Nico!

darren on December 1st, 2007

I haven’t posted in weeks but I think my baby boy deserves a post to himself.

Dominic Michael Dalasta
“Nico”, “Dom”, “Gillypop” (don’t ask)
He’s a happy little guy.
Born: 10/7/07.9 lbs 1 oz
Full head of hair
Vikings fan
Has his own website already, but he’s not allowed on myspace yet - dad will be closely monitoring usage
Likes it when you fake hiccup

Thanks to all family & friends for all the gifts, love, and support. It’s been an incredible life-changing experience.

I’ve also learned a ton of new keywords because of this experience. From collicky to thrush to laction consultant (which I picked up lactationconsultant.com - sweet)

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1st grade poetry

darren on April 1st, 2007

I’ve come to accept that this blog has no hope for order or focus.

So from the creator of “me and you is a pimp” comes a descriptive sentence:

“The air smelled good, like Febreeze.” 

Image DE-optimization

darren on March 27th, 2007

Not every post or page needs an image. If you’re really struggling with an image to go along with the article or profile you’ve just written, just don’t do it. Seriously. Here are 2 examples of pages gone very wrong. If you - as a reader - are able to make it through the content without losing focus to the train-wreck images you have way more focus than me. No offense guys.

thanks to Marshal for showing me this

taken w/ a camera phone during “write in your journal” time

Ding Dang Dong

darren on November 15th, 2006

Ding Dang Dong by Nora Dalasta with Alexis & Glenda Disselkoen

This was my engagement gift from TheWife - then TheFiancé. I particularly like the “spontaneous combustion” line.

Democracy…on a small small scale

darren on November 8th, 2006

In the spirit of this year’s election I think a post on Democracy is only appropriate.

The Wife is a 2nd grade teacher. This story takes place while we were still living in Chicago and she was teaching at Everett Elementary.

Classroom pets are a wonderful idea. I remember our two albino rats in 4th grade very well – they were the highlight of the year. So it was with great enthusiasm that I endorsed the adopting of a rat as  a classroom pet.

With a rat comes a lot of responsibility. Who takes it home for the weekend? who cleans the cages? when are the specific playtimes? But one of the biggest responsibilities is naming it. The naming of an animal, human, inanimate object, should never be taken lightly. With parenting you don’t have a majority – thus you have names such as Rebel Snodgrass, Placenta (poor child), and 3 sons named after their dad’s favorite hobbies; Hunter, Trapper, and Fisher (I really knew these guys). But with a classroom pet, you have the benefit of a democracy - and we all know democracies always make the best choice.

So The Wife left it up to her very able 2nd grade electorate to select the name for The Rat. Of course many names were put forth and with enough petitions they made the ballot. There were many appropriate names, including an odd one that was laughed at by others – “Nine Tails,” but after the vote, one name definitely had the majority. No hanging chads, no recounts necessary. “Steve” was the winner. The Rat was to be named “Steve.” Personally…I have never heard of a better name for a rat. They did good.

But…alas…Room 7 was about to learn a hard lesson in “democracy.”

When counting the votes at home, The Wife decided that the boy who suggested “Nine Tails” should also have his day in the sun. The election was rigged. Nine Tails was declared the winner. Nobody knew any different, no recall was called for. If only Steve could speak he may have objected…but he’ll never know now.

So, sorry kids. You’ve learned a hard lesson in democracy. Room 7…or “Classroom Florida” did end up enjoying the rat despite the name.

R.I.P NineTails “Steve”
2004-2004