Over the last month or two discussions on blogging have been the topic of many conversations I have been in or overheard. Not only are people talking about what people blog about, they are talking about why people blog. I think it is hilarious. Who cares? Well, I guess I did/do and I love to talk about. What a geek. I won't be obsessed, I won't be obsessed, I won't be obsessed. When I started my blog I had no idea that there were obsessive, compulsive bloggers with huge followers. I had no idea that if you used key words in the title it would bring unfamiliar faces to your site. (That one I found out by accident and it was a riot!) I didn't know blogging could be yet another way to include, or exclude people from your life or circle of friends. Heck, I just wanted to know what was going on with other people and let them in on what was up with me. I also wanted a place to put all my reading thoughts in order. I would never have done that for myself, and I'm thrilled that some of my friends have been able to utilize some of what I've invested so much of my life doing. Is that vanity?! I hope not. Because apparently you can get caught up in this little blog world and it can cause damage to your self-esteem. We all love comments, links, and/or to be mentioned or harrassed. Let face it, if we didn't we'd journal on paper, and/or have our blogs super private. I think it's just another way to stay in touch in this crazy, fast-paced world of ours.
I started writing something this morning that I find completely hilarious. I found the above paragraph started when I was apparently not in such a jovial mood. I started it before this friend became concerned about something, and before this friend or this friend wrote either of their recent posts, but after this friend felt she had to preface every post with an explanation. Obviously, I'm feeling hysterical right now because I have no idea how to link people or articles to my post and I want to poke fun at those of you that are more computer savvy than I am. So, the joke is on it's way...
(oh, I'm not allowing comments on this and the next post due to a current medical condition)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Atrophic Bloggitis
Definition: The partial or complete wasting away of any part of the mind, body, and/or spirit due to past or present blogging. Atrophic Bloggitis can be caused by poor nutrition, poor circulation, poor judgment, loss of hormonal support, or a whole host of psychological malfunctions (real or imagined). Treatment for severe cases of Atrophic Bloggitis can be tricky since there is almost always residual scarring left on the heart muscle. Support from friends and family is essential, and a return to blogging, in any form, may only worsen the case even though the symptoms may be different. For many people, a few or all the symptoms will do no harm, especially when they are kept in check. For others, even one symptom can cause irreparable damage. For purposes of this article blog, blogging, and posts may be used interchangeably and refers not only to writing a post, but also to reading a post.
Warning signs and symptoms include but are not limited to:
(Physical)waking up to blog, suggesting other people blog, loosing sleep to blog, talking incessantly about blogging, butt pains from blogging, blog-onset carpal tunnel syndrome, making up completely absurd disorders and posts to justify your blogging disorder.
(Psychological) the need to receive and give comments, concern that nobody reads your blog, constant worry that you will offend someone by saying or not saying something about them, taking offense that someone said or did not say something about you, reading too much or too little into a comment or post.
(Internet specific) searching strangers blogs for validation, the nagging sensation to comment on strangers blogs, the need to obtain as many "hits" as possible, knowing how to check your "hits", trying to use specific words to attract attention on multiple occasions.
(Misc.) taking pictures for the sole purpose of blogging about it, subconsciously editing other people's posts, actually editing other peoples posts, avoiding real conversations with real people so you can blog, calling people and/or gossiping about the content of someones blog, letting your children do whatever they want while you blog, frantic panic attacks due to the lack of blogging, and composing blogs as you drive, cook, eat, and even sleep.
Treatment for Atrophic Bloggitis is different for everyone. Some may need to quit blogging altogether, sever all ties to the blogging world, and avoid contact with people that do blog. This complete removal from the blog is especially important if your symptoms tend to be doing damage to your heart. Some people will find that simply taking a break from blogging clears the mind, heals the body, and supports the heart. Beware, however, that when you return symptoms may worsen. Specific physical symptoms should be treated at the core, not surgically. (IE: a serious look at the time spent blogging should be considered before you have butt cushions surgically implanted in your lower checks)
Please note that the diagnosis, treatment, and naming of the above mentioned disease is the sole creation of the author and should in no means be taken as truth. Although the author seems to have many of these symptoms herself, she believes that she has a good handle on them most of the time. Her head and heart are in excellent health and she suffers mainly from the physical lack of sleep during severe attacks of Atrophic Bloggitis. Self diagnosis is encouraged and support can be given by contacting the author directly. If you don't know the author and you really want to contact her you should consider that you have a serious case of Atrophic Bloggitis and seek the help of a friend immediately. This friend should be a live person that you knew before blogging and that you see or talk to on at least a weekly basis. Good luck, and happy blogging!
Warning signs and symptoms include but are not limited to:
(Physical)waking up to blog, suggesting other people blog, loosing sleep to blog, talking incessantly about blogging, butt pains from blogging, blog-onset carpal tunnel syndrome, making up completely absurd disorders and posts to justify your blogging disorder.
(Psychological) the need to receive and give comments, concern that nobody reads your blog, constant worry that you will offend someone by saying or not saying something about them, taking offense that someone said or did not say something about you, reading too much or too little into a comment or post.
(Internet specific) searching strangers blogs for validation, the nagging sensation to comment on strangers blogs, the need to obtain as many "hits" as possible, knowing how to check your "hits", trying to use specific words to attract attention on multiple occasions.
(Misc.) taking pictures for the sole purpose of blogging about it, subconsciously editing other people's posts, actually editing other peoples posts, avoiding real conversations with real people so you can blog, calling people and/or gossiping about the content of someones blog, letting your children do whatever they want while you blog, frantic panic attacks due to the lack of blogging, and composing blogs as you drive, cook, eat, and even sleep.
Treatment for Atrophic Bloggitis is different for everyone. Some may need to quit blogging altogether, sever all ties to the blogging world, and avoid contact with people that do blog. This complete removal from the blog is especially important if your symptoms tend to be doing damage to your heart. Some people will find that simply taking a break from blogging clears the mind, heals the body, and supports the heart. Beware, however, that when you return symptoms may worsen. Specific physical symptoms should be treated at the core, not surgically. (IE: a serious look at the time spent blogging should be considered before you have butt cushions surgically implanted in your lower checks)
Please note that the diagnosis, treatment, and naming of the above mentioned disease is the sole creation of the author and should in no means be taken as truth. Although the author seems to have many of these symptoms herself, she believes that she has a good handle on them most of the time. Her head and heart are in excellent health and she suffers mainly from the physical lack of sleep during severe attacks of Atrophic Bloggitis. Self diagnosis is encouraged and support can be given by contacting the author directly. If you don't know the author and you really want to contact her you should consider that you have a serious case of Atrophic Bloggitis and seek the help of a friend immediately. This friend should be a live person that you knew before blogging and that you see or talk to on at least a weekly basis. Good luck, and happy blogging!
Monday, April 14, 2008
AAAHHH! Too much sports!
I had a really great post to do and now I have no idea where it went. This could be because I am being tortured by Bill. Report him now! He's forcing me to listen to baseball on the computer. At the same time he's got the Sun's game on the TV, on mute. How much sports is too much? Just because I went to a game with him on Saturday doesn't mean that I have given in and want it in my life on an ongoing basis. I certainly don't need basketball AND baseball at the same time! I need peace! I need quiet! I don't care that it is Randy Johnson's first game back pitching. Here he comes...I have to go!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
My B Blog
I had originally thought to title this post, "Babies and Boobs" but I thought I'd leave room for you to include your B words. Here are the B's that keep coming to light in my world...
Babies: There is a billboard on the way home from school that reads, "Babies are born to be breastfeed." I thought many of you would appreciate that little plug. There's a website at the bottom, but it is too small to read as I am zooming by. I'll write it down the next time traffic is slow and go.
Boobs: Boob season is upon us. That glorious time of year where women everywhere believe that the missing 2-10 inches of clothing that is supposed to cover the top half of their body is the reason they are hot. So, they buy the scankiest shirt available that could not possibly hold all of their cleevage and stuff themselves into it. On the other side, are the women who believe that tight clothing is making them hot. This is not much better since loose, low-cut blouses tend to show just as much, if not more boobage when the woman leans forward.
Banks: (another billboard) "ATM fees are just financial wedgies." Cute, but a horrific image.
Bills: MY Bills, Bill, Billy, and "Bomps" (Bill's dad). They are the fabulous Bills. I try hard not to think of the other bills.
Baseball: Bill and I were able to go to a Diamondbacks game this Saturday. I just love baseball. Not televised, LIVE baseball. It really is the only place that I can sit and do nothing. Do you know how refreshing that is?! Aaah. For me there is something about walking into that stadium and seeing that green field that just makes my whole body relax and forget about the rest of life. We talk about the players, the people, the hot dog race...anything but real life. (The 2 times we talked about real stuff it felt awkward so I quit) The other part of baseball is...boobs and babies. There were 2 of the sweetest looking babies at that game, and plenty of boobage to go around. (oh, and buttcrack. That's another b word but it just really doesn't deserve it's on paragraph, gross.)And finally...
Baptism: This is a good B word. I really do need to go finish preparing our lesson on baptism for tomorrow. Getting baptized was the best decision I've ever made in my SHORT 36 years of life.
Babies: There is a billboard on the way home from school that reads, "Babies are born to be breastfeed." I thought many of you would appreciate that little plug. There's a website at the bottom, but it is too small to read as I am zooming by. I'll write it down the next time traffic is slow and go.
Boobs: Boob season is upon us. That glorious time of year where women everywhere believe that the missing 2-10 inches of clothing that is supposed to cover the top half of their body is the reason they are hot. So, they buy the scankiest shirt available that could not possibly hold all of their cleevage and stuff themselves into it. On the other side, are the women who believe that tight clothing is making them hot. This is not much better since loose, low-cut blouses tend to show just as much, if not more boobage when the woman leans forward.
Banks: (another billboard) "ATM fees are just financial wedgies." Cute, but a horrific image.
Bills: MY Bills, Bill, Billy, and "Bomps" (Bill's dad). They are the fabulous Bills. I try hard not to think of the other bills.
Baseball: Bill and I were able to go to a Diamondbacks game this Saturday. I just love baseball. Not televised, LIVE baseball. It really is the only place that I can sit and do nothing. Do you know how refreshing that is?! Aaah. For me there is something about walking into that stadium and seeing that green field that just makes my whole body relax and forget about the rest of life. We talk about the players, the people, the hot dog race...anything but real life. (The 2 times we talked about real stuff it felt awkward so I quit) The other part of baseball is...boobs and babies. There were 2 of the sweetest looking babies at that game, and plenty of boobage to go around. (oh, and buttcrack. That's another b word but it just really doesn't deserve it's on paragraph, gross.)And finally...
Baptism: This is a good B word. I really do need to go finish preparing our lesson on baptism for tomorrow. Getting baptized was the best decision I've ever made in my SHORT 36 years of life.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Cutting Corners
This morning, as I was primping, Kyra came into the hall outside the bathroom huffing and puffing (mostly out of breath, but with an annoyed look on her face as well). Tasha was in her room and I hadn't heard any screaming so I knew that there had not been a fight. (Yes, this is always my first thought when either of my children come to me in a tither) After questioning I find out that Kyra had been outside and had a race with Harlee. OK. But that doesn't explain why she's a bit upset. So then it comes, Kyra complains, "I would have won but Harlee cut a corner." And, in case you have forgotten, Harlee IS A DOG! Yep, my 9 year old accused the dog of cheating.
I have no idea why we have misunderstandings, tantrums, and fights in this house!?!
I have no idea why we have misunderstandings, tantrums, and fights in this house!?!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Chicken farming anyone?!
Do to an overwhelming response to raising chickens (that would be 3 of you), I've developed a plan:
1. We all take a tour of Jaylee's mom's chicken ranch and decide who's in.
2. We divide the number of participants into the 12 months of the year.
3. We each get assigned certain months of the year to host the chickens and rotate those little babies from house to house.
Here's the math (Bill confirmed it)
5 chickens @ 5 eggs/day times 7 is 35 eggs per week.
If we have 3 participants we each get about a dozen eggs per week and house the chickens for 4 months of the year.
I just have to get over the horror that my mother-in-law instilled in me about chickens. Apparently her memories were not fond ones. This certainly would instill a little work ethic as our children collect eggs each morning. Not as much as milking a cow, but I don't think I want to mess with cow patties. Somebody set up the next Mommy and Me with Jaylee :)
1. We all take a tour of Jaylee's mom's chicken ranch and decide who's in.
2. We divide the number of participants into the 12 months of the year.
3. We each get assigned certain months of the year to host the chickens and rotate those little babies from house to house.
Here's the math (Bill confirmed it)
5 chickens @ 5 eggs/day times 7 is 35 eggs per week.
If we have 3 participants we each get about a dozen eggs per week and house the chickens for 4 months of the year.
I just have to get over the horror that my mother-in-law instilled in me about chickens. Apparently her memories were not fond ones. This certainly would instill a little work ethic as our children collect eggs each morning. Not as much as milking a cow, but I don't think I want to mess with cow patties. Somebody set up the next Mommy and Me with Jaylee :)
Misleading information
Last week I attended a social breakfast with a few parents from Kyra's school. It is always nice to hear that our children are in somewhat of the same stage of life, and that as a mom you're not going crazy on your own. Same school, same age, same issues, different parenting backgrounds and techniques. After the breakfast, of which I had none since I showed up characteristically late, I went next door to the Booster Juice store to get a wheat grass shot that had been displayed so inticingly in the store window as I walked by it earlier. Ah yes, I had been dreaming of wheat grass for the last hour and half. Is that weird?! I read a poster in their store while I was waiting for my grass to be juiced (does that read as funny as it sounds?) on the environment benefits of styrofoam cups over paper. I can't believe this to be true.
I relate this experience from last Thursday because I repeated the visit this morning with Tasha and was reminded of the trust and lack of trust that I have in the information that so-called experts give us. You think that when you read something from a scientific journal, health magazine, doctor's office, ect. that it should have some basis for truth and/or show the whole picture. I can't stand that people can (and DO) manipulate the numbers, truth, and even quotes from people to benefit the point that they are trying to make. Give me a topic, any topic and I'll find a way to get numbers and quotes to support the most ridiculous side of the fence. THEN, I'll give myself a really fancy name, back it with some even fancier credentials and post it on the internet! If you write it people will read...and some of them might even believe. I love to be able to access a number of articles about any given topic with this amazing google search engine, but I am very discouraged at the amount of misleading information and dirty pictures you can pull up in the process. Nobody said you need a PhD to use the internet, but sometimes I don't think my BA is enough to sort through all the trash. I bet my local garbage man or recycling sorter could do a much better job.
Back to the styrofoam cup, or, as we should all be very aware, the polystyrene cup. I am being specific here because if you google "styrofoam" you get a very different result than if you enter "paper vs polystyrene". You get a much broader spectrum of information on the subject if you enter in the later search. Everyone knows about styrofoam, so you get the dummy answer for your question. Always dig a little deeper and read with an exceptionally skeptic eye. For instance, the Institue for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment sounds like it would be a very good resource. I'm sure their research was very thorough, well documented and right on the money. When it comes to producing and manufacturing styrofoam, paper, and ceramic cups, the environmental impact of these 3 choices are listed above from least to greatest. Meaning, making one styrofoam cup has far fewer bad emissions than making a ceramic cup. In fact, I could use 1000+ styrofoam cups before I would even come close to the environment impact that it takes to make and wash my favorite West Wing ceramic mug. Likewise, I could use 39 paper cups. Well, clearly we should all be using styrofoam, right?!
WRONG! Let's stack up those 1000 foam cups and set them right next to my one mug. Put them into a landfill and what do you have? A big old mess. How about the natural materials that go into these beverage containers? I don't think there is anything natural in polystyrene and certainly nothing renewable. If these babies don't end up in a landfill they won't biodegrade like a paper cup. Sadly, there are still people out there that think it is acceptable to just leave their trash lying or floating around, and enough people don't recycle. Finally, we could talk about the wonderful leaching affect that comes from putting a hot, fatty, or citrus-y food into a polystyrene container. I think I read that if you drank 3 cups of coffee everyday for a year your body would actually be obsorbing a full cups worth of polystyrene. I wonder what our bodies do with that stuff.
So now I'm off to sip my smoothie from my styrofoam cup, leach some plactic into my lunch by using my microwave oven, and emit some harmful cellular waves into my brain while I talk on my cell phone on the way to school/work in my semi-gas efficient clunker of a car. I'm not perfect, don't plan on being anytime soon, and have not gone off the deep green end. I just want the truth. I don't want to be lied to, decieved, or even manipulated into thinking that something is what it isn't. It might be more environmental productive for Booster Juice to serve their beverages in styrofoam cups but the jury is still out at my house.
I relate this experience from last Thursday because I repeated the visit this morning with Tasha and was reminded of the trust and lack of trust that I have in the information that so-called experts give us. You think that when you read something from a scientific journal, health magazine, doctor's office, ect. that it should have some basis for truth and/or show the whole picture. I can't stand that people can (and DO) manipulate the numbers, truth, and even quotes from people to benefit the point that they are trying to make. Give me a topic, any topic and I'll find a way to get numbers and quotes to support the most ridiculous side of the fence. THEN, I'll give myself a really fancy name, back it with some even fancier credentials and post it on the internet! If you write it people will read...and some of them might even believe. I love to be able to access a number of articles about any given topic with this amazing google search engine, but I am very discouraged at the amount of misleading information and dirty pictures you can pull up in the process. Nobody said you need a PhD to use the internet, but sometimes I don't think my BA is enough to sort through all the trash. I bet my local garbage man or recycling sorter could do a much better job.
Back to the styrofoam cup, or, as we should all be very aware, the polystyrene cup. I am being specific here because if you google "styrofoam" you get a very different result than if you enter "paper vs polystyrene". You get a much broader spectrum of information on the subject if you enter in the later search. Everyone knows about styrofoam, so you get the dummy answer for your question. Always dig a little deeper and read with an exceptionally skeptic eye. For instance, the Institue for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment sounds like it would be a very good resource. I'm sure their research was very thorough, well documented and right on the money. When it comes to producing and manufacturing styrofoam, paper, and ceramic cups, the environmental impact of these 3 choices are listed above from least to greatest. Meaning, making one styrofoam cup has far fewer bad emissions than making a ceramic cup. In fact, I could use 1000+ styrofoam cups before I would even come close to the environment impact that it takes to make and wash my favorite West Wing ceramic mug. Likewise, I could use 39 paper cups. Well, clearly we should all be using styrofoam, right?!
WRONG! Let's stack up those 1000 foam cups and set them right next to my one mug. Put them into a landfill and what do you have? A big old mess. How about the natural materials that go into these beverage containers? I don't think there is anything natural in polystyrene and certainly nothing renewable. If these babies don't end up in a landfill they won't biodegrade like a paper cup. Sadly, there are still people out there that think it is acceptable to just leave their trash lying or floating around, and enough people don't recycle. Finally, we could talk about the wonderful leaching affect that comes from putting a hot, fatty, or citrus-y food into a polystyrene container. I think I read that if you drank 3 cups of coffee everyday for a year your body would actually be obsorbing a full cups worth of polystyrene. I wonder what our bodies do with that stuff.
So now I'm off to sip my smoothie from my styrofoam cup, leach some plactic into my lunch by using my microwave oven, and emit some harmful cellular waves into my brain while I talk on my cell phone on the way to school/work in my semi-gas efficient clunker of a car. I'm not perfect, don't plan on being anytime soon, and have not gone off the deep green end. I just want the truth. I don't want to be lied to, decieved, or even manipulated into thinking that something is what it isn't. It might be more environmental productive for Booster Juice to serve their beverages in styrofoam cups but the jury is still out at my house.
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