It was interesting seeing this movie, but it's god-awful boring. There's a cinematic style issue where they dissect every action scene in slow-motion with every option played out as a voice drones. Then the action occurs, and it's not a surprise.
Basically, about 3/4 of the way through the film, I turned to Norm and said, "I wish Moriarty would just kill him so we could go home."
There was a plot. Holmes must have done some deduction during the film but I swear I don't remember any. It might have been the fact that Holmes was juiced up on coffee and coca leaves. The dog in the film had more personality. I felt sorry for Dr. Watson who was tagging along for the ride.
I mean, if you're going to see a movie about one of the most brilliant deductive reasoners in literary history, you expect a movie that should challenge your mental status more than a 5-year-old's. Not spoon-fed pap.
But the explosions were fun.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Etiquette for a Church Supper
It's that time of year when there are lots of events at the church. One of the popular activities is the time-honored potluck supper. It's a fun way to hang out with some amiable people.
Here's my whimsical set of 'rules' for a potluck:
1. Show up a few minutes before the official start time. It takes a bit of time to set up a crock pot or serving dish. You want yours to be on the line before the crowd starts queuing up.
2. Remember serving utensils for your dish. The church might have some, but it never hurts to be prepared. Serving mac-n-cheese with a plastic dinner spoon is awkward.
3. It always seems that either a potluck is heavy on main dishes or heavy on desserts. Doesn't seem like there is a middle ground here.
4. Once all the food is in the line, sit back and wait with the rest. Talk to your neighbors.
5. The meal won't start till after the prayer.
6. After the meal is over, remember to take home your leftovers. Dealing with a dozen unwanted containers is overwhelming to a group of volunteers.
7. It's like Scouts --wipe up your table. Leave it neater than you found it.
8. Everyone loves praise about their dish.
9. Meet someone new. Laugh a bit.
Here's my whimsical set of 'rules' for a potluck:
1. Show up a few minutes before the official start time. It takes a bit of time to set up a crock pot or serving dish. You want yours to be on the line before the crowd starts queuing up.
2. Remember serving utensils for your dish. The church might have some, but it never hurts to be prepared. Serving mac-n-cheese with a plastic dinner spoon is awkward.
3. It always seems that either a potluck is heavy on main dishes or heavy on desserts. Doesn't seem like there is a middle ground here.
4. Once all the food is in the line, sit back and wait with the rest. Talk to your neighbors.
5. The meal won't start till after the prayer.
6. After the meal is over, remember to take home your leftovers. Dealing with a dozen unwanted containers is overwhelming to a group of volunteers.
7. It's like Scouts --wipe up your table. Leave it neater than you found it.
8. Everyone loves praise about their dish.
9. Meet someone new. Laugh a bit.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Kindle Fire review
So, I bought a Kindle Fire for a good friend. They're quite addictive to play with for any length of time. And not surprisingly, my friend's oldest son won't leave it alone since it plays a variety of fun games. He's 5.
I like the Fire, but won't get one for myself. It weighs about a pound, and it's glass. Definitely not as 'tippy' as my iPad, but still not what I want to drag around in my purse so that I can read books. It's a nice size, has a beautiful screen image, and is perfect for viewing videos or playing games. The Kindle App is embedded in it, so you can read books on it.
But the reason I got my Kindle Keyboard is that I didn't want lurid romance book covers laying around the house. On the Fire, that's suddenly a problem again.
Why? The Kindle App shows the book cover in full detail. And if that wasn't enough, the Carousel that is the home image for the Kindle Fire shows thumbnails of what was open last in order. So, if you've been using the Calculator, checking a website, playing an app, and reading "Molly's Hot Secrets", then what shows in your Carousel is "Molly's Hot Secrets" book cover with the app played just behind it and the website viewed in thumbnail behind that and the Calculator last.
Suddenly, the Kindle isn't quite kid safe. If I let my kid play with it, I have to be prepared to have all that material on view for her eyes. I'm not comfortable with that.
There's an app now that lets you lock out some content, but I haven't played with it. It's called "Kids Place - With Child Lock."
The second big gotcha with letting the children play with this is that you can purchase things in apps. The game apps are infamous for this behavior. If you want something unlocked, you can pay an extra fee by clicking a button. Supposedly this behavior can be turned off for apps, but one click purchasing can't be turned off for books and other materials purchased from Amazon.
I'd be ok with turning off the in-app purchases and still allowing book purchases for my own kid (she's 8). She's pretty good about letting me know when she wants to purchase something. But still, for younger kids without any impulse control that could be a deal breaker. To get it to work in a child environment, I'd have to register an account for my child separate from my own so my archive isn't visible to her, then shut off in-app purchases without a password, and give only a gift card for Amazon for purchasing (not link a credit card).
And let's face it, if you get this the kids are going to play with it --unless you don't have children.
For me, I don't actually consume a lot of music or video. I'm really a heavy consumer of printed word, though. And since my consumption patterns are skewed so heavily to text, a Kindle Fire is heavy and uncomfortable to use while reading for several hours. And LED screen reading tires my eyes more quickly. I really like eInk for reading. And my Kindle Keyboard is light in comparison.
I like the Fire, but won't get one for myself. It weighs about a pound, and it's glass. Definitely not as 'tippy' as my iPad, but still not what I want to drag around in my purse so that I can read books. It's a nice size, has a beautiful screen image, and is perfect for viewing videos or playing games. The Kindle App is embedded in it, so you can read books on it.
But the reason I got my Kindle Keyboard is that I didn't want lurid romance book covers laying around the house. On the Fire, that's suddenly a problem again.
Why? The Kindle App shows the book cover in full detail. And if that wasn't enough, the Carousel that is the home image for the Kindle Fire shows thumbnails of what was open last in order. So, if you've been using the Calculator, checking a website, playing an app, and reading "Molly's Hot Secrets", then what shows in your Carousel is "Molly's Hot Secrets" book cover with the app played just behind it and the website viewed in thumbnail behind that and the Calculator last.
Suddenly, the Kindle isn't quite kid safe. If I let my kid play with it, I have to be prepared to have all that material on view for her eyes. I'm not comfortable with that.
There's an app now that lets you lock out some content, but I haven't played with it. It's called "Kids Place - With Child Lock."
The second big gotcha with letting the children play with this is that you can purchase things in apps. The game apps are infamous for this behavior. If you want something unlocked, you can pay an extra fee by clicking a button. Supposedly this behavior can be turned off for apps, but one click purchasing can't be turned off for books and other materials purchased from Amazon.
I'd be ok with turning off the in-app purchases and still allowing book purchases for my own kid (she's 8). She's pretty good about letting me know when she wants to purchase something. But still, for younger kids without any impulse control that could be a deal breaker. To get it to work in a child environment, I'd have to register an account for my child separate from my own so my archive isn't visible to her, then shut off in-app purchases without a password, and give only a gift card for Amazon for purchasing (not link a credit card).
And let's face it, if you get this the kids are going to play with it --unless you don't have children.
For me, I don't actually consume a lot of music or video. I'm really a heavy consumer of printed word, though. And since my consumption patterns are skewed so heavily to text, a Kindle Fire is heavy and uncomfortable to use while reading for several hours. And LED screen reading tires my eyes more quickly. I really like eInk for reading. And my Kindle Keyboard is light in comparison.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
I Quit.
There's something that I haven't mentioned in the blogosphere. A few months back when I took the trip to Europe, I quit my graduate school degree.
There were numerous reasons for quitting that I told myself:
Amelia needs more Mommy time.
I need more time at home without the stress of schoolwork.
I wasn't cutting it (actually, I was doing well).
By the time I'd finish the degree, I'd be old enough that it wouldn't matter.
I hated the subject (at least that was honest).
The real reason is more complicated and yet very simple. I want to write. If I'm spending all of my time writing for a class on subjects that I hate I won't be writing stuff I love.
I started throwing out craft stuff too, because it gets in the way of writing.
And I've found that, interestingly, now that I cleared the decks to write, my voice is mute. I can't seem to force my writing past a half-page. And the half-page stinks like three day old fish.
The block has gone on for years now. It has to end. I just don't know how to end it.
There were numerous reasons for quitting that I told myself:
Amelia needs more Mommy time.
I need more time at home without the stress of schoolwork.
I wasn't cutting it (actually, I was doing well).
By the time I'd finish the degree, I'd be old enough that it wouldn't matter.
I hated the subject (at least that was honest).
The real reason is more complicated and yet very simple. I want to write. If I'm spending all of my time writing for a class on subjects that I hate I won't be writing stuff I love.
I started throwing out craft stuff too, because it gets in the way of writing.
And I've found that, interestingly, now that I cleared the decks to write, my voice is mute. I can't seem to force my writing past a half-page. And the half-page stinks like three day old fish.
The block has gone on for years now. It has to end. I just don't know how to end it.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Iron Chef Brownie
So last weekend Amelia and her father went on the Girl Scout camping trip for the Iron Chef Brownie weekend. Iron Chef Brownie is an event for the area Brownie troops where the girls get to learn a bit about cooking over campfires.
Amelia had a good time, but got really hungry because she just won't eat real food. And the mixed pasta with Velveeta and peas and hot dog pieces just wasn't her cup of tea. Neither was the Peach French Toast made in a dutch oven. And she even passed on the tin foil cooking even though she made a packet for herself.
Norm managed to get a small amount of food (plain pasta) into her on the trip so she wasn't quite desperate. Frankly, love her as I do, a little desperation would have gone far to push her into trying some new foods. Our current limited menu is becoming a real problem.
And why was I at home for the event? Well, Norm is our troop's certified camper so he had to go. Amelia was signed up. But there were enough Moms, so I wasn't needed. (Frankly, I should have been there as another First Aid person. Never can have too many of those.) In fact they didn't want extra Moms on the trip. So I wasn't invited. I stayed home and cleaned the house instead.
The girls had a wonderful time even with a few food woes. And somehow, in literally one day and one overnight, they managed to have socks that took on a life of their own. They reeked so much that I made the dirty laundry from the trip stay on the porch until I could empty the washer and wash them. Eeewwww.
Amelia had a good time, but got really hungry because she just won't eat real food. And the mixed pasta with Velveeta and peas and hot dog pieces just wasn't her cup of tea. Neither was the Peach French Toast made in a dutch oven. And she even passed on the tin foil cooking even though she made a packet for herself.
Norm managed to get a small amount of food (plain pasta) into her on the trip so she wasn't quite desperate. Frankly, love her as I do, a little desperation would have gone far to push her into trying some new foods. Our current limited menu is becoming a real problem.
And why was I at home for the event? Well, Norm is our troop's certified camper so he had to go. Amelia was signed up. But there were enough Moms, so I wasn't needed. (Frankly, I should have been there as another First Aid person. Never can have too many of those.) In fact they didn't want extra Moms on the trip. So I wasn't invited. I stayed home and cleaned the house instead.
The girls had a wonderful time even with a few food woes. And somehow, in literally one day and one overnight, they managed to have socks that took on a life of their own. They reeked so much that I made the dirty laundry from the trip stay on the porch until I could empty the washer and wash them. Eeewwww.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Goodbye, Spider. Godspeed.
We had to put Spider to sleep on Sunday morning, 1:00 am. He was in terrible shape and just not recovering at all. Norm and I have been very sad this weekend.
Spider had problems with allergies. He developed allergies to most cat foods. Over the past 3 weeks, he'd finally developed an allergy to the hypoallergenic cat foods also. (Hill's Z/D, Royal Canin Hypoallergenic) There was literally nothing left to try.
Massive doses of steroid weren't giving him any relief from the itching. He had no hair left on his head --it was just raw oozing mess. His eye wasn't healing at all after 3 months of intensive care. And finally, this weekend, he developed blood in his urine again.
We made the decision to put him down on Saturday. It was wrenching, but I couldn't stand seeing him in that much pain.
Spider had problems with allergies. He developed allergies to most cat foods. Over the past 3 weeks, he'd finally developed an allergy to the hypoallergenic cat foods also. (Hill's Z/D, Royal Canin Hypoallergenic) There was literally nothing left to try.
Massive doses of steroid weren't giving him any relief from the itching. He had no hair left on his head --it was just raw oozing mess. His eye wasn't healing at all after 3 months of intensive care. And finally, this weekend, he developed blood in his urine again.
We made the decision to put him down on Saturday. It was wrenching, but I couldn't stand seeing him in that much pain.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Kitty Eye Injury Update
Spider is doing better. He's getting antibiotic drops every 4 hours. The vet also added blood plasma that was drawn from him. The red cells were spun out of the vial and the plasma was poured off. I use a pipette to draw a drop out and bathe his eye with it every four hours (about an hour after the antibiotic is given). The blood plasma has a healing effect on his wound. Since it's drawn from him, there isn't a risk of reaction to foreign proteins.
The hypoallergenic food is quelling his skin. Quite frankly, he's a different cat these days. I've been letting him hang out with me in the evenings on the couch.
I missed my Birthday Camping trip, but getting my old friend back has been worth it.
The hypoallergenic food is quelling his skin. Quite frankly, he's a different cat these days. I've been letting him hang out with me in the evenings on the couch.
I missed my Birthday Camping trip, but getting my old friend back has been worth it.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Kitty Eye Injury
Spider is stable, but not much better today. Not getting worse, but not improving very fast despite the hourly drops of antibiotic in his eyes.
I won't be able to join everyone for the last evening at the campground because I'm still going to have to give him drops every hour for the next 2-3 days.
At least he's not anywhere near as itchy as he was. And now that he's using a litterbox I've let him come out to visit me in the rest of the house on his own terms.
The good news is that if we can keep that eye from ulcerating, then he might still be able to see out of it. There will be a large dark pigmentation patch on his cornea, but he can peek around it.
I won't be able to join everyone for the last evening at the campground because I'm still going to have to give him drops every hour for the next 2-3 days.
At least he's not anywhere near as itchy as he was. And now that he's using a litterbox I've let him come out to visit me in the rest of the house on his own terms.
The good news is that if we can keep that eye from ulcerating, then he might still be able to see out of it. There will be a large dark pigmentation patch on his cornea, but he can peek around it.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Birthday Camping -- sort of
For my birthday this year, I picked our camping destination. I chose Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania. It's pretty. It has hiking trails. It has a pool. It's one of my husband's favorite camping sites but I've never been up there.
Getting ready for the trip was exciting. We got the camper ready to go out with the new truck. We made up lists of things that we'd need for the first trip out in a year. We packed clothes. I took a couple of days off of work so that the weekend could be extended.
Spider, our oldest cat, has been having some health problems lately. He has thyroid and kidney issues. He's also allergic to most of the planet, as far as we can tell. But at 17 1/2 years of age, he stopped using his litterbox completely and instead picks different spots around the house to do his business. He's in such bad physical shape with his itchy, scratchy allergies that we actually discussed putting him down as a mercy. As a last ditch effort, before the camping trip, I took him into the vet to see what we could do and board him for the weekend. I suspected a urinary tract infection (UTI) might be causing his litterbox avoidance.
Unfortunately, he was in worse shape than I thought. Not only was he itchy and scratchy, but he had a raging UTI and had managed in his misery to claw his left eye. It wasn't visible to me, but our superhero vet picked up on that eye and found that he'd managed to claw the cornea. Suddenly it wasn't just try to clear up his allergies and UTI so he uses his litterbox again --it was heroic measures to try to keep the eye from infecting so we don't have to put him down.
Someone has to give him drops in his eye every hour over the weekend. That someone is me. So I'm missing my Birthday Camping trip. I didn't want the weekend ruined for everyone, so I stayed home with the cat and sent everyone to have fun.
I'm working from home today so that I can take a few less leave hours. I'm getting up and cleaning up a part of the house every half hour or so. (At work I'd be stopping to do some sit-ups or stretches. Sitting non-stop just hurts.) I've managed to almost catch completely up on the laundry including the several loads of fussy things that have to each be done separately. When I'm done working tonight I'll mop the floor in the kitchen.
I'm so lonely that I can't stand it. But trying to save Spider is worth it. He's going to lose the use of that eye. And his other eye has a clouding cornea, so it's likely that he's going to go blind.
But in just 24 hours I see a difference. He got a massive dose of injected antibiotics. We changed his cat food from the prescription kidney disease diet (Hill's KD) to a hypoallergenic diet of rabbit/potato (Royal Canin Hypoallergenic). I'm giving him drops in his eye hourly. And for a while until the allergy reaction dies down I'm giving him a tablet of triamcinolone daily to calm his skin. We've got him in an elizabethan collar to keep him from clawing at his eye.
He started using his litterbox. He's calmer. The skin isn't clear, of course, but a lot of the raw patches are suddenly healing. He's sleeping quite a bit, but he's still pretty miserable. He's also suddenly really hungry and has eaten through two full cans of rabbit/potato wet food in a day. I'm feeding him extra right now if he'll eat it because he'd lost so much weight.
I miss everyone and have been calling to check on the camping trip. It rained but stopped long enough for them to pitch the camper. It rained again last night. Amelia went swimming today and is eagerly waiting to see if her friend is coming up this weekend to join them. It's beautiful up there.
I've been told that there are other weekends we can go up. Norm is making a list of the prime spots so that we can choose a decent spot later.
But, bummer.
Getting ready for the trip was exciting. We got the camper ready to go out with the new truck. We made up lists of things that we'd need for the first trip out in a year. We packed clothes. I took a couple of days off of work so that the weekend could be extended.
Spider, our oldest cat, has been having some health problems lately. He has thyroid and kidney issues. He's also allergic to most of the planet, as far as we can tell. But at 17 1/2 years of age, he stopped using his litterbox completely and instead picks different spots around the house to do his business. He's in such bad physical shape with his itchy, scratchy allergies that we actually discussed putting him down as a mercy. As a last ditch effort, before the camping trip, I took him into the vet to see what we could do and board him for the weekend. I suspected a urinary tract infection (UTI) might be causing his litterbox avoidance.
Unfortunately, he was in worse shape than I thought. Not only was he itchy and scratchy, but he had a raging UTI and had managed in his misery to claw his left eye. It wasn't visible to me, but our superhero vet picked up on that eye and found that he'd managed to claw the cornea. Suddenly it wasn't just try to clear up his allergies and UTI so he uses his litterbox again --it was heroic measures to try to keep the eye from infecting so we don't have to put him down.
Someone has to give him drops in his eye every hour over the weekend. That someone is me. So I'm missing my Birthday Camping trip. I didn't want the weekend ruined for everyone, so I stayed home with the cat and sent everyone to have fun.
I'm working from home today so that I can take a few less leave hours. I'm getting up and cleaning up a part of the house every half hour or so. (At work I'd be stopping to do some sit-ups or stretches. Sitting non-stop just hurts.) I've managed to almost catch completely up on the laundry including the several loads of fussy things that have to each be done separately. When I'm done working tonight I'll mop the floor in the kitchen.
I'm so lonely that I can't stand it. But trying to save Spider is worth it. He's going to lose the use of that eye. And his other eye has a clouding cornea, so it's likely that he's going to go blind.
But in just 24 hours I see a difference. He got a massive dose of injected antibiotics. We changed his cat food from the prescription kidney disease diet (Hill's KD) to a hypoallergenic diet of rabbit/potato (Royal Canin Hypoallergenic). I'm giving him drops in his eye hourly. And for a while until the allergy reaction dies down I'm giving him a tablet of triamcinolone daily to calm his skin. We've got him in an elizabethan collar to keep him from clawing at his eye.
He started using his litterbox. He's calmer. The skin isn't clear, of course, but a lot of the raw patches are suddenly healing. He's sleeping quite a bit, but he's still pretty miserable. He's also suddenly really hungry and has eaten through two full cans of rabbit/potato wet food in a day. I'm feeding him extra right now if he'll eat it because he'd lost so much weight.
I miss everyone and have been calling to check on the camping trip. It rained but stopped long enough for them to pitch the camper. It rained again last night. Amelia went swimming today and is eagerly waiting to see if her friend is coming up this weekend to join them. It's beautiful up there.
I've been told that there are other weekends we can go up. Norm is making a list of the prime spots so that we can choose a decent spot later.
But, bummer.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Birthday Gift: Kindle 3 with 3G/Wi-Fi - A review
Norm got me a Kindle 3 for my birthday. I'd been looking at book readers for about 2 years now, but the price and features always had me on the fence.
What I really wanted was something to read books on, and maybe surf to read some blogs. I have an iPad and a Motorola Xoom that I use at work. They're great if you want to open a document on Google Docs, surf some web pages, and watch videos. But not so hot for reading books because they are too big to hold easily and too heavy.
I thought about getting a Galaxy Tab until I tried one out at the Verizon store. It was slow and clunky. And really, I don't like to spend hours staring at an LED screen because it hurts my eyes after a while.
So, armed with that information, I made a decision to take a chance on a Kindle and had Norm order one from Amazon. After all, if it was really a bad choice, I'd just send it back.
It's not going back. I love it.
It's light. I can hold it in one hand. And the 3G network on board has me surfing web pages though I don't do as much of that as reading with it. It opens up the ability to use the Kindle as a poor man's tablet, though.
Here's a list of what I've managed to do with my Kindle:
1. Read email. I can log in, view the message list, and read entire messages. I can't send a reply back from it, though.
2. Log into some work sites with it and actually do some work. This is limited, but if I was on a trip this could be a handy thing. I can't view Google Docs with it --the browser is not that sophisticated. I can see the doc title there, but I can't open it.
3. Take meeting notes. I create a .txt file with the meeting name and agenda if I have an agenda. Then I just use the annotation feature to write notes in the file. When I'm done with the meeting, I connect the Kindle to my laptop and download the notes from My Clippings and clear the My Clippings file.
4. Listen to some songs. It plays songs in the order added (though sometimes it will just insert one in the list randomly), so it's a bit like loading an audio CD into your car CD player, but I've found that it's decent enough when I wear headphones. I haven't found a volume control and the volume setting is what I'd set for my 8-year-old. But I can read and listen to music at the same time. Nice. (Oops, just found this as I was writing. It's on the bottom of the player. I was expecting the forward and back buttons to work as volume controls.)
5. Read. I've found that since it's so light, I toss it in my purse. And that means that I read at odd moments while waiting for other things. So I'm reading more.
6. Rediscover. I subscribed to a couple of Sci-Fi magazines that I used to read all the time but didn't once I became a working adult. I fell in love with Sci-Fi all over again and started downloading and reading more.
7. Look it up. Sometimes while reading Sci-Fi, I find that I need to look up a word. Rare, but sometimes I find one. There's a built-in dictionary that's decent. I can look it up and get back to reading without losing my spot.
Would it replace my print books? Not entirely. I still like holding a book. But it just might further on in the future. I like the ability to shift the type to a larger size on whim. It doesn't tire my eyes like an LED.
I'll often read until I get sleepy at night, then put it down and turn out the lights. Evidently reading an LCD screen can interfere with sleep. I know that I've had a difficult time winding down after working on an iPad and watching a video. It may just be that watching a video jazzes me up more than reading, but I do like reading until I'm tired.
And with an 8-year-old, not having explicit romance covers laying around the house is quite necessary. So my romance/paranormal reading is moving to Kindle, and I'm ditching print books.
Reading on it with an 8-year-old is also good. I downloaded a few titles for Amelia to entertain her when we're somewhere and she's bored. (A "Thank You" to Susie for the idea of using this in Church when we can't possibly expect her to understand the sermon for the adults. I found some decent kid's Bible stories.) I monitor what she's opening so she doesn't stumble into my labeled collections.
Things I'd like? A shuffle mode for the mp3 player. A password protect mode for some collections --with an ability to set that on only some collections. The ability to reply to email, but I can see how that might cause my data usage to go up.
But I'm happy with this little device. I've read more than I have in years. It's discrete. And no one can tell whether I'm reading Like Water for Chocolate, War and Peace, or a trashy-covered romance novel. I'm just reading the device.
What I really wanted was something to read books on, and maybe surf to read some blogs. I have an iPad and a Motorola Xoom that I use at work. They're great if you want to open a document on Google Docs, surf some web pages, and watch videos. But not so hot for reading books because they are too big to hold easily and too heavy.
I thought about getting a Galaxy Tab until I tried one out at the Verizon store. It was slow and clunky. And really, I don't like to spend hours staring at an LED screen because it hurts my eyes after a while.
So, armed with that information, I made a decision to take a chance on a Kindle and had Norm order one from Amazon. After all, if it was really a bad choice, I'd just send it back.
It's not going back. I love it.
It's light. I can hold it in one hand. And the 3G network on board has me surfing web pages though I don't do as much of that as reading with it. It opens up the ability to use the Kindle as a poor man's tablet, though.
Here's a list of what I've managed to do with my Kindle:
1. Read email. I can log in, view the message list, and read entire messages. I can't send a reply back from it, though.
2. Log into some work sites with it and actually do some work. This is limited, but if I was on a trip this could be a handy thing. I can't view Google Docs with it --the browser is not that sophisticated. I can see the doc title there, but I can't open it.
3. Take meeting notes. I create a .txt file with the meeting name and agenda if I have an agenda. Then I just use the annotation feature to write notes in the file. When I'm done with the meeting, I connect the Kindle to my laptop and download the notes from My Clippings and clear the My Clippings file.
4. Listen to some songs. It plays songs in the order added (though sometimes it will just insert one in the list randomly), so it's a bit like loading an audio CD into your car CD player, but I've found that it's decent enough when I wear headphones. I haven't found a volume control and the volume setting is what I'd set for my 8-year-old. But I can read and listen to music at the same time. Nice. (Oops, just found this as I was writing. It's on the bottom of the player. I was expecting the forward and back buttons to work as volume controls.)
5. Read. I've found that since it's so light, I toss it in my purse. And that means that I read at odd moments while waiting for other things. So I'm reading more.
6. Rediscover. I subscribed to a couple of Sci-Fi magazines that I used to read all the time but didn't once I became a working adult. I fell in love with Sci-Fi all over again and started downloading and reading more.
7. Look it up. Sometimes while reading Sci-Fi, I find that I need to look up a word. Rare, but sometimes I find one. There's a built-in dictionary that's decent. I can look it up and get back to reading without losing my spot.
Would it replace my print books? Not entirely. I still like holding a book. But it just might further on in the future. I like the ability to shift the type to a larger size on whim. It doesn't tire my eyes like an LED.
I'll often read until I get sleepy at night, then put it down and turn out the lights. Evidently reading an LCD screen can interfere with sleep. I know that I've had a difficult time winding down after working on an iPad and watching a video. It may just be that watching a video jazzes me up more than reading, but I do like reading until I'm tired.
And with an 8-year-old, not having explicit romance covers laying around the house is quite necessary. So my romance/paranormal reading is moving to Kindle, and I'm ditching print books.
Reading on it with an 8-year-old is also good. I downloaded a few titles for Amelia to entertain her when we're somewhere and she's bored. (A "Thank You" to Susie for the idea of using this in Church when we can't possibly expect her to understand the sermon for the adults. I found some decent kid's Bible stories.) I monitor what she's opening so she doesn't stumble into my labeled collections.
Things I'd like? A shuffle mode for the mp3 player. A password protect mode for some collections --with an ability to set that on only some collections. The ability to reply to email, but I can see how that might cause my data usage to go up.
But I'm happy with this little device. I've read more than I have in years. It's discrete. And no one can tell whether I'm reading Like Water for Chocolate, War and Peace, or a trashy-covered romance novel. I'm just reading the device.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Memories of Venice
Venice is by far the most beautiful city in my opinion. Our time there was well spent even if we only saw a couple of highlights.
We stayed at a fabulous hotel, the Hotel Ala Best Western, which was about 5 blocks from the Plaza de San Marco. I can't say enough good things about that hotel. I brought one small child and two older adults that were cautious about traveling abroad. I scheduled the child in at the last minute, and the hotel was able to accommodate us in a "family" room that slept four people. It was a lovely large room that had a window onto the canal.
The service here was above and beyond expectations. They accommodated our family on short notice. The staff offered us information about a great free boat ride to a glass factory on Murano (don't buy anything if you don't want to do so). When we purchased watercolors on the street, the staff helped me find a flattened cardboard box and packing tape so that I could protect them on the way home. I used the free internet terminal several times during the stay. This is definitely a place that I recommend. If you go, pick this one that is five blocks from San Marco square rather than the Best Western that is on San Marco square --this one is quieter at night. My friends are going to schedule a stay there later this summer based on my experiences. I wish I'd taken a photo of the hotel front.
Breakfast at the Hotel Ala is memorable. They really lay on an amazing spread of coffee, juice, rolls, fruit, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, yogurt, dried fruit, fruit salad, fruit and cream tart, cheeses, sliced meats, croissants, bagels, and donuts. There's a toaster and lots of cream and milk for tea and coffee. Every time I thought I'd scouted all of it, Dad would show up at the table with something new that I'd missed. The coffee was absolutely fantastic even if it was served in a brew pot instead of made single serving. I still dream about that coffee. We tended to really load up on food at breakfast. For me, that was a major factor in picking this hotel because I'd heard the breakfast was good. My food allergies preclude many basic meal choices (can't have bread). Eating well at breakfast meant that there was a lot of lead time to scout restaurants for possible gluten-free choices.
Italy understands gluten-free, though:
Venice is meant to be seen by water. And that we did. The water taxi from the airport to the hotel stop was our first taste. The free boat ride to the Murano glass factory was the second. Our gondola ride had its own memories. And the water taxi to the train station was our last view of Venice by water.
Here are some of our memories:
The Plaza de San Marco is the big tourist draw. The Basilica itself is quite lovely and covered in gold. Amelia was fascinated by the clockwork men on top of the bell tower. Even more fascinated when I told her that one of the clockwork men killed a workman in the 1600's or 1700's by knocking him off of the building. After that story, she always wanted to see "the evil men" strike the hour if we were near the square.
Venice could have done without the "Bridge of Sighs brought to you by Toyota," though. What fiendish advertising exec thought *this* up?
Yes, that's the Bridge of Sighs surrounded by blue sky canvas with Toyota's logo plastered all over it. It was irritating.
Around the corner in the square, Amelia tried her hand at coaxing pigeons to sit on her hand:
And she found a very old stone lion that needed a friend:
Mom, of course, snapped a lot of pictures:
I spent a lot of time watching my charges wander around with stars in their eyes and gelato in their hands. We fell in love with Venice. I'd go back for a visit anytime.
We stayed at a fabulous hotel, the Hotel Ala Best Western, which was about 5 blocks from the Plaza de San Marco. I can't say enough good things about that hotel. I brought one small child and two older adults that were cautious about traveling abroad. I scheduled the child in at the last minute, and the hotel was able to accommodate us in a "family" room that slept four people. It was a lovely large room that had a window onto the canal.
The service here was above and beyond expectations. They accommodated our family on short notice. The staff offered us information about a great free boat ride to a glass factory on Murano (don't buy anything if you don't want to do so). When we purchased watercolors on the street, the staff helped me find a flattened cardboard box and packing tape so that I could protect them on the way home. I used the free internet terminal several times during the stay. This is definitely a place that I recommend. If you go, pick this one that is five blocks from San Marco square rather than the Best Western that is on San Marco square --this one is quieter at night. My friends are going to schedule a stay there later this summer based on my experiences. I wish I'd taken a photo of the hotel front.
Breakfast at the Hotel Ala is memorable. They really lay on an amazing spread of coffee, juice, rolls, fruit, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, yogurt, dried fruit, fruit salad, fruit and cream tart, cheeses, sliced meats, croissants, bagels, and donuts. There's a toaster and lots of cream and milk for tea and coffee. Every time I thought I'd scouted all of it, Dad would show up at the table with something new that I'd missed. The coffee was absolutely fantastic even if it was served in a brew pot instead of made single serving. I still dream about that coffee. We tended to really load up on food at breakfast. For me, that was a major factor in picking this hotel because I'd heard the breakfast was good. My food allergies preclude many basic meal choices (can't have bread). Eating well at breakfast meant that there was a lot of lead time to scout restaurants for possible gluten-free choices.
Italy understands gluten-free, though:
Venice is meant to be seen by water. And that we did. The water taxi from the airport to the hotel stop was our first taste. The free boat ride to the Murano glass factory was the second. Our gondola ride had its own memories. And the water taxi to the train station was our last view of Venice by water.
Here are some of our memories:
The Plaza de San Marco is the big tourist draw. The Basilica itself is quite lovely and covered in gold. Amelia was fascinated by the clockwork men on top of the bell tower. Even more fascinated when I told her that one of the clockwork men killed a workman in the 1600's or 1700's by knocking him off of the building. After that story, she always wanted to see "the evil men" strike the hour if we were near the square.
Venice could have done without the "Bridge of Sighs brought to you by Toyota," though. What fiendish advertising exec thought *this* up?
Yes, that's the Bridge of Sighs surrounded by blue sky canvas with Toyota's logo plastered all over it. It was irritating.
Around the corner in the square, Amelia tried her hand at coaxing pigeons to sit on her hand:
And she found a very old stone lion that needed a friend:
Mom, of course, snapped a lot of pictures:
I spent a lot of time watching my charges wander around with stars in their eyes and gelato in their hands. We fell in love with Venice. I'd go back for a visit anytime.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Vacation!! - End of Italy, Beginning of Britain
The first day in Rome, we did manage to get over to the Vatican to see the Pope address the audience from his study window. His message was in Italian on the Transfiguration of Christ, but after the sermon he talked briefly about the war with Libya. Italy declared war on Libya the day we all arrived in Italy. The Pope expressed concern for the welfare of the Libyan citizens.
Our last day full day in Rome was our day at the Vatican Museum.
The Vatican tour wasn't left to chance. I wanted to get a pro to lead us through what was the highlight of our trip in Italy. I loved my guide for the Vatican tour. I hired one from Context tours. We got a private tour with a guide because we had a child with us. That's a challenging tour for any guide, but we got Linda Nolan who was spectacular:
Linda led us through the Vatican Museum. She took pity on me and let us go to the little coffee shop in the Vatican museum where I downed 2 lattes and an orange juice in as many minutes to try to cut through my tired haze. (It worked) I took my sleeping meds too late the night before and I was barely functional the first half hour of the tour. She rose to the occasion valiantly.
The tour was beyond my expectations. Saint Peter's Basilica is quite simply the most beautiful sacred space that I've ever been inside. The Sistine Chapel was bigger than my imagination and full of lovely color and movement. I took very few pictures during the tour because I can't do it justice and it was just too lovely. I did get that snapshot of our lovely guide though.
That evening we all had dinner at the hotel which was lovely. The food was excellent. The host entertaining. All in all, it was a lovely way to end our visit in Italy.
The next day we nipped out to see San Clemente church with it's ancient Mithraceum and 4th Century church under the main church floor. We got back just in time to catch our bus to the airport for our flight to England.
Once in England, I bid goodbye to Mom and Dad for a while. They flew to Manchester to visit with the English family members. I got picked up by Sue for a short stay in Castle Rising.
The village of Castle Rising is always peaceful and lovely. It amazes me every time how quiet and dark the village is at night. This was my last visit there as Sue and the family are leaving to return to the U.S. (probably) in August.
We did all nip out for a day trip to Brugge, Belgium during my stay. The ferry ride from Dover to Calais was a first for me. I got a chance to see the White Cliffs of Dover for the first time.
Brugge is a lovely lace-trimmed painted chocolate box of a city. With beer. And canals. We took a boat ride on the canals and had lunch in a great little restaurant with hot cocoa after the meal. Then we prowled through chocolate shops, lace shops, and one lone needlework shop before catching the bus back to England.
Here are Lily and Amelia with the famous swans of Brugge:
And we all took a boat ride:
After the few days with Sue, she dropped me off at the hotel near London Heathrow airport so that I could spend a day in London with Amelia.
We spent our day at the Tower of London. We joined in on a tour with one of the Beefeaters. He enthralled the audience with gory stories of beheadings and lost princes. Amelia was both terrified and enraptured. She slept in my bed that night.
But I think she really enjoyed London.
What a great trip!
Our last day full day in Rome was our day at the Vatican Museum.
The Vatican tour wasn't left to chance. I wanted to get a pro to lead us through what was the highlight of our trip in Italy. I loved my guide for the Vatican tour. I hired one from Context tours. We got a private tour with a guide because we had a child with us. That's a challenging tour for any guide, but we got Linda Nolan who was spectacular:
Linda led us through the Vatican Museum. She took pity on me and let us go to the little coffee shop in the Vatican museum where I downed 2 lattes and an orange juice in as many minutes to try to cut through my tired haze. (It worked) I took my sleeping meds too late the night before and I was barely functional the first half hour of the tour. She rose to the occasion valiantly.
The tour was beyond my expectations. Saint Peter's Basilica is quite simply the most beautiful sacred space that I've ever been inside. The Sistine Chapel was bigger than my imagination and full of lovely color and movement. I took very few pictures during the tour because I can't do it justice and it was just too lovely. I did get that snapshot of our lovely guide though.
That evening we all had dinner at the hotel which was lovely. The food was excellent. The host entertaining. All in all, it was a lovely way to end our visit in Italy.
The next day we nipped out to see San Clemente church with it's ancient Mithraceum and 4th Century church under the main church floor. We got back just in time to catch our bus to the airport for our flight to England.
Once in England, I bid goodbye to Mom and Dad for a while. They flew to Manchester to visit with the English family members. I got picked up by Sue for a short stay in Castle Rising.
The village of Castle Rising is always peaceful and lovely. It amazes me every time how quiet and dark the village is at night. This was my last visit there as Sue and the family are leaving to return to the U.S. (probably) in August.
We did all nip out for a day trip to Brugge, Belgium during my stay. The ferry ride from Dover to Calais was a first for me. I got a chance to see the White Cliffs of Dover for the first time.
Brugge is a lovely lace-trimmed painted chocolate box of a city. With beer. And canals. We took a boat ride on the canals and had lunch in a great little restaurant with hot cocoa after the meal. Then we prowled through chocolate shops, lace shops, and one lone needlework shop before catching the bus back to England.
Here are Lily and Amelia with the famous swans of Brugge:
And we all took a boat ride:
After the few days with Sue, she dropped me off at the hotel near London Heathrow airport so that I could spend a day in London with Amelia.
We spent our day at the Tower of London. We joined in on a tour with one of the Beefeaters. He enthralled the audience with gory stories of beheadings and lost princes. Amelia was both terrified and enraptured. She slept in my bed that night.
But I think she really enjoyed London.
What a great trip!
Vacation!! - Italy, England, Belgium
The family just got back from a trip to Italy, England, and Belgium. Norm couldn't go with us this trip, but Amelia and I traveled with Norm's parents. It was a spectacular trip. The pic above is Amelia and I visiting my friend Sue and her kids on a day trip to Brugge, Belgium.
We started in Italy. Venice was our first stop:
Venice is lovely. It's best to sight-see by water. We spent two days clambering over bridges and canals, hiking around San Marco, and just drinking in the sights.
We had several adventures, but one of the most memorable was our gondola ride with the Wicked Gondolier.
Mom loves a bargain. But don't try to cut rate the Gondoliers for a ride. Mom bargained for an 80 Euro trip instead of the 100 Euro trip. The gondolier accepted, but when we got in the boat, he suddenly lost the ability to speak English.
Not only did his English vanish, but suddenly his ability to pole under bridges without knocking my head into the side was diminished. I caught on to the game quickly and moved to kneel in the center of the boat to minimize the impact. He then started tipping the gondola a bit far to make it uncomfortable. That continued until I shifted my weight suddenly to catch him off-balance and tip the boat even further. After that, he behaved, but it was a silent tense ride. Mom and Dad were happy and oblivious to the tension, though. That's all that matters.
Next stop was Rome. I don't know if Amelia enjoyed Rome:
We visited every gelato stand and there were tons of them:
Along with the gelato stand tour, we also saw the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
At the Roman Forum, we hired a guide named Antoinette. Antoinette made that tour memorable. She knew her facts but they flowed out of her a mile a minute. If you interrupted the flow with a question, she got startled and couldn't pick up the thread for a minute. I thought she was just flustered about being an unlicensed guide in the Roman Forum. That's her picture above.
Ah, Antoinette, our bi-polar guide. Antoinette was a sweet older woman who dyed her hair black and was originally from Hershey, PA. She started the tour by pulling out the folder with drawings and renditions of what Rome looked like at several eras. And started talking a mile a minute. And the volume increased. And the talk was littered with dates (she did know it all) and eras and lots of discussion about how the area had been buried under a cow pasture. Got that. Asked her about one of the buildings and she said, "I am Getting to that but you NEED to know the history first." And then buried us under figures and dates. I was less agitated at that point and starting to get highly amused. It was quite obvious to me that she's bi-polar and off her meds. (Would someone please explain to me why they always are drawn to ME? No. Don't answer that.)
I found that I could steer her conversation in the right way if I started her walking in an area and talked soothingly. We passed a tour group. She stopped to let them pass, stared fixedly at them, and hissed, "Barbarians." I was surprised so I ignored it. She refused to go in the areas with the tour groups, but I thought that was due to her non-official guide status and some sort of rule. Nope.
She was flat out batshit crazy.
The tour began near the Temple of Saturn where the Roman treasury was held. We discussed the Temple of Jupiter that was gone that had been in the distance on the hill. We discussed the Julian Basilica where the law court was. A few tourists passed close to us, and she hissed, "Barbarians!" again. This time, I said "What?" And she told me, "don't they look like Barbarians to you? They have that same bovine look. Like cattle." No, I said, I just can't see it, sorry. We walked on and discussed the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the possible Temple of Minerva behind that. We passed more tourist groups and I swear she actually pulled her scarf up so that the trailing end wouldn't touch anyone and stared at them like they had sprouted basilisk heads. We talked about the Temple of Vesta and the Virgins and the Sacred Flame. And we got to the steps to the House of the Vestals and she pulled aside and said, "I won't go in there. All those people tramping around like cattle in that sacred space. Men even. They'd never have been allowed in that area. It's only been open to the public a year and should have been left closed." Oh, I said, and nodded and walked past her up the steps into the House of the Vestals.
She followed me into the sacred house.
And it *was* clear that she'd never been in there. She completely missed the actual original temple excavation in the corner and walked to the statuary. She was upset that there was no inscription for one of the statues that actually had a head on it. She told me that the statue was of a very old woman and "had immense power. There's a lot of energy in that statue." Yes, I see, I said. I walked on to another headed statue. Antoinette started reading the Latin inscription and talked about University professors at Catholic University and how she wouldn't pay attention to anything not said by a University professor. Oh, I said. I asked her what the large building was behind the House of the Vestals. "I don't know. It's a building from Hadrian's time." (It was the addition done to the Circus Maximus around the time of Hadrian, yes.) And then she started talking more about the Vestals. And was quite excited. We wandered out of the house and on the road and there was a set of marble cornice blocks that had bulls' heads carved in them. "Oh Hi, Genevieve!" she said. Excuse me? I said. "That's Genevieve. That bull's head there. I named it that because Genevieve and Allain saw it upside down and Allain turned it upright because it looked sacriligious. It has so much energy in it."
Oh, I said. And then she noticed another group and said, "The world is going to end in blood and fire, and they're all going to look like that with that bovine look in their eyes." I nodded and said, "Look at the time. We've kept you. Antoinette, it's been fascinating, and we'll remember you." I paid her and then she gave Amelia an orange and some stickers. Amelia liked her.
I do love memorable guides. She was definitely memorable.
I'll continue the vacation travelogue in another post.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Mango and Allergy
I've been sucking down a lot of green smoothies lately. That's green veggies spun up in a blender with fruit to make it palatable. One of my favorite things in smoothies is frozen mango. It makes the mix smooth and creamy with a tangy bite.
I've noticed a lot of heartburn lately. I thought it might be something in the smoothie, and started checking different veggies and fruit.
It's the mango. I'm having some sort of allergic reaction to mango. It's making my mouth feel raw and swollen, heartburn, and some wheezy shortness of breath for several hours after I eat it. Before I figured out it was mango, I had started taking a benedryl every night for the reactions.
It turns out that mango is related to poison ivy and poison oak. The sap from the plant has the same oil. If mangos themselves weren't so tasty, we'd get rid of the trees.
My smoothies just don't taste as good without mango, but at least I can breathe.
I've noticed a lot of heartburn lately. I thought it might be something in the smoothie, and started checking different veggies and fruit.
It's the mango. I'm having some sort of allergic reaction to mango. It's making my mouth feel raw and swollen, heartburn, and some wheezy shortness of breath for several hours after I eat it. Before I figured out it was mango, I had started taking a benedryl every night for the reactions.
It turns out that mango is related to poison ivy and poison oak. The sap from the plant has the same oil. If mangos themselves weren't so tasty, we'd get rid of the trees.
My smoothies just don't taste as good without mango, but at least I can breathe.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Disney's "Shake It Up" and other Inappropriate Conversation
Yes, the Senior Center Woman's line about dancing in her birthday suit was over the line for a teen show. But there are so many references and bad dialogue and set ups that I hardly know where to start. The only positive note is that this show is banned for vulgarity and not for the constant arguments that got "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" banned from our life.
Disney has earned that permanent lockout.
Here are some examples on this show for the few episodes that I've seen. There's something in every single episode, it seems:
Episode 3 - Give It Up
----------------------
Not only do these episodes have some of the most dubious titles that I've ever seen, but this episode was one that caught my attention and started my hunt through the other episodes to see what it was that Disney is peddling to the 6-11 year old crowd.
I didn't go any further than this line of dialogue that occurs in the first few minutes of the program:
Girls finish a dance number at a senior center.
Older Woman at Senior Center: "You call that dancing? I did better than that when I was a Vegas Showgirl....And I did it in my birthday suit!"
Episode 2 - Meatball It Up
--------------------------
CeCe: "Uh oh. I see clouds rolling in. And that means it's time for …."
Rocky & CeCe: "Rain!!!"
Girls proceed to throw money in the air and dance in it as it falls. Stripper style.
CeCe's mother comes in while they're doing that and joins them. Then makes a comment about being 29. Which could explain a Lot about her parenting since the girls are supposed to be 13.
Episode 7 - Party It Up
-----------------------
The whole sneaking out premise was tasteless and nothing about their comeuppance managed to do anything to salvage the situation. It was a typical "Sorry we got caught" scene. And here's a sample of dialogue:
CeCe's Brother: "We need more boys in this house. I'm outnumbered."
CeCe's Mom: "Hey, don't look at me. Factory's closed."
CeCe: "Whoa. You look like….old enough to get into an R-rated movie."
Rocky: "You look old enough to have a driver's license."
And that tasteless "water torture" scene when the Mom interrogates the boys about the girls' whereabouts.
Episode 8 - Hook It Up
----------------------
Cool nick name for the backup dancers - "The Rear Ends"
Cece: "Do we get dressing rooms?"
Chicago Dance Leader: "Right here" Points to a wall beside the stage with coathooks and bags.
Cece: "We get hooks. What happens if we have to change clothes and there are boys around?"
Chicago Dance Leader: "Oh come on. We're dancers. There's no shame here. Our bodies are our instruments."
Rocky: "Yeah, well my banjo prefers to stay in its case."
CeCe: "You know what else is coming up? My gym pants up my butt!"
Tinka: "Ah. We always knew CeCe was a very dirty girl!"
And the entire bit about the "Doo-Doo Girls" complete with the butt waggle dance.
There are so many references to "pee", "butt", "poop" that it is just too impossible to list.
Enough is enough. There won't be any more Disney programs allowed without full parental screening. And given that I've heard about a "Phineas and Ferb" episode that may contain a very rude word used by a crowd, well, it's under scrutiny too. Given that our family adores "Phineas and Ferb" that's a serious hardship. Right now, we're taping episodes from the Disney channels so that I don't have to drop the lockout so that we can watch. But I'm screening them first to make sure that the rude word is really legendary and not real. I'm thinking that maybe someone mistook "Curse you!" for something more offensive.
This is not "tween" material. It isn't even suitable for 16-year-olds due to the vapid subject matter.
Disney has earned that permanent lockout.
Here are some examples on this show for the few episodes that I've seen. There's something in every single episode, it seems:
Episode 3 - Give It Up
----------------------
Not only do these episodes have some of the most dubious titles that I've ever seen, but this episode was one that caught my attention and started my hunt through the other episodes to see what it was that Disney is peddling to the 6-11 year old crowd.
I didn't go any further than this line of dialogue that occurs in the first few minutes of the program:
Girls finish a dance number at a senior center.
Older Woman at Senior Center: "You call that dancing? I did better than that when I was a Vegas Showgirl....And I did it in my birthday suit!"
Episode 2 - Meatball It Up
--------------------------
CeCe: "Uh oh. I see clouds rolling in. And that means it's time for …."
Rocky & CeCe: "Rain!!!"
Girls proceed to throw money in the air and dance in it as it falls. Stripper style.
CeCe's mother comes in while they're doing that and joins them. Then makes a comment about being 29. Which could explain a Lot about her parenting since the girls are supposed to be 13.
Episode 7 - Party It Up
-----------------------
The whole sneaking out premise was tasteless and nothing about their comeuppance managed to do anything to salvage the situation. It was a typical "Sorry we got caught" scene. And here's a sample of dialogue:
CeCe's Brother: "We need more boys in this house. I'm outnumbered."
CeCe's Mom: "Hey, don't look at me. Factory's closed."
CeCe: "Whoa. You look like….old enough to get into an R-rated movie."
Rocky: "You look old enough to have a driver's license."
And that tasteless "water torture" scene when the Mom interrogates the boys about the girls' whereabouts.
Episode 8 - Hook It Up
----------------------
Cool nick name for the backup dancers - "The Rear Ends"
Cece: "Do we get dressing rooms?"
Chicago Dance Leader: "Right here" Points to a wall beside the stage with coathooks and bags.
Cece: "We get hooks. What happens if we have to change clothes and there are boys around?"
Chicago Dance Leader: "Oh come on. We're dancers. There's no shame here. Our bodies are our instruments."
Rocky: "Yeah, well my banjo prefers to stay in its case."
CeCe: "You know what else is coming up? My gym pants up my butt!"
Tinka: "Ah. We always knew CeCe was a very dirty girl!"
And the entire bit about the "Doo-Doo Girls" complete with the butt waggle dance.
There are so many references to "pee", "butt", "poop" that it is just too impossible to list.
Enough is enough. There won't be any more Disney programs allowed without full parental screening. And given that I've heard about a "Phineas and Ferb" episode that may contain a very rude word used by a crowd, well, it's under scrutiny too. Given that our family adores "Phineas and Ferb" that's a serious hardship. Right now, we're taping episodes from the Disney channels so that I don't have to drop the lockout so that we can watch. But I'm screening them first to make sure that the rude word is really legendary and not real. I'm thinking that maybe someone mistook "Curse you!" for something more offensive.
This is not "tween" material. It isn't even suitable for 16-year-olds due to the vapid subject matter.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Disney's "Shake It Up" and Inappropriate Conversation
I'm a pretty mellow Mom. There are a lot of things out there that don't bother me. But this weekend the Disney Channel, of all things, finally tripped my Mom-censor.
Shake It Up seems to be a fairly new show. I haven't quite gotten the basic plot line, but it seems to involve girls dancing a lot.
This weekend, my daughter and her friend were watching Disney Channel in the background while the adults were having coffee and chatting. Suddenly, I heard *this* snippet of conversation between two characters:
Girls finish a dance number at a senior center.
Older Woman at Senior Center: "You call that dancing? I did better than that when I was a Vegas Showgirl....And I did it in my birthday suit!"
I immediately got up, walked over, and turned the TV off. I've seen some dubious things, but HOW did that get past Disney's quality control? The answer has to be that it was deliberate to add a bit of shock value and further Disney's goal of making it cool for teens.
So, let me get this straight. Disney thinks it is OK to glorify strippers in its teen programming????!!!!
That's not OK. They just lost two families and probably more once I get the word out to the rest of the parent circle. Disney just earned a lockout on our parental control, and all Disney programs are going to either be eliminated or pre-screened in our household. Disney is mixing preschooler programming with PG-13 programming now. That lockout is going to stay until she is at least 14.
I'm not a letter writer. But I'm writing a letter about this incident today to Disney. This episode was called "Give It Up" (series 1, episode 3) aired on Sun Jan 23, 2011 when we saw it.
Shake It Up seems to be a fairly new show. I haven't quite gotten the basic plot line, but it seems to involve girls dancing a lot.
This weekend, my daughter and her friend were watching Disney Channel in the background while the adults were having coffee and chatting. Suddenly, I heard *this* snippet of conversation between two characters:
Girls finish a dance number at a senior center.
Older Woman at Senior Center: "You call that dancing? I did better than that when I was a Vegas Showgirl....And I did it in my birthday suit!"
I immediately got up, walked over, and turned the TV off. I've seen some dubious things, but HOW did that get past Disney's quality control? The answer has to be that it was deliberate to add a bit of shock value and further Disney's goal of making it cool for teens.
So, let me get this straight. Disney thinks it is OK to glorify strippers in its teen programming????!!!!
That's not OK. They just lost two families and probably more once I get the word out to the rest of the parent circle. Disney just earned a lockout on our parental control, and all Disney programs are going to either be eliminated or pre-screened in our household. Disney is mixing preschooler programming with PG-13 programming now. That lockout is going to stay until she is at least 14.
I'm not a letter writer. But I'm writing a letter about this incident today to Disney. This episode was called "Give It Up" (series 1, episode 3) aired on Sun Jan 23, 2011 when we saw it.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Vacation Dreaming
We've been quietly planning out the year at home. Vacations typically get settled out a year or two in advance, and this year is no different. Well, a bit different because the end of the summer has some uncertainty in it. Since that's one of the best times of year to vacation because the little one is in school, I'm planning mostly close-to-home simple vacations.
I'd love to go to Spain. But it's not in the cards this year. After summer, I can see if it will be in the cards next year. I've got a feeling it will be 2013 before we can go. Norm's not very keen on traveling outside the US borders, and it's also a money/planning thing. Anything on the Eastern seaboard within a half day's drive of D.C. is ok, but outside of that I'm frustrated. Even Ohio and the Great Lakes verge on too far to travel.
Branson, Missouri, of all places, came up last night. I know we'd like to do Gatlinburg at some point. Branson, however, is turning into a combination of Nashville and Atlantic City with a bit of Orlando thrown in for good measure.
Did you know that they are building a castle in Branson? Not a replica made of plaster and timber, but a real stone castle using authentic techniques. 
The estimated time to completion is something like 20 years. I can just imagine the glee of thousands of medievalists at the thought of a real American castle. Every SCA member is probably giddy at the thought of a feast in a real castle.
Years ago, in the Kingdom of Atlantia, I belonged to the Ladies' Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society. The "Terrorist" part was no more sinister than the plotting of the overthrow of the Kingdoms of Drachenwald or Trimaris. However, I do remember that since I put SCA and the associated groups down on a security form for the government, I spent about an hour trying to explain what it was that the Ladies' Society *did* with such a provocative name. What did we do? Well, hand sewing and embroidery of garments was popular. Half a dozen of us spent time (and gained a lot of arm muscle) knitting chain mail. And working ways to make the Barony of ?Columbia? (I think that was the name) the most feared on the battlefield. So, more chain mail knitting.
A castle. Really. With medieval workman and everything. Ooooohhhh. Maybe we have to give Branson a look-see.
I'd love to go to Spain. But it's not in the cards this year. After summer, I can see if it will be in the cards next year. I've got a feeling it will be 2013 before we can go. Norm's not very keen on traveling outside the US borders, and it's also a money/planning thing. Anything on the Eastern seaboard within a half day's drive of D.C. is ok, but outside of that I'm frustrated. Even Ohio and the Great Lakes verge on too far to travel.
Branson, Missouri, of all places, came up last night. I know we'd like to do Gatlinburg at some point. Branson, however, is turning into a combination of Nashville and Atlantic City with a bit of Orlando thrown in for good measure.
Did you know that they are building a castle in Branson? Not a replica made of plaster and timber, but a real stone castle using authentic techniques. 
The estimated time to completion is something like 20 years. I can just imagine the glee of thousands of medievalists at the thought of a real American castle. Every SCA member is probably giddy at the thought of a feast in a real castle. 
Years ago, in the Kingdom of Atlantia, I belonged to the Ladies' Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society. The "Terrorist" part was no more sinister than the plotting of the overthrow of the Kingdoms of Drachenwald or Trimaris. However, I do remember that since I put SCA and the associated groups down on a security form for the government, I spent about an hour trying to explain what it was that the Ladies' Society *did* with such a provocative name. What did we do? Well, hand sewing and embroidery of garments was popular. Half a dozen of us spent time (and gained a lot of arm muscle) knitting chain mail. And working ways to make the Barony of ?Columbia? (I think that was the name) the most feared on the battlefield. So, more chain mail knitting. A castle. Really. With medieval workman and everything. Ooooohhhh. Maybe we have to give Branson a look-see.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
On the Season
Tomorrow is the final day of the year. This year is finally drawing to a close with a very happy ending despite some rather rough water that was navigated. In January I enter a new job with new people in a new office and am thrilled to be able to work in a group where we are actually helping faculty further the goals of the University. The best part is that helping faculty bit, but the icing on the cake is that I'm no longer on the same 24/7/365 schedule that I've been on for the past 3.5 years. Oh, there is some rotational on-call work with this, but it's nowhere near the same level of stress. I can actually sleep at night.
And I think I've re-learned how to sleep at night. I wasn't doing that for a while and in the summer it hit a real peak of not sleeping. Forty minute catnaps that end in a sudden heart-pounding jolt awake are not fun. To finally be winding into a job where that level of anxiety is no longer necessary is a blessing.
My daughter started really swimming this year. She's not got the strokes yet, but the next couple of swim lesson sessions should begin rounding that out. However, she keeps her head above water as she flounders across a pool.
Amelia started wearing glasses this year. At first they were a real fashion accent, but now they've drifted into a chore to wear. I was hoping the fashionable feeling would last for a couple of years, but I was wrong. Poor kid. She inherited my Dad's eyes, I think. He had terrible eyesight.
I don't usually talk about Norm in my blog. But we've had a tough year as a family, and he's been my anchor point. Being able to catch my breath and lean against his strength is bliss indeed. I'm absolutely bowled over by him as always.
Christmas was rather chaotic and joyous this year. We've had a few of them so far and two more to come. Christmas keeps recurring for us in the form of family dinners and gaiety.
Wishing your families a brilliant New Year.
And I think I've re-learned how to sleep at night. I wasn't doing that for a while and in the summer it hit a real peak of not sleeping. Forty minute catnaps that end in a sudden heart-pounding jolt awake are not fun. To finally be winding into a job where that level of anxiety is no longer necessary is a blessing.
My daughter started really swimming this year. She's not got the strokes yet, but the next couple of swim lesson sessions should begin rounding that out. However, she keeps her head above water as she flounders across a pool.
Amelia started wearing glasses this year. At first they were a real fashion accent, but now they've drifted into a chore to wear. I was hoping the fashionable feeling would last for a couple of years, but I was wrong. Poor kid. She inherited my Dad's eyes, I think. He had terrible eyesight.
I don't usually talk about Norm in my blog. But we've had a tough year as a family, and he's been my anchor point. Being able to catch my breath and lean against his strength is bliss indeed. I'm absolutely bowled over by him as always.
Christmas was rather chaotic and joyous this year. We've had a few of them so far and two more to come. Christmas keeps recurring for us in the form of family dinners and gaiety.
Wishing your families a brilliant New Year.
On the Avoidance of Writing
I'm avoiding my writing again. Oh, not this blog or witty correspondence or anything that is pretty much meaningless.
But the heart and soul of me thrown into narrative form, *that* I'm avoiding. I can't seem to show anyone anything that I write. Ever. That need to keep all writing under wraps is beyond the little bit of a personality quirk and has gone deep into ritualized phobia.
I can't write. Because if I write then it follows that I have to show that written narrative to someone else. Even if I just hide it in a drawer, it can be found. And it's a risk that I can't bear on some unconscious level for some unconscious reason.
So, I make up stories and tell them to my niece and nephew and daughter. I'm not writing them, I'm just telling them. Fairy tales that hold them spellbound when I start the tale and throw in an embroidery of darkness and light with the hero always winning in the end. I've engaged them in the story, getting them to answer in unison when I pose a question. Original bits with elements straight out of the Brothers Grimm.
I sat down a few weeks ago and did some goals work. This time, I assigned time frames and a concrete road map for getting to the goal. There are two that are important to me, but I can't seem to start. One of them is my writing. And in the agony of sitting and trying to write and staring at blank pages, I have to confront what it is that is blocking me from the writing. And I'm not sure that I can do that alone.
But the heart and soul of me thrown into narrative form, *that* I'm avoiding. I can't seem to show anyone anything that I write. Ever. That need to keep all writing under wraps is beyond the little bit of a personality quirk and has gone deep into ritualized phobia.
I can't write. Because if I write then it follows that I have to show that written narrative to someone else. Even if I just hide it in a drawer, it can be found. And it's a risk that I can't bear on some unconscious level for some unconscious reason.
So, I make up stories and tell them to my niece and nephew and daughter. I'm not writing them, I'm just telling them. Fairy tales that hold them spellbound when I start the tale and throw in an embroidery of darkness and light with the hero always winning in the end. I've engaged them in the story, getting them to answer in unison when I pose a question. Original bits with elements straight out of the Brothers Grimm.
I sat down a few weeks ago and did some goals work. This time, I assigned time frames and a concrete road map for getting to the goal. There are two that are important to me, but I can't seem to start. One of them is my writing. And in the agony of sitting and trying to write and staring at blank pages, I have to confront what it is that is blocking me from the writing. And I'm not sure that I can do that alone.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Asheville and David Wilcox, of course
Norm wants to go to Asheville to see the Biltmore mansion during the Christmas season. "Sure," I said, "and I'll check to see if David is playing over the season in Asheville."
He isn't playing --he's heading to California and Canada for some winter concert dates. But while searching for anything close to home to satisfy my deep longing to hear his voice again, I found notices for a weekend with other Wilcox fans. Most of them attending are musicians, but not all. It's a weekend of music workshops and fellowship with other fans. And I want to go more than anything.
Not everyone is a musician. And a weekend in the mountains watching other artists work on their art, well, catnip I tell you.
For those who read this blog and don't know who David Wilcox is, he's a folk singer and a poet. I have loved his music since I found a cut-out album of The Night Watchman in the 1980's. I've followed at a distance over the years, going to concerts and picking up albums. Every fan I've ever met was a lovely person. I think David only attracts lovely people around him.
So, fate has shown me the Kanuga weekend. I'll go to Asheville this week with a happy heart.
And I'll leave you with a link to David. Please explore his site. David Wilcox radio
That's David. I dare you to take him for a "Spin."
He isn't playing --he's heading to California and Canada for some winter concert dates. But while searching for anything close to home to satisfy my deep longing to hear his voice again, I found notices for a weekend with other Wilcox fans. Most of them attending are musicians, but not all. It's a weekend of music workshops and fellowship with other fans. And I want to go more than anything.
Not everyone is a musician. And a weekend in the mountains watching other artists work on their art, well, catnip I tell you.
For those who read this blog and don't know who David Wilcox is, he's a folk singer and a poet. I have loved his music since I found a cut-out album of The Night Watchman in the 1980's. I've followed at a distance over the years, going to concerts and picking up albums. Every fan I've ever met was a lovely person. I think David only attracts lovely people around him.
So, fate has shown me the Kanuga weekend. I'll go to Asheville this week with a happy heart.
And I'll leave you with a link to David. Please explore his site. David Wilcox radio
That's David. I dare you to take him for a "Spin."
Monday, December 06, 2010
Redefine It
Actually the goals from yesterday fit into 4 overarching
goals:
1. Lose weight and increase fitness
2. Declutter the house to peaceful calm
3. Write the story of my heart
4. Turn my job into one that brings me peace
So, looking at these 4 goals, let's see how all of the
smaller discrete goals fit into them:
1. Lose weight and increase fitness
A. 4. Find the time to start twice weekly family dinners.
Put on calendar.
B. 5. Work on Amelia's diet.
C. 12. Complete 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week.
Put on home calendar.
2. Declutter the house to peaceful calm
A. 2. Do a hot spot declutter session every other day.
B. 3. Do one declutter session (15 minutes) per week.
Put on home calendar.
C. 20. Unpack the garage.
--a) Install Amelia's playhouse outside.
--b) Unpack one garage box per week.
3. Write the story of my heart
A. 1. Complete 15 minutes of writing daily.
B. 10. Submit one item to a publisher - journalistic
articles count!
C. 19. Enter one writing contest by April, 2011.
4. Turn my job into one that brings me peace
A. 9. Work on Drupal and PHP knowledge.
B. 13. CISSP certification.
C. 14. PMP certification study.
D. 15. Work on application for a different Graduate
degree
There are some miscellaneous things which I can place
into a 5th goal:
5. Nurture me and my family
A. 6. Enjoy Amelia's 2nd grade school year.
B. 7. Finish 3 items in any craft technique.
C. 8. Learn enough Serbian to speak to Tanja's mom.
--a) Basic greetings.
--b) Present tense sentences [simple ones]
--c) Food vocabulary
D. 11. Update will by March 2011.
E. 16. Do one task a week to keep up my friendships.
This is flexible.
F. 17. Do something special for Norman weekly, and
a thoughtful thing every other day.
G. 18. Complete 1 needlework pattern entirely.
There's something so peaceful about all of this activity
this year. I feel like I can accomplish these. (Maybe
it's finishing the house earlier this year? That was a
huge accomplishment.)
Last night, I signed up again for Grad School classes
in a Technical Management degree. I think I'll make
it through next semester with those two classes. One
semester at a time.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Goals list 2010
This is several months late, but at least I'm getting it in place before 2011.
A lot of stuff got finished last year. It was a busy spring that culminated in the completion of the old house renovation and its sale. A sad time for me --I hate goodbyes and especially to the house where I first felt like I lived in a home.
I made some sweeping changes to my professional goals. I'd eliminated many of the certification goals, but I've shifted my direction and focus completely. This is quite a surprise to me. I'm changing my career this year from 24/7 operations to a role with instructional design while still using many of my core skills.
So, here's the old goal list:
1. Complete work on old house & determine its fate. This is DONE!!! The house was sold in April 2010.
--a) Complete the painting, tile work, fixture installation in downstairs bathroom.
--b) Complete the touch-up painting, caulking, blind installation in the upstairs bathroom.
--c) Complete the post repairs and painting of the stairs.
--d) Complete the painting of the hallway.
--e) Complete the painting, floor refinish, and closet installation in downstairs bedroom.
--f) Complete the touch-up painting, trim painting, and radiator painting in the master bedroom.
--g) Complete the carpeting of the upstairs hall, walk-in closet room, and master bedroom.
--h) Complete the painting refresh of the kitchen.
--i) Complete the painting refresh of Amelia's old room.
--j) Complete the painting refresh of the wrap-around porch.
--k) Fix the outside stairs and walks.
--l) Paint the walls and radiator of the walk-in closet room.
--m) Paint the trim in the small bedroom (attached to walk-in closet room).
--n) Fix the windows that need it.
--o) Make window treatments.
--p) Stage the house.
2. Do one Chinese activity with Amelia every 14 days. Put on home calendar. We haven't done this. Chinese is in limbo. Amelia is old enough that she will have to have an interest to get involved.
3. Do one declutter session (15 minutes) per week. Put on home calendar. This is perking along. Many areas in the house are clearing up.
4. Find the time to start twice weekly family dinners. Put on calendar.Still struggling with this one.
5. Complete 15 minutes of writing daily.Ditto. You think this would be the easiest one to accomplish.
6. Enjoy Amelia's 1st grade school year.Done.
7. Finish 3 items in any craft technique.Done.
8. Learn enough Serbian to speak to Tanja's mom. This one I'm working on still.
--a) Basic greetings.
--b) Present tense sentences [simple ones]
--c) Food vocabulary
9. Finish business plan & incorporate.Goals changed.
10. Submit one item to a publisher - journalistic articles count!Fail.
11. Update will by September, 2009.Failed here too.
12. Complete 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. Put on home calendar.Really failed, but in the new year I'm trying.
13. Microsoft certification - first 3 classes.
14. Cisco certification - re-certify on CCNA
15. Work on application for a different Graduate degree
16. Do one task a week to keep up my friendships. This is flexible.
17. Do something special for Norman weekly, and thoughtful thing every other day.
18. Complete 1 needlework pattern entirely.
19. Enter one writing contest by April, 2010.
20. Unpack the garage.
--a) Install Amelia's playhouse outside.
--b) Unpack one garage box per week.Some of the garage boxes were unpacked.
21. Unpack one basement box from the move every week.Completely went through all basement boxes!!
22. Bring in more bookshelves to house to accomplish #21.
Now we'll look at the current year's goals (1/2 a year to go, really)
1. Complete 15 minutes of writing daily.
2. Do a hot spot declutter session every other day.
3. Do one declutter session (15 minutes) per week. Put on home calendar.
4. Find the time to start twice weekly family dinners. Put on calendar.
5. Work on Amelia's diet.
6. Enjoy Amelia's 2nd grade school year.
7. Finish 3 items in any craft technique.
8. Learn enough Serbian to speak to Tanja's mom.
--a) Basic greetings.
--b) Present tense sentences [simple ones]
--c) Food vocabulary
9. Work on Drupal and PHP knowledge.
10. Submit one item to a publisher - journalistic articles count!
11. Update will by March 2011.
12. Complete 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. Put on home calendar.
13. CISSP certification.
14. PMP certification study.
15. Work on application for a different Graduate degree
16. Do one task a week to keep up my friendships. This is flexible.
17. Do something special for Norman weekly, and thoughtful thing every other day.
18. Complete 1 needlework pattern entirely.
19. Enter one writing contest by April, 2011.
20. Unpack the garage.
--a) Install Amelia's playhouse outside.
--b) Unpack one garage box per week.
A lot of stuff got finished last year. It was a busy spring that culminated in the completion of the old house renovation and its sale. A sad time for me --I hate goodbyes and especially to the house where I first felt like I lived in a home.
I made some sweeping changes to my professional goals. I'd eliminated many of the certification goals, but I've shifted my direction and focus completely. This is quite a surprise to me. I'm changing my career this year from 24/7 operations to a role with instructional design while still using many of my core skills.
So, here's the old goal list:
1. Complete work on old house & determine its fate. This is DONE!!! The house was sold in April 2010.
--a) Complete the painting, tile work, fixture installation in downstairs bathroom.
--b) Complete the touch-up painting, caulking, blind installation in the upstairs bathroom.
--c) Complete the post repairs and painting of the stairs.
--d) Complete the painting of the hallway.
--e) Complete the painting, floor refinish, and closet installation in downstairs bedroom.
--f) Complete the touch-up painting, trim painting, and radiator painting in the master bedroom.
--g) Complete the carpeting of the upstairs hall, walk-in closet room, and master bedroom.
--h) Complete the painting refresh of the kitchen.
--i) Complete the painting refresh of Amelia's old room.
--j) Complete the painting refresh of the wrap-around porch.
--k) Fix the outside stairs and walks.
--l) Paint the walls and radiator of the walk-in closet room.
--m) Paint the trim in the small bedroom (attached to walk-in closet room).
--n) Fix the windows that need it.
--o) Make window treatments.
--p) Stage the house.
2. Do one Chinese activity with Amelia every 14 days. Put on home calendar. We haven't done this. Chinese is in limbo. Amelia is old enough that she will have to have an interest to get involved.
3. Do one declutter session (15 minutes) per week. Put on home calendar. This is perking along. Many areas in the house are clearing up.
4. Find the time to start twice weekly family dinners. Put on calendar.Still struggling with this one.
5. Complete 15 minutes of writing daily.Ditto. You think this would be the easiest one to accomplish.
6. Enjoy Amelia's 1st grade school year.Done.
7. Finish 3 items in any craft technique.Done.
8. Learn enough Serbian to speak to Tanja's mom. This one I'm working on still.
--a) Basic greetings.
--b) Present tense sentences [simple ones]
--c) Food vocabulary
9. Finish business plan & incorporate.Goals changed.
10. Submit one item to a publisher - journalistic articles count!Fail.
11. Update will by September, 2009.Failed here too.
12. Complete 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. Put on home calendar.Really failed, but in the new year I'm trying.
13. Microsoft certification - first 3 classes.
14. Cisco certification - re-certify on CCNA
15. Work on application for a different Graduate degree
16. Do one task a week to keep up my friendships. This is flexible.
17. Do something special for Norman weekly, and thoughtful thing every other day.
18. Complete 1 needlework pattern entirely.
19. Enter one writing contest by April, 2010.
20. Unpack the garage.
--a) Install Amelia's playhouse outside.
--b) Unpack one garage box per week.Some of the garage boxes were unpacked.
21. Unpack one basement box from the move every week.Completely went through all basement boxes!!
22. Bring in more bookshelves to house to accomplish #21.
Now we'll look at the current year's goals (1/2 a year to go, really)
1. Complete 15 minutes of writing daily.
2. Do a hot spot declutter session every other day.
3. Do one declutter session (15 minutes) per week. Put on home calendar.
4. Find the time to start twice weekly family dinners. Put on calendar.
5. Work on Amelia's diet.
6. Enjoy Amelia's 2nd grade school year.
7. Finish 3 items in any craft technique.
8. Learn enough Serbian to speak to Tanja's mom.
--a) Basic greetings.
--b) Present tense sentences [simple ones]
--c) Food vocabulary
9. Work on Drupal and PHP knowledge.
10. Submit one item to a publisher - journalistic articles count!
11. Update will by March 2011.
12. Complete 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. Put on home calendar.
13. CISSP certification.
14. PMP certification study.
15. Work on application for a different Graduate degree
16. Do one task a week to keep up my friendships. This is flexible.
17. Do something special for Norman weekly, and thoughtful thing every other day.
18. Complete 1 needlework pattern entirely.
19. Enter one writing contest by April, 2011.
20. Unpack the garage.
--a) Install Amelia's playhouse outside.
--b) Unpack one garage box per week.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Planning the Escape
There are days that mark choices which turn a life in a different direction. This week, I had one of those days.
I've had a health problem for the last three months that stopped me in my tracks. My doctor has given a strong recommendation to relieving stress in my life. A worthy goal for anyone, but my life is a wound-up string of stressful activities. My job, which has defined me for over 2 decades, is no longer feasible in this new life.
After agonizing about the needed changes, I took matters into my own hands. I did a lot of internal work about what I wanted to do with my life if I couldn't do what I'm doing now. The answers surprised me. Once I had those answers, I spent quite a bit of time planning a road map to the goal.
Monday I approached one of the directors at my workplace with a proposal. In a moment of true serendipity, he was searching for exactly that puzzle piece for his organization. The solution is simple and elegant. It will take some time, but I am moving from one organization to another. And I'm saying goodbye to 24/7 operations.
I can't continue in my current work path. I know that with every fiber of my being. Yet it is so hard to begin closing this chapter. The new life is waiting for me to finish my last tasks. Today, I'm fleshing out a transfer of duties, and beginning the changes needed to make this happen.
It took guts to make that approach to our director. It took faith. And I know that I will give him what he needs from me to make the organizational goals succeed. It's as perfect a fit as it can be, and I'm content.
I've had a health problem for the last three months that stopped me in my tracks. My doctor has given a strong recommendation to relieving stress in my life. A worthy goal for anyone, but my life is a wound-up string of stressful activities. My job, which has defined me for over 2 decades, is no longer feasible in this new life.
After agonizing about the needed changes, I took matters into my own hands. I did a lot of internal work about what I wanted to do with my life if I couldn't do what I'm doing now. The answers surprised me. Once I had those answers, I spent quite a bit of time planning a road map to the goal.
Monday I approached one of the directors at my workplace with a proposal. In a moment of true serendipity, he was searching for exactly that puzzle piece for his organization. The solution is simple and elegant. It will take some time, but I am moving from one organization to another. And I'm saying goodbye to 24/7 operations.
I can't continue in my current work path. I know that with every fiber of my being. Yet it is so hard to begin closing this chapter. The new life is waiting for me to finish my last tasks. Today, I'm fleshing out a transfer of duties, and beginning the changes needed to make this happen.
It took guts to make that approach to our director. It took faith. And I know that I will give him what he needs from me to make the organizational goals succeed. It's as perfect a fit as it can be, and I'm content.
Friday, September 10, 2010
September is here
Just a short Haiku of mine to liven up the day.
Autumn smears edges
Bringing Summer to a close
With its Harvest breath.
Autumn smears edges
Bringing Summer to a close
With its Harvest breath.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
The Company of Women
I'm feeling almost desperate to talk to adult humans these days. I've moved into a shared office environment at work which was designed to foster communication but really just depresses communication. None of us want to talk in the cubicle area for fear of disturbing the others. And since I gave up my office near my other work group people, I don't talk to them either.
I realized today that I really haven't talked to much of anyone other than my husband and 7-year-old in two months. My conversation has devolved down into bullet points of project updates (work) and food wheedling (home).
I'm getting impossibly lonely.
So tonight I came home, grabbed a snack, and went out to the Wednesday night knitting circle. I don't knit, but a friend invited me to come a while ago with her. I take my stitch/sew project of the week, and then go hang out with the knitters.
My friend wasn't there tonight, but several others were. And I made new friends. And at some point I began a stand-up routine about the joys of pregnancy (one of the knitters is 7.5 months gone and is rather miserable, poor thing). I had several people practically convulsing on the floor when we were in discussion about how the Poor Thing managed to *dislocate* her shoulder in her sleep, her doctor's fix for it, and her husband's stoic method of dealing with it in future.
I sat next to a spinner who had brought her wheel and was Navajo-plying yarn. I worked on my Serbian Cyrillic alphabet blanket for the cousins. I got a chance to pet several sweaters in the making and an adorable crocheted pet thing. I talked to several new ladies. I met the new owner of my old favorite yarn shop.
I talked until I was hoarse from using an unused voice.
And I've come home happy and dead tired. Good night all.
I realized today that I really haven't talked to much of anyone other than my husband and 7-year-old in two months. My conversation has devolved down into bullet points of project updates (work) and food wheedling (home).
I'm getting impossibly lonely.
So tonight I came home, grabbed a snack, and went out to the Wednesday night knitting circle. I don't knit, but a friend invited me to come a while ago with her. I take my stitch/sew project of the week, and then go hang out with the knitters.
My friend wasn't there tonight, but several others were. And I made new friends. And at some point I began a stand-up routine about the joys of pregnancy (one of the knitters is 7.5 months gone and is rather miserable, poor thing). I had several people practically convulsing on the floor when we were in discussion about how the Poor Thing managed to *dislocate* her shoulder in her sleep, her doctor's fix for it, and her husband's stoic method of dealing with it in future.
I sat next to a spinner who had brought her wheel and was Navajo-plying yarn. I worked on my Serbian Cyrillic alphabet blanket for the cousins. I got a chance to pet several sweaters in the making and an adorable crocheted pet thing. I talked to several new ladies. I met the new owner of my old favorite yarn shop.
I talked until I was hoarse from using an unused voice.
And I've come home happy and dead tired. Good night all.
NTSC to PAL
I managed to do it, but it was a total pain. And the video is still not as smooth as I'd like. Modern DVD players do automatic interpolation, so quite frankly, this was a waste of time. Easier to just get Mom a new DVD player.
I ended up using a very weird homebrew of Bit Ripper to pull the DVD into an AVI, Goldware to pull out the WAV audio track, BeSweet to do the audio conversion, and TMPGenc to encode the video. It worked, but too late to pass on to Mom before she left for Serbia. And I found while doing this that BeSweet will not work on my Windows 7 computer even in compatibility mode. I at least got BeSweet to open on my Mac running the Windows XP virtual machine, but it wouldn't open files. I ended up down on my basement computer, which is still Windows XP, encoding audio.
I ended up using a very weird homebrew of Bit Ripper to pull the DVD into an AVI, Goldware to pull out the WAV audio track, BeSweet to do the audio conversion, and TMPGenc to encode the video. It worked, but too late to pass on to Mom before she left for Serbia. And I found while doing this that BeSweet will not work on my Windows 7 computer even in compatibility mode. I at least got BeSweet to open on my Mac running the Windows XP virtual machine, but it wouldn't open files. I ended up down on my basement computer, which is still Windows XP, encoding audio.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
NTSC to PAL conversion and "Good Deeds"
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished.
I don't want to believe that statement, but I can't help but think it rings true more often than not.
It started innocently. My sister-in-law dropped by our house with an exercise video that she picked up for her mom. But her mom lives in Serbia where the TV runs in PAL. "Can you convert this to PAL for me? It's like the best video ever."
(See? It really does not help one to have a reputation in the family for video editing and weird audio format things.)
SURE! I said. No problem. I'll just run it through one of my packages like Adobe Premiere Pro and set it for PAL.
Boy. Was I in for an education. Premiere does convert, but it ends up with choppy video because it does the conversion very crudely.
Why the issue in the first place? PAL is 720x576 line size at 25 frames per second. NTSC is 720x480 line size at 29.76 frames per second. Premiere simple resizes the frame lines and tosses out every 6th frame. That leads to very choppy movement. The human eye registers 30 frames per second, so that missing frame is noticeable.
So then comes the murky waters of the conversion process blogs. They all mention products that are old and dusty. I have several of them for my Asian drama habit since I subtitle all the time.
I'm in hour 7 now. I still haven't figured it out completely mainly because I have to convert the audio file and just figured out that my favorite tool doesn't work under Windows 7. I'm working on getting that tool to work under WinXP mode in Windows 7. Once I figure it out, I'm going to post the steps here in the blog. I'm about halfway, I think.
I don't want to believe that statement, but I can't help but think it rings true more often than not.
It started innocently. My sister-in-law dropped by our house with an exercise video that she picked up for her mom. But her mom lives in Serbia where the TV runs in PAL. "Can you convert this to PAL for me? It's like the best video ever."
(See? It really does not help one to have a reputation in the family for video editing and weird audio format things.)
SURE! I said. No problem. I'll just run it through one of my packages like Adobe Premiere Pro and set it for PAL.
Boy. Was I in for an education. Premiere does convert, but it ends up with choppy video because it does the conversion very crudely.
Why the issue in the first place? PAL is 720x576 line size at 25 frames per second. NTSC is 720x480 line size at 29.76 frames per second. Premiere simple resizes the frame lines and tosses out every 6th frame. That leads to very choppy movement. The human eye registers 30 frames per second, so that missing frame is noticeable.
So then comes the murky waters of the conversion process blogs. They all mention products that are old and dusty. I have several of them for my Asian drama habit since I subtitle all the time.
I'm in hour 7 now. I still haven't figured it out completely mainly because I have to convert the audio file and just figured out that my favorite tool doesn't work under Windows 7. I'm working on getting that tool to work under WinXP mode in Windows 7. Once I figure it out, I'm going to post the steps here in the blog. I'm about halfway, I think.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Frenemies no more
Ah, the blessings of uninterrupted time with a Frenemy. Amelia now thinks that Kristen is the best friend ever. See what a week of Pony camp will do to knit a pair together?
Amelia is now in week 2 of summer, Gymkana camp. That's a lot of tumbling and jumping and a daily swim. She gets into the car after camp and falls asleep on the ride home. Deep asleep. Then wakes up and immediately informs me that we should go home and barbeque an ox, but do it quickly, mind you. I've watched her fall on dinner like a starving wolf. Then she *asks* for a bath (they don't get a shower after the daily swim at the pool, so the chlorine is probably itchy). An hour or so of play, and she's ready for bed.
Wow. You can't ask for a better camp. I've watched the kids in action and as far as I can tell, they spend the whole day jumping up and down. With the occasional juice break. Her lunch looks like it got left in a field of hungry locusts, too.
She doesn't know anyone in Gymkana camp, but she separates off and just runs into the group --which is an excellent sign. There's 3 weeks of Gymkana camp scheduled this summer. And this morning on the way into camp Amelia declared that "This is the most AWESOME summer EVER!! But I do miss school too."
Amelia is now in week 2 of summer, Gymkana camp. That's a lot of tumbling and jumping and a daily swim. She gets into the car after camp and falls asleep on the ride home. Deep asleep. Then wakes up and immediately informs me that we should go home and barbeque an ox, but do it quickly, mind you. I've watched her fall on dinner like a starving wolf. Then she *asks* for a bath (they don't get a shower after the daily swim at the pool, so the chlorine is probably itchy). An hour or so of play, and she's ready for bed.
Wow. You can't ask for a better camp. I've watched the kids in action and as far as I can tell, they spend the whole day jumping up and down. With the occasional juice break. Her lunch looks like it got left in a field of hungry locusts, too.
She doesn't know anyone in Gymkana camp, but she separates off and just runs into the group --which is an excellent sign. There's 3 weeks of Gymkana camp scheduled this summer. And this morning on the way into camp Amelia declared that "This is the most AWESOME summer EVER!! But I do miss school too."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Strategies for Creating Time out of Nothing
The following is something I posted on the Weaving Today forum about 'Slow Cloth':
I never realized how much time our family really had until our young daughter had a tantrum and threw her doll into the flat-panel TV in the living room. Suddenly, there is no TV in our house. And there won't be for a long while because we want the point about behavior to sink in. (Believe me, it has sunk in. Without the parents having to resort to anger/frustration/or any other negative emotion except disappointment in her behavior.)
And suddenly family life blossomed. My 7-year-old daughter is learning to sew. We're playing board games. We are playing card games. Reading has become a favorite activity. She wants to learn how to weave, so we're working on a small table loom with a scarf for her. We're working ahead on her math times tables by singing silly songs made up with them. Somehow, even family meals are better.
Wow. *I* should have thrown a doll at the TV years ago.
Which led me to think, how much time do we just lose? I like some TV shows occasionally too, but I can't say that I miss them. I'm finding time to weave, time to play, time to organize, and above all, time to share. When you have a pair of working professionals that work as many hours as we do, that's precious. And as for the work, I've started re-evaluating why I work that much and the cost-benefit analysis. It's a pretty poor ratio.
Jim Ahrens wrote a fascinating article on an old issue of Prairie Wool Companion (one of the very early issues, 7 or 9 or something like). He mentions that his loom business was thriving until one peculiar day in 1955 when the phones stopped ringing that afternoon and never picked up that volume again. It was the day that broadcast TV launched. And suddenly, the world stopped living their lives and started watching other people live instead. Jim re-designed his business to deal with the sudden precipitous drop.
I'm not advocating pitching your TV. We'll buy another one in a few months after we've saved for it. But try experimenting with turning it off for a week.
I've found a time diary has become invaluable. I am writing down how much time I spend on things that I do each day. I highly recommend trying it. You'll be amazed. I found that I take long showers and spend a lot of time getting dressed. I found that I spend quite a bit of time in the morning organizing everyone else's articles for the day: lunch, lost shoes, homework, library books, etc. I found that I spent very little time talking to my family. I found that at work I spent a lot of time in meetings but little planning time carved out (which leads to 50-hour work weeks).
Knowing those facts, I could start re-arranging my schedule. And finally scheduling in time for me. And my loom.
Want to know some horrifying facts? The national average of the amount of time that you spend talking to your kids a week? 28 minutes. How many of those minutes are positive talk? 7 minutes.
Look for the negative 'tall poles' in your time diary and figure out strategies to shorten them. Increase time spent on family/friend sharing. Everyone around you benefits.
I never realized how much time our family really had until our young daughter had a tantrum and threw her doll into the flat-panel TV in the living room. Suddenly, there is no TV in our house. And there won't be for a long while because we want the point about behavior to sink in. (Believe me, it has sunk in. Without the parents having to resort to anger/frustration/or any other negative emotion except disappointment in her behavior.)
And suddenly family life blossomed. My 7-year-old daughter is learning to sew. We're playing board games. We are playing card games. Reading has become a favorite activity. She wants to learn how to weave, so we're working on a small table loom with a scarf for her. We're working ahead on her math times tables by singing silly songs made up with them. Somehow, even family meals are better.
Wow. *I* should have thrown a doll at the TV years ago.
Which led me to think, how much time do we just lose? I like some TV shows occasionally too, but I can't say that I miss them. I'm finding time to weave, time to play, time to organize, and above all, time to share. When you have a pair of working professionals that work as many hours as we do, that's precious. And as for the work, I've started re-evaluating why I work that much and the cost-benefit analysis. It's a pretty poor ratio.
Jim Ahrens wrote a fascinating article on an old issue of Prairie Wool Companion (one of the very early issues, 7 or 9 or something like). He mentions that his loom business was thriving until one peculiar day in 1955 when the phones stopped ringing that afternoon and never picked up that volume again. It was the day that broadcast TV launched. And suddenly, the world stopped living their lives and started watching other people live instead. Jim re-designed his business to deal with the sudden precipitous drop.
I'm not advocating pitching your TV. We'll buy another one in a few months after we've saved for it. But try experimenting with turning it off for a week.
I've found a time diary has become invaluable. I am writing down how much time I spend on things that I do each day. I highly recommend trying it. You'll be amazed. I found that I take long showers and spend a lot of time getting dressed. I found that I spend quite a bit of time in the morning organizing everyone else's articles for the day: lunch, lost shoes, homework, library books, etc. I found that I spent very little time talking to my family. I found that at work I spent a lot of time in meetings but little planning time carved out (which leads to 50-hour work weeks).
Knowing those facts, I could start re-arranging my schedule. And finally scheduling in time for me. And my loom.
Want to know some horrifying facts? The national average of the amount of time that you spend talking to your kids a week? 28 minutes. How many of those minutes are positive talk? 7 minutes.
Look for the negative 'tall poles' in your time diary and figure out strategies to shorten them. Increase time spent on family/friend sharing. Everyone around you benefits.
Summer Camp and Frenemies
So, summer has now started in earnest now that school has let out. Amelia's summer is busy and varied. We decided not to put her in the 8 week summer camp run by parks & rec. Instead, we selected and let her pick through a variety of camps.
This week was a short-notice camp. The school closed a week early because of construction timelines (they're tearing out half the school to expand it). So, we suddenly had to scramble to find a camp for her for this week.
The solution? Pony camp at the local equestrian center. (Most expensive day camp ever)
Pony camp is in day 3 --pizza party and water play day. She is having a major blast. So much fun in fact that when a hole opened in our summer schedule, we are enrolling her for another week of Pony Camp.
She must be having fun. She's coming home covered in grime. I swear, one of the activities must be to have them lay down at one end of the riding ring and roll them to the other end and back. That's the only way that I can account for the half cup of sand in each riding boot, the caked on grime, and the dust-laden hair. Every evening I've taken one look and agonized whether to strip her in the foyer and pop her into the bathtub or just take her out behind the house and hose her down.
We slather 50 count sunscreen on her, and she's getting really brown. They stay out in the sun all day, for the most part.
They ride twice a day. And they do crafts. And they learn about basic grooming for the horses with try-its. And Amelia's gotten to help wash the ponies every day. She's learning to mount the horse and learning to post when the horse is at a trot. She's gone on a 'trail ride' where the instructors led the ponies into the woods trail.
Gee, why can't *I* go to Pony Camp?
Amelia's friend Kristen is in the camp with her. They've been frenemies for a long time. For those unfamiliar with the term, it's a combination of friend and enemy. At this age, you see it a lot. "You're my best friend ever! I love you! You're not my friend anymore! I hate you! You are so awesome! You're my best friend ever!"
Erf. Kristen and Amelia rub on each other a bit much and the friction produced by those two rambunctious kids is trouble for us grown-ups. This week, they are finally getting some quality together time and they are blossoming. The mothers are really glad, of course.
Amelia has a couple of other Frenemies too. And a few friends.
This week was a short-notice camp. The school closed a week early because of construction timelines (they're tearing out half the school to expand it). So, we suddenly had to scramble to find a camp for her for this week.
The solution? Pony camp at the local equestrian center. (Most expensive day camp ever)
Pony camp is in day 3 --pizza party and water play day. She is having a major blast. So much fun in fact that when a hole opened in our summer schedule, we are enrolling her for another week of Pony Camp.
She must be having fun. She's coming home covered in grime. I swear, one of the activities must be to have them lay down at one end of the riding ring and roll them to the other end and back. That's the only way that I can account for the half cup of sand in each riding boot, the caked on grime, and the dust-laden hair. Every evening I've taken one look and agonized whether to strip her in the foyer and pop her into the bathtub or just take her out behind the house and hose her down.
We slather 50 count sunscreen on her, and she's getting really brown. They stay out in the sun all day, for the most part.
They ride twice a day. And they do crafts. And they learn about basic grooming for the horses with try-its. And Amelia's gotten to help wash the ponies every day. She's learning to mount the horse and learning to post when the horse is at a trot. She's gone on a 'trail ride' where the instructors led the ponies into the woods trail.
Gee, why can't *I* go to Pony Camp?
Amelia's friend Kristen is in the camp with her. They've been frenemies for a long time. For those unfamiliar with the term, it's a combination of friend and enemy. At this age, you see it a lot. "You're my best friend ever! I love you! You're not my friend anymore! I hate you! You are so awesome! You're my best friend ever!"
Erf. Kristen and Amelia rub on each other a bit much and the friction produced by those two rambunctious kids is trouble for us grown-ups. This week, they are finally getting some quality together time and they are blossoming. The mothers are really glad, of course.
Amelia has a couple of other Frenemies too. And a few friends.
Friday, May 28, 2010
My Daisy Bridged to Brownies Last Night!!!!
As soon as I have photos, I'll post them.
Our cluster had the best time last night. We really do have one of the best Girl Scout clusters in Maryland, I think.
The youngest girls bridged first after singing two songs. One was the "make new friends" song that talks about new friends as silver and old friends as gold. Then they recited the Girl Scout Promise and sang a second song about keeping something in their pockets --a great big Brownie smile!
There are 17 Daisies in our troop that bridged last night. You couldn't really hear their names being called from the crowd as each girl went over because everyone was cheering and clapping so much. One of the Brownie troops was greeting each girl as they crossed, and each of our little girls got a daisy.
Then, three Brownie troops bridged.
The Juniors are the largest segment. Our cluster has 3 troops of Juniors, and they are certainly the largest of the groups. There were about 10-15 girls in each crossing into Cadet status last night. I've seen quite a few of them on the Cluster camping events, and our Daisies just adored these girls.
The Cadets became Seniors --there were about 15 of them in total. Cadets are 8th & 9th grades, I think. They all looked like young women but still had that giggly coltish look about them.
The Seniors start in 10th grade. In 10th & 11th you are Seniors. In your 12th grade year, you become an Ambassador. We had 3 girls cross into Ambassadors. At this point, none of our girls look like girls anymore. These are young women, and we're really proud of them.
And one lone scout crossed out into Adult. She was such an impressive girl. Honor student, flute player in the orchestra, going to be in the Engineering program at the University in the fall, large amounts of community service, and of course, she had earned the highest award that Girl Scouts gives, The Gold Award. She was pinned last night.
And then there was CAKE!!! (because everything is better with cake)
I spent some time catching up with every girl that I remembered seeing on the camping trips and thanking them for their help with our Daisies. And catching up with some of the other cluster moms. I'm beginning to grow some friendships there. We're an awesome group of ladies working together. And I'm seeing a couple of them once a week at a knitting night that's held at one of the local eateries (Panera Bread).
The girls had such a great time together. And when we got home, we whisked through Amelia's homework, then a quick bath ("Don't wash my hair, Mommy."). Amelia then set up a camping bed on her floor. I helped her re-arrange some things (she'd rolled it out on top of her shoes, for example), and let her sleep on the floor. I added a warning that if she came to our room in the night, then when I walked her back I'd put her back in her bed. She stayed in her own room all of last night without bothering Norm and I once. (Hmmmm, maybe this should be considered more often.)
Our cluster had the best time last night. We really do have one of the best Girl Scout clusters in Maryland, I think.
The youngest girls bridged first after singing two songs. One was the "make new friends" song that talks about new friends as silver and old friends as gold. Then they recited the Girl Scout Promise and sang a second song about keeping something in their pockets --a great big Brownie smile!
There are 17 Daisies in our troop that bridged last night. You couldn't really hear their names being called from the crowd as each girl went over because everyone was cheering and clapping so much. One of the Brownie troops was greeting each girl as they crossed, and each of our little girls got a daisy.
Then, three Brownie troops bridged.
The Juniors are the largest segment. Our cluster has 3 troops of Juniors, and they are certainly the largest of the groups. There were about 10-15 girls in each crossing into Cadet status last night. I've seen quite a few of them on the Cluster camping events, and our Daisies just adored these girls.
The Cadets became Seniors --there were about 15 of them in total. Cadets are 8th & 9th grades, I think. They all looked like young women but still had that giggly coltish look about them.
The Seniors start in 10th grade. In 10th & 11th you are Seniors. In your 12th grade year, you become an Ambassador. We had 3 girls cross into Ambassadors. At this point, none of our girls look like girls anymore. These are young women, and we're really proud of them.
And one lone scout crossed out into Adult. She was such an impressive girl. Honor student, flute player in the orchestra, going to be in the Engineering program at the University in the fall, large amounts of community service, and of course, she had earned the highest award that Girl Scouts gives, The Gold Award. She was pinned last night.
And then there was CAKE!!! (because everything is better with cake)
I spent some time catching up with every girl that I remembered seeing on the camping trips and thanking them for their help with our Daisies. And catching up with some of the other cluster moms. I'm beginning to grow some friendships there. We're an awesome group of ladies working together. And I'm seeing a couple of them once a week at a knitting night that's held at one of the local eateries (Panera Bread).
The girls had such a great time together. And when we got home, we whisked through Amelia's homework, then a quick bath ("Don't wash my hair, Mommy."). Amelia then set up a camping bed on her floor. I helped her re-arrange some things (she'd rolled it out on top of her shoes, for example), and let her sleep on the floor. I added a warning that if she came to our room in the night, then when I walked her back I'd put her back in her bed. She stayed in her own room all of last night without bothering Norm and I once. (Hmmmm, maybe this should be considered more often.)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Sherry Thomas and her book His At Night
Sherry Thomas has a new book coming out on Tuesday, May 25. The title is His At Night. You should buy it.
The author is one of my new favorites. Her second book, Delicious, has taken a spot on my Favorites bookshelf with my eclectic grouping of books like Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown, Connie Willis' The Doomsday Book, Georgette Heyer's Devil's Cub, Chris Moriarty's Spin State, and Colleen McCullough's The First Man in Rome among others.
(and Yes, for those who are wondering, the only book that really isn't a romance above is The Doomsday Book.)
Delicious had elements of fairy tale and Babbette's Feast and Like Water for Chocolate rolled into one book. But the main character stands on her own, and that book had voice.
I loved Sherry's other books too. All of them are excellent reads. So Tuesday can't come fast enough.
Buy it. Buy it. Buy it. (I'm picking up my copy at Borders, most likely)
The author is one of my new favorites. Her second book, Delicious, has taken a spot on my Favorites bookshelf with my eclectic grouping of books like Robin McKinley's The Hero and the Crown, Connie Willis' The Doomsday Book, Georgette Heyer's Devil's Cub, Chris Moriarty's Spin State, and Colleen McCullough's The First Man in Rome among others.
(and Yes, for those who are wondering, the only book that really isn't a romance above is The Doomsday Book.)
Delicious had elements of fairy tale and Babbette's Feast and Like Water for Chocolate rolled into one book. But the main character stands on her own, and that book had voice.
I loved Sherry's other books too. All of them are excellent reads. So Tuesday can't come fast enough.
Buy it. Buy it. Buy it. (I'm picking up my copy at Borders, most likely)
Started a New Blog - Interlacements
I've got the bare bones up of a crafting blog, Interlacements, on Blogspot.
I'm tucking more craft talk in there, though I don't know if I should pull it out of this blog or not. It's an experiment.
I'm tucking more craft talk in there, though I don't know if I should pull it out of this blog or not. It's an experiment.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Still Suffering
Rotavirus hasn't let go yet. I'm recovering now --since yesterday, but my stomach is still a bit sensitive.
I'm drinking a lot of tea, eating rice cakes and bananas, and wishing the virus to Hades.
Everyone I work with is sick too. I've been using Lysol wipes to try to keep my own germs from infecting them, but there seems to be quite an on-going infection pool besides me. The bathrooms are probably toxic because Rotavirus is very hardy and manages to hang onto surfaces even when they are cleaned. Washing hands helps, but doesn't eliminate risk.
Unbelievable. This has been 10 days now. 8 days of really feeling rotten.
Amelia bounced back fast. I think her immune system has been exposed to this variant before. I don't know why my immune system hasn't been exposed with her unless she got it on one of my trips away from home. Norm's not suffering either, so perhaps they both were exposed before. It's definitely a new bug to me.
I'm drinking a lot of tea, eating rice cakes and bananas, and wishing the virus to Hades.
Everyone I work with is sick too. I've been using Lysol wipes to try to keep my own germs from infecting them, but there seems to be quite an on-going infection pool besides me. The bathrooms are probably toxic because Rotavirus is very hardy and manages to hang onto surfaces even when they are cleaned. Washing hands helps, but doesn't eliminate risk.
Unbelievable. This has been 10 days now. 8 days of really feeling rotten.
Amelia bounced back fast. I think her immune system has been exposed to this variant before. I don't know why my immune system hasn't been exposed with her unless she got it on one of my trips away from home. Norm's not suffering either, so perhaps they both were exposed before. It's definitely a new bug to me.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Between Pollen and Rotavirus
...there just isn't much life left.
Rotavirus hit our house full force this week. At least, that's what I'm calling it based on its behavior. Amelia spent a miserable day with a bucket next to her. She bounced back fast, though her appetite has been off.
I, on the other hand, have had 6 days of on-and-off misery. It hits whenever I eat something and usually lasts a few hours. No vomiting for me, but the intestinal distress is evil. It lasts long enough to make me wish that I was one of the moth species that doesn't have to eat.
And I think the pollen has made us all unusually sluggish. I'm falling asleep on the couch around 7:00 pm (if I slow down to sit on the couch). Part of it probably that I don't want to deal with the utter disaster that is our house. We're slowly making in-roads on the disaster, but really, the answer is to just start pitching.
Rotavirus hit our house full force this week. At least, that's what I'm calling it based on its behavior. Amelia spent a miserable day with a bucket next to her. She bounced back fast, though her appetite has been off.
I, on the other hand, have had 6 days of on-and-off misery. It hits whenever I eat something and usually lasts a few hours. No vomiting for me, but the intestinal distress is evil. It lasts long enough to make me wish that I was one of the moth species that doesn't have to eat.
And I think the pollen has made us all unusually sluggish. I'm falling asleep on the couch around 7:00 pm (if I slow down to sit on the couch). Part of it probably that I don't want to deal with the utter disaster that is our house. We're slowly making in-roads on the disaster, but really, the answer is to just start pitching.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What We Want
What we want
is never simple.
We move among the things
we thought we wanted:
a face, a room, an open book
and these things bear our names--
now they want us.
But what we want appears
in dreams, wearing disguises.
We fall past,
holding out our arms
and in the morning
our arms ache.
We don't remember the dream,
but the dream remembers us.
It is there all day
as an animal is there
under the table,
as the stars are there
even in full sun.
--Linda Pastan
is never simple.
We move among the things
we thought we wanted:
a face, a room, an open book
and these things bear our names--
now they want us.
But what we want appears
in dreams, wearing disguises.
We fall past,
holding out our arms
and in the morning
our arms ache.
We don't remember the dream,
but the dream remembers us.
It is there all day
as an animal is there
under the table,
as the stars are there
even in full sun.
--Linda Pastan
Monday, April 26, 2010
Ugh. Spammers Cracked My Account
I'm not sure how, but the password from my Gmail account got cracked. Probably more than 60 days since I changed it. I haven't been paying as much attention as I should have to things online.
But, the account was hacked and sending out pill spam, evidently. If Gmail didn't shut down the spam from being sent out, I highly apologize. There are about 10 of you that got noted.
Now, of course, I'm making sure that that password isn't in use anywhere else. I don't think it is, but there's always the off-chance that it's somewhere on something that I think is innocuous but really isn't.
But, the account was hacked and sending out pill spam, evidently. If Gmail didn't shut down the spam from being sent out, I highly apologize. There are about 10 of you that got noted.
Now, of course, I'm making sure that that password isn't in use anywhere else. I don't think it is, but there's always the off-chance that it's somewhere on something that I think is innocuous but really isn't.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Working on my novel
It's not NaNoWriMo this month, but I'm hopeful that I might finally complete this hanging-over-my-head goal this year. I want one of my manuscripts completely finished.
But it isn't anything like the movie in this trailer:
(No, this isn't one of the artsy lesbian movies despite the provocative still picture to start it. It's a spoof.)
But it isn't anything like the movie in this trailer:
(No, this isn't one of the artsy lesbian movies despite the provocative still picture to start it. It's a spoof.)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Must Be Close to Baseball Season
The flowers are starting to bloom outside. There's mud all over the lawns right now.
And I'm listening to Trace Adkins "Swing" so it must be spring.
What is it about that song? I think it's the tongue-in-cheek baseball references to a group of guys in a bar hitting on the prettiest girl in the place. She's never described. In fact, she's almost not even referenced. It's very cleverly done.
The video unfortunately is not quite that understated, but it's funny too. Here's a link to the Capitol Nashville video for that song. If you just listen to the song without watching the video, you'll see what I mean.
Yup. It's Baseball Season.
Orioles Opening day for Home is April 9th.
And I'm listening to Trace Adkins "Swing" so it must be spring.
What is it about that song? I think it's the tongue-in-cheek baseball references to a group of guys in a bar hitting on the prettiest girl in the place. She's never described. In fact, she's almost not even referenced. It's very cleverly done.
The video unfortunately is not quite that understated, but it's funny too. Here's a link to the Capitol Nashville video for that song. If you just listen to the song without watching the video, you'll see what I mean.
Yup. It's Baseball Season.
Orioles Opening day for Home is April 9th.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Spring Cleaning 2010
It's Spring Break here. And I have been working to get the downstairs of the house clear enough so that I can work on other things this week.
It's now straightened up enough downstairs on the main floor to invite people over again. The upstairs studio is about half cleaned out.
One of the cats has found one of Amelia's pony beads on the floor and is having a grand time batting it around and chasing it from room to room chirruping as he goes. Occasionally George (the cat) lays down next to the silent bead all proud of his 'kill.' Then he'll get up and pounce it in that straight 4-legged up-in-the-air pounce that leads to a mad chase around the kitchen, hall, and dining room.
It's now straightened up enough downstairs on the main floor to invite people over again. The upstairs studio is about half cleaned out.
One of the cats has found one of Amelia's pony beads on the floor and is having a grand time batting it around and chasing it from room to room chirruping as he goes. Occasionally George (the cat) lays down next to the silent bead all proud of his 'kill.' Then he'll get up and pounce it in that straight 4-legged up-in-the-air pounce that leads to a mad chase around the kitchen, hall, and dining room.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast
One nice thing about having the house done is that I suddenly have all of this free time. It's not really free because I have to budget in time for my family, but it feels pretty free to me.
I'm working on the goals list today. Certification has come front and center along with the book projects. Amelia has a school project due at the end of the month. The 1st grade is making toys out of recycling materials. It's a re-use project to make a toy. I gave her a quick run-down of some recycled toys that we could do together. Tonight we'll talk about it more.
I'm rooting for the recycled cardboard doll house. ;-)
I'm working on the goals list today. Certification has come front and center along with the book projects. Amelia has a school project due at the end of the month. The 1st grade is making toys out of recycling materials. It's a re-use project to make a toy. I gave her a quick run-down of some recycled toys that we could do together. Tonight we'll talk about it more.
I'm rooting for the recycled cardboard doll house. ;-)
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