I'm moving!

I am officially going to change this blog to be more about what Andy and I are up to with book tidbits thrown in. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy reading and telling everyone what I thought about a particular book. I just feel that I am doing significantly less reading now that I’m back in school and I’m not doing the books justice when I review them here.

I’m also going to move over to Word Press so that I can start including separate sections on this blog. As I get further into my program, I think it will be nice to share some of the nutrition information that I’m learning and separate that from the life and times of Andy and Cass.

You can now find us here: pdxstocktons.wordpress.com. It’s just in the beginning stages and may not be finished for weeks to come, but I like the set up more and I hope you will too.

P.S. This may be a bit vain, but I was pretty stoked to see that my tattoo passed the test and got posted on the blog where I found the inspiration for this little guy:http://owltattoos.blogspot.com/2009/05/hoot-wave.html

Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut

I finally did it! I managed to squeeze a book into my busy schedule while I battled yet another cold (my third this year). I just happened to have borrowed a copy of Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut and thought that would make excellent reading material while bed bound. Timequake was not what I thought it was going to be, which I am realizing is my normal reaction to a Vonnegut book. My protocol should be to pick up a book that sounds totally boring and lame; it will turn out to be the best book ever. 

Timequake was pretty good. Filled with many bits of “Vonnegut wisdom” and some ‘facts’ that left me wondering if they were true, the book was pretty enjoyable and made for a quick read. There’s really no plot to report. If I tried to report the plot you would just end up doing what I did- being utterly perplexed when you started reading. 

Two for the price of one~

I haven’t been a very productive reader since going back to school in January. I did read two books over spring break and enjoyed both thoroughly. Here is a quick synopsis about each.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris: Two words: F’ing Hilarious. Not all of his vignettes are filled with side-splitting humor, but just enough of them to keep you reading. I think I enjoy his books because there is a touch of reality and sobering life events that emphasize that these stories are true (or moderately true).

The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea: this was a very well written book about a young Mexican Indian girl’s journey to become a healer in the late 19^th century. This beautiful book is based on the true story of the woman who came to be known as the Santa de Cabora. I did really enjoy this book, but it’s hard to tell how much is speculative and how much is based on fact. The scenery is amazing and the characters delightful. If you are interested in a more in depth review of this book, check out this fabulous synopsis here by Gina Ruiz.  

Mysteries ROCK!

I came across this today and felt it worth sharing. Once again, WIRED proves to be a very interesting magazine. I am fascinated by these types of mysteries. I don’t know why this is the first time I have come across this particular mystery, but things like this make me feel humbled and awed by our species. Of course, Andy knows my theory about everything like this can be summed up in one word: Aliens. I’m not entirely convinced that aliens didn’t play a role in this somewhere. I’m not an overly superstitious person, but sometimes I just can’t the explain things that happen here and God just isn’t the answer to my question.

American Stonehenge: Monumental Instructions for the Post-Apocalypse

This article is from the newest issue of WIRED. The entire month is devoted to mysteries. Needless to say, I can hardly wait. 

P.S. Photo borrowed from the Elberton, GA city website (http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv13650.php)

The Business of Being Born

If my mother is reading this, I’m sure she’s rolling her eyes. For anyone who has talked to me in the last few months, especially after a few beers, it has become apparent that I’m getting what is referred to as “Baby Brain.”

This has coincided nicely with my most recent course- Human Development. This class covers development from conception to death. Right now we’re discussing conception and birth. Last night our instructor had the class watch The Business of Being Born. It was utterly fascinating (and not overly gruesome). The movie documented what is happening in our country around birthing. It provided interviews with mothers, midwives, OBGYNs and others about different birthing options and experiences.

 Although we are a few years away from starting our family, I was wondering what your experiences might be with birthing.

Did you or anyone you know have a natural birth?

What was the reason for that choice, whatever that choice was?

Did you/they consider a natural birth with a midwife?

Do you/they regret the choice that was made?

Even if I don’t know you, please feel free to offer up opinions and experiences. The questions are just a jumping off point, so if you have other input, please share. If you are interested in the movie- I saw that it is available for viewing on Netflix (either online or by DVD). I did not find any source to watch it free online, sorry. I highly recommend it.

I do not really want to offer up my newly forming opinions on the topic of birthing- as I certainly haven’t made up my mind. But I am very interested to hear your stories. 

Homeward Bound

Tomorrow, I am taking a much needed mini-cation to visit my family and pretend I’m still a part of their cozy unit and not some stressed-out project coordinator/nutrition student/wife. As my husband lovingly put it, I’m off to listen to my mother for the weekend. She has a lovely way of telling me everything I ever thought I wanted to know and more about her life and our many relatives. It’s wonderful; I just sit back with a mug of wine, scratch Allie's belly (above) and listen. 

There are moments of quiet to be found while my family goes about their normal lives, where I can sit still and watch the amazing wildlife that surrounds their peaceful, Idaho home. I know the vacation will be far too short, but it will be wonderful to pretend that I’m carefree for three days… oh, and did I mention that they have a hot tub and heated bathroom floors? Seriously, you never realized how cold the bathroom floor is until you step onto a warmed one. 

Who watches the Watchmen?

That is, quite possibly, my favorite line from the graphic novel, The Watchmen. I finished the massive comic book last night in preparation for seeing the movie this evening. I have always been slightly skeptical of graphic novels and comic books in general. I never really felt like it was a medium that fit my needs. My husband and our good friend, Mike, convinced me that I was wrong and I really ought to read The Watchmen.

For an avid novel reader, the comic book set-up was a little difficult to get into. You have to read slow enough to understand the dialog and pause a moment to look at the graphics. After a few pages, I got the hang of it and found myself as deeply immersed in the story as any other book I’ve read.

I absolutely loved all of the characters, even the Comedian, who has the least likable attitude. The line between right and wrong is so blurred in this story, that you cannot help but wonder whose side you should support. If you are not familiar with the story, which I’m guessing many of you are not, it is set in an alternate 1985. Many things are the same as our 1985, but there are a few subtle differences- Nixon is president (still), one super man exists (Dr. Manhattan), and masked adventurers are a defunct piece of society.

While the world in which this story takes place is different than the one in which we survive today, it resonated with me. Everyone I talk to these days is afraid and worried about something- jobs, money, violence, war, healthcare, etc. We are living in a state of fear organized by our media and our former government. I will not rant about conspiracy and the power of information, but I am concerned for all of us and the world in which we live.