Playdate

Who loves "Best of" Lists more than me?

So I'm at Fringe today, getting a hair cut, and I see Paste Magazine has their "Best of 2007" issue out.

They have the list of their Top 100 music, Top 50 Movies, Top 10 video games (some of which even a loser like me has heard of), and they asked some random people what the best book they read this year was  (oh really?  Naomi Klein's favorite book was Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army?  There's a surprise.)

It's better in the magazine cos they have descriptions of all the movies/music, etc.  But I just have a couple of observations.

Music:  Seriously, I've never even heard of The National.  Am I supposed to?  Now I guess I have to check them out. 

 

Well.. they sound a little like Interpol to me, but I like them.

(Update:  it turns out I had heard "Abel" -- that's a good song.)

A lot of the CDs (I almost typed albums, ha! that's showing my age) on the list I really like -- my new favorite band is Band of Horses, and they're in the top 10. 

Movies:  I'm less impressed.  I didn't love Darjeeling Limited, I heard terrible things about Zodiac and didn't bother (even though it has BOTH Jake Gyllenhaal AND Mark Ruffalo), and I thought The Lookout was only okay.  On the other hand, I want to see pretty much the entire top 10, including No Country for Old Men, which is top of my list to see (at least until The Golden Compass comes out). 

I also really liked Hot Fuzz and Knocked Up. 
And 3:10 to Yuma. 
And Waitress. 

But I'm sure Alicia will be happy to see this:  Children of Men is nowhere on the list at all!

Here's what I really learned:  Hayumbone, I'm sorry I never read Paste while you were there, but I must say, I really like it (I'm sure it was better with your touch...)  I might even order it.  It's got a good mix of music and movies I like, and other random current stuff. 

Another magazine I have been meaning to pick up was recommended a long time ago by my friend Allison, The Week Magazine.  I'd forgotten about it till today.  If I had more time, I'd tell you about it, but... well... check the link.  I'm tired.

What am I doing wrong here?

I was thinking about writing a post this morning about saving money online shopping, but then I logged on and saw this.

So... what are we doing wrong, people?  Should we be taking acting classes?  Doesn't seem like a good time to be a writer.

CHARGE!

Yesterday was Black Friday and the media hype about that day kills me.  I hate crowds, so why in the world would I do holiday shopping on the busiest shopping day of the year?  Plus, is it really a "deal" if the store is getting your money before you need to spend it? 

Anyhoo, we needed some toiletries and stuff today, so we headed over to Target.  Surprisingly, it wasn't too bad.  Sure, it was more crowded than a random Tuesday morning but we got through the aisles without too much trouble.  This is good because it sets my mental state for actual holiday shopping.  Must stay positive.

Did you know that the Monday after Thanksgiving is called Online Monday?  It's the day when everyone returns to the office just to do holiday shopping at their desk.  According to CBS FM, productivity is down by 48%.  That's America!

Happy shopping everyone! 

Time Out

Nobody likes a "time out".   To stop what your doing and sit idle is torture.  This form of dicipline has never worked on my kids.  After we no longer needed a highchair, I had no place to put them for a couple of minutes.  They refused to sit on a chair, step, stool, anything.  Regardless, I kept trying until *I* got the time out. 

While lifting my 3yo, 36 lb gigantor son for his time out, I threw out my back.  Which sucked because, I was just getting better from another back injury the week before.  Sadly, I'm no stranger to back pain.  Two years ago, I threw out my back while bulk shopping.  I took lots of drugs with no results.  I tried acupuncture for the first time and after the initial appointment, I immediately felt better.  I went back for more treatments and added physical therapy to the mix.  A few weeks of the treatments, and I was cured!  That is until a few weeks ago and that time out.

It's my own fault.  I've been meaning to exercise, but I just don't.  I'm lazy and it's not in my routine.  I've discovered the hard way that without exercise, I am prone to injury.  Okay, so must start yoga and weight training when I'm feeling better.  The problem is, my back (and body for that matter) is in severe fucking pain.  I literally could not move.  It hurt to stand on my right leg, which means I couldn't walk.  I couldn't bend, so I couldn't get dressed.  And forget about socks.

Just getting ready in the morning (getting myself and two kids dressed, fed and out the door by 8:15 for school) was excrusiating.  I barely made it into the driver's seat - I couldn't lift my leg to climb in.  That same morning it took me 15 minuutes to get from my driveway to the Sun Room (it's less than 40' away!).  I ultimately wound up on the floor crying.  I've given birth twice and this was more painful.  I am against masking pain but, I am only human so, that day I downed some Advil just to get through the morning.  I had to get relief.  And I needed long term relief.

I felt the problem was in my spine and causing muscle pains.  So, although acupuncture had worked in the past, I decided to try chiropractics.  Because I needed to get x-rays, the relief didn't come fast enough.  But eventually, I got treatment and HOLY CRAP I feel so much better.  Those little pressure points are still tight and painful but I got relief without drugs, and that's really important to me.  In the process, I've learned that my spine is completely out of whack.  The misalignments can cause lots of physical ailments.  Dr. Richard Wolf, a Holistic Chiropractor, explained it to me really well.  Your spine is what connects your brain to your limbs, organs, etc.  Misalignments, pinching and damage in your spine translates to problems for the rest of your body.  In my case, nerves were pinched and my muscles tightened causing immobility and pain.  I'm not doing his explanation justice, so you'll just have to visit him yourself.  It's been an amazing experience.

I'm only 2 weeks into my treatment.  I still have slight pains but I'm happy with the results so far.  I have mobility, I can pick up my kids, a laundry basket, and even myself off the floor.  All without drugs.  Like I said, nobody likes a time out.  To stop what I'm doing and sit idle is torture.   Not being able to do simple tasks was scary.  I will not take my mobility for granted.   

Thanks

So, what's everybody cooking for Thanksgiving?

Can I just say how much I love this holiday?  Sit down, with loved ones, and EAT!  And the food --- stuffing?  Mashed potatoes?  Is this not heaven?  There is too little gravy in this world!

I'm always interested in what other folks decide to cook for their Turkey Day Feast.  This year, I'm going simple and not making anything fancy or time-consuming or that would require me to look at a recipe.  Why?  Number one, because I'm still completely disorganized even though I moved back into my house over 2 months ago.  I can't find my cookbooks or 75% of my kitchenware.  Number two, because we are planning to go to the parade in Manhattan early Thursday morning, so I must have dishes I can either make the night before or that can cook in just a couple of hours after we get back.  Otherwise it will be a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, complete with toast and popcorn.  Number three, oh really, do we even NEED #3?   I just don't feel like it, ok? 

I did all of my grocery shopping today (Tuesday) so all I have to do tomorrow is get some dining room chairs.  And wash sheets and towels.  And clean the bathrooms.  And vacuum.  Aaaargh.  Even when I try to simplify, I still have too much to do.

Anyway, here's our menu.  Please share yours, because maybe I'll want to borrow a recipe or two.  For NEXT year.

Turkey Breast (not a whole turkey) baked with apples and onions
Salmon (baked in whatever kind of sauce Freeman's Fish Market has tomorrow)
Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing (From a bag.  Sue me.)
Carrots (Simmered on the stove top, in apple juice and cinnamon - my kids LOVE this)
Asparagus (roasted in olive oil with salt and pepper; or steamed and served with melted butter)
Wheat rolls (Whole Foods)
Whole Foods "home-made" gravy (Like I was EVER gonna make my own gravy)

A little wine, some pie, seeing my nieces (and my boys with their cousins)...it's going to be great.  I hope the weather holds and we can make the parade, but if we don't, that just means more sleep for me.  Either way, I'll be thankful. 

It's a Girl!

My sister gave birth on Friday to a beautiful, healthy little girl.  She is Soooooo damn cute!  We drove to see her at the hospital yesterday and I miss her already!  Love at first sight.

Mom and baby are doing well and going home today.  Dad and big brother are delighted. 

We get to see them at Thanksgiving...but I can't wait that long!  I must hold this baby!

I want to make a basket for my recovering sister but, since it's been exactly 3 years since I had a kid, Mother Nature has conveniently made me forget all of it.  What should I include?  What are some new mom must-haves?  Help me out.  I can't think because I'm blinded by love.

Nothing...

Nothing interesting has happened to me at all this week.

Not even remotely.

Maybe next week...

128 Boxes

We're moving in three weeks. Guess I should start packing. Well, I ordered some boxes today so that's a start. I ordered the 4-bedroom package - 128 boxes. One moving guy estimated we would need 150 boxes for our house. That means we'll have to pack 50 boxes a week - think we'll make it?

The concept of packing is a bit easier to swallow now that we've gotten rid of most of the stuff we don't want. Bulk pick-up's in a few weeks and the garage sale this weekend helped - even if everything didn't sell. We're still left with a glider (hardly used) and two A/Cs but we did pertty well considering it was 40 degrees and raining on Saturday.

It's interesting what sold and what didn't. Someone bought the rusted teapot with the melted spout ($1) but nobody bought my copy of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (also $1, later reduced to $0.50 - great book, I decided to keep for one of my friends). One guy bought ALL my back-issues of Real Simple but the warm wooly sweaters were a very hard sell. Did I mention it was wet, windy and 40 degrees?. And every single male over the age of 4 just had to open and fondle the wireless modem ($10). And none of them put it back in the box. Just left it there and let the bubble wrap packaging fall to the ground. Every single time.

The leftovers will probably go onto Maplewood Online but if anyone wants some car speakers or a prom dress circa 1988 let me know...

I need to see more of this show!

I watched this Japanese Human Tetris show with my sons and we couldn't stop laughing.  There are 2 more clips on YouTube...not nearly enough to satify the soul.  You want more too, don't you?

Office Morale

I got this random catalog in the mail.  With the name "Organize Now" how could I resist flipping through its glossy pages.  Then, I came across this...

The Prize Wheel!  This is the boost that all employees need.  And at only $495.50 for the floor-stand model, it's a small price to pay to increase performance and morale.  I mean, look how happy those women are!!!  (BTW, the website does NOT have the feature for you to "See it online in MOTION".  We've been robbed.  But they have another happy image...)

And this is exactly how I would spend my office lunch hour...

AND coffee breaks.  She is a REALLY good mom.  She really is.

We're so lucky to live in a country where employers understand AND meet the needs of women.