Better Like This or Better Like This?

I hate reading glasses. I don't hate them for reading, they're good for reading. But if you happen to look up from reading and you look at ANYTHING else, it's all a foggy blur. I can read without my reading glasses, but they do make reading easier, plus I don't get a headache after reading for a while (perhaps I should be wearing them right now - but the computer screen has more contrast than the page, so I feel like it's not really necessary). I just have a shorter range to see close-up anymore, so I have a mild prescription for reading glasses. Is it me, or is it extremely annoying to have to take them off every single time I look up? I know, I want to be writing the next big thing, so i prefer to read a lot so that my writing skills will sail upward and keep my writing instincts from becoming formulaic. It just sucks that I can't even glance away from the book for even a second without wanting to yank my glasses off. If it sounds like i'm whining, you've got my tone exactly. Thanks for listening, I mean reading.
btw - Don't get me started on the outrageous cost of frames (even those made in China).

Pay It Forward

Are we really running out of food? I've read that the Earth is becoming overpopulated and won't be able to sustain the increase in food consumption if the current trend continues. I think about my children and can't imagine a more crucial time to think about the future. We need to develop specific plans to collectively alter our course. We have to stop mass-producing food and practicing self-sustaining methods of providing our food. It is our food - we live here together. Insects are historically the most successful animal at practicing these types of food production. Will we learn from insects, or will they outlive us? I don't like guessing at this question - especially when I think about my daughters.

Hello in there.

It's time to reconnect. Does this mean saying "Hi" to strangers? Yes it does. You don't have to stop and exchange emails. By all means, maintain a brisk pace. But the moment you decide to not greet people on your path, you choose not to be connected. I'm not suggesting that we all go nuts like a bunch of over-eager birds or beasts looking for a mate at some yearly ritual meeting place. I'm just saying: Say "Hi." What can it hurt? You're in the same place with another human - this serves as sufficient commonality to justify a simple greeting at the very least. As are other species of animals, all humans are very much alike. It wouldn't do to ignore our status as equals on a planet that seems to be, sadly, more and more limited - especially lately. I've caught my daughter asking another little girl "What's your name?" - Even as recently as yesterday in the middle of a play we were attending. Less than half of the people (little girls) that my 3-year-old asks do not reply. They look for a moment longer, than recall what they've observed from their parents. People don't just say "Hi" to other people. Children learn by exposure. Expose them to connecting with others in a healthy and safe way. Teaching trust and friendliness will lead to a more trustworthy and friendly world.

Simply Not Enough

For some reason, when I fall asleep at the computer, I always seem to wake up to see an endless line of K's. Why k's? I don't know. But more importantly, why am I falling asleep at the computer? That's simple; I'm not getting enough sleep. I always hope and plan to be in bed earlier, then I wind up falling asleep somewhere else. Sometimes I'm perched beside my three-year-old on top of her princess blanket. Other times I'm bent impossibly in half, leaning all the way over the side of the crib where my 9 month old is sleeping. I've fallen asleep standing up doing the dishes, standing up watching tv, brushing my teeth. The truth is, I'm too lazy to go to bed. Instead, I fall asleep doing everything BUT going to bed. This is my current version of a ridiculous man. I hope to graduate soon, to a new - wiser version of ridiculousness. Meanwhile, I'm going to shut down this computer and get a glass of water, make sure my cell phone is charged, check all the doors, make sure all the lights are off, look in on my daughters....Damn, it's a long way to bed - I should carry a pillow with me - or maybe just strap one to my headkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Complaint Department, a bm (blog-mini)

If I keep busy with life - even it means writing a silly blog entry - I will have less time for complaints and fewer opportunities to regret.

Check between the cushions

I like watching tv to be entertained and lower my stress. But I find myself watching a little too long - then I wind up watching really crappy tv. The only thing worse than really crappy tv, is really crappy tv - late at night - when you should be sleeping. I need a tv that turns off automatically after it's been on for several hours. A message could pop up on the screen that says buffering, initializing, checking for viruses or de-crap-ifying, followed by the time it will turn on again.

Am I too lazy to turn off the tv? Yes. But here's my question: Why do I expend more energy wandering the living room trying to locate the remote, than I would by just walking over to the actual tv and pushing a button. I guess it's because I demand convenience, and I'm going to search and search and search for it until I've found it. I'll be damned if I don't enjoy that convenience with the handy remote rather than actually trekking all the way to the tv and pushing the one button with my spoiled finger.

Exercising Restraint

Do you ever have to hold your child down? At some point, you have to. You have to take her temperature, force feed her medicine, suck the snot out of her - the list goes on. It takes two to manage this. One partner restricts hands, arms and legs the best they can. The other tries to negotiate the head or other end with minimal success. It is at these times, you note the amazing ability of your child to unleash formidable body-language. This tiny person, restrained by two much larger and more coodinated people, can still manage to wriggle, writhe, wrest and often break free - albeit briefly - from two pairs of much bigger hands. How do they do it? I'll tell you how: They fear for their life. It's instinctive. Imagine how you might cringe a little if someone were about to give you a shot. Now; consider the strength you'd suddenly be able to muster if someone (or two) had a hold of you and you TRULY BELIEVED that they were going to kill you. You'd give them a run for their money, no matter how big they were. How? Simple; Self-preservation. Don't feel bad. When they grow up, they rarely recall those times when they thought you were trying to kill them. They subconciously blocked them out - as all healthy adults should. Cheers!
--Signed,
Please do everyone a favor and forget to videotape these moments.

I'm A Baby

I’m a baby. I’m learning how to stand. It’s a big deal for me.

I appreciate your support, but please don’t insist on wiping my face at the first sign of drool or snot. I realize it would bother you if it were all over your face, but – honestly – I don’t mind it that much. So, when I’m using all my strength and negligible coordination to pull myself up onto the coffee table, please don’t swoop in with a wipe and drag it across my little face. Perhaps you’ve noticed that I cry out in protest, EVERY SINGLE TIME you do this. It’s just a little fluid, that’s all. If you really believe it bothers me, how do you suppose I can tolerate a squishy poop spreading itself all over my bottom (and sometimes up my back), until you get around to changing my diaper? If I’m going to wallow in my own poop for that long, you should know that I couldn’t care less about a little dribble. So, the next time you reach for that millionth wad of unwelcome tissue or scratchy wash cloth, consider my priorities for a change.

Thanks,

Your baby :-)