Paddington Bear is 50 years old this year. The first book was published in October 1958, so I'm not sure why celebrations are starting now, but no matter. One of the UK radio stations is putting 50 Paddington Bear toys in railway stations, and whoever finds them can take them home. The finders are asked to call the radio station to let them know where the bears were found. I have one already, so no going to the UK for me, although I will eventually.
I have to admit, I prefer honey to marmalade. Always have.
My sister has always had a particular fondness for Ted. E. Bear. It must be a Polacek women thing - bears.
Some randomness:
I found a great giveaway site: freecycle.org. You can post things you want to give away or post a message about things you're looking for.
Speaking of free, here's another free thing you can read by Neil Gaiman - the first Sandman story. Please note that the last two pages are apparently backwards.
I've become addicted to these. The fruit ones are really good.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
march madness message month
March is going to be interesting. I start my next grad class in a few days. I'm doing a major re-write of patient messages. I'm starting a new crochet project. And I'm going to the Maryland Science Center to see Body Worlds 2 this weekend. (Not yet sure how I feel about cadavers in artful poses. I'll let you know once I've seen them.)
You can read Neil Gaiman's American Gods for free in March. I admire this book a lot, although it's not my favorite by him. Still, if you want to get a sense of his writing without actually having to buy his books, this is the way to do it.
March is also National Crochet Month. Now that I've got granny squares more or less figured out, it's time to move on to Babette blankets, which are made from different sizes of granny squares that are sewn together. They look like this. Cool, eh?
Oh, and I came across the updated mneumonic to help remember the names of the planets: My very exciting magic carpet just sailed under nine palace elephants (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Eris). A 10-year-old came up with that.
You can read Neil Gaiman's American Gods for free in March. I admire this book a lot, although it's not my favorite by him. Still, if you want to get a sense of his writing without actually having to buy his books, this is the way to do it.
March is also National Crochet Month. Now that I've got granny squares more or less figured out, it's time to move on to Babette blankets, which are made from different sizes of granny squares that are sewn together. They look like this. Cool, eh?
Oh, and I came across the updated mneumonic to help remember the names of the planets: My very exciting magic carpet just sailed under nine palace elephants (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ceres, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, Eris). A 10-year-old came up with that.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
cat got your attention?
Although my cats have never hit me with a baseball bat, this scenario is oddly familiar:
Sunday, February 24, 2008
queen mary's dolls' house
My friend and fellow doll house enthusiast, Jane-the-gardener, lent me a book on Queen Mary's dolls' house. It was made in the 1920s, and it's the most elaborate one I've ever seen.
It has a garden, chandeliers, suits of armor, statues, elaborate wallpaper, paintings of previous kings and queens, a garage with vintage cars, a green marble bathroom, hand-painted ceilings, hand-made rugs, marble floors, and details like vases of flowers and clocks on the mantlepieces above the fireplaces. It even has working water taps and electric lights, not to mention a wine cellar. Amazing.
The house was exhibited several times, and the money raised from the exhibits was given to charities that she supported.
Here are some pictures. And here's some more information, written in true British style. I think this is why I have such trouble writing simply, too much British blood.
There's another book available too.
It has a garden, chandeliers, suits of armor, statues, elaborate wallpaper, paintings of previous kings and queens, a garage with vintage cars, a green marble bathroom, hand-painted ceilings, hand-made rugs, marble floors, and details like vases of flowers and clocks on the mantlepieces above the fireplaces. It even has working water taps and electric lights, not to mention a wine cellar. Amazing.
The house was exhibited several times, and the money raised from the exhibits was given to charities that she supported.
Here are some pictures. And here's some more information, written in true British style. I think this is why I have such trouble writing simply, too much British blood.
There's another book available too.
Friday, February 22, 2008
planning and in need of sushi
I've been project planning all week - for work, not for me. I'm planned out, I think.
I'm heading into the home stretch of my fourth grad course, and it's been quite wacky recently. The professor had a death in his family, so he's been pre-occupied with family stuff, and rightly so. A few classmates got into cyber shouting matches on the discussion boards, which were interesting to read. I've got a little over a week to do revisions and analysis on my final pieces, which I think is do-able. My next class (halfway through my degree!) was supposed to be 19th century vampire stories, but apparently, not enough people signed up for the class, so I was switched to Gothic literature, which is just as good. The professor teaching it was the same one I had for the Jane Austen course, so I'm happy.
I recently learned to make sushi, courtesy of Joe-the-office-roomie. Soooooo much more economical, especially since Jane-the-gardenergot me a sushi service tray thingy and some snazzy chopsticks.
I got my first dollhouse accessories in the mail today - wallpaper, a typewriter, and a cello. I could have gone for the usual room furniture, but I went for the cooler stuff instead. Gotta start somewhere.
The new Coraline trailer looks great. I'm looking forward to seeing it, but jeez what a long wait!
Stephen Fry is podcasting now, and the first one is hilarious, given that he's on pain meds for a broken arm. The story of the broken arm is harrowing, though, and I can't imagine having to go through all that just to get proper medical attention.
In case you were wondering why cats put their toys in their water bowls and food bowls, this should answer your question. Mine have never done this, but it's apparently common feline behavior. Mine are currently snoozing next to me on the couch in cute kitty poses.
These are my current addiction. I can only find them at Roots and Trader Joe's. I go for the X-treme Chocolate Fudge, Charlotte's Chocolate Chip, Better Brownie, and Cole's Cashew Chocolate Chip. Yummy!
And these are not your average Barbie dolls.
I'm heading into the home stretch of my fourth grad course, and it's been quite wacky recently. The professor had a death in his family, so he's been pre-occupied with family stuff, and rightly so. A few classmates got into cyber shouting matches on the discussion boards, which were interesting to read. I've got a little over a week to do revisions and analysis on my final pieces, which I think is do-able. My next class (halfway through my degree!) was supposed to be 19th century vampire stories, but apparently, not enough people signed up for the class, so I was switched to Gothic literature, which is just as good. The professor teaching it was the same one I had for the Jane Austen course, so I'm happy.
I recently learned to make sushi, courtesy of Joe-the-office-roomie. Soooooo much more economical, especially since Jane-the-gardenergot me a sushi service tray thingy and some snazzy chopsticks.
I got my first dollhouse accessories in the mail today - wallpaper, a typewriter, and a cello. I could have gone for the usual room furniture, but I went for the cooler stuff instead. Gotta start somewhere.
The new Coraline trailer looks great. I'm looking forward to seeing it, but jeez what a long wait!
Stephen Fry is podcasting now, and the first one is hilarious, given that he's on pain meds for a broken arm. The story of the broken arm is harrowing, though, and I can't imagine having to go through all that just to get proper medical attention.
In case you were wondering why cats put their toys in their water bowls and food bowls, this should answer your question. Mine have never done this, but it's apparently common feline behavior. Mine are currently snoozing next to me on the couch in cute kitty poses.
These are my current addiction. I can only find them at Roots and Trader Joe's. I go for the X-treme Chocolate Fudge, Charlotte's Chocolate Chip, Better Brownie, and Cole's Cashew Chocolate Chip. Yummy!
And these are not your average Barbie dolls.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
ideas?
I'm thinking of starting a professional blog, and I'm looking for theme ideas or specific topics to blog about. There are a gazillion blogs about writing, so I'm stuck for ideas that would give mine a twist.
I've thought of things like posting First 50 Words every day, or something like that. I can't decide whether to do something professional on fiction, since that's my master's degree concentration, or something on non-fiction writing, since that's what I do for my day job.
Maybe I should blog about something that has nothing to do with writing, but that would still count as a professional blog.
And of course, I need a cool name for it too.
Any ideas are welcome.
I've thought of things like posting First 50 Words every day, or something like that. I can't decide whether to do something professional on fiction, since that's my master's degree concentration, or something on non-fiction writing, since that's what I do for my day job.
Maybe I should blog about something that has nothing to do with writing, but that would still count as a professional blog.
And of course, I need a cool name for it too.
Any ideas are welcome.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
it's a boy!
Meet my new boyfriend. His name is Tristan, named after the flirty character on All Creatures Great and Small. He's about a year old, maybe a year and a half, and he's considered a "classic" tabby, whatever that means. I got him from the Howard County Animal Shelter. All they know about him is that he's a stray who found his way there.
He's the most affectionate cat I've ever met. He loves to knead - the floor, the air, the nearest person. He loves to bump heads and rub his face all over you (I get European kisses on each cheek), he's careful with his claws and his teeth when he's playing with your fingers, and he even lets me rub his tummy. He also drools a bit when he's happy - the shelter volunteer calls this "liquid purring."
He likes watching the letters magically appear on the computer screen as I'm typing. He finds this fascinating. Earlier, I was watching a video on YouTube, and he was engrossed in the movement on the screen. He also curls up in my arms, and we watch movies together.
I brought him home the day he was neutered, and he seemed unfazed by both the surgery and the new surroundings. He immediately wanted to eat, and I'm going to free-feed him for a bit because he's on the skinny side.
He and Lyra are slowly getting used to each other. The first few times they met, I had Tristan in a carrier with the door closed, and I let Lyra see him. She did all the hissing and growling and advance and retreat while he remained quite calm the whole time. He meowed at Lyra a few times, the kind that sound like asking a question, and I got the sense that he was trying to make "contact," as it were. Since then, they get nose to nose, and there are the occasional swipes, usually from Lyra. The windstorm a few days ago sent them both scurrying under the bed, although at opposite ends. I must remember to thank Mother Nature for helping the introduction process along.
He's the most affectionate cat I've ever met. He loves to knead - the floor, the air, the nearest person. He loves to bump heads and rub his face all over you (I get European kisses on each cheek), he's careful with his claws and his teeth when he's playing with your fingers, and he even lets me rub his tummy. He also drools a bit when he's happy - the shelter volunteer calls this "liquid purring."
He likes watching the letters magically appear on the computer screen as I'm typing. He finds this fascinating. Earlier, I was watching a video on YouTube, and he was engrossed in the movement on the screen. He also curls up in my arms, and we watch movies together.
I brought him home the day he was neutered, and he seemed unfazed by both the surgery and the new surroundings. He immediately wanted to eat, and I'm going to free-feed him for a bit because he's on the skinny side.
He and Lyra are slowly getting used to each other. The first few times they met, I had Tristan in a carrier with the door closed, and I let Lyra see him. She did all the hissing and growling and advance and retreat while he remained quite calm the whole time. He meowed at Lyra a few times, the kind that sound like asking a question, and I got the sense that he was trying to make "contact," as it were. Since then, they get nose to nose, and there are the occasional swipes, usually from Lyra. The windstorm a few days ago sent them both scurrying under the bed, although at opposite ends. I must remember to thank Mother Nature for helping the introduction process along.
They have their evening crazies together now, which is mainly Lyra chasing Tristan all over the condo. He does stand his ground against her when he wants to be left alone. This lasts off and on for most of the night. They both like to sleep on the bed - Tristan up near, and sometimes on, the pillows, and Lyra down near my feet...so she can pounce on them. They're eating out of each other's bowls, and playing with each other's toys, which I assume is a good thing. I don't know that they'll ever be lovey-dovey with each other, but they at least tolerate each other.
I'm trying some stuff called Feliway, which is a homeopathic remedy to calm cats. It's supposed to be good for introducing new cats into a household. The shelter gave me a DVD of "now that your new cat is home" and they mention it, so I thought it would be worth a try and the vet even carries it. It definitely seems to be helping.
I'm trying some stuff called Feliway, which is a homeopathic remedy to calm cats. It's supposed to be good for introducing new cats into a household. The shelter gave me a DVD of "now that your new cat is home" and they mention it, so I thought it would be worth a try and the vet even carries it. It definitely seems to be helping.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
save bio-identical hormones!
This was a letter from Christiane Northrup, MD. Pass it on to all your female friends, and make sure to write your Congresspeople, especially your Congresswomen! (The link is in the last paragraph.)
"The FDA is strongly considering banning the use of estriol, a naturally occurring estrogen, by compounding pharmacies. The latest “concern” was prompted by Wyeth Labs, maker of Premarin and Prempro, currently collaborating with the FDA on this initiative. A few weeks ago, the FDA asserted that estriol is not a safe alternative to the synthetic hormones made by Wyeth.
This is ridiculous. This (compounded) estriol is exactly the same as the estriol produced in abundance in the female body, especially during pregnancy. (Neither Premarin nor Prempro is naturally occurring in the female human body! Provera, the synthetic progestin found in Prempro, isn’t found anywhere in nature!) Estriol has been used in Europe and Japan safely for hormone replacement for many years.
Part of Wyeth’s issue is that the FDA doesn’t regulate the individual hormonal compounds created by pharmacists for a woman’s specific needs. And, to date, the FDA hasn’t tested estriol or approved it for use by pharmaceutical companies. (The reason for this is that hormones such as bio-identical estriol, estradiol, and progesterone, are naturally occurring. They cannot be patented. And so drug companies can’t make money on them.) These hormones, however, have been part of the U.S. Pharmacopeia for decades. In other words, they ARE approved by the FDA for physicians and pharmacists to use!
Typically, drug trials are conducted so that patients can be informed about a drug’s safety, efficacy, and side effects before it can be marketed in the U.S. The FDA and Wyeth are using this as an excuse to scare women into thinking that they will put their health in jeopardy by using any kind of hormone replacement, linking bio-identical hormones with the negative results seen when Premarin was studied as part of the Women’s Health Initiative. But research and years of clinical use have already found that estriol is safe and effective! (To review some of it, visit http://www.womeninbalance.org/.)
I feel very strongly about the use of bio-identical hormones, as you know. And I don’t want the FDA to ban estriol, because once they do this, they’ll start in on bio-identical progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone as well. Then, when women need hormonal support, all they will be left with are synthetic substitutes that are less effective and also more dangerous!
Women deserve the right to the best treatment possible. And that treatment is often based on the wisdom of Mother Nature, not father pharmaceutical. If this is an important issue to you too, please let your Congressperson know. You can email your concerns to him or her easily by going to http://www.projectfans.org/. There’s even a sample letter you can use, so making yourself heard will only take a few moments."
My mom's comment:
Well, this is ludicrous!
Plain and simple, here’s where Premarin gets its name based on what it’s made of:
PREgnant
MARe’s
UrINe
Before I went on natural hormone replacement therapy, I read book after book on hormone replacement and menopause. I can even tell you that when you look at the molecular picture, the picture of what the molecules look like when the two are diagrammed out, the estrogens in the synthetic stuff don’t look anything like the bio-identical hormones. You don’t have to be a scientist to see it. The side effects are worse than the hot flashes, and the risks, even greater.
And then there’s the reality of knowing that if you take the synthetic, you’re throwing horse pee down your throat. Oooh, there’s a pleasant thought to make you forget the hot flashes. ;-)
Remember, Premarin is only natural if you eat hay.
"The FDA is strongly considering banning the use of estriol, a naturally occurring estrogen, by compounding pharmacies. The latest “concern” was prompted by Wyeth Labs, maker of Premarin and Prempro, currently collaborating with the FDA on this initiative. A few weeks ago, the FDA asserted that estriol is not a safe alternative to the synthetic hormones made by Wyeth.
This is ridiculous. This (compounded) estriol is exactly the same as the estriol produced in abundance in the female body, especially during pregnancy. (Neither Premarin nor Prempro is naturally occurring in the female human body! Provera, the synthetic progestin found in Prempro, isn’t found anywhere in nature!) Estriol has been used in Europe and Japan safely for hormone replacement for many years.
Part of Wyeth’s issue is that the FDA doesn’t regulate the individual hormonal compounds created by pharmacists for a woman’s specific needs. And, to date, the FDA hasn’t tested estriol or approved it for use by pharmaceutical companies. (The reason for this is that hormones such as bio-identical estriol, estradiol, and progesterone, are naturally occurring. They cannot be patented. And so drug companies can’t make money on them.) These hormones, however, have been part of the U.S. Pharmacopeia for decades. In other words, they ARE approved by the FDA for physicians and pharmacists to use!
Typically, drug trials are conducted so that patients can be informed about a drug’s safety, efficacy, and side effects before it can be marketed in the U.S. The FDA and Wyeth are using this as an excuse to scare women into thinking that they will put their health in jeopardy by using any kind of hormone replacement, linking bio-identical hormones with the negative results seen when Premarin was studied as part of the Women’s Health Initiative. But research and years of clinical use have already found that estriol is safe and effective! (To review some of it, visit http://www.womeninbalance.org/.)
I feel very strongly about the use of bio-identical hormones, as you know. And I don’t want the FDA to ban estriol, because once they do this, they’ll start in on bio-identical progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone as well. Then, when women need hormonal support, all they will be left with are synthetic substitutes that are less effective and also more dangerous!
Women deserve the right to the best treatment possible. And that treatment is often based on the wisdom of Mother Nature, not father pharmaceutical. If this is an important issue to you too, please let your Congressperson know. You can email your concerns to him or her easily by going to http://www.projectfans.org/. There’s even a sample letter you can use, so making yourself heard will only take a few moments."
My mom's comment:
Well, this is ludicrous!
Plain and simple, here’s where Premarin gets its name based on what it’s made of:
PREgnant
MARe’s
UrINe
Before I went on natural hormone replacement therapy, I read book after book on hormone replacement and menopause. I can even tell you that when you look at the molecular picture, the picture of what the molecules look like when the two are diagrammed out, the estrogens in the synthetic stuff don’t look anything like the bio-identical hormones. You don’t have to be a scientist to see it. The side effects are worse than the hot flashes, and the risks, even greater.
And then there’s the reality of knowing that if you take the synthetic, you’re throwing horse pee down your throat. Oooh, there’s a pleasant thought to make you forget the hot flashes. ;-)
Remember, Premarin is only natural if you eat hay.
Monday, February 11, 2008
remember me?
Been busy - writing, working, crocheting, getting the new cat used to his surroundings, housecleaning.
I like the writing prompts for the fiction seminar I'm in, despite the fact that I've not written anything stellar, and most of the pieces are fictionalized snippets from the drama of my life last year. The professor is a little harsh for my taste, and he has an irritating habit of answering questions with "please see the FAQ." So I won't be asking him to be my thesis advisor.
We had a company meeting at work last Thursday, which was eerily similar to the association meetings I used to do at my last job, particularly the editing-all-the-slides-at-the-last-minute part. At least this time, the content actually applied to me, rather than to a bunch of doctors. Turf Valley has yummy food, too.
All kinds of crazy going on at work - slides to edit, messages to write, word style to document.
I started working on a new blanket - colorful and stripey.
I've taken pictures of my new cat (and of all my crochet projects, too), but I can't find the camera cable to get them onto the computer. I've ordered a new cable, so I'll post pics soon.
I had the weirdest urge to clean last Sunday, so I can now really walk in to my walk-in closet, and I've got a ton of stuff to donate that is now piled up near the front door. I figure if I put where I have to look at it all the time, I'll be more inclined to do something about it.
Watching and reading:
I got Girls on Top from Netflix, and it's not what it sounds like. It's an 80s Britcom with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ruby Wax, and Tracey Ullman - sort of a female version of The Young Ones. Alan Rickman makes a brief appearance.
Emily loaned me Blue Harvest, which was hilarious, and The Tudors, which was intense and sexy, even if the historical accuracy is way off the mark, and The Order, which I just wanted to see without the commercials.
I also finally got to see the last episodes of the Vicar of Dibley, and my my, but isn't Richard Armitage delicious? On his Web site, there's some audio of him reading some of Ted Hughes' letters. Lovely reading voice.
Saw a little snippet article for a movie called Bronte. Not much info about it yet, but it's supposed to be released this year.
I've been re-reading some George Eliot and the graphic novel version of Neverwhere. I'm saving The Essential Dracula for my next class (19th Century Vampire Literature).
Right. Time to burn some boxes and warm up the condo. It was 16 degrees when I drove to work this morning and 27 degrees when I drove home. Too bloody cold!
I like the writing prompts for the fiction seminar I'm in, despite the fact that I've not written anything stellar, and most of the pieces are fictionalized snippets from the drama of my life last year. The professor is a little harsh for my taste, and he has an irritating habit of answering questions with "please see the FAQ." So I won't be asking him to be my thesis advisor.
We had a company meeting at work last Thursday, which was eerily similar to the association meetings I used to do at my last job, particularly the editing-all-the-slides-at-the-last-minute part. At least this time, the content actually applied to me, rather than to a bunch of doctors. Turf Valley has yummy food, too.
All kinds of crazy going on at work - slides to edit, messages to write, word style to document.
I started working on a new blanket - colorful and stripey.
I've taken pictures of my new cat (and of all my crochet projects, too), but I can't find the camera cable to get them onto the computer. I've ordered a new cable, so I'll post pics soon.
I had the weirdest urge to clean last Sunday, so I can now really walk in to my walk-in closet, and I've got a ton of stuff to donate that is now piled up near the front door. I figure if I put where I have to look at it all the time, I'll be more inclined to do something about it.
Watching and reading:
I got Girls on Top from Netflix, and it's not what it sounds like. It's an 80s Britcom with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ruby Wax, and Tracey Ullman - sort of a female version of The Young Ones. Alan Rickman makes a brief appearance.
Emily loaned me Blue Harvest, which was hilarious, and The Tudors, which was intense and sexy, even if the historical accuracy is way off the mark, and The Order, which I just wanted to see without the commercials.
I also finally got to see the last episodes of the Vicar of Dibley, and my my, but isn't Richard Armitage delicious? On his Web site, there's some audio of him reading some of Ted Hughes' letters. Lovely reading voice.
Saw a little snippet article for a movie called Bronte. Not much info about it yet, but it's supposed to be released this year.
I've been re-reading some George Eliot and the graphic novel version of Neverwhere. I'm saving The Essential Dracula for my next class (19th Century Vampire Literature).
Right. Time to burn some boxes and warm up the condo. It was 16 degrees when I drove to work this morning and 27 degrees when I drove home. Too bloody cold!
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