Friday, November 30, 2007
Know where your UFOs are
If some half-inebriated yahoo sees lights in the sky and has Internet access, you can find out here: UFO Maps
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Quote of the day: "the most arrogant, incompetent administrations"
Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) is retiring next year and is feeling free with what he can say.
Though, he's always been independent-minded, he's still a Republican.
Though, he's always been independent-minded, he's still a Republican.
Honey Bunny Funnybunny and Skippyjon Jones
It should be no surprise that there is just as much variety in quality in kids books and movies as adults. There are definitely books and movies that I find annoying or objectionable. Veggie Tales for instance...
This week, Meredith brought home one such book. It's one of those "I can read it all by myself" Beginner Books (with the Cat in the Hat picture in the corner). It's called Honey Bunny Funnybunny* and is written by Marilyn Sadler.
The book follows the familiar theme of sibling rivalry. Honey Bunny Funnybunny has a big brother, named P. J., who is always picking on her. The narrator catalogs the transgressions:*
The next morning she wakes up and tells her mom that "P.J. doesn't love me anymore." Her mom assures her that her brother does love her and proceeds to lift Honey Bunny in front of the mirror where she sees that "her face was painted blue with yellow polka dots!"
I have a few responses to this book. First and foremost, is this modeling healthy relationships? Kids that are younger take things quite literally. The only kind of attention that is possible is negative attention. The idea of an alternative is ignored, having the effect of denying its very existence. Add the fact that the victim is a girl just makes the potential message to girls that much clearer.
Like lots of books written in the 60s and 70s, there are political/social/gender messages that aren't squarely where I'd like them. With the reference of dolls' heads being switched, I figured this was written in 1967 or something like that. I was surprised to discover the book was actually first published in 1997. So the author thinks today's dolls and stuffed animals have detachable heads. She thinks that beginning readers understand irony, or she has some pretty messed up notions of what an acceptable relationship is.
The way that P. J. is admonished is another surprise in a book written within the last 10 years. "You are a very bad bunny!" his mother tells him. Today's parents get to hear from source after source that the more effective and less abusive message is "what you did was bad" or "you did a bad thing" versus "you are bad." A demand for an apology is usually more effective than punishment in the room. But, I for one, think a time-out in the room can be very effective.
Now, I don't get so riled up with these books that I don't read the them. I read them with enthusiasm. But maybe I roll my eyes and grit my teeth a little; and gently suggest alternative books. It's the same thing with Skippyjon Jones. (What's with these dumb, silly name books?) That book features a cat pretending to be a chijuajua fighting bean hording bandits in Mexico. The Spanglish-inspired book includes a lot of bean references and other Mexican food references. His alter-ego, "Skipito," makes words Spanish by adding Os to the end.
It's not that the book is offensive. (Though I am troubled that Skippyjon's mother resorts to name-calling when she's frustrated with him.) It's just that a four year-old will take this message to heart and think they can speak Spanish the same way, by adding Os. I know sometimes this might be effective, but you don't want to do it indiscriminately. Meredith is taking Spanish class. She's probably more likely to remember the lessons of this silly book than stuff from her daily class.
A post script. Apparently, First Lady wannabee, Michelle Obama, got to read Skippyjon Jones to a group of Iowa kids recently for the first time. Salon.com's Rebecca Traister humorously describes the scene in her recent article Michelle Obama gets real.
* Honey Bunny Funnybunny is copyright 1997 by Marilyn Sadler. It is partially quoted here for the sole purpose of providing a review.
This week, Meredith brought home one such book. It's one of those "I can read it all by myself" Beginner Books (with the Cat in the Hat picture in the corner). It's called Honey Bunny Funnybunny* and is written by Marilyn Sadler.
The book follows the familiar theme of sibling rivalry. Honey Bunny Funnybunny has a big brother, named P. J., who is always picking on her. The narrator catalogs the transgressions:*
Every morning,The only place she feels safe is her room, but then he sneaks in the middle of the night and paints her face bright green. She tells on him.
P. J. pulled the covers
off Honey Bunny's bed.
Sometimes he poured orange juice
on her cornflakes.
He liked to tie knots
in the sleeves of her pretty dresses.
He poured blue paint
in her yellow paint jar.
And yellow paint
in her blue paint jar.
He even switched the heads
on her dolls.
And every night at the dinner table
P. J. smashed mashed carrots
on poor Honey Bunny's head!
After dinner, he put
her favorite fuzzy bunny blanket
in the freezer.
At bedtime, he hid under her bed
and yelled, "Boo!"
Mr. Funnybunny was very angry.She's now able to eat her cereal with milk, not orange juice and her dolls keep there own heads, etc. She's happy at first, but sad that she doesn't have her brother's attention. She waits for all the opportunties he has to play pranks on her, but he doesn't do anything to her and she is "as sad as sad can be."
He sent P. J. to his room.
"You are a very bad bunny!"
Mrs. Funnybunny said.
After that, things were different
at the Funnybunny house.
The next morning she wakes up and tells her mom that "P.J. doesn't love me anymore." Her mom assures her that her brother does love her and proceeds to lift Honey Bunny in front of the mirror where she sees that "her face was painted blue with yellow polka dots!"
"P. J. loves me!" she cried"She ends the book by hugging her brother.
Honey Bunny Funnybunny
was very happy.
I have a few responses to this book. First and foremost, is this modeling healthy relationships? Kids that are younger take things quite literally. The only kind of attention that is possible is negative attention. The idea of an alternative is ignored, having the effect of denying its very existence. Add the fact that the victim is a girl just makes the potential message to girls that much clearer.
Like lots of books written in the 60s and 70s, there are political/social/gender messages that aren't squarely where I'd like them. With the reference of dolls' heads being switched, I figured this was written in 1967 or something like that. I was surprised to discover the book was actually first published in 1997. So the author thinks today's dolls and stuffed animals have detachable heads. She thinks that beginning readers understand irony, or she has some pretty messed up notions of what an acceptable relationship is.
The way that P. J. is admonished is another surprise in a book written within the last 10 years. "You are a very bad bunny!" his mother tells him. Today's parents get to hear from source after source that the more effective and less abusive message is "what you did was bad" or "you did a bad thing" versus "you are bad." A demand for an apology is usually more effective than punishment in the room. But, I for one, think a time-out in the room can be very effective.
Now, I don't get so riled up with these books that I don't read the them. I read them with enthusiasm. But maybe I roll my eyes and grit my teeth a little; and gently suggest alternative books. It's the same thing with Skippyjon Jones. (What's with these dumb, silly name books?) That book features a cat pretending to be a chijuajua fighting bean hording bandits in Mexico. The Spanglish-inspired book includes a lot of bean references and other Mexican food references. His alter-ego, "Skipito," makes words Spanish by adding Os to the end.
It's not that the book is offensive. (Though I am troubled that Skippyjon's mother resorts to name-calling when she's frustrated with him.) It's just that a four year-old will take this message to heart and think they can speak Spanish the same way, by adding Os. I know sometimes this might be effective, but you don't want to do it indiscriminately. Meredith is taking Spanish class. She's probably more likely to remember the lessons of this silly book than stuff from her daily class.
A post script. Apparently, First Lady wannabee, Michelle Obama, got to read Skippyjon Jones to a group of Iowa kids recently for the first time. Salon.com's Rebecca Traister humorously describes the scene in her recent article Michelle Obama gets real.
* Honey Bunny Funnybunny is copyright 1997 by Marilyn Sadler. It is partially quoted here for the sole purpose of providing a review.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Go Packers!
Thursday night is the big NFL game featuring the Green Bay Packers against the Dallas Cowboys. The game will be played in Texas.
The Cowboys are favored to win by 6 points. It should be a competitive and key game.
Not only is a potentially key game for the two best teams in the conference, but an opportunity for the Packers and Brett Favre to beat the Cowboys in their own stadium. Something that hasn't been done in 10 odd games in the last decade. In the 90s when the Packers were losing to the Cowboys over and over again, I thought the Cowboys played kind of dirty. That was through the eyes of an objective resident of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
At least they don't spy on opponents' coaching staff...
Showing some green and gold spirit!
A self portrait.
The Cowboys are favored to win by 6 points. It should be a competitive and key game.
Not only is a potentially key game for the two best teams in the conference, but an opportunity for the Packers and Brett Favre to beat the Cowboys in their own stadium. Something that hasn't been done in 10 odd games in the last decade. In the 90s when the Packers were losing to the Cowboys over and over again, I thought the Cowboys played kind of dirty. That was through the eyes of an objective resident of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
At least they don't spy on opponents' coaching staff...
Showing some green and gold spirit!
A self portrait.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Quote of the Day: Rush
After reading Al Franken's Rush Limbaugh is a Big, Fat Idiot, I got my dose of the stupidity of what this blowhard says. What I find most distressing about Limbaugh is that it's so obvious he's not a true believer. He's in it for the money. He knows that this is something he's good at. I'd probably be less bothered if it was clear he actually thinks this stuff or had any sort of consistency.
Of course, what this ignores is the depressing fact that regardless of what he himself believes, millions of Americans listen to Rush every day. I try to not let that get me down.
One tries to ignore the crazy nonsense he spouts. But every once in a while he puts out a good one. Today, courtesy of Salon.com's War Room blog, is this doozy:
Of course, what this ignores is the depressing fact that regardless of what he himself believes, millions of Americans listen to Rush every day. I try to not let that get me down.
One tries to ignore the crazy nonsense he spouts. But every once in a while he puts out a good one. Today, courtesy of Salon.com's War Room blog, is this doozy:
Rush Limbaugh declared Monday that Democrats are "unqualified to lead the nation" because they've been "proven wrong about the war in Iraq." "We cannot allow them off the hook on this," Limbaugh said. "We cannot allow history to be rewritten. "Who needs the government for double-speak when guys like Limbaugh do it for free? I don't think Orwell even foresaw this.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Be nice to the missus, or pay up!
The Washington Post carries a story about the state of marriages in Japan and how new pension regulations may be leading to a dramatic increase in divorce. I have no knowledge on how marriages in Japan work, or whether the picture painted in this article is accurate, but it has a few eyebrow-raising quotes.
Learn to Be Nice to Your Wife, or Pay the Price
From a 60-something married woman:
"Up until my 60th birthday, he had not given me anything at all. But on my 60th, he sent me 60 flowers.""There was only one time he said he loved me. And that time, he was standing behind me."
Learn to Be Nice to Your Wife, or Pay the Price
Mr. Lott retires
Former Republican Senate majority and minority leader, and currently number 2 in the Senate GOP caucus, announced today his retirement. It is effective by the end of the year.
Much has been made of the comments five years ago at Strom Thurmond's birthday that got him booted from the leadership by his former and eventual friends George Bush and Bill Frist.
What I think is more noteworthy is Lott's past in the Clinton impeachment mess and his ties to white supremacist groups throughout his career, into the 1990s. In 1998, there was a lot of attention paid to his ties to the Council of Conservative Citizens, which has been described by some as a successor to the KKK or also the "uptown KKK." Unfortunately, most of the media and public's attention was on Bill Clinton's personal flaws for the entire year.
The Southern Poverty Law Center documented Lott's and other Republican ties to the CCC in 1999. FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) documented Lott's career in race relations in 2006 when he returned to the Republican leadership.
Lott has reportedly been frustrated with the Bush administration's continuing boggling of the Katrina aftermath. (He lost his own home on the Gulf Coast.) But he claims they're all good friends and he is departing 1 year into his 6 year term because it is simply time.
Much has been made of the comments five years ago at Strom Thurmond's birthday that got him booted from the leadership by his former and eventual friends George Bush and Bill Frist.
What I think is more noteworthy is Lott's past in the Clinton impeachment mess and his ties to white supremacist groups throughout his career, into the 1990s. In 1998, there was a lot of attention paid to his ties to the Council of Conservative Citizens, which has been described by some as a successor to the KKK or also the "uptown KKK." Unfortunately, most of the media and public's attention was on Bill Clinton's personal flaws for the entire year.
The Southern Poverty Law Center documented Lott's and other Republican ties to the CCC in 1999. FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) documented Lott's career in race relations in 2006 when he returned to the Republican leadership.
Lott has reportedly been frustrated with the Bush administration's continuing boggling of the Katrina aftermath. (He lost his own home on the Gulf Coast.) But he claims they're all good friends and he is departing 1 year into his 6 year term because it is simply time.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Quote of the day: Fools
Website of the day
If you're looking to order some beautiful notecards, check out this site. It's a college friend of mine who does wonderfully-detailed, nature inspired work. It's different from anything else I've seen. Contact her accordingly to order the cards.
Her site is under construction. You can see more of her work at MNArtists.org.
Her site is under construction. You can see more of her work at MNArtists.org.
Web TV series of the day
A creative series of shorts out of Portland, Oregon, called The Bicyclist. It follows several 20somethings in a used bike shop in Portland, featuring a recent transplant from Middleton, Wisconsin. The series should appeal to Portland and bike fans in particular, but even a Minneapolitan who doesn't get on his bike all that often found it worth while.
There are about two dozen short episodes. Apparently a second season is in the works.
There are about two dozen short episodes. Apparently a second season is in the works.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Catch the cat
I caught the cat just once. Pesky little thing...
http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/chatnoir/chatnoir.html
http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/chatnoir/chatnoir.html
Friday, November 9, 2007
Toys: 2007 Hall of Fame inductees
I learned recently that the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, are inducting three classic toys into the hall of fame. I know you're waiting with baited breath. What will they select for the ages this year? Will it be controversial? Who will go home disappointed?
For your reading pleasure, the 2007 inductees:
1: Raggedy Andy
Raggedy Andy proceeds his sister, Ragedy Ann, who was honored in 2002. Hall of Fame statement: "The dolls are reunited in this place of honor—where they belong, together of course, for always." Isn't it sweet? Brother and sister reunited after a five year separation.
2: The kite
A dark horse candidate for several years running, the kite has finally won it's well deserved honor. The Frisbee and the Duncan Yo-Yo were both selected in past years when all eyes were on the kite. It was suggested that bad weather in those years had kept the electors indoors and unable to enjoy the experience of flying a kite on a windy day. Then there was the year when the easy bake oven was inducted over the kite was responded with jeers and calls for a recount. Only, the decision to honor Barbie caused as big of a stir as the easy bake oven squeezing by the kite.
In a recent year when the cardboard box was selected as an inductee over the kite, Hall of Fame officials prepared for an onslaught of criticism. It turns out nearly everyone has some fond childhood memory of doing something fun with a cardboard box and the entrant remains one of the most popular displays at the Hall of Fame.
So, finally after many years of waiting, the kite receives its due honor.
3: Atari 2600
From the Hall of Fame: " Because computer technology advances so rapidly, video game systems often have short lives. The Atari 2600, however, proved surprisingly long-lived. Its widespread popularity, relative affordability, and abundance of software titles kept it in production for fifteen years. Eventually it succumbed to newer, faster, more powerful competitors, but not before it made video games a staple of everyday play."
So, I guess we have Atari to blame for kids' lack of attention span and other video gamer-related social and personal ills. But seriously, the Atari was great! I loved playing Millipede, Asteroids, Mario Brothers, and Jungle Hunt. (You swam across crocodile filled rivers and stabbed them in the face with a knife. The graphics were so great that I thought you were merely punching the crocodiles in the face.) Maybe that explains my long standing nightmare of wild animals biting my hands...
Eventually, the Atari got boring as it seemed like every one of my other friends got a Nintendo and could play Super Mario Brothers and Congo. Oh, how I longed for a Nintendo! Oh, how I still long for a Nintendo!
For your reading pleasure, the 2007 inductees:
1: Raggedy Andy
Raggedy Andy proceeds his sister, Ragedy Ann, who was honored in 2002. Hall of Fame statement: "The dolls are reunited in this place of honor—where they belong, together of course, for always." Isn't it sweet? Brother and sister reunited after a five year separation.
2: The kite
A dark horse candidate for several years running, the kite has finally won it's well deserved honor. The Frisbee and the Duncan Yo-Yo were both selected in past years when all eyes were on the kite. It was suggested that bad weather in those years had kept the electors indoors and unable to enjoy the experience of flying a kite on a windy day. Then there was the year when the easy bake oven was inducted over the kite was responded with jeers and calls for a recount. Only, the decision to honor Barbie caused as big of a stir as the easy bake oven squeezing by the kite.
In a recent year when the cardboard box was selected as an inductee over the kite, Hall of Fame officials prepared for an onslaught of criticism. It turns out nearly everyone has some fond childhood memory of doing something fun with a cardboard box and the entrant remains one of the most popular displays at the Hall of Fame.
So, finally after many years of waiting, the kite receives its due honor.
3: Atari 2600
From the Hall of Fame: " Because computer technology advances so rapidly, video game systems often have short lives. The Atari 2600, however, proved surprisingly long-lived. Its widespread popularity, relative affordability, and abundance of software titles kept it in production for fifteen years. Eventually it succumbed to newer, faster, more powerful competitors, but not before it made video games a staple of everyday play."
So, I guess we have Atari to blame for kids' lack of attention span and other video gamer-related social and personal ills. But seriously, the Atari was great! I loved playing Millipede, Asteroids, Mario Brothers, and Jungle Hunt. (You swam across crocodile filled rivers and stabbed them in the face with a knife. The graphics were so great that I thought you were merely punching the crocodiles in the face.) Maybe that explains my long standing nightmare of wild animals biting my hands...
Eventually, the Atari got boring as it seemed like every one of my other friends got a Nintendo and could play Super Mario Brothers and Congo. Oh, how I longed for a Nintendo! Oh, how I still long for a Nintendo!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Disturbing television
From VH1 comes a one-hour documentary about 6 year-olds in beauty pageants. Great. It's sad enough that these events take place at all. But VH1 is jumping in to broadcast girls competing to look like spooky, tarted-up dolls to the masses.
I have not seen the show and don't plan to. So, I can't really comment on the content. Needless to say, labeling a six year-old girl as "the Flirt" doesn't bode well. Who are these people who feel comfortable tartin- up kindergarteners?
(Thanks to Feministing.com for highlighting this sad show.)
little beauties: ultimate kiddie queen showdown
Directly from the VH1 website:
I have not seen the show and don't plan to. So, I can't really comment on the content. Needless to say, labeling a six year-old girl as "the Flirt" doesn't bode well. Who are these people who feel comfortable tartin- up kindergarteners?
(Thanks to Feministing.com for highlighting this sad show.)
little beauties: ultimate kiddie queen showdown
Directly from the VH1 website:
Move over Miss America! The Little Beauties are coming to town! They're gorgeous, they're talented, they're six-years old and with the helping hand of eager moms, determined pageant coaches, fabulous spray tan artists and "flipper" (fake teeth) makers, not to mention a couple of Pixie Sticks for energy, these girls are taking the stage at pageants all over the Southeast U.S for the chance to win cash prizes and crowns!
Little Beauties: Ultimate Kiddie Queen Showdown is a one-hour documentary special that will take a light-hearted look into the wonderful world of children's beauty pageants through the eyes of four, precocious six-year old girls. This documentary reveals the humor and love behind an American tradition; the always colorful characters on the pageant circuit; and the "sparkle" it takes to win a crown.
What We Will See:The girls preparing for and competing in two of the biggest pageant on the circuit Interviews with girls, mothers, a coach, pageant directors, spray tanner and "flipper" (fake teeth) maker, Narration by "The Voice of Pageants" himself, the fabulous Mr. Tim Glamorous crowning ceremonies Practice sessions at home and with the indomitable Miss Nikki, one of the best coaches on the pageant circuit The girls at home/at school in their normal environments, with family and friends, participating in extracurricular/sports activities Spray tanning sessions "Flipper" (fake teeth) fittings
Who We Will Meet:Joanna, 6 years old - The Reigning Champ Aleena, 6 years old - The Flirt Kynnedy, 6 years old - The Diva Jordan, 6 years old - The Longshot Terry - Aleena's mom / Spray tan artist Kim - Kynnedy's mom Eddie - Kynnedy's dad Charlene - Jordan's mom Laurie - Joanna's Mom Mr. Tim - Narrator / Pageant emcee Miss Nikki - Pageant coach Michael Booth - Director, America's Fabulous Faces Carol Stephens - Director, International Total Miss Ray Smith - Pageant judge / entertainer
Quote of the day indeed
Today's quote via Salon.com's War Room blog:
"The way he helped get us through 9/11 really sold me."
-- 23-year-old Jeb Bush, Jr., on why he's supporting Rudy Giuliani for president.
"The way he helped get us through 9/11 really sold me."
-- 23-year-old Jeb Bush, Jr., on why he's supporting Rudy Giuliani for president.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Cat cold
There is nothing quite like a baby when it comes to attracting stranger attention out in public. I'm always perplexed by the people who think it is perfectly fine to touch a stranger's baby in the grocery store. (Actually, what's worse is the occasional person who will SEE the sleeping baby and then speak in a loud voice something clever, like, "OH! SOMEBODY'S SLEEPY!!" Yes, this has happened more than once.)
Elaine has a cold. I would blame one of these recent stranger touchings, but in all likelihood it was probably from her shoving a shared baby toy into her mouth on Thursday.
Today, Elaine accompanied me to Walgreens to pick up a prescription. A woman in her 50s observed that Elaine had a cold. She then earnestly told me her cat also has a cold right now. But what's more difficult about a cat having an upper respiratory ailment (versus a baby) is that you can't teach a cat how to blow their nose, she explains. She tells it to me in such a way that I wonder perhaps she has actually attempted to teach her cat how to blow it's nose, giving up only after hours of snotty struggles.
I decide not to suggest to her that 7 month old babies don't know how to blow their noses either, fearful that she may offer to teach Elaine right there like I imagine she tried to teach her cat. Instead I give an understanding smile and nod and move on to the register.
Elaine has a cold. I would blame one of these recent stranger touchings, but in all likelihood it was probably from her shoving a shared baby toy into her mouth on Thursday.
Today, Elaine accompanied me to Walgreens to pick up a prescription. A woman in her 50s observed that Elaine had a cold. She then earnestly told me her cat also has a cold right now. But what's more difficult about a cat having an upper respiratory ailment (versus a baby) is that you can't teach a cat how to blow their nose, she explains. She tells it to me in such a way that I wonder perhaps she has actually attempted to teach her cat how to blow it's nose, giving up only after hours of snotty struggles.
I decide not to suggest to her that 7 month old babies don't know how to blow their noses either, fearful that she may offer to teach Elaine right there like I imagine she tried to teach her cat. Instead I give an understanding smile and nod and move on to the register.
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