Now? Already?!

Sleep, Wonderful Sleep

2012-02-27T15:49:00.001-05:00

This is an interesting article about our natural/historical sleep patterns.

Photography (wow)

2012-02-20T14:52:00.004-05:00

Violence in Decline

2012-02-12T19:01:00.001-05:00

This is a really interesting interview of Steven Pinker, the author of The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined.

Generally Positive, and then ...

2012-02-10T17:06:00.000-05:00

Well, I have a generally positive outlook on life in spite of my cynicism about our government and "free" society. I can rarely be surprised anymore by the things they do, and then I read Radley Balko's site.

Ugh.

It's called a police state, and we live in it. Real property rights that can't be dismantled at the whim of a local police agency, alongside the US Department of Justice (oh the irony of their name) would go a long way to freeing up our economy and our lives.

Reading and Misinterpretation

2012-02-09T14:19:00.005-05:00

Another interesting one from Cracked.

Cute

2012-02-07T13:32:00.005-05:00

Baby Sleep Positions - illustrated

Did I Mention...

2012-02-07T10:04:00.004-05:00

that I love my job?

Just had to put that out there.

Apologies

2012-02-01T17:23:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry for the lack of posting lately. I've been completely slammed at work (and being self-employed, that's a great thing) and pretty overwhelmed with reading at home. I'm sure I'll find some great stuff to post as I make it through the 5 magazines and two books on my bedside table - will post as soon as I can.

Guesswork Theory

2012-01-24T16:29:00.000-05:00

I can't remember how I found this blogger, but his posts about religion and Christianity are always very insightful. I like this one, in particular and Giving Up What God Didn't Promise.

Quite Different

2012-01-18T17:20:00.004-05:00

The links today are pretty far ~~about~~ apart, but I liked them both enough to want to share.

First of all, the ridiculousness that is buying women's clothes. Then, the ridiculousness that is the nanny state.
(I knew they had something in common.)

Yep, me, too.

2012-01-18T13:55:00.001-05:00

Tell your reps and senators to say NO to SOPA and PIPA!

Great Line Today

2012-01-12T10:29:00.001-05:00

... The practical side of parenting is all about engineering your obsolescence, and I’m sure that works really well for robots. The rest of us don’t mind a modicum of indispensability.

from Lileks' Bleat

Cooking

2012-01-10T15:37:00.002-05:00

I love the myth-busting Cracked posts, and this one even includes an Atlanta/Alton Brown reference, not to mention lots of good cooking info.

Harry Potter Geek Link

2012-01-09T16:39:00.000-05:00

So perfect.

and a little from the left

2012-01-05T14:16:00.001-05:00

Well, these posts ~~are~~ aren't really from the "left" in my view, but I would say that Slate and Salon do typically lean that way. Both links came from Radley Balko at The Agitator, as usual.

This isn't political at all - just totally map-geek fantastic. This is the story about an award-winning map of the US, and it's quite interesting.

And, this one is an interesting look at how bureaucrats, unquestioning reporters, and columnists use the terms "moderates" and "centrists" to frame discussion and con us into believing what is an acceptable opinion. This piece is about the drug war, but it could really be about anything political.

Multi-Links

2012-01-04T12:04:00.000-05:00

Touching obituary for Siobhan Reynolds, champion of pain patients and fighter of asinine drug policy, in a mainstream publication, no less.

Why, she asked, when opioids can help treat chronic pain, are they frequently only available to the dying—but not if your agony will last years? Why, when addiction to opioids is actually rare, do we treat them as though everyone who takes these drugs is likely to get instantly hooked? And why do we seem to see addiction—even in the dying— as a worse side effect than agony or even death?

There should be more coverage of the travesty of thedrug war and its affects on people who need drugs. Denying people something they want is more important to our government than taking care of those who need it.

Another great one from Rules for My Unborn Son:

529. The best way to ruin an apology is with an explanation.

Love The Sartorialist, and love this look.

2011 Entertainment in Review

2012-01-02T14:37:00.001-05:00

Here's my 2011 Books, Movies, Events, and Travel list:

Books
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
American on Purpose - Craig Ferguson
Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
The Holy Bible (New American Standard)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking Glass - Lewis Carroll

Events
Reckless Kelly with Mickey and the Motorcars - The Pour House, James Island, SC
Dwight Yoakam - Wild Bill's, Duluth, GA
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Christmas with the ASO - Symphony Hall, Atlanta

Travel
Hilton Head Island, SC
Daufuskie Island, SC
Charleston, SC
Orange Beach, AL

Movies (** in theater):
The Lives of Others (highly recommended)
How to Train Your Dragon
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage
Julie & Julia
Extract
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The King's Speech
The Expendables
RED
Toy Story 2
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
**Rango
Legend of the Guardians: Owls of Ga'Hool
Wild Target
Ink
Sorcerer's Apprentice
Dispicable Me
Easy A
Toy Story 3
Get Low
Hop
Invictus
Green Hornet
Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
**X-Men: First Class
Amelie
It Might Get Loud
**Super 8
Broadcast News
The Social Network
Dinner with Schmucks
17 Again
Shaolin Soccer
Date Night
True Grit (2010)
The Young Victoria
**Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
The Eiger Sanction
The Tourist
Red Riding Hood
Cannibal: The Musical
The Switch
**Cowboys & Aliens
Knight & Day
Hot Tub Time Machine
The Mechanic
**The Help
The Lincoln Lawyer
John Adams (miniseries)
Unknown
Season of the Witch
Marley and Me
Battle of Los Angeles
Limitless
Road to Perdition
The Conspirator
Surrogates
Paul
**The Muppets
The Adjustment Bureau
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Fright Night (2010)
Horrible Bosses
**Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Ugh

2011-12-21T15:19:00.000-05:00

There is just so much of this, and what's sad, is that the things that are so obviously wasteful are really just the beginning.

Coolness of our Age

2011-12-20T09:12:00.000-05:00

There are just some super cool things coming, and this is one of my favorites. I've been reading about 3D printing for a while, but this article is the most fleshed out I've seen, and the first one I've seen talk about using this technology in the medical field. How amazing!

Light Posting

2011-12-19T15:07:00.000-05:00

Links will probably be light for the next couple of weeks, so here are two from Cracked.

#1 on this list is one I had never heard about and is pretty amazing.
These are just fun.

Schools

2011-12-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

Amid the controversy over the recommended denial of renewed charter for the most successful school in Georgia (the only Georgia school to EVER get the National Blue Ribbon award), I present Finland's unorthodox school system (via www.ifeminists.com). I know that the US is not Finland, and I don't think that all of these things necessarily cause the success, but why does it have to be so difficult to try new things here?

Left Out

2011-12-13T13:30:00.002-05:00

I wish we could have seen Gary Johnson in the debates.

What a great story to start the day

2011-12-12T10:45:00.002-05:00

This one is just lovely.

Scary scary scary

2011-12-10T08:10:00.001-05:00

Congress will decide whether the Bill of Rights matters anymore ... in secret.

Admittedly, it's been in its way out since practically the beginning but they just don't work seem to care to even hide it anymore.

The Rules

2011-12-08T15:43:00.000-05:00

A book that I bought for Dave once we had J was, Rules for My Unborn Son. There is a companion website, which is terribly addictive, and I particularly like one from earlier this week.

Eat like a local, tip like an American.

Drug War and Surprising Perspective

2011-12-07T16:53:00.000-05:00

Well, this perspective isn't surprising to me, since I completely agree with it, however, the columnist from which it comes is quite surprising.

as usual, found via the agitator.

Two for One

2011-12-06T15:55:00.000-05:00

To make up for the limited posting lately, I've got two here.

First of all, this poll regarding the Republican candidates is kind of encouraging (polls are generally crap, so take it however you'd like).

encouraging: Ron Paul is tied with Obama in head-to-head race. All others trail Obama. And Paul hammers Obama, surprisingly, among voters under 45 years old.
depressing: that the result above is listed after the results about which candidate has more football fans as supporters.

Secondly, if you need a password vault program, so far I highly recommend S10. I found it on CNET; it's free, and has been really easy to set up. Just got it today, though, so it's an early, qualified recommendation.

This could be good

2011-12-05T15:32:00.002-05:00

This is a step in the right direction for Fulton County Schools. I hope it works.

Good on 'Em

2011-11-30T16:34:00.000-05:00

Good for the cops and movers in this story - refusing to help evict a 103 year-old woman. The house would have stayed empty for who knows how long anyway. And it turns out the bank has decided not to evict her (I'm sure the bad PR had nothing to do with that decision).

Sing It, Kermit!

2011-11-23T15:34:00.000-05:00

I try not to cross-post between Facebook and here, but well ....

Totally Unrelated

2011-11-22T14:35:00.000-05:00

Here are two completely unrelated links of the day (to make up for missing yesterday, I guess).

The link to this incredible burn-healing device ("skin gun") was sent to me by my step-dad. It is seriously, like almost unbelievable, incredible.

Having worked in the HR/hiring world for nearly 11 years, I find this step in the hiring process at Zappos fascinating.

Depressing Post of the Day

2011-11-17T13:51:00.000-05:00

If this had been J, a lawyer would have been the first person I called after I went to the school and beat the ever-loving-**** out of this teacher.

Then I would have called a different lawyer to sue the teacher, the aide, the school and the district. And, generally, I'm not a lawsuit person, but this is just unconscionable. Good for the family for winning the lawsuit and even better for going public.

Lazy Link

2011-11-16T17:01:00.000-05:00

Because I've been busy reading things written on paper today (gasp!), I'm posting a link to one of the few things I've read online. This is of a different sort than usual, in that my reaction was negative, rather than "ooh, that's interesting."

At first, I did think it was interesting - a new high school in the area has been officially named. I don't know why I find that interesting, but I do. But then that quickly turned to "does everything have to have some deeper meaning?" I mean, good grief people; it's a school name.

Link + a Bonus

2011-11-15T14:19:00.000-05:00

First, the downer via iFeminists. Victimless crimes account for a shockingly high percentage of the prison population.

Second, some optimism.

New Toy

2011-11-15T14:16:00.000-05:00

So, I got one of these last week, and I love it, but man is a new smartphone a pain to get all set up and organized, especially if you're changing operating systems.

Also, if you're in the market for a new phone, I recommend Amazon's new wireless store. If you look closely at the CNET review, you can probably figure out why. Yes, I got this phone for $.01 (and a new two year contract).

Haha

2011-11-14T15:06:00.000-05:00

An great cracked countdown - 24 Things Other Countries Suspect About America.

A Different Take on the Occupiers

2011-11-10T14:53:00.000-05:00

From my favorite writer on Cracked.com, comes a bit of a different perspective.

This is it

2011-11-09T16:02:00.000-05:00

Today's link - I only wish I was this clever about pointing out even minor government silliness. But at least I can enjoy it.

Today's Link

2011-11-07T15:59:00.001-05:00

Cracked.com has quickly become one of my favorite websites. Today's link about six history myths is fascinating.

#6 is my favorite. Next time a politician says, "Do you want the streets returned to the days of the Wild West?" when some gun restriction expires, you can confidently say "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

Favorite Link of the Day

2011-11-04T15:31:00.000-04:00

I really do intend to keep up with this blogging thing, but for some reason just can't seem to do it. So, I have a new idea that may get me on here at least once a day. I want to institute a "favorite link of the day". These are most likely going to be links I don't post on Facebook, since I don't like posting stuff that's too political there. There may be a little crossover here and there, though. We'll see.

So, for today, a link I found at both Reason.com and The Agitator. All the hoopla lately about the exploding income inequality among individuals is misplaced - surprise. It turns out the "increasing" inequality falls apart when you look at household income, instead.

J - Two Years

2011-10-21T14:36:00.000-04:00

Dear J,

Yeah, I know this letter is late, but that’s just how it isright now. Sorry about that, kiddo.

You’re napping, and I have a few minutes, so I thoughtI’d jot these notes down for you. You’reTWO now. Two. No really. It’s already been two years. I’mjust amazed, but I’m happy to say that I have been able to watch and enjoy thisentire time with you in our lives.

The thing most people say about you is how very happy youare. Of course, being two, you do loveto say “no,” but for some reason, it’s always with a smile.

What goes along with that, too, is that you have absolutelythe sweetest and most agreeable nature. I have to admit that this makes it pretty easy for us as parents, sofar, which is nice, but it does make me worry a little about your future. By that I mean that I worry you will be toonice to most people, and that you will be taken advantage of, and maybe evenhave your precious heart trampled by some girl(s). Yes,unfortunately, it is possible to be too nice, and I’m afraid you’ll learn thatthe hard way.

In the end, that’s OK, though, because I’d rather you be avery kind person than a selfish or hurtful one any day. Of course, I know there’s somewhere inbetween, and maybe that’s where you’ll end up, but if not, well, that’s quitealright.

You have become chatty and are even starting to say somesentences – most of which are demands. “Getup” to me (or, sometimes, “Up please”) and “Come here” (more like “Commeer”) tothe cats and dog. Also, the way you mispronouncesome sounds is, of course, adorable. “Fl”is “shw”, so “butterfly” become “bushwy” and “flush” become “shwush” (yep, we’repotty training). For a while you saidbabadabee for bumblebee. And ourfavorite, though, is “lah-thu” which is “love you”. There are plenty of opportunities to use “oops”and “oh no”. Ah, and your favorite,repeated at least 500 times a day is “uss at?”, or translated: “what’s that?”

You have brought an untold amount of joy into our lives,even though your desire to be “OUSSIDE!!!” often interrupts lunch, dinner,shopping, and whatever else we happen to be doing inside. But who cares, really? Life is good.

We love you so much,

Mom

Interesting Study

2011-10-18T11:35:00.000-04:00

I find these studies on the genetics of happiness so interesting, especially how the information ties back to theories around political systems.

Critiquing vs. Enjoying

2011-08-11T10:06:00.000-04:00

I like this line from today's Lileks Bleat:

"Sometimes the self-imposed need to have a critical opinion is like a Berlin Wall between yourself and enjoyment."

Where does the time go?

2011-06-28T15:52:00.000-04:00

So J is 21 months old now, and he's all over the place. He's running around like a mad man, trying to jump (uh-oh), and chattering all the time. It is just pure joy having this little man in our lives.

I wish there was more to talk about, but I just can't think of anything. We're just rolling along and going about our business as a typical suburban family. Typical - what's that, again?

Long Time doesn't seem quite so

2011-05-25T18:26:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since I posted last. Things here have been crazy, what with my job change and all. We also squeezed a vacation in, and J's going to bed later. The later bedtime really eats into what adult tasks can be accomplished in an evening.

Anyway, I'm still working on the vinyl project, but I've decided on a different process. Instead of recording and then labeling and converting each album, I'm going to record them all, then label and convert them individually. I'm not sure why, but it seems easier that way.

love love love

2011-04-21T14:59:00.000-04:00

this post from The Agitator.

How to Run a Protest-Proof Grocery Store

Current Personal Theme Song

2011-04-07T21:55:00.000-04:00

Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise
The Avett Brothers

If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

Financial Reading

2011-04-06T16:13:00.000-04:00

I've been doing a lot of financial reading lately, not surprisingly I guess, and I'm loving it - thank goodness. However, I have been asked about recommending a basic book on finance that simplifies the investing message. Right now, I'm reading Investing 101 to see if this would be a good option.

Have you read a basic finance or investing book that you would recommend to others? I must say that have a personal bias against the "Idiot's Guide to ..." and "... For Dummies" books, but if you've read their investing versions and liked them, I'll check them out. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

Albums

2011-04-04T20:51:00.000-04:00

14. An Innocent Man - Billy Joel

Albums

2011-04-03T20:59:00.000-04:00

7. Born in the U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen
8. Peter Paul and Mommy - Peter, Paul & Mary
9. Hit Express (1982)
Don't You Want Me - Human League
      Do You Believe in Love - Huey Lewis and the News
      (Oh) Pretty Woman - Van Halen
      Did It In a Minute - Hall & Oates
      Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
      Urgent - Foreigner
      In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins
      Spirits in the Material World - The Police
      Love is Alright Tonight - Rick Springfield
      Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me) - Rod Stewart
      Hold on Tight - Electric Light Orchestra
      Abacab - Genesis
      Working for the Weekend - Loverboy
      I Love Rock 'N Roll - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
10. Sports - Huey Lewis and the News
11. Fore! - Huey Lewis and the News
12. Ol' Waylon - Waylon Jennings
13. Arena - Duran Duran

More Albums

2011-04-01T20:55:00.000-04:00

4. Life as We Know It - REO Speedwagon
5. Wheels Are Turnin' - REO Speedwagon
6. Music from the Edge of Heaven - WHAM!

J - 18 Months

2011-03-31T22:22:00.000-04:00

March 31, 2011

Dear J,

I know I’m a little late with this letter, but things have been crazy lately. Time is moving very quickly, and you’re growing up too fast, that’s for sure. We’re trying to enjoy these days. They really are special right now.

You’re just so much fun. You’re happy most of the time and just love to laugh and play play play. You’ll play with your toys, boxes, pots and pans, the animals, whatever strikes you at the moment.

Everyone talks about how much older you look – like a little man. It’s funny, because that’s exactly what we all call you. But you really do look so much older. You’ve had a full head of hair since you were born and have been getting it cut since you were eight months old. You also have all your teeth except but the last four molars. I really hope your baby teeth situation bodes well for your permanent teeth, since they’re all completely straight. And none of that even covers how unbelievably expressive you are. I also hope that stays; you have no poker face, and this will come in mighty handy in about 12 years.

You also jibber jabber a lot, as your dad calls it. He actually says jibber jabber to you so much that you’re starting to say it, too. There are so many words, and I know I’m forgetting some, but so far there are: brush teeth, NO! (the index finger must be pointed for full effect), kitty, picture, baby, mama, daddy, gigi, papa, nana, cheechu (that’s a truck, strangely), uh-oh, what’s that, ball (comes out “bow”), cheese, and ice.

Speaking of cheechu, you LOVE trucks and buses. Every morning, we lift the blinds in the living room and watch the busses. Mondays and Thursdays are the best, though, because not only do we get three buses, but also garbage AND recycling trucks.

You’ve learned that a doggie says “woo woo” (you aren’t quite there with the f’s yet), and you bark with your whole body. So, of course, we ask you what the doggie says all the time.

You’ve learned to blow kisses, which makes your constant flirting even more irresistible.

We’ve struggled only with getting you to sleep at night. We’ve tried everything: rocking, cry it out, modified cry it out, staying in the room and soothing, going to bed earlier, going to bed later. And until three nights ago, nothing seemed to work consistently. Then, all of a sudden, for some reason, you’ve decided that you are ok if we slowly leave your room after putting you in bed. You pull on one of your many music players attached to the bed. You pull all your blankets into the crib. You throw your sock dog, Soda, onto the rocking chair. You talk to yourself, and generally procrastinate sleeping, for about an hour. But, and this is the best, you don’t scream your lungs out and cough and heave and gag anymore. Needless to say, we are keeping our fingers crossed that these three nights are the new way of things.

We love you and can’t wait to see what cool things you do next, but, please, not too fast. We are enjoying this time so much.

Love,
Mom

The Album Project

2011-03-31T22:11:00.000-04:00

You may have seen on facebook that I'm working on digitizing my record collection. I'll try to track the project here.

Last night was the first effort, and it took a while to finally nail down the right software and process. With a little help from Dave - just one last setting - I'm there and really ready to go.

Album 1, recorded March 30, 2011: Greatest Hits - Kenny Rogers
Album 2, recorded March 31, 2011: Thriller - Michael Jackson
Album 3, recorded March 31, 2011: No Jacket Required - Phil Collins

The initial part of this project will be my albums. This is just a handful of records from the late 70s and early 80s. The next round will be albums that my mom recently gave me (the largest collection - probably 30 or 40), and then, finally, the rest will be the albums that came in a record cabinet handed down from my Great Aunt Lou.

Why They Fought

2011-03-25T12:18:00.000-04:00

hat tip: The Agitator, as usual

Do you ever

2011-03-23T19:22:00.001-04:00

use too much shaving cream? I do. Every. Single. Time.

Exciting Times Ahead

2011-03-04T21:14:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted this anywhere yet, because there are clients on Facebook and LinkedIn who don't know and need to be told personally. But well, hardly anyone reads my blog, and I'm so excited to tell people that I've figured out what I want to be when I grow up - and I'm going to go be it now.

I hadn't really thought about posting this here until today, but as I was driving around and running errands this afternoon, I felt a sudden rush. I've been at my current company more than 10 years now, about eight doing essentially the same job, and I'm ready for something new. So, when the company merged with another one earlier this year, I was not-so-secretly hoping for a severance package. I didn't get one, and though I was initially disappointed, now I'm even happier. That may seem strange, but today an incredible feeling of power hit me - power that comes with leaving on your own terms.

I turned in my notice on Monday, and it wasn't a shock to my boss because this has actually been in the works for several years and I've been up front about my plans (even working part time in both companies for the last year). I think, though, that there are people who didn't think I'd really take the leap.

I gave a couple months notice, will take a week of vacation, and then as of May 16th, I'll be working full time to become a financial planner - queue simultaneous excitement and terror.

Here we go ...

1001 Rules

2011-01-11T18:27:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure I've blogged about 1001 Rules for My Unborn Son before. He just posted another great one: "If you choose not to own a TV, keep it to yourself".

American Spirit

2011-01-08T12:34:00.000-05:00

I can't remember exactly where I found Slacktivist. It was either BoingBoing or Instapundit. He's good, and I particularly like this post about how corporations have removed incentives to be more productive, but for some reason we keep doing it. He asks a good question: How long can that last?

2011 in Entertainment and Travel

2011-01-05T16:40:00.000-05:00

This year, I'd like to see more live shows, but last year I did manage to read a lot more than I had in some time. That makes me very happy, and since I got a Nook for my birthday, I think I'll be reading even more this year.

Movies
The Bridges of Madison County
Avatar
Noel
Zombieland
The Great Escape
High Society
Best in Show
Ocean's 13
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Sherlock Holmes (2010)
Couples Retreat
Babylon AD
Iron Man 2
Love the Beast
Crazy Heart
Away We Go
This Is It
The A-Team
Toy Story
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lighting Thief
Twilight Saga: Eclipse
The Two Escobars
Day Breakers
Barton Fink
Hope Springs
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Gran Torino
Kick Ass
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
The Rookie
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Diggers
Spirited Away
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Inkheart
A Single Man
Inception
A Christmas Carol (2009)
Robin Hood (2010)
Rachel Getting Married
How Do You Know

Live Shows/Events
Craig Ferguson - Cobb Energy Center
Minnesota State Fair
A Prairie Home Companion - Grand Stand, Minnesota State Fair - St. Paul, MN

Travel
Magee, MS
Charleston, SC
Hilton Head, SC
Minneapolis and Whitefish Lake, MN
Boston, MA
Charleston, SC

Books
Odd Thomas, Dean Koontz
Forever Odd, Dean Koontz
Brother Odd, Dean Koontz
Odd Hours, Dean Koontz
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, J.R.R. Tolkien
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien
One Day, David Nicholls
The Passage, Justin Cronin
The Princess Bride, William Goldman

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

2010 had it's rough spots -- I miss you every day, Grandaddy -- but overall it has been a wonderful year, and 2011 is looking to even better.

Enjoy your family, your friends and all the blessings in your life. Carry these good things with you every day, keep your chin up, and keep moving forward. See you in the new year.

Women and their bags ...

2010-12-10T09:59:00.001-05:00

I have recently switched to a massive purse. I have always been more of the "small purse" girl. Carrying huge bags only invite you to stash more stuff in them and then they weigh 10 pounds. The thing is, though, I am absolutely over carrying a diaper bag and a purse. Well, that's a lie, actually. During the week, I would carry a purse because the diaper bag was unnecessary. On weekends, I would then move appropriate items from my purse to the diaper bag. This is weekly event is what I got tired of.

So, I got a giant purse. Now I can just throw in some wipes, diapers, snacks and I'm ready to go out with the little man (and yes, it already weighs about eight pounds - whatever).

This recent change made this brilliant observation by the always great James Lileks even funnier ...

The need for a backpack is ancient and engrained, and it’s taking me a long time to shake it. In college my backpack would contain everything I needed if I was stuck in a small room for two days – books, magazines, newspapers, a journal, a People’s Pen, refills, matches, emergency quarters should there be pinball. Last year when I was getting up early and heading off to be Ted Baxter in the video department, I stocked my bag with every possible thing I might need, from a small tripod to extra memory cards, peanuts, moist towelettes, hand sanitizer, and so on. Never used any of it. But I was a shivering hermit in a loincloth compared to what my wife schleps around. It’s one of the things that mystified men: the quantity of things women carry. I goggle sometimes at the quantity of items in my wife’s bag, and then I stand abashed when I realize the bag is merely a conveyance for the purse, which itself contains the clutch. It would be like me taping my iPhone to my laptop, taping the laptop to the Mac Pro, putting the Pro on a wheeled cart and dragging it along wherever I went.

Happy Picture of the Day

2010-11-15T21:49:00.000-05:00

Depressing News of the Day

2010-11-15T21:47:00.001-05:00

Just in case you are under the impression that we live in a free country, I present this story. If this were happening in any other country, it would be evidence of oppressive policies and a sham of a court system.

Full story here.

Good-bye, Old Friend

2010-10-27T16:22:00.000-04:00

I wonder if my Walkman is still sitting in some ratty old box in the corner of our storage room. That would be the one an acquaintance borrowed freshman year in college and then brought back slightly broken, but still functional. I was using it until I got my first MP3 player about eight years ago. Honestly, I had no idea that Sony was still making these, but knowing they officially have stopped makes me a little sad today.

Ha ha - things don't really change

2010-10-05T14:08:00.034-04:00

First of all, I LOVE Pandora Radio. This fun little diddy came up on one of my stations today - Guv'ment by Roger Miller.

Favorite verse:
Well you soul selling no-good
Son-of-a-shoe-fittin' firestarters
I ought to tear your no good
Perambulatory bone frame
And nail it to your government walls
All of you, you bastards

Fantastic and good to know that it's an ~~American~~ human tradition to hate our government.

Here's a version of John Goodman singing in Big River. Who knew?

Of course, the character singing the song isn't exactly a shining star.

Huck returns home in the darkness to find his Pap, a violent drunk, waiting for him, who drags him off to his cabin in the woods. In his drunkenness, Pap swings from tomfoolery to extreme violence as he rails against a government that would take his son (and his son's money) away from him ("Guv'ment"). Pap attempts to kill Huck, hallucinating that he is the Angel of Death, but passes out in an inebriated mess.

Hmmm, I guess we can't have it all.

J One Year

2010-09-27T21:35:00.002-04:00

September 27, 2010

Dear J,

Well, here we are. It’s been a year. It seems that each month the list of new things you’re doing only gets longer – and cooler. I have to admit, though, that after this one, the letters may drop to every few months or so. We’ll see.

So let’s get to the fun new things you’re doing lately. Last thing first …
The day before your first birthday, you took three steps on your own. It’s not pretty, but you’re officially walking. You’re up to four or five steps at a time, and I imagine that in about two weeks we’ll be chasing you around the house.

You’re also talking. OK, that may be overstating it a bit. You love to say, whisper, yell “Yeah!” though. It’s how I found you and Dad in the store a couple of weeks ago. I just wandered around until I heard “yeah … yeah … yeah” from a couple aisles over. You also say “Hey” and “Dad.” And Gigi swears you said “dog” the other day. Oh, and you’re trying your hardest to say “picture”. You point at pictures and say “pish”. It’s adorable. You may also be saying “mom”, but I could just be hearing things.

Your Gigi taught you to smack your lips when you want something to drink. And say “ahhh” after you have a sip. We only reinforce this particular behavior because it’s seriously cute.

When Millie gets all excited and starts running circles around you and the coffee table, you crack up laughing and throw your arms up over your head. Tug of war with Millie is also a favorite game, but we have to help out with that a bit.

All four bicuspids are coming in and you’re surprisingly OK with this. Yes, if you’re keeping count, those are teeth 9-12.

You love to throw things and laugh, even though they go about six inches – a mile to you. More fun than throwing, though, is dropping toys over the balcony or down the stairs. Pulling the vent cover out of the floor and trying to put things down the vents has, on several occasions, kept you occupied for no less than 20 minutes.

I run the risk of going on too long if I don’t wrap it up, but suffice it to say we are completely in love, can’t believe it’s already been a year, and can’t wait for everything that’s yet to come.

Love,
Mom

More libertarian every day

2010-09-21T16:24:00.000-04:00

I've become disillusioned with the Olympics' everybody's equal kumbaya all is peaceful and beautiful amateur thing in the last 10-15 years, but didn't really think of it in the terms of NCAA sports. This piece from Skip Oliva about privatizing college sports and the history of "amateur" athletics is eye-opening and somehow not surprising.

Amateurism itself is a class-based concept. In Walter Camp's day, an amateur was merely a generalist who didn't specialize in a particular sport or hobby. This excluded members of the "working classes," because their specialty in physical labor gave them an unfair advantage over gentlemen of the privileged classes (like Camp). The idea of paying amateur athletes was unnecessary, as their social position made it unnecessary.

By the early 20th century, academics transformed amateurism into a moral code consistent with collectivist principles. Howard Savage, a Carnegie Foundation official in the 1930s, said "professionalism in school and college athletics … is a most serious evil," and that amateurism represented "the moral struggle between force and the uses to which, with the sanction of our civilization, it may be used and should be put." In other words, athletes were barbarians who had to be tamed by the "civilizing" presence of academics. Savage noted that while it was acceptable for students in artistic fields to profit from their work – because they offered "tests of even temper and self-control" – it was never acceptable for athletes to profit from their efforts...

Of course, there is nothing wrong with the universities profiting from the athletes.

It's worth reading the whole thing.

hat tip: http://williamlanderson.blogspot.com

New Trick

2010-09-17T22:24:00.000-04:00

Anytime I think about posting a status on Facebook, I'll just come here instead because I can add more context to it - and frankly, I don't think I really want to share most of my thoughts with all my FB "friends".

So ...

I got an awesome new toy for my birthday - a Nook - but I haven't started using it yet. That's because I started the Lord of the Rings trilogy earlier this summer in real book form, and I have this weird need to complete that before starting anything else. (I can't read five books at once like Dave does.)

You see, I started LoTR once before in college, and couldn't get through it - holy crap with all the WALKING! So, I think I'm afraid that if I start something else, I'll get out of the mode and won't go back. I have no idea why I feel the need to read it, especially considering I find it good not great, but I do. Especially now that I've finally started the last book.

(That post as an FB status would have been, "... can't wait to start using the Nook, but must finish LoTR first." I'm sure this post was so much more interesting.)

Time and Timing

2010-09-16T23:13:00.001-04:00

Coming up on J's first birthday, this post shows up in my feed from James Lileks' Bleat. His daughter is 10, I think.

It didn’t occur to me until a few minutes ago that the top of the dresser was where her changing area had been, where she’d laid on her back laughing as an infant while I did what you had to do, made the requisite faces of funny horror – stinky! – then stuffed the offal down the diaper genie, and picked her up and gone on with our day. She’ll be a senior in high school sitting at a desk in that spot and I’ll still remember that like it was yesterday. Time is linear, but so is a piece of string – take two points far apart, put your fingertips together. It was yesterday. Makes you envy dogs, sometimes; everything is now and next. There is no then.

gasp ... another post

2010-08-25T16:03:00.000-04:00

It is my goal to post more on this site than just letters to J. So, in an effort to achieve that, I'm posting a second time in as many days.

I'd like to get the insight of all five of my readers on a question I've had for ages now.

Why are we more willing to accept a singer who decides to act than an actor who decides to sing? See: Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson vs. pretty much any actor that ever tried his or her hand at music. Maybe there is an exception for actors who began on or went to broadway, but I still can't think of one that could be considered a mainstream musical success.

11 Months

2010-08-24T17:26:00.002-04:00

August 24, 2010

Dear J,

Well, you’re already 11 months old. “Already” seems to be the theme here.

I’ve got to get a little more creative with these, instead of just a list of everything you’ve done. Unfortunately, today isn’t that day. I can’t believe all you’ve done in just the three weeks since I last wrote.

Your favorite thing now is to look at pictures – on the wall, on the fridge, wherever – it’s a good thing we have tons of them, I guess. And you’ll plan monkey getting into the arms of whoever is closest to said pictures. Then you point at them while we tell you who it is (and then you try to eat the magnets off the fridge). Speaking of pointing, you point at everything. And you wave, too. In the last week or so, you even started waving in context of saying hello or good-bye, instead of randomly at the dinner table.

We think you’ve decided that you don’t like baby food anymore. After about four bites, you simply spit it out. Thank goodness you do not do this violently; you simply close your lips and then push the food out with your tongue – so you’re like a giant toothpaste tube of green beans. It’s at least a little less messy that way. Oh, and then you smile. Unless you’ve already eaten a lot you don’t, however, do this with finger foods or more textured, grow-up foods. We were not ready for this, and now we have to do a lot more planning when it comes to your meals. You are clearly worth it, but I must apologize in advance if you get sweet potato bites for eight meals in a row (one sweet potato makes a LOT).

And now to the big developments – no, you’re not walking yet, but …
You stand on your own for more than 10 seconds at a time (editor’s note – no, I have not missed the fact that I am indeed one of those parents insanely proud of what, one year ago, would have seemed entirely silly), and you love love love to push your activity table – and shopping cart thingy, and diaper box, and laundry basket – around the house. I don’t know when you’ll crave true independence, but it can’t be long now (another 18 years, at least?).

Forget the sippy cup, though. We never found one that worked really well for you, so we’ve moved onto straws. It’s still mostly bottles (the only way you’ll drink the fill six or eight ounces), but you have totally figured out the straw. When it’s not so important that you get more milk than anything else, the bottles will be gone. Woohoo.

And finally, after a few months, you have learned “gentle”. Thank goodness. For a while there, you couldn’t be out with the rest of the kids at daycare because you just wanted to pull their hair. It was all with love, but that doesn’t change the fact that it hurts. Just ask Mommy, Gigi, Millie, Cecil or Orange. But now, you don’t pull, you go right up to the little girls in class and pet ever so sweetly. The animals haven’t come back around, though, so they can’t appreciate this new development yet. As daddy says, “you’re such a dude.”

Love,
Mom

10 months (+)

2010-08-01T20:38:00.000-04:00

Already, we’re here again? I thought I asked you to slow it down. Oh, well; I have a feeling this is the shape of things to come.

Well, there’s a whole list of things you’ve done or started over the last month. It seemed at first like there weren’t going to be many changes, and there generally aren’t any big ones. But there are a couple that we just adore.

You’re still crawling – getting faster every day – and pulling yourself up on everything. You’re no longer content, though, to just hang on. Now, especially with the couch and the coffee table, we can officially say you’re cruising. You’ll slide all the way down the couch if the thing you want is at the other end, and you’ll even move from the coffee table to the couch and back, if they are close enough together. You’re also trying to figure out how to stand up one your own, but the way you’re trying isn’t going to work quite yet. You simply stick your butt up in the air with only your hands and feet on the ground. That’s going to be a tough way to start standing, unless you’re some sort of born yogi or kung fu master.

Last weekend, you also stood next to the coffee table without holding on, but you didn’t realize you were doing that because you were busy with a couple of toys in your hands. And you haven't done it again since.

A couple of weeks ago, you got really sick. Well, you didn’t seem to be sick, except you were miserable with a 103.9 degree fever (turns out it was yet another ear infection). You have our permission never to do that again.

Swimming lessons are going very well. You’re becoming so comfortable in the water, and I think if the lessons weren’t during your naptime, it would be even better. You love jumping into the pool from sitting on the edge, and you also hang onto the side very well. You even don’t mind going under water too much, either.

So, now to the two adorable new things you are doing. First of all, you have learned to stick out your bottom lip whenever one of us tells you “no,” or you don’t get what you want immediately. I don’t think it’s working the way you hope, though, because we just think it’s the cutest thing and laugh, instead of giving into your requests.

And finally, the best thing by far – you will kiss us on the nose when we ask. All we have to say is “J, can I have a kiss,” and you’ll open your mouth, and lean in to “kiss” the nose of whoever’s holding you. Rumor has it from the grandparents that the other day, you even puckered up for a real kiss. I must admit that I completely abuse this new talent of yours.

Well, that’s about it this time. Another note’s coming in just a few weeks. I guess I'll be ready.

Love you,
Mom

Nine Months

2010-06-27T22:28:00.000-04:00

June 27, 2010

Dear J,

You’re a few days past the end of your ninth month, and, as usual, I can’t believe it. This weekend was rough, though. You got a completely unexplained fever that went pretty high and stayed around at a lower point for a day and a half. You were not happy at all about it, either. Fevers just make you feel so awful, and we were so happy when it finally went away this morning.

This has been a very eventful month, too. You got your first hair cut right at the beginning and already need another one. Your dad is so jealous.

You’ve started clapping, but not on command. You’ll just randomly clap and look at us with the biggest grin. And you still smile all the time, in spite of the fact that your teeth just keep on coming in - which isn't your favorite thing. You’re up to eight now, and since there seemed to be a faucet somewhere in your mouth this weekend, I think a couple more are on their way in.

Swim lessons started a few weeks back. You liked the water the first time we got you in a pool last month, but this time you weren’t so sure. I think it’s the noise more than anything, since it’s an indoor pool, and there are tons of lessons and practices going on at the same time. But by the third week, you were really enjoying and even trying to put your face into the water.

And, yes, you are now officially crawling – everywhere. You love to go pull all the DVDs out of the cabinet. You love to crawl wherever will give you a way to pull up and stand up – the back door, the gate at the top of the stairs, the coffee table, the chair, couch …

I’m certainly not rushing you, but I am curious about how long it’s going to take you to start walking. It may be a little while, though, because you aren’t all that interested yet in moving from one piece of furniture to the other. But you do want anyone and everyone to help you walk around the room. And when you see someone, you reach out, only satisfied to grab a couple of fingers, pull yourself up and start walking. We’ll see where this goes.

Just this weekend, you started a new smile, and I must admit that it is so endearing - and so scary. You tuck your head, look up, and smile with your lips pursed in such a way that there is clearly something going on in your head that you don’t want to share. But you want us to know that you know. I just adore it.

But I think, right now, my favorite thing you give is a giant hug. Whenever we pick you up, you just lean in, tuck your head into our necks, and squeeze.

I guess that’s it for now. Can we take a little longer between this and the next letter, please? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

I love you,
Mom

Eight Months

2010-05-24T21:26:00.001-04:00

Dear J,

Wow, it’s been eight months already. Really?! I know I say that every time, but seriously. One day you will understand what I’m talking about, but for now, you’ll just have to take my word for the fact that time just disappears when you’re watching a little one grow up.

And growing up, you are. No one can believe how much hair you have. I never understood (read: silently judged) moms who wouldn’t cut their kids’ hair. I mean, it’s just hair – whatever. But here I am, saying to myself, “no, it’s not just hair.” It’s a stage that has passed and will never be back. Yes, I know, it is just hair and I know that whether your hair is cut or not, that stage passes regardless, but it is symbolic of something, and I’m not ready to admit that we’re in the next stage in your life yet – even if it’s already here. Plus, most kids don’t get there this early. I mean, seriously, your hair is in your eyes, and over your ears. It’s the cutest thing when you grab it with your fingertips and stroke the little ends of the hair over your ears. You kind of zone out when you do that – like you’re considering the fate of the world, or what the island on LOST really is.

You just smile all the time. And laugh. And jabber jabber jabber. You even say the cutest little “Hi Dad” that comes out more like “eye-da”, but we know what you mean (of course we do).

Peek-a-boo is your favorite game to play, and it really gets you cracking up. You and GiGi were playing peek-a-boo at lunch the other day, and we actually had to stop because you were laughing and squealing so loud in the restaurant.

You’re eating all kinds of foods now, and so far, I don’t think you’ve turned a single thing away. Sometimes you make a funny face, but you always come back for more. The funny thing is that you have absolutely no interest in trying to feed yourself. As a matter of fact, you’ll put anything into your mouth except for food.

You’re trying to wave and trying to figure out the crawling thing. You can get up on all fours, but then you don’t quite know what to do after that. You can keep it that way as long as you’d like, though. I don’t think I’m ready for your mobility, either.

Oh, and finally, I have to end with the best. You love to hug and kiss. You give the best hugs – just squeezing tight whenever we pick you up. And your kisses are basically very wet (five teeth and counting) nose bites. There is nothing cuter in the world.

I Love You,
Mom

P.S. I forgot to mention that you help now, when we’re dressing you. You put your arms up and gather your fingers together to make it easier to put a shirt on. It’s just adorable.

7 Months

2010-04-26T21:58:00.000-04:00

Dear J,

Well, you’re seven months old now, and I can’t believe it. I mean, we’re closer to your first birthday than your actual birth day. How exactly did that happen?

We’re trying desperately to enjoy every moment with you, and I think we’re succeeding. But the days still manage to fly by. I’ve started a new schedule with work this last week, which means on Mondays I get to pick you up from daycare and on Fridays we get to hang out when I’m done at 1:30. It’s such a wonderful addition to my week. Your dad and I have realized these last couple of months how much we can’t stand Mondays because we’ve spent all weekend with you and then we have to go back to only getting you for a couple hours a day.

You’re doing wonderful new things since your last birthday. Sitting up on your own is fantastic because it opens up the world of toys for you. Bath time is a new adventure, too; you splash around like a madman.

You’re trying so hard to crawl, pushing yourself up onto all fours. But you can’t quite get your head up, and you definitely don’t have the ability to move your arms and legs in conjunction with each other. But I have realized that you do things in an interesting way. Instead of consistent development and growth, you tend to spike and plateau. So, with sitting, you were wobbly forever, and then one day you just sat all on your own. I have a feeling that’s how you’ll be with crawling and walking too.

Speaking of walking, I’m wondering if you won’t do that and skip crawling altogether. You can already stand up and hold onto things like the coffee table. And you can pick up your feet and move along with one of us holding your hands. It seems to be an easier motion for you than crawling, so we’ll see. You also definitely prefer standing to sitting. But, hey, don’t think I’m rushing you into this mobility thing. Please take your time with that, because mommy and daddy definitely aren’t ready for that yet.

And finally, you’re really chatty now. It started out briefly as bababababababa, then lalalalala. But now, there’s even a bit of dada (and once when daddy walked into the room), but also lots of weird (and loud) noises that aren’t just repetitive. And you enunciate and emphasize “syllables” – not that we understand a word your saying, but you certainly seem to. And you love talking to the girl’s portrait we have hanging next to the couch.

Just wait until next week, when you get to go to the beach for a real vacation

Love,
Mom

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that your top two teeth broke through today. We can't see them without looking, but I did get a good look this afternoon. I know it's time, but I still can't believe it. You're going to look so different, and even more like a little man once those teeth come in.

Six Months

2010-03-31T23:31:00.000-04:00

March 31, 2010

Dear J,

Well, you’ve passed the six month mark already, and I can’t believe it. It’s amazing because so much seems to have happened since my last letter. At five months, you started sleeping on your side, but not long after that, you started rolling over all the way onto your belly. This happened right around the time you started eating fruits and veggies, so I’m not sure if it was the rolling over or the food that made the difference in your sleeping habits. But – drumroll – you sleep through the night now, too. Woohooo! You’ve even slept up to 13 hours, but generally it’s 10-12 hours at a clip. Of course, when you don’t feel good, we’re back to waking up around 2 or 3am, but, boy are those mornings when you stay asleep while I’m getting ready for work a revelation.

For a couple days there, you did this insane squeal thing. It’s like you discovered a new part of your voice. (I think you picked it up from one of the six (!) girls in your class. You are totally spoiled, so don’t get used to not having other boys around and enjoy this while it lasts.) I let you know that you had two days of that squealing before it became not cute, and I couldn’t believe it, but you stopped after two days (ok, maybe three).

You have been chewing everything in site and drooling like a bulldog for the last two months, and finally, your bottom gums split on the 20th, and two little front teeth peaked through a couple days later. I do miss your gummy grin, but your toothy grin is pretty darn cute, too.

Did I mention that you LOVE your food – cereal, fruits, veggies, whatever. You can’t get enough. The only food you really haven’t liked so far are the homemade green beans.

There are a couple things to look forward to in the next few months, too. A new playmate is arriving in July, and we can’t wait to meet him! He’s going to be born a long way away in Wisconsin, but he’ll be moving down here with his parents in August or September. We’re all so excited!

You’re also starting swim lessons on June 5th. There are 10 lessons, so you’ll practically be a fish by the time the summer is over.

Your dad and I have realized something in the last couple of months, too. We live for the weekends. I used to think that I loved weekends before you came along, but now there is no comparison. We work from home on Fridays, so they’re like an early weekend “lite”, and then Saturday and Sunday are wonderful because we get to spend all day with you in some way or another. No wonder people hate Mondays. I miss you most on Mondays.

Love,
Mom

Rules

2010-03-20T20:35:00.000-04:00

It seems that the key to a great blog is a great theme. I guess that leaves me out of the running.

Someone on facebook posted a link to this site, and I became completely addicted today until I had read every one. Walker Lamond started writing out quick little rules for his unborn son on his blog, and it's a great list. Good for grown men and really for just about everyone. A few of my favorites:

410. Sometimes your best bet is to bet on her.
405. No one wants to watch you practice the guitar.
358. If you have to make more than one substitution, order something else.
269. If you've made your point, stop talking.

The Best Thing I Ever Ate

2010-03-17T23:41:00.000-04:00

There's been a show on Food Network lately, asking famous chefs, hosts and food writers about their favorite foods. I've been inspired to create my own list using their categories.

Guilty Pleasures: onion rings - The Varsity (only the original location truly counts)

Wake Up Call: breakfast sandwich (eggs, cheese and bacon) with a side of hash browns scattered, smothered and covered - Waffle House

Hometown Favorites: loose meat hamburger - The Pool Room, Thomaston, GA

Sugar Rush: praline basket filled with ice cream, fresh berries, chocolate syrup and caramel - Ray's on the River

Chocolate: I'm not generally a chocolate dessert person, so this is a candy bar, instead - Escazu dark chocolate with cocoa nibs

Cheesy: Unfortunately, my favorite cheesy dish is no longer available, but the memory of lasagna at the Ram's Head Rathskeller in Chapel Hill, NC, will remain forever.

Hot and Spicy: spicy tuna roll - Circle Sushi, Sandy Springs, GA

The Classics: macaroni and cheese - Swallow at the Hollow, Roswell, GA

Crunchy: Mom's homemade ginger cookies

Totally Fried: all-you-can-eat whole fried catfish - Riverbend Restaurant, Thomaston, GA

Bar-B-Que: family-style plate of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs at the Salt Lick - Driftwood, TX

With Bacon: "Piglickers" - chocolate covered bacon - Famous Dave's, Minnesota State Fair

Pizza: deep dish sausage, mushroom and pepperoni - Giordano's, Chicago

Obsessions: Banana Pudding - Fiery Ron's Hometeam BBQ, West Ashley and Sullivan's Island, SC

Between Bread: the original Chick-fil-A sandwich

With My Hands: fried peach pie - Relish, Roswell, GA

Holiday: my mother-in-law's deviled eggs

Salty Goodness: grilled grouper platter - Apalachicola Grill, Apalachicola, FL

Meat Fest: mustard seed crusted lamb chop - 212 Market Restaurant, Chattanooga, TN

Snack Attack: Fries with Feta - The Grill, Athens, GA

Totally Unexpected: Peanut Butter Bacon Burger - Clocks, Athens, GA

Served Cold: cole slaw - Piggie Park curbside, Thomaston, GA

5 Month Letter

2010-03-03T21:00:00.002-05:00

February 24, 2010

Dear J,

You’re asleep in your bouncy seat, just wiped out from the day. You only took one nap today because you’ve been really good the last couple nights about getting yourself back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night.

You had a horrible cold last week and something called bronchiolitis that forced you to struggle for breath. It was so excruciating to watch. The illness did have one awesome side effect, though. You couldn’t sleep flat on your back because of the cough, so I got to snuggle with you on the couch, keeping you upright, for three nights. And we didn’t want you to go to daycare, so you got to spend all week with your Gigi.

You’ve been so adorable this last month. If it’s possible, you’re getting even more animated. You just smile and laugh all the time (except when you’re sick), and you’ve even started reaching out to people when they walk up to you and you want to be picked up or held.

“Solid” foods have been treating you very well. So far you’ve like rice and oatmeal cereal. Tonight we even tried some green beans, and you seemed to like those too.

Even when I’m exhausted, every day with you is a wonder. Your smile stops me in my tracks every time. And I love that you still love to snuggle. I hope that lasts.

Love,
Mom

P.S. Since it’s March 3, and I'm just getting around to posting this, I have a few more things to add …
You are now grabbing for your bottle whenever you see it – even if it’s three feet away. And you open your mouth so wide when you see the veggies coming your way. You love the new foods you’re getting at night.
You’ve started rolling over onto your side, which you love. You have even managed to get your bottom arm out and lie flat on your belly, but you are not a fan of this position at all.
You have full head control these days and seem to love to turn your head to look at things – especially people. When you sit in my lap while I read your story at night, you are constantly looking from the book, back up to me and back to the book.
You love to grab our faces, especially my bottom lip and Daddy’s beard.
And for the last week, you have been sleeping through the night. For the first five days, you would wake up to cry but get yourself back to sleep in less than 10 minutes. Last night, for the first time, you didn’t even wake up to cry. After getting a two-ounce top-off at 11, you made until just after 6. Woohoo!

SNL

2010-02-20T16:52:00.000-05:00

Saturday Night Live is always hit or miss for me. It's always been that way, even when it was considered great. Honestly, coming up with 90 minutes worth of funny sketches has to be impossible (yeah, probably only 50 minutes if you take out commercial time and musical performances, but still). I suspect that even in the 70s, it was still hit-or-miss, it's just that we've only seen the "best of" those years for the last 30 years, so we all think it was hilarious all the time. Anwyay ...

A couple weeks ago, there was a skit that is still cracking me up: Hamm and Buble Restaurant with Jon Hamm and Michael Buble.

Movies

2010-02-10T11:19:00.000-05:00

I was watching Princess Bride last weekend for the hundredth time, at least, and realized there was nothing about it I would change. That then got me thinking about a list (I love lists). More movies in the same category:

Casablanca
Sixteen Candles
Harvey
Auntie Mame
Sliding Doors
O Brother Where Art Thou
Layer Cake
Lost in Translation

These are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are at least a couple more.

Stossel

2010-02-06T11:03:00.007-05:00

I've always enjoyed John Stossel on 20/20, and now he has his own show on Fox Business. He has definite libertarian leanings, and so far, every show has been great.

He did another show this week that's well worth watching. Things are actually getting better!

If you can catch the whole show (it will rerun several times this week), I highly recommend it.

Pet Peeve

2010-01-26T18:01:00.003-05:00

I read this today and just have to vent. It's a big pet peeve of mine when company leaders extol the strength of their organizations while discussing plans to lay off workers.

Separately, Home Depot (HD, Fortune 500) also announced Tuesday that it plans to cut jobs. CEO Frank Blake said in a memo to Home Depot employees the company will eliminate 1,000 jobs nationwide.

"We are a strong company, and we are taking the necessary actions to make us even stronger as our business builds momentum," said Blake.

What BS

Four Months

2010-01-24T15:17:00.001-05:00

January 19, 2010

Dear J,

I’m a little ahead of the ball here, because your birthday isn’t until Sunday. But I’m sitting here, missing you while I’m at work, and I have the opportunity to write my thoughts down. A lot has happened in the last month. You had your first Christmas and New Year. It’s 2010, and you’ll turn one this year. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. You started daycare, which means you’ve gotten your first cold. You also went to your first wedding.

As for daycare, you really do seem to enjoy it, which sure makes it a lot easier on your dad and me. You even get to stay with GiGi one day a week and she loves spending that day with you.

You seem to be so happy most of the time. If you’re not hungry, tired, or sitting in a dirty diaper, then you’re smiling and laughing. You can sit up in your Bumbo seat really well. Your eyes have started to change to brown/hazel, and I think a couple teeth may even be coming in. Oh, and you chat all the time, too. We adore that, even though you’re really the only one who knows what you’re saying.

I almost forgot! You were baptized, too. A whole lot of family and friends came together – from as far away as Boston – to celebrate with us. That’s how you got to meet your Godmother, Aunt Cheryl.

You are so loved, and my greatest wish for you is that you know it and never have reason to question it.

And finally, I swear you said “hi” to me last week. (OK, I know you didn't really, but you mimicked me really well when I said "Hi" to you.)

Love,
Mom

2009 in Entertainment

2009-12-31T19:40:00.013-05:00

Wow, I've managed to keep a theme for two whole posts. This is 2009 in review, from an entertainment perspective...

Movies:
The Spirit
Boondock Saints*
Hellboy II
Oceans Twelve
Th Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Dr. T & the Women
Defiance
Born into Brothels*
Thank You for Smoking*
Lakeview Terrace
The Fall*
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Ghost Town*
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Neverwas
Stargate
Erin Brockovich*
Coraline
Two for the Road
Love and Basketball*
Get Smart
The Hoax
Watchmen*
Pinapple Express
Role Models*
Akeelah and the Bee*
Let the Right One In*
The Professional*
Slumdog Millionaire*
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
To Die For
Angels & Insects
Star Trek*
Inventing the Abbotts
Angels and Demons
Three to Tango
Terminator: Salvation
Capote
He's Just Not That Into You*
Outlander
The Proposal*
Transformers 2: Rise of the Fallen
Surfer, Dude
Waltz with Bashir*
Public Enemies
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*
Taken*
Valkyrie*
Volver*
Repo: The Genetic Opera
Transporter 3*
Lovers of the Arctic Circle
Push
District 9*
GI Joe
Appaloosa
Knowing*
Au Revoir, les Enfants*
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist
Inglourious Basterds*
Redbelt*
9
Jane Austen Book Club
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
That Thing You Do
Tsotsi*
I Love You, Man
New in Town
Defending Your Life
The Hunger
24 Hour Party People
The Other Boleyn Girl
Idiocracy
Twilight Saga: New Moon
No Country for Old Men*
The Visitor*
Up*
Saving Grace*
American Splendor
Bride & Prejudice
Persepolis

Travel:
Raleigh/Durham, NC
Tarpon Springs, FL
Chicago, IL
Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC - July
Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC - December

Books:
Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen*
The Historian
The Time Traveler's Wife
Your Pregnancy, Week by Week*
What to Expect When You're Expecting
The Happiest Baby on the Block
To Have and Have Not, Ernest Hemingway*
The Politically Incorrect Guide to the South

Live Music:
Reckless Kelly, Variety Playhouse, Atlanta
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Atlanta - Gilbert Varga Conducting
Zoltan Kodaly - Dances of Galanta
Jean Sibelius - Concerto for Violin & Orch. in D. Minor, Opus 47
Leonidas Karakos, Violin
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 73
George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars, Variety Playhouse, Atlanta
Dave Matthews Band, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
Avett Brothers, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta (opening for DMB)
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
Rossi - Barber of Seville
Orff - Carmina Burana
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Alpharetta
July 4 Celebration
Reckless Kelly, The Peachtree Tavern, Atlanta
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, The Tabernacle, Atlanta
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Charleston

Cool Stuff:
Learned to ride and got motorcycle license
(less than two weeks before finding out I was pregnant)
Um, well, had a baby boy

*indicates a favorite movie or book.

Noticably absent are CDs purchased. I forgot to keep track of those this year, and bought a LOT at the used CD store (I think I may have done separate posts). So starting in 2010, I'll keep track of that, too. I expect it to be a shorter list in the future, though, but we'll see.

I did get the new Dave Matthews CD, Big Whiskey and the Groo Grux King, and it is amazing. Just off the top of my head, that would be my favorite CD of the year. Oh, I also got the new Lyle Lovett, Natural Forces, but DMB is still my favorite this year.

J's Three Month Letter

2009-12-30T18:19:00.001-05:00

December 29, 2009

Dear J,

Today is my second day back at work, and I miss your smile so much during the day. I even miss your frown, your pouty bottom lip, and your cries. But it hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be. I know that you are waiting for me when I get home, and that makes my time away from you OK. I think it also helps that I know you’re home with your daddy this week. That’s a nice way to ease into this new arrangement.

Next week you start daycare, and I know they are going to take great care of you. It’s going to be hard, too, but here’s the way I figure it: we are simply loaning you to them three days a week. You are such an amazing little being that it’s our obligation to share you with the world, and, right now, the part of the world we will share you with is the group of people at Brookside Academy. Your daddy thinks that they should actually be paying us for the privilege of spending time with you each day.

You smile all the time now, and your laugh is hilarious, because you can’t quite laugh yet. You just do this big inhale thing, and the breath gets caught in your throat. You even chatter a bit now, especially when you’re hungry. You just babble on (loudly) until that bottle arrives.

You sit up pretty well with the help of your new Bumbo seat, and you’re loving the bouncy seat with its little animals that dangle from above and make noise when you shake them. Christmas was nice, but not overkill, since you’re a bit too young to understand it all anyway. You got some cute clothes, a couple toys, a Peanuts book, and your Great Aunt Becky sent a sign that we’ll hang in your room:

Boy: (noun), a noise with dirt on it

I’m so excited for the days when that is really true, but for now, I’m enjoying every minute of right now – because it’s already flying by.

Love,
Mom

Two Months (already?)

2009-12-02T15:51:00.001-05:00

December 2, 2009
Dear J,

You’re napping, and I’m just going to ignore laundry, dirty bottles, the mail, and packing for a few minutes, so that I can write you this letter. It’s a week late, but that’s the way things go these days. You’re two months and one week old today, and it’s strange to say, but the time has both flown and crawled by.

You went to the doctor last week, and you were less than an ounce shy of 13 pounds. It seems that it takes most children four months or more to get to that weight, so I must say – well done! The doctor said to just keep doing what we’re doing. Everything looks good.

You’ve been doing the cutest things, too. For about a week or two, anytime you sneezed or coughed, when you were done, you would coo while you exhaled. The description doesn’t do it justice; it was just about the cutest thing I’ve seen. You’re really smiling all the time now, and you have even started laughing. Most of the time the laugh is silent, but sometimes there’s even an audible chuckle in there.

You love your activity mat, but not when you’re on your tummy. I’ve discovered that rolling you onto your tummy is the best way to turn you from smiling to red, wrinkle-faced screaming in three seconds flat.

A friend at work told me something that her friend told her, and I have to put it here because it’s absolutely the truth. As a parent, you think you’ve just seen the coolest or cutest or most wonderful thing, but the next day, there will be something even better. The best thing about having children is that every day is better than the day before.

Then it was Thanksgiving, which has taken on a whole new meaning now that you’re in our lives. Frankly, it’s not just Thanksgiving, it’s pretty much everything, but Thanksgiving was a great time to reflect on your place with us. That’s understating it. You are our lives now; everything is reflected in or upon you somehow, and it’s a beautiful feeling. The joy you bring is immeasurable.

It seems that you’re already waking up from your nap, so I’ve got to run. I love you, and can’t wait for what tomorrow brings – Charleston and your first road trip, as a matter of fact.

Love,
Mom

Time for an update

2009-11-19T21:40:00.003-05:00

There is of course tons to update, but not much time to do it. I hope to have a more detailed "J" post next week when he's two months old, but for now, I will just say that last night's Lyle Lovett show at the Tabernacle was amazing. I'm not sure I can see him at Chastain again and enjoy it. The sound at the Tabernacle is just so amazing that I'm now completely spoiled.

It was interesting, because even though his "Large Band" was with him, there were no horns, so the show was decidedly more mellow than usual. The few songs they played that usually have horns were arranged with strings playing the horn parts instead - which was different, but really fantastic.

A favorite lyric from one of his new songs, Natural Forces:
And now as I sit here safe at home
With a cold Coors Light and the TV on
All the sacrifice and death and war
Lord I pray that I'm worth fighting for

Four Weeks

2009-10-22T21:04:00.002-04:00

Hey Little Man,

Today you are four weeks old, and you are beautiful. You've been beautiful since the day you were born, but you manage to get more precious every day. I don't understand it, but it's fantastic.

I completely understand now how parents spoil their children by not being able to say "no" to them. All I want is for you to have everything you want in life.

I don't think these entries will be very long, but there are times when I have to write what I'm thinking. And today is one of those days.

A few minutes ago, I looked at you lying in your Nana's arms, and I was absolutely overcome with love for you. You are the most wonderful thing in the world.

Love,
Mom

J's Birthday Notes

2009-10-14T19:46:00.004-04:00

So, my epidural worked like a charm and I was also lucky enough to get it before any real bad contractions started, which allowed me to text friends during labor, and also to keep notes of how it all went down. I didn't keep them in proper grammar, etc, but kind of shorthand. I have at least fixed any spelling mistakes. Here's what happened:

38w6d
Dr. at 9-ish AM
membranes stripped (was 4-5cm last week and 80%, so we're ready to go if we want to)
5-6cm, 80%, -1
sent to hospital
signed in
paperwork
iv with pitocin by 11:20
hungry already - this isn't good but I'll deal with it
a few contractions here and there
one in particular is sharp, but short
one long one, but not painful
11:45 epidural's on its way
midwife here between 12:15 and 12:45 to break water
12:40 epidural done
12:57 water broke on its own
labor without any pain until 8:00
contractions ev 2-3 min. cervix opening and ev looks good - except he's still up hi at -1 and midwife sees that he seems to be sunny-side up with his head turned to the side. she calls doc on call to confirm. he does.
sometime during all this, i start getting itchy all over - like wearing a wool sweater from head to toe. apparently, this is a side effect of the epidural.
at first it's not unbearable, but soon i can't handle it and they give me something in my iv to stop it.
then the nausea kicks in, which i heard about. again, not bad at first, just the feeling of being hung over. but as soon as i mention the word, the hunt for a pan beings.
not a moment too soon either because the need to throw up just comes over me like a wave and i begin.
a couple rounds of it - nothing but water - and the post-puking adrenaline kicks in.
i feel much better,
then they also trhow some zofran into the iv, my old friend from the first few months.
start pushing at 8, but doc and midwife still worried about J's station and ability to come down
push until 8:45 and j decends each time, but then goes right back up to where he started.
his heart rate starts decelerating with the contractions, and I get a fever - 100.7
all of this combined pushes us to a decision to do a c-section - scheduled for 9:20.
time to get the higher epidural dose in from the anesthesiologist and they are ready.

(from here, I wrote the details after he was born)
j's head majorly stuck, requiring two docs to break the suction and get him out.
dave said he could hear it when they broke it, then they got him out
9:48pm, 7lb 11oz, 18 3/4 in
The sewing me up seemed to take an age and a half, and in the meantime, shivers start.
i had also heard about these, but wow. i don't think i've ever felt so out of control of my own body between the temporary paralysis brought on by the epidural and then this shaking that lasted for about 90 min or so after.
it's funny, but the only thing that seemed to make it stop was when they finally laid little j on my chest in the recovery room
it was probably just a coincidence of the timing, but i'm happy to give him credit.

pushing my luck

2009-10-05T13:29:00.002-04:00

J's been asleep now for almost three hours, so I'm pushing my luck in trying to get something posted here.

Just wanted to say how wonderful this whole experience has been, in spite of the c-section stuff. That's no fun, but I'd do it again tomorrow if it meant getting another little munchkin like this one. He's just the most wonderful thing in the world.

I could stare at him all day, hold him all day, and kiss him all day. In case you're wondering, my favorite place to kiss is the little valley above his nose - right between his eyes.

Oh, and I kept a little log while the labor stuff was going on, since I didn't feel anything, thanks to the lovely epidural. I may post that in the next few days/weeks, if I get the opportunity.

What may be the last update for a while

2009-09-19T22:12:00.007-04:00

The baby's room is almost done - everything in except the changing table. Many people ask us if we have a theme. Clearly, these people don't know us very well. Dave and I aren't really theme people when it comes to decorating - unless that theme is "eclectic." See the pics.

And now we're at the "any day now" phase, officially. We went to the doctor's office on Thursday, and I'm very close, so our midwife told me that if I haven't gone into labor by this Thursday, that she'll admit me and we'll "get things started". She wants me closer to 39 weeks, but doesn't want me to miss my epidural window. So, this time next week, I'll be a mom. Wow.

We're doing our best to enjoy this weekend without plans and without having to think about much else beyond what we want to do next - oh and sleep - since it will be the last weekend where we can do either for quite some time.

What an Adventure

2009-08-24T20:25:00.004-04:00

Wow, this week has been something to behold. I just don't have the energy to go through all the details, but here's the breakdown.

Garage - finished and wonderful.

The baby shower yesterday was wonderful. I can't believe how many people came in from out of town to help celebrate. And my friends' generosity (of time, love and yes, "stuff") leaves me speechless.

And the biggest event of all - three full days at Northside Hospital last week - due to a strange bout with pneumonia. Monday night after dinner, I began to feel very uncomfortable - achy and such - and then spiked a fever that reached 101.65. The fever broke in the middle of the night, but I still felt awful on Tuesday morning. Thanks to all the publicity about pregnant women and the swine flu, I was a bit nervous and called the doctor. They told me to go to Labor and Delivery. We walked in and were promptly given masks, and then I was treated to a whole host of pokes and prods (at least seven blood draws and an IV). Once various flu strains were ruled out, I was given a chest x-ray and told that I had pneumonia, regardless of there being no cough or congestion of any kind that week or weekend. I would be let go once my white blood count came down.

It did come down by Wednesday night, so I thought I would be going home Thursday, but then J. decided to get in on the act, and throughout Wednesday night/Thursday morning, every couple of hours when I'd have a contraction (something else I didn't realize I was having), his heart rate would drop. This happened three or four times throughout the night (resulting in my being connected not only to an IV and leg compression sleeves, but also a pulse oxymeter, oxygen mask, baby monitor, and contraction monitor - and therefore feeling completely tied down and bordering on a panic attack at midnight). So even though I seemed all mended, the doctors wanted me to stay one more night and make sure he didn't do that again. Thursday passed without incident, and Friday I was told to go home, rest, stay out of the heat and drink tons of water.

Although I do feel much better, I am amazed at how quickly I get tired. Yesterday's shower absolutely wore me out, even though I really just sat around, ate and opened gifts. I had to nap today, too. Thank goodness I had already taken the day off to see my friend safely to the airport. I'm a little nervous about tomorrow - my first day back at work in a week.

Updates

2009-08-15T08:00:00.002-04:00

Well, we're seven weeks out, and the house projects are moving along. We didn't get quite as much done as we had hoped last weekend, though. We've waved the white flag on the garage door installation, and someone will be coming out next week (hopefully) to finish it up for us. It's already amazing, though, because Dave did an incredible job cleaning out the two rooms while I was at my shower last weekend. I'll have more pictures a little later.

We went to see District 9 last night, and it was incredible. It's wonderfully different. I never knew what was going to happen next. It was very moving, which I didn't expect.

House Project

2009-08-01T18:52:00.012-04:00

In preparation for J's arrival, we're doing a bit of a construction project on the house - converting the enclosed garage back into a real garage. Here is the first day of major work.

I'm too ashamed to show many of the before pictures because the old garage and workroom had really become dumping grounds worthy of Clean Sweep or some other TV show. There are a few I'm OK with posting, though.

Before

The "inside" section of the garage. Notice the garage windows on the right. From the front of the house, it still looks like a normal garage.

more on the "inside" section. that wall behind the shelves is coming down.

Virtually empty dumpster at the start of the project. You see, though, we're even throwing out the kitchen sink.

Left side facing the house - this is the "outside" part of the garage. This is the side that can be accessed by the actual garage door.

The doors are wood and more than 20 years old. It's definitely time they were replaced. Insulated steel this time around. Those pictures will come later - hopefully next weekend.

Right side door. This is the one that doesn't actually open and is dry-walled from the inside.

The inside of the outside access section.

During

Back wall of the "outside" section coming out.

Say "hi" to Dave.

Notice that they did actually frame a door in here, but they decided to drywall over it. So we've never had access to the inside of the house from the garage.

One wall out!

Second wall on its way down.

The inside looking out - a view we've never had.

Now we can see the other half of the garage.

After

Second wall gone!

We still need to demo the inside wall on the other side but won't do that until we're ready to install the new door.

Dumpster half-full after only one day!

We still have to go through a lot of the stuff and reorganize/throw away/give away, but we made a huge amount of progress today. Today was demolition day. Tomorrow is either reorganization or replacing one of the doors. We haven't really figured out which yet. And then next weekend is the last of the demolition and final door replacement.

Most Recent Visit to CD Warehouse

2009-07-05T21:15:00.003-04:00

Today's visit to see my friends at CD Warehouse has produced:

Aerosmith - Pump
I'm not exactly sure why neither of us have this CD now, because we both had it at one time or another. Now we do, again.
Celtic Faire ... what can I really say?
Los Lonely Boys - Los Lonely Boys
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Jingle All the Way
We've got tickets to their December show in Charleston, so I'm curious to see if they'll play any Christmas songs. Either way, it will be a fun (and scary) first road trip with little J.
Melody Gardot - My One and Only Thrill
Dave found her through the iTunes discovery download and saw this one at the store.
John Mayer - Where the Light Is (Live in Los Angeles)
Vince Guaraldi - Oh Good Grief!
Another one of Dave's pics. This is Peanuts music.
Bruce Robison - Wrapped
The Outfield - Diamond Days
This is another one I thought I already had, but apparently not.
Pearl Jam - Ten
Again, Dave and I both had this at one point, but then we didn't, and now we do.
Marc Broussard - Carencro

It happens in threes

2009-06-25T18:53:00.002-04:00

Yeah, I know the theory is that things happen in threes, particularly deaths. But this week seems to be a more vivid illustration of that than any other I can remember. I mean, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson within days of each other? I just can't believe it.

And I've realized today that Michael Jackson will be to my God-daughter what Elvis has always been for me. Elvis died on my second birthday, and I've never known him as a living entertainer. And she will have the same experience with Michael Jackson. He will only be a legend in her life.

The deaths of these three entertainers, though, really makes me feel like an adult. These three people were incredible stars throughout my childhood. Though they all had fallen pretty far since then (especially Jackson and Fawcett), what each was as part of my youth will never change. Who can forget that poster, Thriller, or "Heeeeeere's Johhny!"?

Pet Peeve

2009-06-18T22:29:00.001-04:00

"Parent" used as a verb.

I love the idea of being a parent and raising my child. I don't love the idea of parenting my child. It sounds PC and lingo-y. The use of this word as a verb drives me insane.

ER

2009-06-12T20:17:00.002-04:00

No, nothing bad here. I'm just watching the ER series finale, and remembering exactly why I stopped watching it about 10 years ago. So far, only two of the cases have made me cry.

Another trip to the CD store

2009-05-25T17:01:00.004-04:00

has produced:
The Mavericks - Trampoline
Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours
Jeff Buckley - Grace
Pat Green - Cannonball
Led Zeppelin - In Through the Out Door
Francine Reed - Shades of Blue
Willie Nelson & Friends - Outlaws and Angels
Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack
Moulin Rouge Soundtrack