Yikes!

OK, now I'm really scared for myself.

October Perfect Post Awards

It's not over yet. November 1st I mean. See, I was supposed to write my glowing post about the lovely and talented Misha of The Wallpaper of My Mind (a favorite blog of mine) because I nominated one of her recent posts for the ever popular "Perfect Post Awards" that are hosted monthly over at Suburban Turmoil and Petroville. The whole award process is totally cool, not only because you get to acknowledge a fabulous blogger but you also get to enjoy a link fest like no other. It's a great way to read the best of the best and discover new bests you never knew were out there. It's grand all the way around.

But today (and yesterday and the day before) I have found my motherwork taking priority over my blogwork which has meant all things virtual have taken a backseat. And sometimes that sucks and it can be terribly frustrating when there are things online that I want to be doing, saying, sharing, etc. AND especially when the paying gigs await. But somehow, as with most moms, everything has had to be put into perspective and the motherwork has had to come first.

So today, while sitting at the doctor's office AGAIN I was thinking of Misha's Perfect Post and it hit me. Here I was doing something I had to do yes, but something I wouldn't trade for anything; holding my daughter in the waiting room as she cried because she was afraid of getting another shot. And here I was lamenting that I didn't get this post written and it just seemed somehow fitting that I was burning to write about the conflict so many of us feel as we are both mothers and creative women as I was doing something as important as comforting my baby.

In her life, Misha has been tackling the same issue. She's shares it so eloquently and poignantly in her post "On Raising a Mother" that it almost brought tears to my eyes. Her decision to cut back on her blogging (which is probably like cutting off a limb) as to give more to her children and less to herself and her own creative needs left me just a tab bit numb because it's something I wrestle with daily. And it feels even more palpable right now because speaking of wrestling, my husband and my girls are having a time of it in the living room, rolling around in hysterics on the living room floor as I'm in my office pecking on my keyboard doing what I have had no time to do in a while. And I wonder if with all this "work" I love to do, I long to do, I live to do is at all synonymous with doing right by my children. Maybe not so much? The motherwork always comes first yes, but this other work is what I daydream about doing. I defend my creative wants/needs/whims to the death and I shout from the rooftops, "I need ME time to be a complete person" but lately I've been thinking a lot about what it all means and if I will be glad for feeding my Creative Soul during these fleeting years or if I will one day pine away for the moments I missed with my daughters. It scares me to death.

I will be writing about another fantastic post soon too to follow up where Misha left off as I try to process all of my thoughts (which is never easy when you're exhausted).

For tonight, I hope you enjoy Misha's words as much as I have.

I Muse

I do try to practice what I preach. Usually. In the case of taking Halloween costume photos before Halloween night, I do. My goblins and I went to a party yesterday and...

See my Tabblo>

Can you stand these photos?? Who knew that a spirited little wood sprite could be so flippin' adorable? Ahem, yes, I made most of the costume, in case you were wondering.

And have I mentioned the fact that I'm obsessed with the latest and greatest online photo sharing site? Aaaah, Tabblo, you've created a monster.

Lucky

Kay, I got this email today from the studio of Lotta Jansdotter today...

Hello!
Studio Sale! THIS THURSDAY OCTOBER 26TH

We would love to welcome our New York friends to our new office and studio in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn for our first event this Thursday! We have a lot of stock to sell before our Fall shipment arrives.

There are totes in various colors that were $48, now $10
limited edition reversible skirts with the pretty 'ang' design that were $128, now $48
linen cushion covers with Lotta's modern and organic designs for $15, were $58
cute powder blue cafe aprons (not just for the kitchen!) were $42, now just $15
just to name a few. Plus, of course, many more items at up to 80% off, as well as our full priced merchandise for sale!

We'll be here from 12 - 8pm and we'd love to see you!

The studio and office are located at 75c Hoyt Street in Brooklyn
(between State and Atlantic)

...and I have come to the conclusion that I hate those of you who live in NY (but only for Thursday because that's when Lotta's delicious sale is). Curse you New Yorkers!

I'll take it back if you buy me something.

In the Pink

I forgot to add this link.

MotherTalk Blog Book Tour

One of my all time favorite phrases is “having a baby changes everything.” To me, those 5 words, say it all. When we are expecting a child, it’s all about us (as individuals) and this idea of a baby and then, overnight, it’s all about a tiny, dependant creature in our arms, at our breast, gazing at us with trusting eyes, needing from us every single element for survival. And as we are desperately trying to settle into our new mother skin, there’s a completely different center of our Universe and suddenly, all the things we thought we knew are in question. That's no small change. This is why becoming a mother is a package deal. We get a baby alright and with the baby comes the baggage. A multitude of concerns, issues, struggles, fears, and worries that we never saw coming. Most definitely, there’s also the love- the deepest, most complete and pure love we’ll ever know, but in those surreal and hazy first months (dare I say years?) it’s the many questions that seem to dominate our mother minds. And if that’s not difficult enough to deal with, we’re not getting a lick of sleep. The odds my friends, are stacked against us.

When the call came out for participants for the MotherTalk Blog Book Tour for Ann Douglas' new book “Sleep Solutions for your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler” I jumped at the chance. I like the word sleep. And I equally like the word solutions. There doesn’t seem to be enough of either one in my life as a mother. Sound familiar? It is true however that my ‘new mom’ days are behind me as my daughters are 3 and 8 now, past the stage coos and coddling, of sweet smelling peach fuzz heads, and thankfully, of sleepless nights (usually). So, if I’ve come through all that already, why on earth would I want to read and talk about a book dealing with sleep solutions? I thought the same thing for a minute. But sleep, sleep patterns, sleep problems, and the entire idea of sleep and its importance in our lives are intriguing and relevant topics no matter your age or stage in life.

I am thrilled to report that much of Ann’s book is hugely informative for a much broader audience than just new parents. It’s not about presenting a new theory among the schools of sleep camps. She doesn’t introduce a new trend in getting your baby to sleep through the night and convince you to use it or else (thank God), and she makes this clear in her Introduction. So, in the “Sleepless in Suburbia” chapter, when she outlines what really happens to our bodies and our minds when we are sleep deprived, I was riveted. No wonder new parents have trouble dealing with their normal day to day existence. They’re not sleeping. Hello. So after we get the bad news about all the things that are or will happen to us when we don’t get enough sleep, Ann comes to our rescue with “The Sleep-Deprivation Survival Guide” which as she puts it, “is all about maximizing your opportunities for sleep and taking the best possible care of yourself so that you will have the physical and emotional reserves necessary to handle whatever parenting curveballs may be headed your way.” Sign me up. To those of you with older children that are saying, “dang, where was Ann’s book when my kids were babies?”, the good news is she has entire chapters dedicated to sleep solutions for toddlers and for preschoolers too. Halleluiah!

And beyond that, there’s so much more info that is relevant for anyone who is interested in getting more and/or better sleep (which is like, um, everyone). In fact, I found myself wagging the book in front of my husband saying, “when I’m done, you should read this”. The “Science of Sleep” was a fascinating chapter that was followed by the “Winning at Sleep Roulette” (hey, I like to win) where Ann highlights one of her “key points” of the book. Are you ready for a big dose of reality mixed with a shot of parenting empowerment? “You’re not likely to find an off-the-shelf sleep solution that fits your baby or your family’s needs perfectly. The most effective sleep solutions are those that are designed by you, the parent, with your baby’s needs in mind.” Finally! Someone that not only recognizes parent’s ability to make sound decisions for themselves and their families, but someone who will encourage us, inform us, and help guide us as we go.

In a parenting world full of black and white methods, damaging labels, and divisive schools of beliefs, it’s nice to know someone is finally writing honestly, openly, and kindly to parents without their own agenda in mind. I’m sure it won’t surprise you then that Ann Douglas is the mother of four children and the author of an entire series of “solution” books for parents. It’s obvious she’s knows her stuff on so many levels and from what I gather, all she really wants to do in her book, is to be our sleep advocate. Who, tell me, can’t use one of those?

Please visit Ann at her website or on her Amazon Connect page where you can read more about her and “Sleep Solutions for your Baby Toddler and Preschooler” as well as her many other wonderful books.

**Enter The Sleeping Like a Baby Photo Contest!! Visit my ClubMom Blog, Picture This, where you can learn the details and submit your photo for a chance to win a signed copy of Ann's Sleep Solutions Book!**

The Washington Post

...and how high-tech things happen to low-tech people.

First the party and now The Post?

I ask you, is it just me, or is this getting more and more bizarre?

Taste

My daughter is 8 years old and in the fourth grade. What's that mean? It means she's growing up. And with that comes the trying on of new personas, new attitudes, new interests, and new styles. Style can come in many forms but with her right now, it seems most of it is in clothes. She is constantly coming up with new outfits (I think my husband might refer to them as concoctions) but I love that about her. I think it's bold of her to don what feels good to her. "It's my own style" she boasts.

I grabbed this shot as we were running out the door to school the other morning. Although you can't always account for taste, you can certainly appreciate someone who has got their own.


** mamasaysom

You've Got Male

I consider this move a personal blogging milestone. I have added a dad blogger to my blogroll. I just thought I'd point that out. Yep. So, all hail John, the first father at Mother May I. Although, he might not appreciate being called a 'dad blogger'. I don't know. I'm not up with the titles or politics of the father blogging world (I've only really paid attention to the mommy stuff) but I am happy to introduce you to his online offerings. Probably best know for his Flickr Toys, he also writes a personal blog (anybody who rocks it to old Journey songs is cool in my book!) AND a photo blog as well. I am loving the photo blog. He puts "weekend assignments" out there and I will tell you what, I was totally consumed by the "ordinary things" challenge. I had my camera with me all weekend long and had a blast capturing everyday objects in different ways. I know you'll enjoy his stuff. So, go on ahead and see for yourself. I promise, he doesn't have cooties.

Word to the Bloggers

Question-

Has anyone switched to the new Blogger in Beta?
Would you recommend switching?
Anything else you'd like to share?

OK, carry on.

Great One Liner

My oldest - "Look! Sissy brought you a little gift from the birthday party. Here."

My youngest - "Ooooh, thanks! What is it?"

My oldest - "It's a clapper like this one. See?"

My youngest - " Oh, wow. Now I have a really big crapper."

The Big Question

Since my recent Nintendo explosion (in which my gamer fame lasted about 15 seconds, as opposed to15 minutes, BTW) I have been thinking a lot about my take on blogging. I read a great post too by Mir at BlogHer about the advertising controversy that is obviously as volital than ever and it confirms that I am not alone in my thoughts/concerns/questions. I found her post very thought provoking as are many of posts she highlighted. Equally compelling are the comments she's gotten. And so now, I’m going beyond thinking about it. Now, I must write.

I’ll begin by stating that I never basked in the Golden Age of Blogging, before ads (money) and site meter (stats and competition), and book deals (even bigger money) came into play. I began my blog too late for that, from what I can gather. I entered the pool long after it's surface was still gold and glassy. And I can't help but wonder (a la Carrie Bradshaw) if this isn’t the Golden Age, then what is it?

Blogging is still far from mainstream (def. "the principal or dominant course"). Some may argue but when I mention my blogs to whom I consider to be the mainstream around me, 80% remark, “I don’t even know what a blog is.” And the other 20%? Well, most of them say something like, “I mean, I’ve heard of blogging but I don’t really know what it means.” If that many people are still asking WTF, it ain't the principal course. So, I give them the basics, like, “It’s a web log…” Blah blah. And then I can’t help but get on soap box and sing bloggings praises, blog evangelist that I am, and hope to get everyone excited about it. Well, because for me, it’s been a really exciting thing to be a part of it and when I get excited, I talk. Non-stop. But what exactly IS IT that makes me tremble with passion? Let’s see. The outlet it’s provided for me to write. The fulfillment I get from writing (under no ones rules but my own) and being read (the latter being non-existent when writing in a private journal). The connections I’ve made and continue to make with incredible women (many of whom I can only hope will read this). Oh, and the money. Which is where the controversy begins.

Doesn’t it come down to the age-old question of what defines “selling-out”? And speaking of...I jumped aboard the blog train right about the time ClubMom put a call out to Mom Bloggers in order to hire a bunch to beef up their readership. I consider it perfect timing for me. Since I had just barely gotten my feet wet with my own personal blog (you're reading it), I applied at ClubMom with little fear or concern of the outcome. Why not put myself out there and give it a shot? I knew I wanted to be immersed in the blog world and would follow it anywhere it lead the minute I began. I just knew. So, what better than to be able to get more experience, be forced to become more tech savvy, be encouraged to write about the things that are important to me (my family and my photography), feed my innate need to network, and satiate my obsessive desire to discover and read more blogs? All of those perks AND a paycheck? Um, OK. I’m in.

To some, I’m a sell-out. And I don’t need to defend myself to those people because I’m cool with it. I don’t like the label. I don’t use it and I certainly don't consider myself to be one. If I am doing something I don't believe in, I can't sleep. I consider it my own little personal morality-meter. And although I may be in the early stages of my blog life, I’m getting pretty comfortable in my skin around here. Like I had to do way back in art school (where I felt constantly ridiculed and judged) I am beginning to grow my thicker skin. Imperative in any area where you are open for attack, no matter how subtle or seemingly harmless. Judgment can be painful, hurtful, maddening. I knew the blogging judgment was out there. It can be found everywhere. I just never chose to seek it out. That’s just how I am. Why bother? But, instead of avoiding it and trying to ignore it in this arena, I want to better understand it.

I got to spend some time with an old friend a few weeks ago. She asked about the blogging and how on earth I got paid for it. After we spoke for a bit I asked her if she’s ever considered it. She’s a writer so I figured it’d be something she’d have tried. She shrugged and something like, “I thought about it a few years ago but never got into it. Now, it’s not really cool anymore. It’s become so mainstream.” So, someone who never even blogged is even lamenting that the Golden Age has passed. Alright, but how many people ever get involved in a movement in its early days? The perfect bubble world of any incarnation is only big enough for those who get in at it's inception and then it pops and becomes something different. Not good, not bad, just different. It’s the Universal Law of progression. It’s when the outside world begins to infiltrate something pristine and untainted that it looses its original magic or mystique. Is that how many of the original bloggers see it? Once money got involved (in its numerous forms) the gold began to tarnish. Isn’t that what’s being said? I don’t know, I wasn’t there to see the change. I only see what it is now. And I can kind of get an idea of where it’s going.

My new mantra is “never underestimate the power of the blog”. I see pure potential in the blogging community. I see intelligent people getting inspired, inspiring others, because they are writing out of passion. I see movement, forward movement in many arenas, platforms, and communities. I see women using blogging to its full capacity, demanding to be heard, taking action and making change in their own lives and in the world around them. And from what I can tell, we’ve barely scratched the surface.

But if all this amazing stuff is happening now that we are beyond the Golden Age, can we call this time Platinum? Maybe not for some. Because what? Because there is money involved? But, here’s a thought (someone once said this to me many years ago) - money can buy freedom. I used to be one to argue that point to the death. Not anymore. When used for the higher good (whether to feed a family-yours, mine, or otherwise or to fund a worthy cause- of which there are sooo many) it can be very liberating indeed. And on a personal level, I know that if I can do what I love and make a living at it, I am actively teaching my daughters that when it comes to doing what makes you happy, the sky is the limit, then I am doing what I have set out to do as a mother. I guess even though I said I didn’t need to, that’s just me defending myself. But more than that, it’s me wanting thoughts like these to be considered and not dismissed. I can request that, can’t I?

But, where I am going with all of this besides just writing my mind? Well, (as I hold my breath and hope my skin as as thick as I think it is) I want to know what the blogging community thinks. I know from being at BlogHer that bloggers want to be acknowledged and legitimized by the mainstream. We want the big nod of approval. To be accepted as “real” writers who are a force to be reckoned with. But taking it a step further, and here’s the big question, “Do bloggers want blogging to become mainstream?” It seems to me the answer is somewhere near the equivalent of "kind of". In other words, only on our own terms? Hmmm.

To blog is to write. But more specifically, to blog is to write to be read. If that's not the case then we'd be writing in private journals. So, if bloggers want to be read then we want readers. Whatever that means to each person is their business. But the need is there in one way or another with everyone who writes a blog.

And since this is my blog and I can ask if I want to, I am going to pose the question again and hope that YOU tackle it.

“Do bloggers want blogging to become mainstream?”

Whatever your blogging angle, if this is a subject that sparks something within you, good, bad or ugly, please share it. You can leave a comment here with your two cents and/or a link to wherever it is you write about it. I can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

Come on, let’s turn up the heat.

Can Wii Talk?

Hi I'm Tracey and I'm a Nintendo Ambassador. (Grumble grumble. Hi Tracey. Grumble) Huh? I know. Pretty random. For those of you who don't know, I'll make a long story short here and say, Nintendo hosted what they called a Family Wiiunion for the Clark Family. I wrote about it here and here if you want the scoop. From what I can tell, everyone and then some have already read about it and if your growing bored of the subject, feel free to click elsewhere. I'd understand. However, I am not yet finished talking about it.

I'm a family photographer and a writer of motherhood books and blogs, and until now, had yet to see a flood of concentrated attention like what I've experienced of late. The irony? It's all come from gamers. Not mothers. Gamers. Who knew? I'll tell you who knew. Nintendo did.

When I agreed to hold an "Ambassador" title for Nintendo (which I tried to decline until my husband made me do it), I signed up to do nothing other than let them come into my home and throw my family and I a big shin-dig so that we could try out their new, not yet released gaming system, Wii. That's all. Of course they knew about my involvement in a vast motherhood community and my blog (that is how they found me, in case you wondered) and quickly discovered my innate ability to talk for days on end about things I am passionate about. I'm guessing they chose me because of these things. But, the point is that I am not under contract to say or do anything for them now that the Wiiunion has come and gone. No reviews, no blog posts, no plugging of their products. They knew that they we're going to provide for my family and myself a fantastic experience and that we (me and the 35 people that were here at the party) we're going to have so much fun, that we couldn't not talk about it! And that's exactly what happened. A good, no, a great experience. They were thinking way beyond the product here. They’ve accomplished encompassing a bigger picture and that, is smart business.

No sooner than I hit "publish post" (the day after the party) did I begin getting gamer traffic from a site called Infendo who, from what I can tell, were the first to find my photos and my post. I was like, "Oh, wow. Cool. Look at that." And then as it "made the front page of digg.com" as one gamer commented, I was like, "Holy *bleep*! I guess this is a bigger deal that I realized." As I have clicked around the gamer sites I have for the most part been impressed by how it's all been handled, how I have been represented. Within these stories I've been called a non-gamer, a photographer, a writer, a blogger, soccer-mom (although my kids don't pay soccer, I'm OK with the title), a "normal"- hmm, all of which are pretty accurate and quite respectful and I appreciate that. My favorite I think was "a pretty classy bird" which has a nice ring to it. Oh sure, here have been a few disturbing things said but I suppose that all comes with the territory.

From all of this, what has surprised me the most is the controversy over Nintendo's strategy to market to the mothers. How on earth this could be considered a bad move on any big business' part is beyond me. Anyone with half a business brain knows who does the much of the family decision making and, um, the shopping. Didn't we have a little feather ruffling discussion about this at BlogHer? Didn't we Mom-101? You got my back here girl? And from the staggering number of people who have read my Wii party post I can't imagine anyone could argue with it. Sure many of the readers were gamers but everyone's heard of the ripple effect. Nintendo knew exactly what they were doing. Smart move. Well done.

It's not rocket science when figure you crack the code that the average consumer wants an "experience", namely, a good experience of, about, or around either buying or considering the purchase of big ticket items. That goes for everything from games to homes. Realtors don't bake fresh chocolate chip cookies during a home's Open House for nothing. I mean I don't get the warm fuzzies when I buy "Snuggle" fabric softener but I'm sure that choosing a name like that was a smart marketing decision because although I don't get snuggly, somewhere in my breain, I might think I do. And when I heard about the Wii (Hello everyone, it's called Wii-sounds like WE- for a reason) and the idea that it's a system that families can enjoy together, I listened. And when Nintendo came and gave my family and I an unforgettable experience like they did, not one person left without having a very strong positive feeling about Nintendo. And then comes word of mouth (and blog), and before you know it, I'm in line for my Wii with all my mom friends. Something, by the way, I would have NEVER considered buying before now. But big deal. I'm only one person. But I'm a mom, see? And moms talk. And moms have a direct line to The North Pole at Christmas. Moms have to hear their 12 year old children (the future gamers of the world) begging for the next best video game until their ears bleed. Moms tie and untie the purse strings. How much clearer does it have to be? Moms are spending the money in families.

Do I like being a targeted consumer? Not always. In this case? Sure, why not? But that's not the issue here. The point isn't making a right or wrong issue out of it. It's recognizing it is what it is. Mothers are a force of consumerism yes, and also of activism, and of change. Better start getting used to it. We're not going anywhere...but forward.


-----------------------------------
* and for more of my 15 minutes of gamer-fame click here and, um here...hello Washington Post.

Bringing Beauty

The Two came to me in different forms of beauty.
One in late afternoon light, calmly singing and cooing

among the crowd that encouraged her coming.
The other piercing the night's darkness like flash of fire

that sparked and snapped, calling attention to her arrival.

The Two uniquely offer their beauty to the world.
One in humble graciousness, rising and falling like a butterfly,

gently and mindfully touching those around her.
The other passionately blooming in vibrant color, petals open,

deliberately revealing her mystery as an offering to those that come to her.

The Two give to me beauty, everyday, in their own special way.
One toils and plans and makes things with her hands

to hold what she gives. Meticulous, thoughtful, kind.
The other offers me gifts from her bare hands.

Honest, real, raw, true.

The Two came in beauty, offer beauty, and give to me beauty.
One and the other, my daughter's.
My beautiful, beautiful girls.

mama says om

Time On My Hands?

My husband asked me this weekend if I have enjoyed having a few hours to myself in the mornings now after both my kids go off to school. Well, yes, I have , I reeeeally have. But it isn't as easy as it sounds. The bummer is that the kids don't actually "go off to school". It's me who has to get them there. It's me who has to work really hard in the mornings to get them up and fed and dressed. It's me who has to prompt hair brushing and teeth brushing. It's me who has to make lunches and pack backpacks and TRY to get dressed myself. All by 7:50 AM.

And then it's me who loads them up in the car and drops one off at one school, comes back home, unloads the other, plays "animals" or blocks for a half an hour before loading back up to take the other to her school which is about a half hour commute (all said and done...ONE WAY) unload again, check her in, give her kisses through her tears (click here for that story) and turns around to come back home to "enjoy" my morning.

Two hours FLY by with barely a chance to catch up on email and post a blog entry (our computer is slowly biting the dust - emphasis on slow) and I've got to get back into the car for a trip back to school (the further of the two) only to get out, sign out, and collect my daughter's things and load up (again) to come back home where I fix lunch, visit a while, play a bit, then, if it's all going well and the phone or doorbell doesn't ring, I can maybe try to get into some kind of writing mode enough to actually formualte some sort of idea enough to write and maybe even submit it. The later only happens when the planets are aligned.

But wait, I almost forgot, I have to load us back into the car and go pick up my other daughter at her school, come back home again, give her a snack, visit a while, go over homework and then, look at that, it's time to start thinking about dinner.

So, in theory, this new freedom I have, with all this time on my hands is fantastic. Really, it is. I'm lovin' it.

The Warmest Wish

I enjoyed a lovely birthday this year, full of love, friendship and lots of well wishes. Of all of them, the sweetest by far is hearing my daughters sing to me.


*Can you stand how friggin' high tech I am?

Another Year

Happy Birthday to me I guess, huh?

And wow, what a tribute I got.

After a birthday like this one, I feel so loved.
Sigh.

The Beautiful Build Up

Who knew that a photograph like this could spark a post like this? I guess it's been building up. You know, that my girls are growing up before my eyes. That Julia will be in the FOURTH grade (huh?) and Iris will begin preschool, FIVE DAYS A WEEK. Yes, I am thrilled. Finally time to myself. It's what I have been asking for. But that doesn't mean I'm not sad too.

If you want to know how I really feel about it all, check out what emotions blindsided me today when I was posting at Picture This. And grab a tissue.

Re-re-cap

I have so much to say about my weekend at BlogHer. But quite honestly, I'm getting weary of the topic. As I am absolutely positive, without a doubt, sure everyone else is too. I have thoughts and ideas and WORDS to articulate my experience but lack the energy to write them down. Terrible, I know.

Until I can get up my strength (IF I ever do), I'll just have to carry on as usual leaving you with only images. And believe it or not, I actually posted them on Flickr despite my resistance. Those of you who know me, know I'm not the biggest fan of the Flickr. Don't ask why, because, I don't know. The only thing that comes to mind is that it doesn't speak to me. That's all I got. BUT, since there's not much of an option, and I'm too tapped out to come up with something else, I put them there in a "set" called, what else, BlogHer '06. Clever, aren't I? Sheesh, I am tired.