The alarm was set for 8. Instead, I woke at 7:15 to the tornado sirens. Frantic what-the-heck-is-going-on fumbling with the TV ensued, with the hubby grabbing the sleepy kiddos from their room and bringing them into our room, so that they'd be right there if we found out we needed to get-to-the-bathroom-NOW.
Well, it was a watch, not a warning, thankfully - so the morning got a little bit of an early jump-start.
Both bathrooms are now clean, the trash is out, the last of three loads of laundry will be going into the dryer as soon as I'm done posting, and then we'll get lunch ready. Not bad, all told! The watch expires at 1:00, (though the worst of it seemed to be well past us by 9:00) so just one more hour of that (if it hasn't already been canceled; I'll check after lunch).
Whee!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Speaking of Connections..
This time, Connections by James Burke -
They're on YouTube.
I am all kinds of geekishly overjoyed. :D
One day, Mr. Burke, I will buy the Connections series of series (1, 2 and 3). But right now, I'm a little short of the $150 to $200ish per series. So YouTube it is for my geekfix.
One of these days, though. Promise. :)
Edited to add:
Why buy instead of continue to watch at will on YouTube? A few reasons.
First, they are copyrighted. Even the person who posted the series on YouTube acknowledges this, has links for purchase posted, and has said that he hopes that Mr. Burke honors the intent of his posting the series - to make it available for the sake of those who cannot purchase (and in hopes that those who had never seen it may stumble across it and might purchase it, all coming about b/c of his posting the series). As such, if I do wish to continue to view them, I should try to make sure they get their fair dues for the series, yaknow? Not only that, but they may be yanked at any time, so purchase ensures that I'll have them when I want or need them.
Secondly, that "...need them." part. As of right now, my plans are to homeschool the kiddos. Or at least, consider doing so - with Patrick already taking speech therapy from the school, and doing so well hearing other children talking (and therefore imitating speech patterns and such), we'll be seeing where things stand when he's ready for kindergarten. Regardless, though, I'd like to have some things ready, and certain series stand out in my mind as supplements I really want to have available - Connections, Cosmos (there is still no better explanation I've seen of relativity in understandable form) and Drive Through History are the big ones as of right now.
"But Connections darts all over the place through history, how do you place it?"
Obviously you can't easily. Perhaps you place each individual episode at the start - if it begins with, say, the plow, you cover that episode when you're at that point in history (or perhaps one of those locations - when you do Ancient Egypt would be another great time for that episode, which is the first one of the first series). Or if it ends with the A-bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, you cover it then (or when discussing the Manhattan Project, or covering radioactivity, or...). So it really isn't easy to drop it into place. But that's the point - it's easy to relegate history to a string of events, dates, and names; but it's far bigger, and far more meaningful, to look at the big picture settings of the times and events. So a series like Connections, which can make such a good point of how the time period or location in which something happens or is discovered is so HUGE a part of what happens afterward makes it, I think, a good series to watch.
Someone knocks a metal signholder over in front of a mall store, making it crash to the floor with a resounding bang, in the middle of an ordinary shopping day, well, everyone jumps, but nothing big happens. If, however, a large fight has broken out, and someone knocks over the same type of signholder...? Then you have shrieks and rumors of gunshots, and the mall never quite recovers. Not a perfect analogy by any stretch of the imagination, but the same event in two different scenarios produces two different results. The mall that suffered the second scenario, by the way, is up for online auction now (with the exception of the few remaining anchor stores that are still open - only two, I believe - or still own their portions, though closed).
They're on YouTube.
I am all kinds of geekishly overjoyed. :D
One day, Mr. Burke, I will buy the Connections series of series (1, 2 and 3). But right now, I'm a little short of the $150 to $200ish per series. So YouTube it is for my geekfix.
One of these days, though. Promise. :)
Edited to add:
Why buy instead of continue to watch at will on YouTube? A few reasons.
First, they are copyrighted. Even the person who posted the series on YouTube acknowledges this, has links for purchase posted, and has said that he hopes that Mr. Burke honors the intent of his posting the series - to make it available for the sake of those who cannot purchase (and in hopes that those who had never seen it may stumble across it and might purchase it, all coming about b/c of his posting the series). As such, if I do wish to continue to view them, I should try to make sure they get their fair dues for the series, yaknow? Not only that, but they may be yanked at any time, so purchase ensures that I'll have them when I want or need them.
Secondly, that "...need them." part. As of right now, my plans are to homeschool the kiddos. Or at least, consider doing so - with Patrick already taking speech therapy from the school, and doing so well hearing other children talking (and therefore imitating speech patterns and such), we'll be seeing where things stand when he's ready for kindergarten. Regardless, though, I'd like to have some things ready, and certain series stand out in my mind as supplements I really want to have available - Connections, Cosmos (there is still no better explanation I've seen of relativity in understandable form) and Drive Through History are the big ones as of right now.
"But Connections darts all over the place through history, how do you place it?"
Obviously you can't easily. Perhaps you place each individual episode at the start - if it begins with, say, the plow, you cover that episode when you're at that point in history (or perhaps one of those locations - when you do Ancient Egypt would be another great time for that episode, which is the first one of the first series). Or if it ends with the A-bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, you cover it then (or when discussing the Manhattan Project, or covering radioactivity, or...). So it really isn't easy to drop it into place. But that's the point - it's easy to relegate history to a string of events, dates, and names; but it's far bigger, and far more meaningful, to look at the big picture settings of the times and events. So a series like Connections, which can make such a good point of how the time period or location in which something happens or is discovered is so HUGE a part of what happens afterward makes it, I think, a good series to watch.
Someone knocks a metal signholder over in front of a mall store, making it crash to the floor with a resounding bang, in the middle of an ordinary shopping day, well, everyone jumps, but nothing big happens. If, however, a large fight has broken out, and someone knocks over the same type of signholder...? Then you have shrieks and rumors of gunshots, and the mall never quite recovers. Not a perfect analogy by any stretch of the imagination, but the same event in two different scenarios produces two different results. The mall that suffered the second scenario, by the way, is up for online auction now (with the exception of the few remaining anchor stores that are still open - only two, I believe - or still own their portions, though closed).
Facebook and connections
No, not this Connections... (though that's still on my niftiest-freaking-shows-of-all-time list)...
Fairly recently, I've suddenly started finding classmates from high school on Facebook. While not all of them are incredibly active there (at least not in ways that generate postings), I've been conversing with a few that I really had not talked to since high school or even earlier, and it's been really, really nice. Especially for me, living some 1000 or so miles away from where I grew up and where almost all of my school (including college) friends are, being able to touch base again is really refreshing. Especially since nobody has to worry about finding someone's phone number, or address, or worry about whether they're busy right now, or whether you could even come up with anything "worth" talking about. Just a little glimpse into what's happening right now.
Yes, computers may well make some people more disconnected with real people, with all contact taking place through a cold, sterile medium. But for many of us, who do have people we see and talk to in real life, it's a good way to be able to keep up with some people we may otherwise never have even found again.
Fairly recently, I've suddenly started finding classmates from high school on Facebook. While not all of them are incredibly active there (at least not in ways that generate postings), I've been conversing with a few that I really had not talked to since high school or even earlier, and it's been really, really nice. Especially for me, living some 1000 or so miles away from where I grew up and where almost all of my school (including college) friends are, being able to touch base again is really refreshing. Especially since nobody has to worry about finding someone's phone number, or address, or worry about whether they're busy right now, or whether you could even come up with anything "worth" talking about. Just a little glimpse into what's happening right now.
Yes, computers may well make some people more disconnected with real people, with all contact taking place through a cold, sterile medium. But for many of us, who do have people we see and talk to in real life, it's a good way to be able to keep up with some people we may otherwise never have even found again.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Get with the program, people!
A few days ago I posted about being reminded that many networks/channels have shows online to watch, and how happy I was (am) to be able to get my HGTV fix.
Last night I took a peek at Discovery, TLC, and the History channel online. After seeing what HGTV offers online (they post full episodes of 12 or 13 different shows), I was disappointed in the other three. They post full episodes of only about five shows. :(
Even if the new episodes are only available briefly, so as to continue to make DVD purchases of series desirable, it would really be nice to be able to watch a few more shows than just those. I was especially disappointed in TLC, since with so few to watch, they had some definite overlap in appeal (the Duggars's show and Jon and Kate + 8 are both shows with online episodes; you'd think they'd spread the variety of show types a bit more. That means if you aren't interested in the "gawk at (or learn from, or be glad you're not, or whatever your reason) the big family" type of show, you're out of luck for over 1/3 of their online shows). Granted, I'm not surprised to not see American Chopper up, mind you, since it is in syndication on a regular broadcast station (27 KDFI in our area), but I wouldn't imagine they have THAT many shows that are in syndication and thus perhaps restricted (I almost cried a little when I saw that Mythbusters did not have full episodes available).
Oh well - at least I *do* get to have my HGTV fix.
Last night I took a peek at Discovery, TLC, and the History channel online. After seeing what HGTV offers online (they post full episodes of 12 or 13 different shows), I was disappointed in the other three. They post full episodes of only about five shows. :(
Even if the new episodes are only available briefly, so as to continue to make DVD purchases of series desirable, it would really be nice to be able to watch a few more shows than just those. I was especially disappointed in TLC, since with so few to watch, they had some definite overlap in appeal (the Duggars's show and Jon and Kate + 8 are both shows with online episodes; you'd think they'd spread the variety of show types a bit more. That means if you aren't interested in the "gawk at (or learn from, or be glad you're not, or whatever your reason) the big family" type of show, you're out of luck for over 1/3 of their online shows). Granted, I'm not surprised to not see American Chopper up, mind you, since it is in syndication on a regular broadcast station (27 KDFI in our area), but I wouldn't imagine they have THAT many shows that are in syndication and thus perhaps restricted (I almost cried a little when I saw that Mythbusters did not have full episodes available).
Oh well - at least I *do* get to have my HGTV fix.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wine
My husband has only fairly recently started to enjoy wine. I think the problem was that, since he doesn't care for a heavy alcohol taste, the first thought that came to mind was going with a "light" wine (white or rose). Problem is, the alcohol taste seems to be more prominent in those because the other flavors are, typically, milder. Once he tried some red wines, he liked them - they had enough body that he wasn't just tasting the alcohol.
It was a surprise, then, to find a white wine he really did enjoy. But man, this is one nifty wine.
The winery is Vanilla Vine (Italy), and we tried their Vanilla Pinot Grigio. Now, the first thing that comes to mind is something like a wine cooler, but this definitely does not have that flavor at all. The vanilla is not immediately recognizable as such; instead, it just adds warmth to the wine (the proprietor over at WineAlicious said it gave it an oak flavor - I am admittedly not good *at all* at identifying the wood flavors, so I'll trust him on that one, and figure that what I describe as the warm tones are what he identifies as oak), and considerably mellows it. I was just barely able to identify the vanilla in the aftertaste.
This is seriously the smoothest wine I have ever had. Not sweet - but very, very smooth.
It was a surprise, then, to find a white wine he really did enjoy. But man, this is one nifty wine.
The winery is Vanilla Vine (Italy), and we tried their Vanilla Pinot Grigio. Now, the first thing that comes to mind is something like a wine cooler, but this definitely does not have that flavor at all. The vanilla is not immediately recognizable as such; instead, it just adds warmth to the wine (the proprietor over at WineAlicious said it gave it an oak flavor - I am admittedly not good *at all* at identifying the wood flavors, so I'll trust him on that one, and figure that what I describe as the warm tones are what he identifies as oak), and considerably mellows it. I was just barely able to identify the vanilla in the aftertaste.
This is seriously the smoothest wine I have ever had. Not sweet - but very, very smooth.
I was reminded..
..by a friend that many networks now have shows online to view. Yes, I knew this for many of the regular broadcast networks, but I hadn't really thought to check some of the ones I'd be watching if we had cable or satellite service.
Ahhh....my HGTV fix. I am happy now.
Ahhh....my HGTV fix. I am happy now.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Bizaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare.
Dream last night.
A quick background: A few weeks ago, I had a dream about re-marrying my husband. Not because of any separation or anything like that - but for some specific benefit (not sure what). So it wasn't just a renewal of vows, it was an actual contracted/licensed marriage (hey, it's a dream, it doesn't have to make sense). Additional background: Our actual 10th anniversary is tomorrow, and that coming up did play into the first dream (though I can't recall exactly how).
Anyhow - last night's was the actual wedding for this, only it wasn't the hubby who was to be the groom, it was someone else (it wasn't until I woke up that I remembered this was a change from the first dream). It was a particular person from high school, but not sure why him. Anyhow, it was in a pretty run-down church under some renovations, so I was waiting in a very unbecoming room near the front. When I was supposed to make my entrance, I just kinda walked around from the side of the stage/platform, stopped before the steps, everyone hummed the wedding march (I hate that song, FYI), and I went up the steps, and was surprised to see that I did have a wedding party there - I only expected groomsmen. Anyhow, noticeably absent? The groom. We looked for him through the building and another groomsman (his younger brother, if I recall correctly) called his cell phone - he wasn't coming.
By this time, the "Wait, I don't have a marriage license anyhow. Wait, I'm already married, so it wouldn't have good anyhow. What the heck am I doing?" thoughts all came to mind, so we just shrugged and went about our business. And a construction crew (remember the renovations?), ticked off (perhaps that there wasn't gonna be a reception?), chased me halfway through the building. I found a group of my friends, who pulled down a panel in the ceiling to hide me in (for some reason, this seemed familiar - in the dream, I had the recollection of hiding in a similar location on the other side of the church, though I don't remember *why*), where we found a boy with a bunch of toy cars similar to ones that Patrick has (though this wasn't Patrick, it was just some kid). Got the boy and his cars down. Construction crew apparently gave up the chase. Found the hubby asleep somewhere in the church, and wished him a happy anniversary.
So, I then hopped in the car with mom and started looking for my dad. While we were looking for him, I asked what would happen to the catered food - she never really answered (I'm not sure if we even had that lined up, but we passed an exterior construction crew, and that's what brought the question to mind). We finally found my dad wearing a Denver Broncos coat (that would NEVER happen, lemmetellya) - which didn't strike me as odd, so apparently he already had that on - and a fairly ridiculous touristy cowboy hat and boots (that, I could actually picture happening. You'd have had to see him when he got back from a business trip to New Mexico to understand).
And then, like nothing had happened, I went to work. Apparently, I'm a cashier at Dollar General, where I went still in the wedding dress, and started bagging someone's items. In paper, even (though we only had two of those bags, so we had to use plastic for the rest).
Strange, strange, strange.
A quick background: A few weeks ago, I had a dream about re-marrying my husband. Not because of any separation or anything like that - but for some specific benefit (not sure what). So it wasn't just a renewal of vows, it was an actual contracted/licensed marriage (hey, it's a dream, it doesn't have to make sense). Additional background: Our actual 10th anniversary is tomorrow, and that coming up did play into the first dream (though I can't recall exactly how).
Anyhow - last night's was the actual wedding for this, only it wasn't the hubby who was to be the groom, it was someone else (it wasn't until I woke up that I remembered this was a change from the first dream). It was a particular person from high school, but not sure why him. Anyhow, it was in a pretty run-down church under some renovations, so I was waiting in a very unbecoming room near the front. When I was supposed to make my entrance, I just kinda walked around from the side of the stage/platform, stopped before the steps, everyone hummed the wedding march (I hate that song, FYI), and I went up the steps, and was surprised to see that I did have a wedding party there - I only expected groomsmen. Anyhow, noticeably absent? The groom. We looked for him through the building and another groomsman (his younger brother, if I recall correctly) called his cell phone - he wasn't coming.
By this time, the "Wait, I don't have a marriage license anyhow. Wait, I'm already married, so it wouldn't have good anyhow. What the heck am I doing?" thoughts all came to mind, so we just shrugged and went about our business. And a construction crew (remember the renovations?), ticked off (perhaps that there wasn't gonna be a reception?), chased me halfway through the building. I found a group of my friends, who pulled down a panel in the ceiling to hide me in (for some reason, this seemed familiar - in the dream, I had the recollection of hiding in a similar location on the other side of the church, though I don't remember *why*), where we found a boy with a bunch of toy cars similar to ones that Patrick has (though this wasn't Patrick, it was just some kid). Got the boy and his cars down. Construction crew apparently gave up the chase. Found the hubby asleep somewhere in the church, and wished him a happy anniversary.
So, I then hopped in the car with mom and started looking for my dad. While we were looking for him, I asked what would happen to the catered food - she never really answered (I'm not sure if we even had that lined up, but we passed an exterior construction crew, and that's what brought the question to mind). We finally found my dad wearing a Denver Broncos coat (that would NEVER happen, lemmetellya) - which didn't strike me as odd, so apparently he already had that on - and a fairly ridiculous touristy cowboy hat and boots (that, I could actually picture happening. You'd have had to see him when he got back from a business trip to New Mexico to understand).
And then, like nothing had happened, I went to work. Apparently, I'm a cashier at Dollar General, where I went still in the wedding dress, and started bagging someone's items. In paper, even (though we only had two of those bags, so we had to use plastic for the rest).
Strange, strange, strange.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Another one of those TV show openings...
...paired with a movie. This time, Star Wars with the MacGuyver opening. Works just as well as the Dallas opening, I think.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Dunno what's up with the slideshow...
...but it seems to have gone wonky. Hopefully it'll fix itself (or it's just my cache still showing the wonky one), but if not, I'll try recreating it later.
Edited to add: I've replaced it with a redone version. Apparently, something went weird with their permalink version and the iGoogle gadget working together, so I had to use the embed code and a third-party style gadget. Either way, at least now it's back (though I think I'm missing some of the newer pictures, so I may re-add those later).
Edited to add: I've replaced it with a redone version. Apparently, something went weird with their permalink version and the iGoogle gadget working together, so I had to use the embed code and a third-party style gadget. Either way, at least now it's back (though I think I'm missing some of the newer pictures, so I may re-add those later).
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
Happy...er...um...
Okay, THIS is better. Happy Easter everyone!
And from Patrick, too!
I may try correcting the light a bit later - but until then, enjoy!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sticker shock!
Sticker shock: When an antibiotic for an ear infection costs $128 *with insurance*.
EEEP!
(no generic available for it at this time)
EEEP!
(no generic available for it at this time)
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Playtime with Calla!
Some pics of Calla from today - first, exercising...
...and now, playing with a parachute.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Some vids...
I thought it was hysterical how well it seemed to work. Less epic, perhaps, but still...
Now a change of pace...
Last but not least...
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