Jada Yuna stated in her profile in New York Magazine of John Cusak:
"Why waste time feeling conflicted about good fortune?"
I want to work on this.
4.19.2012
4.12.2012
when there are writers
as good as Roger Ebert out there, it makes it hard to try to write yourself.
On death:
"That is what death means. We exist in the minds of other people, in thousands of memory clusters, and one by one those clusters fade and disappear. Some years from now, at a funeral with a slide show, only one person will be able to say who we were. Then no one will know."
Read the whole essay by clicking this sentence.
On death:
"That is what death means. We exist in the minds of other people, in thousands of memory clusters, and one by one those clusters fade and disappear. Some years from now, at a funeral with a slide show, only one person will be able to say who we were. Then no one will know."
Read the whole essay by clicking this sentence.
4.11.2012
and on a sad note
(photo by jamie bosworth)
Our good family friend, Don Ronayne died on Monday. While he had some health problems, things seemed to be on the up. I had just spoken to him a week ago Monday.
Here is his obituary:
Donald Anthony Ronayne of Kent Island, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Monday April 9, 2012 with Carol holding his hand and his nephew and niece Jim and Morgan Ronayne of Annapolis, MD at his side. He was 69.
Mr. Ronayne was born in New York. He graduated with honors from Yale University, studied at Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and received his Juris Doctor from Stanford University. He was a trial lawyer who opened his first practice in California. He also practiced in Idaho, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Mr. Ronayne was an avid sports enthusiast and spent many years as an athlete and coach. He was a passionate environmentalist and pro bono attorney who generously contributed his time, resources, and professional services to the causes he championed and his community.
He was a kind and devoted husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Fordonski, and sister, Judith Ronayne of Garden City, NY. He was loved by scores of nephews, nieces, in-laws and friends. He will be missed by many.
Per his wishes, all services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Chesapeake Cats and Dogs, 300A Island Professional Park, Stevensville, MD 21666. http://www.chesapeakecatsanddogs.org
Funeral arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnan Funeral Home, P. A. in Chester, MD. For online condolences, please visit www.fhnfuneralhome.com.
4.10.2012
3.13.2012
2.21.2012
my favorite baby products
i am so behind on posting it is not even funny. i have stuff to say, but i am just not together enough yet to say it.
in the mean time i put together a shopping list of my favorite baby products...
http://amzn.com/lm/R38JCZWKKKPLI9
and yes, laura, i see what you are saying about the ipt. but i think we are creating expectations really...he can expect to get a pottytunity when his diaper is changed or when he wakes up...and i think he is holding it sometimes...but time will tell. at least he will be used to being on the potty.
in the mean time i put together a shopping list of my favorite baby products...
http://amzn.com/lm/R38JCZWKKKPLI9
and yes, laura, i see what you are saying about the ipt. but i think we are creating expectations really...he can expect to get a pottytunity when his diaper is changed or when he wakes up...and i think he is holding it sometimes...but time will tell. at least he will be used to being on the potty.
2.02.2012
ipt
ipt: infant potty training
we are doing it folks. it sounded batshit crazy when i first heard about it in the nytimes a few years ago. (see article here.) in fact, i made no end of fun of it.
that said, it is great. the little guy goes peepee in his little toilet about 4 times a day and he has pooped a total of 4 times in the potty. he seems to really like it. anytime he wakes up or he has a diaper change he gets a "pottytunity." carol is even on board, so that is nice. we are teaching him the sign for potty too...we have noticed a reduction in diaper usage as well. (we use gdiapers with cloth or disposable inserts.)
i got this book and this book about how to do it.
even our critical friend dave thinks it is a good idea.
we are doing it folks. it sounded batshit crazy when i first heard about it in the nytimes a few years ago. (see article here.) in fact, i made no end of fun of it.
that said, it is great. the little guy goes peepee in his little toilet about 4 times a day and he has pooped a total of 4 times in the potty. he seems to really like it. anytime he wakes up or he has a diaper change he gets a "pottytunity." carol is even on board, so that is nice. we are teaching him the sign for potty too...we have noticed a reduction in diaper usage as well. (we use gdiapers with cloth or disposable inserts.)
i got this book and this book about how to do it.
even our critical friend dave thinks it is a good idea.
2.01.2012
back to work soon
so, i have not blogged in so long. strange.
back to work next Monday. can you believe it? well i can't. brent's mom, carol, is here to watch oskar the month of february as we transition. that is great news. he is growing so much.
i will only be working from 8:30 to 2:30 and then picking him up...not much time apart really. i am still kind of a mess about it, which surprised me at first.
back to work next Monday. can you believe it? well i can't. brent's mom, carol, is here to watch oskar the month of february as we transition. that is great news. he is growing so much.
i will only be working from 8:30 to 2:30 and then picking him up...not much time apart really. i am still kind of a mess about it, which surprised me at first.
1.19.2012
brent would never do this
but I would.
so much waste. fail.
The Perennial Plate Episode 84: Dumpster Diver from Daniel Klein on Vimeo.
so much waste. fail.
1.15.2012
time is flying
ok, so I am hard at work on that book of mine. things are moving right along. I found an editor to read it for me...my deadline is tomorrow.
oskar's 4 month checkup is tuesday.
i read a great book not out yet called UnOrthodox...it is by a woman who left her hasidic community. love books like this. wow, am I glad I am not hasidic.
also read a great book about cooking: The Kitchen Counter Cooking School.
more soon.
oskar's 4 month checkup is tuesday.
i read a great book not out yet called UnOrthodox...it is by a woman who left her hasidic community. love books like this. wow, am I glad I am not hasidic.
also read a great book about cooking: The Kitchen Counter Cooking School.
more soon.
1.01.2012
mini book review: sister
sister
by rosamund lupton
this book came across my radar when highlighted by one of our great independent bookstores in DC: politics and prose. i borrowed the book instead of buying it, which will not keep them in business, unfortunately.
however, the recommendation was great. Sister is a crimi set in London. the main character's sister has gone missing while pregnant. interestingly, the book is written as a letter to the woman's sister.
great quick read under the covers. highly recommended.
by rosamund lupton
this book came across my radar when highlighted by one of our great independent bookstores in DC: politics and prose. i borrowed the book instead of buying it, which will not keep them in business, unfortunately.
however, the recommendation was great. Sister is a crimi set in London. the main character's sister has gone missing while pregnant. interestingly, the book is written as a letter to the woman's sister.
great quick read under the covers. highly recommended.
12.27.2011
12.21.2011
daily oskar
i have been taking pictures of oskar almost everyday...and i finally figured out how to post them on a new blog...
http://dailyoskar.blogspot.com/
check it out.
http://dailyoskar.blogspot.com/
check it out.
12.19.2011
pictures
took more pictures at baby group. good times. check them out by clicking here or here. i took holiday photos of little gabe. what a little cutie!
and our friends matt and rachel, who are just learning how to sew, sewed an adorable quilt for baby oskar. photos here.
and the gingerbread party was hosted for us by our friends neil and monica. more good times. photos here.
12.16.2011
tips for traveling with kids...by laura
My good friend Laura used to travel a lot...and she developed a great system for doing so with her little people. She sent me her thoughts before our first trip. I have edited the list and am presenting it here for the betterment of travelers everywhere.
The Plane
* Check the logistics of your plane ahead of time, before you buy the ticket. You'll need to know your airline and the plane type, which you should be able to find in the flight details. The baby, if flying in a seat, will always have to sit in the window seat. Some planes are way better for flying with kids. For example a 767 has 2 outside seats and 5 middles, so if you & baby are on the side, with the other parent across the aisle from you, getting out for changes, grabbing things from the overhead, etc. is much easier. Furthermore, it gives you extra elbowroom.
* If you can't get a 2+1 seating, then get three seats all in one row. If you don't automatically get seats together, talk to the gate agent, and see if she can switch you.
* Seatguru.com can tell you whether there's a changing table on your plane. For example, the Airbus 319/320 planes have them, but Boeing 757s don't.
* The carseat is the safest spot for the baby because there is no chance of turbulence flinging the baby about. The stroller must be gate-checked, so make sure that it easily folds. In the future, if the baby does not have their own seat then check your carseat, and carry the baby in the baby bjorn, or whatever baby carrier you prefer. This is a great way to travel, especially if you have one older child and one younger because it means you have hands free, they sleep all cozy in there, and it's easy.
* Be the first one on the plane. Get the kids buckled into their spots (or their carseats buckled in). Prepare my seatback pocket with all essentials: ready to go bottle, mini-changing kit, pacifier, a fun toy, hooter hider, and magazine. I put everything else in the overhead, ready for my partner to grab it for me if I need it. With baby crying, you have everything right there, ready to go.
Travel Musts
* Baby tylenol or motrin - solves a poor sleep situation or a midnight ear ache. It's magic. This has been the downfall of a few trips, because we didn't have it, and all stores were closed at night, and we had a screaming baby with an ear infection for 10 hours in a hotel room. NOT FUN.
*A light-weight fleece sweatshirt - it works as a jacket, pillow, baby blanket, changing pad; it's easy to rinse out & dries pretty quickly.
* A breast pump so I can hand off bottles to someone else for a feeding, and I get a break!
* Desitin - a tiny tube for travel is always in my diaper bag
* Pack your carry on as light as possible. You will have to find spots for it on the plane, and the less hassle you have the better.
Carry-on Musts
* 4 mini-changing kits: With a few qt-size ziplocks, put in 1 diaper, a small wipe pack, an extra onesie. Make sure you have a few extra clothes for the baby. Once, I went through 4 outfits for my little guy on a 3-hour flight. If you're headed to an airplane lavatory to do a change, there is no room for your whole diaper bag and you don't want to be messing around with things that fell to the bottom of your bag. You can just grab a mini-kit and go change.
* Extra Milk. A bottle or breast is the best pacifier. As much as I was comfortable nursing in public, there are some times that baby HAS to be in the carseat. At Security, they will do a test on your bottles, but you can carry them through without issue. Same goes for any formula that you have, if you're supplementing. If you take extra bottles, I keep them all together in my diaper bag, so they're all in one place for going through Security. I recommend freezing one or 2 of your bottles the night before to use as a little ice pack to keep it all fresh during travel. My kids never had ear problems when flying, but try to nurse or feed during take off & landing when kids have a hard time popping their ears.
* An extra shirt for yourself. Inevitably, you're bound to have a blow out on a plane. It's awesome. I blame it on the change in air pressure.
* A small soft toy, a small shakey toy (like a rattle), a small sucky toy (pacifier, teether), and a small book.
* A water bottle
* A magazine for you
* A granola bar or small snack for you (I buy a snack box or sandwich on board for me).
* A few extra diapers & wipes in case you get stranded unexpectedly.
You may want more stuff, but don't bring it. You can be bored for 5 hours, or catch up on sleep. You just don't need anything else.
* Pack in duffels or roller bags for the kids, but when you get to the destination, immediately unpack it at the hotel. Set up a changing area, their little bed, and their feeding stuff. A roller bag actually works better, since you can organize everything & see stuff.
* DO NOT take anything special for bath time. Babies just don't care until they are bigger. When they are bigger, then I always take a small ziplock of plastic toys that are fun in or out of the bath. Kitchen utensils (measuring cups, spoons) and Duplo legos are our favorites.
Security
You'll have to take the baby out of the car seat to carry him through the security checkpoint. Wait until all of your stuff is organized on the belt, or in bins, before you take him out. It is amazing how many people take their kids out of their carrying thing, and then have only 1 hand to deal with their own carry-on stuff. Disaster. I stage all my stuff in the bins, but send the carseat through the scanner first, so I have somewhere to put the kids once we're through, while I repack, get my shoes on, etc. Note: the lighter & more organized you pack, the easier security will be. I always wear tennis shoes to fly, and keep them loose, so they are easy to slip on/off. Also, they don't usually make me take off my fleece sweatshirt if it's the pullover kind - one less thing to keep track of.
Finally
Request a crib or pack & play at your hotel, unless you're co-sleeping.
The Plane
* Check the logistics of your plane ahead of time, before you buy the ticket. You'll need to know your airline and the plane type, which you should be able to find in the flight details. The baby, if flying in a seat, will always have to sit in the window seat. Some planes are way better for flying with kids. For example a 767 has 2 outside seats and 5 middles, so if you & baby are on the side, with the other parent across the aisle from you, getting out for changes, grabbing things from the overhead, etc. is much easier. Furthermore, it gives you extra elbowroom.
* If you can't get a 2+1 seating, then get three seats all in one row. If you don't automatically get seats together, talk to the gate agent, and see if she can switch you.
* Seatguru.com can tell you whether there's a changing table on your plane. For example, the Airbus 319/320 planes have them, but Boeing 757s don't.
* The carseat is the safest spot for the baby because there is no chance of turbulence flinging the baby about. The stroller must be gate-checked, so make sure that it easily folds. In the future, if the baby does not have their own seat then check your carseat, and carry the baby in the baby bjorn, or whatever baby carrier you prefer. This is a great way to travel, especially if you have one older child and one younger because it means you have hands free, they sleep all cozy in there, and it's easy.
* Be the first one on the plane. Get the kids buckled into their spots (or their carseats buckled in). Prepare my seatback pocket with all essentials: ready to go bottle, mini-changing kit, pacifier, a fun toy, hooter hider, and magazine. I put everything else in the overhead, ready for my partner to grab it for me if I need it. With baby crying, you have everything right there, ready to go.
Travel Musts
* Baby tylenol or motrin - solves a poor sleep situation or a midnight ear ache. It's magic. This has been the downfall of a few trips, because we didn't have it, and all stores were closed at night, and we had a screaming baby with an ear infection for 10 hours in a hotel room. NOT FUN.
*A light-weight fleece sweatshirt - it works as a jacket, pillow, baby blanket, changing pad; it's easy to rinse out & dries pretty quickly.
* A breast pump so I can hand off bottles to someone else for a feeding, and I get a break!
* Desitin - a tiny tube for travel is always in my diaper bag
* Pack your carry on as light as possible. You will have to find spots for it on the plane, and the less hassle you have the better.
Carry-on Musts
* 4 mini-changing kits: With a few qt-size ziplocks, put in 1 diaper, a small wipe pack, an extra onesie. Make sure you have a few extra clothes for the baby. Once, I went through 4 outfits for my little guy on a 3-hour flight. If you're headed to an airplane lavatory to do a change, there is no room for your whole diaper bag and you don't want to be messing around with things that fell to the bottom of your bag. You can just grab a mini-kit and go change.
* Extra Milk. A bottle or breast is the best pacifier. As much as I was comfortable nursing in public, there are some times that baby HAS to be in the carseat. At Security, they will do a test on your bottles, but you can carry them through without issue. Same goes for any formula that you have, if you're supplementing. If you take extra bottles, I keep them all together in my diaper bag, so they're all in one place for going through Security. I recommend freezing one or 2 of your bottles the night before to use as a little ice pack to keep it all fresh during travel. My kids never had ear problems when flying, but try to nurse or feed during take off & landing when kids have a hard time popping their ears.
* An extra shirt for yourself. Inevitably, you're bound to have a blow out on a plane. It's awesome. I blame it on the change in air pressure.
* A small soft toy, a small shakey toy (like a rattle), a small sucky toy (pacifier, teether), and a small book.
* A water bottle
* A magazine for you
* A granola bar or small snack for you (I buy a snack box or sandwich on board for me).
* A few extra diapers & wipes in case you get stranded unexpectedly.
You may want more stuff, but don't bring it. You can be bored for 5 hours, or catch up on sleep. You just don't need anything else.
* Pack in duffels or roller bags for the kids, but when you get to the destination, immediately unpack it at the hotel. Set up a changing area, their little bed, and their feeding stuff. A roller bag actually works better, since you can organize everything & see stuff.
* DO NOT take anything special for bath time. Babies just don't care until they are bigger. When they are bigger, then I always take a small ziplock of plastic toys that are fun in or out of the bath. Kitchen utensils (measuring cups, spoons) and Duplo legos are our favorites.
Security
You'll have to take the baby out of the car seat to carry him through the security checkpoint. Wait until all of your stuff is organized on the belt, or in bins, before you take him out. It is amazing how many people take their kids out of their carrying thing, and then have only 1 hand to deal with their own carry-on stuff. Disaster. I stage all my stuff in the bins, but send the carseat through the scanner first, so I have somewhere to put the kids once we're through, while I repack, get my shoes on, etc. Note: the lighter & more organized you pack, the easier security will be. I always wear tennis shoes to fly, and keep them loose, so they are easy to slip on/off. Also, they don't usually make me take off my fleece sweatshirt if it's the pullover kind - one less thing to keep track of.
Finally
Request a crib or pack & play at your hotel, unless you're co-sleeping.
12.15.2011
mice...and science
this is a set of three articles that are important to read...
Lab Mice Are Limiting our Understanding of Human Disease.the thoughts in these articles call into question the method of how we are using the scientific method...in my opinion.
Lab Mice Are Limiting our Understanding of Human Disease.the thoughts in these articles call into question the method of how we are using the scientific method...in my opinion.
12.14.2011
12.13.2011
12.03.2011
12.02.2011
11.29.2011
projects
The point of any project is to get something done. As with driving, there are many ways to get to your destination and different reasons for taking each route. But really we all just want to get where we are going.
However, when I do personal projects, I think them through but never write up a project plan. Even when I complete complicated projects, if it is something I am interested in, I find I don't need to plan. What I really need to do is think it through and DO. Sure sometimes I realize I forgot a step when I am working, but this happens even when I write out a project plan.
I am just thinking that sometimes doing is more important than planning. And we waste a lot of time planning.
However, when I do personal projects, I think them through but never write up a project plan. Even when I complete complicated projects, if it is something I am interested in, I find I don't need to plan. What I really need to do is think it through and DO. Sure sometimes I realize I forgot a step when I am working, but this happens even when I write out a project plan.
I am just thinking that sometimes doing is more important than planning. And we waste a lot of time planning.
11.26.2011
pdx
Just back from a week in Portland. We saw Erica, Tanner, Walt, Josh, Carol, Harry, Bridger, Courtney, Darlene, Marian, Martin, Jessica, Pete, and a new friend, Katherine.
Pictures can be found here.
Oskar did an amazing job flying. What a great kid.
11.11.2011
more on the spending fast
Laura asked a few good questions about the fast.
As of right now, we have everything Oskar needs. I have diapers stocked up, because we buy them in bulk. We also have all the clothes he needs...even for cold weather.
It does include groceries, but we also have a well stocked pantry, so we are doing well there. We got the veggie box last week too, so that helped. We did not get it this week though. We will see how next week goes.
We are thinking of doing this two weeks a month.
I was really tempted to buy something today: a baby bag from Jack Spade that is half price. Brent wanted one when we saw it a few years ago in NYC. I decided to just ask Brent if he wanted it. He said no, we have a diaper bag. So good thing I held off. It is better to unsubscribe from all of these shopping emails.
I have $41 left and Brent has $47.
As of right now, we have everything Oskar needs. I have diapers stocked up, because we buy them in bulk. We also have all the clothes he needs...even for cold weather.
It does include groceries, but we also have a well stocked pantry, so we are doing well there. We got the veggie box last week too, so that helped. We did not get it this week though. We will see how next week goes.
We are thinking of doing this two weeks a month.
I was really tempted to buy something today: a baby bag from Jack Spade that is half price. Brent wanted one when we saw it a few years ago in NYC. I decided to just ask Brent if he wanted it. He said no, we have a diaper bag. So good thing I held off. It is better to unsubscribe from all of these shopping emails.
I have $41 left and Brent has $47.
11.10.2011
cheap gene
The Harkins have a cheap gene. This allows said person to save money beyond what is considered to be reasonable. The gene can be turned off however, leading to spending that is less than controlled.
The spending fast has turned on my cheap gene. Brent cites this mayo jar as evidence. I say there is more mayo in there...I will get it out today on my ham sandwich.
(feel free to note, but not comment on hoard of polaroid film.)
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