Upon My Sleeve

Open Season

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:06:00 +0000

I don't want to make a poor comparison, but as I watched this, all I could think about was all of the media attention paid to H1N1 over the last while. It was everywhere. Mothers were in a panic about whether or not to vaccinate, how to protect their children. It was the topic of conversation wherever people gathered.

Could you imagine if the violence against First Nations women (and women all over the globe) were given that kind of attention? If those kinds of resources were poured into it because it was considered an emergency? But since those who make decisions are immune to this epidemic, it never will be. Rich, powerful men-- the majority of our government-- will never experience the symptoms-- the fever of fear when they have to walk alone, the nausea of anticipation when their spouses comes home, eyes watering with the sting left by a fist to the face, noses stuffed with the dried blood from a beating, chests tight from being kidnapped, victimized, and left for dead.

Left to fight with few resources, those at highest risk to be victimized are left without care or attention, let alone a preventative method of protection. Regardless of whether we are high risk, low risk, or no risk, we need to care about this problem. With attention and resources, we can beat it. We can stop this epidemic in its tracks.

OPEN SEASON from Raquel Chapa on Vimeo.

Remember, too, that women need help all over the globe. Though I'm not a fan of seasonal charity, it is that time of year when it is so easy to get caught up in the stress of materialism. Here's a gift registry for women that are much less picky and going to be much more thankful than the rest of the people on your list. Consider giving to them, too.

As I was Saying...

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:33:00 +0000

Uganda set to pass anti-gay bill, appease donors

By Jack Kimball

KAMPALA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Uganda is likely to pass a bill criminalising homosexuality in the east African nation and deal a blow to rights activists, but the act will have some changes to appease donors who fund about a third of the budget. (click to continue reading)

We Won the Battle, but the War Wages On

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:51:00 +0000

The Problem with Porn

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

According to Details magazine, 90% of 8-16 year olds have seen online porn. I have no idea the actual reliability of this statistic, but for the sake of this discussion, let us presume that a rising, unacceptable number of children and teens have been exposed to pornography online. I truly believe the online part is crucial, because rest assured, they're not looking at Playboy (the most benign of porn brands).

The article discusses how porn-savvy the boys are (in terms of their ability to classify and rate what they are consuming) are and how porn-ready the girls are (in terms of their ability to recreate what they have seen). I find these details incredibly disturbing. But the fact remains that the sexualization of children is nothing new; the prevalence and omnipresence of it is, on the other hand. The actual act of viewing pornography is nothing in and of itself. It is the causes and effects of this act that beg an interrogation of the issue.

I am going to qualify my argument, now, with the fact that besides Sociology 100 and an English course that focused on modern British women playwrights featuring feminist plays from the 70s many of which focused on the issue of pornography, I have no expertise with this issue. But that's not going to stop me from taking a look at it.

So what are the causes behind this trend? Availability, for sure. I'm sure that all the studies that have been done with food that demonstrate that the more options you have the more you consume would also apply to porn. It's not just one magazine featuring individuals in the buff some teen managed to steal from the drugstore-- it's an infinite number of individuals, pairs, and groupings in every sexual situation imaginable. It's still frame. It's digitally recorded. It's live. It's interactive. It's crazy. And just as increased availability has created eating disorders, so, too must porn be creating sexual disorders.

Another cause? Misguided feminism. The empowerment of female sexuality was an important component of the Feminist movement, no doubt. Women should be in charge of their own bodies-- to be the ones to decide how and when it would be used, to have their pleasure be a priority in sexual relationships, to determine whether or not they want to procreate. However, the tit-for-tat mentality around men's sexual behaviours-- if they can do it so can we-- needs to be examined critically. Just because men were championed for sleeping around, does not mean that women are equal if they are, too. Perhaps instead of seeking to be at par with males, the idea should be to hold them to the same standard as females rather than sinking to their level. Going out to the bar, getting hammered, and taking home someone whose name you don't know and whose face you'd rather not look at in the morning is not an empowering act, no matter your gender. Using your sexuality to get jobs you don't otherwise deserve or sexually manipulating those over whom you have authority does not make you more powerful, in fact it highlights your weaknesses. Showing your private parts (whether penises or breasts) publicly does not earn you respect. Sending somone a picture or video of yourself in compromising positions will not make them love you, but it sure will make you infamous. Being able to give amazing oral sex is not something you can put on your resume, unless you are a porn star, which in my mind is tantamount to being a professional hot dog eating contestant.

On top of all this, in my humble opinion, kids have too much free time-- especially unsupervised and online. Honestly. If they didn't, this might not be such an issue. Kids used to have way more responsibilities that took up their time. Kids also used to do their homework, and those who didn't dropped out of school and got jobs. I'm in no way trying to romanticize those days, but simply trying to point out: when kids don't even have to so much as take out the trash, they have plenty of idle time. And you know what they say about idle hands... Seriously, though, kids used to experience what it was to learn something and get good at it through repetition. The trivialization of manual ("menial") labour robbed kids of the experience of seeing a job from start to finish, of the joy that comes from creation. Kids need satisfaction and if they're not going to get it from school or from work, they're going to seek it elsewhere. The inherent need to master skills has led them to "master" their sexualities.

Don't get me wrong. I am not trying to villainize nudity or expressions of healthy sexuality. But there is a spectrum of value to be placed on erotic media and sexual behaviours. From Harlequins to Hardcore, there's a wide range and I am not afraid to deem some of it unhealthy. If sexuality is addressed in a realistic manner in literature or a film, within a context beyond just getting it on, I'm all for it. I can say for certain, though, that rape fantasies and beastiality are not just bad taste, but completely unacceptable. Another way to look at it is that, generally speaking, I oppose violence. But in the same way that I wouldn't mind my child watching a martial arts demonstration by experts but would mind them witnessing someone getting jumped in an alley, I think that there is a time and a place for sexuality to be discussed and explored and that there are some forms that the world would be better without.

So why is porn a problem? First, it teaches kids that sexual manipulation is a desirable form of power, when in fact, like violence and money it is an illegitimate source that does nothing to build character or self-esteem. While it may feel powerful to seduce someone purely for your use, once the act is complete, there is no lasting agency of influence. Like a drug, you will need another hit.

Second, it objectifies, commodifies, and dehumanizes the concept of a sexual partner, which makes it difficult to empathize with them. After all, why would you identify with a sex toy? And if you can't empathize with your sexual partner, what hope do you have to ever develop true intimacy? We wonder why marriages are failing; this may just be a contributing factor.

On a global scale, if sexual partners are simply tools for your gratification, why would you care about the millions of sex slaves and rape victims world wide? While it is atrocious to me that kids are having their sexual identities corrupted by these unrealistic and demented portrayals of sex, my heart aches for girls sold by their families to brothel owners and boys imprisoned with pedophiles. Pornography, especially that online, is inextricably linked to the global sex trade-- from child pornographers hiding in anonymity, to girls who are tricked into thinking that this might be a way out of poverty.

Usually, I agree with the "what goes on in your bedroom is none of my business" philosophy, but when porn leaves the bedrooms of consenting adults and enters the world in which our children play and victimizes the most vulnerable in our midst, it should become our business. Something needs to be done.

Let Working Dogs Work

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:37:00 +0000

White Knights are Old News

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:08:00 +0000

You know what I really want to see? More movies about someone who isn't white saving someone who is...

Don't get me wrong. I can see the human message in titles like these...

Blackboard Jungle
To Kill a Mockingbird
Dangerous Minds
Freedom Writers
Entre les murs
Blindside

I realize that there is more at play here in terms of class issues and disproportional representation of minority groups living in poverty, but I really do believe in the power of film to alter the public's perception of what is normal and what is not. It would be nice for it to be normal for people of racial minorities to be in a position other than victim in this genre of film.

Comments on News Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:06:00 +0000

I've got a bone to pick with online news. Whose great idea was it to allow any nincompoop with an account to comment on news stories? I have yet to come up with an ends that justifies providing a platform for ignoramuses to be so damn inflammatory and insensitive.

Though we don't live in one, in an ideal world, news is an objective reporting of facts. I accept that news can never be completely free from bias, but I don't believe it should stop trying. If I wanted conjecture, sarcasm, right-fighting, and conspiracy theories, I would read letters to the editor, head down to a local coffee shop, turn on The View or Fox News, or read blogs. When I choose to read the news, that's what I want. News.

Now, it's partially my own fault for scrolling down to the comments, but it is like a terrible accident off the news-highway that I just have to see. Leave it to these keen commenters to completely ignore the humans involved in a given story and instead push their own agendas. Seriously-- a baby falls to its death and you want to speculate that the mother did it on purpose? The CBC thinks that is worth printing for all the world to see? Dozens of people are slaughtered in the Philippines and you chose this forum to foist your anti-Muslim sentiments? I'm definitely more informed now, after that racist rant!

In the digital world there are endless venues at which the "average Joe(anne)" can spout off-- Facebook statuses, Twitter, blogs, forums, chat rooms, custom designed pages for their own special brand of propaganda. Isn't that enough? Can't we just leave the news alone?

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:59:00 +0000

Way to go, little buddy.

Self-[Redemption] Deprecation

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Have you seen that episode of The Office where Jim teaches Michael that self-deprecation can make people forget or at least forgive your mistakes? Of course, Michael takes it too far by admitting that he couldn't even think of five friends to add to his cell phone plan and instead of winning everyone over he just makes everyone incredibly uncomfortable.

I digress.

What is it about self-deprecation that is so disarming? It's like anyone, no matter how awful their transgressions, gets a get-get-out-of-jail-free-card if they just drop their ego for a couple minutes and admit they're jackasses.

Take Jon Gosselin, for example. In case you are not keeping up with the whole saga, here's the Cole's Notes:

Dude marries young. He and Kate have twins. Then they have sextuplets. Along comes reality TV show. Five years later, he's fed up and leaves with a 22 year old school teacher. He has multiple girlfriends, buys one boobs, and starts snorting coke and partying with girls in bikinis. Dude goes on national television and says he despises his estranged wife after like less than a month of separation. During his visitation with his kids, he gets a babysitter (who he happens to be diddling) to look after them so he can go out and party more, refusing to let their mother do the babysitting. He steals over $200 thousand from their bank account after he is fired by TLC.

Definition of jackass.

But then he goes and makes this Funny or Die video and it's a little harder for me to hate him. I mean, I still do and it's not THAT hard, but it is slightly more difficult. What's up with that?

Jon Gosselin Goes Back in Time from Jon Gosselin

In case you haven't gotten the message yet...

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:13:00 +0000

PLEASE take a minute and vote for this project. After you register, you can vote once a day per email address and it only lasts a few more days. They were in the top ten all last week, but the weekend, the Stat, and parent teacher interviews killed them as their kids did not have access to internet while they were away. It is such a worthy cause-- just read the description and you will see what I mean.

Lest We Forget

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:46:00 +0000

So I was reading our Staff Announcements and "The Week Ahead" section looked like this:

Monday:
Volleyball Tournament

Tuesday:
Remembrance Day Ceremony P.2/P.3
Career Fair

Wednesday:
Remembrance Day!

Thursday:
School Dance

Friday:
Math Meeting

I realize teachers work hard and this day off is going to provide some much needed rest, but seriously. Worst exclamation use ever.

Poetry Fail

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:18:00 +0000

I know. I'm a sucky blogger, but I just haven't cared enough about anything to write lately. I'll work on that. In the mean time, you watch this.

Kinetic Typography-- Mad as Hell!

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:51:00 +0000

Technology catches a lot of flack for wrecking all that is good and of merit and artistic in the world. Pieces like this remind me that, like any medium, technology is a tool. Whether it is used for good or for bad, for the significant or the trivial is up to the crafts[hu]man.

Mad As Hell! Kinetic Typography from Aaron Leming on Vimeo.

Housego + International School Preteens + B.E.P. = Scholastic Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:13:00 +0000

My dear, dear friend Housego, who I miss terribly, always manages to make (of all things!) middle school band cool enough to make me wish I was 13 again. He knows how to make kids feel really, really important in a world that constantly tries to tell them otherwise. That's magic.

Honestly, show of hands-- how many of you ever got to do something this cool in middle school?

Favourite Ellen Moment of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:14:00 +0000

Watch to the end of the video.

The UnDiet

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:19:00 +0000

If anyone ever tries to sell you on a diet that involves eating as much peanut-butter, chocolate, bread, ice cream, and cheese and drinking as much wine and coffee with 10% cream and sugar as you want, don't buy it. That's pretty much been my diet for the past 2 months and it definitely does not help weight loss...

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Here is a fine example of thoughtful, respectful, and persuasive argument, written by a librarian in response to a patron who had hoped to have the book Uncle Bobby's Wedding removed from the Children's section.

Delightful Consquences: Why the Art of Persuasion Needs Our Attention

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:20:00 +0000

This made me cry this morning.

It also forced me to type out this post that has been brewing in my mind for a while now. As you watch the video, please notice, there is no anger in his voice. He is not spitting vile in the face of those who disagree. He is not calling names or being accusatory. He is stating his case... very persuasively.

The issue I am going to touch on now is one that I am guilty of, and thus will be employing the term "we" when discussing those who have committed this crime against the art of argument.

I can't say whether this is a new issue or a growing issue because I only know the times in which I have lived (a mere 28 years) and the internet has existed for the majority of those years. I believe that sometimesnew technologies can make certain behaviours appear to be more prevalent than in years past, when they are actually just more visible and have been there all along. That being said, I believe the increased visibility can also cause the behaviours to become more prevalent.

Get to the point, Sleeves.

It seems to me that the art of argument and, particularly, persuasion is a dying one. In this cyber world, everyone can have an opinion, and we do. We can share them with the click of a mouse. Little or no time is spent in the writing process-- outlining, drafting, revision, etc. (and I recognize that what that is looks different for everyone, but just writing willy-nilly and hitting "Publish" at the end is not what I would consider a process). True, there are those out there who, as aspiring writers, allow their ideas to marinade before firing up the grill, but for too many of us, we turn on the heat before the meat is even out of the freezer and proceed to burn our ideas and opinions to a crisp with our anger and rage. I don't care how good the cut of meat, if you char its outside, leave it cold in the middle and huck it on a plate without any care for presentation, no one is going to want to eat it. My apologies to the vegetarians for my metaphor.

Our writing, though subject-centered in our own minds (I am going to write a post about *insert controversial topic here*), becomes writer centered when we put our hands to the keyboard. It becomes about us... being right. We make it personal and so we are immediately on the defensive rather than the offensive. This defensive stance summarily turns off anyone who does not already agree with us and it becomes a case of preaching to the choir. And what is the point of that?

I teach a class that focuses on rhetoric and the art of expository writing. The first year I taught it, I was learning right along side the students because even though I had taken Expository and Persuasive Writing in university, there was so much that I was never taught. The growth that I saw, not only in my students' writing, but also in their thinking and their abilities to discuss and debate in mature and respectful ways convinced me of the value of this skill. Too bad the only students who take the class are our Advanced Placement kids (read: 15 out of 200). Too bad that when students head off to university, they are forced to sit through English 100 classes that focus on the prof's favourite literature selections rather than actually teaching students how to think and write critically for real life purposes. Yes, contrary to popular discourse, the skills learned through essay writing are necessary for real life.

Formulating an argument is something each and every person does every day, whether they have learned the skills associated with it or not. It is a damn shame that these skills are often ignored and kids are left to either get it tacitly or not at all.

Watch The View, read the Letters to the Editor, blog search any hot topic, visit any forum discussion and you will find that so much time and energy is dedicated to Right Fighting. "I am right. You are wrong. End of discussion." It helps no one to grow. It brings us no closer to common ground. In fact, it is totally divisive.

This attitude of "I know best and if you disagree with me you can go to hell" completely ignores the audience and if we're not writing for an audience, what is the point of using a public medium for your message? Even if you are simply "sharing" your story, "sharing" implies someone will share in it. Do we want to limit those who will receive our message with our self-righteousness? Or do we want to reach those who have not yet been reached?

We must consider that someone may oppose our stance for a reason other than ignorance, idiocy, or douchebaggery (yes, douchebaggery-- blog search it and you will see that it has become a pandemic. I wonder if there is a vaccine for it...). It takes time and critical thinking, but if we take the time to figure out why on earth someone might think differently, we will be one step closer to writing a thoughtful, respectful, persuasive piece that might convince them otherwise. Of course, there is always the danger of discovering that *gasp* WE were wrong or not entirely correct in our initial assumptions and then WE might have to qualify what WE say or change how WE act or GROW for goodness sake! We might become better in our quest to better the world. The consequences could be... delightful.

CrossFit Workout of the Day: Grindy

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:57:00 +0000

This is what my noon hour looked like:

35 lb Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk... Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk... Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk.

Ring-row*, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up*, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

35 lb Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row, Ring-row.

Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up, Modified push-up.

Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat, Squat.

35 lb Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk, Clean and Jerk.

Except some of the commas were more like ellipses... looooooooong ellipses.............................................................

It took one guy 15 minutes to complete. It took me 40 minutes. And 52 seconds. I'm going to be sore tomorrow.

*The prescribed workout was actually 10 Clean and Jerks with 65 lbs, plus 5 pull-ups, 10 standard push-ups, 15 squats (5 rounds), Repeat, and add one more round of C&Js.

Baby Survives Being Run Over By Train

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:58:00 +0000

The baby is okay. I don't know that I would be if that happened to N...

Stranger Than Fiction

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:24:00 +0000

Once upon a time, there was a family building an experimental helium flying device in their backyard. As children are prone to be, the son of the family was curious and had a vivid imagination. One day, he climbed into the device and untied the ropes that secured it to the ground. Now he is floating over Colorado, thousands of feet in the air and no one can get him down.

You can't make this shit up.

Let's hope he lands safely and lives happily ever after.

***UPDATE***

There was no child in the aircraft when it crashed. No word on whether he was never in it or if he fell out.

***UPDATE 2***

We live in a disgusting world. We don't even know if the kid is dead or alive, but you can get a "commemorative" t-shirt.

And this is a video featuring the family who were apparently participants on Wife Swap.

***FINAL UPDATE***

They did it for attention. They should go to jail and the kids should be taken away.

Look at Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:56:00 +0000

I'm trying to decide if these new fangled cameras with the viewing screen on both sides indicate a new level of narcissism or if they are just enabling us to be as narcissistic as we have always been. Personally, I love the self-photo, in fact, our monthly family portraits are always taken by C's left hand. The key to a good self photo is not taking yourself seriously in them I HATE those facebook profile pics where it is obvious that the individual has just spent hours in front of their webcam taking 6000 pics, adjusting each strand of hair and trying to ensure that their eyes are smizing and their lips are pouting just so.It makes me so embarrassed for them. HEY! YOUR PRETENSION IS SHOWING!

I thought I would have more to write here, but turns out not. Maybe more will come to me later...

This video's so good it didn't need autotune... oh wait...

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:04:00 +0000

AutoTune Makes Everything Better

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Away We Go

noreply@blogger.com (Momma Pants) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:09:00 +0000

Have you seen Away We Go? If not, I'm not going to tell you that you should, but I am going to say that it wouldn't be the worst thing you ever did.

We have a list on our fridge of every movie with a trailer that even remotely interested us so that on nights when N goes to bed on time and we're not in the mood for company, we can scroll through the movies listed and pick one that might not suck.

Away We Go was on the list for both its subject and its cast (and had I have known Dave Eggers author of What is the What was one of the writers, I probably would have been even more eager to see it). John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph play a couple, expecting their first child, traveling around North America, trying to find a place to call home. It has a very Indy feel and at first, that scared me. See, C and I often choose no-name movies with Big Name stars (you know, the kinds filmed here) in the hopes that it will turn out to be a diamond in the rough. We're not anti-main-stream or anything, we just like to try other streams every now and again... Anyhow, we're usually wrong and end up regretting the five bucks we paid for it. We've seen a lot of bad movies.

The first fifteen minutes gave me enough hope to see it through and I'm glad I did. It was unexpected. Not only did we get the ride we asked for (to see these two comic actors being wryly clever, in a plot we could both relate to and escape into), but we got more, too. See, they traveled around North America (something C and I do in our minds monthly), but they also traveled the spectrum of parenting philosophies and familial definitions through their various hosts. Being in the midst of that presently made me appreciate the characters and charicatures they encounter all the more.

If you plan on settling down with one person and perhaps procreating (even accidentally!) at any point, you would probably enjoy this film. I will warn you, the opening scene is unexpected in an uncomfortable kind of way (don't watch it with your parents... or your kids...) and it can be quite crass throughout, unlike most crass films du jour, it all serves a purpose beyond shock and cheap laughs.

If you do see it, let me know what you think!