Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Kids in church
Ok, Sandals is starting a new policy and I'm all up in arms about it. And now you all get to hear about it. Sorry.
As of July 6th, all children over the age of 3 months are not going to be allowed in church.
1. Hell no. Not my 3 month old. I would not leave my 12 week old child with anyone less than perhaps my parents. When my child starts talking and walking I will consider them eligible for the nursery at church, and not a week before.
2. Great policy for some kids. I think for 90% of children between the ages of 2 and 12 this is a fantastic idea, although the compulsory aspect leads to issues. From the time I was old enough to read I could sit for two hours in church and not make a bloody peep. This is a very happy combination of nature and nurture: I'm a quiet, obedient person to begin with who was encouraged in being quiet and obedient. And if I were visiting churches and had small children, the second I found out my two-year-old was being carted off to a nursery where I didn't know the teacher, director, other people who entrusted these people with their children...well, we would be spending the next two hours in the park, not at church.
I'm really curious to see how this is going to pan out. Honestly, I attend church in a converted warehouse, which has a sound not unlike a tin can. ANY noise carries like it was put through a loudspeaker. And we have a great kids program and still a number of children who sit in the big service with us. And you know what? Apart from the occasional crying baby or squirming toddler it's ok. And when I get seated next to a particularly difficult situation there's this great thing called the "power of motion" that I posess which allows me to move to a better spot, away from said squirmy children.
Maybe we can all start wearing pajamas to church too, to avoid those pesky, itchy fabrics which might distract us from God. Actually, sitting on backless metal bleachers for two hours is way the heck more uncomfortable and distracting then dealing with a few children.
And this is reason #793 why churches drive me crazy.
As of July 6th, all children over the age of 3 months are not going to be allowed in church.
1. Hell no. Not my 3 month old. I would not leave my 12 week old child with anyone less than perhaps my parents. When my child starts talking and walking I will consider them eligible for the nursery at church, and not a week before.
2. Great policy for some kids. I think for 90% of children between the ages of 2 and 12 this is a fantastic idea, although the compulsory aspect leads to issues. From the time I was old enough to read I could sit for two hours in church and not make a bloody peep. This is a very happy combination of nature and nurture: I'm a quiet, obedient person to begin with who was encouraged in being quiet and obedient. And if I were visiting churches and had small children, the second I found out my two-year-old was being carted off to a nursery where I didn't know the teacher, director, other people who entrusted these people with their children...well, we would be spending the next two hours in the park, not at church.
I'm really curious to see how this is going to pan out. Honestly, I attend church in a converted warehouse, which has a sound not unlike a tin can. ANY noise carries like it was put through a loudspeaker. And we have a great kids program and still a number of children who sit in the big service with us. And you know what? Apart from the occasional crying baby or squirming toddler it's ok. And when I get seated next to a particularly difficult situation there's this great thing called the "power of motion" that I posess which allows me to move to a better spot, away from said squirmy children.
Maybe we can all start wearing pajamas to church too, to avoid those pesky, itchy fabrics which might distract us from God. Actually, sitting on backless metal bleachers for two hours is way the heck more uncomfortable and distracting then dealing with a few children.
And this is reason #793 why churches drive me crazy.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Blog frequency directly related to illness... have you noticed?
Have you often noticed that it's not exactly uncommon for me to start a blog explaining to you how I'm sick? I think I've discovered that's one of the few times I'm sitting on the sofa and don't really feel well enough to do something productive (i.e. read a book, clean the house, write a paper, etc), so hey, time to blog.
And yes, I was home from work for most of today with a killer headache. I NEVER used to have headaches. About...oh, three years ago, though, that completely changed. It's true: your body does start to slowly decompose after 21.
My brother is getting married in...13 days! Exciting, huh? I'm glad we get Ashley in the family; she's amazing. And has awesome style. Mike and I are candle-lighters. Since it involves lighting things on fire, it seems he's really looking forward to it.
Ok, I give up for now. Going to go whine more about my head. Happy Monday...
And yes, I was home from work for most of today with a killer headache. I NEVER used to have headaches. About...oh, three years ago, though, that completely changed. It's true: your body does start to slowly decompose after 21.
My brother is getting married in...13 days! Exciting, huh? I'm glad we get Ashley in the family; she's amazing. And has awesome style. Mike and I are candle-lighters. Since it involves lighting things on fire, it seems he's really looking forward to it.
Ok, I give up for now. Going to go whine more about my head. Happy Monday...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tip...
American Consumer Survey.
Join and take random surveys wherein you often just end up admiting either ignorance or apathy. For example, do I feel strongly that snack crackers should have 2 g or less of monounsaturated fate? And do I find myself much more likely to buy crackers with lots of fiber than those with low sodium? I don't freakin' know! But I will be more than happy to communicate that to you via electronic survey and receive a small compensation in the mail 4-6 weeks later.
Genius.
Well, bedtime for me. Should have already been snoozing, actually. But that riveting offer of snack cracker opinion abundance was more than I could resist.
Happy Monday, all.
Join and take random surveys wherein you often just end up admiting either ignorance or apathy. For example, do I feel strongly that snack crackers should have 2 g or less of monounsaturated fate? And do I find myself much more likely to buy crackers with lots of fiber than those with low sodium? I don't freakin' know! But I will be more than happy to communicate that to you via electronic survey and receive a small compensation in the mail 4-6 weeks later.
Genius.
Well, bedtime for me. Should have already been snoozing, actually. But that riveting offer of snack cracker opinion abundance was more than I could resist.
Happy Monday, all.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Priorities
I heard a young woman say today that she was feeling a little flustered and upset over the gay marriage ban being overturned in California. Had a little trouble sleeping last night, you know?
Funny how the 20,000 dead in China didn't figure into it. Or everyone dying of disease in Myanmar. But I guess as Christians we're more concerned about legislating morality (which I don't think we're allowed to do anyway) than about those dying and suffering all over the world.
At least we have our priorities straight *dripping sarcasm
And on a "happier" note: Dieted for 5 days. Gained 2 pounds.
Funny how the 20,000 dead in China didn't figure into it. Or everyone dying of disease in Myanmar. But I guess as Christians we're more concerned about legislating morality (which I don't think we're allowed to do anyway) than about those dying and suffering all over the world.
At least we have our priorities straight *dripping sarcasm
And on a "happier" note: Dieted for 5 days. Gained 2 pounds.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Addition to the family
No, I'm not pregnant. Get your mind out of the gutter.
Mike and I adopted a kitten for Clio at the humane society a couple of days ago. It was sooner than we had planned, but Clio was driving us nuts. She's getting used to the new kid.
Anyway, Blaise Cleveland the Antidisestablishmentarian joined the family Thursday night. Blaise for Pascal, Cleveland for Lady in the Water, and antidisestablishmentarian because Michael's obsessed with that word. He's a russian blue, but does not look at all like Turk. That's a good thing.
Anyway, life with two kids again. It's good.
Mike and I adopted a kitten for Clio at the humane society a couple of days ago. It was sooner than we had planned, but Clio was driving us nuts. She's getting used to the new kid.
Anyway, Blaise Cleveland the Antidisestablishmentarian joined the family Thursday night. Blaise for Pascal, Cleveland for Lady in the Water, and antidisestablishmentarian because Michael's obsessed with that word. He's a russian blue, but does not look at all like Turk. That's a good thing.
Anyway, life with two kids again. It's good.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
C'est La Vie
I was reading back to earlier this year where I blogged some crack about how I was looking forward to things picking up and becoming interesting. Well, so far for '08 mike and I have had:
A sibling end up in ICU
A co-worker pass away
Our cat pass away
Mike's job get cut for next year
A major health upset for me
Really, we're only a 1/3 of the way into '08, right? RIGHT?
Don't get me wrong; good things have happened as well. I'm just not used to all of the bad ganging up and hitting us all at once. Ah, well. I think I'm feeling extra down because I was hit with this weird flu thing today. Shakes, fever, nausea, whole deal!
Good news, though: I have decided on the subject for my independent study grad class, which will hopefully culminate in the cementing of my thesis. Ready? The effects of German Romanticism on late 19th Century American Literature! YAYYY! Of course it will get way, way more narrowed down than that, but it's a start.
Oh, one of the best movies I've seen lately? Juno. I know I'm just about the last person in the country to jump on that particular bandwagon, but give me a break! The pitfalls of no television.
Just about to start reading Jesus for President. I'll let you know how it goes.
A sibling end up in ICU
A co-worker pass away
Our cat pass away
Mike's job get cut for next year
A major health upset for me
Really, we're only a 1/3 of the way into '08, right? RIGHT?
Don't get me wrong; good things have happened as well. I'm just not used to all of the bad ganging up and hitting us all at once. Ah, well. I think I'm feeling extra down because I was hit with this weird flu thing today. Shakes, fever, nausea, whole deal!
Good news, though: I have decided on the subject for my independent study grad class, which will hopefully culminate in the cementing of my thesis. Ready? The effects of German Romanticism on late 19th Century American Literature! YAYYY! Of course it will get way, way more narrowed down than that, but it's a start.
Oh, one of the best movies I've seen lately? Juno. I know I'm just about the last person in the country to jump on that particular bandwagon, but give me a break! The pitfalls of no television.
Just about to start reading Jesus for President. I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, May 2, 2008
farewell
We took Turkish to the vet yesterday; he hadn't been eating or drinking. Unfortunately, we also found out he had some form of blood disorder. We had to put him down.
Aristophanes Turkish The Destroyer: the best of cats. We miss you, friend.
Aristophanes Turkish The Destroyer: the best of cats. We miss you, friend.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
...
Yes, I know I haven't blogged in forever. Some amazing family insanity went down a few weeks ago and Michael and I have been trying to recover ever since. We're doing better, though.
It's just life. I'll blog something interesting or funny or inane another day. Tonight: sleep.
Good night, all. Happy almost spring.
It's just life. I'll blog something interesting or funny or inane another day. Tonight: sleep.
Good night, all. Happy almost spring.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Melville and General Absurdity
A quick update on the medication front (because I know everyone's dying of curiosity)...
Things got more stable, I met with my doc to discuss treatment options after he said "lithium" and I said "hell no." We've pushed it off to a more last-ditch effort option, which I'm more comfortable with. 1 in 25 people develop a goiter (what?!?!) and I have to do regular blood tests to make sure I'm not destroying my kidneys.
Eeek.
Anyway, the lithium bullet is dodged for now. I'm trying to finish up my paper on "The Stranger" and Camus' use of language to create "the absurd." I can't even begin to explain the concept in less than a five page paper, so you're on your own. Just don't rely on the current Wikipedia entry; no good.
We also had the fantastic luck to get tickets to "Moby Dick: Rehearsed," a semi-comedic/drama version of the book put together by Orson Welles (yes, Animal Farm Welles). It was in the Beckman auditorium at CalTech(the ceiling looks like Las Vegas threw up on it; it's so great! Michael and I are trying to figure out how we can work the theme into our bedroom). The actors were amazingly talented and it had the good luck to be scheduled right before the due date on my paper comparing/contrasting the function of nature upon humanity in Moby Dick and The Scarlet Letter. I'm loving the theme, but a little behind because Melville...well...Melville didn't know when to shut up, and it is taking me forever to wade through that inability. Sorry Herman.
Anyway, there you go. We bought bikes to exercise and run errands around town, and one mile up the road this morning my chain system broke. Poo! We're exchanging it tomorrow. We also got a humidifier to help deal with the bloody nose issue (yes, we have one), which is working out just fine. Clio is still working on getting over her fascination with it.
That's mostly it. We're both plugging along as well as we can. I've spent most of today on the sofa because I tweaked my back, or something. At least it makes me sit down and write some.
Happy Saturday...
Things got more stable, I met with my doc to discuss treatment options after he said "lithium" and I said "hell no." We've pushed it off to a more last-ditch effort option, which I'm more comfortable with. 1 in 25 people develop a goiter (what?!?!) and I have to do regular blood tests to make sure I'm not destroying my kidneys.
Eeek.
Anyway, the lithium bullet is dodged for now. I'm trying to finish up my paper on "The Stranger" and Camus' use of language to create "the absurd." I can't even begin to explain the concept in less than a five page paper, so you're on your own. Just don't rely on the current Wikipedia entry; no good.
We also had the fantastic luck to get tickets to "Moby Dick: Rehearsed," a semi-comedic/drama version of the book put together by Orson Welles (yes, Animal Farm Welles). It was in the Beckman auditorium at CalTech(the ceiling looks like Las Vegas threw up on it; it's so great! Michael and I are trying to figure out how we can work the theme into our bedroom). The actors were amazingly talented and it had the good luck to be scheduled right before the due date on my paper comparing/contrasting the function of nature upon humanity in Moby Dick and The Scarlet Letter. I'm loving the theme, but a little behind because Melville...well...Melville didn't know when to shut up, and it is taking me forever to wade through that inability. Sorry Herman.
Anyway, there you go. We bought bikes to exercise and run errands around town, and one mile up the road this morning my chain system broke. Poo! We're exchanging it tomorrow. We also got a humidifier to help deal with the bloody nose issue (yes, we have one), which is working out just fine. Clio is still working on getting over her fascination with it.
That's mostly it. We're both plugging along as well as we can. I've spent most of today on the sofa because I tweaked my back, or something. At least it makes me sit down and write some.
Happy Saturday...
Friday, January 25, 2008
For the love...
My new psychiatrist upped one of my meds, and a couple of weeks into the dosage I promptly turned unstable, massively depressive, and started having obsessive thoughts. I love bipolar. Always interesting. And because Kaiser's system leaves something to be desired, I don't get to meet with him again for, oh, about a month. So I'm just living with a substandard dosage until then. When I'll get to try ANOTHER medication that will probably have strange side effects.
Try to reign in the jealousy, people. It takes a lot of effort to be this crazy.
Mike and I did get to spend last weekend up in SLO, however, and enjoyed it immensely. It poured all the way home, but our time there was beatiful. Lots of grape juice (seriously, Castoro winery. Check it out. Best grape juice ever...and Mike says their wine isn't bad either). Found the best pastry shop in town, checked out a bunch of coffee shops, BEST FRIES EVER (Bel Frites), avante garde food (Big Sky Cafe), and my Aunt Terri's doppleganger at this weird bike shop/coffee shop down the street from our hotel.
I love local hippie places.
Anyway, great fun. The cats were super needy when we got back, as usual. I got no work done at all, and we watched t.v. (a half dozen episodes of project runway). We don't own t.v., so getting to watch mindless programming is actually fun, as opposed to annoying, which is how I tend to feel about it when watching it every day. I honestly don't know if I'd ever want t.v. again. You can get it all on netflix anyway!
Anyway, good times; it's nice to get away.
One year! Whoohoo!
Try to reign in the jealousy, people. It takes a lot of effort to be this crazy.
Mike and I did get to spend last weekend up in SLO, however, and enjoyed it immensely. It poured all the way home, but our time there was beatiful. Lots of grape juice (seriously, Castoro winery. Check it out. Best grape juice ever...and Mike says their wine isn't bad either). Found the best pastry shop in town, checked out a bunch of coffee shops, BEST FRIES EVER (Bel Frites), avante garde food (Big Sky Cafe), and my Aunt Terri's doppleganger at this weird bike shop/coffee shop down the street from our hotel.
I love local hippie places.
Anyway, great fun. The cats were super needy when we got back, as usual. I got no work done at all, and we watched t.v. (a half dozen episodes of project runway). We don't own t.v., so getting to watch mindless programming is actually fun, as opposed to annoying, which is how I tend to feel about it when watching it every day. I honestly don't know if I'd ever want t.v. again. You can get it all on netflix anyway!
Anyway, good times; it's nice to get away.
One year! Whoohoo!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Just Stuff
I have everything in the world going on at work, but I really can't deal with it away from the office (or it would take over my life), so be assured that I'm not callously going about my day and ignoring people close to me in pain... I've just been dealing with those emotions all week. Break time.
Saw Punch-Drunk Love. I loved it. I really did. It was Adam Sandler in a perpetually nasty blue suit, but it was great. Cinematography is really unique; check it out.
I'm working on my first paper for grad school: The Scarlet Letter (it's like being 15 in American Lit all over again!). I'm enjoying it so far, though.
Some of the other secretaries and profs are starting a reading group based on the Nobel Laureates called "The Liminal Salon." We're all way awesome. And angsty, since our first read is Camus' The Stranger. And no, no one I've spoken to has been able to pinpoint the pronunciation of that name.
And...that's that, pretty much. Life is busy, but moderately boring (better than busy and interesting...that was last year).
Maybe tomorrow will be more interesting...in a non-stressful way. I'll keep you posted.
Saw Punch-Drunk Love. I loved it. I really did. It was Adam Sandler in a perpetually nasty blue suit, but it was great. Cinematography is really unique; check it out.
I'm working on my first paper for grad school: The Scarlet Letter (it's like being 15 in American Lit all over again!). I'm enjoying it so far, though.
Some of the other secretaries and profs are starting a reading group based on the Nobel Laureates called "The Liminal Salon." We're all way awesome. And angsty, since our first read is Camus' The Stranger. And no, no one I've spoken to has been able to pinpoint the pronunciation of that name.
And...that's that, pretty much. Life is busy, but moderately boring (better than busy and interesting...that was last year).
Maybe tomorrow will be more interesting...in a non-stressful way. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
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