Dallas Birth Certificate Run Around

I went downtown to pick up birth certificates today. I planned ahead and looked up all the info, got cash (no checks accepted), filled out the forms, parked, hiked to the second floor of the not-so-Parkie records office at 509 Main and stood in line. The clerk behind the desk got to my youngest, entered his name and then said, “His name is too long, you have to go the vital statistics office to get his.”

What? His name is William Patterson. If you take his middle name and add up all the characters, mine is 2 letters longer than his, and she could print mine. I tried to tell her that. She stuck to her story.

So I hiked back to the car, drove to Dallas City Hall, parked, hiked even further and waited in that line. The lady at that window said there was no reason that the other office shouldn’t have been able to access it and that the “too long of a name” thing was absurd. Then she told me to wait about 45 minutes.

I love the Park Cities!

Dear Merritt Follower,

To the stalker Overheardian making some big point about the fact that I’ve already planned much of the summer for my kids, 

Yes, I have. Plan, plan, plan, that’s me. And this is America, planning ahead for children isn’t illegal. The part about the wine was a joke but that’s really not any of your business anyway.

And while I’m at it, I wanted to tell you that it’s kind of creepy how you’re always trying to figure out what I’m up to. If you’re that interested, I’m really flattered. But you should know that I know and it makes you look kind of, well, you know…like you’re a big fan. And I know you don’t want anyone to think that.

Yours truly,

Merritt

Who Knew Lacrosse Could Be Fun?

I’m being forced to learn about a new sport (new in the respect that I hadn’t heard of it as of two years ago), and so this weekend, I spent several hours out on different fields watching guys run around and beat each other up. It was a lot of fun, and the SMU fans were all pretty gracious. So if you were out watching your son, brother, friend, or fiance play on Sunday, thanks for being nice to the OU fans!

But the best part of the SMU Lacrosse experience was (more…)

More Fun with Primaries

Many people I know haven’t decided exactly how they’ll vote March 4. My good friend Patricia Murphy over at Citizen Jane Politics has a handy guide that breaks down the candidates’ views and voting records for those who remain undecided.

Re: Primary Season

That’s weird, Jason, because here’s what my instructions say:

Your March 4, 2008 Election Day Polling Locations and Sample Ballot: Republican Party
Macarthur High School - 3700 N Macarthur Blvd, Irving, 75062
Sample Ballot
Democratic Party
John J Brandenburg Elem School - 2800 Hillcrest Dr, Irving, 75062

I see that your polling places are the same, but education reporter Curtis Ippolito has two different polling places, too, as does PH reporter Austin Kilgore. Perhaps republicans and democrats cast votes at the same polling places with early voting, but it’s different with typical primary voting? Maybe it depends on the precinct — isn’t that strange? I still want to get to the bottom of this, because it seems like a waste. 

Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On

For all you denim lovers, here’s an opportunity worth a trip to Dallas Market Hall: A premium denim sale offering the hottest styles of the season for men and women. The racks will be filled with True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Chip and Pepper, Diesel, and lots more.

The kicker? Everything’s under wholesale price.

RSVP for the two-day event on Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8.

Re: Primary Season

Kristiana, Democrats and Republicans can vote in the same locations. I haven’t checked the election day polling locations in all cases, but almost all of them are the same on each list here.

Furthermore, I just voted early at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on Park Lane. Democrats and Republicans seemed to be getting along just fine as we all voted in the same little room there.

Primary Question

The Texas Primary is just around the corner, and many of us are excited to cast a vote that might actually matter. In the election-season fervor, we only recently noticed that republicans and democrats are expected to vote at completely different polling sites, which we thought was weird. In other places, you can vote wherever you’re registered in the primary for whichever party you choose. So, what gives? Is it just Dallas County that does this, or is it a Texas thing? There have to be lawyerly Overheardians out there just bursting with information. To find out where you need to go March 4, click here.

Re: Summer 2008 is Loooooong

So, maybe I’m not as organized as this Overheardian.

I even have my camp budget on an Excel spreadsheet and the checks are already prepared. So there.

Is there a column on that spreadsheet for things like my daughter deciding that her Camp Longhorn trunk (the one I paid over $100 to have hand-painted with hearts and swirls just like she wanted) is so last year. She wants to have it redone. Add that to the budget and list of things to do.

Re: Summer 2008 is Loooooong

Actually, Merritt, I know of a few ladies who are way more organized than you. (I mean, do you even have a spreadsheet?) And they’ve been way more organized since the end of last camp season.

You may need to read the Camps section, which will come out March 7th, for some more tips.

Summer 2008 is Loooooong

Recently I realized this summer will last a full three months, May 25-August 25. That’s 90 days of family fun. Without a bottle of wine, the joy might be more than you can handle. But with the right camp schedule, you can remain alcohol free.  

In that spirit, I have a 3-ring binder with a front cover, clearly labeled in size 72 Arial font lettering, Summer 2008 Schedule. Inside are dividers for each of my children with their individual calendars. There is another section for the registration forms and general information along with e-mails from the other moms on which friends are enrolling in what camp.   

So get ready, registration is about to begin and I’m way more organized than you.

Giving Them That Old Time Religion

Interesting story, Dallas Morning News.

Wherever did you get the idea?

Re: You Can’t Use Your Cell Phone in the School Zones

A comment by “Leigh” in reponse to this post prompted me to investigate whether or not we’re safe from the cops while waiting in the carpool line and surfing the Blackberry. Chief Adams said this:

While I am not familiar with any cases where a mom has been issued a
citation for talking on their cell phone while waiting in a queuing
(carpool) lane, it can happen during those times that the signs prohibit
parking in those lanes, as the intent is to keep the lines moving and
moving safely.   My advice is go hands free if you need to be on the
phone while picking up a child at school, but be careful.

Leigh, I’m having coffee with Adams this week and I’m planning to negotiate a “get out of jail free” card.  I’ll see if I can get one for you too, sister!