Hey, you! » Educational

Kids these days

Ben — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:32:58 +0000

So the other day we’re in the car.

Daughter: “Where are the groceries?”

Me: “They’re in the trunk.”

Daughter: “What is trunk?”

Me: “mm.. in the way back.”

My kids have no memory of a car with a trunk. We’ve had a hatchback or a minivan their entire lives.

And I’m feeling old.

Thud.

Ben — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:48:18 +0000

So sorry, y’all, having a bit of a time right now. But here’s something to distract all of us momentarily. Shamelessly lifted from Busy Mom’s blog… (she said it was OK)

Name someone with the same birthday as you. Eric Clapton.
Where was your first kiss? Probably at church during a youth group dance. I think.
Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else’s property? Nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Or washed off.
Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? Does football count?
Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? I was once in a stage production of ‘Grease,’ and yes, they made me sing. After years of therapy I think my fellow cast has come out of this experience stronger.
What’s the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? I prefer noticing them.
What really turns you off? Kids banging on the door. Wait, what?
What do you order at Starbucks? Coffee. Cheapest they have. Not that I go there much.
What is your biggest mistake? That whole ‘being born’ thing at the moment.
Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? Not unless you count getting really, really drunk.
Say something totally random about yourself. I’m nearsighted.
Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? Not that I can remember.
Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? All. the. time.
Did you have braces? oh yes.
Are you comfortable with your height? Yes.
What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? Taken care of me when I was sick.
When do you know it’s love? When they don’t leave.
Do you speak any other languages? No. I should probably learn some Spanish, and tried 20 years ago with some language tapes, but nada.
Have you ever been to tanning salon? You’re kidding, right?
Have you ever ridden in a limo? yes, a couple times.
What’s something that really annoys you? People that ask too many questions.
What’s something you really like? Free beer.
Can you dance? Not to save my life.
Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? Yes. At least I hope they rushed, considering how much I paid for the ride.
Tag 5 people! Tag, you’re it!

Of course

Ben — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:29:48 +0000

We were driving to the store today and my daughter suddenly points up and says “That airplane doesn’t have a bathroom. It’s too little. I can tell.”

Wise in the ways of the world, I tell ya. And only six.

The new normal

Ben — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:45:11 +0000

I know, now he won’t shut up!

We’re driving to school this morning, because it’s pouring down rain. And my kids were commenting (read: whining) about the rain. This is two days in a row we’ve seen rain, after getting a bunch Friday and Saturday morning as well.

I explained – since you have been born, we have been in a severe drought. This is closer to what it’s supposed to be like.

I don’t think they believed me.

Mass Twisteria

Ben — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:38:21 +0000

This couldn’t be more true if it tried:

Rainy day

Ben — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:58:56 +0000

Yes, our lil’ bit of parched earth is getting some much needed rain today. Hopefully they are a little over-enthusiastic about the whole “tornadoes,” “damaging winds,” and “hail” comments in the forecast.

I just came across this article about sexual frustration and relationship issues related to it. Wowzers.

oh, how big!

Ben — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:33:18 +0000

A million seconds is 13 days.
A billion seconds is 31 years.
A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.

A million minutes ago was – 1 year, 329 days, 10 hours and 40 minute ago.
A billion minutes ago was just after the time of Christ.

A million hours ago was in 1885.
A billion hours ago man had not yet walked on earth.

A million dollars ago was five (5) seconds ago at the U.S. Treasury.
A billion dollars ago was late yesterday afternoon at the U.S. Treasury.

A trillion dollars is so large a number that only politicians can use the term in conversation… probably because they seldom think about what they are really saying. I’ve read that mathematicians do not even use the term trillion!

Here is some perspective on TRILLION:

Trillion = 1,000,000,000,000.
The country has not existed for a trillion seconds.
Western civilization has not been around a trillion seconds.
One trillion seconds ago – 31,688 years – Neanderthals stalked the plains of Europe.

Million: 1,000,000
Billion: 1,000,000,000
Trillion: 1,000,000,000,000
Quintillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000
Sextillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Nonillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Centillion: 1 followed by 303 zeros

I wrote this yesterday but didn’t want anyone thinking it was an April Fools joke. Think of this comparison next time a politician starts wagging his or her lips.

bright light! bright light!

Ben — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:47:07 +0000

Kudos if you know what movie the title is from

I found another article on light therapy, interesting stuff:

Do the lights really work?

Researchers at more than 15 medical centers and clinics in both the U.S. and abroad have had much success with light therapy in patients with clear histories of SAD for at least several years. Marked improvement is usually observed within a week, if not sooner, and symptoms usually return in about the same amount of time when the lights are withdrawn. Most users, therefore, maintain a consistent daily schedule beginning, as needed, in fall or winter and usually continuing until the end of April, by which time outdoor light is sufficient to maintain good mood and high energy. Some people can skip treatments for one to three days, occasionally longer, without ill effect, but most start to slump quickly when treatment is interrupted.

How do the lights work?

The therapeutic level of illumination has several known physiological effects, though its therapeutic mechanism is still unclear. Blood levels of the light-sensitive hormone melatonin, which may be abnormally high at certain times of day, are rapidly reduced by light exposure. Depending on when bright light is presented, the body’s internal clock–which controls daily rhythms of body temperature, hormone secretion, and sleep patterns–shifts ahead or is delayed when stimulated by light. These physiological time shifts may be the basis of the therapeutic response. Light may also amplify the day-night difference in these rhythms. Research into the possible mechanisms is currently underway, and the final answer is not yet in.

Source is here.

Side note: my son takes melatonin to help go to sleep, and suffers from depression as well. Hmm.

Fool and his money

Ben — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:47:59 +0000

Here’s a neat trick.

Get a dollar bill. The crisper the better.

Look at it face up, where you can see George.

Look at the upper left hand corner. Bend back a little triangle, just inside the green part, no more than a quarter of an inch.

Okay? What do you have. A dollar, right?

Go to the vending machine down the hall, insert it in the slot, and watch as it is rejected. Repeatedly.

Now, unfold the little triangle, and it’ll take it on the first try, and you can have your crackers.

Almost daily

Ben — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:55:15 +0000

My child likes to “push the envelope,” so to speak.