Tuesday, August 5, 2008
the little things that are so stupid
when you click on my profile, and my picture appears, it asks if you want to view it "full size" (wait, why does that sound like an innuendo? but I digress). When you click on the View Full Size link, a new window comes up - with the picture the same size! Duh blogger, "in a new window" does not equal "full size."
Thursday, July 24, 2008
bring on the kool-aid, 'cuz I'll drink it
Feeling pretty impressed about the idea of Facebook Connect, after seeing the keynotes at F8 yesterday. You go out and conquer the world, Facebook...I'll be here to help (on the trademarking, anyway).
Sunday, July 13, 2008
working, argh
Getting very sick of working on the weekends. Life of a lawyer, I know, but I miss the fam.
At least I'm working on something I like -- As of 2 months ago, I (well, my firm actually, but I'll take the credit) am trademark counsel to Facebook. They are a very fun client. And I'm LEGITIMATELY on Facebook like every day.
At least I'm working on something I like -- As of 2 months ago, I (well, my firm actually, but I'll take the credit) am trademark counsel to Facebook. They are a very fun client. And I'm LEGITIMATELY on Facebook like every day.
Friday, July 4, 2008
it's only freaking DAYCARE, but we are snobs nonetheless
The time has come to choose a daycare for Erin. Shawn will be going back to school in September, bringing an end to the full-time stay at home dad era. (Of course, the full-time stay at home mom era ended LAST September when I went back to work, but that's neither here nor there, just a little jealousy on my part ... seriously, I do love my job, but sometimes I am envious of the fact that if a playdate (unlike work) is no longer fun, you can just leave... but I digress).
Even though September is a few months off, the title fight is happening now, as two daycare centers where we've had Erin on the list are offering her a spot and want our answer Monday. Here are the contenders:
In this corner, weighing in at a total of 160 kids, from ages 6 weeks to 4.5 years, is the Children's Preschool Center (CPSC). A veteran player at 24 years old (NAEYC accredited for 17), CPSC has a lot going for it: good curriculum for the pre-school set (3 and up), a large outdoor facility, and the opportunity for on-site extra curricular activities such as piano and dance (also starting at 3 and up). There's also a catered lunch option for you fans (read: parents) who just can't seem to get your act together. CPSC has had some struggles, including a less than sparkling cleanliness, and seemingly little parental involvement.
And, in the other corner, weighing in at a total of 144 kids (but seeming to have a lot less), is the Children's Center of the Stanford Community ("Stanford"). A parent-involved co-op, Stanford has been around since 1969, with the last 19 years accredited by NAEYC. A clean, bright, and cozy facility (even if somewhat small-ish), Stanford's main drawback is that it only has a 4 day a week spot (okay, only a drawback if you are seeking a 3 day a week spot). And there's the fact that the parents have to bring snacks for the whole class, only a drawback if you're one of those parents that can't seem to get your act together (as noted above).
Both contenders have been weighed (read: inspected carefully by an annoying million-question-asking trademarkmama), and after several bouts of discussion, one has emerged triumphant: Stanford.
Why? Because we're snobs.
okay, okay, not just because we're snobs. We like the co-op aspect better (parents there all the time, a huge plus). And we got a better vibe from the place (less institutional and more likely to be customized or flexible to our needs - I likened it to a microbrew versus MGD). And it is on the way from home to work or school, and the other is like a good 3 miles the wrong way.
And even though I liked the pre-school curriculum better at CPSC, and the potential for other activities, we are going to settle on Stanford despite the fact that they only have a 4 day spot.
Because it's Stanford.
For Shawn, he wants to be able to say that his daughter is only 14 months old and goes to Stanford.
For me, I have this irrational idea that since we've had her on the waiting list at Stanford for over a YEAR AND A HALF (as compared to 3 months with CPSC), it MUST be better because it's more exclusive, right??? (yeah, I know, I fall prey to the "if you put a velvet rope outside a club it must be exclusive" line of thinking).
Hey, it's not as if our snobbery is to her detriment - Stanford is a great facility, and I think she'll really love it there. (As an aside, as I see her morph into this very social, very active little busybee, I am much much more comfortable with the decision to put her in daycare in the first place - when we visited both places, she practically wormed her way into the classrooms and playgrounds and could give a smurf whether we were there at all).
But, I'm willing to call it what it is - we're snobs, and so our daughter is going to Stanford come fall.
Can I get one of those t-shirts or bumper stickers that says "My husband AND my daughter and my money go to Stanford?"
Even though September is a few months off, the title fight is happening now, as two daycare centers where we've had Erin on the list are offering her a spot and want our answer Monday. Here are the contenders:
In this corner, weighing in at a total of 160 kids, from ages 6 weeks to 4.5 years, is the Children's Preschool Center (CPSC). A veteran player at 24 years old (NAEYC accredited for 17), CPSC has a lot going for it: good curriculum for the pre-school set (3 and up), a large outdoor facility, and the opportunity for on-site extra curricular activities such as piano and dance (also starting at 3 and up). There's also a catered lunch option for you fans (read: parents) who just can't seem to get your act together. CPSC has had some struggles, including a less than sparkling cleanliness, and seemingly little parental involvement.
And, in the other corner, weighing in at a total of 144 kids (but seeming to have a lot less), is the Children's Center of the Stanford Community ("Stanford"). A parent-involved co-op, Stanford has been around since 1969, with the last 19 years accredited by NAEYC. A clean, bright, and cozy facility (even if somewhat small-ish), Stanford's main drawback is that it only has a 4 day a week spot (okay, only a drawback if you are seeking a 3 day a week spot). And there's the fact that the parents have to bring snacks for the whole class, only a drawback if you're one of those parents that can't seem to get your act together (as noted above).
Both contenders have been weighed (read: inspected carefully by an annoying million-question-asking trademarkmama), and after several bouts of discussion, one has emerged triumphant: Stanford.
Why? Because we're snobs.
okay, okay, not just because we're snobs. We like the co-op aspect better (parents there all the time, a huge plus). And we got a better vibe from the place (less institutional and more likely to be customized or flexible to our needs - I likened it to a microbrew versus MGD). And it is on the way from home to work or school, and the other is like a good 3 miles the wrong way.
And even though I liked the pre-school curriculum better at CPSC, and the potential for other activities, we are going to settle on Stanford despite the fact that they only have a 4 day spot.
Because it's Stanford.
For Shawn, he wants to be able to say that his daughter is only 14 months old and goes to Stanford.
For me, I have this irrational idea that since we've had her on the waiting list at Stanford for over a YEAR AND A HALF (as compared to 3 months with CPSC), it MUST be better because it's more exclusive, right??? (yeah, I know, I fall prey to the "if you put a velvet rope outside a club it must be exclusive" line of thinking).
Hey, it's not as if our snobbery is to her detriment - Stanford is a great facility, and I think she'll really love it there. (As an aside, as I see her morph into this very social, very active little busybee, I am much much more comfortable with the decision to put her in daycare in the first place - when we visited both places, she practically wormed her way into the classrooms and playgrounds and could give a smurf whether we were there at all).
But, I'm willing to call it what it is - we're snobs, and so our daughter is going to Stanford come fall.
Can I get one of those t-shirts or bumper stickers that says "My husband AND my daughter and my money go to Stanford?"
Monday, June 16, 2008
Trademarkmama Embodied, or, my two loves collide
I went to Target on Saturday. For me, no surprise. In fact, on my way there, I mused over writing a blog post about how Target comes in third in places I am at the most (work, and home, being first and second, and sometimes in that order, sometimes not).
There are two Target stores somewhat nearby, and the one we tend to frequent has these huge, red, well, balls out front. I think they're supposed to keep you from driving into the store or something. Everytime we go to this Target, Erin's eyes light up at the huge balls, and she exclaims "ba!" and insists on running between each of them and touching them at least 7 times before we're permitted to enter.
On Saturday, we did not go to the big balls Target. We went to the OTHER Target which, lamentably, is big ball free.
Yet, when we approached the store, Erin exclaimed "ba?"
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Did my daughter just demonstrate an understanding of Trade Dress?
For ye of the uninitiated, Trade Dress typically refers to the look and feel of something (a store, restaurant, product packaging, website, etc.) that serves as a source indicator for the company. It's like a trademark, except it is not an actual word or slogan. One of the most famous examples of Trade Dress is the shape of the Coca-Cola bottle. Even if you take the label off the bottle, you still recognize the shape of the bottle as being from Coke.
Anyway, Target has done a great job of associating itself with the color red, thus arguably making the color red part of Target's Trade Dress.
And, I SWEAR, Erin somehow got this. I am convinced that when we approached the non-ball Target store, which is entirely red (like the balled Target store), she recognized the red, and associated it with the other Target that had the balls. And then wondered where the balls are.
balls. balls. balls. (sorry, just had to)
On Saturday, my daughter grasped a concept that even some the junior attorneys that work with me cannot grasp. Freakin' awesome.
There are two Target stores somewhat nearby, and the one we tend to frequent has these huge, red, well, balls out front. I think they're supposed to keep you from driving into the store or something. Everytime we go to this Target, Erin's eyes light up at the huge balls, and she exclaims "ba!" and insists on running between each of them and touching them at least 7 times before we're permitted to enter.
On Saturday, we did not go to the big balls Target. We went to the OTHER Target which, lamentably, is big ball free.
Yet, when we approached the store, Erin exclaimed "ba?"
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Did my daughter just demonstrate an understanding of Trade Dress?
For ye of the uninitiated, Trade Dress typically refers to the look and feel of something (a store, restaurant, product packaging, website, etc.) that serves as a source indicator for the company. It's like a trademark, except it is not an actual word or slogan. One of the most famous examples of Trade Dress is the shape of the Coca-Cola bottle. Even if you take the label off the bottle, you still recognize the shape of the bottle as being from Coke.
Anyway, Target has done a great job of associating itself with the color red, thus arguably making the color red part of Target's Trade Dress.
And, I SWEAR, Erin somehow got this. I am convinced that when we approached the non-ball Target store, which is entirely red (like the balled Target store), she recognized the red, and associated it with the other Target that had the balls. And then wondered where the balls are.
balls. balls. balls. (sorry, just had to)
On Saturday, my daughter grasped a concept that even some the junior attorneys that work with me cannot grasp. Freakin' awesome.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Yes, And I Feel Fine
BPD and I were on a plane when it happened. For other pregnant women, I don't know if it happened all at once (like for me), or gradually over the 9 months.
But for me, it was at 7 months. It was when I loved her for the first time.
BPD and I were off to our "babymoon," a few days relaxing at a spa in Laguna Beach, still a few months before I ate so much that I felt a wheelbarrow was in order.
After we reached 10,000 feet (why is that the magic number?), I popped in the buds and turned on the pod.
And on came James Taylor. It was "Something In The Way She Moves," a song which I had always liked and always found romantic.
*****
Something in the way she moves, or looks my way, or calls my name that seems to leave this troubled world behind. And if I'm feeling down and blue or troubled by some foolish game, she always seems to make me change my mind.
And I feel fine anytime she's around me now, she's around me now almost about all the time. And if I'm well you can tell she's been with me now. She's been with me now quite a long, long time and I feel fine.
Every now and then the things I lean on lose their meaning and I find myself careening in places where I should not let me go.
She has the power to go where no one else can find me and to silently remind me of the happiness and the good times that I know, and then I just got to go then.
It isn't what she's got to say but how she thinks and where she's been. To me, the words are nice, the way they sound.
I like to hear them best that way, it doesn't much matter what they mean. She says them mostly just to calm me down.
And I feel fine anytime she's around me now, she's around me now almost about all the time.
And if I'm well you can tell she's been with me now. She's been with me now quite a long, long time and I feel fine.
***
As I listened to the words that I knew by heart, it struck me that the words didn't necessarily have to refer to a lover...they could refer to a daughter.
And that's when I knew
she
would
change
everything.
And I burst into tears.
BPD was wondering whether my crazy pregnancy hormones made me hate airplane peanuts. The dude in the window seat was undoubtedly wondering whether I was going into labor.
and I was wondering how I didn't feel this before.
You see, I hadn't yet felt that really strong connection to my baby. Sure, I loved her in the abstract, but this was the moment of the heart faltering, breath wheezing, tear streaming, OH MY GOD SHE'S A PART OF ME.
I heard the song again last night, driving home way too late from work. Same tears, less awkward locale.
But for me, it was at 7 months. It was when I loved her for the first time.
BPD and I were off to our "babymoon," a few days relaxing at a spa in Laguna Beach, still a few months before I ate so much that I felt a wheelbarrow was in order.
After we reached 10,000 feet (why is that the magic number?), I popped in the buds and turned on the pod.
And on came James Taylor. It was "Something In The Way She Moves," a song which I had always liked and always found romantic.
*****
Something in the way she moves, or looks my way, or calls my name that seems to leave this troubled world behind. And if I'm feeling down and blue or troubled by some foolish game, she always seems to make me change my mind.
And I feel fine anytime she's around me now, she's around me now almost about all the time. And if I'm well you can tell she's been with me now. She's been with me now quite a long, long time and I feel fine.
Every now and then the things I lean on lose their meaning and I find myself careening in places where I should not let me go.
She has the power to go where no one else can find me and to silently remind me of the happiness and the good times that I know, and then I just got to go then.
It isn't what she's got to say but how she thinks and where she's been. To me, the words are nice, the way they sound.
I like to hear them best that way, it doesn't much matter what they mean. She says them mostly just to calm me down.
And I feel fine anytime she's around me now, she's around me now almost about all the time.
And if I'm well you can tell she's been with me now. She's been with me now quite a long, long time and I feel fine.
***
As I listened to the words that I knew by heart, it struck me that the words didn't necessarily have to refer to a lover...they could refer to a daughter.
And that's when I knew
she
would
change
everything.
And I burst into tears.
BPD was wondering whether my crazy pregnancy hormones made me hate airplane peanuts. The dude in the window seat was undoubtedly wondering whether I was going into labor.
and I was wondering how I didn't feel this before.
You see, I hadn't yet felt that really strong connection to my baby. Sure, I loved her in the abstract, but this was the moment of the heart faltering, breath wheezing, tear streaming, OH MY GOD SHE'S A PART OF ME.
I heard the song again last night, driving home way too late from work. Same tears, less awkward locale.
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