new name

I changed the name of my journal and friend's page today. Calypso has been coming up so much lately in my music list, in my mind, and the lessons she has to teach in my life. I don't know that I will keep this name for long, though maybe I will.

I have been feeling like everyone leaves. Which is true. But I don't usually feel like this.

This must be a sorrow year. Maybe by identifying with Calypso I can make peace that I give to people what they need and then they walk away. I can accept it. I can not try to pull them back but I obviously haven't made peace with it.

Good things

-Happy Emo music.

-emails from loved ones taht I need to read and respond to

-being able to give healing to a friend in need

-Jason Mraz tickets. 7pm this evening

-Amazingly wonderful husband and partner

-my bike

-I get to visit the ocean in one week. I will cavort and play in the waves. I will taste of sea salt. I will be cool. I may be a cat, but this cat turns into a mermaid. No lie.

-Dr had an interview yesterday

-I have business connections :D For my own business.

PSA copied from AmberBob's journal

Do you have kids? Grandkids? Godkids? Nieces or nephews? Other kids in your life that you would like to see make it to the age of majority?

If any of those children are under the age of eight, this post is for you. If not, please feel free to pass it on to someone who it applies to.

Are you aware that car seats expire? I wasn't, really, until recently. I knew using a used or hand me down seat was a bad idea, but I assumed it was because straps, clips, and manuals could be missing or broken. I didn't realize it was because the actual plastic body of the seat breaks down and becomes useless.

There's a great article about it here:

http://www.epinions.com/content_4753956996

and a pretty telling video of the results using an expired car seat and a crash test dummy here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvCRz7BRAM0

Most car seats expire 5-6 years after the date of manufacture (NOT the date of sale!), so most car seats are going to be a single child item.

Some things to consider:

1) If you have a child in your life who is in a car seat, check the expiration date now. Put it in your calendar, set your e-mail reminder, anything to let you know when it expires.

2) If you have an expired car seat, you need to destroy it and discard it. (Could be a fun way to get out some of those parenting frustrations!)

3) Never accept a used car seat without checking the expiration date and doing a visual inspection of the entire car seat. If all of the pieces aren't there, if it is cracked, discolored, warped or any other kind of damage, throw it out. If in doubt, throw it out! A bargain isn't a bargain when it puts a child's life at risk.

4) Think twice about buying discounted car seats or registering for expensive forward facing or booster seats for your baby shower. You don't want the majority of the car seat's usage time to be spent on a shelf or tucked in a closet.

5) Anytime a car seat is in a car that is involved in a car accident, it is recommended that the car seat be replaced, which is one more reason not to use a pre-owned car seat unless you know the person you are getting it from and they can verify that it has never been in an accident.

Just a few simple steps that could save a child's life!

Jason Mraz

pretty much wow. he did 2 solid hours of music. a-fuckin-mazing. I think I have to go find the rest of his music now. I heard some stuff tonight I need to own. more on him later. wow.