And the Cards win!
If you caught last night’s game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals, you know what I mean when I say Wild Card has so much more than one meaning! The Cards seemed like they were out of the World Series for good just a few innings in, but by the ninth we knocked ‘em out of the water but good.
This is incredibly exciting for St. Louis fans, especially since we just won the World Series last year. I keep telling my daughter that she’s their good luck charm, since both years she’s visited Busch Stadium they’ve had amazing winning streaks.
In fact, her very first game was a winning one with some amazing plays—and sure, we had Pujols then, but we don’t now and we’re proving that we can still do it. She’s gone to one game a year since she turned five, and I think it’s going to have to be a tradition we keep for sure.
In my family, we’re all wearing red today in honor of our Birds and we’ll keep it up as long as they do. We’ll be watching the boys play in San Francisco later and keeping our fingers crossed! Go Cards!
Kirk Cameron just needs to go away.
Have you heard about the latest obnoxious BS that has been spewed from the lips of His Holiness, Kirk Cameron? No? Kirk, AKA the Modern Messenger of God, claims that he has been stoned and crucified for his views against gays. I am not joking here. And he claims this baloney without one hint of irony, because his hatred of people isn’t the same figurative stoning and crucifixion that he, himself, has apparently experienced at all!
Melissa McEwan of Shakesville summed it up best when she noted, “Hey, Kirk, you know who was, quite literally, stoned and crucified? Matthew Shepard.” Why are we still paying attention to this jerk? Does he even really believe what he’s saying? I just don’t get this hatred toward gay people. The only way it makes sense to me is if A. you’ve been brainwashed to believe such things, like the poor children of those Westboro Baptist Church terrorists; or B. you are secretly gay and you simply hate yourself. Seriously, this much hate has to be personal—doesn’t it?
How do you explain this hatred when you are supposed to love thy neighbor, Kirk? Do gays and lesbians not count as humans or, therefore, neighbors? Or are you simply allowed to pick and choose which tenants of your own religion to follow as they suit you and your prejudices best? Or maybe you simply enjoy harassing people and shaming them and their families so much that it just doesn’t matter. Is that it, Kirk? If you can do that, I am so totally disregarding that whole stealing commandment myself and nabbing me a new pair of shoes this weekend. Hey, God knows I need ‘em!
Go away, Kirk. Your fifteen minutes of fame were over before my permanent teeth came in. This is 2012 and the public doesn’t stand for this kind of hate and intolerance anymore. You and your hate-loving friends can quietly pack up your soapboxes and retire, because we’re simply not going to have this anymore.
No, I’m not talking about your freedom to talk—talk all you want; your constant white noise is surely comforting to you in those lonely moments. I’m talking about your obstruction of the rights of others. Not cool, Kirk; and though I don’t have a god’s lips to my ear as you apparently do, I can tell you that he or she or they probably aren’t pleased with the way you’re treating his/her/their creations…
The Write Start
Yesterday I checked a copy of Jennifer Hallissy’s The Write Start: A Guide to Nurturing Writing at Every Stage, From Scribbling to Forming Letters and Writing Stories from the library. Many of the people who follow my blogs know that my family unschools (we prefer “self-directed learning,” “life learning,” or my favorite, “autodidactic learning”—anything but schooling, which has little to do with learning) so I do get e-mails or questions from friends about why I still seek out books like this one.
You have to keep in mind that unschooling doesn’t mean “not using a book or curriculum.” In fact, many unschoolers use a curriculum at one point or another (and most use books quite often, of course). I check out lots of resources to run by my wood sprite, who gives them her yay or nay. This time, however, I checked out the book to help me prep for a new co-op class I’m leading about creative writing.I think this book will really help me out. It includes “52 playful activities,” which is enough for one a week—or maybe two per class, depending on how much time I’ve got. I’ve been teaching some classes already but I fear they’ve been a little too old for some of the kids. Hallisy’s book breaks down various activities for kids who can and cannot write yet, which is exactly what I need.
It really is the perfect how-to book. Every activity is prefaced with a list of needed materials, which always comes in handy. Then there’s a very simple how-to description followed by variations you can use for different kids’ needs. Four different variations are included: scribblers, spellers, storytellers, and scholars. Yes, it’s cute, but it also makes sense: kids who scribble, after all, want to be included just as well as the kids who spell a bit (the kids I’ll be teaching fall into these two categories for the most part)—and older kids will want to be challenged. Activities range from writing poetry to creating edible alphabet characters, so you know there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
I’m thinking that I’m going to need to buy my own copy because this book really does seem that helpful. Once the co-op starts going (we begin this Wednesday!) I will know for sure. Every other week, I’ll be teaching a conversational Spanish class as well; anyone have any ideas for that one?
Making The Grade: Everything Your First Grader Needs To Know
Though my family unschools, we do appreciate curriculum resources now and then. My daughter will select something out of Hirsch’s What Your First Grader Needs to Know every now and then for us to read together. So when I saw Making the Grade: Everything Your 1st Grader Needs to Know at the library, I thought I’d check it out—and I’m glad I did so far.
This book is so much better than the former that I mentioned! Not only is it much more fun to read and look at—it also has so many cool ideas for going outside the typical classroom and learning in your own community. There are a bunch of field trip ideas, as well as variations on different learning experiences to let children pick and choose how they want to learn. Not only that, there’s a key quote at the beginning of the book that makes my heart sing: “Follow your child’s interests, as it will making learning fun and valuable.” YES! That is the whole unschooling philosophy! I would scratch out valuable since we all know what society deems valuable (money) and write in “meaningful” if it were my book.
And it will be my book, as I plan on ordering a copy for us to use. Did I mention the pages are also perforated for easy use? You can pick and choose what you like and just tear out what you want! And though you will find worksheets in the book, they are far from simple worksheets; most are pretty fun, and on the back they feature extra fun activities. For example, while learning about ee, ea, and ie sounds, there is a worksheet with six simple sentences that kids may or may not wish to do. On the back, there are two fun activities to choose from or modify—including word puzzles you can make or a flashlight game you can play. Imagine if school were taught this way!
I don’t mean to suggest school is where learning should take place; life already exists for that, which is why schools are silly. But learning should be fun and meaningful, and if schools hope to succeed at all they need to focus on methods like this rather than pass/fail, teach to the test, and other ridiculous measures that have nothing to do with creating mindful, compassionate, joyful, fulfilled citizens. Of course, that’s not the goal for most schools—or the government in general—anyway, is it?
Click on your cause
Whether it’s the environment or human rights or body image, chances are there’s a cause in this list that you care about. Check them out and see if you can help today.
Costume Swap Day
Here’s an easy action to help you save money as well as prevent wasting materials and packaging: participate in National Costume Swap Day. On October 13, activists and simple trick-or-treaters will be swapping their Halloween costumes to get brand new ones for free—and without supporting sweatshops. You can participate in this holiday yourself by scheduling a similar event with your church, work, playgroup, or other associations.
Give to Amnesty International
If you’re going to donate to a group this upcoming holiday season, you can’t go wrong with Amnesty International. The group fights for human rights across the globe every day, and that fight is one we unfortunately have to keep sustaining. Just this past Tuesday, the Taliban shot and nearly killed a 14-year-old girl because she promoted education for girls. Malala Yousufzai remains in critical condition as Amnesty fights to keep her and others safe. You can contribute to their efforts or learn more by clicking here.
Participate in Love Your Body Day
Love Your Body Day is October 17 and it presents a perfect time for us all to love ourselves just as we are, warts and all! You can participate in so many ways. One way is to take the Love Your Body survey here and vote on the best and worst representations of self image in our culture.
Stand Up for Human Rights in Guatemala
On October 4, eight peaceful protestors were killed and over 35 were wounded when Guatemalan military members and police shot at them randomly. These protestors simply asked for education reform, less costly electricity bills, and the de-militarization of their society. For their requests, they were murdered. Click here to demand justice for these victims and to denounce their murder as a brutal needless atrocity.
Take Action with the Rainforest Site
The Rainforest Site has several actions we can take for the environment together today. Click here to help save the Patagonia, here to ask the Department of Transportation to go green, here to ask the National Park Service to break ties with the big polluter Coca-Cola, and here to stand up against fracking. You can also click here to ask President Obama to stop it with all of the pro-coal talk when what we need right now is sustainable energy policies!
Leave JK alone!
I keep hearing so many people whine and moan about how JK Rowling disappointed them with her new adult book. It’s got sex and violence and swearing! One mom bought it for her daughter’s birthday (without even bothering to read the back) and was appalled when her daughter read it! The outrage!
Please. If you bought a book thinking it would be filled with wizards when the cover indicates nothing of the sort, it’s YOUR fault. And if you don’t like a book, guess what? You don’t have to read it! Isn’t that wonderful?
I studied Stephen King voraciously when I was a teenager because I pretty much wanted to be him, and his editor was afraid he’d be typecast as a horror writer when he followed Carrie with ‘Salem’s Lot. Did King care? I don’t think so, because look at his career. Any of his devout fans can tell you that his drama is just as amazing as—often even more so than—his horror and we’d buy anything he writes. But if you want to be scared and you read the back of, say, On Writing, you don’t have to buy it, do you? I don’t think I’ve heard anyone boo and hiss over Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption or On Writing, for that matter. My favorite King film is not Pet Cemetery or Misery (both wonderful films, no doubt!) but Stand by Me, after all.
Are you really upset because JK didn’t write you another Harry Potter book? Is that it? Did you get all hyped up about a new book from her even though she warned you that it would be nothing like the series? Well, get over it. This is her career and her decision. If she wants to publish a grocery list it’s her right.
As I write supernatural romances right now, I wonder if my work gains a readership, if that readership will feel betrayed when I switch to horror—as I intend to do—or steampunk or mysteries or general fiction. I, for one, pledge to support any genre-breaking authors and their work not just for myself, but because it’s the right thing to do.
Writing is fun, no matter the genre—and no matter the feedback. So is reading—and you can choose what you read. So instead of whining about how Ms. Rowling didn’t make you a sequel about Hermione’s adventures as an Auror, why don’t you just make better reading choices? Besides, there’s always fanfiction.
Oh, and do you really think that during the great Wizarding Wars, there was no violence, sex, or swearing? Given the epilogue, wouldn’t you say there was plenty of at least one—and war itself is nothing but violence and swearing. And it was intended for children, not adults! Read before you buy, people!
Soul Thief
Reading The Demon Trapper’s Daughter was so much fun. While it wasn’t my favorite book of the year, it was extremely enjoyable and I couldn’t put it down. That’s why when I read the second book in the series, Soul Thief, I was left so confused.
I just don’t get it. Where is the adventurous, take no prisoners trapper in training we came to love in the first book? In this book, it felt like Riley was simply whining over Simon not being affectionate enough with her. And when he finally tells her to leave, she claims she’s not giving up on him.
What was that? Not giving up on him? Because I distinctly remember a Riley who had been burned by not one boyfriend but two—well, one plus Beck—who had certainly learned not to waste her time with boys who do not treat her right. And okay, so Simon was hurt; she did give up her entire freedom to make a deal with Heaven to save his life, after all. Why not tell him that? Why go all noble on a boy who is so religious that he’ll probably worship you like a saint if you told him your angelic experience firsthand? Nope, instead we’ll help make him even more suspicious. There wasn’t nearly as much action to be had in two, either, which I missed.
Then, by the end of book two, Riley has been made a fool yet again, this time by a fallen angel! And to make matters worse, this ultimate betrayal was followed by plenty of criticism and double standards from Beck, who sleeps around with every girl under the sun. The first book was so filled with Riley’s badassery that I honestly did not see this “How could you do this!” crap from Beck coming. Where’s Riley’s independence? Where’s the acknowledgement that it’s highly ironic for Beck the Tramp to be condemning Riley’s single sexual experience?
After reading book three, it becomes apparent enough—but Riley’s guilt in the situation still remains, despite knowing of Beck’s own exploits. And book three also nearly makes up for these situations in book two, but Soul Thief remains a mystery, particularly when sorting out the storyline. I’ll continue reading the series for sure—I definitely want to know where it’s going and what will become of Riley and Beck—but this second installment seriously felt out of place in regards to the first.
Dada Life has a new album
From their eccentric antics like inviting audience members in banana costumes onstage to balloon drops and spraying crowds with champagne, Swedish house group Dada Life has developed their brand around wild excess and partying with a sense of humor.
They have achieved a remarkable level of success in the last few years, from opening for Tiesto, to drawing thousands at the Electric Daisy Carnival. Now they are releasing a new album, The Rules of Dada. The scheduled US release is for October 16 and the album will have eleven tracks including a couple of their already-popular hits in “Kick Out the Epic Motherf*cker” and “ Happy Violence.”
Electronic dance music is presently very theatrical, with multiple artists using props and costumes to not only distinguish themselves from other artists, but to provide a unique experience for their audiences. From the Deadmau5’s mouse helmets to the Venom masks of The Bloody Beetroots, defining a brand and stage presence is the current trend.
Goofy antics surrounding banana costumes and marching bands are all a part of how Dada Life have chosen to express themselves, but in addition to that, they have shown that they are thoughtful and professional about their music and their creative process. This is exemplified in their plugin, called Sausage Fattener. The Sausage Fattener plugin is used by a long list of other DJs to replicate certain elements of the Dada Life sound. The list of Sausage Fattener fans includes Tiesto, Laidback Luke, Diplo, Hardwell and Kaskade.
Presently, Dada Life is touring the U.S. and Canada; they are approaching the end of the Midwestern leg and are about to start on the Canadian leg beginning in Winnipeg on October 15th and Saskatoon on the 17th.
Endeavour stops traffic in LA
Space shuttle Endeavour
The space shuttle Endeavour is being transported from LAX to the California Science Center. Crowds are snapping pictures of Endeavor, eager to capture a historic moment as the space shuttle moves through the city at a top speed of 2 mph. It is now the new star in LA moving at a slow pace which is a far cry from the way it used to hurtle through space.
It really seems to make for an out of this world sight. This transport of Endeavour is a huge project costing $10 million with roads and underground utilities being modified to withstand its weight. Everything about Endeavour’s journey has been a once in a lifetime sight starting from its hop-scotch across the country on a Boeing 747 that looked so peculiar.
House- size asteroid
An asteroid the size of a house zipped past the Earth on Friday and it was closer to this planet than the moon. Asteroids have given astronomers enormous insights about our Solar System and this one will be no different. They are also the destroyers of life on Earth and this is the reason why sky watchers keep a look out for them.
55 Cancri
A super-Earth planet that hurtles around its star is thought to have a pure diamond makeup despite its temperature estimated at about 3,900 degrees Fahrenheit because of its proximity to the sun-like star. The planet, 55 Cancri, is in the constellation of Cancer and in the night sky it is visible to the naked eye.
Steve Ballmer says Microsoft to become a device and services firm
Microsoft will become more like Apple in the future as outlined by CEO Steve Ballmer. After all, the Redmond, WA software company has had successful products like the Xbox and the Kinect in the past. Yet, the shift to a device centric company will not be an easy one. Remember the Zune MP3 player, Microsoft’s poor attempt at competing with the iPod?
Microsoft does have a lot of assets to pull of a revolutionary product like a smartphone to take advantage of that high growth market and change its fortunes. For now, Microsoft has high hopes about Windows 8 and it is reportedly spending somewhere in the region of $1.5 billion in marketing the new OS which has a launch date set for October 26.
But it is possible that the tech giant might be using this money to promote some of its other products such as Windows Phone 8 and Surface. Nonetheless, Microsoft has to sufficiently promote Windows 8 as it is what Ballmer calls a ‘risky product bet’.
This is because there are changes within Windows 8 like the Metro being introduced instead of the desktop. The shift to smart phones and tablets by Microsoft hinges on the success of Metro. Microsoft needs Windows 8 to be a a success as it makes a large percentage of its profits through the Windows line of business even though it has expanded into other revenue generating products such as Xbox and the Enterprise Server and Tools.
Microsoft is taking quite a gamble with Windows 8 in terms of the dollars spent, but in moving towards a strategy similar to Apple, I feel the tech giant has made a step in the right direction.