Whatdaya looking at? So I got some drool on my upper lip... maybe I like it there...
Ahh the kissy faceSonja on the changing table
Whatdaya looking at? So I got some drool on my upper lip... maybe I like it there...Ahh the kissy face
Happy Halloween
Happy halloween to all our friends and family out there! May your holiday be filled with many treats and few tricks. 
Daylight Savings Time
The plus side, we get an extra hour of sleep (Sonja dependent of course) - the downside, I won't see the sun much anymore.
Dark when I get up and dark when I drive home.
Sonja in the mirror
Sonja didn't used to like tummy time but now she loves it! At least for a few minutes : )
Minnesota Politics will be back after a word from our sponsor
I don't claim to be a political wonk. I am not an expert on the civic institutions that make our country what it is, but when did the forum for debate and discussion regarding public policy become a television ad war?I find the idea that I can learn about a candidate by watching a 30 -60 second TV spot offensive. That's it. I don't have anything more to say about it. I just wish it would stop.
The blog paradox
I am confused. Everything I have read in my communications technology class and everyone I have talked with seems to indicate that people are reading less and less these days... Okay to be fair we are sifting through much more data but we accomplish this by skimming for facts and bullet points and charts.
Design standards for websites indicate that text heavy is not the way to go... So why blogs? I write a blog and I realize that of my 12 readers about 1 out of 12 actually will make it to the end of this entry.
I understand that if I post pictures or videos on my site they are more likely to be viewed than my words.
Blogging allows me to escape for a time from my day of crafted emails and painstakingly edited corporate PR pieces to just relax and type my thoughts as they flow onto the page I don't even need to use punctuation if I don't want to, although I find it has become a reflex - a poorly honed reflex, but a reflex nonetheless
So back to the question at hand, why the popularity of blogging. I didn't realize there was a large pent up demand to read tiny 10pt font on a tiny computer screen. I think the phenomenon can be tied into two things: our need for attention and our desire for community. I can't claim to be free from the taint of hubris, hell I am sometimes besmirched with the stain of avarice (please click on the ads on my page so I can make money). I like to think, however, that in my own small way I am sticking it to the system.
No my blog is not overly political, not too confrontational, I don't cover hot topics of the day (at least not very often), my blog is however the story of my life, my day to day thoughts, be they boring, funny or occasionally insightful they are mine and they are personal. No mass media would ever pick up my story. No made for TV movie will ever be created, no Hollywood movie ever created to tell my story, so it is up to me and me alone to shout it out. I may be yelling into the vacuum of cyberspace where my tone and inflection is drowned out by millions and millions of others doing the same thing, but at least I know that my voice is part of the cacophony of humanity and that is something.
Design standards for websites indicate that text heavy is not the way to go... So why blogs? I write a blog and I realize that of my 12 readers about 1 out of 12 actually will make it to the end of this entry.
I understand that if I post pictures or videos on my site they are more likely to be viewed than my words.
- I know that if I bullet or highlight my main points my readers will appreciate it, and yet I still go through the exercise of writing my thoughts out - not aimed at my audience but rather aimed at the traveling target in my head.
Blogging allows me to escape for a time from my day of crafted emails and painstakingly edited corporate PR pieces to just relax and type my thoughts as they flow onto the page I don't even need to use punctuation if I don't want to, although I find it has become a reflex - a poorly honed reflex, but a reflex nonetheless
So back to the question at hand, why the popularity of blogging. I didn't realize there was a large pent up demand to read tiny 10pt font on a tiny computer screen. I think the phenomenon can be tied into two things: our need for attention and our desire for community. I can't claim to be free from the taint of hubris, hell I am sometimes besmirched with the stain of avarice (please click on the ads on my page so I can make money). I like to think, however, that in my own small way I am sticking it to the system.
No my blog is not overly political, not too confrontational, I don't cover hot topics of the day (at least not very often), my blog is however the story of my life, my day to day thoughts, be they boring, funny or occasionally insightful they are mine and they are personal. No mass media would ever pick up my story. No made for TV movie will ever be created, no Hollywood movie ever created to tell my story, so it is up to me and me alone to shout it out. I may be yelling into the vacuum of cyberspace where my tone and inflection is drowned out by millions and millions of others doing the same thing, but at least I know that my voice is part of the cacophony of humanity and that is something.
Zappa Concert
Jenn and I went to see Zappa plays Zappa on Friday night. I am a fan of Frank Zappa and a friend of my from school asked if I wanted in on the tickets. I accepted.I never had the opportunity to see Frank Zappa play so seeing his son Dweezel play with a band that included Napoleon Brock Murphy, Terry Bozzio, and Steve Vai (all of whom played with Frank's band at one time or another)was on opportunity I did not want to miss.
The show rocked. It helped me remember that not all rock music is devoid of soul and comprised of 3 chords and/or a blues riff repeated add-naesum. The musicians were just that, musicians. They played with passion and feeling but also with discipline and integrity. You could really feel that the overarching factor in every song was not the screaming guitar solo or the lead vocals, but it was for the song as a whole.
This holistic approach to music was like a breath of fresh air which I sorely needed.
Plus how often do you get to go to a rock-n-roll concert which features a vibraphone as well as a kazoo?
Life During Wartime
Apparently, we are at war right now. A global war even, a war against evil itself. A war on terror. Oh goody! I have always wanted to rid the world of terror and evil. Sounds like a pretty simple thing to do.
I remember as a kid, sitting in History class and hearing about WWII. I used to try and imagine what it was like for the people back home. I used to imagine that it the US was devoid of all men as they had all gone overseas. I imagined a world where an entire nation's focus was on the war. Fretting and worrying over sons and husbands. Riveting together planes, buying war bonds, recycling everything, rationing food, pennies without copper... I thought war required sacrifice on every ones part.
Now I sit in my home, the war on terror rages while America watches 'American Idol'. We prop our feet up on the coffee table and enjoys a cold beer. The war is real, soldiers are dying and being injured everyday, but what impact does that have on me?
It feels so wrong. It feels like this national disinterest in something as mind-bendingly significant as a global war is somehow going to bite us in the ass.
No answers only angst.
Sonja's 4 months old now
Lots of new pictures here... just click on the image and view the slideshow.
She had her 4 month check-up yesterday and everything is A-okay! She is now 13 lbs 11 oz and 25 inches tall.
She had her 4 month check-up yesterday and everything is A-okay! She is now 13 lbs 11 oz and 25 inches tall.
First Snow of the season
October 11, 2006. Snowing on the way to work. I like the snow. It helps quiet my mind.
Winter is on its way
Yes Sonja, it's true. Winter has nearly arrived in Minnesota. Which means you will be bundled up like this for the next 4-6 months. We know the hats a little big and it all seems overwhelming, but once the windchill hits -40° F we are certain you will thank us.
Change is tough
Change is tough, especially when your a baby. Sonja has decided that she doesn't much appreciate sleeping without the swaddle. She lets us know this every morning. Last night it was at 1:00 AM until about 2:30 AM. In the end she did fall back to sleep but it was tough for Mom and Dad.I know we have been spoiled with months of uninterrupted sleep at night, but that doesn't make the loss of it any easier to bare. Not sure what I would do without my friend coffee. Large light roast from Caribou with a depth charge (a shot of espresso). My poor wife does not do coffee, so life is even tougher.
Five hours of bifurcated sleep make for interesting work days. Hours lull by like a dream and I can't remember what I've done or what I am doing. They haven't fired me yet so I must not have done anything too terribly wrong.
Back to work and life without sleep.
Sonja in the fall
Just a few misc photos over the past few days. Basically from our anniversary to Jenn's birthday. Click on the photo to display all.
Ecclesiophobia Haiku
Forgive me Father
Ecclesiophobia
Has a hold on me
Oh god! Church again?!?
Ecclesiophobia
Has a hold on me
Oh god! Church again?!?
Ecclesiophobia
Please don't make me go
The Pope says to go...
Ecclesiophobia
Says, pedophile priests
Please don't make me go
The Pope says to go...
Ecclesiophobia
Says, pedophile priests
Thursday Humor
Okay, since I have been so lax in posting Sonja photos I thought I would make up for it by posting a very funny totally partisian political joke.
Q: How many members of the Bush Administration are needed to change a light bulb?
A: Ten.
1. One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed.
2. One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed.
3. One to blame
4. One to tell the nations of the world that they are either for changing the light bulb or for darkness.
5. One to give a billion dollar no-bid contract to Haliburton for the new light bulb.
6. One to arrange a photograph of Bush, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner: Lightbulb Change Accomplished.
7. One administration insider to resign and write a book documenting in detail how Bush was literally in the dark.
8. One to viciously smear that administration insider.
9. One surrogate to campaign on TV and at rallies on how George Bush has had a strong light-bulb-changing policy all along.
10. And, finally, one to confuse Americans about the difference between screwing a light bulb and screwing the country.
Sonja Laughs & First Day of Daycare
Sonja laughed for the first time yesterday.
It was beautiful.
I was holding her in my hands and tipping her forward so her face would come near mine. As she approached I would open my mouth wide and she would copy that.
Her drool laden mouth would come barreling down on mine and then, at the last second I would turn my head just enough so that I could plant a big wet kiss on her right cheek.
She at first was just all talky but then on one of those kisses she gave a little squeal. I looked at her to make sure nothing was wrong and she had a big smile on her face.
So we tried again, and this time an unmistakable giggle.
I called for Jenn to come and watch she rushed in and again a wonderful high pitched squeal and giggle laugh with a huge smile.
Mom and Dad couldn't have been prouder.
I ran to get the video camera. As soon as I turned it on she stopped laughing... not big on the command performance.
Definitely her father's daughter!
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Today we dropped Sonja off at daycare for the first time.
It went well. She was well behaved for the most part and mom held together well.
I think our planning of slowing weening her into daycare is paying off.
Not to say that it has been easy we called there about 3 times today and wanted to call there about 15 more times.
It was beautiful.
I was holding her in my hands and tipping her forward so her face would come near mine. As she approached I would open my mouth wide and she would copy that.
Her drool laden mouth would come barreling down on mine and then, at the last second I would turn my head just enough so that I could plant a big wet kiss on her right cheek.
She at first was just all talky but then on one of those kisses she gave a little squeal. I looked at her to make sure nothing was wrong and she had a big smile on her face.
So we tried again, and this time an unmistakable giggle.
I called for Jenn to come and watch she rushed in and again a wonderful high pitched squeal and giggle laugh with a huge smile.
Mom and Dad couldn't have been prouder.
I ran to get the video camera. As soon as I turned it on she stopped laughing... not big on the command performance.
Definitely her father's daughter!
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Today we dropped Sonja off at daycare for the first time.It went well. She was well behaved for the most part and mom held together well.
I think our planning of slowing weening her into daycare is paying off.
Not to say that it has been easy we called there about 3 times today and wanted to call there about 15 more times.
Grandma and Grandpa got to babysit
My folks graciously offered to babysit Sonja this past Friday so that Jenn and I could go out to dinner and have an evening to ourselves. That's right, you heard me right a whole evening. They volunteered for the overnight babysitting gig! So lucky to have family in town.
We didn't get her over there until about 9 PM so our night out was cut a little short but we did get to sleep in until 10:00 the next day!
Here are some photos of Sonja with Grandpa on the swing. Sonja is zonked out. (Click on the picture to see the whole series of images)
We didn't get her over there until about 9 PM so our night out was cut a little short but we did get to sleep in until 10:00 the next day!
Here are some photos of Sonja with Grandpa on the swing. Sonja is zonked out. (Click on the picture to see the whole series of images)
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