Dohiyi Mir

Sunday Skyblogging

Moon and Jupiter over one of our barren trees.

ntodd

Sunday Assmussen

The only poll worth paying attention to™:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 29% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -10.

Jeebus, how many weeks in a row can he stay at -10?  Perhaps it would help if the President considered doing some of the things we elected him for...

ntodd

We Have A Baby

Ericka observes that Sam's acting less like a newborn and more like an interactive infant.

ntodd

Friday In Bil'in: 247

Yesterday:

Residents of Bil’in gathered in a demonstration today, commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and condemning the ongoing expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.

After the Friday midday prayers, about 150 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists raised dozens of Palestinian flags and posters with the picture of the late Yasser Arafat and chanted slogans calling for the national leadership to keep fighting for the national principles.

In a reaction to recent announcements from the Israeli government regarding plans to continue with the construction of 900 new housing units in the settlement of Gilo, they protested against the expansion of illegal settlements in East Jerusalem and the threat this expansion poses for the future Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The demonstrators marched to the Wall built on Bil’in’s land, where the Israeli army, based on the other side of the fence, responded to their presence by throwing tear gas bombs and shooting tear gas canisters. Dozens suffered from the effects of tear gas inhalation.

And the day before:

Ibrahim Burnat, a resident of Bil’in, who was shot in the thigh with live ammunition during an anti-Wall protest in the village on 13 June 2008, went on hunger strike last Thursday, after he was denied a permit to attend medical treatment in a Tel Aviv hospital.

After being refused a permit to enter Israel for the sake of receiving medical treatment for the First time, Bil’in activist Ibrahim Burnat went on a hunger strike last Thursday, in a desperate attempt to breach bureaucratic indifference.

In Gaza-related efforts, I've shifted sponsorship attention toward sending Kelly to document everything since Lizzie has what she needs to get over there for the Freedom March.  Please help if you can--I know I say that a lot, but you know.

ntodd

Friday Catblogging

Taran sits on the Sam The Cat Memorial Stair.


Looking toward the commotion over by the cat food.

Yeah, it's Saturday. Ericka had an aural migraine--not uncommon post-partum, apparently, but her first--yesterday so I was a bit pre-occupied with tending to the family after we went to the doctor. I'll try to catch up.

ntodd

Wiretapping, Old School

Since I'm a space geek, I think this story via (and partly about) my friend Glenn is pretty damned cool:

In July of 1969 a Louisvillian by the name of Larry Baysinger accomplished an amazing feat.  He independently detected signals from the Apollo 11 astronauts on the lunar surface.  Fortunately, his accomplishments were recorded and promptly published in the Louisville Courier-Journal, by another Louisvillian by the name of Glenn Rutherford, in an article entitled “Lunar Eavesdropping:  Louisvillians hear moon walk talk on homemade equipment”.

...

Baysinger’s lunar eavesdropping is an independent verification that men were on the moon, by a local person who is not part of the scientific establishment.  Had there been more Larry Baysingers eavesdropping on Apollo, or had there been more Glenn Rutherfords to record the work of the Baysingers who did eavesdrop, there would be no Apollo deniers.  I just this semester (Fall 2009) presented a copy of Rutherford’s article to a student who doubted that we went to the moon.  Having the evidence come from the Courier-Journal, from Louisvillians, and not from NASA, was something new, and it obviously had an impact.

Clavius should grab this audio before conspiracy theorists convince Neil Armstrong he never did this...

ntodd

Post Partum

In honor of all the children people talked about at Sam's blog yesterday, we donated $175 to the March of Dimes to help their fight for preterm babies and to reduce preterm births.

Sam obviously hasn't had the same struggles as many preemies, given that he was a late-term boy and only had to spend a couple hours in NICU.  Back in July when the doctors and case managers were talking to us about the Ronald McDonald House and all the other arrangements we'd need to make for our son's almost assured early delivery, we were despondent.  And really through all the months of bedrest and multiple returns to the hospital, we kept wondering how long our luck would hold.

We made it to 36 weeks, which we only had a 50-50 chance of getting to we were told, and we celebrated.  But that's as far as Sam was willing to go.  Now, if we accept our original due date of 10/23 he was born at 36w4d but the high-risk folks had pegged him at 10/27, putting him at 36w exactly.  Whatever, he was early, small and for a while had trouble breathing.

The fact that the boy wasn't eventually admitted to NICU was a great shock and relief.  I only got to visit him once there.  After signing in and going through the required handwashing protocol, I saw teeny Sam resting peacefully in his incubator, then just a little while later they brought him back to us.

One last blip with dangerous bili levels sending us to the ER and spending another couple days in the pediatrics ward, and here we are 7 weeks later with our healthy, growing and increasingly interactive child.  All that other stuff seems a few lifetimes ago.

We're thankful for the great staff at Fletcher Allen and our state's healthcare system.  And thankful that Vermont is doing so well regarding preterm births.  We're also of course extremely thankful for all the support we've gotten online and off, including all the stories people have shared.

Please don't forget to donate to the cause so we can reduce the number of preemie stories and make sure those babies born too soon have a better chance to thrive.

ntodd

This Week Extra Utero: 7

What a perfect day to turn seven weeks old--Sam should only be 3 weeks really, I guess.

Do you learn something new every day? Your 7-week-old baby does — and then some! Around the seven-week mark, she's awake and alert more often during the day, so pencil her in for more playtime. Best ways to stimulate those senses? Provide plenty of opportunities for her to experience her surroundings through sound, sight, and touch. Small doses are best (if she's fussing or squirming, she's had enough), and simple toys are all you need. For example, now that she can track moving objects with her eyes, try slowly shifting a ball, rattle, or cloth from one side to the other as she faces you. Watch as she plays along by moving her eyes back and forth (tennis, anyone?).

Her baby blues (or browns) are becoming more discriminating these days, too. While she could once make out only bright colors and basic, two-toned patterns, she's now beginning to discern — and delight in! — more complex designs and a whole rainbow of colors. Now's the time to break out some vibrantly hued board books or give her a narrated tour of your fascinating backyard. Not only does she love the sound of your words (after all, she's been hearing them since well before she was born!), she's starting to be able to put your face to your voice, and those of other familiar folks like Daddy or Grandma. While it may not seem like it, she's listening carefully and may soon try to respond with some sounds of her own. Encourage her by chatting and cooing along in a conversational pattern. (No, you won't sound silly — you'll sound like a mom!)

Ahem, I might sound like a dad doing that.  Now I must go whine to my MRA support group.

Anywayz, the #fight4preemies event is going swimmingly: so far we're sending 65 dollars to March of Dimes for all the traffic on Sam's blog today.  Our entire family is participating via our blogs and tweets, and will be posting some more stuff soon.

I will say that Sam's extra few weeks breathing the same air we do has been a wonderful treat and we're amazed that he doesn't seem to be at too much a developmental deficit.  He'll be on the small side for about a year most likely, but cognitively he seems right on track.  While you can't tell from that picture, he's suddenly in just the last few days become significantly more alert and interactive.  What fun!

ntodd

Fight For Preemies

A quick post now before class, then more later.  Ericka, Sam and I are participating in Bloggers Unite's action day in support of the March of Dimes.  Since Sam was late pre-term, and every day for 3 months we wondered if he'd be born way too early, we're going to donate a dollar to MoD for each hit his blog gets today starting...NOW.

ntodd

Into Your Hands, I Commend My Taxes

As ordered by the Court, I have completed my TY2005-2008 returns for the State of Vermont.  Actually Ericka filled out the forms while I held Sam and read out numbers to her.  What a team!

So that's finally done, and we'll see how Assistant Attorney General Will S Baker and the Department of Taxes receive it all.  Is the chapter closed?  Hope so.  Now I'm just wondering what the next one will bring with the IRS.  The adventure continues...

ntodd

Good Food

Ericka and I made more stuff with our CSA shares and she blogged it!

ntodd

[Update: link fixed.]

A New Era

Goodbye devil child:

Hello angel:

My online presence is forever changed...

ntodd

Sunday Assmussen

The only poll worth paying attention to™:

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 29% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -10.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Democrats Strongly Approve while 66% of Republicans Strongly Disapprove. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 20% Strongly Approve and 47% Strongly Disapprove.

Flatlining...

ntodd

Keeping It Lit

Today was a good day.

ntodd

Friday Familyblogging

Taran keeps my seat warm.


Lola keeps Sam's seat warm.

Speaking of Sam, he had a little adventure today in his spiffy new ride!

ntodd

Friday In Bil'in: 246

Time flies when you're occupied:

Directly after the Friday prayers, Bil’in citizens gathered in a large demonstration, in response to a call from the Poplar Committee Against the Wall. They were joined by international and Israeli activists, as well as a group of members and supporters of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) and a delegation of members of the Palestinian People’s Party. The protest was led by Mohammed Baraka - the front’s general secretary and member of the Israeli Knesset. One international activist was injured and dozens suffered tear gas inhalation at the weekly demonstration in Bil’in.

The demonstrators have raised dozens of Palestinian flags and pictures of the late martyr Abu Ammar, along with banners marking the fifth year of his martyrdom, emphasizing their loyalty to his soul. Other banners expressed solidarity with Mohammed Baraka, who will stand on trial in front of an Israeli court next week as a result of his participation in one of the Bil’in weekly demonstration in 2005. Mr. Baraka expressed his commitment to participating in the popular demonstrations against the Wall, settlements and occupation, and his determination to participate regardless of the decision of the court. In his words, even if the judge ruled to imprison him for his activities connected to defending the Palestinian land and nation, it would be an honor to serve his sentence.

In news about the other side of Palestine, it looks like Lizzie has raised enough to pay for the Gaza Freedom March and airfare, though I know from my own experience that one can use some extra shekels for incidental expenses.  So if you can help, there's still several weeks left to get in the game...

ntodd

Thursday Bountyblogging

So we made the first pickup of our winter CSA shares after class today.

The bounty: mesclun, spinach, mushrooms, kale, fennel, brussel sprouts, carrots, napa cabbage, potatoes, onions, parsnips, celeriac, winter squash, garlic, beets [guess they swapped with leeks], apples, and goat and sheep chees from farms all over Vermont (including one we visited last year on a whim).

We've been meaning to get into the Community Supported Agriculture deal from quite a long time, and are very happy to be doing so through Intervale, which is a neat agricultural co-op (that just so happens to provide food for 8% of the Burlington area).  All part of our meager efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, eat better and help sustainable farming.

As for the selection of veggies, I admit that I hate fennel and think it's Satan Spawn, but I suppose we'll figure out something to do with it besides throw the shit at our neighbors.  And serendipitously, Ericka found an interesting recipe for brussel sprouts in a tweet from Blogher, so we'll be trying that soon.

Tonight with dinner I used some of the apples, mesclun, spinach, and potatoes for our appetizer, salad and side dish.  That was pretty cool and tasty.  Over the season we're looking forward to some experimentation and learning new dishes (any recipes are welcomed in comments!) as we keep trying to become more locavorish.  Oh, and I'm told I need to eat more green stuff.

ntodd