I missed bp's science...

I am busy trying to get things done over here before the holidays begin.  So much so that I forgot to post a science fact.  Did you notice?  Haha.

Now I am off to make dinner.  I hope your Christmas season is going well.

10 month wake up

This little one wakes up so cheery lately.  He especially loves seeing his dad in the morning.  He can hear him from just about anywhere in the house and smiles just at hearing him, then takes off in a crawling sprint in his direction.  I guess its pretty obvious because Oliver commented earlier today that Ansel loves us all but he loves dad a lot.

What you find...

...when you have a four year old who loves to write.

bp's science: multitasking

A while back, Jess and I watched a segment on NOVA describing that no one is really great at multitasking, and when you are multitasking there is no way to have your cake and eat it too.  Or in other words, "Do two or more things simultaneously, and you'll do none at full capacity."

But when we do multitask, it turns out that women are better at it than men.  New research from the UK published in BMC Psychology, put 120 men and 120 women through a series of tasks.  When completing the tasks one at a time, men and women performed equally.  However, when they were asked to do a number of mixed tasks, the men took 77% longer on the mixed tasks than on one task alone while the women took 69% longer.

And with that, I will continue to cook dinner, feed Ansel, and cut out letters for Oliver all at the same time, none of which I do very well, but I do it (see first paragraph).  Still, I am a believer that multitasking should probably be kept to a minimum when you can.  No one likes carrying on a conversation with someone looking at his/her phone, etc., and there is value in focusing on one task very well and truly thriving at it.

To see how you are affected by multitasking, try this series of tests out.  It's fun.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in bp's science are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any individual scientist, scientific association or the scientific community as a whole. The scientific information provided on bp's science is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a licensed or trained scientist, i.e., a competent authority with specialized knowledge who can apply it to a particular set of facts and circumstances. Please contact a local scientific society or similar association of scientists in your area if you require a referral for a particular scientific question or experiment.  Neither the author of bp's science nor anyone else connected to this blog can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information or disinformation presented on this blog.

Frosty

We built a snowman the other day and Oliver named it Frosty.  

bp's science: antibiotics and absorption rates

I recently read an article outlining the fact that if we don't start using antibiotics more responsibly, we could be in real trouble.  Coming off a round of antibiotics myself, I became even more aware of properly using these miracle medicines.  The antibiotic I was prescribed was to be taken without food.  I was kind of shocked at that fact.  I've always taken all medicines with food, but now I was being told otherwise.

It turns out that some antibiotics are better absorbed into your body when you haven't eaten (two hours after you've eaten and at least one hour before you plan to eat).  These antibiotics can bind with the nutrients in certain foods thereby stunting absorption OR nutrients can make it harder for the intestine to metabolize the antibiotic.  Other antibiotics are absorbed easier when accompanied by food.  And then there are some that can be taken at any time and are in no way affected by stomach acid.  Sounds like we need a microbiology class to understand all the interactions, but we get the gist.  And it should be emphasized that if not enough antibiotic is absorbed by the body, the possibility of a continued infection exists.  And, well, no one wants that.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in bp's science are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any individual scientist, scientific association or the scientific community as a whole. The scientific information provided on bp's science is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a licensed or trained scientist, i.e., a competent authority with specialized knowledge who can apply it to a particular set of facts and circumstances. Please contact a local scientific society or similar association of scientists in your area if you require a referral for a particular scientific question or experiment.  Neither the author of bp's science nor anyone else connected to this blog can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information or disinformation presented on this blog.

Post-thanksgiving

Boy, did we have a good Thanksgiving holiday.  In fact, we kind of had two Thanksgivings.  We had the pre-Thanksgiving which was a great get-together of Jess' family. Most of his family was going to be gone on Thanksgiving, so we just decided to do Thanksgiving with them on Sunday after our cute new niece was blessed.  Then on Thursday we got together with my family for another Thanksgiving.  As a result, we had double delicious food, conversation, and good times.

We also packed in some more visiting throughout the weekend, put up Christmas decor, and went to sing in Handel's Messiah. This was a great year for singing.  I actually practiced this year, so I felt like I knew the chorus pieces a bit better, not perfect, but better.  The hall was filled to the gills and the sound of everyone singing was marvelous.  The conductor even had us sing a Hallelujah chorus encore.  Magnificent.

Now I'm eating oatmeal with leftover cranberry sauce, we are listening to Harry Connick Jr. sing Christmas tunes, and we can't believe Christmas is about three weeks away.

bp's science: sleep and cleaning the brain

Why do we need sleep? Scientists at the University of Rochester have found that during sleep the brain flushes itself clean of the toxins it has built up while awake.  This system known as the the glymphatic system, is made up of cerebrospinal fluid and uses the brain's blood vessels to travel amongst the brain cells to clean them up.  What's more, the scientists observed that the brain cells of mice (which have very similar characteristics to human brain ) shrink by 60 percent during sleep, thereby allowing the cerebrospinal fluid to circulate throughout the brain more freely enabling it to clean up more efficiently.

If that doesn't want to make you want to get a good night's rest, I don't know what will.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in bp's science are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any individual scientist, scientific association or the scientific community as a whole. The scientific information provided on bp's science is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a licensed or trained scientist, i.e., a competent authority with specialized knowledge who can apply it to a particular set of facts and circumstances. Please contact a local scientific society or similar association of scientists in your area if you require a referral for a particular scientific question or experiment.  Neither the author of bp's science nor anyone else connected to this blog can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information or disinformation presented on this blog.

Apples

About a two years ago, on a phone call with my dad, I learned that he is kind of a connoisseur of apples.  He loves them and knows all kinds and what they taste like, their crispiness, their juiciness, their sweetness.  During this conversation we both came to the conclusion that we aren't the biggest fans of Mcintosh.  But Fuji, now that is an apple we could love. Gala and Jazz are pretty good too.  Plus, I like a good Golden Delcious.  And my dad said, when you get a good Red Delicious it really can be delicious.  I bet that means you've got to get it right off the tree.

about bp's science

< v.1

        v.2 >

The other night, Jess and I caught a NOVA on PBS that talked about super fluids, the Bose-Einstein condensate, and how utilizing the principles of PV=nRT is keeping the permafrost in Alaska cold.  It was fascinating.  Very fascinating.  I certainly didn't grasp all of it, but it got me excited and then I decided something.

You may recall a time when I did a science post on this blog every once and a while (on Tuesdays) and then stopped. When discussing the whole thing with a few people I found out they were disappointed.  Disappointed that I'd let the internet community stop me from doing something that I liked doing.  Especially when I had never claimed to be the science source.  Others mentioned that they missed bp's science.  That was great to hear.

Still, if most people don't miss the posts, I do. So bp's science is coming back baby.  I call the past posts version 1 (v.1) and the future new posts version 2 (v.2).  There will be some great stuff.  And lest we forget, each post will be accompanied by this lovely disclaimer (crafted by my in-house pro):

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in bp's science are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any individual scientist, scientific association or the scientific community as a whole. The scientific information provided on bp's science is, at best, of a general nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a licensed or trained scientist, i.e., a competent authority with specialized knowledge who can apply it to a particular set of facts and circumstances. Please contact a local scientific society or similar association of scientists in your area if you require a referral for a particular scientific question or experiment.  Neither the author of bp's science nor anyone else connected to this blog can take any responsibility for the results or consequences of any attempt to use or adopt any of the information or disinformation presented on this blog.

Quinoa is good again

Quinoa is an interesting food.  It is only good, to me, when paired with other delicious stuff.  Kind of like tofu I guess.  Put tofu with kimchi for example and and you've got a perfect paring, but it certainly is not delicious on its own.  I used to try to eat quinoa as a single dish with add ins, but it didn't seem to work all that much.  Quinoa needed a paring and thanks to excellent cooks I've found some great recipes.  The other day, my sister gave me a recipe for eggs that I thought would go wonderfully with quinoa.  Take a moment with me and picture this:

Grease a muffin tin with oil and place a teaspoon of extra olive oil in the bottom of each tin.

Dice up one Roma tomato and place the tomato on top of the olive oil (use one tomato per four tins).

Season with salt, pepper, and basil (fresh is best but dried works well too). 

Crack an egg and place on top of the tomatoes in each muffin tin.

Top with prosciutto (but I used deli ham and it was still delicious).

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Now pair this with quinoa that's been cooked with some onions and garlic powder, then mixed (after cooking) with balsamic vinegar.

Add spinach for some iron.

You've got dinner and its tasty. Quinoa is good again.

7:45am around here and other notes

November is whizzing by us.  With these beautiful 60+ degree days, it is just so pleasant.

These brothers are playing together more these days, even at 7:45am.  Very fun and neat to watch.

And in other news, I watched a documentary on JFK last night and I finally, yes finally, get the difference between The Bay of Pigs incident and the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Let's just say I am not a history scholar and it is a wonder I passed the AP History exam.  I am learning more about history now more than ever.  I guess high school was not the best environment to learn history, my least favorite subject.  Amidst reading, biology, math, and social dealings; history took a back seat.  I mean, a fifteen passenger van back seat.  But I feel like I am catching up, one history book and program at a time.

And what's on your Thanksgiving recipe list this month?  I am eagerly looking for a good roll recipe.  Of all my time spent baking, rolls have been neglected.  And I am assigned to bring them to the festivities this year!  Of course, we will also be making our (little family's) beloved cranberry sauce.  And I have made a couple of iterations of pumpkin bread already.  Plus, green beans with almonds and butter are another favorite.  But first, rolls.  I need a recipe for rolls.

And has anyone been watching The Paradise on Masterpiece?  We've been taking in each episode week by week and I am always wishing there was more to the story.  But we keep watching and enjoying.  Not the best series, but entertaining all the same.

And with that, I hope your November is going well.

9 months

It's pretty amazing how the human body develops in 9 months.  It's also very amazing what a little baby becomes after 9 months.  The growth!

This boy is just as cute as can be.  He's very much in the discovery stage, picking something up, looking at it, chewing it, carrying it around in his mouth as he moves along.  He'll crawl everywhere, including up the stairs.  He's babbling lots, eating our food, and taking swigs from the water bottle.  This kid is growing and it's fun to watch.

 Ansel (tries to) raid Oliver's candy stash while he's away at preschool

The Week

Like I've mentioned before, I am the opposite of a news junkie.  I hardly ever take in they news.  Too many negative stories overwhelm me and I spend hours thinking or worrying about what I just watched.  But then I become disconnected and when I'm asked my opinion of the shutdown I think to myself, "The shutdown of what?"

All kidding aside, my brother and dad introduced me to the publication, The Week.  It's a succinct summary of everything that has happened in the past seven days.  It gives you the basic stories and what the right and left columnists said about it.  It is thorough but not overly so.  It inserts funny, curious, and uplifting tidbits on other happenings as well as the best cartoons of the week.  This is perfect for a person like myself.  It's short.  It's limited (there are only so many pages). It is unbiased.  It informs me and then I'm done.  I have what I need to know without all the extra.

I know I am old school because I am reading the news in print, but it works for me.  And of course, they've got a website and you can read the edition using your mobile device.

Making sense of it all, part II

The other day Oliver was talking to me about how someday he will become a Dad.  I think he is looking forward to it, but he did have a couple of concerns.

concern no. 1: who will his children be?  

I explained to him that I was not sure who they would be, but I knew they would be awesome. He didn't seem to understand and responded, "Will my children be Ansel?" To which I replied, "No, not Ansel but like Ansel.  In fact, just like you and Ansel were in heaven before you came to our family, your future children are in heaven right now."

Oliver paused, made a confused face and said "You mean my children will be Jesus?" 

concern no. 2: who will go with him when he goes to work?

Oliver made a declaration: "Mom, when I become a Dad, I will go to work."

"That's right, you will go to work." I said.

"But I will miss you Mom.  I'll want you to come with me."

To which I replied, "That sounds fun.  I'll definitely have to come to your work sometime."

And hopefully someday, I will.

But for now, I am good with Oliver being four and making faces with me.

Halloween to the max

This Halloween was the full event.  Our house may have been poorly decorated (what's new?), but what we lacked in house decor we made up with activity.  I can't thank the creative and fun people in our lives who made it so.  I've never been good at planning Halloween costumes, activities, or treats; but I am surrounded by people who are.  I have never seen Halloween celebrated with such gusto!  I like it.

And I determined earlier this month that it's high time we come up with some family traditions over here.  It seems as though family traditions are like magic and we must be better at carrying on the ones we grew up with in our own little family and coming up with some of our own.

[above] Oliver puts "Halloween Spirit" into a witches brew at a Halloween party

[below] posing outside our door for a trick-or-treating photo with Grandpa and Grandma on Halloween night.  Ansel was a monkey (in pjs no less), and Oliver was, well, can you guess (even with his starship badge hidden behind the doorway)?

Happy Halloween week

Courtesy of Ansel

Autumn crispness

I can't get enough of the fall colors and beautiful weather. This morning at 9 we were outside cutting down the yellowed peony and asiatic lily stems. We were the only ones out (you see, for us, 9am is three solid hours into our day around here) and the wind was blowing pleasantly. With the leaves rustling and the cool air tussling our hair, it was magical.

Look at the color of the Japanese maple.

And Ollie is big into learning the leaves around here.  His favorite, the oak tree because "it's points are rounded."  It must be noted that this piece of paper is truly loved. He slept with it by his bedside last night.

Ansel likes the leaves too.  That is, he likes eating them. 

Folding

Some days, you feel like a machine.  These are days when you get 25 things done, and 10 of them were all done simultaneously.  You are a mega-multitasker and there is no denying it.  In fact, you are kind of surprised by yourself.  Then you realize that you can only pull this kind of performance off for one day and that's about it.  You need a rest.  Oh, but wait, the laundry is not yet folded.  I don't think I will ever get that done even if I really were a machine.

Doesn't Autumn speak soup?

I don't know what it is, but when the leaves begin to fall and the air crisps, I think soup.  I found a wonderful soup recipe and adapted it to my liking.  It uses apples.  There's something about an apple in a savory dish that gets me every time.

On hosting

I've recently met some individuals who have hosted their fair share of parties, get-togethers, and book clubs.  I can tell in the way they throw a gathering.  The decorations are abundant, the place settings and tables placed perfectly, the serving dishes are always complimentary for the accompanying food, and the food.  Oh the food!  It is always well thought out with always more than one dish or side or treat that compliments the meal, the activity, even the season.  And how in the world do they calculate how much to make?  I don't know, but they are right on the money most times with some extra left over. Which I have learned (the hard way) is better than having too little.

When I go to meetings to plan some of these activities, I sit back and rarely talk.  Which, if you know me, is rare.  I'll pipe up when volunteering to make caramel popcorn, for instance, but its all I can do from feeling somewhat bad for hardly adding anything to the mix.  But I consider these meetings gems. I am learning what people like and what key things are needed to make a party successful.

I am hardly the perfect host, but I must say that learning from these ladies is helping me feel more secure about the possibility of hosting.  And that's a step in the right direction.

And as a side note, one of these ladies has a husband who is currently climbing Mount Everest.  Sometimes I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone.  I told the lady, jokingly, that I had never heard of Mount Everest, I was so taken aback when I heard what she said.  She looked at me like I was in the Twilight Zone.  Note to self: don't use sarcasm when somebody hardly knows you.  Or don't use sarcasm at all.  Maybe I need social conversation tips as well as hosting tips.

I pegged my pants in elementary school

Yesterday at church, I spotted a hip youth wearing pegged pants.  I think pegged is on it's way back. 

I kind of didn't like going through all the pain of pegging my pants when I was young and I don't see myself doing it again anytime soon, but I guess I should never say never.

Standing

This kid is moving all over the place and discovering everything in his path.  He's about as fast as a speeding bullet.  He is now officially crawling (no more caterpillar), has three teeth (with a fourth on its way), and can pick up Cheerios like a champ (or maybe a semi-champ).  He's so smiley, it's easy to capture a happy photo at anytime.  Check it out.

Here he pulled himself to standing, nice going!

Making sense of it all

It's neat to see the mind of a four year old making sense of the world. Below are a couple of fun examples:

- One morning, Jess was saying a silent prayer over his breakfast.  Oliver asked Jess what he was doing.  "I'm saying a prayer quietly in my mind," Jess responded.  To which Oliver replied, "I say prayers in my mouth."

- Oliver's friend from across the street was explaining to him one afternoon that her bedroom is painted hot pink.  The next day, Oliver held out a pink marker and asked, "Is this marker hot pink or cold pink?"

- With these beautiful skies, I often tell Oliver to look up at the clouds.  One afternoon he looked up and said, "They are gi-mantic!"

- One afternoon we were having a picnic with Oliver's two-year-old cousin.  She was answering a question by saying "No" but it sounded like "Nee-o."  Oliver then explained, "Neo* is something you put on underneath a band-aid." *neo is what we call Neosporin around here.

- Often when I tell Oliver he has 10 more minutes to play until he needs to get ready for bed, he says to me, "But Mom, how about 9 more minutes?" as if 9 more minutes is more than 10 minutes.

More to come...

Poor Gluten

These days gluten sure is getting a bad rap.  It's kind of the food trend of the moment.  Don't get me wrong, I know that gluten doesn't agree with some people's stomachs, and celiac disease can really torment the few (I know some individuals who really don't mess around when it comes to gluten), but eating gluten every now and again shouldn't be all that bad for most of us.  The other day at the entrance of the grocery store I saw a sign for the Gluten Free Expo.  The sponsors were grocery stores that I am assuming are loving gluten-free food popularity.  What's more, gluten-free foods that have always been gluten-free are now advertising it on the package.  On milk, canned tomatoes, rice cereal, almonds - there below the product name are the words "GLUTEN FREE"!  I like to bake homemade bread, so I love gluten, and maybe that is what's gotten me on my high horse.  I just wonder when (or if) this whole thing will die down.

Buster Keaton

Oliver and I are into watching the silent movies of Buster Keaton.  I'll watch the whole movie then find the funny parts and have Ollie watch them with me.  He loves them.  The other day he told me he was acting like "the black and white guy" and proceeded to run around very fast.  If you are up for some good ol' entertainment take a peek at one of these classics.

And no, Ollie does not usually get this close to the screen.

The app: Days

A family member of a family member (okay, its my bro-in-laws sister's husband) developed this awesome app that I like.  It's called Days and it allows you to take pictures (including gifs) during your day to create a daily photo journal.  You can keep it private or make it public.  It's loads of fun and right down my alley.  I started a project called "picture of the day" back in 2000 when cameras used real film and getting your photos developed was pure excitement.  It was a lot of fun and a great record.  With this app, seeing how your day comes together is the excitement.  It creates a great record too.  Something I can definitely get in to.

A crumb here and there

Today I found a sunflower seed shell in our mail.  It's good to know the postman eats healthy snacks, eh?

Growing

It's getting colder and I'm getting out the long sleeved shirts, pants, socks, and coats.  Pants that I rolled once (even twice) for Ollie don't need the rolling anymore.  Same with some of his shirts.  I am finding that the t-shirts that fit him are past 5T (long torso), and that means we will be purchasing clothes in the boys area instead of the baby.  Yes, the boy is growing.

He's going to preschool, birthday parties, and friends' houses on his own.  I am proud of him for doing these things alone and getting brave and going for it.  Sometimes it's been hard for him, but he does it and he comes home smiling.

As a parent, I find that I have to find a balance between the letting go and pushing forward.  I miss that he's not always in my sphere or under my purview.  But I know to be healthy and happy, he's got to learn to go out and learn.  And I think he is enjoying it.  I am too, but with a tad bit of bittersweet.

auf wiedersehen summer, hallo autumn

It's very official, summer is gone and autumn is here.  We had such a good summer, these guys had a hard time saying good bye to it.  So did I.

But bring on the fall!  We've already put pumpkin in our desserts.  We've watched football.  We currently have our first runny noses.  We are using blankets at night.  I wore tights to church.  We got out the kite. 

Here's to autumn!

This guy is on the move

Cathod Ray Tube

We have an old TV.  It seems to be getting closer and closer to artifact status.  Still, it has been good to us.  But just this weekend, Jess turned it on to watch some football.  He was ready to relax.  When it came on, we could hear audio but we couldn't see a thing.  Disappointment.  You'd think we'd be happy, because this meant we could get a new snazzy television, but the truth is, we don't mind the thing, and Jess really wanted to watch football.  As such, he started to tinker around, trying to fix it.  When he had given up all hope, he informed Oliver, who had been watching the whole event, that he was going to make one last attempt at fixing it by hitting it.  Jess gave it a whack, and voila!  Fixed.  Audio and visual on.  We couldn't stop laughing.

A few minutes later, Oliver asked us if he could take a turn hitting the television.

These rainy days...

have really been fun for Oliver.  He goes out with an umbrella but comes back in the house soaked to the skin.

The goods of the garden, late summer style

The garden has given all summer long, and here are some of the latest.

 

 

To keep summer going...

I know it's September and people think summer is over.  However, just the other day when I told Jess I was bummed summer was finished, Jess informed me that the official date of fall starting (or in other words, the official date that summer ends) is September 22nd, so don't be melancholy just yet.  Therefore around here, we are acting like it is still summer.  We don't want to say goodbye to this part of the year just yet.  One way we are extending the season is by visiting the Farmers Market.  The other day we bought some delicious peaches.  Everyone of us enjoyed a juicy peach, including Ansel (who prefers his pureed and in oatmeal cereal).  Would you all agree with me that a perfectly ripe peach is one of the best fruits out there?  Yum.

And here's to 15 more days of summer!  Although, I can sure tell autumn is coming as the mornings keep getting darker and darker.

You like to cook!

The other day one of Oliver's pals came over.  We were out in the driveway getting ready to take a walk.  I asked her if she'd like to join us.  We've taken lots of walks when this friend is over, causing her to answer, "Gee, you sure love walks and you love to cook!"  I guess I cook a lot when she's around too.  Her statement was pretty spot on.

Since I do love to cook (and mostly bake), I've been trying to whip desserts up that are healthier than the normal chocolate chip cookie.  I was surprised at how easy (and fun) it is to make a healthy cookie.  Instead of butter, I add applesauce or greek yogurt (more protein).  I cut the sugar by 1/4th.  Then I add cranberries, flax seed, or crushed almonds (even more protein) to the recipe.  Once I used a mashed banana to replace an egg (I don't mind adding eggs to a recipe, but one time I was out).  And I always, always add chocolate chips.  Okay, that last bit is not healthy but necessary.

Jess came home the other day and said to me, "You baked again, eh?"  He doesn't mind, but it's kind of become a thing I do around here... a lot.  I think I've got a problem.  And it's not even January or February.

What you get when you mow the lawn after dark

signs that you're getting older

- the new surgeon being introduced on the sign outside the nearest hospital graduated with you in high school
- a picture and career update of a fellow you worked with at your college library is in the University Alumni magazine
- college students look like ninth graders
- the dorm you lived in as a freshman has been torn down

I can't believe I've had this blog for 6+ years.

Then, 2007

and Now, 2013

Whiteboard fun for a 4 year old

Some of those words at the bottom include:
mine = mini
miniskl = miniscule

Hey you in the coupe, lighten up...

What if we chose our friends based on how people looked while driving a car?

The answer: We'd have no friends.

People look so serious, so intense, (can I go as far as saying) so mean while driving.  Have you noticed this?  Take a look at your fellow drivers the next time you drive in a car.  You'll see what I mean.  And, no, I don't think I am immune to this syndrome. I am sure, almost certain, that I look way intense, in fact I probably have a scowl on my face when I drive.

But back to my original question, how would you go about choosing who you'd be friends with if you were to base it on the driving face?  I've seen some very nice people, people who I consider quite friendly and delightful, look quite sinister behind the wheel.  And the look seems to get ever more serious when drivers turn.  They do that lean to one side as they turn and it is very serious business.  Very serious. 

I'd be friends with the dude drumming on the wheel.  But to tell you the truth, I haven't seen that in a very long time.  Maybe I'd be friends with the girl who's singing at the top of her lungs.  Again, doesn't happen  often.  Then there are the people eating a burger/cone/beverage (of the non-alcoholic variety of course).  That makes them seem nicer.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it makes them seem less robot and more human (or more like a slob).  Still, I'd steer clear of the texter, the phone user, and especially the car arguer.  Their problems concerning friendships (not to mention that none of them is safe) respectively are, lack of eye contact, lack of attention, and lack of communication skills.  And then there's the person that stares you down as you pass them.  Now that's a bit intimidating.  "I'm sorry, you're going 60 and I want to go 68.  No hard feelings, okay?"

If looking at the face while driving can't help us out, maybe the car model or car sticker or license vanity plate could steer us in the right direction.  Hmm, probably not.

Good morning!

Wishing you a pleasant Monday morning.  Photo courtesy of my sister-in-law.

Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

This book was highly recommended to me and was a Readers Choice book, so many people have really liked it.  For me, it was probably a 2 out of 4.  The story is told from the point of view of an old dog, which was pretty clever.  Plus, the author intertwined the skills of Formula One racing into the story and used it's tenets as a backdrop for dealing with life's twists and turns.  But, the story is sad.  I wanted to finish it just to get it over with, and luckily it was a very quick read.  I am in no mood for sad stories, maybe that is why I gave it a 2.  True, there is redemption at the end, and that was good.  And, just as a let's-see-if-my-prediction-is-correct comment, I could see this book being made into a movie someday.

My lucky day according to some guy in Jamaica

Lately, I've been getting a lot of calls from area code 876, originating in Jamaica.  These calls always tell me about something I should buy, or somebody I should support, or something I've won.  Just recently, after answering the phone (I have since learned to stop answering), it was announced to me:

You are the winner of one million dollars and a Mercedes Benz!

Not only had I instantly become a millionaire, but I had also won a car, and not just any car, but a Mercedes Benz.  Which Mercedes Benz, it doesn't matter.  Give me a cargo van, a C230 Kompressor, who cares!

With feigned excitement I replied, "Wow! A million dollars AND a car!"

Have you received your Publisher's Clearinghouse envelope mentioning this prize?

"No. I have not."

Well...[and now with the same tone and excitement as the first time he declared it]...you have won a million dollars and a Mercedes Benz! 

The man went on to ask my name and address, at which point I was finished acting as though I was falling for the gimmick and hung up.

Have you guys had these phone calls?  I am always surprised at the tactics they use and kind of get a kick out of hearing how they respond to unsuspecting answers.  However, I am still not a millionaire nor do I own a Mercedes Benz.

photo found here

Laughing

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."

Charles Dickens

9 years

Jess and I recently celebrated our ninth anniversary.  Nine years of goodness.  Jess cooked a restaurant worthy dish of panko-crusted filet mignon with fresh rosemary potatoes and fresh oranges.  In fact, I think I preferred what he made over a restaurant dish.  This guy can really cook.  And this guy is one top-notch husband.

Book Review: Open by Andre Agassi

After reading the Sampras book, this one was pretty crazy.  The differences between Sampras' life and attitude are a complete one-eighty of Agassi's.  It was neat to read about both of their careers back to back, and more fully realize how successful tennis players don't all train the same, think the same, eat the same.  I mean, they don't play the same, so why should they do all of that the same?  I guess I kind of thought, same game, same spiel.  Not so.

Agassi has some wild stories about how his Pops was a tyrant, his teen years were wickedly rebellious, and his adult years were up and down with disappointment and triumph.  One of my favorite quotes from the book was:  "[S]everal sportswriters muse about my transformation, and that word rankles.  I think it misses the mark.  Transformation is change from one thing to another, but I started as nothing.  I didn't transform, I formed.  When I broke into tennis, I was like most kids: I didn't know who I was, and I rebelled at being told by older people.  I think older people make this mistake all the time with younger people, treating them as finished products when in fact they're in the process.  It's like judging a match before it's over, and I've come from behind too often, and had too many opponents come roaring back against me, to think that's a good idea."  He had some great insights, and his since of humor was pretty good, especially his comments on thinning hair.  Classic.

Agassi's life could be made into a movie.  I am not kidding.  There is so much material to work with, you'd be glued to the screen.  I was glued to the book (and I caught Jess reading it in the morning before work, pretty much glued) up until the very end.  There is language, so just know that.  But this is one of the most well-written autobiographies I have ever read.

Reunion Time

This past month was my family's reunion. We spent most, if not nearly all, of our time on the beach. We went to the beach for the first two days, then had a chance to drive up north to visit Jess' bro and his wife (such fun!), and then every morning I'd ask Jess if he had anything else he'd like to do. "Go to the beach" was his answer. It the rest of the our family's and the others families' too. We all had a great time, and when we left the sand for the last time, we lingered, we took more pictures, we soaked in the setting sun. Reunions are always a wonderful time, and this one was no exception.

Ansel takes a bath in the bathroom sink

Beach umbrellas and boogie boards a must!

 

Oliver and his cousin search for cacti as we make our way down to the beach

 

 

This guy couldn't get enough of the water

 

Sun soaked and enjoying our last day on the coast