Climate Change

We are all understandably concerned with climate change.

The messages of impending doom, and ways the government will save us, surround us daily. The effort to cut carbon emissions enough to avoid catastrophe is the new holy grail.

Now, I am certainly not an expert. I would say I'm a dabbler. I have read a bit, and watched a bit, and listened a lot. From what I can tell, the science is not conclusive either for or against human-caused climate change.

But since I am not an expert on this topic, I will refer you to my friend Beth's blog:

Wealth is not the Problem

Beth is probably the smartest, clearest thinking, well educated, open-minded person I've ever met. I met her through homeschooling, and we were part of a Constitution study group a few years ago. We share a passion for the founding principles of our country: individual rights, sovereignty of the people, limited government. We differ over the existence of God.

Her post on Climate Change is a great starting point for anyone wanting to consider the knotty problem:

...too much of the science is hopelessly tangled with politics. The strongest proponents of anthropogenic, catastrophic, CO2-induced climate change (now there’s a mouthful!) are also the strongest proponents for government-imposed plans which reduce and ration energy use.

Check it out.

First Person Shooters

ARG doesn't understand why we won't let him play First Person Shooters (FPS).

Joe has tried, and I have tried to articulate our reasons. But no explanation will ever be able to break through our almost-teenager's armor of self-righteous certainty that none of our reasons apply to HIM.

I've tried explaining that incessantly aiming and shooting at people and killing them desensitizes the mind to violence. We've shared that the armed forces actually use these things to help train soldiers, ie. people who are trained to kill really well. Joe has reasoned that (we believe) ARG's brain is still to young to maturely process this kind of information. We've
tried to force the truth (that we are protecting him because we love him) through his layers of denial.

But no. Oh no.

We are just not fair. We are over protective. We don't understand how fun it is.

Doesn't it sound like a cliché? Child wants more freedom. Parents worry about child's safety and set limits. Child gets grumpy.

I can't believe we are already at this stage! I remember when he would look up at me, hold up his arms and say,

"Holdyew?"

or when he didn't understand something he would say,

"Whatsay?"

Now he weighs more than both his parents. And wants to kill people more directly on the computer. We do let him play Supreme Commander and games like that. You would think that nuking an enemy encampment would be enough for him! Jeesh.

We're not saying we'll never let him play FPS. Just not when he is 11. Or 12. And probably not at 13. But who knows? As a homeschool mom I learned long ago to make decisions one year at a time.

So for now, we are the Mean Parents. Sigh.

Reviving Ophelia

OK, so I'm like 14 years behind.

I knew I'd have to read this book when my daughters got older. I just didn't feel rushed. But now that my 8 (8!) year old is showing signs of super, dooper advanced physical development, I figured I better take a look at Reviving Ophelia.

First of all, this book was published in '94, so a lot of things have changed. There are WAY more women in power and authority in the world than there were even 14 years ago. The portrayal of women and girls on TV and in movies has improved, though it still has a ways to go IMHO. Seems to me women are struggling now more with the HowDoIBeAMomandHaveACareer? syndrome, more than wondering how they will have a career.

That said, the troubles girls have in adolescence are intensely staggering and shocking to read about. The idea is this, as their bodies and minds are changing, they are not ready to face the messages junk culture (her words, not mine) sends them. They just can't process how to be sexy but not slutty, sophisticated but nice, smart but not stand out, strong but people pleasing.....and it goes on.

The thing that MAKES ME WANT TO PULL MY HAIR OUT is this:

Every single story of devastating influences on girls in this book happen at school.

Every. Single. One.

Boys grabbing their breast and bottoms in school halls. Girls ostracizing them if they don't have the right hair, clothes, makeup. Peer pressure to drink, take drugs, have sex. Pressure to not care about school, grades or parents. They all happen in a school setting.

How do girls cope with these pressures? Many are simply not psychologically or emotionally prepared to handle them, so they internalize and cut or burn themselves. Some starve themselves, so there is at least one thing in their life they can control. Others binge and purge.

In treating the effects girls suffer from all this, arent' we treating the symptoms and not the root problem? Yes, some girls have difficult, even abusive homes - and that is a different story. But most girls' problems (in this book and many other child development books I've read) happen because they are not protected in school. It's flippin' Lord of the Flies in the high school halls, but with girls included.

I know this position gets me into all kinds of trouble, since homeschooling is not for everyone.
"I could never do THAT"
"I'm not patient enough."
"We can't afford it."
But you can afford for your kids to get totally messed-up? Hmm.......I always figured I'd live in a cheap apartment in Tennessee before I'd let my kids be exposed to this garbage.

Honestly, I don't know what the solution is. I wish more people would start thinking outside the box, start calling a spade a spade and dealing with the real problems: crazy, sexist, unrealistic notions of what a girl/woman should be, and the onslaught of these messages, pressures and abuses to girls at school.

God Talk

IF you enjoy reading about spiritual things,
IF you don't mind hearing about ideas about God, the universe and things,
IF you want to take a peek into my thoughts and feelings about Jesus
IF you can tolerate the concept of the supernatural....

CHECK OUT MY NEW BLOG!

GODTALK

Otherwise, hang here for more fun, topical, non-spiritual blogs.

Now, I'll be ignoring my kids for two blogs!

The Big Apple - The Flip Side

I am sure that there are a gazillion things you can do in New York City. Some of these things might include: sightseeing, historical tours or walks, going to a sports event, going to a show.

What did I do in NYC?

Walk. Shop. Eat. Drink. Walk. Eat. Shop. Shop. Eat. Drink. Walk. Drink. Sleep. Repeat.

notice the wine glass the size of my head

My sisters-in-law ( henceforth known as SIL) were pretty determined to hit as many couture / designer shops as possible in five days. I was more than happy to tag along. It was a whole new experience for me - contemplating dresses and shoes that cost almost as much as my monthly mortgage. I was simultaneously bummed and relieved that the dress sizes in those shops only go up to 10. I wore a 10 in seventh grade.

We also hit shops that we have here at home. But in the Big Apple they are gigantic! So many sizes and items to choose from. That's where I did the most damage to my pocketbook. I'll admit that I was caught up in the shopping frenzy. How fun!

The Hilton Rockefeller Center was our home away from home for four nights. Located just south of Central Park it is in the heart of....well...everything! And thanks, thanks, thanks to a family friend, the hotel basically paid us to stay there. I mean our rooms were cheap! In the money sense, not the quality sense. AND we got promoted to the Executive Level. Aside from sounding pretentious, this was a huge plus! There was a killer lounge on the top floor to which only we Executives had access. All day there was coffee, tea and water (much needed!). Continental breakfast in the morning, cookies ant 3:00pm and hot hors d'ouerves from 5-7:00pm! Boy did that save us a lot of money. And we had a blast hanging out together, drinking wine and talk, talk, talking in the lounge.

Speaking of talking.....I've never experienced so much girl-talk in my life! It was fabulous. Girls, you know what I'm talkin' about. Stuff you would NEVER even tell your hubby. Stuff only girls can appreciate. Of course I can't give real details. That would be breaking the girls-only code. But I can share a few general topics: shoes, hair, clothes, body, men, kids, deep dark family secrets.... just kidding! The flavor of conversation was completely feminine, and I enjoyed it.

Now, for my favorite part of the whole trip: THE. FOOD.

OMG. Becky. Every single meal, except one, was the kind of meal where you bit into your food, close your eyes and moan, "mmmmmm!....sish ish sho gooood!" Onion soup, asian fusian, filet mignon, calamari, pumpkin ravioli, best artichoke appetizer salad thing in the world! I can truly say that the food on NYC rivals or beats the best California Cuisine. Food lover that I am, I was on cloud nine. Plus, to me it is the height of indulgence to not just have an entree, but to splurge and go for: cocktail, appetizer, salad, wine, entree, dessert, coffee. Mmmmmmm.......

MOST EXCITING: Seeing the premier of the Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian get out. We saw the wicked witch, and Mr. Tumnus and the hunkey guy who plays the prince. The papparazzi and autograph seekers were all there. I called my kids and bragged.

SCARIEST: Realizing we had walked into a "bad" part of town. We held on to our bags tightly.

MOST SURPRISING: How friendly and helpful the New Yorkers were! If we even looked confused people would stop on the street and help us.

MOST DISAPPOINTING: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The American wing was closed. Wah! And what they had of american art was jam packed behind glass with bright spotlights reflecting off. The European wing was a big better, but I didn't leave with that romantic sensation I get at the National Gallery of Art in D.C.

MOST FUN: Dancing at midnight in a chic dance club with mom and the SIL. The SIL-wall-of-death kept any would be picker-uppers at bay.

MOST OVERPRICED BUT STILL FUN: Riding in a rickshaw for ten blocks on a balmy evening.

WIERDEST: Realizing I was walking down the street in downtown Manhattan talking with adults about adult topics, and that I didn't have to DO anything or BE anywhere else! Twilight Zone music plays....

SWEETEST: Talking in bed into the wee hours of the night with two of the SIL.

MOST FUN: Belly laughing for about three hours straight in a booth at a steakhouse over one of the most delicious meals I've ever had.

Without getting all mushy, I AM going to say that I feel closer to all of my SIL and mom-in-law than before. No one got sick of anyone else. We all got along perfectly and what's more - we enjoyed each other. I miss them already.

I won't ruin this post by going into my bumpy landing (metaphorically speaking) back home.
Let's just say that within minutes of getting off the plane, I was taking a small child to the bathroom and refereeing arguements between siblings......sigh.

The Big Apple

That's right. This time tomorrow morning I will be taking a taxi from JFK to the Hilton Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

It's a girlie trip. I am joining all my sisters-in-law and mother-in-law from Joe's family for a 5 day trip to New York City! Woohoo!

There are six of us and we will share two rooms. Should be a fun slumber party. I like each and every one of them so I am especially excited. I believe it will be a shopping extravaganza. I plan on observing more than participating, considering our bleak finances currently.

But I am super keen to enjoy:

rich coffee / cappucinos / americanos
delicious cuisine (notice I didn't say food)
feminine camaraderie
diverse people watching
1 or 2 splurges (who knows what it will be?)

Aaaahhhh.......five whole days with no:

kids
dishes
laundry
educational activities
toddler begging to get into my lap and then squirming in my lap and playing with my hair
fixing dinner
hearing, "What's for dinner?"
cleaning
chauffeuring
being careful about food!!!!!
hearing, "Mom can I......" and having to THINK
picking up miscellaneous toys, socks, papers, stickers, doll clothes off the floor

There are only two things I will really miss:

My hubby (and probably not until day 3)
My bed

Just gotta get through the red-eye flight. Ugh. Wasn't my idea. Plus I'm afraid of flying. I'm thinking of taking some Tylenol PM (thanks Smoking) or just taking a shot of tequila before I get on board so I can sleep.

I'll post details when I return.

Au revoir!

Excuses, Excuses...

So I have found the perfect excuse to not get back into training for triathlons this year. I've been searching for one for some time now.

A pretty convenient pretext to stop training (though not long lasting) were my misaligned hips. Yep. Turns out my left hip was forward and down, and my right hip was backwards and up. This, apparently, completely messes up your back, hips and legs. And my non-existant core strength didn't help matters. I have experienced psiatic pain off and on for years, But a few months ago it became almost debilitating.

Good news, though. A few visits to my friendly physical therapist, and a few weeks of annoyingly boring and difficult exercises, and I am right as rain. Hips are apparently back in place. Psiatic pain is gone. Darn.....that excuse won't work.

But, now I've got a real winner.

Shark attacks.

Have you notice that two guys have DIED in the last week or so from shark attacks? And one guy WAS TRIATHLON TRAINING! The other guy was just surfing, but still. Another surfer got attacked, but hasn't died - yet.

I've always been afraid of sharks. And my parents didn't even let me see JAWS until I it came out on video. Just the thought of it.....uuuuggghhhh (cringing and shaking).

When I swam in the ocean for my triathlons, I had to do some serious mind managment.

"Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Watch out for that foot! Don't think about it. Ow! Get out of my face you somethingorother. Don't think about it. My face is cold! Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Where IS that buoy? Don't think about it. If I can just keep up with her.....Don't think about it."

Plus, I kept thinking, "What are the odds?" I figured they were in my favor. I mean, how many triathletes do you hear about getting attacked by sharks?...........but all that's changed now.

Actually, only one triathlon is in the open ocean. The others have been in harbors or lakes. But even in Aquatic Park in SF a lady got bitten by a sea lion. Yeeesh. And it kept herding her. He wanted her out of his territory.

So that's it. There is NO WAY I'm doing an open ocean swim this year.

Maybe next year.

Maybe.

Pretty good excuse, huh?