I participated in Model UN for years in high school, and would have continued to do so in college if it had been available. Frustrating as it might have been to work with other "delegates", recognizing the limitations of power even in our mock setting, it was very enlightening and we had some deep discussions on how to find solutions to world wide problems.
Those discussions immediately came back to me today, when I read a fascinating column on World Net Daily, regarding enduring poverty and its connection to basic land rights (or, more precisely, the lack thereof). It's an idea I've never heard before, but that makes a lot of sense.
Perhaps what makes this most interesting to me is the talk I've heard/read recently pushing to move 80-90% of Americans into cities. Proponents suggest this is the most responsible and practical way to move forward as a society for a number of reasons. In my experience, however, few city dwellers own their own land. When they do, they're limited by vastly more zoning laws and hobbled by much more extensive taxes and fees than their suburban or rural counterparts.
Call me paranoid, but I'm going to start paying more attention to conversations and legislation on this topic. Renting may be a good arrangement for us right now, but I've no interest in seeing American's rights in such an important arena eroded any more than they already have been. Speaking of which, Last Child in the Woods would be another great reading option on this subject.
World Net Daily had a couple other great articles today as well. The first related the story of some nutcases who have started a website for the public to vote on whether or not they should abort their baby. Not surprisingly, the columnist suggests the couple is complete unfit to have a child and should neither be allowed to keep it nor ever get pregnant again. I totally agree. I've long been convinced that it was time to reopen the American Eugenics Program. Nice to see other people on the same page - now if only it were possible!
The second was about mega-author Max Lucado and the comprehensive, three year marketing plan his publisher has put together for all things Lucado related. The author's main point was that the Christian book market is heavily over-invested in a few key people, making it even more difficult than it already would be to get new authors into the public, regardless of how valuable their message is. He also noted the failure of almost every Christian publisher to adapt to the demands of the modern book market, such as iPhone aps, compatibility with digital readers and the availability of free digital material.
This brings up a number of interesting debates about what the Christian publishing market should look like, how much it should mirror the secular market and in what ways. Personally, I think they should start by raising the standard of what gets published and by whom. I've read many a "Christian" book that was theologically flawed but at the top of the best selling list, and works from many an author that had no business calling himself a Christian. I've also seen plenty that were just Harlequin novels with the sex scenes removed and a couple Bible verses thrown in. Doesn't the Christian market have a responsibility to self-monitor and carefully measure the image and theology it sells?
The more complex questions start when you debate things like the marketing plan. Whether it's a good business decision or an arrogant, selfish move is open to discussion. As is the question of how deeply invested publishers should be in the digital market. If anyone has opinions, I'd love to hear them because this could be a fascinating conversation. Why don't they have debate clubs for adults?!
Sunday, December 12
Saturday, December 11
$20 per gallon
While sifting through my library's collection, looking for a decent audio book, I found $20 per Gallon - a projection of what our world will look like when the price of oil permanently skyrockets due to increasing scarcity.
Singularly unique to this book (besides the annoying chapter titles) was the author's perspective that all the upcoming changes in society, however painful the initial transition, were both necessary and positive. Throughout the book, his tone remained optimistic and his writing completely devoid of any fear-mongering which is typically a staple of the genre.
I did not agree with everything the book proposed, but it was excellent food for thought. He clearly had done his research and extrapolated the ideas to their fullest extent. It was slightly unnerving in places, as my mind filled in the darker shadows sure to fall in the wake of the author's bright ideals. Some of us, I know, will still cling to our "Jeffersonian" theories of independence and non-compliance and I am sure the shining new world he describes will be unimpressed to say the least.
Still, this was one of the most well thought out books I've seen on this subject and if you have the chance I recommend picking it up to see what you think.
Singularly unique to this book (besides the annoying chapter titles) was the author's perspective that all the upcoming changes in society, however painful the initial transition, were both necessary and positive. Throughout the book, his tone remained optimistic and his writing completely devoid of any fear-mongering which is typically a staple of the genre.
I did not agree with everything the book proposed, but it was excellent food for thought. He clearly had done his research and extrapolated the ideas to their fullest extent. It was slightly unnerving in places, as my mind filled in the darker shadows sure to fall in the wake of the author's bright ideals. Some of us, I know, will still cling to our "Jeffersonian" theories of independence and non-compliance and I am sure the shining new world he describes will be unimpressed to say the least.
Still, this was one of the most well thought out books I've seen on this subject and if you have the chance I recommend picking it up to see what you think.
Quilting
There are lots of things I like to do the old fashioned way, but when it comes to basting a quilt I'm very happy to cheat! I'm clearly not the only one, because someone invented this nifty stuff: basting spray!
Thanks to that (and the watchful border collie who kept wandering onto my fabric, inspecting for quality), I was able to make fairy quick work of getting the batting and backing onto my lap quilt.
I failed to take a picture after I trimmed the excess off, but it looks good and is ready for the next step. I've temporarily put that step on hold, however, as I unearth myself from the piles of fabric squares that are going to be my next quilt.
As you can see, there's a bazillion tan squares that needed to be cut, stacked on my cream rectangles, marked and piled to await sewing. The good news is, this quilt is going to look fantastic when it's done so it will be worth all this patience!
I even rearranged the furniture in the den so that I can sew in there instead of sprawling stuff all over the dining room table! Not that I entertain while Eric is gone, but apartment counters are a bit on the small side for things like prolific ravioli and puppy treat making, both of which happen to be on my list for next week. Yum!
Anyway, all this should keep me out of trouble for while, which is good - Arthas could use a break from herding me!
Thanks to that (and the watchful border collie who kept wandering onto my fabric, inspecting for quality), I was able to make fairy quick work of getting the batting and backing onto my lap quilt.
I failed to take a picture after I trimmed the excess off, but it looks good and is ready for the next step. I've temporarily put that step on hold, however, as I unearth myself from the piles of fabric squares that are going to be my next quilt.
As you can see, there's a bazillion tan squares that needed to be cut, stacked on my cream rectangles, marked and piled to await sewing. The good news is, this quilt is going to look fantastic when it's done so it will be worth all this patience!I even rearranged the furniture in the den so that I can sew in there instead of sprawling stuff all over the dining room table! Not that I entertain while Eric is gone, but apartment counters are a bit on the small side for things like prolific ravioli and puppy treat making, both of which happen to be on my list for next week. Yum!
Anyway, all this should keep me out of trouble for while, which is good - Arthas could use a break from herding me!
Wednesday, December 8
Model Rocket Resource
In my inquiries into setting up an Estes model rocket class at the Air Museum, I happened across an excellent website with instructions on how to make rockets from scratch rather than from a kit.
If that sounds interesting to you, or someone you know, you can find it here.
I'll be sure to post updates as I dig further into this project (provided I don't burn down any buildings in the process). ;0)
If that sounds interesting to you, or someone you know, you can find it here.
I'll be sure to post updates as I dig further into this project (provided I don't burn down any buildings in the process). ;0)
Cream of Wheat
I have determined that this year I will not fall into my usual "isolation diet" while Eric is on The Ice. Instead, I will continue to cook real food and have regular mealtimes. In keeping with that decision, I experimented today with a new recipe for homemade cream of wheat - and it turned out great!
I try to avoid the little packets of cream of wheat you buy at the grocery store for two primary reasons: they're super expensive and of almost no nutritional value. Wheat begins losing its nutritional value within 48 hours of grinding unless it's frozen. Obviously, therefore, the cream of wheat on a grocery store shelf is long past its usefulness.
Notes on this recipe: bulgur wheat can be found inexpensively at your local natural foods store. You will need to grind it to a powder, via your grain grinder or food processor. I did not include the wheat germ in my recipe, and in the future will probably sub milled flax seed in its place. I found that this needed slightly less cooking time than suggested, so go by consistency rather than your timer. Finally, feel free to soak the wheat in the milk overnight beforehand for added nutritional benefits. Enjoy!
Cream of Wheat
3 cups cracked bulgur wheat
1/2 cup wheat germ
Grind wheat to powder, combine ingredients and store in freezer.
To Use (makes 2 servings):
Combine 3 1/2 tbsp wheat with 1 1/2 cups cold milk in a saucepan. Add a dash of salt and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and simmer 5 min or until desired consistency is reached. Stir in maple syrup or jam as desired before serving.
I try to avoid the little packets of cream of wheat you buy at the grocery store for two primary reasons: they're super expensive and of almost no nutritional value. Wheat begins losing its nutritional value within 48 hours of grinding unless it's frozen. Obviously, therefore, the cream of wheat on a grocery store shelf is long past its usefulness.
Notes on this recipe: bulgur wheat can be found inexpensively at your local natural foods store. You will need to grind it to a powder, via your grain grinder or food processor. I did not include the wheat germ in my recipe, and in the future will probably sub milled flax seed in its place. I found that this needed slightly less cooking time than suggested, so go by consistency rather than your timer. Finally, feel free to soak the wheat in the milk overnight beforehand for added nutritional benefits. Enjoy!
Cream of Wheat
3 cups cracked bulgur wheat
1/2 cup wheat germ
Grind wheat to powder, combine ingredients and store in freezer.
To Use (makes 2 servings):
Combine 3 1/2 tbsp wheat with 1 1/2 cups cold milk in a saucepan. Add a dash of salt and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and simmer 5 min or until desired consistency is reached. Stir in maple syrup or jam as desired before serving.
Tuesday, December 7
NSLP
There's a reason I don't read the newspaper regularly. It makes me apoplectic.
The latest debacle? "Michelle Obama's campaign to end childhood hunger and fight childhood obesity." (Democrat & Chronicle, last week)
As much as I appreciate that she recognizes there's a problem and is trying to use her authority and visability, I still feel inclined on a regular basis to send her the bumper sticker that says "If it gets any worse, I'm going to have to ask you to stop helping."
A bill just approved by the House would spent $4.5 billion to:
1. "Give the government power to decide what kinds of food may be sold in vending machine and lunch lines"
2. Limit bake sale fundraisers
3. Prompt the USDA to rewrite nutrition standards and dictate which foods schools can make available
4. Create after school meal programs to serve dinner to students who qualify for the free lunch program
5. Increase by 6 cents the amount of money schools are reimbursed for each free meal they serve
Why is this a problem?
Research into the National School Lunch Program, childhood obesity and pioneering programs successfully addressing the related issues leads conclusively to exactly the opposite of what's being proposed!
The most effective programs, both in cost efficiency and result production are locally initiated and orchestrated. They thrive without government involvement, and are tailored to the specific needs and resources of their communities in ways that cannot be replicated cookie-cutter fashion by a national initiative. Giving government more power is not the answer.
It is a direct and flagrant conflict of interest for the USDA/ Agriculture Department to rewrite the nutrition standards - just as it was when they wrote them the first time around! The primary purpose of the USDA is to promote agricultural production and success in the US. Child health and nutrition are inevitably sacrificed when all rules and requirements are written through that lens. School meal programs become dumping grounds for the excess production of American factory farms, just as they have been in the past. When the large scale manipulation of government agencies by giant agricultural and pharmaceutical companies is taken into consideration, this idea becomes even more appalling.
It is a documented fact that students/children who eat dinner with their families at least three nights a week are vastly less likely to be involved with drugs, alcohol, gangs and other troublesome behaviors. While it's certainly important to make sure that students have access to food, no initiative that purposely or strategically undermines family meals together should be undertaken at such a level.
Finally, as someone who has worked in industrial food service and battled the practical issues that arise from trying to feed large numbers of people on $1 per day or less, I have to say that increasing reimbursement by 6 cents a meal is not only unhelpful, but demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the system and its inherent flaws.
It is tremendously discouraging to see Mrs. Obama, who I'm sure genuinely means well, put her name and resources behind a bill so antithetical to her stated goals.
I'd say we should all write our Congressmen and Senators, but it appears that they neither listen to voters nor understand most of what they vote on.
Instead, if you have children and do not home school them, I offer the best advice I know of: buy a lunch box. Stuff it every day with the best food you can. Because well intentioned or not, the National School Lunch Program will destroy their health and lay the foundation for a lifetime of serious health issues.
The latest debacle? "Michelle Obama's campaign to end childhood hunger and fight childhood obesity." (Democrat & Chronicle, last week)
As much as I appreciate that she recognizes there's a problem and is trying to use her authority and visability, I still feel inclined on a regular basis to send her the bumper sticker that says "If it gets any worse, I'm going to have to ask you to stop helping."
A bill just approved by the House would spent $4.5 billion to:
1. "Give the government power to decide what kinds of food may be sold in vending machine and lunch lines"
2. Limit bake sale fundraisers
3. Prompt the USDA to rewrite nutrition standards and dictate which foods schools can make available
4. Create after school meal programs to serve dinner to students who qualify for the free lunch program
5. Increase by 6 cents the amount of money schools are reimbursed for each free meal they serve
Why is this a problem?
Research into the National School Lunch Program, childhood obesity and pioneering programs successfully addressing the related issues leads conclusively to exactly the opposite of what's being proposed!
The most effective programs, both in cost efficiency and result production are locally initiated and orchestrated. They thrive without government involvement, and are tailored to the specific needs and resources of their communities in ways that cannot be replicated cookie-cutter fashion by a national initiative. Giving government more power is not the answer.
It is a direct and flagrant conflict of interest for the USDA/ Agriculture Department to rewrite the nutrition standards - just as it was when they wrote them the first time around! The primary purpose of the USDA is to promote agricultural production and success in the US. Child health and nutrition are inevitably sacrificed when all rules and requirements are written through that lens. School meal programs become dumping grounds for the excess production of American factory farms, just as they have been in the past. When the large scale manipulation of government agencies by giant agricultural and pharmaceutical companies is taken into consideration, this idea becomes even more appalling.
It is a documented fact that students/children who eat dinner with their families at least three nights a week are vastly less likely to be involved with drugs, alcohol, gangs and other troublesome behaviors. While it's certainly important to make sure that students have access to food, no initiative that purposely or strategically undermines family meals together should be undertaken at such a level.
Finally, as someone who has worked in industrial food service and battled the practical issues that arise from trying to feed large numbers of people on $1 per day or less, I have to say that increasing reimbursement by 6 cents a meal is not only unhelpful, but demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the system and its inherent flaws.
It is tremendously discouraging to see Mrs. Obama, who I'm sure genuinely means well, put her name and resources behind a bill so antithetical to her stated goals.
I'd say we should all write our Congressmen and Senators, but it appears that they neither listen to voters nor understand most of what they vote on.
Instead, if you have children and do not home school them, I offer the best advice I know of: buy a lunch box. Stuff it every day with the best food you can. Because well intentioned or not, the National School Lunch Program will destroy their health and lay the foundation for a lifetime of serious health issues.
Art
Years ago, while he was stationed in Japan, Eric purchased two beautiful oils on canvas. We've carted them through each of our moves, safely rolled up in a tube, and every time we moved into a new apartment we discussed getting them stretched and framed so they could be displayed.
But every time we priced it out, it was simply too expensive to be worthwhile. So they waited, tucked away in a closet somewhere until the next time.
Well this time, Eric and I have put real effort into making our apartment a home. We decided it was time to get these things framed and on a wall. Again, the cost of framing was horrendous. But a trip out to the Wilton Mall for something unrelated led us to the discovery of Frame of Mind, a framing store whose prices were dramatically less than half of what we'd been quoted anywhere else!
Delighted, we took them our oils on canvas and selected frames. I picked them up yesterday, and I have to post them here - they are even lovelier than I imagined they would be!
I tried to get pictures of the frames, because they're perfect, but these pictures don't do them justice. Either way, it's very exciting to have them finally done!
Now if only I was capable of hanging things level...
But every time we priced it out, it was simply too expensive to be worthwhile. So they waited, tucked away in a closet somewhere until the next time.
Well this time, Eric and I have put real effort into making our apartment a home. We decided it was time to get these things framed and on a wall. Again, the cost of framing was horrendous. But a trip out to the Wilton Mall for something unrelated led us to the discovery of Frame of Mind, a framing store whose prices were dramatically less than half of what we'd been quoted anywhere else!
Delighted, we took them our oils on canvas and selected frames. I picked them up yesterday, and I have to post them here - they are even lovelier than I imagined they would be!
I tried to get pictures of the frames, because they're perfect, but these pictures don't do them justice. Either way, it's very exciting to have them finally done!
Now if only I was capable of hanging things level...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)