I don't know if you guys know about the TED Talks series, but I love it. It's a yearly gathering of smart people who talk about a great range of interesting things. Sadly, I've never been to the conference, but a lot of the talks are available online -- I'll put the link in Stuff We Like in the sidebar.
Anyway, I recently watched this one by Sir Ken Robinson, about creativity and education and thought it's worth sharing with anyone who has kids or is interested in education.
(Kaleigh, there's a nice story about a dancer that you'll enjoy, about 15 minutes in.)
So, anyway, here it is:
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Welcome Night Night Bear
My high school biology teacher Carolyn Silsby sent Elsie this little bear. Declan named it Night Night Bear, and Elsie loves snuggling it. Declan is great about bringing it back to her when she accidentally flings it across the room while playing with it.
It's the little things that count.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Screechtastic
It's no wonder, since she lives with such a... let's say vocal young man as big bro Declan, that Elsie has been very, very quiet for six months.
I mean, the adults in the house get railroaded by the lad and can't seem to get more than a phrase or two into a conversation, so it makes sense that the wee lass has chosen to sit back and watch. And listen. Or else.
But we're happy to report that she's found her voice. She now enjoys a good long screeching session, while she's jumping in her bouncy seat, playing in her exersaucer, walking around in our arms or watching her brother.
Declan thinks she sounds like a jaguar. Declan loves jaguars.
And so while he'll interrupt any conversation that we try to have, because what he has to say is clearly so much more important, he's content to let her screech on to her heart's content.
Nice work, Elsie.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sweet Sleeper
Yesterday I had a fairly stressful morning, but then I went to get Elsie out of her car seat and saw this:
And felt much, much better.
(By the way, I unhooked her straps before I took the photo -- so don't worry that we're riding around unsafe...)
And felt much, much better.
(By the way, I unhooked her straps before I took the photo -- so don't worry that we're riding around unsafe...)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Whitman On The Weekend
"Here climb the vast pure spaces unconfined...
...uncheck'd by wall or roof." --Walt Whitman
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Quotable Toddler, Part Three
In which we are reminded of the importance of community.
One of our little traditions is to toast each other at dinner. We say, "Cheers! I love you!" and clink glasses.
Recently, Declan made a revision that we have adpoted as the norm. (And like most of his little phrases, we have no idea where it came from or why.)
He said, "Cheers! I love you and the neighborhood!"
So here's to community~~
One of our little traditions is to toast each other at dinner. We say, "Cheers! I love you!" and clink glasses.
Recently, Declan made a revision that we have adpoted as the norm. (And like most of his little phrases, we have no idea where it came from or why.)
He said, "Cheers! I love you and the neighborhood!"
So here's to community~~
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Today’s Recommendations
I was thinking about essential music the other day.
I do that. I'm a geek.
Normally when I read best-ofs and must-haves, they tend to include major albums that a lot of people have heard of. Like Springsteen’s Born to Run and Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. Which are great albums, sure. But everyone knows them. And I think people like learning new stuff.
So, in the spirit of recommending essential albums that I’m guessing not a lot of people know about, it is my humble suggestion that each and every household in the world that has the means to play back pre-recorded music go out and immediately get the following three albums, and then play them often.
Dennis Hopper’s 1990 noir was a pretty good movie, but this soundtrack is absolutely brilliant. It pairs John Lee Hooker with Miles Davis, along with Taj Mahal and Roy Rogers and some others. You heard me right: John Lee Hooker and Miles Davis. You can imagine it, and it is as you think: smokey, ethereal genius.
Maybe people have heard of this one. It did win a Grammy after all. But I’ve only met one other person who has it –- my friend Greg. It’s a supergroup of sorts -– a couple guys from Los Lobos, plus Freddy Fender and Ruben Ramos and others -– who got together and recorded what I think is the best Tex-Mex album ever. Some songs are wicked sad, some are straight-out blazing, all make me sing along, even though I don’t know Spanish.
The five tracks on this album are actually only two of Arvo Part’s amazing minimalist compositions played a few different ways. Tracks one, three and five are takes on Spiegel Im Spiegel, and two and four are different slants at Fur Alina. There are only three instruments used on the album: piano, violin and cello. Hypnotic, quiet and intense, best ingested via headphones. Hands down the most beautiful music I have ever heard -– and I’ve heard a lot of music. You must have this album.
I do that. I'm a geek.
Normally when I read best-ofs and must-haves, they tend to include major albums that a lot of people have heard of. Like Springsteen’s Born to Run and Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. Which are great albums, sure. But everyone knows them. And I think people like learning new stuff.
So, in the spirit of recommending essential albums that I’m guessing not a lot of people know about, it is my humble suggestion that each and every household in the world that has the means to play back pre-recorded music go out and immediately get the following three albums, and then play them often.
Dennis Hopper’s 1990 noir was a pretty good movie, but this soundtrack is absolutely brilliant. It pairs John Lee Hooker with Miles Davis, along with Taj Mahal and Roy Rogers and some others. You heard me right: John Lee Hooker and Miles Davis. You can imagine it, and it is as you think: smokey, ethereal genius.
Maybe people have heard of this one. It did win a Grammy after all. But I’ve only met one other person who has it –- my friend Greg. It’s a supergroup of sorts -– a couple guys from Los Lobos, plus Freddy Fender and Ruben Ramos and others -– who got together and recorded what I think is the best Tex-Mex album ever. Some songs are wicked sad, some are straight-out blazing, all make me sing along, even though I don’t know Spanish.
The five tracks on this album are actually only two of Arvo Part’s amazing minimalist compositions played a few different ways. Tracks one, three and five are takes on Spiegel Im Spiegel, and two and four are different slants at Fur Alina. There are only three instruments used on the album: piano, violin and cello. Hypnotic, quiet and intense, best ingested via headphones. Hands down the most beautiful music I have ever heard -– and I’ve heard a lot of music. You must have this album.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Dr. David’s Stress-Busting Weekend Elixir
Gather ‘round all comers and, for a limited time, receive the secret recipe to Dr. David’s Stress-Busting Weekend Elixir free. That’s right, absolutely gratis.
Because I like you.
We’ve had some stress hovering around The 409 recently. The kids have been trading off sicknesses, visits to doctors and emergency rooms, Amy’s increasingly frustrated with elements of her work, I’m still struggling to help keep my work afloat, I just sat through a seven day murder trail as a juror -– in a most horrifying case of a mother who killed her baby.
Safe to say lots of strain on all of us.
But this weekend, we beat it, and I feel better than I have in a long time.
Here’s the recipe:
Take advantage of a remarkably sunny winter’s morning and ride your bicycle 35 miles to a nice stretch of water by the Chesapeake Bay. When hit by strong headwinds that make you feel like you’re cycling through a milkshake, think of it as just a way to get a better workout in.
Go for a hike with your family. Or at least the part of your family that’s still in the area, and call the one who’s away at college (details below).
Explore the woods and get a little dirty, because that matters.
Stay close to the pretty girls who look even prettier in the sunlight.
Stare in wonder at the trees dancing in the wind…
…and hang onto your hat when the wind’s blowing strong.
Hold hands. A lot.
Give a call to the big girl in college, who’s having the time of her life but loves to hear what her little brother and sister are doing and says things like, “I have the cutest brother and sister. Makes me tear up a little.” Talk with her about all the cool things she’s learning in her African Religions class and trade thoughts on geopolitical shenanigans and economic disparity. But be sure to laugh, too.
Give the wee ones a long bath and let them be adorable.
Don’t forget what Tom Robbins said: "Never underestimate how much assistance, how much satisfaction, how much comfort, how much soul and transcendence there might be in a well made taco and a cold bottle of beer.” The same goes for a good 12-year-old single malt scotch with friends.
And make sure you spend some good, sane, quiet, peaceful alone time with your corazon, to remind yourselves of an important fact, a truth that sometimes can fall to the back burner in the hectic times every family goes through: that you’re more than just co-parents and there’s a reason you’re doing all of this in the first place.
Because I like you.
We’ve had some stress hovering around The 409 recently. The kids have been trading off sicknesses, visits to doctors and emergency rooms, Amy’s increasingly frustrated with elements of her work, I’m still struggling to help keep my work afloat, I just sat through a seven day murder trail as a juror -– in a most horrifying case of a mother who killed her baby.
Safe to say lots of strain on all of us.
But this weekend, we beat it, and I feel better than I have in a long time.
Here’s the recipe:
Take advantage of a remarkably sunny winter’s morning and ride your bicycle 35 miles to a nice stretch of water by the Chesapeake Bay. When hit by strong headwinds that make you feel like you’re cycling through a milkshake, think of it as just a way to get a better workout in.
Go for a hike with your family. Or at least the part of your family that’s still in the area, and call the one who’s away at college (details below).
Explore the woods and get a little dirty, because that matters.
Stay close to the pretty girls who look even prettier in the sunlight.
Stare in wonder at the trees dancing in the wind…
…and hang onto your hat when the wind’s blowing strong.
Hold hands. A lot.
Give a call to the big girl in college, who’s having the time of her life but loves to hear what her little brother and sister are doing and says things like, “I have the cutest brother and sister. Makes me tear up a little.” Talk with her about all the cool things she’s learning in her African Religions class and trade thoughts on geopolitical shenanigans and economic disparity. But be sure to laugh, too.
Give the wee ones a long bath and let them be adorable.
Don’t forget what Tom Robbins said: "Never underestimate how much assistance, how much satisfaction, how much comfort, how much soul and transcendence there might be in a well made taco and a cold bottle of beer.” The same goes for a good 12-year-old single malt scotch with friends.
And make sure you spend some good, sane, quiet, peaceful alone time with your corazon, to remind yourselves of an important fact, a truth that sometimes can fall to the back burner in the hectic times every family goes through: that you’re more than just co-parents and there’s a reason you’re doing all of this in the first place.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Ah, Vitamin D!
I know those of you up north might be jealous of this, but it was soooooo beautiful out this afternoon. Like 60 degrees and sunny, after a run of chilly and rainy days.
As soon as naptime was over we got outside and stayed outside.
First Declan and I loaded the recycling stuff into the truck and brought it to the bins behind the fire station. Now Papa, I KNOW you're jealous of that. On the way back, we of course had to stop at 7-11 for a treat.
Then we played on the porch...
...with Elsie taking her first swing on the porch swing and Declan making french fry sandwiches, birthday cake and tea at the kitchen we have out there. Amy and I were knocked out, once again, at how big Elsie's getting.
Then we headed to the field across the street...
...for some soccer, pratfalls, keep-away and general tumbling and running around. Declan has wicked ball handling skills. Our neighbor, who coaches JV high school soccer, is always blurting out things like, "Amazing!" when he plays with the lad.
All in all, a great afternoon. Now Amy's got a shrimpfest happening in the kitchen -- the actual one, not the play one on the porch -- and we're all looking forward to another one of her awesome freestyle creations.
Hope everyone else had a good Saturday, too~~
As soon as naptime was over we got outside and stayed outside.
First Declan and I loaded the recycling stuff into the truck and brought it to the bins behind the fire station. Now Papa, I KNOW you're jealous of that. On the way back, we of course had to stop at 7-11 for a treat.
Then we played on the porch...
...with Elsie taking her first swing on the porch swing and Declan making french fry sandwiches, birthday cake and tea at the kitchen we have out there. Amy and I were knocked out, once again, at how big Elsie's getting.
Then we headed to the field across the street...
...for some soccer, pratfalls, keep-away and general tumbling and running around. Declan has wicked ball handling skills. Our neighbor, who coaches JV high school soccer, is always blurting out things like, "Amazing!" when he plays with the lad.
All in all, a great afternoon. Now Amy's got a shrimpfest happening in the kitchen -- the actual one, not the play one on the porch -- and we're all looking forward to another one of her awesome freestyle creations.
Hope everyone else had a good Saturday, too~~
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