27 June 2008

Special effects before SFX

This is an interesting article about early masters of movie special effects, prior to the advent of CGI. And you know, some of their stuff still looks pretty good today.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/features/meet-the-original-magician-of-the-silver-screen-850734.html

24 June 2008

Sunny

It is hot in Phoenix, and fairly sunny. It has been hitting the triple digits every day lately. The air temperature doesn't bother me, but it seems odd when the steering wheel is too hot for me to drive.

13 June 2008

Milk: it does a body good

Apparently, many hospitals are still unenlightened regarding breastfeeding.

I was lucky, in that our birthing center staff were all very helpful in getting me started on feeding Nathan. Furthermore, both my mom and Debbie were supportive advocates of breastfeeding and gave me lots of good advice. All I can say is that I don't know why anyone could possibly think anything could be better than nursing. It's perfectly designed for babies' needs, and it provides great benefits for the mothers. For my part, until Nathan is weaned, I can eat pretty much anything I want-- a rare privilege in this obesity-fearing society-- because he eats all my calories.

I'd write more, but I have to go find a cookie now.

03 June 2008

Realization

It is a strange thing to be the most important and wonderful thing in someone's world. We all have close relationships in which we may be considered important or wonderful, but not all-consumingly so. For Nathan, though, I really am the most important thing in his life. I feed him, I take care of him, I keep him safe in my arms. He is always delighted to see me or hear my voice. If he is crying, he wants me to hold him and make it better. It's his favorite thing to be cuddled or sit on my lap. When I'm feeding him, he often has my shirt or tank top in a baby death grip, as if he's saying, "Don't ever be apart from me, Mama!" Huh. He likes me. He likes me.

Sweet. And scary. I'm terrified that I'll fail him somehow.

02 June 2008

Meme from Willow's Cottage

1. What was I doing ten years ago?
Just finishing my junior year of college. Courses for my spring semester included General Linguistics, Marine Biology, and Parasitology. Fun times!

2. Five things on my to do list today:
-Put a real post on my blog
-Unload clean dishes from dishwasher
-Load dirty dishes into dishwasher
-Finish unpacking and organizing my kitchen
-Help my friend Sharon dye her hair

3. Five snacks I enjoy:
-M&Ms
-chocolate chip cookies
-bananas
-Earl Grey tea
-Wheat Thin crackers with cheese

4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire:
Well, a million dollars isn't really a lot of money any more, especially after taxes. But if I had it, I'd give 10% of it to a church or mission-related ministry. I'd give another 10% to another ministry or charity that championed some cause dear to my heart. Out of the remaining 80%, I'd pay off any debt I might have (school debt, etc.), set up a college fund for Nathan, and then put the rest in savings and investment.

5. Places I have lived:
Why do you ask? Who wants to know? I have lived too many places (although in only two countries):
Northridge, CA, USA. Bandung, Java, Indonesia. Minyambou, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Meyokda, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Canyon Country, CA, USA. Sentani, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Wheaton, IL, USA. Sowi, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Meyerga, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Moyeba, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Manokwari, Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Portland, OR, USA. La Mirada, CA, USA. Hillsboro, OR, USA. Anaheim, CA, USA. Fullerton, CA, USA. Long Beach, CA, USA. Visalia, CA, USA. Phoenix, AZ, USA.
I have heard of people who lived in the same house their whole lives, or until they turned 18 and went to college. I think, "Wow. How on earth did they manage that?"