Here is a ranodm collection of quips and quotes that typify Christmas 2008:
Do you have power yet? (Every day question up until about Tuesday)
The tree is really crusty..I think it's dead (for the past 2 weeks...as the tree branches droop slowly toward the floor)
I have a lot of skills....I have fire building skills (7 yr old Cole)
Let me see that, I have some more caulking to do (Cole, as he puts the finishing touches on the gingerbread house.)
Is your family as screwed up as mine? (One son in law to another)
Do you want to see my Hannah Montana Barbie?(3 yr old Kayleigh)
When did you shrink? (There will be a trip to the store to exchange pants..)
I got some more firewood in case you run out.(Cole as he drags a tree limb through the yard during the height of a blizzard Saturday morning)
Do you have any sour cream? (On the way home from Christmas Eve mass stopping at every, and I mean every convenience store from Dover to Stratham...no sour cream)
What is it? It's a french vanilla scented stuffed kitty dipped in wax. (Keep out of reach of flames!!)
People, you need to eat my baked goods!
Oh crap.....this needs to be refrigerated for 4 hours (an hour before dinner.)
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream? Yes please!
This is the only Celics game I've seen this year( as the Celtics lose their third game of the season to the Lakers....)
This is the present of the year. (The new ipod nano)
How did you know? This is everything I wanted and needed. Imagine that!
You'll shoot your eye out, kid! (From The Christmas Story Marathon).
And just like that, Christmas 2008 was over.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Turn out the lights
I don't know about you, but I used to think I couldn't live without electricity connecting me to the world. It seems I can live, and survive, and maybe not really get used to it or like it, but if I had to do it long enough, I would figure out a system for accessing power for 3 hours a day and be happy. I recently got to experience no electricty for about 56 hours(with a 90 min break at hour 45). It did not kill me. I was bored to tears after the first 12 hours, but then I slowly gave in to the notion and instead of thinking about everything I couldn't do, I focused on what I could do.
Here's what I discovered:
1. I do need light..so candles or a fire, or a lantern are a necessity. I like the mood the candles and fire create, all warm and glowy. Cold and light is okay-cold and dark is not okay.
2. Warm water is a definite...so, thank goodness for the gas grill...or I would have had to create some sort of rig to heat water in the fireplace. I need to have warm water to wash....some things are just a necessity. Warm water followed by warm clothes, heated by the fireplace..
3. I can not over emphasize the power of fleece, down, wool and flannel. Oh, and Under Armour. This combination will maintain body temperature even in the most Arctic conditions. It's true.
4. Electricity means noise....lack of electricty means the absence of noise..and by noise, I mean all the background humming, and beeping, and whirring that we live with 24/7. No power means the natural sounds of living can be heard..both inside and outside, like the wind, like ice melting, like wood crackling and popping.
5. No power means quiet bodies, quiet minds....time passes slowly, in degrees,unhurried, measured in logs on the fire, pages turned, rows knitted. It takes approximately 1 hour to burn an apple tree log about 8 inches in diameter; it takes approximately 30 minutes for a fire burning in the firplace to raise the thermostat 1 degree; it takes approximately 1 hour to knit 16 rows and rip it all out again; and it takes approximately 1 hour to read 40 pages. It only takes a few minutes for eye squinting darkness to become total blackness.
6. 3 hours of power would be enough to satisfy me...an hour in the morning-time to shower, brush and check and send email; time to cook and clean, and time to charge the phone. An hour at midday would re-up the phone and pc juice....and provide the much needed cup of joe; And an hour in the evening would power up the pc for a couple hours of night time use, provide the necessary power to cook and clean up after yourself, and check and send more email.
7. Electricity not only powers light and heat and the Internet, but it creates work....light means tasks can be done deep into the night time darkness; power means dishes can be washed, clothes can be washed..which creates more work; power provides life to the computers, and ipods, and phones, making it necessary to do something with them- for if not to use, why do we have them?
8. Having no power levels the playing field-suddenly all the toys and gadgets are useless; no one has access to the Internet, and no one has real heat or hot water. There exists a calm sense of community with fellow man.
Now, 36 hours later here I sit, on the computer, with my lights on..cell phone beeping, computer whirring, refrigerator hummin, no fire burning, no candles flickering, just the smell of stale wood smoke hanging in the air. I am waiting to cook dinner, and then clean.Here I sit wondering how much laundry is waiting for me, wondering if I should go and turn on all the Christmas candles and lights, feeling as if I should be doing something, instead of relaxing, and listening to the sounds of a December night. I am lucky to be warm. There are many more who are not warm tonight. I wish my power on them.
Here's what I discovered:
1. I do need light..so candles or a fire, or a lantern are a necessity. I like the mood the candles and fire create, all warm and glowy. Cold and light is okay-cold and dark is not okay.
2. Warm water is a definite...so, thank goodness for the gas grill...or I would have had to create some sort of rig to heat water in the fireplace. I need to have warm water to wash....some things are just a necessity. Warm water followed by warm clothes, heated by the fireplace..
3. I can not over emphasize the power of fleece, down, wool and flannel. Oh, and Under Armour. This combination will maintain body temperature even in the most Arctic conditions. It's true.
4. Electricity means noise....lack of electricty means the absence of noise..and by noise, I mean all the background humming, and beeping, and whirring that we live with 24/7. No power means the natural sounds of living can be heard..both inside and outside, like the wind, like ice melting, like wood crackling and popping.
5. No power means quiet bodies, quiet minds....time passes slowly, in degrees,unhurried, measured in logs on the fire, pages turned, rows knitted. It takes approximately 1 hour to burn an apple tree log about 8 inches in diameter; it takes approximately 30 minutes for a fire burning in the firplace to raise the thermostat 1 degree; it takes approximately 1 hour to knit 16 rows and rip it all out again; and it takes approximately 1 hour to read 40 pages. It only takes a few minutes for eye squinting darkness to become total blackness.
6. 3 hours of power would be enough to satisfy me...an hour in the morning-time to shower, brush and check and send email; time to cook and clean, and time to charge the phone. An hour at midday would re-up the phone and pc juice....and provide the much needed cup of joe; And an hour in the evening would power up the pc for a couple hours of night time use, provide the necessary power to cook and clean up after yourself, and check and send more email.
7. Electricity not only powers light and heat and the Internet, but it creates work....light means tasks can be done deep into the night time darkness; power means dishes can be washed, clothes can be washed..which creates more work; power provides life to the computers, and ipods, and phones, making it necessary to do something with them- for if not to use, why do we have them?
8. Having no power levels the playing field-suddenly all the toys and gadgets are useless; no one has access to the Internet, and no one has real heat or hot water. There exists a calm sense of community with fellow man.
Now, 36 hours later here I sit, on the computer, with my lights on..cell phone beeping, computer whirring, refrigerator hummin, no fire burning, no candles flickering, just the smell of stale wood smoke hanging in the air. I am waiting to cook dinner, and then clean.Here I sit wondering how much laundry is waiting for me, wondering if I should go and turn on all the Christmas candles and lights, feeling as if I should be doing something, instead of relaxing, and listening to the sounds of a December night. I am lucky to be warm. There are many more who are not warm tonight. I wish my power on them.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Creativity cannot be learned..it is innate
If you are an American, born and raised and educated in American schools, AND you think you are creative (which you probably are) you can thank your parents and your teachers and AMERICA. America, in spite of all you hear and read about, still is the richest, most creative country in the world-by a long shot.
But are we globally competative?
If you want to maufacture and export the most toys? Then no....that would be China. But I thought we wanted to compete with China?
Check out http://www.worldmapper.org/ to see for yourself how the US stacks up against its fiercest competitors and global rivals.
I just got back from attending the 2008 Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference in Nashua, NH, and Dr. Yong Zhao, from MSU, was the keynote speaker on Wednesday. He was good. Very good.
Technology has redefined talent. If you don't believe me, how do you explain someone selling an authentic Michigan Maple Leaf on ebay?? Better yet, how do you explain someone buying it?
How do you explain Chines goldfarming? Oh, yes, let's compete with China. Isn't that what good test scores will get us? Ask American teens what gold farming is and it is old news. This documentary was on MTV in 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho5Yxe6UVv4
And how do you explain the fact that our BIG 3 automakers are seriously living in pre historic times when compared to Toyota, Honda and Nissan. I think we need some young talent running the show in Detroit. Granted, Henry Ford did invent the automobile, but technology has redifined the talent needed to manufacture automobiles. The assembly line is dead.
Our kids are moving from being consumers of multimedia to producers and creators of that same multimedia. How else can you explain youtube? Kids create the media they want to watch. Would you rather hire someone or work with someone who knows how to memorize facts and write fast or click fast, or someone who knows how to collaborate, create a storyboard, manilpulate video equipment, edit video and audio, and share his creation with the world? Or perhaps someone who can solve a multi layered problem never seen before? Or someone who can invent a new solution or device to solve a global problem or fill a global need?
Technology has redefined talent. But does it help raise test scores?
According to a study released in April, 2007, classrooms who used software scored no better on tests than classrooms that only had teachers. So what is the message? That relatively inexpensive software can perform as well as a classroom teacher....
Technology redefines a whole new category of disabled individuals..those who can and those who can't. Those who look good on HDTV and those that don't. Before television, looks didn't matter, right?
So do we want to go back to teaching facts and skills in isolation, and challenging students to be the best? Russia is moving ahead of the US (1950's). We need to keep up with Japan (1970's). We must be competative with China! And India!(1990's). There is absolutely no correlation between Math and Science test scores and the global economy and creativity as measured by the number of registered patents. Read Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind" if you don't believe me...http://www.danpink.com/wnm.html
Dr. Yong Zhao can say it best; Download this podcast and be enlightened!
http://nlcommunities.com/communities/alannovember/archive/2007/11/21/156147.aspx
But are we globally competative?
If you want to maufacture and export the most toys? Then no....that would be China. But I thought we wanted to compete with China?
Check out http://www.worldmapper.org/ to see for yourself how the US stacks up against its fiercest competitors and global rivals.
I just got back from attending the 2008 Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference in Nashua, NH, and Dr. Yong Zhao, from MSU, was the keynote speaker on Wednesday. He was good. Very good.
Technology has redefined talent. If you don't believe me, how do you explain someone selling an authentic Michigan Maple Leaf on ebay?? Better yet, how do you explain someone buying it?
How do you explain Chines goldfarming? Oh, yes, let's compete with China. Isn't that what good test scores will get us? Ask American teens what gold farming is and it is old news. This documentary was on MTV in 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho5Yxe6UVv4
And how do you explain the fact that our BIG 3 automakers are seriously living in pre historic times when compared to Toyota, Honda and Nissan. I think we need some young talent running the show in Detroit. Granted, Henry Ford did invent the automobile, but technology has redifined the talent needed to manufacture automobiles. The assembly line is dead.
Our kids are moving from being consumers of multimedia to producers and creators of that same multimedia. How else can you explain youtube? Kids create the media they want to watch. Would you rather hire someone or work with someone who knows how to memorize facts and write fast or click fast, or someone who knows how to collaborate, create a storyboard, manilpulate video equipment, edit video and audio, and share his creation with the world? Or perhaps someone who can solve a multi layered problem never seen before? Or someone who can invent a new solution or device to solve a global problem or fill a global need?
Technology has redefined talent. But does it help raise test scores?
According to a study released in April, 2007, classrooms who used software scored no better on tests than classrooms that only had teachers. So what is the message? That relatively inexpensive software can perform as well as a classroom teacher....
Technology redefines a whole new category of disabled individuals..those who can and those who can't. Those who look good on HDTV and those that don't. Before television, looks didn't matter, right?
So do we want to go back to teaching facts and skills in isolation, and challenging students to be the best? Russia is moving ahead of the US (1950's). We need to keep up with Japan (1970's). We must be competative with China! And India!(1990's). There is absolutely no correlation between Math and Science test scores and the global economy and creativity as measured by the number of registered patents. Read Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind" if you don't believe me...http://www.danpink.com/wnm.html
Dr. Yong Zhao can say it best; Download this podcast and be enlightened!
http://nlcommunities.com/communities/alannovember/archive/2007/11/21/156147.aspx
Monday, December 1, 2008
It's been a quiet week
I realized today I can go through the day saying very little....if the right (or wrong) people aren't around. I could probably go through the work day saying absolutely nothing. Some folks might think I'm stand-off -ish, or even snobbish, or aloof, but really, I am not all that comfortable starting up a conversation with someone I do not know all that well...usually.
I was shy as a child, lacking confidence and not very independent. I usually traveled in a pack, trying really hard not to draw attention to myself. Who needs that? I still cringe at having to walk down the street by myself, walking as if I had a purpose. Having my number called at the deli? Hearing my name called in a restaurant? Raising my hand to ask a question or to give a comment in a large group? UGGGGH! Then there's going to a party by myself, or going to a restaurant and having to eat by myself....no thank you, I'd rather just crawl out the door and hope nobody notices.I'm surprised I'm here to tell about it. I feel each and every time as if I might die of self consciousness.
So, to go through the day trying to act inconspicuously and invisible is not all that unrealistic.
I have tried to overcome my self consciousness and insecurity over the years, with varying degrees of success. I don't like change, I don't like strangers, I don't like new people. There, I said it. So when I found out I would be sharing my office/copyroom/corner with a window view, I acted oh so positively, because I am a really great actress.I have learned that if I act confident and independent and smart and perky, everyone will think that's how I am! Surprise! Will the real professional please stand up?
But every now and then I surprise myself. There are some people that just simply walk into my comfort zone as if they were there all along. Together we chat, we laugh, we create an energy that is more than the sum of its parts. It is not often, and it is not natural, for me anyways,trust me. My part time office partner is everything I am not-filled with confidence, exuberance, and charm. She is chatty with everyone, could hold a conversation with a goat, and makes everyone around her happy. She could probably do that by herself. Not me.
She is on leave at the moment, and it is really, really quiet in my little corner without her. I am the quiet one, by myself. I guess I can accept that without her there I am not much fun. I am back to being the quiet, serious unassuming one. What can I say? I am quiet and thoughtful when one needs quiet and thoughtfulness. And I will do what I have to do to get the job done...even if it means going solo occasionally. Thank goodness for chatty, social people. They make our days brighter and our worlds richer.
I was shy as a child, lacking confidence and not very independent. I usually traveled in a pack, trying really hard not to draw attention to myself. Who needs that? I still cringe at having to walk down the street by myself, walking as if I had a purpose. Having my number called at the deli? Hearing my name called in a restaurant? Raising my hand to ask a question or to give a comment in a large group? UGGGGH! Then there's going to a party by myself, or going to a restaurant and having to eat by myself....no thank you, I'd rather just crawl out the door and hope nobody notices.I'm surprised I'm here to tell about it. I feel each and every time as if I might die of self consciousness.
So, to go through the day trying to act inconspicuously and invisible is not all that unrealistic.
I have tried to overcome my self consciousness and insecurity over the years, with varying degrees of success. I don't like change, I don't like strangers, I don't like new people. There, I said it. So when I found out I would be sharing my office/copyroom/corner with a window view, I acted oh so positively, because I am a really great actress.I have learned that if I act confident and independent and smart and perky, everyone will think that's how I am! Surprise! Will the real professional please stand up?
But every now and then I surprise myself. There are some people that just simply walk into my comfort zone as if they were there all along. Together we chat, we laugh, we create an energy that is more than the sum of its parts. It is not often, and it is not natural, for me anyways,trust me. My part time office partner is everything I am not-filled with confidence, exuberance, and charm. She is chatty with everyone, could hold a conversation with a goat, and makes everyone around her happy. She could probably do that by herself. Not me.
She is on leave at the moment, and it is really, really quiet in my little corner without her. I am the quiet one, by myself. I guess I can accept that without her there I am not much fun. I am back to being the quiet, serious unassuming one. What can I say? I am quiet and thoughtful when one needs quiet and thoughtfulness. And I will do what I have to do to get the job done...even if it means going solo occasionally. Thank goodness for chatty, social people. They make our days brighter and our worlds richer.
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