Hard Times

 

I'm In A Philly Mood

Great song...great voice.

What Secret Asian Girl is Reading Now: Life in Eighty Minutes

"There are lots of deficient numbers that are just one larger than the sum of their divisors, but there are no abundant numbers that are just one smaller than the sum of theirs. Or rather, no one has ever found one."

"Why is that?"

"The answer is written in God's notebook," said the Professor.

- exerpt from The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa

What would it be like to only be able to remember your life 80 minutes at a time? Every 80 minutes, your memories would be erased and everything would start over. That's the premise of a sweet and substantial novel by Yoko Ogawa, The Housekeeper and the Professor. A young, single mother and her ten-year old son take on the daunting job of keeping house for a brilliant professor of mathematics whose mental abilities have been hampered (but not diminished) by a head-on car accident. Although he requires the aid of scraps of paper scribbled with notes like, "new housekeeper," and, "I can only remember 80 minutes at a time," pinned to his tattered coat to function, there is no forgetting the logic and comfort of his beloved mathematics.  Math provides order to the Professor's chaos and his near-superhuman abilities to clarify the most complex mathematical equations give testament to the tenacity of the human mind even when injured. The only character with a name is "Root," the housekeeper's ten-year old son, so nicknamed by the Professor because his head is flat and dipped down at the end, like a square root symbol.  "A symbol which is strong with infinite capabilities" is probably the highest compliment one can get from a math genius. Root triggers deep, grandfatherly feelings within the elderly teacher, and likewise Root learns how to make sense of his world through the teachings of the professor. Together they discuss math, baseball and life itself, in 80 minute increments. As the three become family, secrets are revealed, and even the housekeeper finds her mind wandering to mathematical equations to make sense of it all. As I read this story, I was amazed at how the professor could simplify the most difficult equations even for math-challenged people like me. Simpler, but still baffling. I think that's why some people like math so much. There's always an answer...one correct answer. But I prefer to lounge in the uncertainty of life's problems.  Simple solutions come from simple minds, I always say. Life is more complex than that. As the professor explains, some things are unproveable and the answer is only written in God's notebook, not meant for any human to know. Still, I wouldn't be against forgetting some things I've experienced in my life. God's notebook has perforated pages, right?

You May Think It's Funny....But It's SNOT

Why have I had a head cold all week?

"Honey, take your lieberry card out of your 
mouth and give it to the lady!" 
Good grief.

Get Your Flu Shot

Swine flu is still out there so get your flu shot! It's a 3-parter this year but combined into one shot. Apparently, I'm too OLD to get the nasal spray. Pppbbttt!!!  Check out this site for some popular misconceptions about the flu shot. Remember: You can pick your nose. And you can pick your friends.  But you can't wipe your friends on the couch. Remember who told you that.

Tree Frog The Sequel: It's Not Safe To Go In The Back Yard

Damn yoouuu, Tree Frog! Why are you terrorizing me?? Only a few moments ago, I had my second encounter with the tree frogs living in the passion fruit vine outside my back door. If you remember, the little "cuties" kept affixing their sticky little bodies to the glass door and then flinging themselves at me when I'd open the door to let Sam out. The last time almost gave me a heart attack. I've taken to opening the door in "armed Ninja protection mode." Okay, so I crack the door with a towel over my head and hold a salad fork (you use what you've got). I think those frogs must be training the newly born froglets in a sort of miniature amphibian Jihadist attack camp aimed at giving me a seizure of some sort. The past few days I've noticed a new fellow on the door, albino, I think because instead of bright green, he's mostly white with just a splotch of green on his back. I just now opened the door for Sam and the little critter was staring at me from about 6" above eye level. I tried to shoo him away and...he HURLED himself at my head (much like seeing a flying squirrel in full spread formation launch himself from a tree at you) straight at my HEAD, landing in my HAIR. AAIIIIIIYYII!!! Now, let's pause and take this moment to imagine the frenetic gyrations I was able to perform in order to shake the sticky booger out of my hair. I'll have to imagine with you because the whole episode is a blur to me.  I vaguely remember screeching and flinging my head in and out of the curtains much like dancing the Hokey Pokey on acid. And at some point, there was a cold, wet, stickiness on my cheek. Unless someone pitched a pre-masticated GummiBear at my face, I'll assume it was Frogzilla. As for Sam, I think he watched me with detached interest for the first few minutes and... then left the room.  Finally, I saw the terrorist all splayed out on the side of the couch (in my mind it was the size of my open palm) and I was able to gather my wits about me enough to herd the Great White Amphibian out the door and back into the wild from which it came. Leapin' lizards!!  'Course, I'm sure the frog is at home now going, "Dude, you should have seen it, it was freakin' HUGE. And that hair could use some conditioner..."  Oh, sorry, I digressed.  Sam, I'm sorry but you're never going outside again.

Book Review: Killing Mr. Griffin

Each year, to celebrate Banned Book Week, I try to read a challenged book that I have not previously read. This year, I was intrigued by a selection that, the last time I checked, was #33 on the American Library Association's Most Frequently Banned Book List.  In case you're not familiar with this list, it contains books that have been challenged. According to the ALA, "a challenge is an attempt to remove or censor materials based upon the objections of a person or group. A successful challenge results in a ban." There are many reasons why a book can be challenged: inappropriate language, offensive terminology, plot inappropriate to age...the list goes on and on.  In effect: censorship. If you know anything about me, you can imagine how this makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom has recorded 7,000 challenges since 1990; over 500 in 2002 alone. Lot of closed minds out there.  And a LOT of sharp sticks where they shouldn't be.  So I not only discourage anyone from paying any heed to the warnings, I ENCOURAGE young readers to go of their way to read what people who think they know what's best for us DON'T want us to read. "Read irresponsibly" is my new favorite mantra.  So, this year I read Lois Duncan's Killing Mr. Griffin. This one has been around since 1978 and was ALA's Best Book for Young Adults in 1978 and 1994. The plot is what caused parents to freak out, and to be fair, I can sort of see why. A group of social fringe teens get mad at their English teacher and plot to kidnap him to scare him into giving them easier assignments. They rope in a nerdy girl who doesn't really share their grievances but agrees to help in order to be accepted.  Old, old themes. Teen angst, teens trying to fit in, teens being stupid and using poor judgment.  Unfortunately, the plan goes wonky when Mr. Griffin unexpectedly dies from a heart ailment that goes unmedicated during the kidnapping.  There's a few curse words but nothing most teens haven't heard before 10 o'clock in the morning. Of course, the problem is the plot. The parents who challenged this book were afraid that reading about killing a teacher might put the idea into their children's brains and mayhem would ensue.  I think kids are much more sophisticated (and smarter) than that. I WAS a teen in 1978, and although some twisted individuals might have entertained the idea after reading this, come on...it's not a NEW concept. Who *hasn't* been so angry at someone that you wished they would die? Not literally, but disappear from your life?  Okay, maybe it's just me. But no work of fiction can *make* anyone who is not already predisposed to this kind of behavior commit an act of violence. Columbine caught us, as parents, asleep on the job. Yes, bad things can happen. So let's talk about it and understand why it's a bad idea. At least that's my opinion. If anything, I think a book like this is important for teens to read. Without being preachy or judgmental (which is more than I can say for the folks who filed the complaint), the book demonstrates the consequences of our actions and how frivolous ideas can quickly turn into life changing moments. Life can turn on a dime and doing something uncharacteristic just to "fit in" is simply not worth it. I think it stands up well for a 32 year old book. The story is more relevant today than ever and I believe kids will see themselves in the characters and will encourage critical thinking.  Put this one on your teen's night stand and talk about it together. Read irresponsibly.

Can't Seem To Get Over....Unngh!

It's like this for me every morning.

Mouthful of Goodness

The Pioneer Woman Cooks|Ree Drummond

THIS is what's for breakfast. Cheddar Onion Bacon Biscuits 

from  The Pioneer Woman Cooks! website. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• ¾ teaspoons Salt
• ¼ cups Vegetable Shortening (Crisco)
• 10 Tablespoons Milk (whole Milk Is Best)
• 4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
• 1 whole Egg
• 10 slices Thick Cut Bacon, Fried And Crumbled
• 1 cup finely Diced Onion
• 1 cup grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry cutter, cut in shortening until all combined.

Combine milk, oil, and egg in a separate bowl. Whisk together.

Combine flour mixture, milk mixture, bacon, onions, and cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Stir gently until all combined.

Spoon batter into greased muffin tins. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes in 375° oven until golden. Remove from pan and serve warm.

Book Trailer: Night of the Living Trekkies

Remembering 9-11

The Boy In the Striped Pajamas

In reviewing my past few blog entries, it occurred to me that I've been a tad maudlin lately. My sister says that I have a dark side to my personality so maybe it's that, but usually when I'm feeling this way it's a reaction to something (or someone) that's disgusting me. The news has been offending me lately, with all the book burning talk, religious intolerance, friends and family losing jobs, YouTube videos of puppies thrown in the river, Sarah Palin "refudiating," general stupidity ...all to a Justin Bieber soundtrack. (((shudder))) Of my dark mood, I deeply apologize. That's why I was reluctant to watch this 2008 movie, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." Of course, I knew of the book, by John Boyne, and had a vague idea of the plot. Unlike a friend of mine who has a fondness for "Holocaust literature," (fighting urge to use the word "twisted" ha ha) I do not share this seemingly bleak desire to relive this boil on the butt of human history. It would just make me angry, and like I said, I can do that by watching the nightly news. Anyway, I finally did get a chance to see this film and I was pleasantly surprised.  Unexpectedly, the movie did not make me as depressed as I thought it would. The story is about an 8-year old boy named Bruno who is the son of a high-ranking Nazi SS officer whose new job is to oversee a "camp," filled with Jewish prisoners. Bruno is unaware of the implications and horrors of such a facility and believes his father's propaganda films which show Jewish "guests" of the camp playing outside, eating at a café, all in general good health. This is confusing to the young boy, who befriends a fragile old man who works in the house named Pavel. Pavel used to be a doctor but now peels potatoes for the officer's family and is regularly a victim of casual brutality by younger Nazi officers. After spilling a wine glass at dinner one evening, Pavel disappears. Confused and ultimately bored, Bruno resorts to exploration and on one such expedition, meets a young Jewish prisoner sitting behind the barbed wire fence who happens to be his own age, named Shmuel. Through Shmuel's eyes, Bruno realizes the true nature of the camp and thus, the truth about his father's job. He struggles with the (currently relevant) question, "Why do we hate?" Is it because someone tells us to? The unlikely friendship blooms in spite of the obvious reasons it shouldn't, and the boys learn trust and forgiveness in the face of horrendous circumstances. The ending left me with mixed feelings of deep sadness tinged with an unsatisfying feeling of retribution. I expected to come away from this movie hating what evils humans are capable of. There is that, but I also came away surprised at the unadulterated kindness humans are also capable of. Perhaps this is what my friend finds when she reads so much on this subject: Despite the worst things imaginable, if we only listen to our own hearts...in the end, there is hope.

Read a Banned Book

"A book is a loaded gun in the house next door. Burn it.
Take the shot from the weapon. Breach man's mind. Who knows
who might be the target of the well-read man?
Me? I won't stomach them for a minute.…
Take your fight outside. Better yet, into the incinerator."

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

Celebrate Banned Book Week 
September 25 - October 2, 2010

Go out of your way to read the books
"they" don't want you to read.

Banned Books List

Read irresponsibly.  I do!

Library Patrons

Customer exchange I had recently. The names have been changed to protect the innocent...and also, me.

********************************* 

Customer: I'd like to report a missing book.

Me: Okay, let's look at your account and see which one is missing. What's the title?

Customer: Mad House by Chris Grabenstein.

Me: Well, I don't see that book on your account. And could you be thinking of Mad Mouse?

Customer: Oh. Yes.

Me: That title is not on your account.

Customer: I know. I want to report it missing from your shelf. It should be there and it's not.

Me: (checking catalog) Our copy is checked out. Can I request it for you?

Customer: No, you're not listening. It's missing, I tell you. MISSING!! The catalog says it's on your shelf and it's missing.

Me: No, sir. We only have one copy and it's checked out to another customer.

Customer: The catalog says you have it IN at Woodoaks!!

Me: This is Oakglen.

(silence)

Customer: Oh.

Wearing White After Labor Day

Believe it or not, there are still folks who will wag their finger at you after September 1st and say, "You're not supposed to wear white after Labor Day! ha ha!" I suppose they're trying to be humorous, but I want to wag my finger back at them and say, "This isn't 1955 anymore!" Different sentiment...different finger.  But where did that saying come from?  I looked it up and it turns out there's a practical reason for the admonishment. Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday in September, marked the end of winter and white, being a summer color for clothing due to its ability to reflect light and heat, was no longer practical in the cooler weather. The saying became popular during the 1920's as a fashion warning to the nouveau riche who may have the money but not the sense enough to know that it's time to put away the lighter colored linens and cotton clothing they wore on summery escapes. During the mid-50's, the saying was meant to only apply to white bags and shoes. A practical application to the rule may have meant trying to avoid wearing light colored shoes during the cold and slushy winter months and getting them soiled. Like so many fashion rules, this one is also out-functioned and outdated. The weather here in Houston requires its own rules. When it's still 90° on Halloween, but the stores are selling wool turtleneck sweaters, you just have to throw the rulebook out the window.  Even etiquette guru Emily Post has long ago abandoned the white after Labor Day rule. In fact, wearing "winter white" is considered very "fashion forward." Ask Michelle Obama, who wore a beautiful white gown to the January Inaugural events. And just try wagging your finger at the...Pope. Okay, too far!  I'm trying to be more tolerant of the fashion-misinformed. I just can't promise that I won't slug the next person who tries to pinch me for not wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.