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30 September 2014
Bon Anniversaire, Marion
Today is the birthday of my favourite modern actress, Marion Cotillard. From her film roles to her advertisements for Dior, I just adore everything she does. Which is why I am so excited to see her in conversation this weekend at the New York Film Festival where she'll be promoting her new film, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's Two Days, One Night.
Last night I attended a festival talk with another French favourite, Mathieu Amalric, who was intelligent, funny, and charming. He spoke for more than an hour about the directors he's worked with and his own filmmaking process. Absolutely wonderful. Now all I want to do is watch French cinema.
25 September 2014
The always delightful Alice White and friend.
Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie—Alan Bradley
Flavia de Luce, an 11-year old with a passion for chemistry (especially poisons), lives with her two older sisters and widowed father in their old family estate in the English countryside. One day their rather dull 1950s life is interrupted by the discovery of a dead bird with a postage stamp on his beak outside their door followed by Flavia witnessing a strange man die in their garden. Unwilling to leave the mystery to the local authorities, Flavia sets out on her bike to solve it herself. Wise beyond her years and completely endearing, Flavia is a wonderful young sleuth. The first in a series, I'm looking forward to reading more of Flavia's adventures.
Frog Music—Emma Donoghue
During a heat wave and smallpox epidemic in 1876 San Francisco, French dancer Blanche Beunon witnesses the murder of her cross-dressing friend, the frog catcher Jenny Bonnet. Convinced that her "fancy man," Arthur Deneve, whom she has left, and his ever-present friend, Ernest, are responsible, Blanche sets out to prove who killed Jenny while also attempting to find her own baby son whom she gave away. Donoghue does a wonderful job of bringing San Francisco to life, from the teeming streets of Chinatown to the nearly deserted outskirts of the city. And while Blanche can try the patience of the reader, Jenny imbues the story with energy whenever she appears.
The Prime Minister's Secret Agent—Susan Elia MacNeal
Maggie Hope is in Scotland, training new recruits while recovering from her undercover mission in Berlin. Suffering from what Churchill calls the Black Dog (depression), she adopts an abandoned tabby and decides to go to Glasgow to see her friend, Sarah, perform in La Sylphide. But when two members of the dance troupe suddenly die and Sarah falls gravely ill, Maggie becomes determined to find an answer and save her friend's life. Inter cut with Maggie's story is that of her mother, awaiting her execution for treason, and Japan's planned attack on Pearl Harbor, which Churchill gets winds of early on. I really enjoy the Maggie Hope series but have to admit that this was my least favourite of the books. Let's hope the next one has more Maggie and fewer story lines (although a guest appearance by Ian Fleming was fun).
Down the Garden Path—Beverley Nichols
A noted author of everything from children's books to newspaper columns, Beverley Nichols was an avid gardener who wrote a trilogy about his gardens at Allways, his cottage in Cambridgeshire. Down the Garden Path is the first and perhaps most loved of the books. Filled with the trials and tribulations of creating the gardens including having flowers in the winter, turning a field into a wood, and failing at a rock garden, it's a humorous and engaging account. Along the way Nichols makes witty observations about the people he encounters, often with his claws out, and makes confessions: "I would rather be made bankrupt by a bulb merchant than by a chorus girl." A must read for gardening fans.
In Victorian England, introverted poet James Norbury moves to London where he finds lodgings with a member of the aristocracy. When his letters to his sister, Charlotte, in Oxford suddenly cease, she comes to the city to find out what happened to him. What she uncovers is an underworld of nefarious goings-on and creatures of the night with all trails leading to the Aegolius Club whose members have blood on their minds. After a wonderful opening chapter, the book slows down for a while before a sudden plot twist picks up the pace and leaves the reader on edge. I really liked the direction in which the story went and that the author presented main characters who were often unlikeable. I just wish it had been a wee bit smaller.
Love Nina: A Nanny Writes Home—Nina Stibbe
In 1982, 20-year old Nina Stibbe moved to London from her small town near Leicestershire to work as a nanny to Sam and Will Frears whose mother was Kay Wilmers, deputy editor of the London Review of Books. Nina wrote regular letters back home to her sister, Vic, with observations about life in London and little, everyday details about the boys, her employer, and the guests who frequented the house including their neighbour and regular dinner companion, Alan Bennett. Included in her stories is the cat that no one really likes, her cooking that often gets criticized (turkey mince!), and the abuse experienced by the family car. After a while, Nina becomes a part of the family, continuing to live at the house even after she goes to university. A charming read that brought back some memories for this former au pair.
21 September 2014
Hidden Gardens
Recently I've taken to walking over to the Church of St Luke in the Field on the weekends to sit in their gardens. An Episcopal church originally founded in 1820, St. Luke's in the Field shares its block of Hudson Street in the West Village with an elementary school, St. Luke's School, along with a series of lovely gardens.
Hidden behind tall brick walls is a series of six gardens, all connected by paths that allow you to stroll from one to the next. There's a lawn, maple and cherry trees, a rose garden, and even a contemplation corner with pink, purple, and white flowers. It's a wonderful retreat from the bustle of the city where cell phones are discouraged but where one can sit and read or ponder for as long as one wishes.
17 September 2014
Night Nurse
If you're in the mood for some pre-code Hollywood fun (and who isn't), then Night Nurse (1931) is the film for you. Directed by William Wellman (whose work I just realized I've written about a lot), Night Nurse is fast, slightly shocking (in a 1930s sort of way), and highly entertaining.
Lora Hart (Barbara Stanwyck) wants to become a trainee nurse but is turned away from the hospital for not having a high school diploma. After bumping into the chief of staff, Dr. Arthur Bell (Charles Winninger), on her way out (shades of another Stanwyck pre-code film, Baby Face, comes to mind in this scene), she gets her wish. Accepted into the program, she's paired up with the gum chewing Maloney (Joan Blondell) who shows her the ropes around the hospital. The two become roommates and friends.
One night a gunshot victim, Mortie (Ben Lyon), comes into the hospital. He turns out to be a bootlegger and convinces Lora not to report him to the police. Charmed by the smooth-talking criminal, she agrees. Later he sends her a bottle of rye with thanks to his "pal" and when she and Maloney graduate, his is the largest floral bouquet in the room.
Now certified, Maloney gets Lora the night shift taking care of two little girls, Desney (Betty Jane Graham) and Nanny (Marcia Mae Jones) Ritchey, who Lora met when they were treated for malnutrition and anaemia at the hospital. Now back home with their mother in a Fifth Avenue mansion, the girls' condition has worsened. Before leaving Maloney, who has the day shift, warns Lora that there's something "screwy" going on in the house.
The two girls, who had met Lora at the hospital, tell her that they used to have another sister but she got run over and that their dead father had been a nice man. But Nick the chauffeur? He scares them. They also complain that they're always hungry.
After the children go to sleep, Lora learns that nightly parties go on in the house and that Mrs. Ritchey routinely passes out drunk. Lora is assaulted by one of the party goers and nearly raped before she's rescued by Nick the chauffeur (Clark Gable). Later, when he asks her to pump the stomach of Mrs. Ritchey and she refuses, they struggle, and he knocks her out.
The next day she confronts Dr. Milton Ranger (Ralf Harolde), the man treating the girls, about what's going on in the house, and he tells her to "let it go." She quits and reports her suspicions to Dr. Bell who doesn't feel comfortable interfering with another doctor's case. He advises her to get her job back and try to find evidence so she can swear out a warrant.
Apologizing profusely to Ranger, she's reinstated and returns to find Nanny dreadfully weak. Unable to get Mrs. Ritchey to respond to her pleas to help her children or to get Dr. Bell on the phone, Lora resorts to trying a milk bath, an old wives' remedy that the housekeeper, Mrs. Maxwell (Blanche Friderici), keeps insisting saved her sister's child. Mortie, who happens to be making a delivery to the mansion, goes on a milk run for her. While waiting to see if it's working, Mrs. Maxwell, who's been drinking, tells Lora that Nick is really Mrs. Ritchey's boyfriend, and that he's trying to murder the girls so he can marry their mother and get their trust fund.
The bath doesn't help but Dr. Bell shows up (Mortie tracked him down) and is examining Nanny when Nick tries to stop him. Once again, Mortie comes to the rescue, threatening Nick with a concealed weapon and sitting guard outside the room while Lora offers up her own blood for a transfusion that saves Nanny.
The following day, Mortie gives Lora a lift downtown so she can give her evidence to the police. When she mentions her concerns about Nick, Mortie tells her that he told a couple of guys that he "didn't like Nick so good." The closing scene is of an ambulance pulling up to the hospital with the body of a man dressed in a chauffeur's uniform.
Like any good pre-code film, Night Nurse is filled with characters with questionable morals. Lora is sympathetic to and ends up with a bootlegger. Mrs. Ritchey is a drunk and negligent mother. Dr. Ranger appears to have a cocaine problem. And violence (Nick seems to have killed the girls' other sister, Lora is almost raped) is met with violence (Nick's death) seemingly without any final condemnation from anyone.
Naturally there's dialogue filled with witty wisecracks, most of which are delivered by the delightful Joan Blondell who always excelled at playing the best friend in films and tended to get the best lines too.
"I thought the hospital would burn down before I could get into it. Now I have to watch myself with matches."
"Keep away from interns. They're like cancer: the disease is known but not the cure."
(To Mortie): "Oh, you make any joint look like a speakeasy."
And then there's the question of clothing or rather the lack of. The general rule in this film appears to be, when in doubt, have the female leads get undressed. Stanwyck and Blondell remove their clothes constantly throughout the film—when they're trying on their uniforms, when they're going to bed, when they're getting ready for work. Except for an early scene in which one of the interns walks in on Stanwyck ("You can't show me a thing I ain't seen. I just got out of the delivery room."), the two women are always alone, away from prying eyes except for those of the viewer.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the film is the relationship between Lora and Maloney. There's no backstabbing or jealousy between these two. Instead they're friends and colleagues who have each other's back. Even the swipes Maloney makes at Mortie, Lora's love interest, are good-natured. The dark-haired Stanwyck and the blonde Blondell visually make a striking duo on screen and their banter comes off sounding natural.
Stanwyck plays Lora as a street-smart working girl with a soft spot for children. While her maternal feelings shouldn't be brushed aside, Stanwyck is at her strongest when she shows off her tough cookie persona, standing up to Nick and slapping one of the party goers. When she tries to get Mrs. Ritchey to help her children and the drunken woman passes out, Stanwyck looks down at her, shakes her head and says, "you mother," before dumping a champagne bucket of water on her.
And then there's Gable. Oh, Mr. Gable. In this, one of his first roles, Gable is young, handsome, and dangerous. Far from the charming rogue movie goers would come to love, Gable is a brute here. The only thing that takes away from Gable's performance is when he announces, "I'm Nick, the chauffeur." It's suppose to be filled with menace yet today the lines just come off as a bit comical. It doesn't matter because Gable simply oozes sex appeal. It's no wonder that he would soon become a box office star.
Even though the attractive Gable is in the second half of the film, it's the first half, set in the hospital, that's the most interesting with its shots of the maternity ward and Lora at her first surgery. It also has one of the film's best known scenes when Lora and Maloney sneak back to their room after missing curfew. Stripping down to their slips, they are getting ready to turn in when Lora finds a skeleton in her bed (a trick played by one of the interns). Her screams bring the head nurse to the room who, realizing that they've been out, punishes them both with extra shifts. Lora, unwilling to sleep in a bed recently occupied by a skeleton, climbs into bed with Maloney instead. Now that's a pre-code film.
10 September 2014
Remembering Olive
On September 10, 1920 Olive Thomas died after having mistakenly drank a solution of bichloride of mercury five days earlier. It was a terrible way for anyone to go and in Olive's case, marked an abrupt end to a blossoming career as a screen star. Already popular with filmgoers at the time of her death, we can only speculate on the other films she would have made and if she would have made the change over to talkies (of all the unanswered Olive Thomas questions, one at the top of my list is what did her voice sound like?).
Unfortunately too many people today only remember Olive for the way she died (and most of the articles/books out there are filled with rumours and false information). I think we should remember her for what she was, a beautiful and vivacious woman who lit up the screen whenever she walked in front of the camera.
Never seen an Olive Thomas film? You can watch The Flapper, one of her best known films, here.
09 September 2014
Brassaï at Night
"Morris column in the fog, Avenue de l''Observatoire" Brassaï (1934)
Today is the birthday of Gyula Halasz, better known as the photographer Brassaï. Born on September 9, 1899 in Brasso, Romania (then part of Hungary), he spent a year in Paris as a child when his father, a professor of French literature, taught at the Sorbonne. Moving back to the city that would become his permanent home in 1924, he worked as a journalist, spending his spare time painting and drawing. His first foray into photography came when he began working for Minotaure, an art magazine, and was asked to photograph artist studios. He was disinterested in the medium at first but had his mind changed by a fellow Hungarian, photographer André Kertész.
Now going by the name Brassaï (taken from his hometown), he became a popular photographer, often hired by major magazines. Yet regardless of his assignments, his fascination was with his adopted city at night. Walking the streets alone, Brassaï managed to capture the after-hour life of the City of Lights like no one else. In his images we see an empty bridge, a car's headlight cutting a beam across the street, an iconic Morris column covered with notices. And we witness the creatures of the night: the gamblers and prostitutes, late night revellers and lovers. As Brassaï once wrote, "Night in a large city brings out of its den an entire population that lives its entire life completely under the cover of darkness."
"Pair of lovers, Place d'Italie" Brassaï (1930)
In 1933 he published many of these images in Paris de Nuit, a book that is still in print today. Flipping through its pages or another of his books, The Secret Paris of the 30's, one is immediately swept back into the past, his photographs so real that you can almost smell the dirty streets. So on this occasion of the anniversary of his birth, let's remember Brassaï by taking a look at a few more of his images of Paris at night.
"Prostitutes at a bar, Boulevard Rochechouart, Montmartre" Brassaï (1932). One of my favourites.
And I love how he photographed the same woman more than once (see below).
"A prostitute playing Russian billiards, Boulevard Rochechouart" Brassaï (1932)
"Lovers in a Small Cafe, Near the Place d'Italie" Brassaï (1932)
"Le Pont Neuf" Brassaï (1932)
To see more of Brassaï's photos, I recommend getting a copy of The Secret Paris of the 30's. It's been a favourite since college and is still in print.
02 September 2014
Somewhere in France
The legendary picture editor, John G. Morris, was friends with some of the greatest photographers of the 20th century: Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and, most notably, Robert Capa whom he worked with at Life Magazine and Magnum Photos. Today Morris, who is 97 and still going strong, resides in Paris where he has lived since 1983.
Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of getting to meet Morris when he came to New York to give a talk at the International Center of Photography. Accompanied by Robert Pledge, the founder of Contact Press Images, Morris spoke for more than an hour to a packed room about his life, his friendship with Capa, and his new book Quelque Part en France: L'été 1944 de John G. Morris.
Born on December 7, 1916, Morris attended the University of Chicago where, inspired by Time Inc's publications, including their new Life Magazine, he founded the student magazine Pulse. After graduating in 1937 with a degree in political science, Morris was unable to get a job so he hung around the school, continuing to edit the magazine. He told the story of how one week Life photographer Bernie Hoffman came to campus to do a piece on the university, and Morris was hired to be his assistant for the princely sum of $25. The experience made a big impact on Morris and set him down the road of photojournalism. In 1938, he moved to New York to work in the mailroom at Life where he moved his way up to picture editor.
Back row, left to right: Bob Landry, George Rodger, Frank Scherschel, Robert Capa; front row, Ralph Morse, John G. Morris, David E. Scherman. Photo: Life Magazine
During World War II Morris, now a picture editor, was assigned to Life's London bureau where he edited Robert Capa's iconic images of the D-Day invasion (more here). In the summer of 1944, Morris accompanied photographers George Rodger, Bob Landry, Ralph Morse, David E. Scherman, Frank Scherschel, and Capa to France as a photo coordinator to cover the Allied advance into Normandy and Brittany. He brought along a Rolleiflex and shot 14 rolls of 120mm film. A few of the images were published but the rest were put away and forgotten. A few years ago they were rediscovered by Robert Pledge who helped organized them into a new book, Quelque Part en France: L'été 1944 de John G. Morris.
"Near Dol-de-Bretagne, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany" John G. Morris (August 7, 1944)
The photos in the book show bombed out towns and empty train stations, civilians and refugees, and soldiers and prisoners of war. One chapter documents the liberation of the town of Rennes in Normandy, which contained a German POW camp.There are even a few "selfies." Written in French, the book includes reproductions of the letters Morris wrote home to his wife, Dele, as well as a letter to Elizabeth "Crocky" Reeve, a staff member in the London office, in which he admits that "I fully satisfied my appetite for the front line by getting shot at individually, which is old stuff to guys like Capa but something new to me, even though I did grow up in Chicago."
In many instances, the photos are intimate portraits of war. There's the image of a German soldier who could pass for a school child surrendering; a woman, suspected of collaborating with the Germans, being shouted at as she's taken away; a dead American soldier laying by the side of a road. They serve as a reminder of the real cost of war. Yet some of the images are also lighthearted like the MP kissing a girl in a field or the rail sign that reads "U.S. Army Special to Berlin On Time—As Usual." Then there is the shot of the three boys who grace the cover of the book who we learned all survived the war and lived to be old men.
Pledge explained at the talk that when the project was first started, many of the images were unidentified. Through research and with the help of others, the pieces of the puzzle were put together. In some instances photos taken prior to the war of the towns that Morris had visited were used as comparisons; in other cases initials on the side of the frames helped Morris to recall where he had been.
"Robert Capa photographing German officers surrendering near St-Malo, Brittany, France" John G. Morris (August 10, 1944)
That summer in France, Morris picked up a camera because he felt he needed the experience, to see what war was all about. When asked why he didn't photograph more often he said, when you go around with greats like Capa, you don't take pictures behind their backs (ironically there is an image in the book taken of Capa's back as he's taking a photo).
Throughout his talk, Morris always returned to Capa whom he first met in New York in 1939. Morris' life seems to have always been connected to the dashing war photographer from his student days when he reprinted a Capa photo in Pulse to their working together at Life and Magnum; even Morris' decision to live in Paris was influenced by Capa. As he put it, "Capa was my Hungarian brother."
Morris remains interested in world affairs, particularly in US politics (he is a lifelong Democrat) and says he is still hopeful for the future. While he praised the work of some publications like National Geographic, he said that the press doesn't always do a good job and needs to tell the truth more. He also stressed the importance of the role of the picture editor. With more publications reducing their photo staffs there is a need now more than ever, he said, for good picture editors. The ease at which people can take photos means that publications are swamped with loads of images and need trained picture editors who can sort through them and separate out the junk.
"Transport of German prisoners by American soldiers near Saint-Lo, Normandie" John G. Morris (July 27, 1944)
Finally, at the end of the talk, an audience member asked, "who is the most talented photographer you've worked with?" to which Morris replied, "Don't ask me such a ridiculous question."
01 September 2014
Happy September
An eternal student, I love September's arrival with its back-to-school mentality. Everyone and everything is back so no more out of office messages, reruns of TV show, or closing exhibits. It also means that in just a few weeks, my favourite season of the year will begin (although the weather today felt like summer had just returned with a vengeance). So Happy September, everyone and for those of you in the states, hope you had a great Labor Day.
Image from here.
Image from here.
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Being prepared can make an emergency a little less stressful. Due to an evacuation for an impending hurricane, we were in the car 18 hours in addition to 2.75 million other Houstonians for a usual 4-hour trip. So, needless to say, we learned a lot that first time. Things such as being sure to have the gas tank filled before leaving because many gas stations were closed when the actual evacuation took place. Also, having a small blanket to place on the window allowed relief for the baby. Helpful hints like these can make your evacuation a little less stressful. This is an evacuation list you can start with and then personalize as you need.
Download a printable version of this checklist
To Prep for Evacuation:
- be sure car is full of gasoline
- refill prescriptions
- secure outside items
- unplug small appliances
Ready to go at all times and enclosed in a waterproof bag:
- important papers: social security cards, birth and marriage, certificates, deeds, homeowners/insurance policies, and wills
- copies of: credit cards, bank and investment info, diplomas, professional credentials
Other things you'll need to bring and do:
- refill prescriptions
- medications/first aid kit
- extra glasses, contacts, hearing aids
- water (2 gallons for each person)
- non-perishable food
- can opener
- toilet paper roll
- something to use as a portable potty
- small throw (to hang in the window for protection from the sun)
- sentimental items (family heirlooms, special jewelry, baby books, family photos)
- battery operated radio with extra batteries
- sleeping bags or blankets
- flashlight with extra batteries
- special items for infants, elderly, or disabled
- ponchos
- feminine hygiene
- solar blanket
- computer back up
- activities for children
- extra clothes
- sunscreen
- permanent marker
- food and water bowl for pets
- patience!
In the event of an evacuation, you won't want to be searching for this packing list. Therefore, it's probably a good idea to keep this list taped inside your closet so you can be prepared!

subset: commoncrawl


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Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: The Surprising Link Between Light Pollution and Cancer
Do we need nighttime darkness to stay healthy? After finding a correlation between light pollution and increased risk of cancer, researchers say yes.
There are plenty of arguments against lighting the night sky: It wastes energy, blots out stars and messes with the nocturnal habits of animals in a big way. Now there's another reason, one that could go a long way toward convincing humans that whatever sense of safety is conferred by nighttime lighting, it isn't worth the risk. It turns out that light pollution may be a cancer risk.
That statement is bold, but increasingly the science is proving it out. Humans, as well as many animals and plants, need regular exposure to darkness to maintain what's called the circadian rhythm—essentially the body's internal clock, which governs various bodily functions. Of particular interest to researchers is the fact that darkness at night tells the body to produce certain hormones, most importantly melatonin, which not only aids sleep, but also helps to maintain immune system function.
Keep Reading
breast cancer ph.d. light pollution cancer risk dr. richard stevens the international agency for research on cancer carcinogens joan roberts importance of natural light light trespass circadian response light at night lan increased risk of cancerArticles


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after removing over 310,000 napster users for possible copyright violations of metallica songs, napster released a new version of the software, designed to keep those users from simply uninstalling the napster software and re-registering with the service. the new sofware is almost a 1.6 mb (1588 kb) download as compared to the older version at a mere 648 kb.
napster is taking a hard line against copyright violators, as it must to keep face with the music industry. a napster forum administrator has stated that users posting information on napster forums about how to bypass the re-install blocking will be banned from the service. another offense will result in the ip number of the user being banned. however, the disclaimer at the end of the forum admin's message states that he does not represent napster inc.
in other napster news, dr. dre is expected to present napster with a list of users that are currently sharing dr. dre copyrighted works on the napster service.
rob's opinion
there's no way that napster can strictly ban any individual user, unless the user is at a static ip address and napster bans the ip address. if the user is at an ip address assigned by dhcp–as are all consumer cable, dsl, and dial-up connections–then an ip ban only serves to hurt innocent users, as a banned ip user just has to disconnect from his or her service and reconnect when the dhcp lease times out. for many dial-up users, this is almost instantaneously. for cable and dsl users, the period of time may be within a broad range of an hour to a day or more. once the banned user has a new ip address, the old ip address goes into circulation, potentially being assigned to an innocent napster user who then may not be able to use the napster service.
the riaa and dr. dre have made some statements that napster has been ineffectual in its user bans. however, i would state that napster cannot be completely effectual in banning users without violating the privacy of those users–and that's the nature of the internet. napster is certainly following the guidelines that it set up, and courts should certainly find that it has achieved "due diligence" in keeping its user list free of people that offer certain copyrighted materials to others.
get ready for napster to become public enemy #1 with a lot of people that advocate free exchange of music. napster will be forced to become a more "legitimate" service based on its policies, and more artists will come forward with their own lists. in fact, entire record companies will come forward with lists of millions of users offering songs that feature their artists' work. i estimate that napster will lose 80% of its audience in the coming months. that is the cost of going legit, and the 20% audience that is left may very well be enough for napster to keep going as a "legitimate" company, with no copyright hassles to worry about. however, there's a percentage of that 20% that only downloads songs that they know and don't share anything. napster's ceo and other members know this. in fact, they probably knew it from the beginning. the plan was to let the service explode in growth and then trim it to a workable number of people interested in sharing works whose owners don't care about the copyrights.
what do you think of that? let us know in the message parlor.


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Saturday, October 31, 2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
Weigh in Day: I actually weighed this time!
This week wasn't a good one as far as my eating was concerned. I stopped tracking again. I am wasting so much time—if I just stayed on track I'd probably have lost 30 lbs. by now.
But there's more to this than willpower. After all, I have been fat since I was about 7 years old—I think there's some work that needs to be done so I can make the habits stick.
I made the mistake of buying Halloween candy on Wednesday and I just want to eat it! I did buy one big bag of candy that I don't care for—but those Reese's snack size pumpkins won't stop calling my name!
Can I play the hormones card?
However, I did lose 1.9 lbs.—keep him mind that this is over the course of three weeks. I guess it's not horrible if you think about my goal being to lose 1 lb. per week. But a loss is a loss and it's better than a gain any day.
This Week
Last Week
|Weekly Points Used:
|Activity Points Earned:
|Activity Points Used:
|Total Steps:
|Weight Loss this Week:
1.9 lbs.
|Total Weight Loss:
-4.1 lbs.
The horror of only having lost 4.1 lbs. since April. Sigh.
In other news, I've been working on "me" a little bit. I am using my Gwynnie Bee subscription to try to go outside of my comfort zone a bit.
I've been trying the leggings with a dress/tunic look. When I say "go outside of my comfort zone", I really do mean that my comfort zone is quite boxy and restrictive and most people probably dress like this all of the time and call it a comfy outfit.
I have had zero confidence for most of my life. But I'm putting forth the effort to try to dress in ways that I want to dress but have felt too embarrassed to because of my weight.
That being said, I tried out this Lucie Lu Sativa Dress in Aztec Print and paired it with black leggings, a black Old Navy cardigan, and Madden Girl Black Macramé Portia C Moccasins (Amazon affiliate link)—the shoes are SUPER comfy by the way. I just wore what I had.
I'm obviously no fashion maven, but I felt cute in this outfit while wearing it. When I looked in the mirror though, not so much—I felt like I looked about 7 months pregnant and decided "whatever" and wore it anyways.
Please excuse the mess on the floor in the picture—I wasn't planning on posting these pictures! Also, my mirror is ancient and has an un-washable fog, hence, the pictures are horrible quality.
I'm considering buying this dress since it's fairly affordable and it's really comfy—but I'm not sure I can get over how I feel like I look huge in this dress….decisions, decisions.
I'm loving the Aztec prints right now. My mom bought me this super cute sweater in the Aztec print that is black and white—I love it.
That's all for now! Have a great weekend and Happy Halloween!
Thursday, October 29, 2015
She Always had Perfect Hair
She always took pride in her hair. She had her style down to a science—wash only a couple of times a week with a shampoo she could only buy in Canada, apply the Suave hairspray (the one with the pink cap) precisely on the front, expertly swoop the hair back just so, apply a specific number of hair pins (which she could only find at Sally Beauty Supply), and tease the strands until she was satisfied with the look.
Due to an obsessive urge for perfectionism, a trait inherited from her successful father who also had perfectly styled hair, this process could take almost an hour—sometimes including frustrated sighs, starting the process again from the beginning, and angry words directed at her bald and impatient husband who was standing by the door tapping his foot, having been ready long ago to leave for an appointment.
Her hair could dictate her mood for the day. A few loose strands would cause utter embarrassment as she anxiously worried that people would think her a slob. The decision to stop dying her hair and accept that she was growing older, and her hair whiter, by the year took her over 20 years to make. From the sight of the first strand of snow white hair, another inheritance from her father, she began to worry about how she would look as an old woman with white hair. Her hair was her glory.
One evening, after tripping over her husband's ill-placed tool box in the dark, she found herself on the floor in the dark with one arm stuck above her head. She screamed in pain, panic, and horror at the fact that she had no control over her arm.
Her husband rushed in the room and, after assuring her that she looked presentable, they headed off to the emergency room, an orthopedic surgeon and to a diagnosis of a fractured and dislocated shoulder. They returned home with strong pain meds and a sling to hold her arm and shoulder.
Her husband was racked with guilt. Why had he left the tool box in the middle of the room? If only he had just put it away. How could he have been so stupid? He apologized to her from the depth of his heart and she accepted with true forgiveness—never once uttering a word to make him feel guilty for his mistake.
After the initial shock of her condition and the intolerable pain she was feeling, she wondered how on earth she would comb her hair with the use of only one arm.
She could never be seen in public with messy hair and since she would have to go to physical therapy and countless doctor appointments—she wasn't going to be able to hide in the privacy and comfort of her home wearing her pajamas and disheveled white hair. Even if she could have, she would have worried that someone would stop by to visit and see her hair such a mess and she would never get over the embarrassment of it all.
It was agreed upon that her husband would comb and style her hair under her direction. Whenever she was ready to have her hair done, she would call for him and he would get up from his easy chair without a word and be ever-ready to be her personal hair stylist.
She handed him her brush and he gently ran it through her hair. He held one large working hand near the top of her head as he brushed her hair with soft movements, so as not to cause the slightest discomfort of pulled hair.
Next, per her instruction, he carefully created the straightest of parts. With intense concentration he swooped her hair up just so, removed the pink cap from her Suave hairspray and applied it with the smooth motion of an artist's hand, gently tucked the pins in place and fixed any areas which she felt made her hair look unruly.
Though her eyes showed that her hair wasn't as perfect as she would have liked, the disappointment was quickly replaced with a look of love as she thanked him for helping her. He graciously told her he would help her anytime because she was his best friend and partner in life—had been since they were 16 years old.
When he left the room, she used her one working arm to straighten her hair to attempt to perfect her style. She didn't believe it, but her hair had nice volume and looked great.
"Oh, I suppose it'll do," she said with a laugh, "when someone is helping you with something you can't do yourself, you just have to show grace even if it's not quite how you would do it."
And so she lived with a few stray hairs and a style that wasn't just so.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
10 Lessons I've Learned as a Mom of an 18 Month Old
You can read all of the latest books on parenting, take all of the childcare classes, and prepare all you want—but nothing prepares you like actually getting down and dirty in the trenches of parenthood.
Before I had a child, I thought I had all of the answers. Now that I have a child—I have all of the questions for the experienced mamas I know. There's nothing quite as humbling as being a parent.
I cannot imagine how many more lessons I will learn as a parent, but here are just a sampling of some of the lessons I've learned thus far. Enjoy!
Your house doesn't need to look perfect
I was really hard on myself in the first year after my daughter was born. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why I couldn't keep the house clean, cook a healthy supper at night, take care of the baby, and manage to shower that day. I was lucky if I managed to shower. Part of this was due to postpartum depression, but part of it was due to the fact that I thought I had to have it all together, all of the time. Great news—I don't!
Someone wise once told me that when you become a parent you have to find a new normal. For me, this means that sometimes I just have to ignore the toys scattered across the floor, the laundry piling up, and dishes stacking up in the sink and accomplish what needs to be done at that moment—whether it be taking a shower, playing with the little one, or just taking some me time. A home is meant to be lived in.
Whatever you do, don't act alarmed
Whenever the little one would take a tumble, she would immediately look up at me to see my reaction. I quickly learned that if I acted like it was no big deal, then she would too. Conversely, if I panicked—so would she. Now, I wait for her response before I respond—and most often, she takes her tumble, stands back up and keeps on trucking without a single tear.
Increased number of blowouts? Go up a diaper size
This has been my number one indication that it was time to move up a diaper size. Once the blowouts start happening on a regular basis, you know it's time to move up a size. For me, it's kind of hard to physically tell if the diaper is too small or not by just looking.
Dislike a food the first, third, or fifth time? Keep trying
If you continue to introduce a new food, more than likely the little one will end up learning to like it. Sometimes the new texture or taste of food isn't agreeable at first, but don't give up too easily!
I think my daughter refused strawberries the first 20 times I offered them. Then one day, she started eating them and loved them. I was glad that I didn't give up!
ALWAYS bring an extra outfit
I keep a bag in the car with an extra outfit or two, diapers, wipes, and snacks. The time that you forget the extra outfit is the time you're going to need it. Babies are messy little creatures! It doesn't hurt to have an extra outfit for yourself too—unless you like the look of food or spit up splattered across your shirt.
Little One Acting Out? Remain calm
When my daughter was going through a horrible biting stage, our pediatrician told us that parents are a baby's favorite toy. Babies love to see the reaction of a parent—both good and bad. She told us that, although it can be hard, when the little one acts out, we need to do everything we can to remain calm. If we start yelling, or scream "ouch"—the baby will probably continue the behavior because he/she finds the reaction entertaining.
Happiness is contagious
One of the most rewarding parts of being a parent is seeing how people light up when they see your little one. Every time we go out, our little girl makes random strangers smile. Children truly are precious and their happiness is contagious. There's a lot to be learned from the innocence of a child.
It's okay to accept help
It took the humbling experience of postpartum depression to make me realize how important accepting help is. You don't have to do it all alone. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. If someone offers help and you need it, accept it graciously without guilt. If you just need a few moments alone to recharge, ask someone to take care of the little one for an hour or two. As parents, we need a village of support and it's so important for our mental and physical health.
It's Just a Phase
Oh, the countless times I wondered how I would ever survive. There was the biting phase, the chewing on the furniture phase, the throwing food phase (we're still in this one), the throwing herself on the floor in a tantrum phase, and so many more. Each time, I wondered how in the world I was ever going to be able to teach this little girl of mine that the particular behavior was not acceptable—because nothing I tried would work.
After surviving a few phases, you realize that these behavioral issues are simply phases and eventually your little one will grow out of that phase and onto yet another one. But, it's only just a phase.
You think you won't, but you will
Before having a child, I told myself I would never do this and never do that. I would never give up listening to the music I like and listen to children's music instead. I did—I know so many nursery rhymes, lullabies, and children's songs now. I often find myself singing them when I'm all alone.
While pregnant, the birth horror stories that every mother thought she needed to tell me was irritating. Now I find myself wanting to share my story—thankfully, I'm usually able to stop myself before I share—but seriously, you think you won't—but you will. Just wait and see.
Can you relate to any of these lessons? What is an important lesson that you would add to this list?
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Precious Pictures from Childhood
Last week, I mentioned that I was going through old photos while I was visiting my parents. My post focused on how much I hated almost every picture of myself, but there are also plenty of pictures from the first years that are so precious! I thought I would share some of them with you here.
This is me with my older sister. It's hard to believe that 30 years ago I was just an itty bitty baby. Time flies—but that's a topic for another post.
This is my favorite picture of all of the ones that I found. This is my older brother, myself, and my older sister. It's just picture perfect!
My mom told me this was taken on the back steps of our house where we lived in Nebraska. Fun fact—I have lived in four states: Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois and now Iowa.
This is the four-year-old me with one of my dolls in my bedroom at my childhood home. I kind of look like Princess Leah with that hair…
Here I am involving myself in the photo shoot that my older brother was trying to have with our beloved dog Buddy; hence my brother lovingly pulling on my ear in the back ground. I was kind of a rambunctious sort in my early years—always trying to entertain, make people laugh, and be the life of the party.
My mom promised us if we would just take one good picture, that then we could take a silly picture.
Here's the good picture. I'm assuming I was trying really hard not to be silly, which is why my mouth is hanging open. This is my older brother, older sister, myself, and my younger brother.
Thanks for joining me on a trip down memory lane!
Monday, October 26, 2015
What You Don't Know about the Obese Woman You're Judging
She carefully inspects a carton of strawberries in the produce section of the grocery store and, after she approves, she places it into her shopping cart. She continues shopping for the items on her grocery list. Dressed comfortably in yoga pants, a sweat shirt, and flip flops, she self-consciously pulls at her sweatshirt where it stretches snugly at her hips.
She breathes a quiet sigh as she adds blueberries, raspberries, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, and broccoli to her cart, a rainbow of produce accumulating with each item.
Maybe you are her, perhaps you've been her in the past, but at very least—you've seen her before. She has a story that the core of her being has been built upon but it's a story left untold.
She's not a woman who packed on extra weight after settling down and having children, occasionally reminiscing about the perfect figure that she had in her youth—the one her husband fell in love with.
This isn't her first diet.
She hasn't let herself go, although that's what it looks like upon seeing her and many assume that's the case.
She has been on diets since she was a child.
She has been bullied and rejected.
As much as she tries, she has never been able to escape the heaviness that she has built around herself. Pain wraps around her soul like the excess flesh that wraps around her waist.
In high school, she wore the largest size gym uniform available and it was still too tight—the shorts would ride up with every rub of her thighs.
On graduation day, she worried that the gown would be too small.
On her first day of college she worried that she wouldn't fit in the desks.
She desperately tried to convince herself that she felt pretty on her wedding day in the dress which a tailor had to let the seams out of because she had gained more weight.
Pregnancy made her feel even uglier—a time that was supposed to be filled with happiness was filled with shame. Her doctor told her she wouldn't deliver her baby if she weighed a pound more and it shattered her heart and broke her spirit.
Every single event of her life has been tainted by obesity. It has stolen her happiness and every ounce of self-esteem. She wishes she could forget the heartbreak and that the pain would evaporate, but the memories linger and the weight remains.
Occasionally, the pain overflows and slowly runs down her cheeks. When you ask her what's wrong, she can't explain. It's a lifetime of pain and she doesn't know where to begin—so it's a story that's left untold and she simply carries the memories in her heavy heart.
She continues shopping, marking each item off of her grocery list. Once her cart is filled with the best of intentions, she pays for the items and drives home. Ready to begin on Monday, she's hopeful that this will finally be the time she sheds the extra weight for good.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Saturday, October 24, 2015
BOGO on Everything Disney at Reebok
Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day by getting buy one, get one FREE on everything Disney when you shop Reebok now through November 1st and use the code DISNEY at checkout. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah your way over to Reebok.com and take advantage of this magical sale today!
Start your holiday shopping early and take advantage of this deal!
Here are some of my favorites:
Friday, October 23, 2015
Week in Review: No Weigh In #2
We ended up staying a second week at my parent's so I was not able to weigh in today. Honestly, I'm kind of glad I didn't have to weigh in since I don't think the results would be very good. Eek.
I didn't have any "bad days" or "good days", but I had good moments and bad moments every single day. In that respect, I call it a win. At no point did I decide, "well I just ate _____ so I might as well just eat whatever I want for the rest of the day/week". I took it one choice at a time.
When I was out and about I parked farther away and walked. While waiting for my mom at her appointment, I spent some time walking Little Miss Sunshine around in the stroller.
I ate a salad or two. I drank lots of water. I counted my points.
I also ate too many desserts. That's really my biggest downfall…I just can't resist desserts.
I really messed it all up right out of the gate last weekend. I was sick and moody and I did some emotional eating. Argh.
Here are the stats for the week:
This Week
Last Week
|Weekly Points Used:
|Activity Points Earned:
|Activity Points Used:
|Total Steps:
|Weight Loss this Week:
|Total Weight Loss:
After looking at my stats, I really did pretty horribly!! Here's to a better week this week! I will be home for sure and will have to face the scale next Friday!
How did your week go?
Thursday, October 22, 2015
DIY {Sharpie} Cat Food Dish Tutorial
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyCatMyMuse #CollectiveBias
I've been in the crafting mood lately and I love to get in touch with my creative side in ways that don't include writing. I'm no artist, but I do have tons of fun being artsy—or at least attempting it!
Dudley and Daisy (our furry feline older children) were in need of new food dishes so I seized the opportunity to get creative. The dishes that I created turned out adorable!
Here's the tutorial and recap of the process in case you want to try your hand at this project. It's super easy!
What you'll need:
- An oven safe dish (ceramic)—Make sure to pick out a dish that your cat will be comfortable with. This site has great information on the topic.
- Oil based Sharpies—These will have a band around the bottom of the pen with "oil based" printed on it. You can find them at a craft store or Amazon.
- Rubbing alcohol
- Nail polish remover
- Q-tips
- Cotton balls
Step 1: Wash your dish with soap and water and remove any stickers and adhesive residue. Dry with a clean towel. Wipe all surfaces of the dish with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Allow to dry.
Step 2: Begin creating your design using the oil-based Sharpies. From experience, it's best to work your way from the inside of the dish, to the sides, to the top edges to ensure that you don't accidently smudge your design.
However, if you do smudge your design or aren't happy with what you've drawn, it can be easily removed with a little nail polish remover on a Q-tip or cotton ball—I also used a nail polish remover pad and it worked great for larger areas.
Please note that while oil-based Sharpies are non-toxic, Sharpie does not recommend using them on a surface which comes in contact with the mouth or tongue—if you are worried about this and want to create a design on the inside of the dish, you can cut out a hard piece of clear plastic to cover the shape of the inside of the dish. (remember these are dishwasher safe, so the paint stays on quite well)
Step 3: Once your design is finished, allow the dish to dry for about 24 hours. I let mine dry for about 18 hours and it worked perfectly.
Step 4: Place the dish on a cookie sheet and place it into a cold oven. The dish must preheat along with the oven to ensure that it doesn't crack due to extreme temperature change—this is very important!
Set the oven to 375 degrees and let bake for 30 minutes.
There will be a strong paint smell as they bake, so I recommend opening a window for ventilation during the process.
Step 5: Once the 30 minutes is up, turn the oven off but DO NOT open the oven until the oven has cooled completely—this may take quite a while. Once again, the sudden change in temperature could cause the dishes to break if you open the oven immediately.
Once cooled, remove the dishes and admire your handiwork! The colors tend to change once baked—I actually loved how mine turned out. The purple turned to a darker pink, so I ended up with a dish of two colors of pink and it's really cute! Daisy loves it, she meowed it to hubby when he fed her.
These are dishwasher safe (only if you used OIL-BASED Sharpies as the tutorial instructs), but hand washing is best. Be sure to wash these before feeding your furry friend!
Hubby fed the cats a Purina Muse® Natural Cat Food specialty in their special new dishes—spoiled little buggers.
Dudley devoured the Natural Tuna and Sea bass Recipe and Daisy enjoyed the Natural Herring and Salmon Recipe. They licked their dishes clean—the food was obviously a flavorful hit with them!
I found the Purina® Muse Natural Food products at PetSmart (where the product is exclusively available) in the cat food aisle.
Choosing which food to buy isn't a dilemma with Muse because it's a quality food product. With Muse you don't have to choose between natural nutrition and food that tastes great. Your cat can have both when you choose Muse. You try to eat nutritious food and as naturally as possible, so why shouldn't your cat be able to eat the same?
There are a variety of wet recipes available in Chowder, broth, with toppers, in gravy and paté—all are made with real fish or poultry and contain no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. There are 30 delicious recipes and 24 of them are grain free. Natural has never been so delicious. Put Muse to the test with our clean plate guarantee. Here's a coupon to get you started.
How will you design your cat food dish? What flavor Purina® Muse Natural Food products would your cat love best?
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
9 Years
Today is our ninth wedding anniversary and I have no idea where that time went. So much has changed in the past nine years, except for the fact that we still love each other.
It seems that with each year I love hubby more and more. This past year has been a trying one with my postpartum depression diagnosis and recovery, but he showed me what unconditional love is and I fell in love with him all over again.
I look forward to falling in love a million more times in our forever together.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Always Fat: I Hate Almost Every Picture of Myself
I've been going through boxes of photos while at my parent's house. It has been fun to see all of the moments from childhood. But I am embarrassed of myself in most of the pictures and it makes me very sad.
I love the photos of me until I turned about 7 or 8 years old. At that point, I went from an average sized child to an overweight child. The pictures of me from 6th grade on are even worse. I can tell that I had zero confidence and can imagine how anxious I felt back then.
Adolescent years are hard for everybody but I think that those years are even harder for those of us with weight problems. Insecurity and not really knowing who you are or where you belong is at its peak in those years, and to feel like you don't fit in with your peers (or your clothes) is a difficult thing.
My clothes were oversized because I was embarrassed of my body. The styles I had to wear were that of an older woman because there weren't a lot of plus size options back then.
I went through a phase in 6th grade where I wore black tights every single day because I was embarrassed of my legs and feet.
(After my 6th grade graduation. Notice the baggy mom-clothes and tights.)
A volunteer mother at the school asked me why I wore the black tights all the time—I felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself because she looked at me like I was strange. Thinking back, it was strange—but it was my way of hiding.
It looks like my smile is forced in every picture. The look in my eyes does not reflect the happiness I was trying to show. I don't know that I hated myself back then as I came to in later years, but I just felt awkward, insecure, and ugly.
To this day it hurts to see those pictures. I flip through them with both hopeful anticipation and dread. It makes me sad about my years growing up.
In some sense, it feels like I never really lived—but at the same time it is what made me who I am today. I felt heartbreak, shame, bullied, belittled, and afraid of people and what hurtful words would escape their lips—and these experiences taught me valuable lessons by which I live by today.
But I can't help but think of where I am now, at 30 years old. My life turned out better than I could ever imagine. God planned the perfect match for me—a handsome, kind, and generous soul who I now call my husband. And now we have a beautiful and happy little girl. I have all of the things that I ever wanted on an existential level.
But I still don't like the physical package that I come in and it has weighed on my shoulders like a load of bricks through every life event, from college, to marriage, to pregnancy. It taints every moment and threatens to destroy every happy memory.
I don't want to go through my entire life being fat. It seems to be a common denominator in my life. I have to do better. I owe it to myself.
I don't want to hate every picture of myself for the rest of my life. I want to feel good in my body. I don't want my size to be on my mind all of the time. I don't want my size to get in the way of living life to the fullest.
I have a lifetime of habits to undo. It feels like a daunting task to try to figure out how to change and to change for good.
Maybe I don't have to have it all figured out, I just have to take the next step.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Our Annual Trip to the Apple Orchard
This year we decided to try an apple orchard at a different location, although it is owned by the same family—we were really happy with it and will probably go again next year. Plus, they had apple cider slushies—how delicious!
The one we usually go to gets so crowded and it can be difficult to look at everything because there are so many people. This other location had all of the things that we like to buy (apple cider donuts ha), also had a petting zoo, and wasn't crowded at all.
There was a lovely selection of squash and pumpkins. They were selling an "apple gourd" which I had never seen before. I didn't think to take a picture of it, but you can see one that was dried and decorated in the background.
There was a nice selection of gift items. All we bought was a little book for Little Miss Sunshine. It's always fun to browse though.
It was a beautiful fall day—sunny and just the right amount of chilly. It made for beautiful scenes of colors beneath a bright blue sky.
There were two beautiful dogs on the property that were very friendly. I'm not sure what kind they were. As soon as we sat down to enjoy our apple cider donuts, one of the dogs came and just stood in front of us staring at our donuts. At one point, I looked away and he grabbed the donut out of my hand and ate it!
It was a little awkward because we had two dogs and a cat sitting there staring at us by the time we were done. Little Miss Sunshine loved it though. And I miss having a mild mannered dog like these ones so it was fun to pet them.
These traditions are actually getting more fun now that we have a little one. Looking forward to many more, God willing!
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Sale Saturday
The Color Run
Simple & Delicious Magazine
Crazy 8
Friday, October 16, 2015
Week in Review: not weighing in
I'm not able to weigh in today since I'm at my parents and I didn't pack my scale. But I thought I would check in to update you on how I did this past week.
I counted everything that I ate and I was right on track until last night when we went out to dinner for my dad's birthday and I also had a brownie with coconut pecan frosting, which I made for his birthday.
While eating out, I ordered a salad instead of fries to save on points. Overall, I ended up going over 8 points for the week. That's not so bad considering!
I thought about not tracking my food when I knew I would probably go over, but my friend Staci told me that I should just track what I eat for better or worse—so that's what I did. I'm glad that I tracked because if I hadn't, I would have assumed that I had done far worse.
Yesterday, I took Little Miss Sunshine on a walk to the park I used to play at as a child, which is at the elementary school I went to. It's amazing how things change. I was happy to get that activity in and the weather was beautiful.
I try to work the "what you can, when you can" philosophy and walk as much as I can when I am out and about—whether it's parking farther away or just walking around more while I'm shopping. It all adds up!
Here are the stats for the week:
This Week
Last Week
|Weekly Points Used:
|Activity Points Earned:
|Activity Points Used:
|Total Steps:
|Weight Loss this Week:
|Total Weight Loss:
I'll probably just wait until next week to weigh in. I'm kind of enjoying feeling ok about my week regardless of what the scale says. I will aim to keep it within my points allowance this next week!
How did your week go?
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Things I Love Thursday
Here are the things I'm loving this week. I'd love for you to share yours!
♥ Watching These Two Play
My sister and nephew spent some time at my parent's early this week. My nephew is only three weeks older than Little Miss Sunshine and it's so fun to watch them interact with each other. We weren't always so sure if they loved or hated each other! Is this a hug or a shove? Or as my aunt called it, a "shug".
♥ Starbucks Toasted Graham Latte
♥ Chick-fil-a Grilled Market Salad
♥ Little Miss Sunshine's Hiding Skills
This just cracks me up. She thinks she's hiding. She also thinks she's hiding when she lays under our glass coffee table, or simply lays down on the floor with her head down. So funny and so cute!
♥ EOS Lip Balm
EOS Lip Balm (affiliate link) makes my lips so soft. It's that time of year when I start getting dry lips and I have been taking advantage of these delicious moisturizing lip balms. It really does make my lips happy! And the packaging is just fun.
What are you loving this week?


text:
Ping Identity Video Intern
Ping Identity Video Intern
I recently joined a future-forward, Google-ish type company and am their first corporate trainer. Ping Identity is headquartered in Denver, CO and would be a great experience for RMCAD students to immerse themselves in the world of work. Having worked at Colorado Department of Higher Education, I am always in search of incredible opportunities to connect students with real-world, purposeful, engaging work in the field.
We are looking for an intern to collaborate with our team of talent to create world-class training videos.
If you are interested please contact me at: jenniferarzberger<at>pingidentity
Thank you,
Jennifer Arzberger
Date Posted: Jan. 16, 2017


text:
What is Catholic Engaged Encounter?
A Unique Marriage Preparation
Catholic Engaged Encounter (CEE) is a unique marriage preparation weekend. Married couples, share their personal experiences as a catalyst for the engaged to examine their own relationship. After each presentation, questions are provided for each individual to answer privately. Then the couple privately shares and discusses their answers to the questions. This enables each couple to develop their own unique, loving relationship.
The presentations cover a wide variety of topics including communications, decision-making, disillusionment, and forgiveness. The material and stories provide a realistic and practical view of marriage from couples that actively seek to keep their love alive and growing. More than that, the presenters provide a model for living out the vow they made to each other before God.
The weekend gives an engaged couple time to explore the issues they will face in their marriage relationship. It is a time to look beyond the wedding to the life they will live after they walk back down the aisle. The weekend also provides an opportunity for each couple to consider the spiritual aspect of their relationship that will be as much a part of their marriage as the emotional, physical, and mental dimensions.
Spend A Weekend With Us To Benefit The Two Of You!
Weekends are held at St. Leonard's YRC in Avon, Ohio, a beautiful modern facility. Click HERE for directions.
Weekend encounters begin on Friday night and end Sunday afternoon with the celebration of Mass. Meals are provided on Saturday and Sunday.
Cost of the weekend is $220.00 per couple. Click HERE to register.
What others are saying:
"Thanks for making this weekend a little peace of heaven on earth"
"We weren't sure what to expect going into this.
"I think that through dialoging, we as a couple 'let our guards down'
"This has been a nice experience.


text:
Welcome to
Cooperation Commons: Interdisciplinary study of cooperation and collective action.
Welcome to
Recent Summaries
Darwin's Cathedral
Summary of: Darwin's Cathedral
Wilson argues that religious systems (sets of belief and moral codes) are biological adaptations that allow individuals to act collectively and survive in distinct social and economic contexts relative to other groups.
Publication Reference
Wilson argues that religious systems (sets of belief and moral codes) are biological adaptations that allow individuals to act collectively and survive in distinct social and economic contexts relative to other groups. He uses evolutionary biology concepts, such as group level selection and fitness, to show that religion has a functional purpose that allows groups to survive and reproduce. He focuses on phenotypic variation (observable and measurable traits) as key to group selection. Here he points to the social sciences, particularly Durkheim and functionalist thinking, (which declined in popularity at about the same time in social sciences as group level selection declined in the sciences) to argue that religion has a secular utility, i.e. it gets people what they want inside and outside of religion. Moral systems, beliefs that articulate right and wrong conduct, are central to unifying groups and fostering their collective actions. Behaviors that lead to the "right conduct" depend on open-ended psychological and cultural processes that are intimately linked to local environment (social, political, economic context). Wilson says that moral systems are not only innate psychological mechanisms, but are traits that are finely tuned through selection to the environment.
Wilson examines Calvinism in depth to show how Calvin's catechism is a set of codes of conduct that enable the people of Geneva during Calvin's lifetime to act as a coordinated, collective social organism and survive a chaotic, difficult time. Four elements of Calvin's catechism are: faith, forgiveness of sin, preparation for the second coming, and internalization. His reasoning goes like this: if religious faith plays a role in motivating the interpersonal behaviors (obey thy neighbor, obey thy pastor, pay your taxes, don't swear false witness, etc.), and if these behaviors cause the group to function as an adaptive unit, then faith counts as an adaptation.
Part of the social organization of this moral system is the set of mechanisms that prevent subversion from within the group (as Ostrom suggests about free riders). Calvinism employs methods for mutual criticism that polices the groupthe "head" and "body" of the church. It also employs a form of decision-making at a group level in which no one person can impose his will. Also the group coordinates a community of activities (health, education, welfare) through which individuals can play out their morally directed behaviors and from which the group benefits.
Here is a summarizing quote about Calvinism:
"Calvinism is an interlocking system with a purpose: to unify and coordinate a population of people to achieve a common set of goals by collective action. The goals may be difficult to define exactly but they include what Durkheim referred to as secular utilitythe basic goods and services that all people need and want, inside and outside of religion. The interlocking system includes explicit behavioral prescriptions, specific theological beliefs, and a mighty fortress of social control and coordination mechanisms." P.118
Other examples of secular utility that Wilson describes are:
Water Temple System in Bali: Water system is a complex terracing system, in which each branch is used and maintained by a subak (a group of hunter-gatherer size). Each subak has a temple which reinforces metaphysical and practical aspects. The religious beliefs give an authority to the system that allows the Balinese to continue a centuries old, complex systemcontrol pests, rebuild irrigation sections, regulate rice planting, etc.
Judaism: Isolating mechanisms (no intermarrying, high genetic relatedness, no major conversion efforts) helped to reinforce coordinated actions of Jews even during diaspora.
Early Christians: a tiny sect of 1000 in year 40 which grew into a major portion of the Roman empire by 350, when Emperor Constantine converted himself. Christianity provided a culturally defined membrane that isolated Christian community from the chaos of the outside world (plagues, violence, Roman attack, etc.), but allowed highly organized self-sustaining social interactions to take place within the group. Christians were active in conversions (unlike Jews) that enlarged their numbers (and provided a better quality of life for converts) and also differed from Romans in reproductive practices (Romans valued patrilineages, practiced female infanticide, male to female ratios very high, which led to shrinking population). Christian women had large families, more survived, and women had higher status level, and percentage in society. Christians developed and practiced nursing techniques that during plagues helped them survive. Motivated by forgiveness, Christians were more likely to provide food, water, and comfort to sick and dying even at risk of their own life, which caused them to have a higher survival rate than Non-Christians. Moral and social standing increased martyrdom. (This is a good example of a social dilemma that is resolved through moral systems and emotional drive for altruism.)
Wilson explains forgiveness as a complex adaptation (also found in the animal kingdom) he explains Axelrod's work and the TFT games and their variations. He shows how the four Gospels are four versions of instructions, contextualized in time and space, for how to behave within and across groups. In this sense, forgiveness has many faces. What appears to be forgiveness within group and appears as retaliation outside of group is explained functionally within particular contexts.
A final quote on the cultural evolution of "unifying systems":
"Phenotypic variation within and among groups is radically different than genetic variation and makes group selection a very strong force. Phenotypic variation is all that natural selection sees genes code for psychological traits that cause people to adapt different behaviors with great flexibility and also alter the environment that determines what counts as adaptiveHuman evolution is a feedback process between traits that alter the parameters of multilevel selection and traits that evolve as a result of the alteration." P.223.
Morality is central to the feedback process.
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text: There's a vulnerability at the very heart of the Internet, which could be brought down by hackers who know how to exploit the flaw. Now, why would hackers want to bring down the internet? Isn't the internet as important to them as… water? Wouldn't knocking out the Internet be the same as poisoning the water well, especially if it's the same one from which the poisoner drinks?


text:
That video's from the Artemis and Friends' Toronto Archers for a Cure picnic & haircut this past Sunday, complete with uke tunes, super people, too much food and no 'after' picture. I totally forgot to take an 'after' picture. Why didn't I think to get one with Crispin Duenas?
I am so kicking myself. Our local Pan Am competitor, Crispin Duenas, strolled over and starstruck us all for a bit before he got down to his training. It was very cute - like just really normal, because we see him around, but he still kills us. My pal and impromptu barber, Simon, was like, "Crispin, you're star-striking us." He'd popped over to make sure everybody knows about The Boob Shoot, as folks know it, a cancer fundraiser in Waterloo that happens in February. I'm so going. Don't say I didn't tell you. You should be there, too.
Now, it happens that in the course of planning this event, I've heard from more than half of our Pan Am archery team and I'm looking forward to seeing this gang play in the games even more than before. I messaged them asking for amazing hair pictures to help promote this schtick. Jay Lyon and Patrick Rivest-Bunster were like, "Dude, I'm bald..." (Jay, especially, said it in a way that made me fall in love with him a little, though.) But I think Georcy-Stéphanie Thiffeault Picard might have been waiting all her life for someone to ask her. She takes full advantage of her insane mane, styling it up. Look what she came up with.
And now, if you'll pardon me, I'm going to go do nothing for a bit.


text:
Since this is my 5th day I a row I took this as a relaxing WOD.
You may think this sounds like a funny way to relax but I love my training sessions and when the baby is here I am sure I wont be able to hit the gym quite as much, so I am making the most of it!!!
With a newbie in the class form was the main focus!
We did some heavy swings and burpees to start with as a warm up. As burpees are not my thing right now I did a couple of minutes of just the swings.
My butt was sure hurting after yesterday and boy could I feel it when I swung!!!
Not content with yesterday's glute battering, deadlifts were on the program for today.
After a set with a light weight I went into my usual 2×5 and 1×5+
Form is still feeling good and at present am not feeling any restrictions with deadlifting and baby.
Cindy is up next
I had a mixed class today at 7.30 so where usually I can join in and be pretty confident that the gang are all good. I needed to be on side to shout the odd technique cue and alter a few positions. So I took CINDY very lightly.
Cindy is a crossfit benchmark WOD.
It's AMRAP 20 minutes of….
5 Pull ups
10 Push ups
15 Squats
I used a blue support band and stuck to my strict pulls. I am sure I am making head way as they are feeling more manageable!
I am getting close to having to adjust the depth of my push ups as its mildly uncomfortable. I still have a relatively flat tummy for a 4.5 month pregnant lady but I can feel the change in pressure in my tummy!
I am sure my bump is not far away!
As I was more concerned with the class then my workout (remember I was relaxing) I only reached 8 rounds!
Never mind I will be nice and relaxed for Colin tomorrow.
Sally Dixey is a Crossfit London Coach.


text:
S.A.V.E. Employee Assistance Program
The SAVE Employee Assistance Program provides free counseling, assessment, referral, financial consultation and legal guidance to employees of contracted companies.
It is a resource to Human Resource Professionals and Managers as it assists them with supporting employees through personal and professional challenges thereby minimizing negative impacts in the workplace. Assistance with personal and professional concerns is available through SAVE.
SAVE Online Resource Center
- STAFF: View Staff Directory
- EMAIL: firstname.lastname@example.com
- ADDRESS:232 E. Canon Perdido Street, SB, CA 93101
- PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Victoria Rightmire, LMFT
- EMAIL: firstname.lastname@example.com
"SAVE was recommended by a coworker who had used the program. Visiting with the SAVE counselor was the best decision I have made in a long time. I really needed someone to talk to."
"Employees call in and are referred the same day. We have made supervisory referrals, and have used their grief counseling and training sessions. SAVE is a very valuable program." ~Operations Officer
"SAVE has been of invaluable assistance and support to me as I work through employee issues with management. A number of employees have also consulted in person and over the phone with SAVE's staff as they experience work related and personal challenges relating to family, finances and legal matters. Our management is very happy to have SAVE as a resource." ~Human Resources Generalist
""Building a strong workforce to serve our students is central to delivering a quality education. SAVE complements that goal by providing support and resources for our employees. SAVE is a valuable resource for District employees including management. The staff at SAVE is highly professional, responsive, completely confidential, and available. l am pleased to be associated with the SAVE/Employee Assistance Program." ~Assistant Superintendent
"The SAVE program has been a valuable resource for many of our employees and their families. It has helped give them the tools they needed to handle various challenges in their lives that involve family, work or financial stressors and has empowered them to help make decisions when dealing with difficult issues. SAVE has always been readily available to provide our agency with critical incident stress debriefing and provide training to our staff on a variety of employment issues." ~HR
"Our company has offered SAVE as a benefit to our employees for more than twelve years. It has been very helpful to have SAVE available as a resource when employees need assistance with personal matters. I have always received positive feedback from our employees about the services they've received. Based on our experience with SAVE, I would highly recommend the program to employers." ~HR
"The SAVE counselor was there when I needed someone to help me navigate all the changes in my life. It was such a relief to have someone to talk to who could help me cope." ~Client


text:
Concerto for PianoBrowse Catalog
Duration16:00 min
Perusal ScoreView/Download
Instrumentation: BandConcertiOrchestra
Genres: Concerto
The Concerto for Piano, commissioned by Pamela Mia Paul, continues my fascination with creating large works out of the smallest possible amount of initial musical material. In this piece, both movements are constructed from the exact same set of descending dyads, though they diverge widely in character and tempo.
Movement I is a meditation on these intervals, gradually unfolding from the solo Piano opening into an ever-cascading fall of melodic motion, until we finally "land" in Ab major, at which point the music reverses direction, ascending to a euphoric climax. The music dissipates, evaporating upward into solo Piano, just as it began.
Movement II erupts boldly into a playful interweaving of syncopated gestures, with the Piano and ensemble often careening abruptly around sharp rhythmic and dynamic curves, as well as around each other. A groove eventually establishes itself, as the piece incessantly intensifies to a climactic conclusion.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Pamela Mia Paul for commissioning this work, and for her absolutely devoted and tireless support, extraordinary musicianship, and jovial attitude throughout the creation of this work.
Scored for orchestral winds and percussion, the instrumentation is suitable for both symphony orchestras and wind ensembles.
Commissioned by: Pamela Mia Paul
Dedicated to: Pamela Mia Paul
Technical Info
Flute I – II – III
Oboe I – II
Bassoon I – II (dbl. CBsn.)
Clarinet in Bb I – II
Bb Trumpet I – II – III
Horn in F I – II – III – IV
Trombone I – II – III
Tuba I
Solo Piano
Percussion I
Percussion II
Percussion III
Please consider bringing in Pamela Mia Paul as guest soloist. She is extraordinary to work with, really fun, and available for a very reasonable fee. Also, you get a big discount on the rental fee if you do. Contact us for more details.


text:
The current treasury secretary doesn't account for inflation. It also explains why the poverty rate has increased. The reserve has noted the slowing trends of income growth.
Bonddad starts by trashing the GOP's current economic numbers. Fewest economy in 40 years, lower job quality, and income stagnant over inflation. Where's the expansion coming from?
Debt. According to the federal flow of funds, debt has gone up from 7 trillion to 11 trillion between 01 and 05. That's mainly because of mortgage debt. Total household debt per GDP increased from 70% in 01 to 90% in 05. Debt increased at a compound annual growth rate of 11.55%--twice the growth rate of the preceding periods.
The right wing always complains about the media's reporting of the economy. But underneath the macro numbers are pathetic developments. Job growth is the weakest of the last 40 years. The jobs created are of lower quality. After inflation, wages for 80% of America had decreased during the expansion. And people have financed this on their credit cards. This is the CREDIT CARD expansion. And the bill will come due.
PROFESSOR BEALE: much of what I have to say will echo what he just said. People power is based on we the people translating into government that matches. A big piece of that is how we handle tax, monetary, fiscal policy. The primary goal should be to develop a broad-based economy that supports a decent standard of living. Reward work, not wealth. Provide a disaster safety net.
The US experienced that in the 90s when we did just that. It coincided with reduced income disparity. We had civil rights legislation. Economy prospers when opportunities are spread broadly. But we've traded those policies for red ink fiscal policies that reflect willful indifference for average Americans.
Tax cuts, deficits, debt and gimmickry.
The tax cuts have increased income disparity. The gap between rich and poor is growing. The top 10% are gaining--everyone else is losing. Median income has fallen. CEO pay has escalated marvelously, 571% increase in a decade. The workers have not done so well. Retirement creates a galactic gulf. Low income earners cannot accumulate enough. So poverty increases, and has especially in the last four years. The percentage of families in poverty has increased.
Tax cuts for the wealthy don't help. The middle 20% got 8.4% of the tax cuts. You can cut them lots of different ways. Citizens for tax justice shows that between 2003 and 2010, the top 1% will receive a 15% cut in their taxes. If you take all these cuts we've been passing into account, these tax cuts have to be paid for by tax increases or entitlement cuts.
The wealthy benefited from the cuts in investment income. The wealthiest 1% get 60% of capital income. So you're shifting the burden from the wealthy to the middle class.
Total federal taxes paid on wages amounts to 23%. Total taxes on investment income: less than 10%. The rationale is always spurring growth, trickle-down and everyone benefits. But wage-earners, we know, are losing.
Wage stagnation, price inflation--can't bode well for ordinary Americans. It is in health particularly that we see the problem. One more thing on tax cuts. The estate tax repeal is another one that obviously benefits only the ultra-wealthy. Only 1.2 to 1.4% of estates that come into play are taxable. It's only the very rich estates that end up paying it, but you wouldn't know that from listening to the rhetoric of thrifty family farmers.
DEFICITS: continuous large deficits cause long-term imbalances. Between tax cuts and war costs, we've pushed the surplus into the deficit. Current estimates for 2006 are 300 billion, but who knows where it will really go.
Publicly held federal debt reached $4.829 trillion. Intergovernmental borrowing is another 3.5 trillion. Foreigners own an awful lot of that. 50% is held by foreigners. A lot of hedge funds in the Caribbean. The debt ceiling is 8.965 trillion. The problem with the debt is the global imbalances it creates. As other economies grow, they attract capital, and we lose the main engine of our economy. The problem with debt financed tax cuts is that it creates inter-class and intergenerational transfers to the wealthy.
One of the reasons it's hard to talk about tax cuts is because it depends on whether you're adjusting for inflation. It makes statistics manipulable. And they're happy to manipulate statistics. Let's look at the tax cuts in 2006 that extended the tax credit for the very wealthy. The House looked at that, the investment cuts, and the Senate looked at the AMT, and they then looked at that and conferenced it without the threat of a filibuster that would arise from a reconciliation bill.
In searching for individual examples to hold up about the estate tax, they haven't been able to find one. All the gimmickry, no matter what type, all of those things lead to the YOYO economy--You're On Your Own. We've traded trying to bring everyone along for something closer to the gilded age with robber barons. That's not the right direction.
LONDON YANK: slideshow!
"The USA must accept that a waning primacy is not consistent with an assertion of superiority."
Those other 5.7 billion people all like to live nice lives too. It's a globally competitive economy. I appreciate that the US has primacy, but that is shifting, and it will lose it very soon. Within the next 15 years, China's economy will be bigger in terms of GDP. The growth in Asia is so rapid that that could be an underestimate. That's not very inspiring, because a lot of the growth in the last 5 years have been in sectors that don't contribute to long-term growth. Housing, homeland security, and healthcare. None of those make you a stronger economy in the future or more competitive going forward.
In 2003 Buffet wrote an essay about Thriftville v. Squanderville. Squanderville ends up getting enslaved to thriftville. If you run up big deficits, you get foreign ownership of everything worthwhile. That's why Dubai is buying our ports, and China buying our oil companies. They don't want dollars, they want real assets. They want control of the means of production. Buffet said that there are things you can do. Promote savings. Those savings need to be invested in productive ways. Not in housing, or big cars, or healthcare that's the most expensive on the planet, but in things that increase wealth over time. Warren Buffet isn't investing in America any more, and if that happens, that's scary.
Competitive positioning: the US have 5% of global population, and 50% of global military spending. 25% of oil consumption. 22% of all the prisoners on the planet. More prisoners than any other country in the world. More than 80% of global borrowing. For every dollar saved in the world, the US is borrowing 80 cents. When theres so much opportunity in the world, why wouldnt they take their savings and invest it at home?
The dollar crisis: The rest of the world is fed up with financing the US. The world is losing confidence in the US model. The US brand is seen as negative.
Creditor nations are working together to bring the dollar down because they've given up on the US being a responsible participant in finding a solution. It's not likely that the US will like the result of this process.
We've exported free markets to the rest of the world, but that means the US has lost a lot of power. There's a lot of choice out there for movement of assets, and it's a lot faster. There is 2 1/2 trillion dollars in currency traded every day. In 1973, most debt was held by central banks, and it was easy for the central banks to get together to resolve it. But now it's in hedge funds. More than half of global volume is driven by hedge funds, and if they act quickly, it will be beyond the control of regulators to intervene. Hong Kong and China have more decision makers running hedge funds than the US. If Asia decides it's not comfortable with the US, there's nothing we can do.
The EU has worked out. It's working. I'm pleased to have an EU passport and be able to live in any one of 25 countries, and be protected by a court of human rights. China is tying up agreements with other countries, and its sales pitch is a lot better. They don't care about human rights records, they just care about the resources. So US policies are driving a realignment of interests. They have a better sales pitch, given the US history of intervention in domestic politics and regime change.
I was in Dubai for four months last year. The rest of the world is developing. Doing things right. Dubai had 59,000 in 1960. 2 1/2 million today. Incredible services, civic administration. It's modern. I lost my COO to Dubai when he was offered a job there. He decided to make his future in Dubai. It's time to become multilateral.
Go back to surpluses, fiscal conservatism and rational investment. It'll take a recession to do that, but bite the bullet and get it over with. America spends a ton on healthcare and education, but they get nothing for it. Brits and Canadians live longer and they pay less. America should learn something. I know this won't be easy, but it's something to work towards.
And adopt global standards. It's frustrating to find parochial proprietary standards. It would be nice if the U.S accepted international standards in telecommunication and computing. You could sell to the rest of the world.
STIRLING NEWBERRY: Financial principal of 22nd century financial group.
The failure is simple: BORROW AND SQUANDER. Beginning in the late 1960s and culminating in 1973, Bretton Woods, buttressed by the IMF and World Bank, fell apart. The individual most responsible was Richard Nixon, who, in a misguided effort, proceeded to institute the Smithsonian agreement. It is the worst financial agreement that any country has negotiated, ever. Richard Nixon said it would save the global financial order. At the end of it, we had no fixed currency exchanges. It took 8 years to fix. It is no accident that wages stagnated at that time. In 1981, I was a supporter of Margaret Thatcher, a balanced budget hawk and a Republican.
But the end of the order is coming. Most of the people on the stage are from the era of Paul Volker. We are of the belief that the United States practices fiscal discipline and the Dollar becomes a gold standard. Clinton did this in the 90s. But there's a perpetual dollar shortage around the world. It creates problems in South Korea because they faced a currency crises. You could have bought Korea for less than the price of breaking it apart. Greenspan flooded the world with liquidity. But we refused to practice fiscal discipline by creating marginal taxes.
In 2000, we faced two wildly divergent views to deal with the fiscal crisis. I sent out a crash signal in April 2000, and sold every US equity I had on the 4th. I then sent a signal to buy Euro-based investments. Then, it was selling at 85 on the dollar. Now it's 125, and not looking back.
We have an energy deficit. To buy the energy we need, we run a trade deficit. The concentration of Eurodollars and Petrodollars grows. One response was to slash marginal tax rates on the wealthy. It told people to stop speculating on commodities and start trading stocks, and it created a huge bull market. But people are no longer investing in things like the highway system. The government lives longer than anyone else. This was pointed out by a conservative macroeconomist. The US has been able to sell bonds because we've been able to tell the rest of the world that someday we'll tighten our fiscal policy and they'd be caught short in dollars.
Chinese government funds production and takes the profits of that production and pulls them into the central government. If the profits sit in your government, they'll get into it somehow. In China, it's easier to ship it overseas because companies can't show an increase in value. We no longer have the credible threat that we will have another high-tech boom. Korea has better broadband. Taiwan has better telecommunications. In the 1990s, if you invested in Germany, you would have gotten creamed, but the NASDAQ would have made you rich. As soon as that threat goes away, the equivalence hypothesis goes away. They don't need to buy our dollars or buy our debts. This is parallel to the situation in the 60s and 70s when the rest of the world realized that they could buy dollars and cycle through the gold market because it was better on the open market. And that's the rational thing to do if the fixed government price is lower than the free market price.
Our monetary base is based on the value of the houses, buildings and assets of this country. Not on gold, but on the market value of those hard assets. For 70 years it served us well because it encouraged value creation in the community. It was a way of creating a free market mechanism where distribution was controlled by individual economic decisions on a ground level.
But wealth isn't generated that way because we are no longer independent on our energy sources. The US needs to break the cycle of deficits by changing the way it deals with the rest of the world. The simple solution is to stop using 6% of the GDP to finance our trade deficit and get back to a situation where we sell as much as we import. We would have to shift 5% of our GDP from making mcmansions and excessive profits in the healthcare system--it'ss cheaper to borrow money to build a house than it is to borrow money to build a business. The simplest policy change is to shift this balance. Go to an export economy. Get fiscal discipline. Otherwise, WE WILL BE IMF'ed.
As Stiglitz says, what happens with a government is that they have to go to the IMF with a short term loan. What they do is say, we're the IMF, and everybody pays us back. We will force you to slash your domestic spending, link your currency to an external hard currency, and shift the economy to export. It takes 1% of GDP cost to shift 1% of GDP to export. In order to shift 5% of our GDP, we have to use another 5% of our GDP to move it. If the U.S. doesn't begin making this shift, simply by using the economic tools we have available, and not involving ourselves into expeditions in Iraq. I knew Bush wouldn't find WMD in Iraq, but he couldn't even find cheap oil there!
If we use the same rules imposed on the 1990 recession on the 2000 recession, it would technically have lasted until 2003, which would have been the worst recession post-war. If you don't, we have the worst recovery in post-war history. So take your poison.
We have the most vibrant financial sector in the world. We also have a huge resource base, a very well educated population, large trade contacts, and liquidity. What we need is investment supply--new businesses that can pay for the cost of money. We need to shift from the petroleum-based economy to an independent economy. This was FDR's focus. Hoover did the same thing. The communities that cannot get enough energy cannot grow. As long as we are beholden to foreign energy sources, we will continue to have Dubai.
Frank Lloyd Wright wanted to build a 2000-foot skyscraper. And to do it he wanted to do a tubular structure. And the architects have finally gotten a chance to try--but in Dubai, not in the U.S.
We either do this, or we will allow someone else to pull the plug for us. An expansion is over when the bankers say it's over.
Someone I correspond with writes for the financial times. When Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, etc no longer fear a financial crisis, they will no longer buy our funds. It is much better to call the credit company before they declare you insolvent and set up a payment plan than it is to do it afterwards and have them impose a payment plan.
I'm a free-trader. I'm a hard-core free-trader. The interstate commerce clause has been used to expand economic rights. But what world do we live in when the Caribbean free trade agreement doesn't liberalize the sugar market? Agricultural products are the only thing for which they have a real advantage. If we broke that, every bottle of coke in this country would be cheaper.
You can ask Brazil, Lithuania or Argentina what happens when your currency melts down. Thank you.
Q: lots of the problems we face are because large multinational corporations control our politicians. Can we do anything to make market forces create a shift to better energy?
A: The way we subsidize industry is hidden in the tax code. Those subsidies are really one thing that makes it hard to know what profits they're really making, or how energy policy would work if we didn't. The senate thought about getting rid of them, a little accounting gimmick, but the uproar and the success of those companies to make sure it didn't happen was immediate. So it's very hard to change those gimmicks.
A: corporations aren't all evil. There's a lot of sensible allocation of capital. So not all corporations are bad. But it's balance. I was thinking about this a couple of weeks ago in terms of Martin Luther who led the reformation against the sale of indulgences. Poor people didn't have that option. The way the American government seems to work is that the rich buy indulgences--earmarked legislation, incentives, forgiveness of their excesses. What we need to get back to is a more populist form of government.
A: STIRLING: How many people here remember the Florida election fiasco? 80% of shareholders have their votes dismissed by the way we structure mutual funds. The problem of corporate democracy is going to be perpetual. The people running it aren't the owners. If you go to the Electrical Institute of America, they'll tell you how much it takes to make each alternative energy balanced against standard PGGC and IGGC. Get a CO2 externalities tax and get the number high enough, paid against the carbon extraction industries, and transfer that to non-carbon technologies.
Q: US imports 2/3rds of the crude it consumes. Most of that is controlled not by companies but by governments. That applies just to electric power, but oil is imported for cars.
I didn't get the rest of the questions from this event.
By Dante Atkins. Angeleno surviving DC weather. Jack-of-all-trades politico. Recovering classical linguist. @DanteAtkins on Twitter. /hekebolos on facebook.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Yearly Kos 2006: Failure of Conservative Economics Panel
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