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Saturday, October 29, 2005 Little Einsteins  Parker is totally absorbed by Little Einsteins, Disney's preshool follow-up to the LIttle Einstein series that captivated him as a toddler (just as it does Kira). Four kids travel around the world in a red rocketship, visiting famous landmarks and solving puzzles using classical music and art clues. It actually builds on the intellectual underpinnings of the Baby Einstein materials, and is a good educational tool.------------------------------------------------
Soundtracks to Replace Scores Director Cameron Crowe tells NPR that soundtrack compilations are the future of movie soundtracks. It seems Lalo Schifrin, creator of the Mission Impossible theme, grudgingly agrees, and laments the passing of an era. I think it's a bit of overblown hype. Soundtracks compilations fit a certain genre of Hollywood film - the romantic comedy, the comedy, the testosterone-driven action film, and anything by Quentin Tarantino. Original movie scores still have immense value and purpose as the sountracks fopr sweeping epics, dramas, and historical films. It is not an either/or proposition - both can co-exsist. ------------------------------------------------
Friday, October 28, 2005 Small Fortunes This PBS documentary on Microcredit was absolutely fascinating. It shows how just a small amount of investment can truly changes the lives of thousands of people around the world. Watching women turn what we would consider trash - empty cement bags, juice cartons, cast-off hair - and transforming into lucrative businesses for their families was inspiring. I also imagined how several of them could even expand further, if they had the ability to market their business worl-wide. I imagine the bags and purses they showed would be a great product for a Hot Topic like outlet. I was also struck by the woman who explained how every time it rains she has to spread banana leaves across the roof of her home to stay even slightly dry. I noted that innumerable people like her spend their entire lives like that, making less than 2 cents a day. In America, we also have people who have to spread leaves on the roof of their homes. If they can manage to do it for 45 days, they get a million dollars. ------------------------------------------------
Abigail Washburn  I can't say enough good things about Abigail Washburn's CD, Song of the Traveling Daughter. Combining powerful bluegrass melodies with lush Chinese harmonies, her music is a unique blend of East meets West, and she even sings several songs in Mandarin. Ironcially, it really reminds me of the Old West/Chinese combination of Firefly's Verse. So, I guess I'll say it again - go see Serenity!------------------------------------------------
Alachua County Jail's no Rura Penthe 
Two inmates attempted to escape from the Alachua County Jail this morning. However, knocking out the ceiling only revealed a steel and concrete wall and that there was no way out. A Sherriff Spokesman said the efoort was futile, and there's no way out, unless they have a "beam-me-up Scotty situation." So take heart, criminals. Don't believe in the no-win situation. All you need are some transtators and a Heisenberg compensator. Maybe I'll bake them into a cake. ------------------------------------------------
Batman vs Dracula  I've been catching bits and pieces of Batman vs Dracula: The Animated Movie on Cartoon Network. It looks pretty solid. It has some of the mose clever choreographed fight sequences I have seen in a cartoon, and the confrontation between the Prince of Darkness and the Dark Knight is quite exciting (though one has to wonder how guys the likes of Quincy Harker or Van Helsing could have gone head to toe with Vlad, given how much trouble Bruce has with him). The opening is a little weaker, when the deus ex machina is revealed in an incredibly obvious manner and Dracula's use of the overly used alias "Alucard" (Does the World's Greatest Detective really need to write this backwards and look at in a mirror in order to spell it out?). Nevertheless, it's solid entertainment, and surprisingly adult in nature, but I think that has been the trend in DC Comic character animation ever since Batman: The Animated Series first premiered.BTW, I really dig the new retro Batman logo. ------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 Nitpicking Into Homogeneity Turkey imposes fines on the usage of letters not in their alphabet on any public sign. This also includes Kurdish banners used to promote a Kurdish holiday that contained Qs and Ws. How can Turkey be accepted into the European Union, which shares many different cultures and customs, while at the same time they attempt to stamp out subcultures in their own nation through legislation? ------------------------------------------------
Apple Finds Jesus Somehow I don't think He downloaded music for your sins has the same emotional conviction. Will this offend the religious right? Does this constitute the idea of a 'false idol'? Will this make being Christian 'hip'? Will we get an ankh? Will it ward off a vampire? I think the site needs a FAQ to answer these important questions. ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 20, 2005 Tenth Planet Has a Moon "Xena" has a moon. And yes, scientists immediately started to call it Gabrielle. Too bad those nicknames will be dropped once the International Astronomical Union rules on official names. ------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 18, 2005 You Have Been Recruited by the Star League...to Sing and Dance! How I wish I lived closer to the Big Apple. Last year there e was an off-Broadway musical adaptation of the Last Starfighter. Amazing. Maybe I can snag a Original Cast Recording. ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 13, 2005 Go See Serenity Serenity is hands down the best science fiction film I have seen in at least five years. It captures that essential magic that made the original Star Trek and Star Wars films so much fun; genuine character interaction and camaraderie, and a sense of wonder. Sadly, it's a modest film, with unknown movie actors and a badly done advertising campaign. And so, after two weeks in theaters, I can say it's a commercial flop, and most likely will be pushed out of most theaters either this weekend or the next. However, I urge everyone to see it while they can. Or, be sure to pick up the DVD, and watch it side by side with the show that started it all, Firefly. I've made myself a promise: I will refrain from stating why SerenityM succeeds where the Star Wars prequels failed until I have seen Episode III in early November. As much as I feel I can do so solely based on the first two, I have heard that Revenge of the Sith is another beast altogether, so I will reserve judgment until then. Come to think of it, I'll probably get around to doing a comprehensive review of the prequel in its entirety then, as well. Here's a funny screenshot from the Battlestar Galactica mini-series. It appears the special effects crew of the show is the same crew that worked on Firefly. I guess Mal got around:  Can't Take the Skies from Me, you Gorram Cylons! ------------------------------------------------
Smurfnic Cleansing UNICEF wanted a graphic and shockingillustration of how war in Africa affects children. Their chosen advertising tactic: show the Smurf's village being blown to bits in an air raid.  UNICEF officials say the ad will run late at night to avoid scaring children. Have they not heard of VCRS? Time-shifting? The internet? There's no way it won'e eventually end up being seen by children. It's the nature of today's media beast: if it's filmed, it eventually gets seen. What's next? Skinned Care Bears to protest poaching? Is anything from an innocent childhood sacred anymore? ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 06, 2005 Footloose, Gaza Style If the leader of Hamas gets his way,mixed couples dancing would be banned in Gaza, as it promoted corruption and prostitution. Has Kevin Bacon taught the world nothing? ------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 04, 2005 The Son of Nick Cage Shall Kneel Before Zod Nicholas Cage took his stage name from Luke Cage, Power Man. It only makes sense he'd name his children in the same vein. And now the world welcomes Kal-el Coppola Cage, the babe of Steel. It's the second child to be named after Superman's true identity - Seinfeld's second son's middle name is Kal, an obvious reference to Seinfeld's obsession with the Man of Steel. Kal-el joins the ranks of Crumpet, Rumor, Scout, Apple, Moxie Crimefighter, Audio Science, Pilot Inspektor, Liberty Giggs, Daisy Boo, Coco, Germajesty, and Princes 1 and 2, the progeny of the 20th century celebrity. Ironically, this roster seems to be interchangeable with the Legion of Sperheroes. ------------------------------------------------
We Need to Give Her Quite a Bit of Water The Killpacks need to get the book thrown at them. This couple adopted an abused child and found they were incapable of providing discipline. Apparently, they maintain their therapist told them to "indulge Cassandra "to the point of excess" as punishment for wrongdoing". Which they did. And apparently were surprised when five-year-old Cassandra died after they forced her to drink 2 1/2 liters of water. What kind of idiots are these people? How can they not see that someone drinking water to the point of vomiting is wrong? And what of the therapist? The Center he works for says that 'water therapy' is not a standard practice and none of their therapists would ever suggest such a thing. If that is true, why did the State of Oregon revoke their therapist's liscense after a lengthy review, stating that his “clinical beliefs are a danger to the public.” And what was this punishment administered? Because Cassandra was drinking her sister's Kool-Aid. ------------------------------------------------
Constantine - The Actor? ABC has signed American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis to star in his own sitcom. A sitcom? Sure, he had style and charm, and a certain stage presence, but does the ability to sing, dance, and perform on a stage translate immediately to being about to crack jokes in front of a television audience? I keep flashing to the Idol finale, where Constantine played a bit part that reminded me of the Monkees, wearing an oversized moustache and talking in an exaggerated Italian accent. ------------------------------------------------
Make it a Double How do you get people to drink more beer? Make it doubly addictive! A German company has introduced a beer infused with Nictotine. Ostensibly, this is to circumvent no-smoking bans in pubs and nightclubs, which is a good thing. But is adding another addictive substance to a beverage that already is addictive in itself a smart idea? ------------------------------------------------
Monday, October 03, 2005 Oh D-d-d-d-d-ear! Did you know that poor little Piglet is considered offensive and has been banned in parts of England? So has Babe, Charlotte's Web, Animal Farm and Cars and Trucks and Things That Go. Parker would be devastated. Sometimes a pig is just a pig, people. Get a grip. ------------------------------------------------
Dancing the Limbo A shocking test result in California - 20% of High School Seniors flunked the High School Graduation Exam. The test is geared to evaluate if a 12th grader has an 8th-grade Math education and to a 10th grade level in English (I guess those last two or three years of school really don't count for anything). While 80% of whites and 90% of Asians pass the test, only about 60% of Hispanic and African American students pass the exam. Teachers maintain the lower test scores are due to unmotivated students, poor attendance, and low parental involvement. Parents counter it is do to overcrowding in inner-city schools and lack of resources. Regardless of the reasons, it seems the logical course to many is not that the schools need a serious and immediate reform agenda, but rather the test that measures a basic competency level be should be changed. Here are some of the suggestions that have been recommended by the Human Resources Research Organization of Virginia, which compiled the results for the state of California:
None of these is a solution.
All of the solutions sound like ways to circumvent the benchmark set by the test, rather than finding ways to increase the quality of education to that benchmark. Lowering the benchmarks only serves to perpetuate a cycle of lowering standards and expectations. But I guess that's what students have to look forward to in the long run. FedEx was hit for a class action discrimination lawsuit this week. While claims of salary disparities among colleagues and directed poor performance evaluations have merit and need to be be investigated, I'm disturbed by the claim that the management-level promotional tests are inherently racist. The lawyer for the plaintiffs states that twice as many minorities fail the test, and "yet [FedEx] has not changed the test". I'll wait to see if specific evidence can be brought as to how the test is biased, but until that time, all I see is the bar being lowered again, and I really don;t know how great society is at dancing the limbo. ------------------------------------------------
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Monday, October 31, 2005 Update on Parker Ok, drunk some OJ, took a warm bath, eating cold grapes -- it is down to under 102. I don't have Children's Tylenol, but have infants. I wonder if I can give him that, in the appropriate dose, of course (I know it is concentrated so it won't be much). ------------------------------------------------
Not Sure Where This Is Going ... Parker's got a fever after an unheard of midday nap of at least 104 -- maybe 105. I've just given him some Motrin. How long until I see some result? ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 27, 2005 WWYD -- Child eating/not-eating nighttime Parker refused to eat anything for dinner. The last thing he had was half of a PBJ at 5 pm (it is now 7:30 pm). I'm expecting him to wake up in the middle of the night saying he's hungry. If this were you, what would you do? Feed him when he wakes up? Make him wait? "Make" him eat now (and if so, how??!!!??)? If you feed him when he wakes up, what would you feed him? Whatever he wants? Whatever you choose? A choice of two things? ------------------------------------------------
Apple Binge Well, the apple binge has continued. We did "Bobbing" for apples at his Halloween party today, and he ate three. Three yesterday, too. I guess it could be worse. He's been an absolute pill, though. Can I blame the apples? ------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 25, 2005 Too Many Apples? So, we have -- or rather HAD -- a basket of apples out, for Fall and just to have available. Well, I told Parker this morning that if he was hungry for a snack, he could grab one. Well, he keeps grabbing them and eating them! He always has bitten it before I can tell him to put it back and ask for something else. He is currently on apple #5!! (Though, apple #4 was the second half of Kira's -- but still!!) I know apples are healthy and all, but isn't this just too many apples? ------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 06, 2005 Parker's New Skill Today, for the first time (which is later than many, I am aware), Parker opened the fridge. I'm both happy and scared. I'm happy because it brings a whole new autonomy for him, which is good. I'm scared because this morning, Jeff and I had to call Poison Control because Parker got his sister's teething tablets and decided to eat them. Probably half a container's worth. Now, poison control said that he'd be fine and that there is so little active ingredients in them they don't even think they could work, but still -- being woken up by your husband who is shoving a pill bottle of some kind in your face and shouting that "Parker ate these!", even if it ended up being no biggie is still scary. And the fridge is full of things I really don't want him in. Like maple syrup in the glass jar. Or raw eggs. Or raw meat! Etc. ------------------------------------------------
1 Cents Added:
I know you are spending all your time chasing Parker out of the fridge and dealing with Kira's teething and working on the business...but I enjoy reading your blogs as well as Jeff's, Kristin! Let me know what is up! By , at 12:23 PM The problem with Toys ... I just tripped and busted my butt over them!! Parker has taken to pulling out EVERY Kira toy in case she wants to play with them all. And I'd let it slide, but then I slid, so now I guess I'll have to be more strict about it. My hand hurts!! ------------------------------------------------
A-OK Well, enough time has passed, and he's a-ok. Of course, his irritability and general awakeness weren't affected, so he's been a pill AND wide awake all day long. Sigh. ------------------------------------------------
Why I can't keep up ...  Surely, that's enough said. Seriously, though, Kira has really started taking off "walking" with her piano as a sort of walker. Unfortunately, she insists on having one arm on the leg, which means she only goes in circles. But, Parker just LOVES this new skill of hers, as she will actually try to "get" him in a new game of baby chase. Their other thing is to actually play chase, with Parker screaming back and forth through the common area, and Kira crawling in whichever direction he last ran. It is really, really cute, but also really loud. For the most part, though, I spend way too much time talking to Parker about sharing and being nice to Kira. It is very frustrating, and I need to figure something different. Kira only knows life like this, so at least that is some consolation. ------------------------------------------------
1 Cents Added:
Way to go Kira! I'm very impressed, I'm going to show Resli your pictures over and over and see if she can learn from you. Keep up the good work! By Gillian Lord Ward, at 8:12 AM Parker ate half a bottle of teething tablets! We had to call Poison Control this morning who said that he should be fine, that there is so little active ingredients in there that they don't think they should work unless you took over 75! (maybe to harm you, but who knows ) We honestly aren't sure how many Parker ate, but it was while Jeff was showering (Kira & I were still in bed), so it has been at least 2 hours now and he seems fine. Of course, he's just been a pill lately regardless -- he took Kira's Veggie Puffs baby snacks and ATE the WHOLE THING!! Those suckers are expensive!! And not even filling for a big boy, you know? It says, "Serving Size: 80 pieces; Servings Per Container: 6; Calories: 60", so you KNOW it was like nothing to him!! But that would've lasted Kira a week, at least! Grrrrrr. I am really, really, REALLY sick of asking him to be nice to Kira, and not: bounce beach balls on her head; pull away the toys she's playing with; drag her all around on the floor; shove pacifiers/toy bottles/etc. in her mouth; block her from getting to a toy she was crawling towards; push her down; etc., etc., etc.!!! ------------------------------------------------
Monday, October 03, 2005 Ummm, almost 4, and wearing 3/6 Months??    They looked a bit tight, and I knew they weren't from his wardrobe, but I still didn't expect this:  ------------------------------------------------
My Kidlets  Kira, 8 months old  ------------------------------------------------
Update 10.03.05 We are still really swamped here with freelance, and I'm truly worried about how much of our time it is taking. My kids have gotten used to us being on the computer a lot, and I hate it. I need some quick but fun-filled activities to do with them, but honestly, what they want is for me to jsut sit on the floor with them while they play. And I do, but the whole time, I'm thinking of the shitload of work there is to do. I have been up until all hours trying to get work done, and it is killing me. On top of that, Jeff's car keeps "dying" when he's driving. Just cutting off. In traffic. He'll coast to the side, and it'll restart, but it seems like we'll be having to buy a new car soon. And we just can't afford it, and I'm really stressed about it. We still have this credit card debt that we're working on paying off, and I'm trying to set some money aside as well, but with all the work we're doing, we're spending more too, on food mainly, as we never seem to have "time" to cook. I need to go and put food in the crockpot now do that it won't happen tonight at dinner time. We've also been having visitors: my parents were here from Tuesday night till Saturday morning, and Parker was in heaven. He loves them so much and was very sad to see them go. My sister is coming this Friday night and leaving Monday morning, so, I'm definitely looking forward to that. Jeff and I couldn't get away when my parents were here (we were working on freelance every spare second -- it really was crazy!), but my sister has already said we're to go to the movies while she's here (we're gonna see SERENITY!!!!), so Jeff and I will finally have a date since before Kira was born! Parker's birthday is the week after, and I have given it fleeting thoughts. So, he'll be having three friends and the two baby siblings over for his birthday. I still need to plan it out more and invite the friends over. Then there is Halloween. Parker said Saturday, when I asked him for the first time what he wanted to be for Halloween, that he wants to be a scarecrow. So, what shall I make Kira to go with it? We were going to make her a sheep and Parker "Little Boy Blue" or something like that, but now I don't know!! Oh yeah -- Parker has started wiping when he poos! And he's a pro on the computer (go figure). ------------------------------------------------
Saturday, October 01, 2005 Not Quite the Blue Suede Shoes But still amazing creativity! Parker took the styrofoam inserts to the new computer DVD drive we installed into our computer, and made them into shoes.  He had a fun time running around in them!!  ------------------------------------------------
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