About.me!

"A toast to Hitler"

Now this is pretty unique:
I found this old Hitler pin and card going through my father-in-law's old things from WWII.  He was a flight instructor during the war. Looks like he was not a fan of Hitler!

Heartwarming Friendship Of A 5-Year-Old Girl With Autism And Her Therapy Cat | Bored Panda

Great story and photographs!



Heartwarming Friendship Of A 5-Year-Old Girl With Autism And Her Therapy Cat | Bored Panda

25 Of The Most Dangerous And Unusual Journeys To School In The World | Bored Panda

Click here to view the post on Bored Panda: 25 Of The Most Dangerous And Unusual Journeys To School In The World | Bored Panda

To the delight (or dismay) of millions, the school season is beginning in many countries throughout the world. But it’s important not to forget that, in some parts of the world, school can be a hard-won luxury. Many children throughout the world have to take the most incredible and unimaginable routes in order to receive the education that some of us may take for granted. This list we collected will show you just how determined some children can be when it comes to getting an education.

Wow what an amazing story!  

FYI these images are from Bored Panda.  I do not claim any photo credit :)

"On Your Way Down" live at Le Petit Theatre (+playlist)

If you haven't seen Theresa Andersson perform before, you are in for a treat!  Definitely check her out!

Diana



"On Sunday, February 28, 2010, Theresa performed live at the Le Petit Theatre, with very some very special guests, including the legendary musician, composer and producer Allen Toussaint. The was recorded for Theresa's new DVD, "Theresa Andersson: Live at Le Petit", and features Theresa's breath-taking "one-woman band" (wink!) performing an extended set of old and new music, including some exclusive material never before released. DVDs are available now at http://www.TheresaAndersson.com

How old is your cat in human years?

I have two cats and I can totally see the difference in how they act according to their ages.  Daisy is pushing 10 and is a marathon lounger, while Max at age 3 is quite the ladies man and likes to tour the neighborhood, looking for some sweet young thing.  

10 signs you are a Grammar Nerd

How many of these are you guilty of?  

Gary Larson - still my hero!

Some more of my favorites from Gary Larson - my hero!

 This was one of my all-time favorites! 

 Don't you hate when that happens??

It's kitty's lucky day!!

All cartoons by Gary Larson

Diana Miller Photography on Google+

I now have a Google+ business page for my studio, Diana Miller Photography
Stop by, say hi and click on "follow" 
Thanks!

Sarah and AJ at Wilson Vineyards in Clarksburg, CA

We are pleased to announce our new Google+ business page is now live! We will be featuring recent  family portrait shoots, business portraits and weddings by Diana Miller Photography. We would love it if you would stop by and follow us.  Thanks! 

Who says you can't have a nice wedding on a budget??

Anti-Valentines for the "special" people in your life

I LOVE these - thanks to woot.com for sharing!

If cupcakes could have a Halloween party...

...what would their costumes be?

What about you?



Happy Halloween!

Another from Gary Larson - my hero!

Gosh I remember this cartoon from like ?20 years ago??  Even though I am a big time cat lover, I thought this was just hilarious.  I have the postcard of it hanging in my office.   Enjoy and thank you Mr. Larson!

What's for dinner tonight: Tri-tip steak with romesco sauce!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/dining/131mrex.html
Click here for the video - worth watching 

I can't wait to try this! 
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons almonds,shelled
3 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped,
optional 1 to 2 tablespoons sherry or red wine vinegar,or to taste
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon pimentón or other chili powder, optional.

1. Heat oven to 500 degrees. Generously season both sides of steak with salt and pepper. Put a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. When it is very hot, add steak to one side of pan and tomatoes, almonds, garlic cloves and jalapeños, if you are using them, to the other. Sear steak for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring tomato mixture once or twice.

2. Once a nice crust has formed on one side of steak, turn it over, carefully transfer the now-charred tomato mixture to a food processor, and put pan in oven. (If tomatoes are not a bit blackened, leave them in pan and check again after a minute or two in oven.) Cook until steak is rare to medium-rare, about 6 to 12 minutes longer depending on its thickness (an instant-read thermometer will register 125 degrees when steak is medium-rare). Transfer steak to a plate and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. While steak is cooking or resting, add vinegar and olive oil to tomato mixture in food processor, and season with salt, pepper and pimentón or chili powder if using. Process, adding more olive oil or vinegar as you like, until mixture reaches desired consistency. Sauce should still be a little crunchy from almonds.  4. Slice steak thinly, against grain. Serve with sauce. Yield: 6 servings.

George Michael - Star People

The way George refers to modern day living is almost prophetic (this song was released in April 1997) : "...Just look at all the wonderful people...trying to forget they had to pay for what you see...its a dream with a nightmare stuck in the middle... but listen brother where would you be without all of this attention? You'd die- I'd die-we'd die would'nt we? WELL WOULD'NT WE???


Star people
counting your money till you soul turns green
star people
counting the cost of your desire to be seen

I do not count myself among you
I may be living in a dream
it's just there seem so many of you
can't help but hope
there's a difference between...you and me

you're a star
(I'm talking to you)
you're a star

I said
maybe your mama gave you up boy
(it's the same old same old)
maybe your daddy didn't love you enough girl
how much is enough?

star people
never forget your secret's safe with me
just look at all the wonderful people
trying to forget they had to pay for what you see

it's a dream
with a nightmare stuck in the middle
but listen brother where would you be
without all this attention
you'd die
I'd die
we'd die wouldn't we?
(well wouldn't we)

big, big star!
should go far!

you're a star
(I'm talking to you)
you're a star

I said
maybe your mama gave you up boy
(it's the same old same old)
maybe your daddy didn't love you enough girl
how much is enough?

talk about your mother
talk about your father
talk about the people
who have made you what you are
talk about your teacher,
the bully boy who beat you
talk about the people who have paid
for that new sports car

did you get off on a bad  foot, baby?
do you have a little tale to tell?
is that why you're a star?
is that what makes a star?

Nothing comes for nothing, baby
That fame and fortune's heaven sent
and who gives a f**k about your problems, darling
when you can't pay the rent

how much is enough?
how much is enough?

The Oatmeal: I hate your email signature

I love Matt from "The Oatmeal". My comic hero up until now was Gary Larson, the creator of "The Far Side" and Matt says he was a Gary Larson fan too...so there's the connection! If you want to check out a really funny site to kill some time at work, go to www.theoatmeal.com and tell him I sent ya! Oh and he has a bunch of cat comics and posters that are awesome :-)  P.s. No, I am not a fan of the "D" word, but I still think this is hilarious!

Wonder Valley's Location is Perfect for Outdoor Education

Next week, my son, Christian, is going with his 7th grade class to Wonder Valley located in Central California in the Sierra foothills.  We are really excited for him to go and spend a week with his teachers and class from Arcade Fundamental Middle School while they enjoy their "Outdoor education Experience." 

Wonder Valley's Location is Perfect for Outdoor Education

Sequoia National Park - The Kings Canyon / Sequoia National Parks and Visitor Center are the highlight of this Outdoor Education experience. Students will see the oldest living things in the world: the Giant Sequoias. A lecture on the history of this National Park and the environment is accompanied by a slide show presentation given by park rangers. Hikes through the forest reinforce what students have learned in class about ecosystems and habitats. Lunch and bus transportation are provided for the field trip.
Physical/Earth Sciences Outdoor Education Program - The following is a brief description of the types of classes offered in our Physical/Earth Sciences Outdoor Education Program. These classes can be modified to accommodate most grade levels. They were designed to meet the criteria set forth in the California State Science framework. Each class can stand independently; therefore, sequential teaching is not necessary.

Rocketry - Students will learn concepts of force, momentum, gravity, and vectors (i.e. Newton’s laws). The students will explore speed and velocity. Hands-on class project will be making rockets with 2 liter bottles. These rockets will be launched using compressed air and water. Students will also learn triangulation, which will enable the students to measure the height of the flight of their rockets.

Animal Science - Domesticated farm animals provide the students with the opportunity to experience hands-on learning in the physiology, behavior, care, feeding, usage and adaptations of the animals. Students are encouraged to participate in the care and feeding of the class animals.

Geology Rocks - Learning the three basic rocks and how they are formed is just the beginning of this class. The students will also explore the world of geology, geomorphology and petrology as they inspect and learn about rocks in our seasonal creek bed. This class will teach the students that Geology is more than just another science; it is the foundation of the earth.

Living Things - Students will acquire knowledge of the differences and the similarities of many different animals through hands-on exploration of skeletons, skulls and other visual aids. Students will learn to identify Predator and the Prey.

Indian Culture - Sounds of Native American flutes and drum rhythms of Mother Earth and Father Sky invite students in to experience the rich history of the Sierra Nevada tribal communities. Hands-on-learning teaches students the different aspects of the various local Indian communities.

Ropes Course Challenge - A two-hour experiential learning program challenges students to interact with each other through a variety of elements while safely reaching and exceeding their own capabilities. Dramatic results are produced in team building, problem solving, communication skills, leadership development, decision-making, self-esteem, exercise and more…all while having fun!
Nature Crafts - Students learn the history of various craft projects. This knowledge will be used to make a keepsake of their lesson; whether it’s t-shirt tie-dying, candle making, yarn spinning or a variety of other old-fashioned art projects.

Orienteering - Can you find true north? Do you know what a topographical map is and, if so, do you know how to use it? After this course students will be able to answer “yes” to all of these questions. They will learn to use a compass and map to navigate a predetermined course with ease.

Understanding Horsemanship - Students explore the uses of horses throughout history and learn why various methods of handling horses have become standards, such as why you mount from the left. The class lecture is followed by a group trail ride that allows students to see the valley from horseback.
Food Preservation - Teaches the history and science of food preservation along with microbiology and nutrition. Students also learn how the food they preserve in this class pertains to the agriculture found in the Central Valley.

Geez I wish they offered something like this when I was school.  Lucky!!

Arcade Spartan LipDub... Celebrating the Best Middle School Around!

Hey everyone check out this clever music video from my son's middle school, Arcade Fundamental in Sacramento. They did a terrific job making this  plus every Arcade student is in it! (Also featuring Katy Perry's song, "Firework".)  Arcade Fundamental Middle School is an Open Enrollment school, with students coming from all corners of the district, and for good reason. Arcade has the highest API of all the middle schools in Sacramento County at 904, and has been selected as a California Distinguished School three times, and is the only school with a 10/10 rating in the San Juan School District.

Google introduced "GMail Motion" ironically on April Fool's Day!

This is Hilarious!

Click here to learn even more!  http://mail.google.com/mail/help/motion.html

National Geographic Magazine the most typical person on the planet

National Geographic Magazine released a video clip, below, showing the most "typical" human face on the planet as part of its series on the human race called "Population 7 billion." The researchers conclude that a male, 28-year-old Han Chinese man is the most typical person on the planet. There are 9 million of them. The image above is a composite of nearly 200,000 photos of men who fit that description. Don't get used to the results, however. Within 20 years, the most typical person will reside in India. You can check out the video below:

7 Billion: Are You Typical? — National Geographic Magazine @ Yahoo! Video

Cleaning for a Reason :-)

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the
word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE
housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.
All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming
the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid
service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization
serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these
women. It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are
people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this
information along.

January—Honoring Amelia Earhart

I am proud to be a part of an organization that Amelia Earhart was in. I also publish our local Zonta Club of Greater Sacramento blog, here is the link.

 On July 2, 1928, as Amelia Earhart, world- famed aviator and the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as a passenger, approached the shores of the United States on her triumphant return home, she was handed this radiogram: Boston Zonta Club is proud to welcome you as a member. Signed Alice Bradley, President A few weeks later, she was inducted into Zonta International and served as an active member first in the Boston club and later in the New York club until her tragic and untimely disappearance in 1937. An outstanding woman with a charismatic personality, Earhart was Universally admired around the world for her "wildly daring" but "never reckless" courage. Epitomizing the ideals of Zonta International by actively promoting women to take on non-traditional fields, she wrote articles about aviation for Cosmopolitan magazine as an associate editor, served as a career counselor to women university students, and lectured at Zonta club meetings, urging members to interest themselves in aviation. In these years, Zonta was the only non-aviation organization to which Earhart belonged, although she was besieged to join and to sponsor numerous organizations at the time. Source: ZI Website

Meet my niece, Grace Clark, The Littlest Killjoy!

Here is an MTV interview with my niece, Grace, {The Little Killjoy girl from My Chemical Romance's "Na Na Na" and "SING"} as she takes you behind the scenes of the "SING" video

My Chemical Romance - PUSH: Meet Grace Clark, The Littlest Killjoy: 

There's still time to give a little girl the creepiest Hannukah gift we've ever seen.

Looking to misinform, embarrass, and inappropriately spoil a young Jewish girl this Hanukkah? Then Tefillin Barbie is for you! For starters, Jewish females don't wear tefillin (leather straps worn by observant Jews during morning prayer). Secondly, this very real doll is in the Mattel Halloween Hip Barbie Collection. And finally, did we mention she costs $130? (Via Etsy)

This is hilarious - Prenatal Pole Dancing DVD

We already knew Christina Applegate was comfortable poking fun at her pregnancy, but were still floored when we saw this hilariously edgy video she made for Funny Or Die.

In a commercial for a "prenatal pole dancing" DVD, Applegate (or Roxy Fedaro) gyrates around a stripper pole wearing ripped fishnets, booty shorts and a belly shirt showcasing her baby-to-come. Fedaro touts the benefits of prenatal pole dancing, including increased "seducidence" (seduction + confidence) for women feeling unattractive while they have a bun in the oven. You'll also see Wendy McLendon-Covey (better known as Clementine on "Reno 911!") sporting an "I'm Pregnant" T-shirt while she accompanies Fedaro on the dance floor.

Kudos to Applegate for making such a raucously funny, so-wrong-it's-right video at the height of her pregnancy and showing that being a mom-to-be hasn't changed her great sense of humor.

Prenatal Pole Dancing DVD from Christina Applegate

According to Lucy Laffer: "Child Abuse is over!"

This has got to be one of the silliest things I've seen lately!

HIGH RES

thedailywhat:

Frivolous Facebook Meme of the Day: Long story short, in case you’re not current on the latest Facebook meme, people all over the world have been changing their profile pics to cartoon characters from their youth to “raise awareness” for violence against children.

I am completely with Urlesque on this one: How is this helping abused children? Folks participating in this meme aren’t doing a thing to raise awareness for actions their friends can take to support this cause, just merely pointing out the fact that children are being abused while letting everyone know they once had a thing for Snarf. Beatification, ho!

Here’s an idea: How about skipping the silliness and plugging an anti-child abuse charity instead? This is a good one. This is another good one. As is this one.

Facebook has the potential to be a powerful catalyst for social change. But these frequent Facebook charity memes are meaningless exercises in futility. People don’t need to be made aware that breast cancer exists or that child abuse is a problem. What they need are real things they can do to support individuals battling these scourges.

Like memes? Here’s a good one: Things that actually make a difference. Feel free to spread it around.

[image: reddit.]

My Super-Awesome Cousin, Madigan Shive of Bonfire Madigan!

I just found this article and video clip and about Madigan and wanted to share it with my friends and family...

From Wiretap Music: "I have a lot to say about Madigan Shive, but before I get into that, let me attempt to describe her music. She makes music as Bonfire Madigan. Bonfire Madigan's sound is guttural and intense. A blend of classical, punk, and folk, her arrangements sometimes border on experimental, at other times epic, and on occasion she'll hit you with something you feel like singing along to. Overall I would call her music beautifully emotional and her performance engaging." To read more click here

"But there's even more. I found out Madigan was commissioned by two different theatre productions to compose music and perform live during the play! One wasin SF for The American Conservatory Theatre's 2008 production of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, "(which I was able to attend and blown away by!)

"Also in 2008 Madigan composed music for an NYC off-Broadway production called Powerful Voices: Women in Ancient Greek Drama. You can learn more about these productions on her website."

The biggest news lately for Madigan is that she is a new mommy!  She had a beautiful baby boy this fall!

Congratulations Madigan!

Behind The Scenes With My Chemical Romance-NaNaNaNaNa

This is fun behind the scenes video that also has the full song with it. There are a lot of scenes with my super-cute niece Grace in it too!

Step on the set of My Chemical Romance's latest video 'Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)'

My Chemical Romance -a video short

Look alive Sunshine! Here is a behind-the-scenes video from  MTV.com of  MCR's "Na Na Na" video, from their upcoming Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys album (Nov. 22).
My Chemical Romance's "Na Na Na..." video, directed by Roboshobo and Gerard Way, takes place in a dusty desert -- perhaps a nod to America's historic Route 66 -- where something big is bound to happen. And today we've got exclusive behind-the-scenes video footage where we get to see the "Na Na Na" video come to life. The Killjoys are on the loose, wreaking havoc on the desert with rayguns, motorcycles, wheelchairs, child warriors with boom boxes, (my niece Grace Jeanette!) terrifying masks, and a go-go gung-ho desire to fight the naysayers using art as a weapon.
True, "Na Na Na"' features guns and blood, but the video seems to be more of a tongue-in-cheek game of cops and robbers on a quest for artistic and creative freedom than a vicious, violent statement.

My Chemical Romance - MTV Shows

A photo of my niece Grace from the MCR blog

My Chemical Romance-Danger Days: The true lives of the fabulous killjoys

As promised, here is the full length video of MCR's Na Na Na Song - with much more video footage of my adorable niece, Grace Jeanette.  She is the cute little girl in the video and said she had so much fun making the video with Gerard and the band.  The set was so cool too - all of the stuff they  had there, including the gun vending machine, the old diner and motel and car.  Enjoy and leave some comments for Grace!

See 10 Modern Homes for Sale

I want one of these homes!!! 

It's a Mod, Mod World

See 10 Modern Homes for Sale

thanks to Diane Tuman,  at Zillow.com

Oct 20, 2010

Provided by:

Buzz up! 84 votes

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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater stands alone as perhaps the definitive example of a home that is a work of art. But, that’s not the only one. There are many other notable properties that can also qualify as real estate pieces of art and the best news is — they’re all for sale.

"Art and Surf" - Montauk, NY 
For Sale: $12,500,000

Journey out to the end of Long Island, NY to find this modern, oceanfront gem. Enjoy glass-walled open living on the main floor and head upstairs to the private master that is set perpendicular to the main floor. Ceiling-to-floor windows on the main floor can be thrown open to let the sea air in, or to slip into the lap pool and spa. Walk down the stairs to your own private beach.

"The Glass Pavilion" - Santa Barbara, CA  
For Sale: $35,000,000

In what architect Steve Hermann calls his "greatest achievement," the "Glass Pavilion" is set within an oak grove on 3.5 acres inSanta Barbara, CA. Glass wraps around the exterior of this 14,000 sq ft home and inside are big, wide-open spaces with contemporary furnishings and design. A wine room can hold several thousand bottles and the expansive art gallery presently contains a vintage car collection that can hold up to 32 cars within its walnut-lined walls.

"The Razor" - La Jolla, CA  
For Sale: $25,000,000

As is typical of architect Wallace E. Cunningham, this masterpiece embraces its surroundings along the Southern California coast. It sits high above Torrey Pines State Reserve in La Jolla, CA, and takes in the surrounding views of the ocean, open sky, and rugged landscape. Five years in the making, this home is constructed from white-polished concrete and floor-to-ceiling glass.

"Trophy on the Intracoastal" - Palm Beach, FL 
For Sale: $29,500,000

Award-winning architect Milton Klein created this custom-contemporary on Palm Beach'sLake Worth in 1986 and it underwent a restoration in 2007. It consists of almost 20,000 square feet and has 200 feet of lake frontage. This grand-scale construction is made possible with extensive use of poured concrete, steel and only about 5% wood.

"Neo-Modern Showcase" - Greenwich, CT 
For Sale: $13,000,000

A towering, two-story glass atrium is the signature showpiece in this 1992 tri-level neo-modern home on more than 7 acres. Designed by Ulrich Franzen, who worked with I.M. Pei for several years before starting his own firm, Franzen used expansive windows and skylights to integrate with the landscape and lake. The home is made of polished, beveled concrete aggregate blocks and granite and marble. And, of course, windows. Perks: Elevator, indoor pool, media, exercise and billiard rooms, outdoor pool, lighted tennis court, two-bedroom guest cottage and garage for 6-7 cars.

"La Gorce Modern" - Miami Beach, FL  
For Sale: $19,500,000

Wealth and beauty abound on Miami Beach's La Gorce Island, which is accessible only by a bridge and passage through a guard house, which makes it desirable for celebs such as Cher and Billy Joel to own homes there. This contemporary home on La Gorce offers 20,000 square feet with 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and a 5-car garage. Plus, the 270 feet of protected waterfront will come in handy for yacht parking. The pièce de résistance is a unique, sweeping white marble staircase that leads to the master bedroom.

"Modern Pueblo" - Aspen, CO  
For Sale: $11,950,000

Designed in the style of renowned Mexican architects Luis Barragan and Ricardo Legorreta, this home is built into the McLain Flats hillside, which is about 10 miles outside of Aspen. The home's sleek lines combine with the sun's rays to create shadows that offer its own unique effect as a living sculpture of color and texture. The 9,000-sq ft home was built in 1994 and has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.

"Beverly Hills Modern" - Beverly Hills, CA  
For Sale: $11,895,000 (or, $50,000/month rent)

At the center of this home is a garden courtyard and the living space radiates around it, wrapped in circular walls of glass and soaring steel beams. Rooms feature custom-curved stainless steel windows and doors. Views of the infinity edge pool and city are beyond. A generous 24,000 sq ft of space includes 6 bedrooms and 6.5 baths, plus 7-car garage, gated security, and elevator. Designed by architect Ed Niles.

"Shelter Island Simplicity" - Shelter Island, NY  
For Sale: $8,950,000

Noted for its extensive use of glass walls, the house takes full advantage of its stunning location, providing views of Peconic Bay, the North Fork and Long Island Sound, all the way to Connecticut. The house is sited on an elevated estate-sized property consisting of two parcels (3.33 acres and 2.66 acres). Also available is an 100-foot boat dock with hydraulic lift.

"Poetry on the Potomac" - Bethesda, MD  
For Sale: $7,100,000

Contemporary doesn't always mean steel and glass, does it? As a big departure from the double-chimneyed, traditional homes in the Washington, DC area, this warm contemporary won the AIA custom home award in 2008. Designed to enjoy the surrounding treed property, it overlooks the Potomac River. Perks: Lap pool, guest house and home office.

Click to see more photos of modern homes