(This is Not a) Love Song

LiveJournal won't let you post a playlist, but you can launch it as a stand alone player, if you ever want to listen to what I am listening to (more or less; sometimes I'm not listening to this playlist at all, but frequently I am.). I update it fairly frequently and am adjusting the date of this entry so that it stays at the lead of my page -- that way you can update right along with me!

ETA: I'm just linking to my last.fm which I am now using since they broke playlist. :(

Made it home from Chicago. Had a great trip. Since then, have taught the child to ride a bike, on the hottest (so far, for me) day of the year. Yes, I think I might have had the only almost-ten-year-old who couldn't ride a bike -- he has a long story about why, involving back when he *could* ride a bike (with training wheels) when he was three and we were cruising around the neighborhood and on a somewhat hilly street, on the way down, the training wheel popped out of position and he went careening out of control and had to leap off into gravel before his bike took out a mailbox. And that story is actually mostly true, though his version is a bit more dramatic than *I* remember it. At any rate, we've never pushed the bike thing because, really, who cares? He's a top rate scooterer and so uses that method of getting around if we are walking somewhere he doesn't wish to actually walk to; I mean, it's not as if -- at 9 -- he's going off biking on his own somewhere. I figured he'd learn whenever he felt a reason.

The reason now? Tour de France. Again. (And, btw, just finished TIVOed stage five last night so am VERY BEHIND so don't tell me what is happening.) So, Sunday we went out and got a bike because he had an urge and we were already in the car, having been disappointed in our attempt to go bowling by the waiting list for free lanes and our lack of desire to wait. We figured we'd head back after the leagues were done (which we did) and on the drive home Jet mentioned a bike, and so we went and got one.

15 minutes in the 108 degree heat and he was riding it solo. The "teaching" involved a lot of swearing (me, not him), a little bit of jogging along holding the handle bar and *mostly* a bunch of letting go and letting him tip over every 15 seconds until he decided not to tip over any more. Now he tears up and down the street with his friend, having mastered -- in an additional 10 minute session Sunday night and then 15 minutes last night -- starting on his own, braking and turning on his own.

Scratch another thing off the list of things they told me he may never be able to do due to his brain damage.

(And then we did, in fact, go back and go bowling because 15 minutes of swearing in the 108 degree heat and a couple of various inches of road rash (him, not me) is no bar to bowling fun. I mean, all of us own our own bowls and shoes so puleeze.)

TODAY we are heading up mountainous for some nights of being trapped in the tent in some thunder storms. And when I say "IN" some thunder storms, I mean it -- at 8000 feet, the thunder usually shakes the ground.

It's awesome.

Jet recently (as in this year) learned to play Texas Hold 'Em (what? poker is a strategy game and you know I'm all about strategy strategy strategy) so we plan to play a bunch of that in the tent while the dog tries to get in our laps because he doesn't like thunder. I taught Jet Rummy last night, so probably that, too. I'm planning to teach him to play Spit while we are up there, but he might not be fast enough for that yet. That game was one of the card game mainstays of my youth. And, of course, Go and Mancala are camping standards.

We also plan to read.

And nap.

And mostly, you know, dig on the rain.

Bye for now!

Saturday, July 18th at Agua Linda Farm, just south of Tucson.

Info straight from the farm:

***

Come pick a peck of pickles! (Cucumbers, actually).

Then, watch as we demonstrate how to can them and share a sample! We will have some recipes to share and would love to hear about yours!

It's hot in July, so an early start is important. We will meet in the garden at 9 am (which is a little late, but many of you will be coming from Tucson). Pick a peck (or more/less) if you like (while supplies last). You-pick cucumbers cost $1 pound, we-pick $1.75 pound. Ice tea will be provided.

Wear sun hats and shoes that can get dirty! (Fields can even be muddy in July).

No admission charge

Picnics welcome

RSVP preferred.

***
You can RSVP via the contact info on Agua Linda's website. If anyone is interested in going and would want to carpool, email me and maybe we can work something out since I will be driving down for sure and can fit some extra people.

(xposted tucson)

YOU'RE INVITED to a free public showing of:

The World According to Monsanto


A quote (not mine) about the film:

"MONSANTO'S controversial past combines some of the most toxic products ever sold (PCBs and Agent Orange) with misleading reports, pressure tactics, collusion, and attempted corruption. They now race to genetically engineer (and patent) the world's food supply, which profoundly threatens our health, environment, and economy. Combining secret documents with first-hand accounts by victims, scientists, and politicians, this widely praised film exposes why Monsanto has become the world's poster child for malignant corporate influence in government and technology."


WHERE: Grand Cinemas Crossroads 6, Grant and Swan

WHEN: Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 7pm.

PLEASE BRING A CAN OF ORGANIC OR NON-GMO FOOD TO BE DONATED TO THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK.


Presented by GMO Free Project of Tucson, a project of NEST, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, in conjunction with their sponsors: Food Conspiracy Co-op and New Life Health Centers.

(xposted tucson)

Yesterday pulling out to go get Jet, there was a coyote standing perfectly posed at the end of the street, ( which you can't see because I forgot to zoom )

And then when we got home there was hockey in the street with the kid who lives almost right across the street because hockey is a favorite ( even for kids who have never seen ice on the ground )

And then today all those clouds have been producing rain, not in a monsoon-ish way but in a winter-ish way, with total cloud cover and a steady even downpour. I'm not sure where it came from, but I'm happy to see it. I've already collected a few hundred gallons of water today alone and that will feed all of my vegetables until monsoons actually get here.

School is out as of today at noon.

Next week Jet and I are going to the beach for a few days just because, on a spur of the moment trip just decided upon on Sunday evening. Next Friday we all 3 go to Flagstaff for the weekend.

Life is good.

The med views are a little off IMO, but otherwise this is lovely!

April 6 at 10:09am Luaineach says "87 degrees at 830 in the morning! Phew!"

April 8 at 6:23pm Luaineach is on day 2 of a 5-day liquids-only fast, about to go for a motorcycle ride with Jim to the CSA for this week's produce, followed by riding straight to the rillito river walk the for our full moon 'hike' (it will be more "look at the moon" than "by the light of the moon" but I'm not feeling up to a late night walk). The kid is in our pool with the babysitter and I can hear their laughter from here. Life is so good.

April 9 at 3:57pm Luaineach posted the link:

10 Awesome Ads (For Traumatizing Children)

[This was stolen from 9thmoon]

14 minutes ago Luaineach says For my fellow hippy-dippy localvores (I'm looking at YOU, Tina), HoofsNHorns is finally doing a "herd share" for milk. Let me know if you are interested because then maybe we can coordinate alternating picking it up every week. (from the link, click on "cow share" on the left sidebar, for info)

HoofsNHorns

***
Things are super well here. Just booked our trip to the beach for the week of the equinox and Jim's birthday (the end of September) and also just booked surf lessons since that is Jim's birthday present - what more do you need for your 45th bday than surf lessons and a 40 year old wife still fit enough to take them with you?

So, I've got to get focusing more on the fit part, which should be easier now that I have a clear deadline for my head to wrap around. I've been poking away at it since I cleared the 2 year mark of smoke-free but I'm ready to go full-tilt now; I'm using this fast as a springboard back into alternate-day CR. I know some of you already *do* alternate-day CR (or up day/down day, however you yourself name it) so who's with me?!

The Horror Photography of Joshua Hoffine

I think I already know who of you on my Flist are moving to Dreamwidth (or, if not moving outright, then creating a journal there for purposes other than your LJs serve) but I have invite codes if anyone who I might not know is interested wants one.

You can comment here with the email address you'd like me to send it to (comments screened).

ETA: All invites now sent out. You can still comment, in case I happen to get more. Also, I know at least one other dreamwidth user has spare invites because he posted this morning that that info could be passed along to anyone interested. So, if anyone additional is interested, comment away!

From adammaker, this is srsly cool in my world. It's like the future!

Launching in London today, the Espresso Book Machine can print any of 500,000 titles while you wait.

Perhaps the World Ends Here
by Joy Harjo

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what,
we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared,
set on the table, so it has been since creation
and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it.
Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions
on what it means to be human.
We make men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms
around our children. They laugh with us at our poor
falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back
together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain,
an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place
to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate
the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table,
and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow.
We pray of suffering and remorse.
We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table,
while we are laughing and crying,
eating of the last sweet bite.

April 11 at 11:59am Luaineach completed the quiz "What Marvel superhero are you?" with the result Storm.
You're quiet, reserved, and have an unmistakable air of authority, but still damn sexy. You can control the weather, and when you can do that, you never really have a bad day! Your fear of enclosed spaces is your biggest weakness, so it's a good thing you can always choose flight over the elevator!.

April 11 at 12:06pm Luaineach completed the quiz "THE INNER NATIONALITY QUIZ: WHAT ARE YOU REALLY?" with the result You are Spanish.
The world is your oyster. You are confident -- or at least, confident in your self-expression, and this often leads to confidence in all things. You love your friends and hate your enemies, and when you want something, you go out and get it. You are both bold and friendly, sunny and perspicacious. You laugh frequently, smile even more, but are not a sucker and will always fight for yourself.

April 13 at 3:48pm Luaineach took the Which 90s alt-rock goddess are you? quiz and the result is PJ Harvey
You're a fucking freak and you love it. And so do we. Though you're sometimes referencing shit so obscure people just don't get it, mostly you've got us all mesmerized. You think in brushstrokes; your diary is like a mad scientist's laboratory. You're the "monstrous feminine" writ large, but you don't buy into the roles you're playing with. They're just roles! You love the theatrical, and the grotesque (maybe too much?) Your motto: fuck the male gaze, I'll eat it raw. Now put on your platforms, don your fake eyelashes, go all "Priestess-from-Antiquity" and conjure your black magic.

April 16 at 2:48pm Luaineach completed the quiz "Which Beatles song Are You?" with the result I am the Walrus.
You are the true iconoclast. You possess the perfect union of intuition and knowledge. You are independent and very involved in your thoughts. Avoid the tendency to have envy and contempt of others..

April 18 at 8:38am Luaineach is going camping at Saguaro Lake.

( and there is more! )

Going to be spending the weekend up north camping in the mountainous desert at a weekend long rocketry event.

( I have a new rocket just for this occasion )

Aubrianna (the grey girl kitty) died on Monday. No known reason but kitten death rate is usually pretty high. The girl I left them with while we were at the lake last weekend* is an experience kitty foster but she feeds with a syringe instead of a bottle so I suspect that Aubrianna might have aspirated some formula (which is more likely with syringe feeding than bottle).

Archer (the other kitty) is doing fine, he's almost twice the size he was and his eyes should be opening any minute now. He's getting all sorts of extra loving from us since he's all alone in his basket now, so he's going to be quite the human-bonded cat (WHO WE WILL NOT BE ADOPTING!).

I've been updating via quizes and lists on facebook so maybe I'll do one of those "lj catch up via facebook statuses" posts.

ms_danson has posted some beautiful pictures** in a what is to be a modified version of that Week In The Life 'photo week' some of us did awhile back. Seeing them has made me want to do one of those weeks again, so I might start that Sunday.

Life has been good.

*I have lake pictures to post and finally I have my own "the one that got away" fishing story to tell!

**In that first day's pictures, I think that might be the Traveling Art Book which will be coming to me someday! Hooray!

... "bedtime routine" sometimes includes some of *this*:

( click only if you want to see kittehs! )
No, those aren't the newborns miraculously grown up. Those are four fosters of my friend Tina, who we are watching for a few days while she is out of town; she'll then watch *our* tiny little guys when we go camping tomorrow.

They are being housed in Jet's room, so naturally they must have major snuggles before lights out.

And they are pooped out because pre-bedtime snuggles always includes a rousing bout of what we like to call

( Kitty Battle Arena )

Our little ones are doing great so far. Did you know this interesting fact about new born kittens? They can't move their bowels and flush their kidneys on their own. Momma cats help them do this by washing their little behinds with her tongue. *We* do it by giving them kitty massage with a soft towel or baby wipe. Every two hours. Around the clock. (And, eh, they are nursing then anyway so it's all one thing.)

Tiring but oh so cute:

( click for teh CUTE )

( OMG SO KEWT! )

Gee, waddaya want to do this weekend? The same thing we do every weekend ....

( try to take over the world! )
Alright, not EVERY weekend. We'll be doing some variety of camping during three of the next four weekends, so there is *that*, too. And we always go to the farmer's market for part of our week's produce early weekend mornings, too.

9 minutes ago Luaineach is cooking a tbone for lunch right this second, then going to get Jet at noon since it's half day, then going to the gyno for her annual, then going to the community garden to do some weeding , then going on friday date night motorcycle ride with Jim to pick up CSA veggies before hitting the road to parts unknown then coming home for family "movie night" at 10pm then enjoying her sleep-in-day tomorrow. Life is good.

***
Happy weekend everyone!

...which usually includes one-on-one baseball, if none of the other little kids are out:



( see more here )

This stuff is wonderful and gorgeous.

ETA: Kris Kuksi. A new link, straight to his site, since the original link appears to now be broken.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Arts & Culture | Caravaggio was early 'photographer'

It was already known he worked in a "darkroom" and illuminated his models through a hole in the ceiling. Researcher Ms Lapucci believes the image was also projected on a canvas and "fixed".
Light-sensitive substances applied to the canvas would have "fixed" the image for around 30 minutes, allowing Caravaggio to paint the image with broad strokes using white lead mixed with chemicals and minerals that were visible in the dark.



Psychology Today: Buddhism and the Blues

The Buddhist view of how the mind works is somewhat different from the traditional Western view. Western psychology pretty much holds to the belief that things like attention and emotion are fixed and immutable. Buddhism sees the components of the mind more as skills that can be trained. This view has increasing support from modern neuroscience, which is almost daily providing new evidence of the brain's capacity for change and growth.

***
I had a lot more links to post but it turns out it was too many for my current mood to weed through so I'll start fresh next week!

ETA: I am going to post two more links, ganked straight from ms_danson because the work is gorgeous. These are over at DeviantArt:

Zardo who does HDR stuff which is gorgeous.

rad-ix, gorgeous if you like nature stuff (which I do; love me some forests!)

March 26 at 12:45pm Luaineach's mouth is already watering for the slow-cooked ribs she will be making for tonight's bout of March Madness.

March 26 at 9:49pm Luaineach ate way too many ribs, drank only two beers, rooted in two of her picked upsets and now she is going to jump her husband then go to sleep.

***
Today is shooting off the student-built two-stage Level 2 rockets with the kids, which should be fun. There are also going to be demos of [non-student built] multi-stage launches, clustered motor launches and BIG rockets. Woo!

More basketball tonight. Oklahoma has dropped to a one point favorite over Syracuse. Ouch. Jim has Syracuse to win it all; I have OK (go big 12!). Should be an exciting night of Jim and I ending up in an argument (only if OK loses!).

Yesterday I got to the cat shelter to do my quick p.m. meds and found one of our FeLV+ kitties crashed out on the floor. Jet and I had to rush her to one of the shelter's emergency vets where she eventually was put down due to what is suspected to be massive tumors in her liver (not uncommon with FeLV). She had a temp of 93.3 when we got her there and so was on the way out. It resulted in my being late to my own party (it took a couple of hours) but I still managed to eat enough ribs to make my tummy hurt.

For tonight's party I am making chili.

::whistles and looks around::

What else?

Birthday party, fire pit, bbq bash for our friend K tomorrow night so that will be fun. Sunday morning we are going to Desert Heat because we likey the rockets. I wish we could make tomorrow's night launch but no can do with the party already planned.

We're heading up to camp at one of the lakes in a couple of weeks. I'm going to attempt to teach Jet (and Jim) to water ski and/or wakeboard. They should dig it.

Just a test post to see if my music will now automatically update from my last.fm

ETA: yay! it works! I'm all about Sara Lov, the Devics, Piano Music, Trespassers William, Sol Seppy, etc. atm so click through to my current music at your own shoegaze/chillout risk! :)

Your result for The How You Respond To Attention Test...

( The Contented )

March 13 at 7:55am Luaineach woke to another fabulous spring morning. Life is good.

March 14 at 1:10pm Luaineach actually slept in on her 'sleep in day', getting up at 12:30. Nice to have slept long enough to now not even notice last nights shots Jaeger...

March 16 at 5:34am Luaineach has gone fishing. (No, literally, that's where I have gone. On a lake. In a boat. And all of that.)

March 18 at 7:41pm Luaineach did not catch any fish Monday and now, after two days of spring break leisure, is gearing up to gear up for the entertaining she'll do Thu-Sun for March Madness.

March 19 at 9:41am Luaineach is watching basketball. Go Big 12!

March 23 at 3:54pm Luaineach is dead dog tired today.

4 minutes ago Luaineach is eating coconut oil on a spoon for breakfast.

Home from Florida, which was a good trip, and mostly settled back in. Came home to a mucho fabulous box from chernobylred which had three gorgeous long black wigs (one with sausage curls!) and wig supplies and cool art magnets -- which is relevant to my thoughts atm because I will likely wear one out tomorrow night for "old school industrial and dark 80s" night at Sanctuary. And I'm mentioning *that* because all of you locals should come out because in my do good do goodery way I have arranged with Tamara for March to be Casa de los Gatos month at Club Sanctuary and so they will get half of the door proceeds all month.

And wearing the wig might be more necessity than fashion because tomorrow is also our full moon walk and we're hiking up sabino canyon so I'll need to cram my sweaty hair into *something* when we get home before heading straight out to the club.

Haven't read LJ other than specifically here and there for weeks but will catch up over next week. If there's super stuff I've missed, comment me with a link so I can get to it directly and be in on the super!

It's windy and spooky out tonight so we are going to go out and fool around in the hammock in a little bit so that's all I have time to post for now! (Catching up on LJ to happen sooner rather than later if I tumble out of the hammock mid passion and wrench my back and then end up on bed rest with nothing to do buy read and surf the 'net for a week!)

A new federal law aimed at protecting children from lead in toys has also forced a nationwide halt in sales of off-road motorcycles and recreational vehicles built for young riders, killing off a multimillion-dollar industry that was thriving despite the recession.

This one hits me personally.

As with the snake at 9, Jet's first dirt bike was to be considered at 10. We've actually been *waiting* for that ('we" being Jim and I) because we both have youth dirt biking histories and we were looking forward to Jet being old enough for us to start it up again.

I guess I should be thankful I'm saved from myself by elected officials who know what's best for me. And thank all of *you*, too, who perpetuate the two party system with your votes, for being part of the problem your help.

The federal government has now advised that children’s books published before 1985 should not be considered safe and may in many cases be unlawful to sell or distribute

Your result for The Ultra Ultimate Personality Test ...

The Thinker

INTP

Private, intellectual, impersonal, analytical and reflective, the INTP appears to value ideas, principles and abstract thinking above all else. This logical type seeks to understand and explain the universe--not to control it! Higher education often holds a particular appeal to this type who tends to acquire degrees and amass knowledge over the entire course of life. Abstract or theoretical subjects are usually the INTP's cup of tea, and academic or research careers may seem attractive to this type. From science and math to economics and philosophy: just name the discipline, and you'll find INTPs perched on the loftiest rungs of theory and analysis. In whatever field they choose, INTPs take on the role of visionary, scientist or architect, and they usually prefer to make their contributions in relative solitude. The mundane details of life may be the INTP's undoing, since this type lives in a world guided by intuitive thinking. Often perceived to be arrogant and aloof, the quiet and sometimes reclusive INTP may have to struggle in the personal realm, as well, for feelings are not this type's natural forte.

Relationships

INTPs live rich worlds inside their minds, which are full of imagination and excitement. Consequently, they sometimes find the external world pales in comparison. This may result in a lack of motivation to form and maintain relationships. INTPs are not likely to have a very large circle of significant relationships in their lives. They're much more likely to have a few very close relationships, which they hold in great esteem and with great affection. Since the INTP's primary focus and attention is turned inwards, aimed towards seeking clarity from abstract ideas, they are not naturally tuned into others' emotional feelings and needs. They tend to be difficult to get to know well, and hold back parts of themselves until the other person has proven themselves "worthy" of hearing the INTP's thoughts. Holding Knowledge and Brain Power above all else in importance, the INTP will choose to be around people who they consider to be intelligent. Once the INTP has committed themself to a relationship, they tend to be very faithful and loyal, and form affectionate attachments which are pure and straight-forward. The INTP has no interest or understanding of game-playing with regards to relationships. However, if something happens which the INTP considers irreconciliable, they will leave the relationship and not look back.

Strengths

They feel love and affection for those close to them which is almost childlike in its purity

Generally laid-back and easy-going, willing to defer to their mates

Approach things which interest them very enthusiastically

Richly imaginative and creative

Do not feel personally threatened by conflict or criticism

Usually are not demanding, with simple daily needs

Take The Ultra Ultimate Personality Test at HelloQuizzy

( A motorcycle ride in the 48degrees to go build rockets with 3rd graders. Can you need any else? )