January 31, 2012

Today I learned that even at 28 it is still fun to, every once in a while, turn your tongue icee-blue. Then, of course, you have to look in the mirror and say "AAAHhhA." I hope that no matter how old I get I can still retain enough of my childhood whimsy to find joy in small silly things.

January 30, 2012

Today I learned that a well done dot-to-dot is a thing of beauty and much harder to create that I initially thought. Sure, anyone can make a dot-to-dot of a fish that is shaped like a fish and looks like a fish whether you have bothered to connect the dots or not. But to create one that is simple but also a mystery until complete is something else entirely. I will keep at it until I can create this sort of delicate perfection.

January 29, 2012

Today I learned that you can tell that a hen has reached the point in her life where she will stop laying eggs frequently by the color of her legs. Her fancy, dinosaur-like feet will become a dark yellow, like the color of egg yolk.

I also learned how best (and humanely) to kill and butcher a chicken and which parts to eat and which to avoid. I am just a silly city girl with a small flock of urban chickens (which are more pets than farm creatures) but have dreams of a small farm someday in the future.

I killed my first chicken last year after she became extremely ill and it was clear she would not recover. I have since come to respect this process and found myself pondering how feed animals are thought of in our culture and the lives of the things I eat.

I am learning that perhaps there is a respect and cyclical beauty and better health for all involved when you eat the things you raise yourself.

If you are interested in learning about butchering chickens this video is very well done and informative. (warning: viewer discretion is advised - a chicken is killed in this video.)

On a less morbid note, I also relearned the joy of laying in bed all day with a book. (and a dog or two) It has been far too long.

January 28, 2012

Today it was very hard to learn anything because of all of the pounding bass and screaming children shaking my windows and clouding my brain. My next door neighbor is a small church whose parking lot ends with my bedroom window. Tonight said parking lot was transformed into a hip hop club/taco stand/arcade for someone's birthday. For 5 hours straight the music was so loud that I would feel the bass through my walls and floor. I can appreciate that this is Saturday and I want to be understanding but the level of loud is simply unreasonable. The police even asked to please turn it down but the volume persisted as soon as his car was out of sight.

I guess I learned that it is hard to think properly in chaos, even my patience has a limit, and that being a considerate neighbor is something to value and strive for.

January 27, 2012

Today I learned that Maurice Sendak is both amazing and hilarious. His interview with Stephen Colbert, which I highly recommend you watch here (make sure to scroll down and watch both parts), is truly a gem.

I also learned that Sendak doesn't like his book Where the Wild Things Are and is disappointed in the state of children's literature. As someone who works in this field I will take this as a challenge to improve and to, as he says, appreciate the complexity of children.

January 26, 2012

Today I learned that a Christian group called The Marin Foundation started an event at Chicago's Gay Pride Parade in 2010 (and continued it in 2011) called "I'm Sorry" in which the groups members stood along the parade route with shirts and signs apologizing for the church's treatment of the LGBT community.

The photo seen here was taken of one of the parade dancers hugging Andrew Marin, pastor and founder of the group. The image is moving and Marin's first hand account of the event made my inner 17-year-old-girl - who walked past the same group negative-adjective-spewing boys almost everyday on her way into class and feared she would always feel so lost - overjoyed and hopeful. It sparkles like a step forward and a needed change in the conversation and as Marin himself says, something Jesus himself would have done.

Further research into the Marin Foundation however has started to make me nervous. I am no longer 17 and very far from lost. While I would love to believe in genuine acceptance and outreach it also has the distinct smell of a publicity stunt. Some talk around the internet seems to point to the foundation being a bit of a bait and switch. After reading Marin's website, which seems to solely focus on a gay/christian dialogue it starts to feel more like conversion or recruitment and less like a true open gesture of good will. I don't have enough information to know for sure. Perhaps I am overly defensive. Perhaps not. I want badly to believe in the positive.

Whatever the case I have a feeling that image and Marin's words about that day will stay in my thoughts for awhile, particulary this part:

"I think a lot of people would stop at the whole “man in his underwear dancing” part. That seems to be the most controversial. It’s what makes the evening news. It’s the stereotype most people have in their minds about Pride.

Sadly, most Christians want to run from such a sight rather than engage it. Most Christian won't even learn if that person dancing in his underwear has a name. Well, he does. His name is Tristan."

I want to be treated like a person. Not a gay person - a person. I feel like there are random moments in my daily life in which I am reminded that the opposite is true. But, the same is true for other people with different adjectives. I try hard to remember this. No matter Marin's motives, he brings up an important point - Tristan is just a person.

Everyone who disagrees with me or seems strange or looks different or is culturally polar to myself is still just a person with little hurt feelings and wishful dreams and a life of experiences. Somehow that makes it easier to take a deep breath and find something to relate to.

Sometimes I forget. But, slowly I am learning.

January 25, 2012

Today I learned that when you work too long - until your brain turns into mush - you do very fortunate things like close the wrong window and lose all of that oh so important work that was mushing your brain to begin with. Then, all you can do is be glad you have someone to cheer you up when you finally make it home and keep you from becoming a sad grump-puddle. A good nights rest and a bright clear mind are invaluable and today were greatly missed.

January 24, 2012

Today I learned from writer and activist Jessica Valenti who said the following regarding the Purity Ball movement on Anderson Cooper's daytime talk-show:

"I think if we want to teach our daughters to be good people, let's teach them to be good people. Their sexuality has nothing to do with that."

It sounds so simple but is actually quite a powerful thing that resonated deeply with me. I had heard her name before but did not know much about her and was pleased to learn more. Her book The Purity Myth is now on my to read list. You can view parts of her segment here.

January 23, 2012

Today I learned that my kindle and my newly downloaded kindle app are best friends on the cloud. They let each other know exactly what page I want to be reading. You have been reading in the incredibly slow-moving line at Kinkos, would you like to magically update to the correct page now that you are snuggly in bed? Why yes, yes I would.

I think I am a bit behind the times on this information but it feels exciting none the less.

January 22, 2012

Today I learned that it is easy to find an instant affection for someone who appears to genuinely care for someone for whom you also care deeply. Knowing that a person respects, considers, humors and brings bright smiles to someone you love makes you smile also. Time will tell, but this first impression was a good one. Break her heart and I will hurt you.

I also learned that the Butterscotch bread pudding at Campanile is truly delightful. Sweet and soft and gooey but not too sweet or too soft or too gooey - quite beautiful on your tongue.

If you are ever in the mood for bread pudding you can eat it here.

January 21, 2012

Today I learned that the year of the dragon is considered an auspicious year and a particularly good year to be born. The dragon brings power, success, passion and confidence. Here is to hoping that all the new we start this year is touched by the dragon.

Chinese new year does not officially start until tomorrow night but we could not resist welcoming the dragon in early with good friends, festive food, and a little cinematic Kung Foo. Happy Dragon to you.

January 20, 2012

Today I learned that my pit bull thinks she is a pug. I have been forming this opinion for some time, but I am now certain that she believes herself to be much smaller and softer and squishier than her actual size and musculature. She is always snuggling her way into tiny spaces meant for her small-dog siblings, climbing onto furniture, and cramming herself into tiny dog beds (despite that fact that a perfectly wonderful large-dog bed remains empty in the same room)- she has even taken to curling up in my lap.

Of course this gets her exactly what she wants: furry friends to curl around, warm places to nap and lots of human hugs. It makes me think that perhaps if I also work to change my self-perception I too can start to fit into the sort of places I would like to be.

I believe it also important to note that she did not come to this conclusion randomly. It is only through being in the constant company of said pugs that she has come to relate herself to them. I will take a careful note of my own surroundings with this in mind.

January 19, 2012

Today I learned that after gathering up the perfect ball of poo, a dung beetle will swiftly roll it away from all of her vicious competitors then climb on top of the dung ball and do a little dance - rotating around in a circle. Researchers have recently found that the beetles are actually orienting themselves with celestial bodies. They will repeat this dance any time they lose control of their prize or hit uneven terrain, insuring that they are always on the correct course.

What is far more interesting is that this research comes from the US Air Force, specifically from a research grant to study "Nocturnal Visual Orientation in Flying Insects: A Benchmark for the Design of Vision-based Sensors in Micro-Aerial Vehicles". I find a sort of poetry in looking to nature to advance technology - it is hard to best that which has taken billions of years to perfect.

The biggest solutions can come from the smallest of things. Rather than basking in our vast superiority it may serve us better to stop and appreciate the beauty of even the lowly dung beetle.

The full report can be found here.

January 18, 2012

Today I learned that you know you've made a new friend when they let you build one of their unopened Lego sets.

I also learned that the new Lego series this year will be based on the Hobbit. My heart skips a beat. This may help me recover from what appears to be a discontinuation of Harry Potter.

January 17, 2012

Today I learned that if you spend your whole day rushing and grumping, with your head buried in work, it is much harder to leave room to learn anything new. This feels quite disappointing at the end of the day.

January 16, 2012

Today I learned that more than half of the children adopted by gay and lesbian couples in the US are children with special needs. I had not realized the numbers were quite so high. Gay couples are overall more likely to adopt older children and minority children and are also more likely to be willing to participate in open adoptions.

There are currently over 100,000 children in foster care.

According to a 2007 study by the Urban Institute there are an estimated 2 million gay people interested in adoption.

I can't help but feel like when we as a culture generally (and politicians like Rick Santorum specifically) discuss gay families, we are not having conversations that actually reflect the reality of daily life.

January 15, 2012

Today I learned that if I continue to be afraid of blank pieces of paper and cursors against white screens then I will never get what I want. I am not lacking in inspiration or ideas or motivation or skill or people willing to help me along. My brain and my life are all a clutter with these bright-hued things. It's time to just add color with flourish, perfectionist nature be damned.

January 14, 2012

Today I learned that while having a little sister when you are young is fun for rollerskating, and swinging, playing dolls, and sometimes poking and teasing, having a sister - who is also a friend - when you are grown is so very much more. I think no matter how old I get I will never stop being this excited to have my sister visiting me. She is funny, comforting and has surprises like GaGa chocolate.

Today my sister learned how to slide down my hallway in her socks, Tom Cruise style. Her advice to others upon overcoming her fear and reaching this impressive achievement: "When you believe in you, the possibilities are endless."

Amen, Sister.

January 13, 2012

Today I learned that I have way too many things. I knew this before but this time it actually stuck. The book hoarding needs to end. If everything is special, then really nothing is.

January 12, 2012

Today I learned to just take a deep breath and be happy. This is an ongoing lesson. I have a tendency let small failures and stresses cloud over my sunshine, when in reality I have so much love and success and sparkle in my life to be happy about. There is no need to worry so much about so little.

I also learned that my living room has definitely benefited from more color. This new addition is by found-object artist Sheri Elf. It makes me smile when I walk through the door.

January 11, 2012

Today I learned that three-toed sloths only poop once a week. Once! In a whole week! This is the only time they ever climb down from their tree. Researchers are a bit perplexed by this behavior, as climbing down to the forest floor is quite dangerous for them. However according to the "stealth poop" theory it is safer to climb down quietly than it is to poop from above and cause a loud ruckus as everything falls through the trees revealing your hide out. (I know a very timid public pooper who would whole heartedly agree with this philosophy.)

Seriously. I learned that today. I also witnessed pigeons procreating in the park. It was overall a strange day.

I even learned what books do when you are not looking. You can learn too in this amazing video.

January 10, 2012

Today I learned how to cook caramelized brussels sprouts with fish sauce and gluten-free meatballs. This is the first real dinner that I have ever made entirely by myself without a microwave or a "ready to serve" in sight. (I tend to prefer my role as dish washer) I would consider the veggies a success and the meatballs a bit of a miss, but edible enough for me to count the overall meal as a win.

I also learned that scientists have found the largest galaxy cluster ever to be seen in the early universe - "El Gordo." The cluster is 7 billion light years from Earth (which offers a magical peek into the past when the universe was half it's current age) and has 2 quadrillion times the mass of the sun. Yes, a 2 followed by 15 whoping zeros - El Gordo is right. Scientists are hoping this discovery might help them learn about ever mysterious dark matter.

That is a whole lot of twinkle. You can read about it here.

January 9, 2012

Today I learned that my dear friend and pseudo-sister gave birth to her first son. Happy growing little one.

January 8, 2012

Today I learned that you can not just decide, "oh, today I will eat lentils." They have to soak in water overnight to get soft and manageable. This meal planning business requires more pre-planning than I realized. My mission to learn how to cook is off to a very slow start.

January 7, 2012

Today I learned that "America the Beautiful" was written by Katharine Lee Bates who was a feminist and a lesbian. The original third versus is as follows:

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
'Til selfish gain no longer stain,
The banner of the free.

I can smell the sad political irony from here.

I first learned this here then proceed to read more about Bates, who lived with her partner for 25 years, wrote numerous children's books, was the first to popularize Mrs. Claus, and seems generally awesome.

January 6, 2012

Today I learned that last year my partner and I bought a total of 146 products from amazon. This sounds like a lot to me but I have no data to compare. I guess those shampoo/lego/beefy jerky/dust filter/bra/dog chew/book/mixing bowl purchases really accumulate quickly. This makes me reflect on my acquiring of items, both from a financial and hoarding perspective, and also that I seem to be headed in the direction of limited social interaction.

January 5, 2012

Today I learned that a thoughtful someone, who has beautiful, healthy things waiting when you get home, can make the day feel like a good one even when it previously had not.

January 4, 2012

Today I learned (once again) from J. K. Rowling. The following is taken from her 2008 Harvard Commencement address in which she discusses the power of failure and imagination. (Which I am sad to say I had not seen until this afternoon.)

"And many prefer not to exercise their imaginations at all. They choose to remain comfortably within the bounds of their own experience, never troubling to wonder how it would feel to have been born other than they are. They can refuse to hear screams or to peer inside cages; they can close their minds and hearts to any suffering that does not touch them personally; they can refuse to know.

I might be tempted to envy people who can live that way, except that I do not think they have any fewer nightmares than I do. Choosing to live in narrow spaces leads to a form of mental agoraphobia, and that brings its own terrors. I think the wilfully unimaginative see more monsters. They are often more afraid."

Read or watch in full here. It's a little long but worth it.

January 3, 2012

Today I learned that one teaspoon of loose tea leaf is the perfect amount for my favorite cup. How charmingly appropriate and easy to remember.

I also learned that my pit bull is a consistently generous thief. She is the only dog tall enough to reach into the kitchen trash and while she could easily enjoy all of the delicacies alone, when presented with the opportunity, she always chooses to pull some out and onto the floor for all to enjoy. I imagine the pugs think of her as their own personal Robin Hood.

January 2, 2012

Today I learned the joy of bothering to use my appliances to their full potential. For the first time ever I set the timed start on my washing machine and when I woke up this morning my clothes were clean - like magical squirrels had done it for me. Delightful! I will venture to find out what other wonders I can do with the things that I already own.

January 1, 2012

Today I learned that if your feed store happens to be closed on new years day you can use oatmeal or instant cereal as a substitute for baby chicken feed. A little cooked egg and raw carrot added into the mix makes for a great meal. Overall not very useful in the day to day but it does make me think seriously about adding oatmeal back into my meal plan. If it is healthy and safe for tiny growing things it will perhaps do me some good as well.

Starting out the new year with a new friend, Ginger Chicken, aged 3 days.

Hello.

I am writing this blog in an attempt to fulfill two small goals in an overall mission for ongoing personal growth. The first being to live with intent and to find joy in the process and the second to write something everyday, even if it is only a single sentence. The only prompt or qualification being: learn something new everyday.

So, what did you learn today?