made me rethink the importance of my own wedding vows". Wow.
- Perhaps I should offer my reading services for hire!
- There was a band at the reception and it was so fun! They did a great job of getting people out onto the dance floor.
- This is the second reception I've been to where someone ordered pizza to be delivered. Come one people, seriously.
- The reception ended with a really awesome Slovak tradition (from the bride's family). The women form a circle, lock arms and dance around the bride. The groom tries to break through while the women hold him off. Eventually, of course, he breaks in, scoops up the bride and carries her off to everyone cheering for them. It was a really awesome way to conclude the celebration!
*Abel won! The ceremony was well under 37 minutes in length!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Other places
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Today I was a Fun Mom
As opposed, that is, to a strict mom, a mean mom, a yelling mom or a boring mom. Today I was fun. Today I let my son play in the bathroom sink with his cars and get himself and the floor soaked. Why not? Clean up was as easy as a new shirt and toweled off floor. Today I let him mix his yogurt into his grape juice. Why not? Maybe I'm developing a future scientist. And, guess what? He drank it up and proclaimed YUM! at the end. Today at the park, I ran around and played with him, went down the slide with him and swung next to him. Why not? It was too cold to stand still anyway and besides, we were the only ones there. He would have been pretty lonely without me as a playmate.
Yes, today I said yes to fun. Messy, gross, exuberant fun. Why not every day? Why do I normally give in to my instinct that playing in the sink will just make a big mess, that yogurt and grape juice would be gross mixed together, that my fun at the park is to sit on a bench and check my e-mail on my phone?
When I look back at my own childhood, my fondest memories are the ones where my mom let us have fun in totally unexpected ways. One afternoon she let us empty all the cupboards to play store. Imagine that! Another day she built us a huge tent in the backyard. I am certain that these days were the exceptions but they were just plain fun and they are what have stuck with me.
I know that there will be plenty more times when I don't allow the dinnertable to become a time for food experiments, when I will spend our time at the park checking my phone and when I'll feel as though I have spent the entire day saying "no" rather than "yes". But, I hope that I am the fun mom often enough that it is days like today that become my son's strongest childhood memories.
Original post to DC Metro Moms. Aimee writes about the times she's a fun mom, a mean mom and every time in between at her personal blog www.smilingmama.blogspot.com.
jodifur said...
I hear you on this. I feel like I never get to be a fun mom! Good for you.
Claire Jess said...
Sounds nice! It's all in the attitude (she said knowing full well you gotta have some clutter tolerance and the time to deal with it). I went to a conference recently where a mom suggested having a "Yes Day" scheduled for every so often. My problem is when all the things they want to do conflict with each other!
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Favorite Things Friday: Automoblox
For today's edition of Favorite Things Friday, I bring you Automoblox. Abel and I each decided that these would make an awesome birthday or Christmas present for Lucas without even talking about it. I first saw them on-line here. Abel saw them in a print catalog for this company and promptly ordered two--the green truck and red sports car.
And, I can report that they are amazing!
How can I report this, you ask? Well, because Lucas has already received them. I know that it is still 17 days until Lucas's birthday and 20 days until Christmas. But, cut us some slack, Lucas was so darn pathetic when he was sick recently that we just had to try to cheer him up somehow. We intended to just give him one car but when we saw how much fun he we all were having playing with it, we broke out another one.
We took them with us to my parents over Thanksgiving and everyone loved them--my 16 year old cousin was as impressed with them as my father!
Now, before I get too far, I do want to let you know upfront that they are kind of pricey. On Automoblox they range from $38-$40 each. (Currently there is free shipping on orders over $60!). Amazon has them as low as about $34 and they are eligible for free super saver shipping. Abel purchased ours from here for $35 each.
Despite the price, however, I am seriously considering buying 1-2 more for Lucas because I want to try out some new combinations they are just so cool! Here are some of the best features:
- Amazing construction--I am confident that they will hold up to years of rough play
- Cool design--these are more like works of art than toys
- Challenging--literally every part of these cars comes apart and the models are interchangeable. I can see Lucas's little mind working hard to figure out new combinations. And, the adults had fun working on new combinations as well! I'd rate them as appropriate for ages 2.5 through 99!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Keep Calm and Carry On
You see, last night I banged out a post FREAKING out about the fact that it is already December 2 (yesterday) and I am SO. FAR. BEHIND. on Christmas. No cards. No card photo. No tree. No decorations. And WHEN oh WHEN will I have time to do all this? I concluded with the fact that I may as well just skip Christmas cards and decorating this year because I am so. far. behind.
Luckily I didn't hit post immediately but decided to sit on it overnight. Whew. So glad I did. Because then I was able to say to myself:
Calm the f*#k down Miss Type A freak. Calm down.
It is now only December 3. Plenty of time to snap an adorable pic of Lucas (or heck, troll through our hundreds of recent pics for one or more adorable shots) and upload and order cards. Plenty of time to decorate, even though we are out of town this weekend. Still several weekends left after that. Hey, not everyone in the world is obsessed with mailing their cards the Monday after Thanksgiving. In fact, strong evidence shows that MOST people don't mail their cards until just a few days before Christmas, as I well know because I enjoy getting cards in the mail up to and-- wait for it--after Christmas day. And, let's give credit where credit is due: I am doing fabulously on my Christmas gift shopping. I have already purchased (hooray for Etsy!) or know exactly what I am going to get for every person on our list (except Abel's dad. He is IMPOSSIBLE.) So that is definitely a positive thing.
So, people, let's just breathe. Keep calm and carry on. Christmas is fast approaching, yes. But, there is still plenty of time to get it all done.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sick: By the Numbers
- 3 people
- 16 consecutive days of sickness
- 5 visits to the doctor (with one more tomorrow, Lucas's 2nd follow up)
- 2 antibiotics prescribed
- 3 oral or inhaled steroids prescribed
- 6 boxes of tissues used
- 2 bags of cough drops consumed
- 2 times I've cleaned the car and car seat of vomit
- Countless hours of TV watched
- Countless loads of laundry washed

subset: commoncrawl


text:
12/30/06 The Cosby Script is in and I need help identifying two signatures. If someone wants to try to decipher the last two sigs, please let me know and I'll send you a scan of the jpgs. The ones online will be too small to work from. The signatures on the script include: Bill Cosby (Heathcliff Huxtable), Phylicia Rashad (Clair Hanks Huxtable), Sabrina Le Beauf (Sondra Huxtable Tibideaux), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (Theodore 'Theo' Huxtable), Tempest Bledsoe (Vanessa Huxtable), Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy Huxtable), Geoffrey Owens (Elvin Tibideaux), Raven-Symoné (Olivia Kendall), Erika Alexander (Pam Tucker), Ethel Ayler (Carrie Hanks), Allen Payne (Lance Rodman), Deon Richmond (Kenny aka "Bud"), William Thomas Jr. (Dabnis Brickey), Joe Williams (Al Hanks), Jay Sandrich (Director), Clarice Taylor (Anna Huxtable), Karen Malina White (Charmaine Brown) and Carl Anthony Payne (Walter 'Cockroach' Bradley). Signatures missing that I'd like to obtain (if anyone has information or knows if these people sign... please let me know! Earle Hyman (Russell Huxtable), Lisa Bonet (Denise Huxtable), Peter Costa (Peter) and Joseph C. Phillips (Lt. Martin Kendall). Purchase: Isla Fisher (Scooby Doo). Mail success: Hugh Dennis (My Hero).
Hugh Dennis
c/o Lip Service
60-66 Wardour Street
London W1F 0TA
12/26/06 Via friends: Colin Hunt (Star Wars) (1221), Andy Cunningham (Star Wars), Stuart Myers (Star Wars) (1222), Matt Gibbons (Lord of the Rings) and Winham Hammond (Lord of the Rings). I am a pretty lucky person to have such decent friends!
Andy Cunningham
C/O Incoming Mail BBC Television Centre
Wood Lane
London W12 7RJ
Stuart Myers (may charge only now; you might want to check first with www.convention-guests.com)
c/o The Elliott Agency
94 Roundhill Crescent
Brighton BN2 3FR
Winham Hammond
4 Murphy Place
New Zealand
12/21/06 Purchases: Diane Kruger (Troy), Ron Livingston (Office Space), Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), Robert Pattinson (Harry Potter) and Tim Allen (Santa Clause).
Diane Kruger
c/o Finch and Partners
4-8 Heddon Street
London W1B 4BS
Ron Livingston (not sure if he responds as I've never tried him, but here's the address anyway)
c/o Thruline Entertainment
9250 Wilshire Blvd. Ground Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Sean Astin
PO Box 57858
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
Robert Pattinson
Curtis Brown Group Ltd.
Haymarket House
5th Floor
28-29 Haymarket
London SW1Y 4SP
Tim Allen
c/o Boxing Cat Productions
11500 Hart Street
North Hollywood, CA 91605
12/17/06 Mail success: Laura Fraser (Knight's Tale). Here's a cute little fan film that took runner up ... made by one of our fellow collectors, so check it out: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=paulrowley1969; he's done a few, but the "All I want for Christmas is Oola" is probably the one I like best. And here's a site which offers free samples for your collectibles, of poly bags: www.bagsunlimited.com email them at firstname.lastname@example.com to inquire about the free samples. I have added a multi-signed item to the collection via purchase. This one is Scott's: He bought it and then told me later. Purchased via a live auction: Cosby Script.
Laura Fraser
c/o ICM
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London W1D 1BS
12/14/06 Purchase: Gordon Wharmby (Last of the Summer Wine), Mail success: Neil Flynn (Scrubs Janitor). Here's a cute story about the 501st: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16175412/. News: Michael Gilden (Ewok) has passed away. News: Peter Boyle passed away (Young Frankenstein, Everybody Loves Raymond and Santa Clause 2 etc). Warning: Every year or so I get a catalog from scam artists Dejavu Enterprises and I use it as a warning to people. They are located in Los Angeles and deal in some forgeries and will not respond to COA redemptions. So stay clear if you do not want to get ripped off!
Gordon Wharmby (deceased)
Neil Flynn
c/o Scrubs
Touchstone Television
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91
11/30/06 I've redone my office: temporary page to view my new office. If anyone is interested in Paul Bannon's sig, please email me. He'll sign figures, posters etc. 20.00 US cash, plus postage costs.
11/27/06 I noticed I forgot to add two items to my site but I had their sigs already. These are "additional" items and I'll consider them for trade... they are Ian Roberts (Star Wars EP II) and Cathy Ernster (Star Wars Ep I). Mail success: Clive Ashborn (Pirates of the Caribbean II).
Clive Ashborn
Waring and McKenna
11-12 Dover Street
London W1S 4LJ
11/20/06 From a nice guy: Annie Arbogast (1220).
11/09/06 RTS for Brian Deacon c/o Yakety Yak, 7a Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2LP, England. Purchase: Kee Chan (1219) (Star Wars).
Kee Chan (Kee Chan will only sign at conventions. Check link below to see his list of scheduled appearances)
11/06/06 Well, we had more kids than last year for Halloween; 20! Mail successes: Roger Ashton Griffiths (Knight's Tale), Mark Lehner (Egyptologist), Jeff Rawle (Harry Potter) and Jane Donald (Lord of the Rings).
Roger-Ashton Griffiths
c/o Curtis Brown Voiceovers
Haymarket House 28-29 Haymarket
Greater London SW1Y 4SP
United Kingdom
Jeff Rawle
Jonathan Altaras Associates
11 Garrick Street, Covent Garden
London WC2E 9AR
Jane Donald
c/o Auckland Actors
P.O. Box 56-460
Dominion Rd
Auckland 3
New Zealand
Mark Lehner (due to the nature of the address, I don't want to post publicly, but if you are interested, just email me for information)
10/31/06 Mail success: Paul Bannon (Star Wars) and (1217), Olivia Williams (Knight's Tale). Purchase: Annie Leibovitz (Famed photographer/Star Wars) (1218).
Paul Bannon (Charges; if you'd like to buy and autograph, contact me or www.convention-guests.com
Annie Leibovitz (I don't think she signs but just in case someone wants to try anyway... she never answered my request)
445 W 18th St
New York, NY 10011
Olivia Williams
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London W1D 1BS
10/27/06 Purchase: Steve Miller (Rock Star) and Jack Riley (Spaceballs). Mail success: Mel Stuart (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory).
Jack Riley (Deceased)
Mel Stuart
c/o Mel Stuart Productions Inc.
204 South Beverly Drive Suite 109
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
10/23/06 Mail success: Lilianna Mumy (Santa Clause 2). News: Personal signing: Paul Bannon for 20.00 US cash plus shipping. RTS: Richard Driscoll (Star Wars). List your DVD collection at: www.dvdspot.com and my collection: http://www.dvdspot.com/member=dahoov2 There are about 20 that are not listed on here because they were transferred from VHS to DVD but there haven't been DVD's made for them
Lilianna Mumy
c/o Rubber Boots-Bill Mumy
11333 Moorpark Street
Studio City, CA 91602
10/18/06 RTS: Russell Darling (Star Wars).
10/17/06 Purchases: Ian Roberts (Star Wars) (1215) and Nicole Fantl (1216) (Star Wars). Three new posters added to the collection.
10/16/06 Mail success: Bob Eggleton (Star Wars Artist) (1214), Ray Bradbury (Author), Christopher Cazenove (Knight's Tale), Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter) and Jessica Stevenson (Harry Potter).
Bob Eggleton (Email Mr. Eggleton for contact information)
Ray Bradbury
10265 Cheviot Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Christopher Cazenove
Diamond Management
31 Percy Street
London W1T 2DD
Imelda Staunton
4 Great Portland Street
London W1W 8PA
Jessica Stevenson
Drury House
34/43 Russell Street
London WC2B 5HA
10/11/06 We went to: Chicago! and the Navy Pier (which includes lighthouses, Tiffany Stained Glass Exhibit and carousel), Sears Tower and other buildings, The Field Museum and Tut exhibit (wouldn't allow you to take photos) but has the largest/most complete T-Rex found and for Star Wars fans, we happened to be gassing up the rental car near the hotel and I saw this neat sign; obviously for Star Wars fans! Look here: Miscellaneous photos. RTS: Tim Preece (Waiting for God) c/o The Jonses, 21 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0PZ England; sent to another address: was also RTS: 68A Marlborough Road, Seves, London, N22 8NN, England. Mail successes: Berwick Kaler (Knight's Tale) and first time Star Wars signer Jasper Jacobs (ROJ Shuttle Captain) (1213).
Berwick Kaler
Caroline Dawson Associates
2nd Floor, 125 Gloucester Road
London SW7 4TE
10/05/06 Mail successes: Jonathan Davis (Star Wars Narrator Audio Books) (1211) and Tom Steeber (Star Wars Fan Film "Peep Wars") (1212).
Jonathan Davis
c/o Random House Publishing
1745 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
10/04/06 RTS: Maury Chaykin (Actor). Purchase: Graeme Blundell (Star Wars) (1207), Meagan Udall (Star Wars) (1208), David Mock (Star Wars) (1209) and Steve Brown (Star Wars) (1210).
Graham Blundell (never responded to me though)
Shanhan Mgmt
Level 3
Bermain House
91 Campbell Street
Surrey Hills NSW 2010
10/02/06 We went to DC. In Person: Bob Woodward (Author/Political Analyst/Famed Reporter) and Gennady Spirin (artist). It was cool to meet Mr. Woodward and be able to get one of the very first books sold/signed (they weren't even due out till tomorrow!). While in DC, we were able to revisit and get photos of: National Zoo (pandas were too far away and sleeping) Natural History Museum (Hope Diamond), the new WWII Memorial, the John Paul Jones Monument and National Bookfest
Bob Woodward (I cannot say if he'll sign; but there's the information anyway)
c/o The Washington Post
1150 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Gennady Spirin (this may be a home address; I would ask that you respect that and not post anywhere else. Thanks)
47 Stonewall Cir
Princeton, NJ 08540
09/28/06 Mail success: b (Knight's Tale). RTS Petr Meissel (Knight's Tale) Serikova 566/10, Praha 1, Mala Strana, 110 00, Czech Republic.
Nick Brimble
c/o Curtis Brown Group
Haymarket House
28 - 29 Haymarket
London SW1Y 4SP
09/25/06 Via a friend: Willie Coppen (Star Wars) (1203), Jamel Boukabou (Star Wars) (1204) Kevin J Pike (Star Wars Crew) (1205) and David Merry (Star Wars) (1206).
09/23/06 Mail success: Jeff Coopwood (Star Wars Video Games) (1202).
Jeff Coopwood
c/o Rising Stars Talent
1322 2nd Street #25
Santa Monica, CA 90401
09/22/03 We went to a concert: Styx and Foreigner and Triple Shot. All concert photos can be viewed by going to: www.dahoovsplace.com. I also managed to get graphs at the event; those are online on those pages and will be also on the Generics Autographs Section of this site.
09/21/06 Purchases: Adam J Smith (Star Wars) (1194), Tony Allen ( Star Wars) (1195), Anthony Gilding (Star Wars) (1196), Peter House (Star Wars) (1197), Kamay (1198), Laurie Goode (1199) (Star Wars), Ronald Conrad (1200) (Star Wars) and Sydney Walker (1201) (Star Wars Ewok Movies); the item is also signed by: Paul Ballantyne, Bruno Gerussi, Staats Cotsworth and Signe Hasso. Mail success: Michael Wildman (Harry Potter).
Sydney Walker (deceased)
Adam J Smith (charges; you may be able to order on at the link below; or wait till convention which are listed on that site).
Anthony Gilding (charges; you may be able to order on at the link below; or wait till convention which are listed on that site).
Peter House (charges; you may be able to order on at the link below; or wait till convention which are listed on that site).
Laurie Goode (charges; you may be able to order on at the link below; or wait till convention which are listed on that site).
Ronald Conrad (charges; you may be able to order on at the link below; or wait till convention which are listed on that site).
Kamay Lau (I tried her at several addresses and she never responded; I did not try there though):
c/o Ordinary People
8 Camden road
London, NW1 9DP
09/20/06 Purchase: Ted Western (1193) (Star Wars). Next, I'll be adding a new section to the site: DVD Projects Autographs (DVD projects that are not quite documentaries, games or fan films; things on CD's/DVD's like "Making Magic" or "Behind the Magic" (as of 2007 still pending).
Ted Western (charges; you may be able to order on at the link below; or wait till convention which are listed on that site).
09/19/06 Via a friend: Glori Gage (Ewok Cartoons) (1192).There are 5 new video games added to the Video Game area in the 2005 page, one new game added to the 2003 page, one new games added to the 1998 page and a whole new year added: 2006 page.
Glori Gage
09/18/06 We went to: Wolf Trap Lightship and New Point Comfort Lighthouse. Didn't get close to either lighthouse at all but some of the history is interesting. One ttm item: Clint Bajakian (1191) (Star Wars Video Games)
Clint Bajakian (this may be a home address; please be responsible/respectful and do not post anywhere else)
361 Mountain View Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
09/13/06 We went to: St. John's Church which was added to the Colonial/Civil War area of Virginia Travels on the family site. Mail success: Sophie Ward (British Actress).
Sophie Ward
c/o Shepherd Management
4th Floor
45 Maddox Street
London W1S 2PE
09/12/06 We went to: Charlie Daniels Concert, Hampton Bay Days and the Norfolk Zoo. RTS: lady in the Ewok film.
09/10/06 Mail success: Kent Weeks (Egyptologist).
09/08/06 Mail success: Moya Brady (My Hero).
Moya Brady
Scott Marshall Partners LTD
2nd Floor
15 Little Portland Street
London W1W 8BW
09/05/06 We went to some concerts: Adelyn, Gatorhead, Blue Oyster Cult and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts as well as another Carousel: Lynnhaven Mall Carousel (double decker). I tried for an in person autograph from Joan, but she wasn't having it. She didn't even glance at the crowd; I did wait in the back for her and yelled to her as she got into the van (unmarked; ordinary older one). Could've gotten graphs from two of the groups as they were easy enough (I had a couple of the guys standing next to me); but honestly, I don't know their music etc so... and didn't have anything ready on me to sign.
09/01/06 No mail because of hurricane/Tropical Storm. We do have flooding...and a limb down.
08/29/06 Mail successes: Tony Maudsley (Harry Potter) and Elizabeth Conboy (Star Wars Video Games). RTS: Charles Dennis (Star Wars Video Games) c/o Cunningham Escott and Dipene 100625 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 130 Los Angeles, CA 90025.
Tony Maudsley
Drury House
34-43 Russell Street
London WC2B 5HA
Elizabeth Conboy
c/o Hobson's Voices
62 Chiswick High Road
08/27/06 Two new sections added to the site: Partridge Family Autographs and Knight's Tale Autographs. Mail success: Sian Thomas (Harry Potter).
08/23/06 Purchase: Rick Hurst (Dukes of Hazzard).
Rick Hurst (Untested and he may charge)
1230 N. Horn #401
Los Angeles, CA 90069
08/20/06 Mail success: Lou Hirsch (My Hero).
Lou Hirsch
c/o Richard Stone Partnership
2 Henrietta Street
London WC2E 8PS
08/15/06 Mail successes: Emily Berry (Star Wars Video Games), Karl Champley (Pirates of the Caribbean), Diane Matthews (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Geraldine McNulty (My Hero).
Karl Champley (you will need to email him for contact information)
Diane Matthews (see Karl Champley)
Geraldine McNulty
Drury House
34-43 Russell Street
London WC2B 5HA
Emily Berry
c/o Vox Inc.
5670 Wilshire Blvd. Ste #820
Los Angeles, CA 90036
08/11/06 News: Johnny Weissmuller Jr. (Star Wars: Caravan of Courage/THX 1135) passed away July and he was one I had tried for many times; he didn't want to sign Purchases: Mark Addy (Knight's Tale) and Juliette Binoche (Chocolat).
Mark Addy (I heard conflicting accounts on whether he's signing; may be worth a shot though)
76 Oxford Street
London: W1N 0AX
Juliette Binoche (I heard conflicting accounts on whether he's signing; may be worth a shot though)
c/o Endeavor Talent
9601 Wilshire Blvd. Third Floor
Beverly Hills. CA 90210
08/09/06 Via a friend: Jane Abbott (LOTR), Andy Cunningham (Star Wars), Mark Roper (1189) (Star Wars) and John Forgeham (1190) (Star Wars).
Andy Cunningham
c/o BBC
C/O Incoming Mail
BBC Television Centre
Wood Lane
London W12 7RJ
08/05/06 Mail success: Campbell Graham (Harry Potter)
08/01/06 Mail success: Dan Barton (Star Wars Video Gamers) (1188). Freebie: new poster to the collection.
Dan Barton
c/o Arlene Thornton and Associates
12711 Ventura Blvd. Suite 490
Studio City, CA 91604
07/30/06 We went to: Hampton Carousel. RTS: David Beron (2nd RTS-Star Wars Video Games) c/o Special Artists Agency 345 N Maple Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Mail success: Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter).
Ralph Fiennes (I got my success via venue which is no longer valid, so I am not positive he'll respond from his agency)
Dalzell and Beresford Ltd.
26 Astwood Mews
London SW7 4DE
07/28/06 We went to Saturday: Old Cape Henry Lighthouse and New Cape Henry Lighthouse. Via a convention/friend: Alan Tudyk (Serenity/I, Robot/Knight's Tale). Mail success: Janine Duvitski (Waiting for God) and Tom Hollander (Pirates of the Caribbean).
Alan Tudyk (did not respond to me; I think he does conventions only, but it never hurts to try?)
Endeavor Talent Agency
152 West 57th Street 25th Floor
New York, NY 90019
Janine Duvitski
c/o Sue Terry Voices
3rd Floor
18 Broadwick Street
London W1F 8HS
Tom Hollander
Another Tongue
10-11 D'Arblay Street
(The Basement)
London W1F 8DS
07/26/05 News: We have a new autograph group started: Go here to join: http://groups.google.com/group/Collecting-Autographs-TTM
07/25/06 Mail successes: Emily Joyce (My Hero) and Doug Boyd (Star Wars Video Games).
Emily Joyce
4 Great Portland Street
London W1W 8PA
07/23/06 News: Tim Condren passed away. Letters of sympathy can be sent to:
The Condren family
c/o London Stunt School
Sudbury Primary School
Watford Road
RTS: David Beron (Star Wars Video Games) c/o Independent Artists Agency, Inc. 9200 Sunset Blvd. Ste 805 Los Angeles, CA 90069. Mail successes: Clive Owen (King Arthur) and Jonathan Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean). The Pryce address was via a play and thus is no longer valid.
Clive Owen
4 Great Portland Street
London W1W 8PA
Jonathan Pryce
Julian Belfrage Associates
Adam House
14 New Burlington Street
London W1S 3BQ
07/18/06 We visited this weekend: Yorktown: Thomas Nelson House, Victory Monument, Dudley Digges House, Cornwallis' Cave, Sessions House, and Thomas Archer House. We saw York Hall and saw the museum in there, and the Grace Church/Graveyard as well, but did not take any photos. Via friend: David Tennant item. RTS: Sureena Mann (Star Wars) c/o address in San Rafael, CA. "Attempted Not Known" "Unable to Forward". Mail success: Stephen Fitzalan (1187) (Star Wars).
David Tennant
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London W1D 1BS
07/16/06 I finished both Potter books; now dying for the last.
07/14/06 Purchase: Jorn Benzon (Lord of the Rings). Mail success: Colin Firth (Actor Bridget Jone's Diary/Valmont)
Colin Firth
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London W1D 1BS
07/11/06 Purchases: David Sterne (Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean), Ashely Artus (Harry Potter) and Sheila Allen (Harry Potter); I wonder; is this Sheila Allen the one who married Irwin Allen and was in Lost in Space?
David Sterne (did not answer my letter)
Shane Collins Associates
11-15 Betterton Street
Covent Garden
London WC2H 9BP
Ashley Artus (did not answer my letter)
Shepherd Management Ltd
4th Floor
45 Maddox Street
London W1S 2PE
Sheila Allen (did not answer my letter)
Cassie Mayer Ltd
5 Old Garden House
The Lanterns
Bridge Lane
London SW11 3AD
07/09/06 Purchase: William Katt (1186) (Star Wars Misc) and AnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Freebie: Poster for my poster collection. Saw Pirates of the Caribbean yesterday and liked it.
William Katt (did not answer my letter; but someone else had a success later same place)
5860 Le Sage Ave.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367-5902
Anastasia Robb
Untitled Management
331 N. Maple Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
07/07/06 News: July 17th, George Lucas will be inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in Seattle, WA.
07/04/06 Big Bethel Cemetery online. Lee Hall Mansion online. Fort Monroe/Casemate Museum online. Fort Monroe's Old Point Comfort Lighthouse online.
07/03/06 We visited: Big Bethel Cemetery, Fort Monroe/Casemate Museum (Contains Jefferson's Davis' cell) and Lee Hall Mansion.
06/28/06 Mail success: JP Manoux (Voice artist/Scooby Doo).
JP Manoux
Talent, Talent Agency
4705 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Ste. 306
Studio City, CA 91607
06/27/06 In persons: Paul Blair (Baltimore Orioles); Mark Rypien (Washington Redskins); Artis Gilmore (San Antonio Spurs); Darryl Dawkins (New Jersey Nets); Kevin Greene (Pittsburgh Steelers); Roger Brown (Detroit Lions); Fergie Jenkins (Hall of Famer); Rob Bartlett (Comedian); Debbie Dunning (Home Improvement-Heidi).
Paul Blair (this may be a home address; I ask that you be respectful and not post further)
48 Mamaroneck
White Plains NY 10601
Darryl Dawkins (this may be a home address; I ask that you be respectful and not post further)
E Mcpherson St,
Philadelphia, PA 19150
Kevin Greene (I cannot post this; it's his business, but if you want the address, email and I'll research it for you)
Roger Brown (I won't post this, it's his business, but if you want the address, email and I'll research it for you)
Fergie Jenkins (this is his charitable foundation; be respectful and email for contact information; possibly donate to the charity?)
Mark Rypien (this is his charitable foundation; be respectful and email for contact information; possibly donate to the charity?)
Rob Bartlett
P.O. Box 928
Port Washington, NY 11050
Debbe Dunning
9200 Sunset Blvd #625
Los Angeles, CA 90069
06/23/06 Mail success: Margery Mason (Harry Potter). Purchase: Jonathon Pryce (Pirates of the Caribbean).
Margery Mason
c/o Representation Joyce Edwards
4 Turner Close
London SW9 6UQ
Jonathon Pryce (I did not get a response from here though I sent here; I did c/o a play which is no longer valid; Mr. Pryce didn't answer my email. Please note, there are many Julian Belfrage addresses/zip codes. This is one of them. It may be my postal code was wrong. I am not sure which is the most current Julian Belfrage address; I have been told of many successes from this agency though)
c/o Julian Belfrage
46 Albemarle Street
London W1X 4PP W1S
06/21/06 Mail success: Mike Mungarven (1185).
Mike Mungarven (charges usually; see convention information at link below)
06/18/06 We went to Colonial Downs and saw the Rhondels (also lost a few bucks betting). We also went to: Virginia Beach Art Show. RTS: Barry Summerford (Star Wars) c/o Image Management. "Not with the Agency". Purchase: Joel Edgerton (Star Wars/King Arthur)
Joel Edgerton (has never answered fan mail that I know of including three tries from me this is two of many addresses)
8942 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA. 90211
Joel Edgerton
c/o Alan Wilson Management
Level 5 15-19
Boundary Street
Rushcutters Bay
06/16/06 RTS: Sinbad (Comedian) c/o Afros and Bellbottoms, 11330 Ventura Blvd Studio City CA 91604. News: DON'T buy from Dejavu Enterprises in Los Angeles, CA. These are rip off artists who sell fakes. This company is a prime example that expensive autographs do not necessarily mean "real" autographs.
06/14/06 we went to Harborfest Photos. Freebie: promo card added to the collection. I can't figure out why my cards are not posting. SOMETHING is wrong... so please bear with me on those...I'll let you know when I figure it out.
06/12/06 Purchases: Owain Yeoman (Troy), Shefali Chowdhury (Harry Potter) and Frances De La Tour (Harry Potter). Mail success: Kathryn Otoshi (1184) (Star Wars).
Owain Yeoman (did not answer my letter though)
c/o PFD
Drury House
34-43 Russell Street
London, WC2B 5HA
Francis De LaTour (didn't answer my letter though)
Oxford House, 76 Oxford Street
Kathryn Otoshi (you will have to email for contact information)
06/09/06 Purchase: Afshan Azad (Harry Potter).
06/04/05 Purchase: Star Wars 501st card (signed) (1183).
05/30/06 Went to see Sinbad (no autograph opportunity); we left right when he ended as it started to rain; so we didn't get to see the Temptations or the Four Tops. Saw the Da Vinici code; thought it was pretty good.
05/28/06 Purchase: Dave Madden (Partridge Family). Mail success: Andy Cunningham (Star Wars) (1182)
Dave Madden (Deceased)
Andy Cunningham
c/o 'Bodger and Badger'
Artists Mail
BBC TV Centre
Wood Lane
London W12 7RJ
United Kingdom
05/24/06 Purchase: Shirley Jones (Partridge Family).
Shirley Jones (she may charge; especially if her husband sees the letter)
c/o Suite One Productions
16400 Ventura Blvd., #335
Encino, CA 91436
05/18/06 Purchase: Arye Gross (Star Wars Radio Dramas) (1181)
Arye Gross (Did not respond to my letter though)
c/o Paul Greenstone
1400 California Street
Suite 201
Santa Monica, CA 90403
05/14/06 Mail success: Jack Smethurst (Actor/"Last of the Summer Wine").
Jack Smethurst
c/o Pemberton Associates
193 Wardour Street
London W1F 8ZF
05/08/06 Purchase: Merwin Goldsmith (Star Wars Radio Dramas) (1180).
Merwin Goldsmith (Deceased)
05/06/06 Personal: I went to a Bill Cosby show today at Christopher Newport University; tried for an autograph but left too early.
05/04/06 In person: Elliot Sadler (1179) (Nascar Driver).
Elliott Sadler (Fan club package for 20.00 send to:)
Sadler Fan
Post Office Box 32
Emporia, Virginia 23847
05/03/06 Mail successes: Bonnie Wright (Harry Potter) and Kym Jackson (Scooby Doo). Via a friend: Andrew Doucette (Star Wars Crew/ Harry Potter Animator) (1177) and John Hostetter (Voice of General Madine ROJ) (1178).
Bonnie Wright
Drury House
34-43 Russel Street
London WC2B 5HA
Kym Jackson (email her for contact information)
Andrew Doucette (Email him for contact information)
John Hostetter (email him for complete contact information)
04/28/06 Mail success: Eric Bana (Troy).
Eric Bana
c/o Lauren Bergman Management
Suite 2, 8-12 Sandilands Street
South Melbourne
Vic 3205
04/26/06 Purchase: Rowan Atkinson (Scooby Doo/Mr. Bean).
Rowan Atkinson (I had heard he doesn't sign so I didn't try, but someone said this worked before:)
Rowan Atkinson
7 Soho Street
London, W1D 3DQ UK
04/23/06 Purchases: Dawn Hope (Waiting for God), Nancy Reagan (Ex-First Lady) and Denver Pyle (Dukes of Hazzard).
Dawn Hope (never responded to my mail)
Garden Flat
6 Westbourne Park Villas
London W2 5EA
Nancy Reagan (never tried this)
1100 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Denver Pyle (Deceased)
04/18/06 Purchases: Kirk Maxwell (Lord of the Rings), Ryan Carey (Lord of the Rings), Steven Drage (Lord of the Rings), Greg Morrison (Lord of the Rings), Robert Young, (Lord of the Rings), Fraser Budge (Lord of the Rings), Alistair Browning (Lord of the Rings).
Alistair Browning (never responded to my mail)
c/o The Robert Bruce Agency
218 Richmond Road
Grey Lynn
New Zealand
Robert Young
P.O. Box 511
New Zealand
04/13/06 Purchase: Christie Westmaas (Harry Potter). Welcome to the family Teresa.
04/11/06 Thanks Matt, Exchange: David Acord (1175) (Star Wars), Terence Mustoo (Star Wars) and Nosher Powell (1176) (Star Wars).
Terence Mustoo
10 Dees Close
United Kingdom
04/04/06 Sorry for the delay; I have been going to physical therapy 3 days a week Mail success: Philip Metschan (1173) (Star Wars Crew). Purchase: Deborah Chester (1174) (Author).
Deborah Chester (Email her for contact information)
03/30/06 One mail success: Miriam Margoyles (Harry Potter).
Miriam Margoyles (Responded to me from a play; but friend reported success from here)
c/o Innovative Artists
1505 10th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
03/23/06 Mail success: Eric Sykes (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire).
Eric Sykes
c/o Norma Farnes Management
9 Orme Court
London W2 4RL
03/20/06 Mail successes: Charlie Ross (1171) and John Van Vliet (1172) (can't post sorry).
Charlie Ross (Email him for contact information)
03/19/06 Purchase: Denis Rodier signed Comic (1170).
Denis Rodier (email for contact information)
03/16/06 Convention Trades: Jerry Baker (Star Wars Cast) (1166), Tommy Weldin (Star Wars Cast) (1167), Peter Roy (Star Wars Cast) (1168), and Salo Gardner (Star Wars Cast) (1169). Mail success: Flip Webster (Harry Potter Ministry Witch).
Jerry Baker (Charges; see www.convention-guests.com for convention info)
Tommy Weldin (Charges; see www.convention-guests.com for convention info)
Peter Roy (Charges; see www.convention-guests.com for convention info)
Salo Gardner (Charges; see www.convention-guests.com for convention info)
03/12/06 Mail success: Michael McAdam (Haunted Mansion). We attended the Williamsburg Film Festival. In person: James Best (Actor), Beverly Garland (Actress), William Smith (Actor), Don Young (Actor), Ben Cooper (Actor), Will Hutchins (Actor), Dick Jones (Actor), Jimmy Lydon (Actor), Jan Merlin (Actor/Author), Mala Powers (Actress), Ruth Reinhart (Singer/Radio Host), Ted Reinhart (Singer/Radio Host), Peggy Stewart (Actress), Frankie Thomas (Actor) (Passed away shortly after this event), and Johnny Western (Singer/Actor/Songwriter). The only one I did not get was "Lucky" Bill Parish. Sunday we went Whale Watching
James Best (May charge)
James Best Enterprises, Inc.
PO Box 5325
Hickory, NC 28603
Beverly Garland (May charge)
8014 Briar Summit Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Jimmy Lydon (may be home address so please be respectful and don't post further)
3538 Lomacitas Lane
Bonita, CA 91902
Mala Powers (may be home address so please be respectful and don't post further)
10543 Valley Spring Lane
N Hollywood CA 91602
Peggy Stewart (may be home address so please be respectful and don't post further)
11139 Hortense Street
North Hollywood, CA 91602
Frankie Thomas (Mr. Thomas passed away in 2006 shortly after this event)
Johnny Western
c/o KFDI 1070 AM Radio
P.O. Box 1402 Wichita, KS 67201
03/07/06 Mail successes: Remi Broadway (Scooby Doo), David Nichols (Star Wars Crew) (1165), Barry Dowden (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Harry Potter).
Remi Broadway (email for contact information)
Barry Dowden
Purely Talent Agency
26 Westmore Road
Kent TN16 2AX
United Kingdom
03/02/06 News: UK stamps info Fax: 44 (0)131 316 7337 Phone: 44 (0)131 316 7484 Royal Mail is a trading name of Royal Mail Group plc. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number 4138203. Registered office at 148 Old Street, LONDON EC1V 9HQ Mail success: Marc Cass (Star Wars/Harry Potter stunts).
Marc Cass (email for contact information)
03/01/06 Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean).
Bill Nighy
c/o Markham & Froggatt LTD.
4 Windmill Street
London. W1T 2HZ
02/25/06 Mail success: John Cygan (Star Wars Video Games).
John Cygan
12711 Ventura Boulevard,
Suite 490
Studio City, CA 32767
02/24/06 RTS: Andrew Spanky Grant " (Star Wars crew) No longer with the mainframe Entertainment".
02/22/06 Trades: Heather Bleasdale (Harry Potter), Veronica Clifford (Harry Potter), Martin Bayfield (Harry Potter). Mail successes: Shelly Conn (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Liz Smith (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). RTS: Kevin Martel (Star Wars Crew).
Heather Bleasdale (didn't respond to me though)
c/o The Narrow Road
21/22 Poland Street
London W1F 8QH
Veronica Clifford (didn't respond to me though)
c/o Evans & Reiss
100 Fawe Park Road
London SW15 2EA
Martin Bayfield (didn't respond to me though)
c/o International Artistes
Mezzanine Floor, 235 Regent Street
United Kingdom
Shelly Conn
c/o Drury House
34-43 Russell Street
London WC2B 5HA
Liz Smith
c/o Conway Van Gelder
3rd floor 18/21 Jermyn Street
London SW1Y 6HP
02/21/06 RTS: Kim Thompson (Star Wars crew) c/o ILM. Mail success: Phil Philmar (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Exchange items: Rob Bonstin (Star Wars crew) (1163), Jeremy Cook (Star Wars crew) (1164), Mike Bates and Mike Stringer (LOTR crew).
Phil Philmar
c/o Roger Carey Associates
Suite 909-The Old House
Shepperton Film Studios
Studios Road-Shepperton
Middlesex TW17 0QD
United Kingdom
Rob Bonstin (Email for contact info)
Jeremy Cook (email him for contact information)
Mike Stringer (email him for contact information)
02/18/06 Mail success: Christian Alzmann (1162) (Star Wars Crew).
Christian Alzmann (Email for contact information)
02/12/06 News: Interesting site: http://www.isitreal.com. RTS: Remi Broadway (Scooby Doo) c/o Abrahams Artists Agency 9200 Sunset Blvd. 11th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
02/11/06 An autograph board: http://ukautographs.proboards59.com/.RTS: John Gygan (Star Wars crew) c/o Arlene Thornton Agency 1127 Ventura Blvd. Ste 490 Studio City, CA 91604.
02/10/06 News: Phil Brown has passed away. Mail success: Cecil Castellucci, (author, of "Boy Proof" and "Queen of Cool").
Cecil Castellucci (email for contact information/aka Cecil Seaskull)
02/07/06 Mail success: Alex Palmer (Harry Potter).
02/06/05 Exchanges: Daniel Kirk (SW Artist) and Christina Rumbley (1161) (SW Video Games). Mail success: Robert Pattinson (Harry Potter)
Daniel Kirk (email him for contact information)
Christina Rumbley
c/o Abrams Artists Agency
9200 Sunset Blvd., 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90069
Robert Pattinson
c/o Curtis Brown Ltd
Haymarket House
28 - 29 Haymarket
London, SW1Y 4SP
02/04/05 Convention Purchases: Tolger Safer (Harry Potter), Jamie Yeates (Harry Potter), Stanislav Ianevski (Harry Potter) and Jarl Benzon (Lord of the Rings).
Tolger Safer (never responded to me though)
International House
223 Regent Street
London W1R 7BD
Stanislav Ianevski
c/o Heyday Films
1492 Pictures
Leavesden Studios
P.O. Box 3000
Leavesden, Herfordshire
01/30/06 News: My friend has some nice items for sale: www.autographs-as-gifts.com. Email him for items NOT listed on his site.
01/28/06 National Museum of the Native American Indian and Woodrow Wilson House page
01/20/06 Mail successes: Missi Pyle (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Su Elliott (Harry Potter).
Missi Pyle
c/o Paradigm Agency
10100 Santa Monica Blvd. Floor 25
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Su Elliott
c/o Brown and Simrocks
1 Bridgehouse Court
109 Blackfriars Road
London SE1 8HW
01/17/05 Purchase: Peter Mayhew signed Star Wars Weekend photo. Booksigning: Senator John McCain.
Senator John McCain
United States Senate
241 Russell Senate Ofc. Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Peter Mayhew (charges; email to see if he'll sign via mail-used to; but not sure now.)
01/14/06 RTS: Ashley Artus (Harry Potter) c/o Marmount Management, Langham House, 308 Regent Street, London 1B 3AT and RTS for Aaron Lupton (Lord of the Rings) c/o Stunts of New Zealand. Mail success: Liam McKenna (Harry Potter).
01/12/06 Mail success: Hans Matheson (Dr. Zhivago).
Hans Matheson
Hans Matheson
c/o Lou Coulson Agency
37 Berwick Street
London, W1F 8RS
01/06/06 Mail successes: Philip Jackson (British Sitcoms) and: Paul Cagney (Pirates of the Caribbean) Trade: a multi-signed Potter crew item. Crew members are: Lorraine Johnson, Simon Johnson, Venetia Penna, Mark Buschbacher, Jan Meade, Mark Sum, John Benn, James Breen, A J Mitchell.
Philip Jackson
Markham & Froggatt Ltd.
4 Windmill Street
London W1T 2HZ
01/04/06 My cat took ill and we had to put him down yesterday. Mail successes: Margery Mason (Harry Potter) and Glynn Jones (1160) (Star Wars Ewok). Sorry, Glynn Jones was c/o a play in the UK. Stats for 2005: 429 sent and 125 back. I sent out about half or even less than half of what I sent previous years. I had a 9% RTS rate. Most non signers were Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings and Santa Clause 2 and Haunted Mansion. NONE from the latter two films responded and 90% of the LOTR didn't reply. Lord of the Rings is dead. My best rates were British Sitcoms (80-88 % success) and moderate success rates for Star Wars and Harry Potter, but still down from previous years. Star Wars down dramatically.
Margery Mason
c/o Representation Joyce Edwards
4 Turner Close
London SW9 6UQ


text:
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Valid from: 2018/05/10 Valid to: 2019/06/10


text:
Story so far
Purchased my RCZ two years ago from a Private Dealer. Currently with my local Dealer for service and MOT which will cost about £370. They advised me that the Timing Chain has stretched and needs to be replaced. The car has done 37k and is a 2010 GT THP 156 Model. They have quoted me £996 to do the work but advised that due to the age and mileage and having full service history they would contact Peugeot to see if they will cover the work under warranty as it is a known problem with this engine. They would need to strip it down to assess how much the chain has stretched which they have now done.
Peugeot came back stating they would only consider covering the work if the car was under 5 years old (why didn't the dealer know this?) and it was suggested that we try making a request for a goodwill gesture. So the dealer requested this but Peugeot won't entertain this request either.
I am now left with a car sitting in the dealers for over two weeks in pieces and a potential bill of £1300+
Anyone have similar experience or can give any advice? I have researched online and been quoted £500 from a mobile outfit. I have also phoned two other garages who have quoted £1500 and £820 for the same work.


text:
A HEALTH and safety move which could mean bin men being told to stop moving wheelie bins has been branded as "ridiculous" by a Craven councillor.
Currently about 20 per cent of Craven residents who live in inaccessible places have their bins taken to a waste lorry by council workmen.
But following a recent inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Craven District Council has been told the practice must stop and collections must be kerbside only.
Cllr Carl Lis, lead member for waste management, told fellow councillors they had no option but to act.
He said the issue was council staff moving bins over long distances, but arrangements would have to be made for vulnerable residents.
"There will be people who are old and infirm and we have a duty to collect their bins. I don't know what we will do at the moment, but officers are working on it," he said.
But Cllr Paul English said there would be people in every ward who would find it difficult to move their own bins.
"It seems strange that we are being told that there is too much risk for trained professionals to move wheelie bins, but little old ladies can.
"Sometimes, I just shake my head. Refuse collectors are refuse collectors, that is what they are employed to do. It seems more than more we can't let them do the job they are employed to do, it is ridiculous."
A spokesman for the HSE said the council's waste collection service had been inspected as part of a rolling programme of similar inspections of authorities across the country.
"HSE recommended that Craven District Council moved to kerbside collections to reduce the risk to employees of sustaining injuries from manual handling.
"HSE also made further recommendations regarding reversing of collection trucks so staff are better protected from moving vehicles; assessing risks of the bin rounds being undertaken, and ensuring the authority has a source of competent health and safety advice."
The spokesman added: "The council is making progress adopting the recommendations to bring them into line with current best practice."
Paul Florentine, Craven's waste and recycling manager, said the council had been working with the HSE to make sure the processes it adopted provided the best service to its customers while at the same time complying with its legal obligations.
He added the service was now under review and no changes had been brought in so far.
"If these changes are adopted, they would be ratified through the council's policy committee and each affected household would be individually notified."
He added: "It's worth noting that the council offers an assisted collection service if a householder is unable to present their bins to the kerbside."


text:
For a limited time, you can get Adapted for Film, by Stacey Rourke
for only 99¢!
for only 99¢!
If you are in the mood for a good romantic comedy, this book is definitely for you.
Adapted for Film
by Stacey Rourke
Publication Date: March 9, 2015
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When news of their heated rivalry hits the gossip columns, drastic measures must be taken to save their sinking project. In an elaborate PR hoax, she is publicly linked to Greyson Meyers, the swoon-worthy star of her movie. A whirl-wind love affair is staged for the couple to mirror the steamy chapters of her own books.
Can the introverted author resist the charms of Hollywood's sexiest leading man? Or will love find her in the City of Angels?
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The Gryphon Series is written by Stacey Rourke. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects. The Gryphon Series is available wherever fine books are sold.
Find Stacey:
Twitter @Rourkewrites
Sign up for Stacey's newsletter HERE!


text:
Orkney in High Summer - July
Wildlife, history and culture throughout Orkney - visit Hoy, North Ronaldsay, Rousay, Westray, Kirkwall, Mainland, Burray and all the key archaeological sites!
|Max Group Size
|7 per guide
|8 Days
£1895 pp, £150 single supplement.Deposit £200
We will be exploring mainland Orkney and a good selection of the most iconic and wildlife rich islands, offering fantastic birding and some superb cultural experiences and archaeology - there's something for everyone on this trip! There's the opportunity to encounter cetaceans such as Orca as we take the sea crossing across the Pentland Firth. We'll take in some of the spectacular scenery of mainland Orkney before flying in an 8-seater islander plane to the small island of North Ronaldsay at the very top of the Orkney Isles.
Day 1: Saturday – Nethy Bridge to Orkney
Transfer from Heatherlea to Mainland Orkney. We'll travel north with our eyes peeled for Ravens and there's also the chance of birds of prey. Thurso is our first destination where we take the ferry journey across the Pentland Firth looking out for seabirds and cetaceans. This is also a good chance to encounter Storm Petrels feeding at sea. We should pass close by the cliffs of Hoy with the famous seastack 'The Old Man of Hoy'. Once we arrive in Orkney the rest of the day will be spent visiting local sites with a planned stop at the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness en route to our night's accommodation.
Day 2: Sunday - Westray
Today we take the day trip to Westray, enjoying the scenic ferry ride past Stronsay, Eday and Egilsay. In these sheltered waters we often find fledged seabirds, with Black Guillemot and Arctic Tern in good numbers. Once on Westray we head up to Noup Head RSPB reserve, a bustling seabird colony, mostly comprised of Gannets, Kittiwakes and Fulmar. This is also one of the best cetacean watching points of Orkney, and we may see Minke Whale, Basking Shark, dolphins or maybe even a pod of Orca if conditions allow! Depending on group interest we may look at several of the historical sites and the quaint museum, or alternatively explore the various beaches and coastal walks, birdwatching and botanising as we go. We return in the late afternoon to Kirkwall, completing a wonderful day out on the locally named 'Queen o' the Isles'.
Day 3: Monday - Hoy
Today we head across to rugged Hoy, which differs markedly from the rest of low-lying and fertile Orkney. If weather and group ability allow, we will head to the north, and starting at Rackwick Bay, aim to take the 5 mile return walk to the cliffs at St John's Head, overlooking the iconic Old Man of Hoy seastack, seeing numerous Great Skua as we go. If the weather is looking poor we will head towards the south, with historical sites including the Martello Tower and Scapa Flow museum, and the Scottish Wildlife Trust coastal reserve of the Hill of White Hamars with its maritime heath, featuring a few Scottish Primrose, now in their second flowering of the summer.
Day 4: Tuesday - West Mainland
Our first full day in Mainland Orkney will be a relaxing one and a gentle introduction to the quality birding and historical sites the area has to offer. We'll be hoping to find raptors on the moors as we travel, with Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Merlin and if we're lucky some late breeding Red-throated Divers too. Key cultural and historical sites will be amazing World Heritage Sites of Skara Brae and Maes Howe, which we will enjoy at a leisurely pace. We'll be checking the coastline hotspots for waders, with plenty time to visit Yesnaby, Broch of Gurness and Birsay Moors which are also great birding spots with lochs full of wildfowl. If time allows we will also try to fit in some of the lesser known historical sites, including some of the exciting new excavations.
Day 5: Wednesday - West Mainland and North Ronaldsay
We use today to visit a few more of the Mainland Orkney highlights, with the Brough of Birsay and perhaps a quick visit to Rousay to look at Taversoe Tuick chambered cairn and Midhowe Cairn and Broch.
Our afternoon flight to North Ronaldsay on the 8 seat, Islander plane takes just 15 minutes and offers a unique opportunity to see the Orkney isles from the air. We will get settled in at the comfortable Bird Observatory and enjoy dinner, with the opportunity to perhaps join the Observatory staff in a bird ringing demonstration that evening, with one of our top targets being a nocturnal ringing session for Storm Petrels.
Day 6 & 7 Thursday & Friday - North Ronaldsay
Our daily birding schedule will be dictated by the weather, as will our nocturnal efforts with the Storm Petrels. We'll be working closely with the Observatory staff day and night to maximize our time on the island. Our visit has been deliberately timed with the new moon period as total darkness is somewhat of a rarity in these parts during the summer months. This is prime time for Storm Petrel ringing efforts, and the late July/early August period is always the most prolific with nightly catches of over 100 birds a possibility, with a good chance of also attracting the scarcer, larger Leach's Petrel. Netting sessions are wholly weather dependent and as this is the main purpose of the trip we plan to attend (with the option to sit out) as often as we can. On busy nights we may be asked to join in and may also have the chance to handle the birds as they are released. This is such a unique trip, and these fantastic little birds are such an enigma, making this an unforgettable experience. There's something mythical about Storm Petrels. How do these tiny, "Swallows of the sea" survive at sea in such inclement weathers? How far do they travel? And how do these partners for life find each other after a winter spent apart. We're hoping to answer some of these questions with the help of the dedicated and skilled Observatory staff.
And there's so much more on to see on this tiny island. We will of course be flexible with late breakfast an option for those up late with the Petrels. Black Guillemots, Fulmars and Arctic Terns will all still be nesting on the island and return migration of waders in particular will be well underway. The island is mainly flat with good roads and access to most of the coastal 'hotspots' and beaches. At this time of year, Golden Plovers gather on North Ronaldsay to moult and huge numbers can be found in the fields. As a result it's the best place in the whole country for finding the rare Pacific Golden Plover (below left) and with 10 records in the Observatories 25 year history (including 3 in the last 4 years) we'll be doing our best to find one. There will also be large numbers of birds on the beaches with Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone especially numerous. Other species such as Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint can also occur and Red-necked Phalaropes are just about annual at this time. There's also wildfowl, gulls while breeding landbirds such as Wheatears, Linnets and Twite also feature and it's a good time of year for irrupting Crossbills. The island is well placed for sea-watching and passage gets underway in July and there is also the annual build-up of Arctic Terns at this time of year to search through for something rarer. Roseate Tern have been unearthed in 3 of the last 4 years, while other recent rarity highlights have included Balearic, Great and Cory's Shearwater, Spoonbill, Lesser Yellowlegs, several Pectoral Sandpipers, a summering Grey Phalarope in 2014, White-winged Black Tern and Two-barred Crossbill - on North Ronaldsay anything is possible!
There will also be the option to visit and take a guided tour of the Island Lighthouse and/or the wool mill or spend a few hours unearthing North Ronaldsay's fascinating history at the exhibition. Flexibility is prime with this trip and after a busy night of Petrel ringing it's not a problem if you'd prefer to drop out of the days planned activities to relax on the mile long, golden beach just outside the front door or admire the unique feeding and habits of the 3000 odd sea-weed eating sheep. There's also a well-stocked bar, complete with a whisky menu and a variety of local ales at the Observatory with a social atmosphere second to none - be sure to try the local mutton.
Day 8: Saturday - North Ronaldsay, South Ronaldsay and Nethy Bridge.
We return to Kirkwall via the Islander plane again before taking the ferry crossing to John O'Groats and minibus drive back to Nethy Bridge expecting to arrive there in the late evening.
This holiday can be combined with:
Highlands and the West Coast in Summer, Highlands and the Outer Hebrides
Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (eg weather).
Expect a wide variation in weather conditions, which can be wild and unpredictable, with temperatures perhaps averaging around 16 degrees Celsius. Sunshine, rain and strong winds are all possible, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Biting insects are possible, but not expected as a major problem. Please bring waterproof walking boots or shoes, fully waterproof clothing and a small rucksack. Hat and gloves are essential for exposed coastal locations and ferry crossings. There will be moderate (3 to 8 mile) walks every day, often over rough, uneven or soft ground with several stiles to climb over.
What's included in your 'Orkney in High Summer' holiday price
• Four nights comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation on mainland Orkney. We choose hotels from our personally inspected shortlist, where birders are welcome and the hospitality is special. Three nights en-suite accommodation at North Ronaldsay Observatory. Guests are never expected to share. Full details with your joining pack. All rooms are en-suite.
• Full Scottish breakfast and dinner from Saturday evening till Saturday morning, packed lunch daily.
• All transfers by comfortable minibus. All ferries and other boat trips. Drivers can leave vehicles safely parked at The Mountview Hotel. We offer a courtesy drop off to Aviemore rail links on the morning of departure.
• Return flight from Kirkwall to North Ronaldsay.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.
What's not included in your 'Orkney in High Summer' holiday price
• Extra night in Nethybridge area at beginning and end of holiday. This can be arranged for you if requested at time of holiday booking.
• Transfers from rail links in Aviemore on arrival.
• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.
Other birdwatching holidays in Orkney Isles
- Highlands & Orkney
- North Ronaldsay & Orkney in Autumn for birders
- North Ronaldsay and Orkney in Early Autumn for birders
- North Ronaldsay and Orkney in Spring for birders
- Orkney and the Flow Country
- Orkney Island Explorer - June
- Shetland and Orkney
- Unexplored Orkney
Heatherlea is THE company for top quality birding holidays in Scotland, chosen by more and more birders each year. Relax and enjoy first-rate birding with Scotland's best guiding team, as we do all the planning! Our fully inclusive guided holidays concentrate on the real experience, and we take time to ensure that each of our guests enjoys everything we do. Above all, we make it our business to show key wildlife to you.
These popular holidays are carefully designed to explore the beautiful and wildlife-rich Scottish islands and far west coast. Many itineraries are unique, designed to give you the best of island wildlife at the best time of year. All are run at a leisurely pace, though we might move a little faster when rare migrants and vagrants are in our sights!
- We have been organising birding and wildlife holidays for over 30 seasons, and have a highly experienced and capable team. We also offer a telephone and email service outside normal office hours.
- This holiday has a maximum ratio of 7 clients per guide, putting the emphasis on personal service, and helping you get the best possible experience.
- Heatherlea are Mainland Scotland's FIRST '5-Star Wildlife Experience!' This is the highest available grading, classified as 'exceptional' by visitScotland.
- Single guests are never expected or invited to share.
- Our holidays often include things which others might invite you to pay yourself, for instance packed lunch and tips to hotels.
- Heatherlea hold full Tour Operator Insurance for your added protection.
- Heatherlea is a limited company, registered in Scotland. We are also registered to pay VAT, which is included in your holiday price as quoted on this page.
- Once your holiday is confirmed in writing by us, we promise not to surcharge the price for any reason.
Enjoy an excellent birding and wildlife holiday with Heatherlea.
Mainland Scotland's FIRST '5-Star Wildlife Experience!'
Visit Scotland


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