Agh- haven't been to the gym in 2 weeks...and feel okay about it. My sister stopped going to the gym 3 months ago...she has since lost 10 pounds...she eats Mcdonald's [not all the time, but sometimes] and is not a "dieter." We sisters formed a theory...we think that people who exercise sometimes tend to overeat because they assume that they'll just burn off the extra calories...but maybe in reality, they are consuming way more than they are burning off.
So... I just haven't gone to the gym lately. I feel like I am at a plateau. I am always the same weight. I think I eat a healthy diet and refuse to count fat, calories, or do some tedious points system. I don't have unrealistic weight goals... I just want to get out of this too-big-for-size-10, too-small-for-size-12 pattern. It's annoying. I can never find pants for work. I was on a pants boycott for awhile but, come on, it's now winter. There's no way that I am wearing skirts to work.
The skinny women at my job annoy me. Not only are they skinny but they're so fashionable---hair, makeup, accessories, purses, shoes. I'm too lazy for that. Sometimes I feel like I am in some lame 1980s movie and the "popular girl clique" consists of my co-workers. I guess I just have to put my thoughts aside because in actuality, who really cares?
Might go to the gym tonight... I slightly miss it. It's fun to play my Ipod and jog. Sometimes I really get into a song and either "mouth" the lyrics or use minimal hand gestures that go in rhythm to the music. People who see me must think I am a bit loony.
Also- where is the snow? I'm not accustomed to these 5-day work weeks. I watch the weather channel so obsessively that one would think I am obsessed with meteorology.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
pondering the mall
Went to the mall today to buy a dress for a wedding that I am attending tomorrow. Tried on three dresses but nothing "was right." I hate dress shopping. Everything has beads, baubles, and attempts at unique designs. I just want a non-clingy, empire waisted dress [preferably olive green, but I'll go for other colors too]... doesn't seem like a lot to ask for but is near-impossible to find.
I ended up leaving the mall with nothing but a cinnamon-sugar Wetzel pretzel in my hand. Soft, sugary pretzels always make me feel better about failed shopping expeditions.
While sitting in my car and eating the pretzel, a few mall-thoughts came to mind:
1] Why do people get out of their car and light a cigarette when they are on their way to entering the mall? I saw a guy do this in the parking lot. It doesn't make much sense... in about 500 steps or so, you'd be at the mall entrance and would have to put out the cigarette anyway.
2] Why do women bother to take their husbands/boyfriends shopping with them if it can be clearly seen that the guy hates shopping? I saw a girl walking around the dress department and overheard her say, "No, this dress is like the other one I wore to a different wedding, only this one is more pink" [or something like that]. The guy just seemed perplexed about why she would be buying a dress similar to another dress that she owns at home. In general, he didn't seem to be into the whole shopping experience. So why bring him along?
3] Why do people drive around and around the parking lot numerous times, just to get a "good spot"? The time that it takes to find a "good spot" and wait for a car to pull out is far longer than the amount of time it would take to park at a more desolate spot and walk a little farther.
4] Why do the perfume spritzers act like fragrance assassins? When I walk into a dept. store, I immediately veer away from the spritzer people. They're quite pushy. It's annoying. I do this same veer-away process in any store where the salespeople are a little pushy. Then again, if no one tried to greet me at the door and ask me if I needed help, I'd bitch that the store sucked. I guess there's no way to win for question #4.
Tomorrow will resemble a Mission Impossible movie. Wedding is at 4pm, travel time to wedding is 45 minutes, must find dress before wedding--can it be done?
I ended up leaving the mall with nothing but a cinnamon-sugar Wetzel pretzel in my hand. Soft, sugary pretzels always make me feel better about failed shopping expeditions.
While sitting in my car and eating the pretzel, a few mall-thoughts came to mind:
1] Why do people get out of their car and light a cigarette when they are on their way to entering the mall? I saw a guy do this in the parking lot. It doesn't make much sense... in about 500 steps or so, you'd be at the mall entrance and would have to put out the cigarette anyway.
2] Why do women bother to take their husbands/boyfriends shopping with them if it can be clearly seen that the guy hates shopping? I saw a girl walking around the dress department and overheard her say, "No, this dress is like the other one I wore to a different wedding, only this one is more pink" [or something like that]. The guy just seemed perplexed about why she would be buying a dress similar to another dress that she owns at home. In general, he didn't seem to be into the whole shopping experience. So why bring him along?
3] Why do people drive around and around the parking lot numerous times, just to get a "good spot"? The time that it takes to find a "good spot" and wait for a car to pull out is far longer than the amount of time it would take to park at a more desolate spot and walk a little farther.
4] Why do the perfume spritzers act like fragrance assassins? When I walk into a dept. store, I immediately veer away from the spritzer people. They're quite pushy. It's annoying. I do this same veer-away process in any store where the salespeople are a little pushy. Then again, if no one tried to greet me at the door and ask me if I needed help, I'd bitch that the store sucked. I guess there's no way to win for question #4.
Tomorrow will resemble a Mission Impossible movie. Wedding is at 4pm, travel time to wedding is 45 minutes, must find dress before wedding--can it be done?
Friday, January 26, 2007
hopes, dreams, and technological schemes
Today's generation of kids have more mass communication devices at their fingertips than any other previous generation. They can send a photo by cell phone to a friend, instant message another friend, talk on the "old fashioned" phone to someone else, and talk to "the world" by posting to their blogs or Livejournals...all at the same time. All of these technological tools frighten me. I'm not a Ted Kaczynski anti-technology type but I feel that over time a] technology makes people farther apart from one another [emotionally] and b] technology makes people feel that they can (and should) have things instantaneously. Of course, the teacher side of me thinks that technology will lead to a future generation of academics attempting to use words like 'cuz, 'wuz, and luv' in scholarly papers, having no qualms about it. Then the other side of me thinks, "So that's wrong with that?" We've gone from words like thee and thou to me and you... the more things change, the more they stay the same, and blah, blah, blah.
I guess that's where this course comes into play. It's easy to have a child sit in front of a computer screen and do some type of skill/drill program. However, that's not "integrating" technology---you're simply giving the child an interactive, flashier worksheet. I feel that a lot of teachers try to use computers to differentiate their teaching methods, but instead they just end up doing the same thing--but instead of using a chalkboard, they're using a computer screen and interactive pen. Instead of handing out xeroxed copies of a poem, you can project the poem onto a "Smartboard." And so on.
I don't stand here innocently. I'm guilty of showing the kids "picture prompts" on a Smartboard screen. I'm guilty of posting a poem on the laptop screen instead of making photocopies. But i don't know what else to do.
Part of the problem lies in teacher training. If teachers aren't trained to use the technology in new ways, then they're not going to. Ultimately, some will end up using it in new ways, but others will need the extra "push" to get used to the technology.
I hope that this course will show me how to use technology in more innovative ways. The idea of blogging interests me. I think it'd be great to teach a novel unit and set up a blog discussion board. Kids could start different threads, connecting the novel to contemporary movies, etc. For some reason, kids are fascinated by computer screens, fonts, colors, etc. That's okay with me---if it makes them more excited about writing and blogging, then that's fine.
Additionally, I also think it is extremely important that kids know HOW to find information online but also how to distinguish between valid websites and illegitimate websites. Also-- students need to understand that appropriate credit needs to be given to writers and artists whose information students use for papers, etc. Most of the time, Language Arts teachers concern themselves with the plagiarism issue and drill the word/its meaning into students' minds. In the tech age, I think all teachers need to make their students extremely aware of plagiarism. Just because it is the World Wide Web doesn't mean anyone can credit the information as his/her own.
Mainly, I am looking forward to seeing how we can use technology in productive ways with our students. That's a pretty simple statement for a fairly difficult task. Can't wait to see the results. I also like the idea of the unit plan project---it forces some of us non-tech-saavies to figure out how to immediately use technology and new literacies in the classroom.
I guess that's where this course comes into play. It's easy to have a child sit in front of a computer screen and do some type of skill/drill program. However, that's not "integrating" technology---you're simply giving the child an interactive, flashier worksheet. I feel that a lot of teachers try to use computers to differentiate their teaching methods, but instead they just end up doing the same thing--but instead of using a chalkboard, they're using a computer screen and interactive pen. Instead of handing out xeroxed copies of a poem, you can project the poem onto a "Smartboard." And so on.
I don't stand here innocently. I'm guilty of showing the kids "picture prompts" on a Smartboard screen. I'm guilty of posting a poem on the laptop screen instead of making photocopies. But i don't know what else to do.
Part of the problem lies in teacher training. If teachers aren't trained to use the technology in new ways, then they're not going to. Ultimately, some will end up using it in new ways, but others will need the extra "push" to get used to the technology.
I hope that this course will show me how to use technology in more innovative ways. The idea of blogging interests me. I think it'd be great to teach a novel unit and set up a blog discussion board. Kids could start different threads, connecting the novel to contemporary movies, etc. For some reason, kids are fascinated by computer screens, fonts, colors, etc. That's okay with me---if it makes them more excited about writing and blogging, then that's fine.
Additionally, I also think it is extremely important that kids know HOW to find information online but also how to distinguish between valid websites and illegitimate websites. Also-- students need to understand that appropriate credit needs to be given to writers and artists whose information students use for papers, etc. Most of the time, Language Arts teachers concern themselves with the plagiarism issue and drill the word/its meaning into students' minds. In the tech age, I think all teachers need to make their students extremely aware of plagiarism. Just because it is the World Wide Web doesn't mean anyone can credit the information as his/her own.
Mainly, I am looking forward to seeing how we can use technology in productive ways with our students. That's a pretty simple statement for a fairly difficult task. Can't wait to see the results. I also like the idea of the unit plan project---it forces some of us non-tech-saavies to figure out how to immediately use technology and new literacies in the classroom.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Here comes the ballad of Hurricane...
Have been having my students read/study Robert Lipsyte's Contender. I love this book... it's about an African-American boy, Alfred in 1960s Harlem. He is trying to "be somebody" vias the means of professional boxing. If Lipsyte took a different route, the book could have been very artificial, without any lasting power. There's so much more to the book than simply sports though... There's the race relations in 1960s America, gangs, black nationalist movement, single parents, drug addiction, etc. I've been watching/reading a lot of material about 1960s America, in addition to information on professional boxers since covering Contender.
Last night I watched Hurricane, the 1999 movie with Denzel Washington. It was amazing. I never had heard of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter before and during the entire movie, the gears of my mind kept turning. I never even knew that the Bob Dylan song "Hurricane" was connected to Rubin Carter.I can actually say I don't think i ever paid much attention to the lyrics.... It's amazing how you could hear a song over and over and not realize the seriousness of the song's implications.
I tracked down a copy of Carter's autobiography THE 16TH ROUND. It's near impossible to find...out of print online...available at places like half.com for 65 dollars or more... and a scant few copies available. Found a copy of it at MSU's library. I realize that films can move us and sway our opinions and make us come to conclusions/realizations...but I don't think the learning should stop at a film. I've looked around online and have seen some websites claiming inaccuracies in the film. I am even more aware of the fact that online sites/sources can sway people's views/include false statements... Now, I want to read Carter's autobiography, his actual words, and learn more. I'm also now more interested in other overturned trials/convictions ... looking to read John Grisham's [nonfiction]: The Innocent Man- Murder and Injustice in a Small Town...
Last night I watched Hurricane, the 1999 movie with Denzel Washington. It was amazing. I never had heard of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter before and during the entire movie, the gears of my mind kept turning. I never even knew that the Bob Dylan song "Hurricane" was connected to Rubin Carter.I can actually say I don't think i ever paid much attention to the lyrics.... It's amazing how you could hear a song over and over and not realize the seriousness of the song's implications.
I tracked down a copy of Carter's autobiography THE 16TH ROUND. It's near impossible to find...out of print online...available at places like half.com for 65 dollars or more... and a scant few copies available. Found a copy of it at MSU's library. I realize that films can move us and sway our opinions and make us come to conclusions/realizations...but I don't think the learning should stop at a film. I've looked around online and have seen some websites claiming inaccuracies in the film. I am even more aware of the fact that online sites/sources can sway people's views/include false statements... Now, I want to read Carter's autobiography, his actual words, and learn more. I'm also now more interested in other overturned trials/convictions ... looking to read John Grisham's [nonfiction]: The Innocent Man- Murder and Injustice in a Small Town...
Saturday, January 06, 2007
getting back into the swing of things, kind of.
I am like an ansty little kid. If I don't "go out" [we're not talking clubbing or anything requiring strategic planning and dress codes], then I just stay inside and sleep. Case in point: last night, we were watching episodes of The Office. I went into the bedroom to "rest my eyes." Didn't wake up until 8 this morning. A wasted night.
Sleep has recently been interrupted by the constant sunshine/mild weather affecting the tristate area. Winter is not supposed to be like this. If I want to be lazy, I should be able to roll the covers over me, slightly adjust the shades, and go to sleep. Instead, I find myself waking up and feeling the need to put the A/C unit on. And sunlight seems to be constant.
I want cold air that makes my throat hurt when I breathe. I want mini snowflakes forming on my window panes.
65 degrees in January is so annoying.
Am trying to get back into the pattern of work again. Waking up at 5:30 is not for me. I wish I had to wear a uniform to work everyday. It would make the whole morning process much quicker. I know people that have to wear uniforms to work tend to say the exact opposite: they want to wear their own stuff, express themselves, blah blah blah. I just want to be able to sleep in a little more.
Plus, if there was a dress code, I wouldn't [possibly] have to hear the "clackers" walking down the hallway every morning. Their heels are so high; there's this click-clack sound pattern you hear when they're walking around the halls. We're on our feet all day at work- why would you wear high heels? Masochists.
Sleep has recently been interrupted by the constant sunshine/mild weather affecting the tristate area. Winter is not supposed to be like this. If I want to be lazy, I should be able to roll the covers over me, slightly adjust the shades, and go to sleep. Instead, I find myself waking up and feeling the need to put the A/C unit on. And sunlight seems to be constant.
I want cold air that makes my throat hurt when I breathe. I want mini snowflakes forming on my window panes.
65 degrees in January is so annoying.
Am trying to get back into the pattern of work again. Waking up at 5:30 is not for me. I wish I had to wear a uniform to work everyday. It would make the whole morning process much quicker. I know people that have to wear uniforms to work tend to say the exact opposite: they want to wear their own stuff, express themselves, blah blah blah. I just want to be able to sleep in a little more.
Plus, if there was a dress code, I wouldn't [possibly] have to hear the "clackers" walking down the hallway every morning. Their heels are so high; there's this click-clack sound pattern you hear when they're walking around the halls. We're on our feet all day at work- why would you wear high heels? Masochists.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Weird cat lady gets weirder
This afternoon I had a food craving for Indian food. Food cravings don't occur too often with me- sure, I get certain cravings when watching TV and seeing commercials.... but generally, I don't "act" upon those urges.
Went to the Indian restaurant near our apartment and got the lunch buffet...Chicken Tikka Masala, Naan, and various other foods that I do not know by name.
Eating at a restaurant alone is kind of weird. I felt like everyone was watching me and wondering, "Why is she here alone?" Three things crossed my mind...things they could have been thinking:
1] she is completely antisocial and weird...but happens to like Indian food
2] she is bulimic--one of those people who you see on Tyra Banks' show or something... she binges by herself...and will soon proceed to go into the bathroom
3] she is a member of OverEaters Anonymous and is "getting her fix" right now.
I obviously think too much.
Eating alone is kind of cool...it feels a bit liberating...the fact that you do not need company in order to enjoy the ambiance of a restaurant. I know some friends who always feel the need to be with other people when they go shopping, to the movies, etc. I quite like being alone...
Shortly after I was there, a guy came in and had lunch by himself too. He was in the booth near mine and instead of having his back face me, his face was facing me. I thought that was odd.
As I left the restaurant, I heard a student say hi to me. The student was there with her whole family. It was odd, unexpected. I mean, it wasnt like I was at Friday's or Bennigan's or something...this is a small Indian restaurant in the middle of a stripmall that features Dress Barn and Marshalls. I quickly replied, "Hi" back to the student.
I know my students think of me as cat lady. I never mention John because teaching is one of those professions where "the system" likes to be conservative and traditional---people living together BEFORE marriage? What an unorthodox idea!
Now instead of being "cat lady," I will be weird cat lady who had mid-day binges of Indian food...by herself. Oh well. :)
Went to the Indian restaurant near our apartment and got the lunch buffet...Chicken Tikka Masala, Naan, and various other foods that I do not know by name.
Eating at a restaurant alone is kind of weird. I felt like everyone was watching me and wondering, "Why is she here alone?" Three things crossed my mind...things they could have been thinking:
1] she is completely antisocial and weird...but happens to like Indian food
2] she is bulimic--one of those people who you see on Tyra Banks' show or something... she binges by herself...and will soon proceed to go into the bathroom
3] she is a member of OverEaters Anonymous and is "getting her fix" right now.
I obviously think too much.
Eating alone is kind of cool...it feels a bit liberating...the fact that you do not need company in order to enjoy the ambiance of a restaurant. I know some friends who always feel the need to be with other people when they go shopping, to the movies, etc. I quite like being alone...
Shortly after I was there, a guy came in and had lunch by himself too. He was in the booth near mine and instead of having his back face me, his face was facing me. I thought that was odd.
As I left the restaurant, I heard a student say hi to me. The student was there with her whole family. It was odd, unexpected. I mean, it wasnt like I was at Friday's or Bennigan's or something...this is a small Indian restaurant in the middle of a stripmall that features Dress Barn and Marshalls. I quickly replied, "Hi" back to the student.
I know my students think of me as cat lady. I never mention John because teaching is one of those professions where "the system" likes to be conservative and traditional---people living together BEFORE marriage? What an unorthodox idea!
Now instead of being "cat lady," I will be weird cat lady who had mid-day binges of Indian food...by herself. Oh well. :)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Haribo candy, i love you.
Am working on a final paper for the class that I am taking this semester. The bed looks like a library vomited all over it--- books, papers, scraps of paper, all over the place. I'm a nerd with research...I think I actually like it. And I like looking at the ends of chapters and finding new resources.
I'm not really 'stressed' about the paper. It is what it is and I have given myself plenty of time to get it done. However, I have used this paper as an excuse to eat tons of candy....because, you know, when you're 'stressed,' sometimes food helps. Last week, I "scored" some caramel/candied apples and Reeses Pieces.... Today I went to the store and bought some Haribo root beer gummies...as hard as imaginable, tooth-breaking gumminess, but so good.
The other day I was jokingly telling John that I want to look like Kate Moss. We were both joking about how she has to "work" to look like she does-- you know, supporting a crack habit is not easy nowadays...
I think it's funny how we make excuses for ourselves so that we can things that we like.-- the example being my candy frenzy.
Tomorrow after class, I WILL exercise.
John had me work out with him the other day and now my legs and shoulders hurt...that's my excuse for not exercising today. I told John that if he was my personal trainer, I would have taken 70 bucks cash, thrown it at him, and exclaimed, "I quit."
I'm not really 'stressed' about the paper. It is what it is and I have given myself plenty of time to get it done. However, I have used this paper as an excuse to eat tons of candy....because, you know, when you're 'stressed,' sometimes food helps. Last week, I "scored" some caramel/candied apples and Reeses Pieces.... Today I went to the store and bought some Haribo root beer gummies...as hard as imaginable, tooth-breaking gumminess, but so good.
The other day I was jokingly telling John that I want to look like Kate Moss. We were both joking about how she has to "work" to look like she does-- you know, supporting a crack habit is not easy nowadays...
I think it's funny how we make excuses for ourselves so that we can things that we like.-- the example being my candy frenzy.
Tomorrow after class, I WILL exercise.
John had me work out with him the other day and now my legs and shoulders hurt...that's my excuse for not exercising today. I told John that if he was my personal trainer, I would have taken 70 bucks cash, thrown it at him, and exclaimed, "I quit."
Sunday, December 03, 2006
No peeping toms, megalomaniacs, emotional fuckwits, or perverts
There aren’t too many movies that I will watch over and over, no matter what my mood is. However, Bridget Jones’s Diary is one of those movies that I can watch over and over and enjoy. I have to say I find Hugh Grant charming---they had some “I Love the 90s” special on VH1 the other day and were talking about the Hugh grant/ Divine Brown debacle and were saying how Hugh Grant is the only man who can sound charming, amidst apologizing for sleeping with a prostitute. I agree. And I love the Colin Firth character too--- the nice guy, Rudolph the Reindeer sweater and all, who always seems to get screwed over.
Most of all, I like how Bridget Jones (via Renee Zellweger), is this goofy, insecure character who somehow remains charming.
This movie reminds me of a book I recently read, Jemima J, by Jane Green. I’d have to carefully compare publication dates but I think Jemima J is a complete ripoff of Bridget Jones’s Diary…and since it was a book before it was a movie, I’m sure the Helen Fielding book came out before Jane Green’s literary endeavor. Jemima J features a British woman who works in the journalism field (coincidence?). She’s overweight and has a huge crush on someone within her office… she ends up meeting someone online, in
But Bridget Jones--- such a charming character---and she feels real too! She makes completely stupid mistakes but somehow seems to come out on top… Anyway, the movie makes for a great way to procrastinate on a Sunday night….
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Ohio skies...
The past few days, the sky has reminded me of Ohio. Since I can remember, we (Mom, Amy, and I) would travel to Ohio for the Christmas break. This sucked during my high school years because I couldn't hang out with friends and when they asked, "Oh, where are you going over the break?," my reply was, "Um...Ohio." I like it there though...people talk slowly and there seems to be respect abound. My grandma lived in a suburb that had houses from the 50s---lots of brick houses...no McMansions....
One of my favorite parts of the Ohio holiday trip was the washed out skies. The sky in Ohio, during winter months, is always a white/grey hue; it basically looks like a "snow day" everyday.
Our Jersey skies have been Ohio-esque lately... but it's annoying. The thermometer still reads 60 degrees. I'd like a scattering of snow. I'd like to wear my goofy winter hat with ear flaps. And, like the rest of the world, I want to buy Ugg-esque boots...but I want to wait until the winter weather arrives.... When?
One of my favorite parts of the Ohio holiday trip was the washed out skies. The sky in Ohio, during winter months, is always a white/grey hue; it basically looks like a "snow day" everyday.
Our Jersey skies have been Ohio-esque lately... but it's annoying. The thermometer still reads 60 degrees. I'd like a scattering of snow. I'd like to wear my goofy winter hat with ear flaps. And, like the rest of the world, I want to buy Ugg-esque boots...but I want to wait until the winter weather arrives.... When?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Carb-alicious
Am amidst writing a research paper for class. I have spent tons of time reading articles and book excerpts. The reading and highlighting of main points was actually "fun." Now I'm onto writing the paper. It's horrible. It's been an hour and I've only written 1.5 paragraphs... and I've done my research already! All I have to do is put it into written form; that's "all."
When educational pursuits or assignments frustrate me, I usually give in to two options:
1] Cleaning/domesticity:
I detest domestic tasks but amidst [there that word is again, damn it!] writing papers, I sometimes have this urge to clean. Tonight I put a load of laundry into the washer. Granted, for most people laundry isn't seen as a huge task. However, when you have to lug it downstairs and walk to the washer/dryer facility in your apartment complex, laundry deserves to be called a moderate task, at least.
2] FOOD:
Stress, sadness, happiness, holidays, boredom, ---anything seems to be a good excuse to eat. Tonight I've gone carb crazy. Things started out peacefully. I had a veggie burger and a cauliflower/broccoli mix. Then the writer's block set in. Suddenly, the loaf of wheat bread was calling me... and the apples...and now the popcorn...now I have a craving for chocolate [not exactly carbs, just junk] and have contemplated walking to the gas station...because, hey, walking takes more time than driving and I could use some time wasters right now...
as my 1.5 paragraphs await my return...
When educational pursuits or assignments frustrate me, I usually give in to two options:
1] Cleaning/domesticity:
I detest domestic tasks but amidst [there that word is again, damn it!] writing papers, I sometimes have this urge to clean. Tonight I put a load of laundry into the washer. Granted, for most people laundry isn't seen as a huge task. However, when you have to lug it downstairs and walk to the washer/dryer facility in your apartment complex, laundry deserves to be called a moderate task, at least.
2] FOOD:
Stress, sadness, happiness, holidays, boredom, ---anything seems to be a good excuse to eat. Tonight I've gone carb crazy. Things started out peacefully. I had a veggie burger and a cauliflower/broccoli mix. Then the writer's block set in. Suddenly, the loaf of wheat bread was calling me... and the apples...and now the popcorn...now I have a craving for chocolate [not exactly carbs, just junk] and have contemplated walking to the gas station...because, hey, walking takes more time than driving and I could use some time wasters right now...
as my 1.5 paragraphs await my return...
Friday, November 24, 2006
Don't impose your religion on me....
especially at 10AM on the day after Thanksgiving.
I was up for awhile this morning, just going back and forth from being awake to being asleep. During one of the half wake/half asleep intervals, I heard our doorbell ring. Our doorbell makes this frightening buzzing noise, comparable to what you'd hear at Disneyworld's Haunted Mansion. I continued staying in bed...maybe it was the neighbors' doorbell that I heard instead. Then, the knocking on the door began.
Sleepy-eyed, and with crazy semi-brushed hair, I made my way downstairs. I opened the door and saw two young guys in suits holding copies of AWAKE in their hands. Jehovah's Witnesses at my apartment door at 10:00am on the day after Thanksgiving? Are you kidding me? They greeted me by saying, "Hi, we know you weren't expecting us..." Um...that's a no brainer....
Before they went into their little monologues, I said, "You guys are Jehovah's right? My friend is one. I'll take some of the magazines." And I sent them on their merry way.
I don't mind hearing about other religions, but trying to impose them on me at 10am? Are you crazy? I hope they're prepared for what they might get at my apartment complex--- rude replies and door slams... but not from me.
I was up for awhile this morning, just going back and forth from being awake to being asleep. During one of the half wake/half asleep intervals, I heard our doorbell ring. Our doorbell makes this frightening buzzing noise, comparable to what you'd hear at Disneyworld's Haunted Mansion. I continued staying in bed...maybe it was the neighbors' doorbell that I heard instead. Then, the knocking on the door began.
Sleepy-eyed, and with crazy semi-brushed hair, I made my way downstairs. I opened the door and saw two young guys in suits holding copies of AWAKE in their hands. Jehovah's Witnesses at my apartment door at 10:00am on the day after Thanksgiving? Are you kidding me? They greeted me by saying, "Hi, we know you weren't expecting us..." Um...that's a no brainer....
Before they went into their little monologues, I said, "You guys are Jehovah's right? My friend is one. I'll take some of the magazines." And I sent them on their merry way.
I don't mind hearing about other religions, but trying to impose them on me at 10am? Are you crazy? I hope they're prepared for what they might get at my apartment complex--- rude replies and door slams... but not from me.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Observations
I've always been a pretty observant person...this might be due to the onset of adolescent shyness...when I was younger, I wasn't an outgoing, loudmouthed gal...so, instead, I guess I just took notice of things going on around me.
Two observations from today:
1) The venting-my-rage kid at Shoprite... one of the cart gatherers (what else would that job be called?...cart gatherer is along the lines of custodial engineer....I love fancy names) was putting a bunch of carts into another line of already connected carts and BAM! he smashed them all together. I can say I've done the same thing at Costco, upon returning one of the megacarts to its proper location... it's a good release...comparable to boxing or jogging...just a quicker form of satisfaction...
2) Around 7:00, my car was behind another car at a stoplight. Though I couldn't see too well, because of the swirl of red (from the stoplight and brakelights, combined) I could make out the image of the girl in the passenger seat leaning over and kissing the guy in the driver's seat. It's nice to know there are other couples out there who wisely spend the 15 seconds at a traffic light amidst affections...
In both cases, everyone probably thought they were carrying on in their normal daily life, without being watched by anyone else...but there I was. I wonder...who was watching me?
Cue creepy music....
Two observations from today:
1) The venting-my-rage kid at Shoprite... one of the cart gatherers (what else would that job be called?...cart gatherer is along the lines of custodial engineer....I love fancy names) was putting a bunch of carts into another line of already connected carts and BAM! he smashed them all together. I can say I've done the same thing at Costco, upon returning one of the megacarts to its proper location... it's a good release...comparable to boxing or jogging...just a quicker form of satisfaction...
2) Around 7:00, my car was behind another car at a stoplight. Though I couldn't see too well, because of the swirl of red (from the stoplight and brakelights, combined) I could make out the image of the girl in the passenger seat leaning over and kissing the guy in the driver's seat. It's nice to know there are other couples out there who wisely spend the 15 seconds at a traffic light amidst affections...
In both cases, everyone probably thought they were carrying on in their normal daily life, without being watched by anyone else...but there I was. I wonder...who was watching me?
Cue creepy music....
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Concert Pet Peeves
It’s silly of me to say, “Things were better back then…” because the “then” I would be talking about would only be about a decade and a half ago. The first concert I attended was New Kids on the Block (1990), followed by Goldfinger, Sponge, and plenty of 80s-bands’ lawn seat concerts at PNC. I haven’t exactly lived a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. Still though….certain facets of concerts today simply suck:
1) The current use of cell phones as “lighters,” being held in the air by enthusiastic concert goers. I just think it is cheesy.
2) When people yell into their cell phone, “Hey, listen to this!” and then proceed to hold the cell phone into the air so that the person on the other end of the line can be delighted when they hear a smattering of yelling and screaming in their air.
3) With the popularity of camera phones and digital cameras, there doesn’t seem to be the concert restriction on cameras—there’s not really a way to get people to not bring those items into the venue. However, when people stand for minutes and minutes and photograph/record the concert, it just seems lame. They spend more time concentrating on their amateur photography of the concert than actually enjoying the concert.
4) Because of the “danger” of glass bottles, you either get glass bottles of alcohol and have to stay within an enclosed area OR (PNC –style), they pour the glass bottle’s contents into a plastic cup…but the plastic cup’s capacity is never as high as the bottle itself…so you technically don’t get the full bottle that you paid for.
5) (My last concert pet peeve, which is not confined to a certain era or decade…it’s been existent since concerts have been around) : When someone in front of you is bobbing up and down AND their untethered long hair is waving in front of your face…
1) The current use of cell phones as “lighters,” being held in the air by enthusiastic concert goers. I just think it is cheesy.
2) When people yell into their cell phone, “Hey, listen to this!” and then proceed to hold the cell phone into the air so that the person on the other end of the line can be delighted when they hear a smattering of yelling and screaming in their air.
3) With the popularity of camera phones and digital cameras, there doesn’t seem to be the concert restriction on cameras—there’s not really a way to get people to not bring those items into the venue. However, when people stand for minutes and minutes and photograph/record the concert, it just seems lame. They spend more time concentrating on their amateur photography of the concert than actually enjoying the concert.
4) Because of the “danger” of glass bottles, you either get glass bottles of alcohol and have to stay within an enclosed area OR (PNC –style), they pour the glass bottle’s contents into a plastic cup…but the plastic cup’s capacity is never as high as the bottle itself…so you technically don’t get the full bottle that you paid for.
5) (My last concert pet peeve, which is not confined to a certain era or decade…it’s been existent since concerts have been around) : When someone in front of you is bobbing up and down AND their untethered long hair is waving in front of your face…
Friday, October 20, 2006
Myspace profile pics and self-esteem...woo hoo!.
I guess if I had to "classify" it, it would be called a pet peeve: I hate when people put up high school pics on their Myspace profiles [despite being WAY past high school age]. Then, you click onto their other profile pics and see "current" pictures of them, in which they resemble the earth's Oompa Loompa's of 2006... It's not even that it's "false advertising;" if it is your profile, you can do whatever you want. I just almost see it as being ashamed of yourself... especially if the high school pic is not simply nostalgic but is also a skinnier version of your current self.
I find entertainment in looking at people's pics on Myspace...not in a creepy way...just natural curiosity. I also like reading the obituaries, wedding announcements, and arrests/thefts/etc listings in the paper. Natural curiosity... and yes, I slow down when I see an accident on the highway. Simultaneously, I am cursing at all of the other drivers on the road, "Come on, what, you've never seen a fucking accident before...Move along, move along."
Yes...Myspace lurking is fun....
Been reading a book called Generation Me... basically about the kids born from 1980-current...also called iGeneration, Generation Y [lame!], or Generation Entitlement. The book points out how high self-esteem programs have actually been a disadvantage for our kids... now everyone feels great about themselves, in every aspect...not realizing/appreciating that you can be horrible at one thing but excel in other areas...nope, you're just wonderful no matter what. The book also mentions how kids feel like everything should just be given to them [even if they don't work for it]; that's what Generation Me is used to....
The terms iGeneration and Generation Me make me think of Myspace.... I mean, your profile is like an advertisement of yourself...and of course, you have all sorts of fun pictures up and pictures of hobbies that YOU are into... what strikes me as odd is when all people have on their profile is "posed" pictures of themselves... is this egocentric, "high self esteem," or narcissism? I HATE pictures of me by myself... I like people [or cats!] in pictures with me....
The best image in the book is a color-by-# poster that has the words "YOU ARE SPECIAL" in the center. There are directions for which colors to use for which letters/spaces. Below the poster, the author has the caption of: "Remember, everyone is special. Maybe if you color the whole poster you can catch the irony."
:-P
I find entertainment in looking at people's pics on Myspace...not in a creepy way...just natural curiosity. I also like reading the obituaries, wedding announcements, and arrests/thefts/etc listings in the paper. Natural curiosity... and yes, I slow down when I see an accident on the highway. Simultaneously, I am cursing at all of the other drivers on the road, "Come on, what, you've never seen a fucking accident before...Move along, move along."
Yes...Myspace lurking is fun....
Been reading a book called Generation Me... basically about the kids born from 1980-current...also called iGeneration, Generation Y [lame!], or Generation Entitlement. The book points out how high self-esteem programs have actually been a disadvantage for our kids... now everyone feels great about themselves, in every aspect...not realizing/appreciating that you can be horrible at one thing but excel in other areas...nope, you're just wonderful no matter what. The book also mentions how kids feel like everything should just be given to them [even if they don't work for it]; that's what Generation Me is used to....
The terms iGeneration and Generation Me make me think of Myspace.... I mean, your profile is like an advertisement of yourself...and of course, you have all sorts of fun pictures up and pictures of hobbies that YOU are into... what strikes me as odd is when all people have on their profile is "posed" pictures of themselves... is this egocentric, "high self esteem," or narcissism? I HATE pictures of me by myself... I like people [or cats!] in pictures with me....
The best image in the book is a color-by-# poster that has the words "YOU ARE SPECIAL" in the center. There are directions for which colors to use for which letters/spaces. Below the poster, the author has the caption of: "Remember, everyone is special. Maybe if you color the whole poster you can catch the irony."
:-P
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Slutty Halloween Costumes...
1st choice costume: Renaissance outfit, with the whole corset/bodice thing going on...
Decision: will wait until next year's Ren-Faire and will seek out a "real" Ren-ish outfit, not some lame Party City imitation
2nd choice costume: Pirate
Commentary: I know that being a pirate is probably so trendy now, with the Pirates of Carribbean movies and all. I don't even like those movies; I fell asleep during the first one. All my life, I've had cheesy Halloween costumes. I was always "something" that could be easily concocted: baby, cheerleader, cowgirl, hula girl, clown, etc. I don't think I have ever really felt the full essence of Halloween. Even though the pirate idea is kind of trendy, I think it will be fun... pirate outfit, cheesy hat, sword, boots, possibly fishnet stockings....
Decision: to be decided... Are there any non-slutty costumes out there?
Seriously! All of the Halloween costumes I've seen are so trampy. i know women's costumes tend to be "sexy," but some things I've seen are just ridiculous. Slutty seems to be the new norm. One website featured a "new for 2006!" costume: Red Light Rita. Who's going to be a prostitute for Halloween? Anything that can turned into a trampy costume will be turned into a trampy costume. I looked online for pirate outfits... they've managed to create pirate-slut outfits. I found one costume that was cute and semi-sexy; it was plus size. So is the idea that if you're in good shape, you can dress as the slutty pirate, but if you're overweight, you better cover yourself up?
They even had a "naughty librarian" outfit. I guess costumes like that would be cool if you created them yourself, but the fact that you can buy any costume...that's kind of annoying too...
The adult costumes bug me but, hey, adults can make a choice whether to go the salacious route.
What really bugs me is that they make sexy versions of these costumes for teens [when I think of teens, I think anywhere from age 13-18....]. I find it so disturbing. This one website [www.buycostumes.com] annoyed me. They had a teen costumes section with costumes like [let me preface the costumes with "slutty"]: Little Bo Peep, "Hottie Totties" Little Red Riding Hood, Red Hot Witch Queen [basically a SHORT red dress and red withc hat], etc. I know that there's a huge difference between a 13 year old and an 18 year old, but still. I worry about the kind of thing we're promoting...
So on I go...the search continues... for a "semi" sexy, non-slutty pirate outfit....
Decision: will wait until next year's Ren-Faire and will seek out a "real" Ren-ish outfit, not some lame Party City imitation
2nd choice costume: Pirate
Commentary: I know that being a pirate is probably so trendy now, with the Pirates of Carribbean movies and all. I don't even like those movies; I fell asleep during the first one. All my life, I've had cheesy Halloween costumes. I was always "something" that could be easily concocted: baby, cheerleader, cowgirl, hula girl, clown, etc. I don't think I have ever really felt the full essence of Halloween. Even though the pirate idea is kind of trendy, I think it will be fun... pirate outfit, cheesy hat, sword, boots, possibly fishnet stockings....
Decision: to be decided... Are there any non-slutty costumes out there?
Seriously! All of the Halloween costumes I've seen are so trampy. i know women's costumes tend to be "sexy," but some things I've seen are just ridiculous. Slutty seems to be the new norm. One website featured a "new for 2006!" costume: Red Light Rita. Who's going to be a prostitute for Halloween? Anything that can turned into a trampy costume will be turned into a trampy costume. I looked online for pirate outfits... they've managed to create pirate-slut outfits. I found one costume that was cute and semi-sexy; it was plus size. So is the idea that if you're in good shape, you can dress as the slutty pirate, but if you're overweight, you better cover yourself up?
They even had a "naughty librarian" outfit. I guess costumes like that would be cool if you created them yourself, but the fact that you can buy any costume...that's kind of annoying too...
The adult costumes bug me but, hey, adults can make a choice whether to go the salacious route.
What really bugs me is that they make sexy versions of these costumes for teens [when I think of teens, I think anywhere from age 13-18....]. I find it so disturbing. This one website [www.buycostumes.com] annoyed me. They had a teen costumes section with costumes like [let me preface the costumes with "slutty"]: Little Bo Peep, "Hottie Totties" Little Red Riding Hood, Red Hot Witch Queen [basically a SHORT red dress and red withc hat], etc. I know that there's a huge difference between a 13 year old and an 18 year old, but still. I worry about the kind of thing we're promoting...
So on I go...the search continues... for a "semi" sexy, non-slutty pirate outfit....
Monday, October 09, 2006
Duh...
I can't stand the tv news or internet news. Newspaper news seems to leave out the dumb common sense health stories- if they have them at all, they partition a small square corner of a page to include such findings. So many news "features" result in me sighing, "Duh."
Examples from today:
Online there was an article regarding health tips on how medications can react badly with alcohol. Who doesnt know that? I mean, most people who socially drink will drink despite being told not to because of prescription mixtures, but that's their problem. They've been informed. How they use the information is up to them.
Even more duh-worthy was a tv news/internet news feature on how having kids involved in too many activities may stress them out and harm them in the long run.
CHICAGO — Here's some soothing medicine for stressed-out parents and overscheduled kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics says what children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime.
Many parents load their children's schedules with get-smart videos, enrichment activities and lots of classes in a drive to help them excel. The efforts often begin as early as infancy.
Spontaneous, free play — whether it's chasing butterflies, playing with "true toys" like blocks and dolls, or just romping on the floor with mom and dad — often is sacrificed in the shuffle, a new academy report says. ... [blah blah blah]
I never understood the need to have one's kids involved in tons of activities. Well, I kind of understand the schedule-them-in-everything mentality: 1] parents almost feel this "need," maybe it's due to competitiveness, to have their children involved in tons of activities... it almost validates them as parents, that they're doing a good job ; 2] some parents want to give their children the opportunities that they never had; and 3] some parents want to turn their kids into what they never got a chance to become.
When I was a kid, I did softball in the spring. During the schoolyear, I was in band and on safety patrol [Choruses sing "Dork!;" I know]. As the years went on, I got involved with clubs at school. But I would never say that my schedule was packed- only during sports seasons. Even then, I'd get home at 6 and have time for homework and for myself. I don't understand the need to rush kids from place to place; it ends up stressing parents too...since Mom and Dad are usually the drivers from place A to place B.
We're fatter than ever. We're tired than ever. We're out of touch more than ever.
Calm down, America.
Examples from today:
Online there was an article regarding health tips on how medications can react badly with alcohol. Who doesnt know that? I mean, most people who socially drink will drink despite being told not to because of prescription mixtures, but that's their problem. They've been informed. How they use the information is up to them.
Even more duh-worthy was a tv news/internet news feature on how having kids involved in too many activities may stress them out and harm them in the long run.
CHICAGO — Here's some soothing medicine for stressed-out parents and overscheduled kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics says what children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime.
Many parents load their children's schedules with get-smart videos, enrichment activities and lots of classes in a drive to help them excel. The efforts often begin as early as infancy.
Spontaneous, free play — whether it's chasing butterflies, playing with "true toys" like blocks and dolls, or just romping on the floor with mom and dad — often is sacrificed in the shuffle, a new academy report says. ... [blah blah blah]
I never understood the need to have one's kids involved in tons of activities. Well, I kind of understand the schedule-them-in-everything mentality: 1] parents almost feel this "need," maybe it's due to competitiveness, to have their children involved in tons of activities... it almost validates them as parents, that they're doing a good job ; 2] some parents want to give their children the opportunities that they never had; and 3] some parents want to turn their kids into what they never got a chance to become.
When I was a kid, I did softball in the spring. During the schoolyear, I was in band and on safety patrol [Choruses sing "Dork!;" I know]. As the years went on, I got involved with clubs at school. But I would never say that my schedule was packed- only during sports seasons. Even then, I'd get home at 6 and have time for homework and for myself. I don't understand the need to rush kids from place to place; it ends up stressing parents too...since Mom and Dad are usually the drivers from place A to place B.
We're fatter than ever. We're tired than ever. We're out of touch more than ever.
Calm down, America.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Nature! Goulet!!
I never liked Will Ferrell's Robert Goulet skit but... I've recently come to appreciate it:
"Staring contest, me and you. You win, you always do." So funny. And I found out the other day that Robert Goulet really exists...thus making the skit even more funny.
I love this type of weather. The air is chilly and most conventional people are already wearing their "fall jackets."I don't own a fall jacket. It's either a wool peacoat or nothing. I like feeling the cold air hit my body; it wakes me up in the morning. Sometimes, even during the winter months, I drive with my driver's side window down. I sing out the window; sometimes I can see my breath fade into the distance, as I drive on.
I always get annoyed when I see people driving with their windows up, despite a beautiful day of weather. I just don't understand why they wouldn't want to feel a cool breeze as they drive. This annoyance sometimes turns into true pissed-off-ed-ness. I know that's kind of crazy... I don't get it though. Unless it's 95 degrees out with 100% humidity, why not drive with the windows down?
The leaves are starting to change color and this is the season where I get to run the gamut with color adjectives: vermillion, mustard, mahogany, burgundy, crimson, ...
"Staring contest, me and you. You win, you always do." So funny. And I found out the other day that Robert Goulet really exists...thus making the skit even more funny.
I love this type of weather. The air is chilly and most conventional people are already wearing their "fall jackets."I don't own a fall jacket. It's either a wool peacoat or nothing. I like feeling the cold air hit my body; it wakes me up in the morning. Sometimes, even during the winter months, I drive with my driver's side window down. I sing out the window; sometimes I can see my breath fade into the distance, as I drive on.
I always get annoyed when I see people driving with their windows up, despite a beautiful day of weather. I just don't understand why they wouldn't want to feel a cool breeze as they drive. This annoyance sometimes turns into true pissed-off-ed-ness. I know that's kind of crazy... I don't get it though. Unless it's 95 degrees out with 100% humidity, why not drive with the windows down?
The leaves are starting to change color and this is the season where I get to run the gamut with color adjectives: vermillion, mustard, mahogany, burgundy, crimson, ...
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
80s diversions
I have a book review essay to write... it's due Wednesday. I "should" [if I was standing in front of you, I'd be using the finger quotation marks too!] take my time and completely work on the review during this weekend, thus making next week less stressful.
Friday, we're going to see Frankie Goes to Englewood play at a local bar. Worst name ever for a band? Close to it. I plan on wearing as many earrings as I can -- kind of an 80s look, I guess. Remember Jane Child with the nose-to-ear jewelry?
I've already re-pierced my 2nd earhole; it wasn't too difficult. I must have pliable flesh. Lovely.
I also plan on sporting my jeans which feature the authentic hole-in-the-knee. I was slightly intoxicated at a concert and fell on concrete, on my knees. I least my jeans look cooler now...
Saturday is lovey-dovey day. John and I have vowed to no longer have Qdoba, Moe's, or Baja Fresh for mid-afternoon lunches. The huge meals incapacitate us for the rest of the day: we lie around like beached whales or manatees.
Sunday we might go to Great Adventure. FrightFest is cheesy but I get scared so easily. John enjoys hearing me shriek when some ridiculously dressed "monster" jumps out from behind a random haystack.
I like how things have been lately, in terms of "getting out" and being social. Damn- it only took 26 years for me to act like a normal human and go out and have fun. These times are much better than years ago...I'd come home from work on a Friday afternoon, have chicken soup and tons of bread [carbs= happiness? I don't know- but it seemed to be my theory at the time], and go to sleep at 9:00...
Onward and upward, with the low-carb life diet.
Friday, we're going to see Frankie Goes to Englewood play at a local bar. Worst name ever for a band? Close to it. I plan on wearing as many earrings as I can -- kind of an 80s look, I guess. Remember Jane Child with the nose-to-ear jewelry?
I've already re-pierced my 2nd earhole; it wasn't too difficult. I must have pliable flesh. Lovely.
I also plan on sporting my jeans which feature the authentic hole-in-the-knee. I was slightly intoxicated at a concert and fell on concrete, on my knees. I least my jeans look cooler now...
Saturday is lovey-dovey day. John and I have vowed to no longer have Qdoba, Moe's, or Baja Fresh for mid-afternoon lunches. The huge meals incapacitate us for the rest of the day: we lie around like beached whales or manatees.
Sunday we might go to Great Adventure. FrightFest is cheesy but I get scared so easily. John enjoys hearing me shriek when some ridiculously dressed "monster" jumps out from behind a random haystack.
I like how things have been lately, in terms of "getting out" and being social. Damn- it only took 26 years for me to act like a normal human and go out and have fun. These times are much better than years ago...I'd come home from work on a Friday afternoon, have chicken soup and tons of bread [carbs= happiness? I don't know- but it seemed to be my theory at the time], and go to sleep at 9:00...
Onward and upward, with the low-carb life diet.
Monday, October 02, 2006
academic readings....
Have the day off from work because of Yom Kippur...am using the holiest day of the Jewish year [information courtesy of wikipedia... what would I do without that site?] I am at the public library, reading for my grad class. Just read for 2 straight hours... it feels like much longer. I feel like I have been here for a myriad of hours....Myriad is a word that I see often in academic readings...It's like the writer even bored himself with his 500 line paragraph, so he decided to pop "myriad" into a random sentence.
I don't "get" academic readings; it's like there's a contest to create the most indecipherable language. Just because something is said in a simpler way does not make it "stupid."
I'm stopping with the reading for today... at this pace, I should finish reading my assigned books by....never.
The boredom of the academic readings has motivated me to go home, do some laundry, and listen to the swish of the washer machine.
I don't "get" academic readings; it's like there's a contest to create the most indecipherable language. Just because something is said in a simpler way does not make it "stupid."
I'm stopping with the reading for today... at this pace, I should finish reading my assigned books by....never.
The boredom of the academic readings has motivated me to go home, do some laundry, and listen to the swish of the washer machine.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Selling my eggs on ebay
For all of my life, I have been set on not having children. I've joked to friends and family about how I want to sell my eggs on ebay and make some cash. In retrospect, I can see how this is not the most funny thing to say. I still think it is amusing.
The fact of the matter is that even though I haven't had fertility tests or anything, I bet I am the most fertile person and would have no trouble getting pregnant. Unfortunately, I think that's how it tends to be. The people that desire children to no end have difficulty getting pregnant and/or carrying the baby to full term. The people like me who say, "Children? Nope, not ever me" are the ones who probably can easily get pregnant.
I've recently had a change of heart. I don't know exactly one factor that brought the change about. I used to joke that working at a middle school was like instant cause for birth control or sterilization. I mean, there are some "good kids," but there are some brats too..makes you think: what if my kid ended up like one of the brats?
But I am rethinking my whole I-don't-want-kids view. What scares me though is I have never even held a baby in my life. My family is so small; there were not constant occasions where there were babies being born and little kids running around. But I know if I got pregnant, I'd be the type to be reading any book out there on pregnancy or child-rearing. What to Expect When You're Expecting would constantly be in my hand.
Thinking about babies also brings up the fun topic of naming. John and I have talked about baby names. For girls, there aren't too many names that I like. Summer, Autumn, Desiree, and Veronica are favorites. I can't imagine a baby being called Veronica though--an older woman/seductress as Veronica, yes. But not a little baby.
For boy names, I like what John calls "gay names." I guess they are a little feminine for boys; the names I like aren't names you'd necessarily associate with future strong, brawny men: Evan, Ethan, Aidan, Jeremy, Joshua, Tobias, Justin, etc.
Out of curiosity, I looked at a website: www.babynamesworld.com. Some of the names they have on the site are awesome [a.k.a. "weird"]: Raechel [cool spelling of Rachel], Radley, Reese [I know...the name of a celeb, not a good idea].
Something that struck me as odd and completely dumb was this tidbit that the website had under the category of "Baby Naming Advice." First off, why would someone need advice on picking a name?!
Here it is: In an experiment done by Harari and McDavid, it was found that teachers grade a paper higher if written by a child with an ordinary name as opposed to an unusual or unpopular name as opposed to when they were led to believe that the child had an unusual or unpopular name (see: Harari, H. & McDavid, J.W. (1973).
So stupid! Enough about that.
What's funny is that years ago the most popular names were names like Michael, Heather, Jennifer, etc. Nowadays, its hip to name your baby something "unique." And it gets to a point that once everyone has the same unique names, that they just become usual names. I took a look at the top 50 baby names [boys' and girls' names for 2005]. A lot of my effeminate boys' names are included in the top 50...
Of the top names, here are my picks: Tyler, Olivia, Dylan, Ava [sooooo popular now], Gabriel, Benjamin, Zachary, and Alyssa.
Out of a separate conversation that John and I had, we decided we like Victor the best... but with a "k." We have to be a little unique. In John's words, "Victor means the winner, the victor. How could that not be a good name?" My thoughts too.
The fact of the matter is that even though I haven't had fertility tests or anything, I bet I am the most fertile person and would have no trouble getting pregnant. Unfortunately, I think that's how it tends to be. The people that desire children to no end have difficulty getting pregnant and/or carrying the baby to full term. The people like me who say, "Children? Nope, not ever me" are the ones who probably can easily get pregnant.
I've recently had a change of heart. I don't know exactly one factor that brought the change about. I used to joke that working at a middle school was like instant cause for birth control or sterilization. I mean, there are some "good kids," but there are some brats too..makes you think: what if my kid ended up like one of the brats?
But I am rethinking my whole I-don't-want-kids view. What scares me though is I have never even held a baby in my life. My family is so small; there were not constant occasions where there were babies being born and little kids running around. But I know if I got pregnant, I'd be the type to be reading any book out there on pregnancy or child-rearing. What to Expect When You're Expecting would constantly be in my hand.
Thinking about babies also brings up the fun topic of naming. John and I have talked about baby names. For girls, there aren't too many names that I like. Summer, Autumn, Desiree, and Veronica are favorites. I can't imagine a baby being called Veronica though--an older woman/seductress as Veronica, yes. But not a little baby.
For boy names, I like what John calls "gay names." I guess they are a little feminine for boys; the names I like aren't names you'd necessarily associate with future strong, brawny men: Evan, Ethan, Aidan, Jeremy, Joshua, Tobias, Justin, etc.
Out of curiosity, I looked at a website: www.babynamesworld.com. Some of the names they have on the site are awesome [a.k.a. "weird"]: Raechel [cool spelling of Rachel], Radley, Reese [I know...the name of a celeb, not a good idea].
Something that struck me as odd and completely dumb was this tidbit that the website had under the category of "Baby Naming Advice." First off, why would someone need advice on picking a name?!
Here it is: In an experiment done by Harari and McDavid, it was found that teachers grade a paper higher if written by a child with an ordinary name as opposed to an unusual or unpopular name as opposed to when they were led to believe that the child had an unusual or unpopular name (see: Harari, H. & McDavid, J.W. (1973).
So stupid! Enough about that.
What's funny is that years ago the most popular names were names like Michael, Heather, Jennifer, etc. Nowadays, its hip to name your baby something "unique." And it gets to a point that once everyone has the same unique names, that they just become usual names. I took a look at the top 50 baby names [boys' and girls' names for 2005]. A lot of my effeminate boys' names are included in the top 50...
Of the top names, here are my picks: Tyler, Olivia, Dylan, Ava [sooooo popular now], Gabriel, Benjamin, Zachary, and Alyssa.
Out of a separate conversation that John and I had, we decided we like Victor the best... but with a "k." We have to be a little unique. In John's words, "Victor means the winner, the victor. How could that not be a good name?" My thoughts too.
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