Keep on Blogging

My dad has asked me a couple of times “Why do people blog?”

I am certain there are numerous reasons–to share our stories, to practice our writing, to have our voices heard, to make money: it’s a job for some, to promote a cause-business-sport, to rant, to chant, to lament, to laugh, to think out loud. Maybe just because we can.

Some blogs have a distinctive format, while my voice tends to alter tones depending what I am writing about:  my thoughts, my book/ film/museum reviews, places I have been, my family, my hobbies, my diatribes (not too often), my photographs, and daily happenings. 

It’s been an amusing and educational journey with some of the people I have spoken with online, comments from strangers on my site,  conversations friends have started with me about certain posts including some who I didn’t know were aware of my blog, and visits to other blogs.

What’s missing?  More photos, perhaps.  Some days I have many page views, some almost none, but I am learning so much about myself and the world around me, the tiny details that used to pass me by, that I will continue this exploration longer.   I would  be interested in hearing others’ thoughts on blogging–and my blog–as well. C

 

Surrounded by Silos

Have you ever felt surrounded by tall glass silos, in which you can see groups of people you know who are laughing, talking, secretly whispering, slapping backs–but you can’t hear them?  You see the  shapes shifting, but cannot enter.  You touch the glass, expectantly cool and smooth, but unyeilding.

You watch closely, detecting subtle movements unseen by others, as people regroup, their mouths moving, unheard by you watching from the outside.  You press on the glass harder, as you move faster through the glass towers, a pattern emerging.  Stop suddenly, then tap-tap-tap on the crystalline surface, and the glass walls vanish, a caucophony of noise assails the ears, and then welcoming laughter.  C

 

Ridiculous Photo Op

$10 million, $15 million, $20 million for a BABY PHOTO?  That staggering number is so absurd, I have not been able to dislodge it from my brain today.  Why in the world would a magazine pay that astronomical sum for babies who have done nothing in this world except descend from their mama’s womb?  I know, it sells magazines.  The numbers alone show how awfully skewed our society is, that people actually care THAT MUCH to see babies they will never know, hold, love or truly care about.

I certainly don’t blame the parents–Angeline Jolie and Brad Pitt, of course–for the media attention foisted upon them during this wonderful time in their togetherness.  It’s so sad that they had to put special materials on the windows so that the papparazzi could not shoot in.  If the paps could have, I am certain they would have taken photos during the delivery itself in all it’s wet, private glory. Yes, they work in a public biz, but they should be able to share their family on THEIR schedule. 

I hope that Jolie and Pitt are able to personally make that money from the first public photos of their children, rather than some photog tripping over the others, pushing their competition and some  innocents out of their way to snag that shot.  Jolie and Pitt can then distribute the funds to one of the many needy organizations they work with, where it can be used.  Or keep it and put it in some future college fund…as if they need more money for that.

Oh, and congratulations to both Jolie and Pitt on your new babies.  Enjoy a moment peace when you can, if you can ,with your growing brood.  C

 

Under Pressure–Parents and Children Today

Carl Honoré’s new book Under Pressure should be required reading for all new parents. It is full of practical, real world advice for parents today trying to maneuver through political, competitive, consumer-oriented terrain with differing advice from a variety of “professionals” with questionable backgrounds to be dispensing nuggets to bewildered and sometimes overwhelmed parents.

A parent himself, Honoré has dealt with many the issues he discusses, but he brings true examples from around the globe to state his case about how easing off can postively impact our families. He also looks at an enormous amount of research in parenting, childrearing, sports, education, competition, and a variety of other areas.  The subtitle of his book Rescuing our Children from the Culture of Hyperparenting brings a similar Slowing down focus as his previous book In Praise of Slowness (see 23 June 08 blog post for more on this book).

Each chapter tackles a different subject facing families today: early years, toys, technology, education, extracurricular activities, sports, discipline, consumerism, and safety. It seemed such a natural flow from one chapter leading to the next.   I was also fascinated  with  the amount of history he brought to life, discussing the evolution of his subjects from homework to health and sports. 

Under Pressure is not anti-parenting or anti-technology or anti-education, it simply gives a fresh look at many of the issues I face on a regular basis.  I was surprised how different some cultures (US to Japan to Korea to Finland) view education, competition, and extra-curricular activites but how similar families worldwide are trying to change child-rearing practices and parental involvement today.

I found most of the information in the book common sense, rather than earth shattering, but I see nothing wrong with looking at things from a fresh perspective. Often things I take for granted to be as they are.  I am glad that Honoré didn’t try to set out a model for us to follow, as we all have different family dynamics, finances, belief systems and educational issues, but laid things out for us to make the right decisions for our families. 

I agree with the what I think is main tenet of the book–for our children to succeed, we need to let them be children longer, let them develop and explore their passions by giving them freedom to play, and to let them make some mistakes along the way. Hopefully this will allow them to grow into creative-thinking, happy, adjusted adults with a variety of interests. 

Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?  And summer seems like the perfect time to let them PLAY. C

 

The Perfect 4th of July Party

It was the perfect 4th of July party, on the most quintessential Chicago weather weekend I can remember.  People arrived at our neighbor’s home on bikes, foot, and in cars carrying their beachbags and food and games to share.  Other than the start time, there was no schedule to follow, just the mood of the guests. 

After a long dunk in the pool, my highlight of both this and last year was the rag-tag baseball game in the empty field (with the perfectly mowed diamond) with players ranging from ages 4 to 50.  The dads “bobbled” the balls so the young ones would be sure to make it to base–even the one who hit and ran directly to second base, newcomers hitting next to practiced players, only the 8 year old-boys keeping score, even the newest neighbors joining in.  It reminds me of the way we used to play pick-up-games when I was a kid.

After calling quits the long game of few innings when we all needed refreshments, people moved to volleyball, a neighbor’s trampoline, and athe kids spent a good hour throwing each other into the pool before dinner.  The fluidity of the day kept it so relaxed, no kids’ tempers flared, no adults disagreed, no cliques formed of any age and the mood was jovial and true.

After the traditional and delicious bar-be-que was complete, the football was tossed in the yard and baggo played until the misquitoes decided their party should begin, feasting on human limbs. We re-grouped by a poolside fire.  Several people ran and got marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers to make some impromptu s’mores on a many-pronged tree branch.  Stars brightened the skies, while we laughed and told stories until the children and perhaps some adults simply ran out of steam.

Families departed like fireflies, flickering off in the distance, after neighboring towns’ fireworks ended.  A simple, great day had by all, gently guided by outdoor pleasures, our whims and wonderful hosts.  Thanks for more fine memories, Urs and Tom. C

 

One Patriotic Moment

On an early morning bike ride, I saw people out decorating bikes for a local parade, washing cars, walking, riding bikes, and getting ready for afternoon festivities with bunting, balloons and the requisite red-white-blue flags.  I was saddened and angered for a few monents, thinking of our troops stationed around the world on first-second-third tours in Iraq and Iran and Afganistan and many other countries.  Why can’t we bring some of them home, so if–God forbid–we have to fight within our own borders they will be strong, healthy and courageous on our own soil?

Why isn’t their peril on the front pages of the paper every day, and the lead story on the news every night, so we will keep them forefront in our minds and work together to bring them home?  While they are so far away from their familes and friends, we need to keep them in our prayers and hope that they return home safely soon. 

As we head to our barbeques and pool parties and fireworks and baseball games today,  the soldiers should know we appreciate their tireless work, even if we do not agree with why they must remain away from their own country on this Independence Day.

A toast, as our soldiers fight for others’ freedoms; let them enjoy theirs soon.  C

 

Feeding Frenzy

I love watching the Food Network shows, all those chef making gorgeous dinners, delectable desserts, and divine drinks.  I am envious of the chefs who travel to wonderful restaurants, sampling and rating their creations.  What a job!  Throwdown with Bobby Flay inspires me; I would be so intimidated to cook next to him.  And I would enjoy having a meal (or preparing a meal) with Giada de Laurentis, especially while on her weekend getaways.

But there is a real cooking show that is missing from the perfectly matched kitchens I see aired daily.  How about cooking for the everyday family living a real life?  I love to cook for guests, but that isn’t the same as our everyday routine.

We need a balanced, cost-efficient meal for 3 vegetarians, one who will eat minimal veggies and no fruit, and a husband who is game for almost everything.  There are no assistants to shop and decide on meals, though I have a couple children who can help in food and table preparation when they are home.  We need meals prepared about 5 nights a week.

While preparing let’s add two dogs underfoot ready to pick up any scraps, a phone ringing, soccer practice in 30 minutes, help with homework during the school year, and a little variety to the weekly food preparation routine. Oh, throw in a set of grandparents who live with us for the summer (and mom is an excellent cook!)

I don’t think the cameras could fit in my kitchen!  But it’s an interesting idea for cooking for the real family.  C

 

Weekend Getaway #1

Nine children, ages 2 to 13, climbed up the hill from the Lake Michigan beach to the rented villa at Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, WI.  They had a very busy morning of playing in the tall grasses, building forts with old branches and weaving grasses together for the sides then jumping in the frigid water to cool off. Ah, the creativity when the TV and ipods and video games are turned off is amazing.

We parents relaxed on the beach,  strolling to the water’s edge, then wandering to see the kid’s project in creation, enjoying the slow weekend.  Blue Harbor was a fabulous nearby family getaway–only a 2 hour drive, where we could enjoy the beach in the morning, the indoor water park in the rainy afternoon, and sneaking to the outdoor pool when the sun reappeared.

We had as much fun as the kids on the twisty slides, racing each other on tubes and without.  When the bell sounded, everyone hustled to stand under the boat where 1000 lbs of water would dump on our heads.  And then finishing the waterpark time with a stint in the hot tub.

We had fascinating evening weather–enjoying cocktails on our deck while there were lightening storms where the horizon joined the water, clouds miraculously appearing as the thunder rumbled, then streaks of lightning crashing down to the waves.  After several hours of this fascinating sky, an orange orb cautiously arose from the water, peeking behind the clouds, then the moon lit the beach as it finally rested proudly above the receding clouds.

Having vacationed with the other 2 families before, we easily shared the food and drink preparation throughout the weekend.  It was great to have an extended time to spend with each other, catching up.  While running one morning, Sara and I saw many fisherman with their recent catches laid out on the dock for purchase. 

On our departure we shared a picnic of all the leftover food in a park, donning sweatshirts and hoping to avoid the raindrops. We then started to plan for next year, hoping to explore the town more.  C 

 

A Rainbow Day

 Locked on the 29th floor in strategy meetings all day–after a 2-hour commute to the city–I finally escape to the crowded, city streets.  The muggy air and throngs of people make me want to head north to the relaxing beach of WI, where I laid my head last weekend.

There I had the double good luck of seeing a rainbow and a shooting star on the same night.   Hoping the good luck rubs off on all. 

Have a great day.  C

 

Slowing Down

So many of us move at breakneck pace through life, trying to cram in so much we can’t absorb the smell of lilac or gentle touch of a child or our lover in our frenetic paces. Many of my friends are consciously trying to Slow down,  teaching our families to move slower in the languid summer months to recooperate from the stress-filled school year.  Hopefully some Slow living can still exist into the fall.

Carl Honoré’s book In Praise of Slowness, now four years old, made me think about my life as I read though it. Honore was one of the more entertaining speakers we saw at the Printer’s Row Book Fair earlier this month, (6/8/08 posting), so I read his first book waiting for my local library to have a copy of his new book  Under Pressure available.

Broken into succinct chapters, In Praise of Slowness talks about bringing Slowness into different areas of our lives: cities, education, food, mind/body, work, sex, leisure, and children.  He uses research and stories about how people were able to improve their lives by Slowing down–while not eschewing the technologies that we daily use. 

We already try to incorporate some of his ideas into our daily lives;  one of the most together and focused times we have are the days we can have a family-meal.  We try to do this 4-5 nights at week, and it’s when we talk about our day and discuss the next day’s plans/schedules. It’s much easier during the summer months to do this.

A well-thought out approach to slowing-down many aspects of our lives, he brings anecdotes from people and organizations worldwide to show how speed is impacting all of us.  If we can teach ourselves to Slow down in one area, that Slowness might  flow into other areas of our lives. I personally do not want to Slow down as much as some people in his book, but I have become more aware of my driving speed, our eating habits, and my children’s actitives since reading his book.

I want to ask Honoré if he rides horses.  It’s the natural instinct when approaching a jump in a course to speed up, lean forward, and charge at it, which will only help launch us over the horse’s head.  My trainer has said on number of occasions:  “Wait for it. Wait for it” even while picking up a little pace and “Don’t jump ahead of the horse” as I approach the jump.   My nerves settle and the jump is smooth and comfortable, not hurried and sloppy, so I can concentrate and ride to the next jump.

Whether there truly is a global “movement” to Slow down–though there are certainly organizations that espouse Slowing down– I can’t answer, but I hope to infuse a little Slowness in my family’s existence this summer.  In between work and chauffering and meal preparation and spending time with my kids and reading my book and exercise and writing and taking photos,  I think I can squeeze Slowness in.  (ha) C

6/24: In response to my blog, Carl Honoré had this to say in an email about his link to horses:

Love(d) you blog. I used to ride a bit when I was a child and I remember that feeling of having to slow down to the horse’s rhythm, or at least not try to force it. T(ha)t is one of the nice things about animals - they know their tempo giusto and they’re sticking to it.