New Verb

To Annapolize: to create great fanfare over absolutely nothing.

Seriously, after seven years in office and nary a serious look at the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, did President bush actually think that one day in Annapolis can change the face of the Middle East?

In spite of [Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's] many visits to the region over the past year, her sole tangible offering has been to introduce the term "political horizon" into the lexicon of a conflict already inundated with banal phrases and euphemisms. However, she has never defined the parameters of that "horizon." Indeed, Rice explained to representatives of American Jewish organizations in February that the US would not offer any suggestions on the "political horizon" once negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians commenced, nor would it pressure Israel. Thus begging the question, what will the Bush Administration do to ensure the success of these negotiations it has initiated? As the Bush presidency nears its end and an American election year begins, the answer is, very little.

(Electronic Intifada)

Now, I want peace in the Middle East as much as the next person. And poo-pooing efforts at peacemaking is not exactly how I like to spend my time. But after nearly two weeks of negotiations between then-Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, following months of painstaking preparations between both sides' negotiating teams, the two sides were at an impasse. A few short months later, all hell broke loose. Does the Bush Administration seriously think that one day -- one day! -- in Annapolis will drain all the bad blood that has been spilled?

Abbas and Olmert have agreed to negotiate. Great. New Palestinian State by the end of 2008? I'm not holding my breath.

NO! Fie Tut Cay!

For those of you not familiar with Christian's very own two-year-old dialect, that means, NO! Fire Truck Cake!

My sister is a fantastic baker -- especially considering her constraints: Her 5-year-old is deathly allergic to peanuts and her 2-year-old is deathly allergic to eggs, as well as lactose intolerant. A cake without any of that would seem pretty gross... but not when Marie is on the job.


Not only does she make a great nut-free vegan cake, she also makes them fun. Worried about too much red frosting, we tried to encourage her 2-year-old to want a school bus cake (or Soo Buth Cay). Nothin' doin'. This kid knows what he wants.

And, as you can see, he was pleased with the result!

Check out some of her other brilliant creations here, here and here.

Wedding Pictures!

If you want to see our wedding photos -- the professional ones, plus the ones taken by wonderful family and friends, click here.

There are some really lovely ones -- so enjoy!

Daniel is travelin' tonight on a plane...

I can see the red tail lights headed for ... IRAQ?!?!?!

Daniel, pictured here at our wedding -- where he served as one of Sean's groomsmen -- also serves in the Navy Reserves. And he has finally been called up. After this weekend -- his last with his wife and baby daughter before he leaves -- he's headed to training camp for 3 weeks then to Iraq for a six-month deployment. He'll be stationed about 60 miles south of Baghdad.

When the war hits home, it makes me all the more angry that we're even there at all. I'm not asking you to blindly "support the troops," but I am asking you to pray for him (or, if you don't pray, at least think good thoughts or send positive energy) until he returns.

Insha' Allah.

Ha. And ha again. Many levels of ha.

A Love Story

No, not our love story (although pictures and anecdotes from our very fun wedding are forthcoming), but a love story that I heard on NPR's Day to Day this afternoon. In the last 10 minutes of the show, there was this lovely, jarring story about Rose, a cancer patient, who was lonely and wanted someone to share her life with, whatever was left of it. But she didn't want someone who expected a movie-perfect romance, where her cancer made her mate a stronger, better, and utterly transformed person. Instead, she made her internet profile a little harsh: contact me only if you can handle it, she says; I have cancer, not the ability to redeem you. Heather, an executive, found her profile refreshing and called. After a six hour dinner together, daily phone calls ensued. Rose found herself happier than she could remember. Four months later, they went to Toronto and got married -- and have been married for two years. Listen here if you want to be pleasantly surprised, get a little teary, and love NPR just a little more.