Been doing a little marketing research lately. I ran across something that I need to share.

Pretty amazing. The Flintstones, which originally aired from 1960 to 1966, was the first cartoon geared towards adults. Couple that with the lack of knowledge of the dangers attributed with smoking gives them a partial pass. But it doesn’t hide the tobacco industries aggressive marketing approach that succeeded in every way until it lead to the deaths of the majority of its’ patrons. If 40-something years ago looks this stupid now, imagine what now is going to look like in 2050. We are such idiots right now…

I woke up yesterday, hopped in the shower, got dressed and started to hear my daughter asking Dallas to put her cute dress on, which lead to a meltdown over shoes she wanted to wear to school. As I’m brushing my teeth in our bathroom Carly comes in and tells me, “I need some eyes daddy.” Still half asleep, I’m a little confused. It hits me as she reaches for Dallas’ makeup. She needs makeup? I know she just wants to do the things her mother does; but still, a little early, right? She’s almost 3 years old! Outfit, shoes and make up are already a primary concern for her in the morning. I don’t mind at all. Well, let’s get more specific. I don’t mind that she wants to do girly things at this age, but I can’t stand the speed at which she is growing up. I need more time.

Oh joy! It’s been a while since I’ve felt this guilty. At least 10 years or so.

For those of you who don’t know, we have a 7 year old minature pinscher. Not really a man’s dog. More of a chick dog that fits in some small purse and loves attention. This dog unfortunately has a low IQ, coupled with an aggressive mentality that leads to her barking at any and every visitor we have until she is sound asleep at night when a protective dog could be of some use. Read the rest of this entry »

If you are not a parent then disregard this post, but if you are, please comment on this one. Dallas and I have been blessed with an amazing daughter. She is loving, strong, beautiful and has the best family (grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins, etc.) around. As perfect as I perceive her to be, she will need guidance and discipline to head through all of life’s challenges that we went through.

She is 2 and half now, and sleeping in a big girl bed that she can easily get out of at her own will. This has been presenting a problem that unraveled into a semi-sleepless night and a cross road for Dallas and I on decision making as parents. Read the rest of this entry »

Due to my free photography talent, Carly King will be the next cover girl for The Island Guide, a Gulf Coast tourism brochure. It was a tough shoot at the beach. Carly demanded Pellegrino (a sparkling Italian mineral water, popular among most celebs) and complained the whole time about the “non-sand-free” environment. It made things difficult, but we pushed through.