I was going through my bookmarks and separating the knitting blogs into one folder, while simultaneously clicking random blogs to see what was going on.
IzzyMom had a post about retro ads that is too offensive and over-the-top campy to be real...but they are.
Especially the Tab video. I don't know about you, but if a woman's greatest aspiration in life is to be a "mindsticker" than I don't want the job.*
_ - _ - _ - _ - _
* Actual word used in the video. MUST BE SEEN TO BE BELIEVED.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Political Books
My husband is much more political than myself. When it comes to political books or entertainment, I am interested.
Slate posted a story about favorite novels about Washington D.C. Cesspool upon the Potomac it may be, but intriguing nonetheless.
Slate posted a story about favorite novels about Washington D.C. Cesspool upon the Potomac it may be, but intriguing nonetheless.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Now Reading
On the needles: mittens with color-stranded heart for upcoming holiday revelry.
I've been reading Elizabeth Zimmermann's knitting books. Written in the middle of the last century by this famous knitter, they've been reprinted in recent years. My library lends them out. This is a fabulous system.
Knitting Without Tears is full of advice for simple techniques, how to make your own sweaters and things come out right. But most of all, a reminder to enjoy knitting without all the stress.
Knitting? Stressful? If Grandma can do it, how is it stressful? The two words seem oxymoronic, until you try to make something out of two sticks and some string. It's HARD. It's WEIRD. It ain't EASY. So yes, a book is a wonderful companion when you are near the tears. Elizabeth has a style that is something like, "Don't sweat it, I've got a fix for that." In her Knitter's Almanac she narrates one year while filling a book full of techniques for various projects. I loved reading about knitting at night in a dark car's passenger seat. Or, how the temperature was 20 below at 11 am, the fire was hot and it was good knitting weather. Might as well get to it. Besides, my great-grandmother raised six children with an alcoholic wife-beater on a remote farm, and lived to be a rather happy old lady. (He died.) THAT'S STRESSFUL. Knitting? Not so much.
This is the kind of thing that I like, people. If you do, too, then check her out. She's been in your shoes, and what is more comforting than someone telling you you're not alone, AND having something beautiful to wear at the end of it?
I've been reading Elizabeth Zimmermann's knitting books. Written in the middle of the last century by this famous knitter, they've been reprinted in recent years. My library lends them out. This is a fabulous system.
Knitting Without Tears is full of advice for simple techniques, how to make your own sweaters and things come out right. But most of all, a reminder to enjoy knitting without all the stress.
Knitting? Stressful? If Grandma can do it, how is it stressful? The two words seem oxymoronic, until you try to make something out of two sticks and some string. It's HARD. It's WEIRD. It ain't EASY. So yes, a book is a wonderful companion when you are near the tears. Elizabeth has a style that is something like, "Don't sweat it, I've got a fix for that." In her Knitter's Almanac she narrates one year while filling a book full of techniques for various projects. I loved reading about knitting at night in a dark car's passenger seat. Or, how the temperature was 20 below at 11 am, the fire was hot and it was good knitting weather. Might as well get to it. Besides, my great-grandmother raised six children with an alcoholic wife-beater on a remote farm, and lived to be a rather happy old lady. (He died.) THAT'S STRESSFUL. Knitting? Not so much.
This is the kind of thing that I like, people. If you do, too, then check her out. She's been in your shoes, and what is more comforting than someone telling you you're not alone, AND having something beautiful to wear at the end of it?
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
More BEES!
I had written about honeybees and included a link to a video of swarming bees. Exciting!
Well, even more exciting than that is to learn from my mom that, "Swarming bees have stuffed themselves with honey prior to the swarm; it is physically impossible for them to bend and sting. While homeless, they DO have their queen to protect."
So, if you ever wanted to play with bees, find some that have just swarmed because they can't sting you. Although, I don't advise playing with bees because they don't need to be hassled by silly humans in need for entertainment while the bees search for a new home.
Go read a book or something!
Well, even more exciting than that is to learn from my mom that, "Swarming bees have stuffed themselves with honey prior to the swarm; it is physically impossible for them to bend and sting. While homeless, they DO have their queen to protect."
So, if you ever wanted to play with bees, find some that have just swarmed because they can't sting you. Although, I don't advise playing with bees because they don't need to be hassled by silly humans in need for entertainment while the bees search for a new home.
Go read a book or something!
Championship Grudge Match
My inner voice agreed with this article, which said that we would be better off if we listened to our inner voices more.
This is the story of my life! I think this is especially an issue with girls, who are taught to be nice, don't argue. Nothing wrong with that EXCEPT.....yikes. This presents a huge conflict, not to mention the propensity for dubious persons (and even not dubious persons) to take advantage of nice girls who smile pretty and don't know how to say no.
It's interesting how the article addresses finding the balance between being vocal and going too far, which is being aggressive. Again, an especially fine line for girls to find, who are too easily called the b-word and worse.
My challenge in life is to teach my daughter how to listen to her own good sense, practice polite manners, and yet also stand up for herself. It ain't easy being sugar and spice. I'm still learning this for myself...
This is the story of my life! I think this is especially an issue with girls, who are taught to be nice, don't argue. Nothing wrong with that EXCEPT.....yikes. This presents a huge conflict, not to mention the propensity for dubious persons (and even not dubious persons) to take advantage of nice girls who smile pretty and don't know how to say no.
It's interesting how the article addresses finding the balance between being vocal and going too far, which is being aggressive. Again, an especially fine line for girls to find, who are too easily called the b-word and worse.
My challenge in life is to teach my daughter how to listen to her own good sense, practice polite manners, and yet also stand up for herself. It ain't easy being sugar and spice. I'm still learning this for myself...
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Honeybees
My dad retired to spend his time keeping honeybees. He was absolutely intrigued by them, and loved working with them.
In honor of dad, I bring you a link to Talk of the Nation Science Friday's video showing the activity in a beehive.
AMAZING.
Unless you are mortally afraid of honeybees, you are going to love watching the man poke his finger into the mass of bees. HE IS NOT STUNG. Bees are basically all about the love.
In honor of dad, I bring you a link to Talk of the Nation Science Friday's video showing the activity in a beehive.
AMAZING.
Unless you are mortally afraid of honeybees, you are going to love watching the man poke his finger into the mass of bees. HE IS NOT STUNG. Bees are basically all about the love.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Does Alcohol in Egg Nog Kill Salmonella Bacteria?
Talk of the Nation's Science Friday has a short video that documents the process to answer that question.
FASCINATING.
FASCINATING.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
It's a Good Time of Year to Read Something
Pat Conroy is a really good writer.
That kind of generic praise will not win me a job as book reviewer, but it's true.
I'm listening to his South of Broad in audio book form and it's really, really good. It's the librarian in me that compels me to give you some advice. Although I'm not an actual librarian, I can parlay my love of books into a bossy post for this website.
Does his name sound familiar? He is the author of "Prince of Tides" which was made into a movie. Barbra Streisand starred, for those of you who know who Barbra Streisand is.
I should say I really enjoyed the first half of the book when it told the story of the protagonist's childhood. The next section is allright, but now it's dragging.
Anyway. It's dark and wintry out there, so why not cuddle up with a good mystery? Agatha Christie is the old standby, and for good reason. You could branch out with a new author, like Dorothy Sayers. She's not new, but an English author from early in the past century who wrote the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. My mother-in-law told me about Mary Roberts Rinehart, an American who published her first book, The Circular Staircase, in 1908. Back to English people with Arthur Conan Doyle. Who doesn't love Sherlock Holmes and his funny little hat?
I love the phrase "hard-boiled detective stories". I finished The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler earlier this year. All I could think about as I read were hard-boiled eggs.
The library abounds with lists of mysteries, and book stores have staff recommendations so you are sure to enjoy a good read without having to spend too much time searching it out. Don't forget about the internets! It is full of websites with more than enough information to get you on the path to a good whodunnit.
There's always the classic The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, credited with starting the thriller genre. (Mom, you're totally going to love this story! I hope you find the box it's in this year!)
What is it about England that is synonymous with murder mysteries? Is it the fog on the moors? The tea? Crumpets? The notoriety for bad teeth? I don't know the answer to this, but to say that plenty of great stories come from the isle. Even if you're not into mysteries, you have to be intrigued by the foggy moors in Wuthering Heights.
Turn off the tv, build up the fire, brew some tea, send the kids to bed early (with a good book of their own to read before turning out the lights), and get down with litrahtyur. Off you go.
That kind of generic praise will not win me a job as book reviewer, but it's true.
I'm listening to his South of Broad in audio book form and it's really, really good. It's the librarian in me that compels me to give you some advice. Although I'm not an actual librarian, I can parlay my love of books into a bossy post for this website.
Does his name sound familiar? He is the author of "Prince of Tides" which was made into a movie. Barbra Streisand starred, for those of you who know who Barbra Streisand is.
I should say I really enjoyed the first half of the book when it told the story of the protagonist's childhood. The next section is allright, but now it's dragging.
Anyway. It's dark and wintry out there, so why not cuddle up with a good mystery? Agatha Christie is the old standby, and for good reason. You could branch out with a new author, like Dorothy Sayers. She's not new, but an English author from early in the past century who wrote the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. My mother-in-law told me about Mary Roberts Rinehart, an American who published her first book, The Circular Staircase, in 1908. Back to English people with Arthur Conan Doyle. Who doesn't love Sherlock Holmes and his funny little hat?
I love the phrase "hard-boiled detective stories". I finished The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler earlier this year. All I could think about as I read were hard-boiled eggs.
The library abounds with lists of mysteries, and book stores have staff recommendations so you are sure to enjoy a good read without having to spend too much time searching it out. Don't forget about the internets! It is full of websites with more than enough information to get you on the path to a good whodunnit.
There's always the classic The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, credited with starting the thriller genre. (Mom, you're totally going to love this story! I hope you find the box it's in this year!)
What is it about England that is synonymous with murder mysteries? Is it the fog on the moors? The tea? Crumpets? The notoriety for bad teeth? I don't know the answer to this, but to say that plenty of great stories come from the isle. Even if you're not into mysteries, you have to be intrigued by the foggy moors in Wuthering Heights.
Turn off the tv, build up the fire, brew some tea, send the kids to bed early (with a good book of their own to read before turning out the lights), and get down with litrahtyur. Off you go.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Pedagogical Over Digital Surprisingly Liberating Idea
The article below asks, what do the best classrooms in the world look like? First, we must ask what is meant by best. Second, what DO they look like?
Brilliance in the Classroom, by Amanda Ripley from Slate.com:
"Classrooms in countries with the highest-performing students contain very little tech wizardry, generally speaking. They look, in fact, a lot like American ones—circa 1989 or 1959. Children sit at rows of desks, staring up at a teacher who stands in front of a well-worn chalkboard.
'In most of the highest-performing systems, technology is remarkably absent from classrooms,' says Andreas Schleicher, a veteran education analyst for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development who spends much of his time visiting schools around the world to find out what they are doing right (or wrong). 'I have no explanation why that is the case, but it does seem that those systems place their efforts primarily on pedagogical practice rather than digital gadgets.'
And yet, when politicians and bureaucrats imagine the classroom of the future, they often talk about a schoolhouse that looks like an Apple store, a utopia studded with computers, bathed in Wi-Fi, and wallpapered with interactive whiteboards (essentially giant touch screens used in place of chalkboards in more and more classrooms nationwide)."
It's a fascinating question although who wouldn't be disappointed in Mr. Schleicher's lack for an answer for why it is the case when it is stated that he spends his time visiting classrooms all over the world. He should have some idea, or at least be able to speak more assuredly about hypotheses, as to why this might be the case.
But anyhoo.
The article looks at Singapore, Korea, Finland, and the United States in order to compare what they find insights into what works and what doesn't.
This is the coolest idea: "In Southeast D.C., Lisa Suben teaches fifth-grade math at KIPP DC: AIM Academy, one of 99 Knowledge Is Power Program charter schools around the country. When her students come into her classroom, they perform about two years behind, on average. By the time Suben has had nine months with them, they are mastering grade-level work."
I want to be that kind of teacher. That's the kind of outcome I want to see more of in this country. There is NO REASON why American kids should be behind grade level. There are more than enough people with knowledge and skills to share who can be in the classroom as volunteer tutors, available during the day and afterschool to every child who needs extra help. NO REASON! Not poverty, not lack of gadgetry, not due to chalkboards vs. whiteboards. It's a ridiculous notion to think that education is better when the classroom contains more electronics than a Best Buy. It doesn't take money to get a book from the library and read it, but it does take time and effort to teach a child to read, to encourage them to do so. Could it be that our education system ranks so poorly not for lack of money, but lack of effort? This is a multilayered cake without a single answer, but one of those layers might be easily changed. If it is the case, the good news is that there is something we can do about it at no cost.
Read the article and tell me what you think.
Brilliance in the Classroom, by Amanda Ripley from Slate.com:
"Classrooms in countries with the highest-performing students contain very little tech wizardry, generally speaking. They look, in fact, a lot like American ones—circa 1989 or 1959. Children sit at rows of desks, staring up at a teacher who stands in front of a well-worn chalkboard.
'In most of the highest-performing systems, technology is remarkably absent from classrooms,' says Andreas Schleicher, a veteran education analyst for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development who spends much of his time visiting schools around the world to find out what they are doing right (or wrong). 'I have no explanation why that is the case, but it does seem that those systems place their efforts primarily on pedagogical practice rather than digital gadgets.'
And yet, when politicians and bureaucrats imagine the classroom of the future, they often talk about a schoolhouse that looks like an Apple store, a utopia studded with computers, bathed in Wi-Fi, and wallpapered with interactive whiteboards (essentially giant touch screens used in place of chalkboards in more and more classrooms nationwide)."
It's a fascinating question although who wouldn't be disappointed in Mr. Schleicher's lack for an answer for why it is the case when it is stated that he spends his time visiting classrooms all over the world. He should have some idea, or at least be able to speak more assuredly about hypotheses, as to why this might be the case.
But anyhoo.
The article looks at Singapore, Korea, Finland, and the United States in order to compare what they find insights into what works and what doesn't.
This is the coolest idea: "In Southeast D.C., Lisa Suben teaches fifth-grade math at KIPP DC: AIM Academy, one of 99 Knowledge Is Power Program charter schools around the country. When her students come into her classroom, they perform about two years behind, on average. By the time Suben has had nine months with them, they are mastering grade-level work."
I want to be that kind of teacher. That's the kind of outcome I want to see more of in this country. There is NO REASON why American kids should be behind grade level. There are more than enough people with knowledge and skills to share who can be in the classroom as volunteer tutors, available during the day and afterschool to every child who needs extra help. NO REASON! Not poverty, not lack of gadgetry, not due to chalkboards vs. whiteboards. It's a ridiculous notion to think that education is better when the classroom contains more electronics than a Best Buy. It doesn't take money to get a book from the library and read it, but it does take time and effort to teach a child to read, to encourage them to do so. Could it be that our education system ranks so poorly not for lack of money, but lack of effort? This is a multilayered cake without a single answer, but one of those layers might be easily changed. If it is the case, the good news is that there is something we can do about it at no cost.
Read the article and tell me what you think.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Where in the World...
This is the forecast.
Not for Bemidji, Minnesota.
Not for Moose River, Maine.
And not for Fairbanks, Alaska.
The forecast for Bemidji, Minnesota is actually pretty cold. High of 15, low of 11.
If you were in Moose River, Maine, it's not a whole lot better. They'll get snow and then freezing rain later this week. Ice is the worst.
Fairbanks is actually the warmest of the three places, with their high temperatures getting into the 30s during the day.
No wonder people spend their time ice fishing. It's too dangerous to cross-country ski, but at least this gets you out of the house for a while. Not that I want to get out of the house this week...
Not for Bemidji, Minnesota.
Not for Moose River, Maine.
And not for Fairbanks, Alaska.
The forecast for Bemidji, Minnesota is actually pretty cold. High of 15, low of 11.
If you were in Moose River, Maine, it's not a whole lot better. They'll get snow and then freezing rain later this week. Ice is the worst.
Fairbanks is actually the warmest of the three places, with their high temperatures getting into the 30s during the day.
No wonder people spend their time ice fishing. It's too dangerous to cross-country ski, but at least this gets you out of the house for a while. Not that I want to get out of the house this week...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Flying is No Vacation
Now that we get to submit to full-body scans and along with it, a dose of radiation, traveling is becoming more of a chore with each new security threat. Oh, I'm sorry, there is the option to be felt up by a TSA agent. That used to be called date rape, now it's the scanning of millions of travelers for the sake of a few nasty jerks.
This is bad enough, but then there is the part when you're on the plane.
Some thoughts:
1. If you’re traveling with a small child and you keep hearing bells, bells, and more bells, please look to see if it’s your child playing with the flight attendant call button.
2. An all-too-common scenario: Flight attendant hands you a cup of coffee and says, ‘Cream and sugar?’ You say, ‘What?’ She/he says, ‘Cream and sugar?’ You say, ‘What?’ Come on, people. What do you think we’re going to ask after we’ve handed you coffee? Your favorite color?
3. The lavatory door is not rocket science. Just push.
4. Just in case you hadn’t noticed, there are other people on the airplane besides you. So don’t clip your toenails, snore with wild abandon, or do any type of personal business under a blanket!
Yikes. Who wants a 17-hour flight to Australia?
From Yahoo's website.
This is bad enough, but then there is the part when you're on the plane.
Some thoughts:
1. If you’re traveling with a small child and you keep hearing bells, bells, and more bells, please look to see if it’s your child playing with the flight attendant call button.
2. An all-too-common scenario: Flight attendant hands you a cup of coffee and says, ‘Cream and sugar?’ You say, ‘What?’ She/he says, ‘Cream and sugar?’ You say, ‘What?’ Come on, people. What do you think we’re going to ask after we’ve handed you coffee? Your favorite color?
3. The lavatory door is not rocket science. Just push.
4. Just in case you hadn’t noticed, there are other people on the airplane besides you. So don’t clip your toenails, snore with wild abandon, or do any type of personal business under a blanket!
Yikes. Who wants a 17-hour flight to Australia?
From Yahoo's website.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thirty Seven
The cake was chocolate, the candle was misleading.
Why does the candle say 8? It was the only candle in the house. Work with what you've got, that's our motto.
There is nothing misleading about chilled champagne.
Opening champagne is serious. You CANNOT SMILE or else the bottle will burst! People will be hurt! Champagne might be spilled!
This is SERIOUS, people.
I see your point: this IS serious. May your pour be true, my good man!
I have an idea. Wait, I need to eat this bite of cake...
...and, well, mommy needs a cocktail...
My idea: observe the effect of 3-D glasses upon the man of the house. The hypothesis? He will be disturbed.
(In all fairness, who wouldn't be? I'm no Elvis Costello. These things do not fly under the radar.)
It's as though you can read his thoughts...
tee hee hee!
After cake and champagne, the natural progression for us is....DANCE.
The song is "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".
It was his idea.
I am not kidding.
Who looks like they're having the most fun?
This is competition!
It's Brittany v. Justin dance-off all over again.
Cake + endorphins + love =
A good night. Kind of takes my mind off of getting older.
Why does the candle say 8? It was the only candle in the house. Work with what you've got, that's our motto.
There is nothing misleading about chilled champagne.
Opening champagne is serious. You CANNOT SMILE or else the bottle will burst! People will be hurt! Champagne might be spilled!
This is SERIOUS, people.
I see your point: this IS serious. May your pour be true, my good man!
I have an idea. Wait, I need to eat this bite of cake...
...and, well, mommy needs a cocktail...
My idea: observe the effect of 3-D glasses upon the man of the house. The hypothesis? He will be disturbed.
(In all fairness, who wouldn't be? I'm no Elvis Costello. These things do not fly under the radar.)
It's as though you can read his thoughts...
tee hee hee!
After cake and champagne, the natural progression for us is....DANCE.
The song is "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".
It was his idea.
I am not kidding.
Who looks like they're having the most fun?
This is competition!
It's Brittany v. Justin dance-off all over again.
Cake + endorphins + love =
A good night. Kind of takes my mind off of getting older.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tastes Like Chicken
It isn't clear where one body ends and the other begins!*
Not from the same litter, but brothers, nonetheless.
*Yes, I will be posting a lot of kitten pictures. It's just who I am.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Budget News
Taxpayers are always complaining about the overblown budget of the Federal government, and how Federal spending is NUTS. The new plan to cut spending has been released. For you engineer-types, it's full of specifics. People are making fun of those specifics, but as the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Check it out.
Did you know $90 million a year is spent to restore beaches? And it isn't for oil spill cleanup, but to replace the sand that gets washed away naturally. NINETY MILLION. That's almost enough to give one person health insurance for a whole year.
Did you know $90 million a year is spent to restore beaches? And it isn't for oil spill cleanup, but to replace the sand that gets washed away naturally. NINETY MILLION. That's almost enough to give one person health insurance for a whole year.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
It's the Economy, Stupid
Not you! You're not stupid. The title of today's post is the catchphrase that Bill Clinton used to remind himself to STAY ON MESSAGE. (Remember when Democrats had a message, and worked together? The balanced budget of the 1990s seems so long ago...)
Anyway, how about a little story about a toxic asset? Hopefully, your investment portfolio does not include one of these little buggers.
From Planet Money, and This American Life. Check out the graphs on the Planet Money pages. You can look at a map to see where the mortgages contained in Toxie were located, and how they did by state.
A sad but catchy tune is, "Bet Against the American Dream....."
If you want to hear the story about Magnetar referenced in the song, here it is.
Anyway, how about a little story about a toxic asset? Hopefully, your investment portfolio does not include one of these little buggers.
From Planet Money, and This American Life. Check out the graphs on the Planet Money pages. You can look at a map to see where the mortgages contained in Toxie were located, and how they did by state.
A sad but catchy tune is, "Bet Against the American Dream....."
Bet Against The American Dream from Planet Money on Vimeo.
If you want to hear the story about Magnetar referenced in the song, here it is.
Monday, November 08, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)