April 2011
5 posts
My Infant Sleep Obsession
My beautiful, bouncing baby boy has been, shall we say, a challenging baby. No sweet and snuggly honeymoon period for us post-birth. Ben came into the world with a holler and hasn’t stopped since. Those first few days in the hospital Mike discovered that Ben would calm down if he elongated the “eeee” sound at the end of “Benny.” Between that discovery and trying to...
Swaddle Weaning: Day One
I totally caved. The boy has been breaking free from his swaddle the past few days. Each sleep period his left arm miraculously appeared over the top of his blanket or SwaddleMe. Being an astute parent I believe this means it is time to wean him from swaddling for sleepy time.
His first two naps went swimmingly. Slept well and soundly, one arm out of the swaddle. It went progressively downhill...
Be careful what you wish for...
…you might just get it. We have entered a new phase in the saga of Ben’s sleep habits. Where his daytime routine has become somewhat settled (for the time being), the boy has refused to go to sleep before 11:30pm! Refused, I say, regardless of how tired he obviously is.
Last night the miraculous happened and he was down for the night by 10pm. Alas this happy occasion was followed by...
Kind of a lot has happened...
It’s been a while since the last time I blogged and kind of a lot has happened since then. First and foremost, my son Ben was born. Pretty big deal, the birth of a child. He’s changed, well, everything about my life.
Before he was born I was certain I wanted to advance in my career and was still trying to determine how best to make that happen. I received a lot of my self esteem...
3 tags
Kitsuné Maison, je t'aime!
Beware! The recommendation to follow may induce frantic, uncontrolled purchasing of music and impromptu office dance parties. Consider yourself warned!
Thanks to one of my favorite audiophiles, (Shelly, I’m looking at you) I have a new musical obsession to share. . French electronica/electro-pop label of “Cut Copy,” “Two Door Cinema Club,” “La Roux”...
Grade me! Validate me! a.k.a. It's Performance...
For someone who love to be graded (moi), I truly hate performance appraisal time at work. The reason is simple. I do not want to self-evaluate. I want others to evaluate me FOR me. I have a wildly distorted perception of my own value to my employer. Call it “employment dismorphia.” I am my biggest critic and judge myself far more harshly than does the world. So, when appraisal...
March 2010
2 posts
Spring Fevah!
It is here. I have it. Like a new tattoo, it is an itch I can’t scratch. In my car on the way to the office I had to turn down the heat and put on sunglasses because this strange radiation emitting light source in the sky was blinding and overheating me. Glorious.
Those who hail from northern climes know the phenomenon of which I speak. You have it too. I can see it in the too giddy...
February 2010
4 posts
The fat shall inherit the earth!
We, humans, are victims of our own success. Our species was not built for abundance, but instead, for scarcity. The history of humanity on earth has been characterized by deprivation and the resulting population die offs. Those individuals and family lines that endured passed the traits that helped them survive on to their offspring. In a time of famine the ability to store energy as fat is an...
yo-GA! yo-GA! yo-GA!
I am a passionate person. I’m quick to judge; if I take a shine to you, then you are part of my family and privy to all kinds of unsolicited advice. If I don’t, I will quietly plot your downfall (don’t worry, I like all y’all). I can be enthusiastic to the point of maddening those around me. If I fall in love with a new activity I will talk about it constantly,...
Palin's Populism & "soft bigotry of lowered...
It surprises me that I am quoting our former President George W. Bush in this blog title. He used the phrase “soft bigotry of lowered expectations” in reference to No Child Left Behind and education reform. However, I suggest that today it can have a different meaning. This is the phrase that came to mind while I read the variety of opinion pieces on Sarah Palin’s key note...
Where're my hipster skinny jeans?!
I have a relatively new and profound love of synthy electro-pop. I can trace the origins of this love to a specific date and time: May 22, 2009. The day I first heard Passion Pit.
My husband and I were on our way to a friends cottage in Michigan for a Memorial Day weekend, house opening extravaganza, whilst listening to Sound Opinions on the last shreds of WBEZ to accompany us over the...
January 2010
6 posts
There's someone in my brain screaming...
…and this is what she looks like. Every time a bus door opens she yells at the driver to “close the @#$%^& door!” Whenever wind whipped snow brings tears to my eyes she brings forth a howl of rage that I am always surprised no one else hears. She looks daggers at anyone who dares to ask me to actually think because WHO CAN THINK WHEN IT’S THIS @#$$%^& COLD!!!
...
Hope: A "How To" Guide
I will add a short disclaimer. I am speaking from my own experience and perspective only. I am not a psychiatrist or a therapist. These are my opinions and my opinions alone.
I just learned that an individual of our acquaintance has been incommunicado because of a possible suicide attempt. This is a young woman with three children and a floundering marriage. She has, in the past couple of...
The Virtue of Unrestricted Donations
In the wake of natural disasters, such as the earthquake in Haiti, it is natural to want to give of your substance to those in need. We humans can be very generous when witnessing the suffering of our fellows. Like many of you, my husband and I felt compelled to give to relief efforts in Haiti; and the use of new media to raise funds and awareness has been fascinating to witness.
However,...
WatchSo damned catchy! Be forewarned: this will be stuck in your head for days!
Chili Chili Chili
At the suggestion of my dear and loving husband, I am sharing my marvelous chicken chili recipe with the ‘verse. Cook. Eat. Enjoy.
1 12 oz can diced tomatoes w/ jalapenos 1 12 oz can diced tomatoes w/ garlic & onion 1 12 oz can plain diced tomatoes 2 12 oz cans chili beans w/ sauce 1 12 oz can kidney beans (drained) 1 12 oz can butter beans (drained) ...
“You know not the elaborate criteria by which you are being judged!”
– Grand Galactic Inquisitor