29November
2008
maura @ 10:27 pm
Nothing like spending 5 hrs on the NJ Turnpike to make you realize that the future looks awfully much like the past. I mean, honestly, it could have been 30 yrs ago and our drive would have been almost exactly the same as today. Probably less traffic, but the roads are certainly the same. The infrastructure is identical.
In some ways we’ve achieved the dream of the 1950s: everyone cruises around in their own personal climate controlled bubble, listening to music, watching TV, eating and drinking whenever they feel like it. It’s car as living room, as Jonathan said earlier.
I don’t know. It’s not that I’m not grateful for all of the cool future stuff that we do have. This video (which Jonathan sent me from bing bong, I believe) is a hilarious reminder of that. And we certainly took advantage of the advances this afternoon + evening, when Gus watched Castle in the Sky three (3!) times while we were stuck in horrible traffic.
BUT. But, but, but. It’s hard to believe that we couldn’t have used all of our fantastic futurizing powers to do something better. Superfast trains that don’t pollute the way cars do (and are cheaper to run, too). Eco-energy, from cleaner power plants to better ways of moving electricity over long distances (though I do like the aesthetics of those giant electrical towers — they look like robots).
I don’t know, it’s just disappointing, I guess. Cars are stupid. And I’d even give up my iphone for a better train system. Though if I did, what would I use to read my web stories en route?
27November
2008
maura @ 7:43 pm
The dinner’s been consumed (dessert too), and Gus is in hog heaven: playing Link’s Crossbow Training on my BIL’s Wii w/surround sound. We had some iconic fall moments this afternoon raking leaves so Gus could jump into a pile of them a la Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (“never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker”). AND we didn’t even hit traffic on the SIE and NJT today. Much to be thankful for!
Don’t forget, tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day! Sadly, tomorrow we might actually have to buy something, since it’d be rude to eat all of my sister’s food + not pick up dinner in exchange for crashing at their pad. But dinner’s hardly frivolous, so I think we get a pass on that.
26November
2008
maura @ 11:47 pm
But no, I was just working on the article I’m writing with a colleague, which is so close to being done that I can almost taste it! Very exciting.
You may have noticed that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Happy turkey day to one and all! While I will be enjoying the visit with family members (and the company of cousins to play with my kid), I’ll greet the day* with my annual end-of-year freakout.
* The day which starts in 16 minutes. Holy cow, I have to get to sleep!
Which goes something like this:
If it’s Thanksgiving, that means that (usually) Gus’s birthday is next week. This year we are too busy to dream up crazy elaborate plans for a home party requiring a multi-location treasure hunt and hand-sewn and hand-jolly-roger-stenciled bags full of chocolate coins. Plus, Gus ASKED for a family party. Huzzah!
But that doesn’t mean that we’re ready. There’s still cupcakes to make for school, and we only have 1/3 of his presents.
And then, as if that’s not bad enough, apparently Christmas is in 28 days. It’s like 28 Days Later, except without the flesh-eating zombies. Or maybe with the zombies, if I have to enter a shopping establishment. Suffice it to say that no presents have yet been acquired. Not sure if we’ll have the gumption to enact our traditional baking-for-the-extended-family plan, either.
I had high hopes that this would be a handmade Xmas. I made an adorable (if I may toot my own horn) tiny purse for my niece for her 2nd birthday earlier this year, and wanted to make one each for my other 2 nieces, plus an apron for Gus (his old one is too small). But I am just outta time.
Everyone gets books this year, from Auntie Nerd the Librarian!
24November
2006
maura @ 3:53 pm
Last xmas my mom got Gus a couple of fairy tales on tape for the car. We hadn’t listened to them in ages but pulled them out again recently in a desperate attempt to keep him awake on the ride home from school (which is only 15 min long but they run ’em hard in kindergarten so he is often exhausted).
Gus’ favorite tape is read by Margot Kidder. He especially loves Puss in Boots, The Frog Prince and The Brave Little Tailor. Ms. Kidder actually does a great job reading the stories, even breaking into a few different voices for each character*. We’ve found ourselves spontaneously breaking out in pieces of the stories around the house: e.g. “Youngest princess! Keep your promise to me youngest princess!” in a froggy voice.
* The other tape is read by Ed Begley, Jr., who is somewhat more sleep-inducing and less entertaining.
Hey, it’s Buy Nothing Day — don’t forget to fight the consumerist agenda, you stinky hippie!
