I added a new link to my blogroll, Rex Parker does the NYT Crossword Puzzle. Every day when I get up, while drinking that first cup of coffee and if I have time (easier in the summer as life is less rushed), I do the NYTimes Crossword Puzzle online. Then, I submit my solution and compare myself to other puzzle solvers. For instance, today's time of 8 minutes puts me 143th so far today. Finally, I read what Rex Parker has to say. I find his comments on the puzzles very amusing. I love words and wordplay.
Rex Parker is a pseudonym. It's very letterboxing-like to have a puzzle-fiend alias and that appeals to me. When I decided on my letterboxing trail name, I had run into someone on the trail and she asked my name. Dewberry just sort of popped out of my mouth--it was a play on my last name--and it seemed to fit. Since then, though I've thought many a time about changing it to something that is a bit more reflective of me--my actual personality & self. But, by this point, people in the letterboxing world know me, so there didn't seem to be much point. Maybe I can just have a puzzle-fiend alias too...and become known on the crossword circuit as _________? Mad coffee-drinking puzzle-freak? That doesn't exactly trip off the tongue either. I'm afraid I would need something ultra-clever to hang with the crossword crowd.
So, any suggestions on what my puzzle name should be?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Gas Prices & Behavior
I heard an interesting radio interview yesterday on NPR. Someone from Consumer Reports was on and their new issue has a study they did about the benefits of switching to a more fuel-efficient car. Turns out that economically, your cost per mile driven is often significantly lower if you keep the car you have rather than prematurely trading it in for a more fuel-efficient vehicle, even with gas around $4 a gallon. There are of course a fair number of qualifiers and it depends on your individual situation. This result was fairly counter-intuitive, and I don't think it matches up with a lot of folks' perceptions. I think we automatically assume that a more fuel-efficient car will be cheaper (and it is, over the long-run).
Anyway, the whole thing got me wondering about if we've finally reached the point where we can begin to make national energy policy decisions and individual consumption decisions based on something other than cheap oil.
On the one hand, expensive gasoline is definitely a hardship for many people, putting a pinch in the family budget (along with the more expensive food prices). But, people are ingenious and they begin to find ways to cope--carpooling, mass transit, biking to work, reducing trips, etc.--that are actually more planet-friendly choices. And when it is time to get a new car, people are definitely opting for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Here's Memorial Day, with the official kick-off to the summer driving season, and I'm wondering if high gas prices are affecting your summer plans? We have a long road trip planned, and I've had to be somewhat more careful about lodging and other expenses to compensate. But so far, that's about the extent of it.
What's the price point where you will see a seismic shift in behavior? I'm thinking it's $5 a gallon. I wonder when we'll get there.
Anyway, the whole thing got me wondering about if we've finally reached the point where we can begin to make national energy policy decisions and individual consumption decisions based on something other than cheap oil.
On the one hand, expensive gasoline is definitely a hardship for many people, putting a pinch in the family budget (along with the more expensive food prices). But, people are ingenious and they begin to find ways to cope--carpooling, mass transit, biking to work, reducing trips, etc.--that are actually more planet-friendly choices. And when it is time to get a new car, people are definitely opting for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Here's Memorial Day, with the official kick-off to the summer driving season, and I'm wondering if high gas prices are affecting your summer plans? We have a long road trip planned, and I've had to be somewhat more careful about lodging and other expenses to compensate. But so far, that's about the extent of it.
What's the price point where you will see a seismic shift in behavior? I'm thinking it's $5 a gallon. I wonder when we'll get there.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Did you know?
That if you're making strawberry quick bread and you realize after it's already been in the oven for five minutes that you've left out the egg (because you see it still sitting on the counter), it'll be okay. Apparently you can pull the bread out of the oven, stir in the egg, put it back in and have it turn out fine. I was surprised too.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The speed of information: zoom-zoom!
So, yesterday I was working out at the gym, listening to music on my nifty personal satellite radio and watching the TVs just for something to do. A local station ran a story about a political protest, 1000 Prairie View A&M students marching to vote in Waller County.
I thought it was a neat story, very inspiring and positive, so I went home and read a little more about it and did some slightly more in-depth research. I thought others should know, so I wrote a quick little piece.
Then, I posted it on dailykos (a liberal blog site) as a diary. People found it interesting...and started commenting. This piece started getting picked up and linked elsewhere.
First, on burnt orange report. And then on Texas Kaos. Both of these are Texas-based blogs, so it's very appropriate. But, somehow, this story had some legs, which I think is a good thing. It's a good, powerful story and I think those kids did a great thing. But, it's been odd today to watch my piece be picked up a bunch of places. It's now linked to from several national blogs, like one that's part of Time Magazine online. And then this afternoon by Politico.
I've had paid pieces published in national magazines before. But the time between writing, submitting, getting approval and receiving the magazine in the mail with my piece in it is many, many months. It's just been interesting for me to watch this story zing around in the space of a day. Some of it is uncredited, about which I care very little. The students are the story here. I'm thrilled by their efforts and their story should get out.
I thought it was a neat story, very inspiring and positive, so I went home and read a little more about it and did some slightly more in-depth research. I thought others should know, so I wrote a quick little piece.
Then, I posted it on dailykos (a liberal blog site) as a diary. People found it interesting...and started commenting. This piece started getting picked up and linked elsewhere.
First, on burnt orange report. And then on Texas Kaos. Both of these are Texas-based blogs, so it's very appropriate. But, somehow, this story had some legs, which I think is a good thing. It's a good, powerful story and I think those kids did a great thing. But, it's been odd today to watch my piece be picked up a bunch of places. It's now linked to from several national blogs, like one that's part of Time Magazine online. And then this afternoon by Politico.
I've had paid pieces published in national magazines before. But the time between writing, submitting, getting approval and receiving the magazine in the mail with my piece in it is many, many months. It's just been interesting for me to watch this story zing around in the space of a day. Some of it is uncredited, about which I care very little. The students are the story here. I'm thrilled by their efforts and their story should get out.
Early Voting
Well, early voting has started in Texas (runs February 19-29), so along with it come the calls. I was invited to a Bill Clinton rally today (at 9:45 pm...um, no thanks...I think I may be too old to even feign enthusiasm that late in the day), and have had calls in English and in Spanish reminding me to vote and suggesting which candidate to vote for. The score is Hillary robo-calls 4; Barack Obama calls 2. Add to that, one Rick Noriega call (he may be the kind of Democrat that can win state-wide in Texas, which is exciting).
I think early voting is great, but I don't like to do it. In Texas, anytime during the early voting run, you can go by centralized early voting spots and cast your ballot. It's often quick, very efficient, and it's easy. But still, I don't like to do it.
Why? Some of my earliest memories of elections are of Election Day. I would go with my mother and crawl around on the floor as she voted. In those days you went into a curtained booth and it had such an awe-inspiring feeling to be in the booth with her. I remember all the signs and the sheer pageantry of the occasion. I remember my mother sobbing great gusts of sadness when McGovern lost in 1972 (I was five years old). All of those memories are tied up in what I think of when I think of Election Day.
Now, as an adult, I love to take my card and participate in this great democratic opera along with everyone else. I know most of my poll workers, because they're my neighbors. I see the same poll workers year after year. So, I say hey, and I stand in line and chat with those in front and those behind. And I look at the posted numbers to see how many people have voted. I just love being a participant on THE DAY. I have voted early, and it's fine, but it just doesn't have the same solemnity or aura as voting on Election Day.
Kids today don't get election day off. They see participatory democracy at work in their schools, but it's hard for them to be as part of the voting experience as I was. When my kids were younger, they'd come with me, but now I usually go vote while they're in school.
So, this year for the primary and for the general, I'm considering voting early. My oldest son, at 10, is more interested in this election than he has been in any other. I want him to be able to go with me and vote. So, if I go early, we can go on a Saturday or another time and he can stand with me at the machine and together we can cast my ballot. Because I want him to have those same memories and that same sense of pride in the whole electoral process that I do.
That's why I may vote early.
I think early voting is great, but I don't like to do it. In Texas, anytime during the early voting run, you can go by centralized early voting spots and cast your ballot. It's often quick, very efficient, and it's easy. But still, I don't like to do it.
Why? Some of my earliest memories of elections are of Election Day. I would go with my mother and crawl around on the floor as she voted. In those days you went into a curtained booth and it had such an awe-inspiring feeling to be in the booth with her. I remember all the signs and the sheer pageantry of the occasion. I remember my mother sobbing great gusts of sadness when McGovern lost in 1972 (I was five years old). All of those memories are tied up in what I think of when I think of Election Day.
Now, as an adult, I love to take my card and participate in this great democratic opera along with everyone else. I know most of my poll workers, because they're my neighbors. I see the same poll workers year after year. So, I say hey, and I stand in line and chat with those in front and those behind. And I look at the posted numbers to see how many people have voted. I just love being a participant on THE DAY. I have voted early, and it's fine, but it just doesn't have the same solemnity or aura as voting on Election Day.
Kids today don't get election day off. They see participatory democracy at work in their schools, but it's hard for them to be as part of the voting experience as I was. When my kids were younger, they'd come with me, but now I usually go vote while they're in school.
So, this year for the primary and for the general, I'm considering voting early. My oldest son, at 10, is more interested in this election than he has been in any other. I want him to be able to go with me and vote. So, if I go early, we can go on a Saturday or another time and he can stand with me at the machine and together we can cast my ballot. Because I want him to have those same memories and that same sense of pride in the whole electoral process that I do.
That's why I may vote early.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Women I admire
When I was my oldest son's age (4th grade), I fell in love with the biography shelf at our school library. I LOVED those books and read them all (some over and over). I was particularly drawn to the biographies of women: Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Clara Barton, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Marie Curie and more.
For the most part, their growing-up stories seemed ordinary, but there was something inside each of them that led them to do extraordinary things. By and large, people told them they couldn't, but they found out that they could. I found, and still find, their stories inspirational.
So, I thought I'd make a list, off the top of my head, of women who have inspired me for one reason or another. I'm sure I'll forget someone, but I don't want it to be too thought-out. I'd love it if you'd add to my list in the comments about which are the women YOU would chose.
Jane Addams
Barbara Jordan (the voice)
Molly Ivins
Eleanor Roosevelt
Katharine Hepburn
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Rachel Carson
Jane Austen
Mata Hari
For the most part, their growing-up stories seemed ordinary, but there was something inside each of them that led them to do extraordinary things. By and large, people told them they couldn't, but they found out that they could. I found, and still find, their stories inspirational.
So, I thought I'd make a list, off the top of my head, of women who have inspired me for one reason or another. I'm sure I'll forget someone, but I don't want it to be too thought-out. I'd love it if you'd add to my list in the comments about which are the women YOU would chose.
Jane Addams
Barbara Jordan (the voice)
Molly Ivins
Eleanor Roosevelt
Katharine Hepburn
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Rachel Carson
Jane Austen
Mata Hari
Monday, February 4, 2008
How to spot a mom at 30 yards
I cut my finger on a can of Spaghetti-os, so right now I'm sporting a bandaid.
A Blue's Clues bandaid.
My boys are long past the age of agreeing to wear such a bandage, but I'm not going to throw them out. So, until the box runs out, when necessary, I'll be showing off Blue and friends. Right now mine has Magenta, Shovel & Pail. It actually makes me feel quite nostalgic.
A Blue's Clues bandaid.
My boys are long past the age of agreeing to wear such a bandage, but I'm not going to throw them out. So, until the box runs out, when necessary, I'll be showing off Blue and friends. Right now mine has Magenta, Shovel & Pail. It actually makes me feel quite nostalgic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
