2.22.2005
Whoa, close up!
One month old Paige with Chloe
Chloe and Paige
2.1.2005
Thought for today ...
"Do all you can with what you have in the time you have in the place you are." - Nkosi Johnson (1989-2001)
Amazing that an 11 year old said this ...
Amazing that an 11 year old said this ...
1.5.2005
Nicely put
This story from the CATO institute has some interesting quotes - regarding the "conservative" folks and their want for FCC to censor TV.
"The latest Nielsen television ratings are out and they reveal that in addition to being the most popular show among adults, ABC's smash-hit Desperate Housewives is also the most popular broadcast-network television show with kids aged 9-12."
"No doubt, the relentless censorship advocates at the Parents Television Council (PTC) are already firing up the engines at their automated complaint factory to bombard Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulators with letters. Recent Freedom of Information Act requests to the FCC have revealed that the PTC has been responsible for over 98 percent of all indecency complaints to the FCC over the past two years. PTC is quickly coming to have a "heckler's veto" over programming in America as many of the shows they complain about receive significant fines or are even driven off the air."
"While the PTC claims to be non-partisan, the watchdog group's public policy advocacy adopts a distinctly social conservative and moralistic tone ... PTC's motto is: "Because Our Children Are Watching," ... Why are your children watching? Why are they watching Desperate Housewives or any other show you find objectionable? I know my kids aren't watching."
"I've always been particularly troubled by the fact that so many conservatives, who rightly preach the gospel of personal and parental responsibility about most economic issues, seemingly give up on this notion when it comes to cultural issues"
Done. Last quote I put sums it all up. If you take the jump, there is some really interesting stats provided ...
"The latest Nielsen television ratings are out and they reveal that in addition to being the most popular show among adults, ABC's smash-hit Desperate Housewives is also the most popular broadcast-network television show with kids aged 9-12."
"No doubt, the relentless censorship advocates at the Parents Television Council (PTC) are already firing up the engines at their automated complaint factory to bombard Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulators with letters. Recent Freedom of Information Act requests to the FCC have revealed that the PTC has been responsible for over 98 percent of all indecency complaints to the FCC over the past two years. PTC is quickly coming to have a "heckler's veto" over programming in America as many of the shows they complain about receive significant fines or are even driven off the air."
"While the PTC claims to be non-partisan, the watchdog group's public policy advocacy adopts a distinctly social conservative and moralistic tone ... PTC's motto is: "Because Our Children Are Watching," ... Why are your children watching? Why are they watching Desperate Housewives or any other show you find objectionable? I know my kids aren't watching."
"I've always been particularly troubled by the fact that so many conservatives, who rightly preach the gospel of personal and parental responsibility about most economic issues, seemingly give up on this notion when it comes to cultural issues"
Done. Last quote I put sums it all up. If you take the jump, there is some really interesting stats provided ...
Fast food - not so good for you
I just finished watching Super Size Me - a pseudo-documentary work by Morgan Spurlock. If you haven't heard of it, he basically eats nothing but McDonald's food for 30 days, and tracks his weight, blood work, and overall well being. While his methods may not be the mosy scientific, the outcome is plain to see, eating nothing but fast food is not so good for you. On the DVD there is an interview with Eric Schlosser author of Fast Food Nation - he makes a compelling argument against most fast food restaurants. I tend to agree with his arguments that because these places are driven by corporate greed, they do whatever it takes to addict people, and serve the food that will make the most profits.
Being that I have a 2 year & 10 months old, and a new baby on the way, the discussions in this movie regarding the addiction of children to fast food really hit home. I think that for any "brand" name you could claim that the corporation is attempting to create an addiction that will subliminally force you to choose their product above others.
In this addiction vein, Heidi and I have become incredibly sensitive to TV advertising, to the point that we try not to watch network TV, and I cringe when watching sports on TV with Chloe in the room when the ads come on (which by the way, is with increasing frequency if you are keeping track - another discussion).
My concern is how to make sure that our kids don't become tools of these corporate beasts. How do I teach my kids to make informed decisions when they are constantly being told that brand or company XYZ is the best. We're trying to start with limiting TV, but what else can we do. We very rarely eat fast food ... only really the occasional breakfast Egg McMuffin. Interestingly though, Chloe has already made the connection between the Egg McMuffin and the "fun play place" that McDonald's has ... scary. I teasingly call her the "brand name baby" because she already knows the following by their "icons": Target, Starbucks, Pei Wei, Baja Fresh, Chipotle, IKEA, Home Depot, Joe's Real BBQ, and Costco. I'm sure there are more, but if you look at that list, it's pretty much a list of the places that we frequent ... and she's already built that association with food and shopping at all those places. Are we on the road to ruin with our kids since we eat out too much and they know the names of all the places we shop? Hmm .... only time will tell.
Being that I have a 2 year & 10 months old, and a new baby on the way, the discussions in this movie regarding the addiction of children to fast food really hit home. I think that for any "brand" name you could claim that the corporation is attempting to create an addiction that will subliminally force you to choose their product above others.
In this addiction vein, Heidi and I have become incredibly sensitive to TV advertising, to the point that we try not to watch network TV, and I cringe when watching sports on TV with Chloe in the room when the ads come on (which by the way, is with increasing frequency if you are keeping track - another discussion).
My concern is how to make sure that our kids don't become tools of these corporate beasts. How do I teach my kids to make informed decisions when they are constantly being told that brand or company XYZ is the best. We're trying to start with limiting TV, but what else can we do. We very rarely eat fast food ... only really the occasional breakfast Egg McMuffin. Interestingly though, Chloe has already made the connection between the Egg McMuffin and the "fun play place" that McDonald's has ... scary. I teasingly call her the "brand name baby" because she already knows the following by their "icons": Target, Starbucks, Pei Wei, Baja Fresh, Chipotle, IKEA, Home Depot, Joe's Real BBQ, and Costco. I'm sure there are more, but if you look at that list, it's pretty much a list of the places that we frequent ... and she's already built that association with food and shopping at all those places. Are we on the road to ruin with our kids since we eat out too much and they know the names of all the places we shop? Hmm .... only time will tell.
12.27.2004
Tis the season ..
This holiday season was the last as a 3 person family unit ... I'm excited, anxious, and nervous for to meet the new little Leff that is putting on it's last few layers of fat before coming out an meeting us. It was a crazy holiday, as usual, since we basically do 3 seperate Christmas "present openings". And it's non stop eating as you troop from one faimly to the other. It is great to spend time with people that you may only see once or twice a year.
This year I got a story from Heidi's cousin that touched me. Admittedly I'm a bit of a sap for these things, but I really think that this story tells the true meaning of Christmas and is an inspiration for us all. Thank you to Jackson, Kyle, and Lucas for sharing the magic of the season.
This year I got a story from Heidi's cousin that touched me. Admittedly I'm a bit of a sap for these things, but I really think that this story tells the true meaning of Christmas and is an inspiration for us all. Thank you to Jackson, Kyle, and Lucas for sharing the magic of the season.
12.17.2004
LOST
I've been watching the show LOST on TV this season. What a great show ... it's really pulled in Heidi and we can't wait each week to see what happens. We're both hoping that the show doesn't get too corny with monsters and such ... the anticipation/suspense is what keeps the show flowing. They have done a nice job of introducing all the characters and their histories to give perspective and show where they are coming from. If you haven't seen it, wait, I'm sure it will be on DVD before next Christmas.
12.2.2004
Musings & stuff
It's been a while ... here goes. I've been busy working and trying my best to keep my housing projects on track. Some random thoughts ...
A new location of the uuber-furniture empire called IKEA opened here in AZ recently. We've found some cool stuff ... and shortly I'll have the contemporary office of the new millenium in the next few months.
I have discovered a new "toy" at work and it's called VirtualPC - it's a way for you to install a virtual computer inside your existing computer. I have since installed 3 seperate operating systems on my laptop (including Linux) and I have installed Linux at home too ... might be shifting off the M$ platform soon ... ooooooh ... aaaaaaaahh.
Parting shot ... if you haven't tried it already ... download the internet browser called FireFox ... it's free, and it's kicks IE's arse up and down. Oh ... and it's got a whole host of features included that IE does not ... and oh ... did I mention it's free ... and oh ... one more thing ... you know all those "security holes" that IE has ... Firefox is not succeptible ... not to say it will never have security issues, but it's not swiss-cheese IE. Naner, naner.
A new location of the uuber-furniture empire called IKEA opened here in AZ recently. We've found some cool stuff ... and shortly I'll have the contemporary office of the new millenium in the next few months.
I have discovered a new "toy" at work and it's called VirtualPC - it's a way for you to install a virtual computer inside your existing computer. I have since installed 3 seperate operating systems on my laptop (including Linux) and I have installed Linux at home too ... might be shifting off the M$ platform soon ... ooooooh ... aaaaaaaahh.
Parting shot ... if you haven't tried it already ... download the internet browser called FireFox ... it's free, and it's kicks IE's arse up and down. Oh ... and it's got a whole host of features included that IE does not ... and oh ... did I mention it's free ... and oh ... one more thing ... you know all those "security holes" that IE has ... Firefox is not succeptible ... not to say it will never have security issues, but it's not swiss-cheese IE. Naner, naner.
10.12.2004
Pre-fact check
One day before the final debate at Arizona State University (go SunDevils!!) and this article is publishing the (dis)information that those that have been following the debates have grown accustomed to. It's definately pro-Kerry ... but more than that it's a preview of some of the hot buttons for the upcoming debates.
It would be nice if prior to the debates the "television media" (whatever that moniker amounts to these days) would do some sort of presentation of the FACTS, then watch as BOTH candidates spin their webs around them.
It would leave me the voter to decide which rat is the least harmful.
It would be nice if prior to the debates the "television media" (whatever that moniker amounts to these days) would do some sort of presentation of the FACTS, then watch as BOTH candidates spin their webs around them.
It would leave me the voter to decide which rat is the least harmful.
