Kentucky Fried Chicken! Winged Fighters!

A couple nights ago I woke bolt upright at 3 AM. I tried counting sheep, I stretched out, I drank some warm milk, I read for a while but I couldn't feel the least bit sleepy. Around 4:30 I asked Aaron if he would keep me company. (It was a Saturday morning.) He rolled over and mumbled an agreement. I asked him to tell me a story thinking that might help me get back to sleep.

He started out "Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Katy." Aaron paused, mumbled then said "and she had to go to war. There was a war and she had to fight but that was okay because she was really strong and the German troops were coming down but that's what being an athlete is. Mumble mumble. Kentucky Fried Chicken! Winged Fighters!" And then he was out again. I think it's the best story he's ever told.

Song of the Lark

A day or so ago I started rereading one of my favorite books, The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather. Last night I read the following:

"Only, if you want a big thing, you've got to have nerve enough to cut out all that's easy, everything to be had cheap."

It was a good reminder for me. Guess I should stop watching those Star Trek reruns...

You know your kid is a nerd when...

John Steinbeck


Theodore Roethke - I love his angry face!


George Orwell


TS Elliott


Richard Hugo

You know your kid is a nerd when he starts making great 20th century literary figures from legos. But aren't they awesome! I stumbled upon them when I was looking up a Theodore Roethke poem and had to share. I think Orwell is dead on. You can see more of this guys work (including the Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch done completely in legos) here.

Cross Country Drives

visited 35 states (70%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or determine the next president

I've been to 70% of the US. Looking at this map really makes me want to jump in the car and take a trip to Maine. I don't think I have any plans this weekend...

Dog World

Lately I've been thinking I would like to get a dog. I want a dog not really for the dog itself but because getting a dog would mean I would HAVE to go outside every day. I would HAVE to take leisurely strolls around my neighborhood. I would HAVE to let my dog play in the park while I socialize with my dog owning neighbors. Right now I just sit at my "office" window and watch jealously as all the dog owners enjoy the neighborhood.

But we're not getting a dog anytime soon. Not in our small, five room apartment. The baby is sleeping in a closet when he comes so I really can't justify another addition. And when I get a dog I want to get a real dog, not one of those little yappy rats people call dogs. I want a strong dog like a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever.

But seeing people with their dogs, even if I can't have one, is still one of my favorite things. Walking in the park I'm amazed at how many people bear an uncanny resemblance to their pet. They're usually about the same weight, about the same price (rich people have expensive dogs), and similar personality.

I did a little google research and found out my observation seems to be correct, scientifically. Michael Roy and Nicholas Christenfeld of UC-SD did a study and found when people were shown digital photos of dog owners and given a choice of one of two dogs - they matched the correct pair 64 per cent of the time when the dog was a pure breed. People buying pure breeds can get exactly the look they want and consequently select dogs that resemble themselves. You can read the study here.

Anyway, since I don't have a dog I have to take my walks alone. I did briefly consider trying to use Battle. He has a leash, but every time we but him on it he lays down as soon as he realizes he's tethered or he hyperventilates. I really hope that isn't a reflection of my personality.

The Guns of August

I just started listening to The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman and I am really enjoying it. I picked it up after learning that the book was one of JFK's favorites and deeply influential in his attitude towards war (or preventing war) with the Soviets. He read it on the eve of the Cuban Missile crisis and encouraged the members of his cabinet to read it as well.

It's a fascinating read with so many bizarre and larger than life characters that I keep thinking that they have to be made up. There are some amazing lines to enjoy too. Here are a few that made me stop working to jot them down:

What made the Schlieffen plan ... was the body of accumulated egotism which suckled the German people and created a Nation fed on the desperate delusion of the will that deems itself absolute.

All of Prussia hatched from a cannon ball. - Napoleon III

Kaiser Wilhelm speaking of Czar Nicholas:
"He is only fit to live in a country house and grow turnips!"

These are really just the tip of the iceberg. It's fascinating to see how societies can plunge themselves into mass destruction and suffering through mere expectation.

The Republican Convention

Last week Aaron and I watched the Republican Convention. It was interesting.

My favorite part of the convention: When Sarah Palin's youngest daughter got to hold Trig the baby. While the rest of the family was busy watching their Mom's speech, Piper dutifully licked her hand and began to smooth Trig's hair to his scalp with her spit. In a few minutes Trig's hair was darkly plastered to his skull with out a single fly away. It was hilarious and I am so sad that no one seemed to get a good picture of it.

Second to that was probably McCain himself. I still think he's the best of the lot of them and I am SOOO happy he won the nomination.

My least favorite part of the convention: When the whole crowd began chanting "Drill, Baby, Drill! Drill, Baby, Drill!" and holding up signs that said Drill Now!! and We've Got Lots! It gave me the shivers. Big Oil doesn't have the Republican party in their back pocket...

And secondly if I have to hear the story about Cindy McCain adopting Bridget one more time I will go insane. I think it is a really admirable and impressive thing she did but for the Reps to keep harping on it cheapens it into some bizarre political move. I rather hear some more war stories from McCain even if I already hear those every night at dinner from Aaron. (Want to know the specifics about McCain's injuries? Ask me, I know them allllll.)