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Monday, June 22, 2009

The Wheels on the Bus

I used to be a non-believer; one of those people who would scoff at spending time on the computer “for fun.” What was there to do on-line other than to quickly Google where I needed to go or what time a movie was playing?

My life today has taken a much unexpected turn. Thuy’s effort to get the three of us to stay in touch by starting a blog introduced all of us to a world that we didn’t even realized existed; a place where a laugh is shared, a story is told, and friendships are formed.

And what’s not to love? The friendships that I have formed through blogging, with people I have never seen nor met, mean the world to mean. As I go about my day, I will catch myself thinking, “Pooba would totally think this is funny” or “I know I am not alone. Helene is facing the same challenges I am.” Even as I sat in front of my computer on Saturday night, eating my Ben & Jerry’s and chatting with one of my lovely blogosphere buddies on Facebook, no less, I had to laugh. I had become one of “them”…those people who meet others on the Internet and enjoy it.

Over the last few years, as I made my weekly trek to and from school, my thoughts were on Meg. For quite a while, her blog chronicled her adventures riding the Triangle Transit system somewhere in the South. Her encounters with the bus drivers and the wacky passengers always made me smile. As I sat in traffic and stared out my car window for the past few years, I often wondered what Meg would think of the area that I live in...

Passing the “massage parlor” was always a highpoint during my trip. I’d try not to make eye contact with the patrons. After almost a year of driving by this place, it finally dawned on me that maybe the “X” was a part of business name for a reason.


On the days that I had to take Giancarlo with me, driving by the liquor store would usually evoke some type of reaction from him. “Look, Mama! It’s the ABC store. Let’s go there.” Sadly for my son, my response was always the same. “Not today, baby. I think it is closed.”


Finally, my favorite shop, the Ice House of Grillz and Custom Jewelry. I was endlessly fascinated by this place. First and foremost, there was the picture on the wall of a child with a set of grillz.


Good times! What mother wouldn’t want this for her little one?

There were also rows upon rows of options pictured for adults. After carefully considering my choices for at least a year, I finally settled on:


I think it is important to “represent” wherever I go.

I’d like to believe that Meg would think so too.

-Francesca
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53 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I so need a grill.

Jillene said...

Who wouldn't want a Flava Flav grill?! FLAVA FLAV!!

Patrice said...

Great post! So true how we so quickly turn into "those people" who have friends that live in the computer! lol I LOVE the grill... so stylish!

Kailey said...

I had a bunch of metal in my mouth when I was a kid too, but it wasn't by choice.

seriously? said...

Don't you have a grill already? I plan on wearing mine to our date...I am certain that will impress you, right?

Kimberly said...

I didn't get it about "those" people either. I am now one of those people too!! LOL!

Grills, those are the things you cook on outside right? Why would anyone want to put that on their teeth?? Just kidding...
LOL!

Eric said...

I will say I never expected to make so many cool friends through blogging! You gals are pretty funny and glad I ran across your blog too! Hope you had a good weekend!

Randi Troxell said...

really liked this post! very sweet and very endearing too!

Omah's Helping Hands said...

What a great post Francesca! Some of what we see does make one wonder. The friendships that form here are amazing and wonderful, and to think that at one time I thought now way will I get into bloggind. ;)
Hope your week is as beautiful as you are!!!

Kim said...

Holy braces, Batman, the grill on that baby is just downright DISTURBING. Photoshopped, I know, but still!

B said...

You are going to look so hot with that grill. MmmmHmmm. It even rivals my bite thingy I wear when I sleep, and that is seriously HOT.

Those relationships we form through blogging and such are fun, and funny all at the same time, aren't they? Glad you got on board.

Unknown said...

Amen to that! (the friendships, not the grills) I sometimes feel closer to my online friends than I do to the people in my town. After all, who do I call when I have great blog news? Why, you, of course!

Grand Pooba said...

Dude, that grill is bunk!

Seriously though, I'm one of those right 'long witcha! You know I've gotta get my Fran fix in for the day! Next time I'm in town will you take me to the Ice House of Grillz?

I know you were thinking "Pooba would love this place"! every time you drove by!

I know I always think of you whenever I drink a glass of wine, or while eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s while watching 90210

Oh yeah, and every time I am, er I mean see, that exhibitionist at the park.

Counselormama said...

OMG! I want a grill! Very colorful route.

peewee said...

O.M.G. I feel like SO famous!!

My friends that I see in the flesh everyday think I am nuts....well, more so than usual. Cuz I am now always saying stuff like "yah! I made this pasta from a recipe on this one blog" and "I found this great shop cuz it was on this one blog..."

or when I stopped in Vegas to meet a fellow blogger for the first time, she made me all these cookies and my friend said "Don't EAT THEM!! You don't even KNOW her!" (as I was shoving them into my face)

heh heh

peewee said...

I didn't really finish my thought...SO anyway...where was I ...

OH! yah! I feel like a full on loser stalker when I actually start SHOPPING for my blog friends. this is SO why I don't date online. At least with bloggy friends, it's perfectly acceptable to be needy and stalker-like.

Right?

RIGHT?

The Blonde Duck said...

Luckily, even we in the Pond are not redneck enough to want grills and pimp cups.

Carissa(GoodNCrazy) said...

Yeah I'm a believer these days too... pffft... :)

Kathy B! said...

I love those bloggers! You keep some very good company, Francesca!

And Meg?! She's my neighbor :)

Fiauna said...

So, so funny!!!

Helene said...

Thank goodness for the blogosphere or I surely would've thrown myself off a cliff ages ago. If I'm having a bad day, I know there are blogs I can go to that will instantly cheer me up (yours being one of them)....if I'm having a mommy moment, there are blogs I can visit that will help me not feel so alone in my desperation. The blogging world is such an amazing community....I'm always in shock when I talk to someone and they're like "blogging....what's that?" WTH?? Are you serious??!!

Wallflower Diaries said...

LOL Too funny. I that kinda stuff :)

Eve said...

Oh my - although I'm not entirely sure what the grillz is, I'm pretty sure it's something most children could do without. ;)

The title of your post caught my attention because my niece was singing that song to us this weekend and we all cracked up when she got to this verse (well, her version of it anyway):
"The 'Honker' on the bus goes honk, honk, honk..."

Megan said...

LMAO!! I think those grillz would suite you well! ;0)

Jen said...

I never knew there was such a thing as a baby grill. Learn something new everyday.

Anonymous said...

I totally think about my bloggy buddies during the day like that too!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Very sweet post. Oh my, the grills! Yet, there are people who really think it's attractive.

Kameron said...

San Fran sure does have some lovely sites to see, huh? Ha! I for one am going to rush out and get me some of those. I could rock the Cali Girl grill all day long!

Claudya Martinez said...

I just started blogging in April and I already find myself thinking about my blogger friends as I go about my day. I never would have imagined myself forming friendships or attachments online. Crazy!

As for the grillz, I favor a pair I saw a young man sporting on MUNI; they looked like gold nuggets. Talk about class.

Julie said...

You know you're a nut, right? The only people that I know that aren't from work are from right here in the 'puter :)

Technodoll said...

I had to look twice to get what was going on there, LOL!

I may be getting old. I did laugh though ;-)

Tulip Row said...

I'll never forget the first time I saw a grill:
The year was 1996, I took a family & friends day ride with John on his Aircraft Navy Ship in San Diego for a day cruise. He proceeded to introduce me to his shipmates, and there was these two guys from the South who smiled and showed off some gold grills, one with a Marijuana leaf cut out of it and one with some jewels, if you will, encrusted in it. John told me they said those were the thing to do in the Dirty South, and I smiled and thought to myself.... these are the men protecting our country by sea. Only in America.... gotta love it!

Anonymous said...

haha! This post made me smile!

Jennifer said...

I am scared for my life. That picture of the scary baby grill is freaking me out man!

When Pigs Fly said...

The amount of time I waste bopping around the internet is crazy. But, it has been a fun ride. I do like stopping by to see what's going on around my childhood home in the Bay Area with the three of you. And, I don't even have kids.

Heather of the EO said...

Oh how you crack me up. I just love every one of your posts!

Unknown said...

Are you going to rock your grill at SITScation?

You're so freakin' funny!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Esther said...

Do they have a grill that says, "Packer Fan"? Cause if they do, I'm in.

Technodoll said...

Francesca, I answered your question with a blog post ;-)

Lula! said...

You. Are. Hilarious.

No, really. You are. And I want a custom grill now.

p.s. I met my 2 BFFs via blogging. They run a little website called SITS. True story.

Peaches said...

I'm pretty sure I know an almost 3 year old that could definitely USE a grill. I'm going with the gold "Cali". That should be a hit at preschool next year.

Stacy Uncorked said...

The blogosphere is such a wonderful place full of wonderful people... :)

Those baby grills are scary! :)

KarieK said...

Look at you going all O'G on us!! Had to stop in and see you and my other Bay B Chicks! I have missed you all and not seen much of you all on twitter! Hope all is well with my West Coast bloggy friends!

Karie

Meg said...

OMG! How ironic that this is the only post I've not read? Crazy! I love this post! Seriously, I do.

I have ridden several forms of public transportation in the Bat Area. I think this calls for a blog post when I get home! I'm at the beach now, you see.

As for my grill, I'd like to get "north cackalacky" but I don't have enough teeth. North Carolina is still too long as well. I'll ask my homegirl and neighbor, Kathy B!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Wow, that kid has some bling! Very funny!

Mrsbear said...

I don't think people who don't blog really understand to the extent you can connect with people you've never met. It's amazing. And the grillz...I can't believe my poor children have had to suffer with their simple undressed teeth for so long. What a shame. ;)

ck said...

I realized I'd become one of those internet-meeters-of-people when I gave my address to someone I've gotten to know over blogging and invited her over when she was in town. And I realized several minutes before she showed up that I didn't actually know her...

Luckily she turned out to be as awesome as I thought she'd be.

But still, as you wrote, it's weird when life takes an unexpected turn like that. Especially when you don't notice until it's already happeed.

jennykate77 said...

That is sooooo wrong...on soooo many levels. A baby with a set of grillz?! Hilarious. You definitely gotta represent! I keep telling my DH that my next tattoo will be on my lower left side and read "Eastside". It's a long standing joke w/ me and a couple of best friends from HS who I went to college with. We're from a small town and we all lived on the eastside...so, there you go. That's me...representin'! LOL

lov said...

oh i love that you started this blog, i love your blog

and i would love a grill with my name in it....i think i might ask my flake for one .... as some of the bling he gets me during this year! :)

Sarah said...

Let's see, what kind of grillz could I get?

Location? "Dirty South"

Oh, I know. Maybe you could use the grill to replace those back of van/car/suv stickers! I could have "Mom of 2". lol!

Mouthy Housewife said...

very nice grill. Anychance we could get some that say maybe:

mouthy: open to interpretation of course

Jo said...

Hey! I wanna see a pic of you in your grill!

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

It's funny how much of a difference people you've never even met can make once you're blog friends. Like you...you're wonderful Francesca. And that grill will only make you more sparkly!

I stalk yogabitch too, but I'm not cool enough to chat on FB with you guys...yet. I'm willing to bake my way into acceptance, just so ya know!