Friday, March 31, 2006

Here We Go. Again.



Oh no! Here it comes - again! The stupid changing of the clocks! I hate this, I'm always grouchy for about 2 weeks (well, grouchier than normal!) and it's so hard to get Branch and Blossom on a new schedule.

The way I see it is there are 24 hours in a day no matter where you put 'em. You still have to work, the same chores have to be done, etc. I'm in a much better mood when I can wake up in the light, but now it's going to be dark in the morning. I really don't care if it's dark early at night. That's what headlights and indoor lights are for.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Organ Harvesting In China-Where Is The Front-Page Coverage?


This article on
The Epoch Times about human organ harvesting in China is not an easy read. Also, see this page about worldwide hunger strikes to protest organ harvesting, and this article about New Yorkers reaction (warning, graphic photo in this article).

This article explains what Falun Gong is. The "gong" part (also "Kung") is the same "Kung" as in Kung-fu (also called "Gong Fu" in texts with a more Chinese-bent translation.) Although Falun Gong is not a martial art, it purports to improve both the mind and body, as many martial arts do. Li Hongzhi is a controversial figure himself. Personally, I have no respect for someone who chooses to live safely in NYC while his followers are under attack from their own government in China. Li Hongzhi and Falun Gong were covered in Time Magazine in the late 1990's and also in Time Asia in 2001. Regarding line 3 (Li Hongzhi's birthdate), this may be due to a difference in how Chinese measure age at birth. In China, a child is presumed to be one year old at birth (which makes sense, in a way), causing differences in record-keeping for Chinese who cross into Western culture (i.e., the Citizen).

Herding Cats is left speechless and once again wonders what sort of world this is to raise the Branch and Blossom in.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

"G" for Going Somewhere



I got the hat for 5 bucks at Wal-Mart. The "G" is the logo for University of Georgia
. I'm glad it stands out because everyone who lives in this development is either for Florida State or University of Florida. I do have some connection (however remote) to UGA because the Citizen got his Master's in Artificial Intelligence there.

Every time we go somewhere as a family, I wear this hat because my hair is naturally frizzy and pretty much untameable. Now the Branch and Blossom squeal with glee and clap their hands when they see this hat because it means we are Going Somewhere. When they're older, I'll tell them that's what the "G" means.

Photo by Nanny G. I not only needed a nanny, I'm going to need to hire a photographer as well!

Monday, March 27, 2006

Hooray! Hooray! The Return of Nanny A.!

Upon hearing of our nanny-less predicament, Nanny A. returned from Peru to help us! (Actually, she was planning on coming anyway but hadn't set a date). She stopped in last Thursday afternoon with her sister, N. and N.'s granddaughter. Then Nanny G. and Mr. D. were here too, so it was quite the party, which the Branch enjoyed.Blossom would not go to Nanny G. on Thursday.

But today, it seems that Blossom recalled Nanny A. on some unconscious level, because Blossom was quite fine and acting if she's known Nanny A. her whole life (which, she pretty much has!).

So we're back on track here at "Herding Cats"!

Sunday, March 26, 2006

The Next Reality Show

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car
and 3 kids each for six weeks. Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food. Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned
house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects,
cook, do laundry, and pay a list of "pretend" bills with not
enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for
groceries each week. Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time.
Each man must also take each child to a doctor's
appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment. He must
make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the
Urgent Care (weekend, evening, on a holiday or right when they're
about to leave for vacation).

He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own
assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable
at all times. The men will only have access to television when the kids
are asleep and all chores are done. There is only one TV between them, and a remote with dead batteries.

Each father will be required to know all of the words to every
stupid song that comes on TV and the name of each and every character on cartoons. The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, which they will apply to themselves either while driving or making
three lunches.

Each man will have to make an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and get a 4 year old to eat a serving of peas.
Each man must adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable
yet stylish shoes, keep their nails polished and eyebrows groomed.

The men must try to get through each day without snot, spit-up or barf on their clothing. During at least one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, and have extreme,
unexplained mood swings, but never once complain or slow
down from other duties. They must try to explain what a tampon is
for when the 6-year old boy finds it in the purse.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time
at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
He will need to read a book and then pray with the children
each night without falling asleep, and then feed them, dress
them, brush their teeth and comb their hair each morning by
7:00 They must leave the home with no food on their faces
or clothing.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each
child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

They must clean up after their sick children at 2:00 a.m. and then spend the remainder of the day tending to that child and
waiting on them hand and foot until they are better. They must have a loving, age-appropriate reply to, "You're not the boss of me".

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The
last man left wins. . . .but only if he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice. If the last man does win, he gets to play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years...eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

Saturday, March 25, 2006

What Are Little Girls Made Of?



What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, but you're gonna think twice.
We'll show you what little girls are made of!

Picture from Korea Times Online

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Goodbye to Nanny G. (*sniffle*)

Nanny G. has officially turned in her key and left the employ of "Herding Cats". Branch and Blossom penned this poem for her. They considered purchasing a piece of jewelry as a thank-you gift, but since Nanny G. herself is a bit sentimental, they decided to write a poem instead:


For diapers you changed
And tears that you dried
For being so loving
And right by our side

For coming so early
And staying so late
For hopping over
The kitchen gate

For trips to the park
And rides on the swings
For feeding us dinners
Of many good things

For washing our hair
With shampoo on our heads
For giving us baths and
Putting us in our beds

For teaching us Spanish,
To laugh and to walk
For always listening
When we try to talk

For helping our mom
Through many tough times
We wrote all these
Silly small rhymes

We love you, Nanny G.
And Mr. D too
There are no two people
Finer than you.

Con Mucho Amor Y Besos Tambien (with much love and kisses also)
Llorona y Gordito (Their Spanish names)
Marzo 2006 (March 2006)

This was printed out on nice stationary, suitable for framing and will be given to Nanny G.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Live Long And Prosper


William Shatner is 75 today.

Oldies But Goodies



Steve Tyler (left) scheduled for surgery.

I used to have a major thing for Joe Perry (right). I was really into Italian guys as a teenager.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Not Your Mother's PE

Excellent article on why we need not more P.E. (Physical Education) classes in schools, but a different P.E. concept.

So How Do You Want To Go?

Check out these hand-carved coffins in the shapes of sneakers, lobsters and cellphones.

From Sydney Morning Herald

Suggested motto for Australia: "Your One-Stop Source For Wierd News".

Monday, March 20, 2006

Florida Sandhill Cranes

The locale of "Herding Cats" is also home to the Florida Sandhill Crane. When we first moved into this house (October 2002), we often saw FSC's walking down the street of our subdivision. I've also spotted them in the parking lot at Publix (picking up their groceries, maybe?), the local Cadillac dealer, and a small natural area near an office park. With their lean, grey-brown bodies, their unhurried mannerisms, and bright red heads, Florida Sandhill Cranes are one of the bonuses of living in Florida.

While walking the Branch and Blossom this afternoon, I was amazed to see an FSC family.
Although I've seen many adult FSC's, today was the first I've seen an FSC chick.

The chick's neck is visible beneath the adult's.

Below is a better picture of the adults:

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Mary Had A 6-Legged Lamb...




from Sidney (Australia) Morning Herald

Friday, March 17, 2006

St. Patrick's Day

Check out the leprecat at "Freaks of Nature".

Thursday, March 16, 2006

A Special Message...


...to the jackass who called my landline at 11:00 PM last night, waking both me and the kids. I was interrupted in my dearly-needed sleep to stumble out to the living room and disconnect the phone; and my kids are cranky today. Good thing I don't know where you live.

Herding Cats usually refrains from posting with foul language. But it sure feels good to get that off my chest.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Herding Cats is One Year Old!


Break out the beer! It's the first anniversary of the blog now known as "Herding Cats". Readers were encouraged to ask questions about "Herding Cats", answers are below:

Don Wood asks: “Beer. What brands do you drink, how much, and when?"

Great question, Don, about one of my favorite subjects. My standby is Yuengling Traditional Lager and lately I’m into Sapporo, a Japanese beer. Sadly, I don’t drink as much as I used to. In the evening. You thought it was first thing in the morning, didn’t you?

Black Feline wants to know: “Why cats?” and “Randy, Paula or Simon?” Cats are famous for their independent natures. Thus, they cannot be herded. Animals that can be herded group together and follow an alpha animal which is the leader. “It was like herding cats” is a phrase that refers to a situation that, while you’re minding one part of it, other parts are going astray. Definitely describes life with two toddlers (and two cats)! I am guessing the second part of the question is an “American Idol” reference. Don’t care for the show at all, but I suppose I would say “Simon” because he’s very direct about telling people they have no talent.

Spiderwalk wants to see a picture of me, and what my favorite recipe is. I posted my picture back in July here.
(I am holding the sword I used to cut my wedding cake). And my favorite recipe is Arroz Con Pollo (chicken with rice). I’ll put the recipe in a separate post. And no, I do not want your gummy bears, but if you have some chocolate, we can talk!

Crystal asks: “Are you originally from Florida?” and “How did you meet your husband?”
I am originally from Reading, PA which is an hour and a half’s drive northwest of Philadelphia. On my 3rd anniversary this past November, I described how I met the Citizen, here. Crystal and I have the privilege of being married to very educated men. The Citizen holds a
Masters in Artificial Intelligence and an MBA. Crystal's husband recently received
a PhD in physics. Awesome.


Paul wants to know if cats are herded inside or outside. The answer, Paul, is both. Both cats and kids go outside and inside, so it’s always a matter of herding, either in or out of doors! And now it’s sunny and warm in Florida, so much more outdoor herding will occur!

Stringman inquires: “How much time have you spent in Asia?” “Ever lived there?” and “Do you speak languages other than English?” The answer to the first two is none and no, although I did seriously consider teaching English in South Korea. The cast of “Herding Cats” plans to go to China when the Branch and Blossom are old enough to both endure and enjoy the trip. I speak Spanish, not fluently, but enough words and phrases to get by.
I can perform the basics (count, ask for directions, order dinner, purchase an item, greet people, etc). I learned Spanish from a variety of sources – high school classes, Sesame Street, various Hispanic co-workers, Nanny A., and Nanny G. I also know a couple of words in Mandarin Chinese. I only recognize about 6 characters but my verbal vocabulary is several words more - I can count, say “dinner’s ready”, name off a few food items, and of course, I know the words for wine and beer! In martial arts, I can count to 20 in Korean and say “thank you”.

So, thanks for your questions. Here's looking to another great year of blogging. Thanks to all those who have stopped by and become regular readers.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

A Harrowing Morning

One of Blossom's favorite things is to carry something and walk around the house. This morning it was an empty plastic cup. Who would have thought, and I would LOVE if Mr. Spock was here to calculate the odds, that Blossom would fall and actually cut her nostril on the cup? But that is exactly what she did.

Nanny G. and I scooped her up and gathered the Branch (no easy task) to head for the doctor. Naturally I could NOT find a pair of shoes in a panic so I ended up putting some old Airwalks on. At least as we drove to the pediatrician's office, I had the sanity to remember their number and call them to say we were coming in on an emergency. The bleeding had subsided but the cut looked deep, about an eighth of an inch into the nostril.

The doctor had to clean the wound and the Blossom screamed bloody murder, even more so than when the accident actually happened. She wiggled so much (despite me and the doctor trying to hold her down) that she rubbed the paper on the table into her head. The paper was already wet from the irrigation liquid, so the Blossom was a mess of wet hair, tears and paper wads. Both of us were crying and the Branch too. The doctor remained COOL as a CUCUMBER and so did Nanny G.

Both kids were miserable and screaming because we left the house without them getting their morning naps. We were at the doctor's for about an hour and a half, which isn't bad, considering they were swamped with appointments. The Blossom was patched up with Dermabond and given a good prognosis. Dermabond is fantastic stuff. It's Superglue for the skin.

I was crying for most of the morning too, praying she wouldn't have a scar and other fears too deep-seated to mention. I was just a mess, basically, but it's hard to remain calm and positive with two screaming kids. I quickly began to feel that there's no hope that they'll EVER stop crying.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Home Alone!


Ok, this should be a fun week. A couple of weeks ago, Nanny G. was informed by her lawyer that she had to find more gainful employment. So, reluctantly, she took another job which entails long hours on her feet with crappy pay (see, here at "Herding Cats" she still had long hours and crappy pay, but at least she wasn't on her feet all day!). She still stops by to see the kids and help me a couple of hours in the morning. Because she loves the Branch and Blossom. And they love her. It's in the best interest of the kids to phase her out gradually, for the kids' sake and mine. But we have every intention of keeping her and Mr. D. as family friends.

So, that means 90% of the time, I am on my own with two toddlers (ok, so the Branch isn't quite toddling yet). We'll see how I do this week. Last week the Citizen worked from home but I promised this week I could handle it myself. So I need all your support out there! And it's only for two weeks, till Nanny A. comes back from Peru.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Grandma, Blossom and Branch



Photo by Nanny G.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Found It On The Internet


Aha! On the Internet, anything is possible. I located the mysterious Korean movie I wrote about on the meme from Lin on February 15. The movie is called "Chunhyang", and available on Yesasia.com

I found it while reading an article on Korea Times Online about the art director who worked on "Chunhyang" and other films.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Ask Herding Cats

March 15 marks the first anniversary of "Herding Cats". To that end, readers are invited to submit a question to "Herding Cats" about any of the cast or crew or something you've been wanting to know about "Herding Cats". If you need advice we'll try to help you there too. Post a comment or e-mail herdingcats1 at the Yahoo place.

Note: Herding Cats reserves the right to take the 5th Amendment where deemed appropriate.
'

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

These Hands Were Made For Walkin'

From Yahoo:

Human quadrupeds discovered in Turkey.

LONDON (AFP) - The discovery of a Turkish family that walks on all fours could aid research into the evolution of humans.

Researchers believe the five brothers and sisters, who can walk naturally only on all fours, may provide new information on how humans evolved from four-legged hominids to walk upright.

Nicholas Humphrey, evolutionary psychologist at the London School of Economics, told The Times the discovery opened "an extraordinary window on our past".

"I do not think they were designed to be quadrupeds by their genes, but their unique genetic make-up allowed them to be," he said.

"It has produced an extraordinary window on our past. It is physically possible, which noone would have guessed from the [modern] human skeleton."

The siblings, the subject of a new BBC documentary to be aired on March 17, suffer from a genetic abnormality that may prevent them from walking upright.

Instead, they use their palms like heels with their fingers sticking up from the ground.

The BBC said the documentary would contribute to fierce scientific debate and raised profound questions about what it is to be human.

Humphrey, who has contributed to the documentary, believes the style of walking may be a throwback to a form of behaviour abandoned by humans more than three million years ago.

Two sisters and one son have only ever walked on two hands and two feet, while another daughter and son occasionally walk on two feet.

All five are mentally retarded and have problems with language as a result of a form of underdevelopment of the brain known as cerebellar ataxia.

However Humphrey told the Times their behaviour may be partly the result of their parents tolerating the behaviour in childhood.

They are aged between 18 and 34 and live in southern Turkey, athough the makers of the documentary have not disclosed their exact location.

"They walk like animals and that's very disturbing at first. But we were also very moved by this family's tremendous warmth and humanity," Jemima Harrison of Passionate Productions told the Times.

Sounds more like supermarket tabloid material, doesn' it?

Monday, March 06, 2006

I'm On The Highway To Shanghai!


Ok, I wanted to save this for later in the week but just couldn't resist - a Chinese woman covers AC/DC classics "Highway to Hell" and "Back In Black."

You saw it here first on Herding Cats. Ok, ok it was really seen first on Sydney Morning Herald (Australia).

Herding Cat (Food)


While preparing shredded pork for the Branch for lunch, I didn't want to waste a SINGLE bit of that tasty meat. No, I wanted to LICK THE SPOON TOO!!! There were two spoons with greyish-brown meat on the tips. Guess which one I grabbed....and stuck into my mouth...

Yes, I do feed the Blossom too. She's a picky eater and usually has hummus and crackers for lunch.

Busy Around Here

Well, it's been busy here at Herding Cats. Nanny G has had to move on to more gainful employment per the advice of her immigration lawyer. My mom was here for a week and left last Wednesday. Of course, RIGHT after she left, the weather got very nice. Weather has a way of doing that when you have visitors.

So right now we are nannyless. We're trying to get Nanny A. back from Peru. She wasn't planning on coming to the U.S. right away but when she heard her old job opened, she was very enthusiastic.

It would be just a little bit easier around here if the Branch would decide to walk. Any advice on getting the boy to walk? He does walk when someone stands behind him holding his hands, and he can push wheeled toys in the house. Yes, he's almost 15 months and 39 pounds...I know the extra pounds don't help. The Blossom walks around like she owns this joint. Now it's become "Herding Blossom"...

Thursday, March 02, 2006

How I Spent My Florida Vacation

Check out Heather. She, her significant other, and her mom went from Baltimore to Florida to help restore a hurricane-damaged home. Mind you, this house was from the 2004 hurricane and it still had not been repaired. Good work all around and they even found time to attend an art festival and spring training game.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Music Meme

7 Songs I’m Listening To Lately:

I like this meme from Groovyvic. It’s only one question with seven answers. Links are provided below each entry for your shopping convenience. Each is listed as a separate entry in order to provide a photo of the CD cover.

Meme, #1



“Tutuki” by Te Vaka, from the CD “Tutuki” This group’s founder, Opetaia Foa’i hails from Samoa, but Te Vaka incorporates music from all over the South Pacific. Te Vaka (which means ”canoe”) has numerous members, many of which are Opetaia’s family. I love this song for it’s energy. It’s impossible to be depressed and listen to this song. The entire CD is wonderful and features lyrics in several South Pacific languages. English translations are in the CD booklet.
www.tevaka.com

Meme, #2




“It’s Raining” by Rain from the CD “It’s Raining”. This Korean pop star’s childhood dream was to be like Michael Jackson (musically, that is. I don’t think anyone dreams of being such a freak), but Rain's name seems to be a subtle reference to Prince. Rain is one of the most famous heartthrobs in South Korea and recently played two nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City. K-pop (Korean pop music) has crossed over to Japan and China as well. Ever the Asian student, Rain wants to improve his English before breaking into the U.S. market. Some songs in English, some in Korean. Same with liner notes.

www.yesasia.com

Meme, #3



“Mi Bombon” by Cabas from the CD “Cabas”. This Colombian singer mixes pop, ballads, rock, and traditional Colombian music, sort of a South American Billy Idol.
"Mi Bombon" is the hit from this CD but all the other tracks rock as well. Latin music was my first foray into world music. Fellow Colombian Juanes may be more popular but I stick by Cabas. Lyrics and liner notes in Spanish.

www.amazon.com

Meme, #4


4) (Second track) by 12 Chinese Girls Band from the CD “Beautiful Energy”. Only in China could 12 women pull off a project like a musical group complete with albums and tours. Women from any other country would be fighting too much among themselves to even get past the first rehearsal. This unique group plays traditional Chinese instruments in a most non-traditional way. The second track on this CD even sounds suspiciously like Irish folk music. I don’t know the title of the track because the titles are in Japanese (these chicks are quite popular in Japan) so even the Citizen can’t read it.
Instrumental, no lyrics.
www.yesasia.com

Meme, #5




(Last track) by Kodo from the album “Kodo: Live At The Acropolis”. Kodo is a Japanese group which play traditional Japanese drums. Drums are of all sizes, from drums that can be carried with shoulder straps to great big ones which are beaten with large sticks from both sides. Their performance is awesome and every one of these drummers are in top physical shape. Same deal with the titles – in Japanese so no-one in our household can read them. Instrumental, no lyrics.
www.amazon.com

Meme, #6 and #7




“Amor Verdadero” by “Afro-Cuban All Stars” from the CD “A Toda Cuba Le Gusta”. These elderly gentlemen started their careers back in the 50’s in the heyday of Cuban club music (think Ricky Ricardo). Efforts were made to interview and tape these men while they were still with us, which was a good thing because legend Ibrahim Ferrer passed away last year. Lyrics and liner notes in Spanish.www.amazon.com

And last but not least of the 7 songs…
“The Wheels On The Bus” Well, I have small kids, what can I say? At least this version has a reggae beat which makes it listenable over and over (and over and over…)

I'm still looking for a CD called "Plum Brandy Blues" by Romanian group Night Stalkers. If you can help me out, leave a comment.