ephemeral technology

I received an e-mail with a coupon code for blurb.com. I had tried converting a year of my blog into a book on blurb with no success in June. I just ended another frustrating attempt. I am not a technological wiz but I'm on dunce either...but this made me feel like one. It made me think about how so much of what I have is on a computer or hard drive and not in a tangible form. I am guilty like so many of not printing out photos and I would be sad if my blog disappeared without having a hard copy of it. I keep thinking that somehow it should be easier to convert our digital into paper by now. Reading old blog entries reminded me of a time when I actually waxed philosophical and commented on current issues of the day instead of just posting baby photos!

On to other things...

In addition to teaching psychology I am now the new Science Enrichment Program Director. That means I get a little stipend to do a lot more work. No, it's really a good thing. I'll be the person students go to if they want to engage in a science experience outside of school, help promote science generally at the school, and plan an annual Science Day. Before accepting the position, I brought up my concern about how one year they had me on, the next off, and now on again. The science department chair said they would like to keep me on and that she thinks it's a good thing for me to have other ways to contribute to the school (making me less expendable!). I have a lot of "extra" work on my plate now between finishing up the phd survey project, submitting two academic papers, and now this. I got feedback this week from my old lab. I just need a week of pure working - no teaching, no Simone. I wish.... Overall I've been very fortunate to find well-paid part-time work and good childcare. I hope the blessings continue. I do wonder how we would do it if we had two....and how maternity leave would affect work...but it's a bit premature as there's no #2 on the way, but it's good to understand what your priorities and values are I guess.

Our household was very excited on election night for an Obama victory! If our dd didn't have a fever that night I think I would have dragged her out to 125th St for a victory party. As it was, we could hear the crowd from our open windows and see the CU revelers returning back to their dorms. NYC was definitely on a high the next day.

My mentee moved; she's still in the Bronx but now she's southwest instead of southeast which means she's a little bit closer! We went shopping last Saturday - bought something for her and each family member. I was going to have her wrap them and give them as Christmas presents but I think I jumped the gun. It seems still so far away so I will probably have her give them sooner than later but still write appreciation notes to go with each one.

I came across a WSJ article on the personality of states. After looking at the list, I think I need to live in a state (or District of Columbia it turns out) that scores high on openness (they used the big 5 personality traits - extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and openness). This means I could live on the West Coast (CA, WA, OR), DC, New York, or New England.

Netflix has spoiled me. I kept forgetting to return this DVD to the library (didn't even finish watching it) and ended up having to pay $6 in late fees! I haven't really had time to watch any movies. I can see why after the initial fun people let their subscriptions go. But maybe over the holidays we will make up for lost time.

I am looking forward to my mom coming for ten days over Thanksgiving! Hopefully S will quickly re-familiarize herself to her.

Mom is surprised I don't cook every night. Never have...guess I won't say never will. I don't mind cooking sometimes, but it's so time consuming--definitely too many other things to do in a day.

All the stores seem to be pre-emptively having big sales. I finally bought some brown tall casual boots. My first pair ever. Of course, now I just "need" brown short boots, and to replace my tall black ones (Sampsa bought for me in 2001) and black short ones (Joy bought for me while she was still at Amherst). Yep, "need" is a very relative term. It's one of those things where it's hard to find something you like at a good price...I can never seem to justify the cost. But at the post-season sales they never have my size.

A couple nights ago we were talking about big expenses in the next year. You could say that the "next year" has in a way begun - root canal for me, laptop for E (he was trying to hold out to see if Apple came out with a new 12" but his computer is on the fritz so he gave in this week). I was bemoaning the fact that I haven't traveled out of North America since Simone was born, so maybe a trip. I know, it's a luxury to even consider it. My mentee is always amazed when she finds out (she's asked more than once) that I have a computer at home and internet at home.

S's babysitter the other day made an observation that I have a bird thing. I thought about it and you know, she's right! In addition to Simone being a chicken for Halloween here is more evidence. Btw, we really like the new CD I got for Simone: You Are My Little Bird by Elizabeth Mitchell. *Update* Just got this in my mailbox today...apparently the purse designer has found someone copying her birds!


Okay, S should be getting up from her nap soon. She's been waking up at 5:30am and we've been letting her cry until 6:30am so her naps have been longer (not that this is our goal).

I leave you with the "Top 25 Asian Female NYC Baby Names 2007"...definitely a few in there you don't see in the population at large!

2007FEMALE SOPHIA 151 1
2007FEMALE EMILY 120 2
2007FEMALE CHLOE 97 3
2007FEMALE TIFFANY 86 4
2007FEMALE ANGELA 74 5
2007FEMALE ASHLEY 72 6
2007FEMALE RACHEL 65 7
2007FEMALE ISABELLA 63 8
2007FEMALE FIONA 62 9
2007FEMALE JESSICA 62 9
2007FEMALE SARAH 62 9
2007FEMALE NICOLE 61 10
2007FEMALE MICHELLE 59 11
2007FEMALE SELINA 56 12
2007FEMALE WINNIE 54 13
2007FEMALE VIVIAN 51 14
2007FEMALE EMMA 46 15
2007FEMALE JENNY 44 16
2007FEMALE JOANNA 44 16
2007FEMALE SOPHIE 43 17
2007FEMALE ANNA 42 18
2007FEMALE HANNAH 42 18
2007FEMALE AMANDA 41 19
2007FEMALE AMY 40 20
2007FEMALE SARA 40 20

And while this is intended to be a Simone-free post, I will indulge her fans with a video: