kathryn bankhead 100 day heart challenge

AH! It's spring! At least about every other day it is. Now I can ride my bike to and from the gym in exchange for the time on the stationery bike and it is wonderful to hear the birds sing as I leave the house early and watch it get lighter. Last Saturday we walked the 5K route and got an idea about what it will be like to participate in May 30's event. The river, sunshine, new blooms, and blue sky made it seem like we were more energetic than we were. I was slow at sustaining any jogging, but will improve.....

We were all shocked to hear about the 20 worst foods to eat at restaurants in our nutrition class last week. WHO KNEW? I had no idea a piece of pizza had so many calories; I already knew not to order the awesome blossom onion ring appetizers; I often order lettuce wraps and feel so good about myself. Now I know that they are also high in calories but that we'll learn how to make them for 300 calories per serving from our chef Mike next week.

The real shocker for me was that my very favorite dessert--the Paradise Pie at Chili's--had as many calories and grams of fat as 3 hamburgers!! I haven't had more than a big bite of a nice juicy hamburger for years, but had quite frequently shared the appropriately named Paradise Pie, with me getting the bigger half by far. And I'm well acquainted with all 27 desserts at Magleby's grill. YUMMY!

How is it that I used to think desserts 'weren't that bad'? I remember responding to a friend who was worried about all the calories when she was baking cookies, "what's unhealthy about them? All they have in them is butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips".

I never even thought about fat, sugar, and flour etc. when I grew up. It was another era. Desserts were part of my everyday life at home. Even when I did know better, I ignored the facts and blissfully enjoyed them as up until lately.

But I know better now and have re-programmed my little brain. Now a "treat" is a Kashi fruit and grain bar with chocolate and nuts on top--or a Slim Fast snack bar with 120 calories. Why, I've even started using plain yogurt and flavored it myself with lemon or orange extract when I use it as a topping on a fruit salad and save my Yoplait light fat free yogurts for occasional treat. When I get hungry for chocolate, I shake up a vanilla protein drink with skim milk, a spoonful of cocoa, and a can of diet Sprite. Pure ecstacy....

And to what do I owe this change of mind and healthier heart? That I can tell you in one phrase I heard many years ago:
"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!"

I never got that close to being thin that I could believe that, but I'm a believer now. I already am able to wear some of the clothes I used to wear when I weighed 10 pounds less than I do now. Although I have a long way to go to reach my healthier heart and weight goals, I now have the skills, habits, knowledge, and desire to continue this eating and exercise plan the rest of my life; I'm committed to putting them into practice throughout the rest of 2009 and right up to February 13 of 2010, using some of the 'Holiday Hints' we got last week to get us from Nov through Dec I want to see where that leads me. Then I will have given it a true test of a one year period and found what I want to keep, change, add or improve.

Let's keep blogging to make sure we stay on the right path we're now traveling and help each other "carry on".

My Personal 100 Day Heart Challenge Journal

What a great opportunity! Randomly chosen via computer, I am one of fifteen lucky women who gets to learn and put into practice UVRMC's directives for healthy hearts as part of February's Heart Month. We've been introduced, initiated, tested, weighed, measured, given our personalized eating recommendations with accompanying record-keeping charts. We have been given passes to the Wellness Center's Gym, received our exercise programs and our individual interns to workout with us 2 out of the recommended 3 times a week.

All for FREE. Deliciously, unbelievably, incredibly FREE.

And what is our incentive to get up on those machines or pick up the weights and go? The proverbial carrot (and that is one serving of a non-starchy vegetable, thank you very much) is that the woman who improves her numbers for weight, exercise, cholestoral, etc. wins $500. The rest of us, along with her, get to have healthier, happier hearts pumping inside our fabulously re-sculptured bodies. At least, that's what I'm telling myself as I roll out of bed at 5:30 AM, pull on my gym clothes, and head out the door. I'm actually just hoping that near the end of the 100 days, close to Mother's Day, there is noticibly less of this mother to honor.

I was initially thrilled. Nearly three weeks into the program, I'm ecstatic! The "newness" has worn off and the "drudgery" has begun. BUT there really is no drudgery; just a nice change of pace that is already yielding results, friendship, more energy, and a "shock-er-oo" or two. I really have been eating way too much, way too often, and for many more complex reasons than hunger. And who in the world defined those ridiculous "serving sizes" I'm observing! They certainly haven't eaten out anywhere in the USA for some time.....

My Hawaii Trip

Aloha!


This will
probably be one of my last blogs before I go on my mission, but I thought that I would share some of the pictures I took in my Hawaii trip with Kellie's Family during January.

We went to Kauai and stayed in the Marriott resort there. On our first day, Kellie and I did an 11 mile hike through the jungle and ended up on the gorgeous NaPali coast of Kauai. This coast is amazing and has been in several movies including the first Jurassic Park as well as Six Days, Seven Nights. The trail started at 4000 ft above sea level and ends up at roughly 2000 ft on a fairly sheer set of cliffs- and everything is covered in lush green! One other interesting thing is that the jungle areas have no nasty creatures of any kind. We never saw any spiders, snakes, or even mosquitos. The smallest thing I ever saw was a bird!

We spent plenty of time enjoying the Marriott resort and looking at their cool Koi fish pond and fancy, talking parrots (see pictures). On another day, we drove around to the north shore of the island which featured beautiful beaches with really big waves. There is also alot of farmland up there because Kauai is the most rural of the Hawaiian islands. One of the neatest looking farm areas was in the town of Hanalei and had cool patchwork quilt style fields of Taro (a local crop). We had alot of fun seeing all of the different sites around the island and enjoying the warm sun. Going to Hawaii was always a dream of mine, and I would HIGHLY recommend Kauai to anyone looking for a beautiful getaway......especially if someone else is kind enough to foot the bill!

I am keeping busy with work and getting my affairs in order for my mission. I will report to the MTC on March 19 and speak in church on the 9th at 9 AM. I hope everything is going well for all of you.

-Jace

Some Christmas Pics

I thought all y'all might appreciate a few photos from the Bankhead family Christmas bash. I especially loved the reactions to presents: Max unleashing all those years of wanting a Spiderman punching bag, ecstasy on Zac's face when he opened his Office Max gift card, Natalie trying on her new coat.

2008 greetings!

I am now officially joining the bloggers as Paul and Amy have shown me how to get started. I will post something on Jan. 1.

A San Francisco Treat

Alan and Kara don't have to be the only lucky ones. You, too, can have a Bankhead-guided tour through the wonders of San Francisco. For the low, low price of a plane ticket (or gas-money, if you choose to drive), Amy and Paul will happily provide complimentary room and board and entertainment. Just give us at least one day's notice, and we'll welcome family members to enjoy our Northern California home.

Offer subject to change at any time, based on Paul's employment choices.

Moabankheads

While the punishment-loving family members were mountain biking, the rest of us took an equally exciting but significantly less painful hike up the Moab Rim trail--all the views for half the injuries.

Following The Crowd

Seeing how so many of the Bankhead clan have moved in recent memory, Byron and I were feeling left out. So to solve our need to be apart of the crowd we bought a house this week. We will hopefully be moving at the end of May. We are moving to the Holladay area. The house is roughly located at 4700 South 2000 East. It is brand new, never lived in. It is on a dead end street with about 8 other kids living on the street. Byron and I are excited but having to scramble to sell this house. And for anyone who might be in the area, we would be happy to take you on a tour!

Cousins are fun

Despite the sad reason for our visit, spending time with family doesn't get much better than this.

Moving Again

As it turns out, Kara and I love to move and play homeless. I decided to quit my job at L&T and move back to Provo and take a job with an internet company called Nuvont, owned by Brandon Grover. Even though I have loved my job at L&T, I don't see myself being in the construction industry for the rest of my life. So while I am young and not tied down I thought I would change direction. It has been a tough choice, especially since we love St. George and our new house in Coral Canyon. We will be moving back to Provo the first week in Feb. and will again take residence at our Willows house at the end of April. In the meantime we will again practice homelessness and will frequent Indian Creek and the desert. We are nervous and excited. It will fun to be close to all of you again.

Feel the Freedom!

And there's no other place where the bears can see Jace....

Mules and Asses

For a fun-filled and detailed description of John getting kicked in the ass, click the John and Kara link!

Holiday Cheer

Our holiday in Utah was lovely, which is particularly impressive considering the stresses of current family issues. Thanks to all family members for making our vacation enjoyable. This picture of Rick and Alan on Rook night demonstrates the love that flows freely in the Bankhead family.

Copying cat John

After having read Paul and Amy's fantastic blog, Kara and I have decided to follow their example and create a blog. It can be found at www.johnnyandkara.blogspot.com. I think it is grand. We will put up photo's, make funny comments, and tell neat stories. It should not be missed. We hope to see you there. Even if we don't have a rascally little James.

Birthday announcement

I would just like to say that November is the best month to have a birthday. In honor of this fact, I've dug up some never-before-published photos of those lucky family members who were born in November. Feliz cumpleanos (that's how they say it in Spain).

How we spent our Thanksgiving!

Dear Family,
I thought I would write a small note to give you an update on how Byron's and mine Thanksgiving went. Our trip to Italy was fabulous. Of course, I am only speaking for me and Byron (you will have to ask Austin and Kristi what they thought when we aren't around.) We went to Venice first where there were gondola rides, walking through the quite streets at night, tours of palaces, beautiful cathedrals, and amazing art galleries. And us discovering Austin has a pure hatred for pigeons. We partook of gelato on a daily basis by decree of Byron, and learned that water comes at a price and ice is unheard of. Byron and I discovered that we like the artists Titian and Tinteretto (Or as Byron and Austin termed him "Titian the Venitican", or as I liked to call T' N' T are Dynomite!) Just when we thought we couldn't walk anymore, we boarded a train and went to Florence. We once again entered the world of automobiles and noise. We spent our first day there in rain, but were able to find a great restaurant, and spent the night in the Duomo Museum looking at works by Donatello and Michealanglo, which were absolutely amazing and worth the price of admission. We also discovered Byron to be the biblical scholar of the trip when he correctly guessed all of the biblical scenes depicted on brass panels from the baptistry doors. We also saw Michaelanglo's "David" and several others of his works. We saw other Donatello's, Boticelli, Da Vinci, and Rapheal. We saw more "Mother and Child", "Mary's Annunciation", and "Mary's Assumption" than we probably needed to see. And for those of you who have seen Talledega Nights, "Baby Jesus in your pink pajamas, 8 pounds 6 ounces" was quoted by Byron at the most inappropiate time to which I had to move on to the next room to try to stop laughing. But in the end we had alot of fun and alot of laughs and great company. Byron and Austin got into the spirit of the Renissance and posed for the camera. And I had to refrain from getting Byron a "David" apron (which were in abundance on the streets of Florence.) We hope everyone else enjoyed there Thanksgiving festivites. Can't wait to see you all for Christmas.

Heather

Happy Halloween

Here are some pictures of our very spooky Halloween. At the end of the day, Sophie offered to trade some candy to get mints from her friend Maggie, who does not like mints.

And so Sophie's first Halloween trading session came to be.

Oh how I wish we all lived near each other and could instigate a cousin Halloween trading session.

Cheers - Laurie

Question

I am doing homework at Panera because the library is closed. The homework is somewhat hard as it is, but the thing that is killing me is this. The girl sitting a few tables down is chewing gum loudly.

Will this type of public gum chewing ever be appropriately prosecuted, either in this life or the next?

Jace's semi-annual blog post

Wow, I haven't been to our blog in a good while! It seems that everyone in the family actually contributes interesting bits of info that are surprisingly entertaining. Thus, I thought I would give a quick update of my comings and goings before I go to class.
I am in week two of BYU this semester and it is challenging! However, I do find it really interesting and fun. I am taking a computer science class, a microsoft excel class, Public relations, microeconomics, econometrics and BOM. I actually think I'll finally be able to do something more than type on a computer when the semester is over, and I'm rather excited about that!!
I am also still living out in springville in John's old place, and I love it. My roommates (ben Martin and Levi kohler) are super cool and we have a great time together on roadtrips etc. Car washing is also keeping me busy because Dave is out of town for September, so I'm flying solo again.
Anyway, sorry this isn't super fascinating or anything, but you get what you pay for. Thanks again for everyones posts, its fun to catch up on things.

Jace

Sandy Eggo

Highlights from the latest family vacation in San Diego: Cream-filled E. Claire faced her fear of the ocean, venturing out into the scary waves with her mother by her side. And what could be better than aunts and uncles and cousins snuggling on the couch? Max the Destructor enjoyed being buried in the sand almost as much as he liked destroying everyone else's sand creations. Alan and Kara took full advantage of the romantic beachy sunset. And if you missed this one, don't worry: word on the street is that Kathryn is currently scheduling Jackson Hole for 2008.

Some not-so-good pics and a link

To celebrate Independence Day, Byron hosted some of the fam for dinner and sparklers (thanks B & H). The kids didn't quite understand how to use sparklers, so the uncles had to show them how it's done. Turns out that sparklers are fun for all ages. Either that or some of the Bankhead brothers are still kids inside.

In other news, Paul and I have a blog of our fun times in California. I'm thinking specifically Gram Gram might want to take a peek at some of the pictures of James. Anyhow, here's the address, take it or leave it:

http://bankheadadventures.blogspot.com/

My first entry on joys and sorrows of parenting

All-

I've never posted anything on a blog before, but figure that the family blog would be a great place to start.

So two things that may be of interest. The first is that Kristi and I finally found a house in SLC and should be closing on it at the end of August--assuming inspections and appraisals work out ok. The house is about 1/4 mile north of the Quists on Melony Drive, just west of 2700 East on 4200 South. We're really excited about the house and hope you all can visit us often there.

Second, we had a mini-version of Ripley's "believe it or not" at our house today, and I thought you might find it humorous.

Background. On Saturday, after taking care of housekeeping and a few other odds and ends, we went to the outlet mall in Park City, had a late lunch at Granny’s Shakes in Heber, and then went to Provo to attend Mindy Jensen’s wedding reception and spend time with Gram Gram and Grandpa. We really enjoyed spending time with family, and got home rather late.

As a result, we didn’t have the energy to make the 9:30 am church meeting in Sandy, so we opted to attend sacrament meeting at 10:50 am in the ward which we will attend once we close on our home. (Meetings in that ward start at 9am, so we couldn't make Primary or Sunday School.) We got home around 1:00pm, had lunch, and then prepared to have Primary at home, combined with some Sunday discussion about the Gospel.

When I asked who wanted to be in charge of singing, Katie volunteered first, and so she received the assignment. Of course, then Abbie wanted to lead the singing first. She wouldn’t accept the role of sharing time leader, so in order to compromise we opted to have two singing times in Primary. Katie began to plan the music for her turn, but then Abbie did thing to bug her, and so Katie went upstairs to her room to do this. Abbie followed shortly, so within just a few minutes I had two whining, arguing girls in my room. I hate playing Solomon.

I first tried the serious talk about how we couldn’t be happy in our home if we had fighting, that they would be sisters forever and so might as well get along, etc. That speech wasn’t too effective—they kept blaming each other, etc. So next, I opted to diffuse the situation with what I hoped would be humor, a technique that had worked in the past.

So I said, “Why don’t you two just fight it out right here…since you don’t like each other, just fight it out. I put my fists in a boxing-position. So Abbie, who has never hit anyone with her fists like that, gets up and assumes the position and starts practing her swings. Katie—who hasn’t done any boxing either, just stands up and does nothing. “C’mon” I said—fully expecting that they would start laughing, or realize the stupidity of hitting each other and quit fighting—at least temporarily.

Then, all of a sudden, Katie takes both hands, rushes up to Abbie, and just decks her in the shoulders so Abbie goes into the air, falls backwards on her feet, and then lands on her bottom. Abbie bursts into tears, Katie starts laughing, and Kristi and I are caught in this mix of sorrow, surprise, and laughter. Sorrow and surprise because Abbie is crying and Katie just decked her, and laughter because we can’t believe Katie did this—and Abbie probably deserved it.

I give the sobbing Abbie a hug while asking Katie how she feels about hitting her sister. She smiles, laughs, and says something like “fine—you told me to do it.” (So now I feel really great--was I naive to think they wouldn't actually fight?) After calming Abbie down, they both leave the room, and Kristi and I bust up laughing in our room. Who knows, maybe Abbie will be a bit nicer to Katie, and vice versa, but who would have thought Katie would deck her sister.

If anyone has suggestions on to handle two personalities that are diametrically opposed, mixed in with a lot of estrogen, please have pity on me and clue me in.

And, have a great week! Austin

Sunnyvale, here we come

People keep asking me, so I figure I'll just let you all know about our CA housing search via blog. Paul and I found a lovely little duplex in Sunnyvale that is within biking distance of Google. Our new place has a fireplace and a backyard and our own garage. We're pretty stoked to be in such a nice part of the world--there are lots of lemon trees and palm trees in our neighborhood. It's a little frustrating that our rent will double from what we paid in Dallas, but at least we're close to the ocean and the mountains and Yosemite and San Fran and the Redwoods, whereas in Dallas we were close to, um, Chile's and the mall--nothing that would encourage people to visit us. Plus, we're excited to be close to Uncle Rick and Ryan and Justin, who all live in the area. Woo hoo.

Thought I would chime in on the family blog

So this is my first time writing, but have certainly enjoyed reading what the family has to say. Kudos to Amy and her "marrying into the Bankhead family". There were a few things she missed though. I don't know if this is a Bankhead thing or a Byron thing but Kara should know about the "bed ratio theory" which according to Byron is based loosely on his concept that because he is twice as big as me then he is intitled to twice as much of the bed. Also, the idea that you listen to music really loud, but rather than turn it down to talk, you just scream over the music. It most definantly doesn't seem to bother any of the bankhead boys to converse in this atmosphere. Also, Kara know that not only will you have to get used to writing the name Bankhead, but also you'll need to get used to spelling it out loud. For the last ten years this has been my experience when telling someone my last name for the first time. "My last name is Bankhead." "Bank what?" "Bankhead- B A N K H E A D." "Oh just how it sounds!" And lastly, one that I just realized more recently is that the bankhead clan when talking with each other have no problem talking at the same time. What is so fascinanting to me is that they have the ability to know what the other person said even though they were talking. It is very entertaining to watch. It is probably due to the mass amount of bankheads, they must have figured if they ever wanted to speak their minds they better just do it at the same time or else you would never be heard. But you must always keep in mind that the Bankhead's talk loud, snore even louder, but most importantly is that their actions speak the loudest of all. I can say first hand that whenever you are in need the bankheads are right there ready to help you whatever the cost. How I love the Bankhead Family.
Heather

Career Musings phase 2

As you might know, I have been commuting to St George weekly working for L&T. I have been avoiding the pressure from Tom to move down there permantly with some success. However, last weekend he sat me down out of the blue and declared "You have to move to St. George--with or without your wife--but it will probably be more fun for you if she goes." Not a lot there in the way of tact. So I have now begun the rather arduous task of negotiating salary increases with Thomas. Not a lot of fun, but perhaps productive. So to make a long story short, Kara and I are moving to St. George. (I might still decide to give Tom the bird--he is being a bit of an ass--in which case I will be looking for work!) We are really hoping that all of you will come visit us in the winter time. We will be down there for around 2 years. And I hate moving! Just thought you might want to know. And yeah for Amy's post on IMAB's!

The “I Married a Bankhead” (IMAB) Support Group

Due to Alan’s upcoming nuptials, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome as our newest member, Karaline Joyce Rawson.

To help ease the transition into the IMABs, the following list (in no particular order) of a few issues the group faces should be helpful. Please note that not all issues apply to all members:

THE FAN—For reasons unknown, most Bankheads are incapable or downright refuse to sleep without a large box fan noisily humming nearby. In cases of emergency, any old fan will do, but Bankheads will go to great lengths to obtain fans in order to sleep. For IMABs who like to sleep in silence or without a wind chill factor, you have two options: get a separate bedroom or convert to the fan yourself. Rumor has it that one Bankhead, in order to save her marriage, has given up the fan, but that rumor is negated by another IMAB who reports that her Bankhead sleeps with not one, not two, not three, but four fans in her bedroom, so don’t get your hopes up.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS—Remember as a kid when you would sneak around your parents’ closet looking for those hidden Christmas surprises picked out especially for you? In the Bankhead family, most Christmas and birthday presents are purchased in bulk and on sale year round and can be found in the downstairs closet. They may or may not be your size or be something you like, but thankfully, if your gift doesn’t fit or is the wrong color, there are several other sizes and colors to choose from in the chest in the stronghold.

MASHING/SQUEEZING/SQUISHING/SMASHING/SMOOSHING/SWATTING—Although this Bankhead characteristic goes by many names, it is clearly recognized as the way Bankheads interact with children and is generally accompanied by a certain voice reserved for just such occasions. It can be perceived as violent to those unaccustomed to this unique behavior, but rest assured that most children survive and actually enjoy this activity. For the female IMABs this also describes many of the ways your spouse expresses physical affection for you too. This in no way insinuates that your husband thinks of you as a child.

There are also benefits to joining the IMABs.

1. Your picture will appear in one of nine spots in the enormous frame on Kathryn’s dining room wall.
2. You are entitled to free medical advice from Byron or Emily, free business advice from Austin, free auto advice from Jace, free recreational advice from John, free electrical work from any number of Bankheads, free scrapbooking/invitation advice from Heather, and you may possibly qualify for a custom bricked fireplace.
3. Each year, a personalized Christmas stocking with your name will hang from one of the following letters: N,O, E, L, J, or Y.
4. Southwest Rapid Rewards tickets are always available to you.
5. You will become privy to the joys of apple-mince pie and lots and lots of meat (usually including bacon) prepared on the most amazing home grilling system in Provo.
6. For IMABs who choose to change their last name to Bankhead, “Congratulations. Once your last name is Bankhead, you are always right” (Alan). According to Emily, however, “If you had to get the Bankhead last name by marriage, that makes you half Bankhead, and you are only right half the time.”
7. A membership to the Joseph Educational Foundation and a lifetime supply of JEF business cards.
8. As your Bankhead will often remind you, your spouse is hard-working, efficient, competent, witty, and self-sufficient.

Welcome, Kara.

All members and Bankheads are, of course, invited to post any additional items of consideration.

Bankhead's Blogging Book Club, Baby

Time and again I've thought and chatted with several of you siblings about the need for some sort of book referral service between all of us. I really like to read, and do less that I'd prefer. Part of that is due to my childcare duties (please note Paul's posting on babies and terrorists). Another reason is that I often don't have any ideas on what I'd like to read, and am lazy. And who wants a book recommendation from a stranger who may not have the discerning tastes for which we are known? No no, I think a family referral service is in order.

So I thought I'd post some books I've read in the last year or so that I liked, and hope you all do the same. Perhaps if there is something many of us have read (the life of pi leaps to mind) we can have blogs discussing the book, what we thought, and the like.


Crossing to Saftey - Wallace Stegner

Summary (from borders)

It's deceptively simple: two bright young couples meet during the Depression and form an instant and lifelong friendship. "How do you make a book that anyone will read out of lives as quiet as these?" Larry Morgan, a successful novelist and the narrator of the story, poses that question many years after he and his wife, Sally, have befriended the vibrant, wealthy, and often troubled Sid and Charity Lang. "Where is the high life, the conspicuous waste, the violence, the kinky sex, the death wish?" It's not here. What is here is just as fascinating, just as compelling, as touching, and as tragic.
Crossing to Safety is about loyalty and survival in its most everyday form--the need to create bonds and the urge to tear them apart. Thirty-four years after their first meeting, when Larry and Sally are called back to the Langs' summer home in Vermont, it's as if for a final showdown. How has this friendship defined them? What is its legacy? Stegner offer answers in those small, perfectly rendered moments that make up lives "as quiet as these"--and as familiar as our own. '

Laurie's comments - this is one of my favorites. The books is beautifully written, understated, and sort os sweet. I've read other Stegner books, but in my opinion this is still the best.

Charms for an Easy Life - Kaye Gibbons

Summary (from borders)
Narrator Kate Fleming introduces us to three curious women from the backwoods of North Carolina. Folk healer Charlie Kate; her daughter, Sophia; and granddaughter, Margaret, share the stories of their lives together from the turn of the century through the 1940s. Fleming voices the soulful humor and gumption of these free-thinking, strong-will women. This is a story of mother/daughter relationships, love, daring, and persevering in a time and place when resourcefulness was a necessity.

Laurie - this isn't a heavy hitter, but it is a nice read. Probably a bigger hit for women.


The Working Poor - Invisible in America, by David K. Shipler
Summary

The Working Poor examines the "forgotten America" where "millions live in the shadow of prosperity, in the twilight between poverty and well-being." These are citizens for whom the American Dream is out of reach despite their willingness to work hard. Struggling to simply survive, they live so close to the edge of poverty that a minor obstacle, such as a car breakdown or a temporary illness, can lead to a downward financial spiral that can prove impossible to reverse. David Shipler interviewed many such working people for this book and his profiles offer an intimate look at what it is like to be trapped in a cycle of dead-end jobs without benefits or opportunities for advancement

Laurie's Comments
I thought this book was simply outstanding. Shipler provides what I see as an accurate portrayal of a problem that transcends the bounds of politics. I found the book to be non-partisan, fact based, and moving. This is another book that has changed the way I see the world.


Moral Politics - How Liberals and Conservatives Think - George Lakeoff

Summary
In this classic text, the first full-scale application of cognitive science to politics, George Lakoff analyzes the unconscious and rhetorical worldviews of liberals and conservatives, discovering radically different but remarkably consistent conceptions of morality on both the left and right. For this new edition, Lakoff adds a preface and an afterword extending his observations to major ideological conflicts since the book's original publication, from the impeachment of Bill Clinton to the 2000 presidential election and its aftermath.

Laurie -
As a disclaimer, this book is absolutely biased towards the left/liberals. That said, I think it does a really good job of uncovering the world views and assumptions that drive how people think about politics. The first half of the book is more straightforward; the last few chapters lose me. I recommend the book because it has changed the way I see not just political debates, but any debates. I find his discussions on framings and word choice fascinating.

East of Eden - John Steinbeck
By now you all probably know that this is one of my favorite books of all time. If you haven't read it since high school, it is definitely worth it.

I don't know that these are my favorite books ever, but they are the ones that come to mind tonight. Anyone else want to post theirs?

Similarities between babies and terrorists

1) They both have an agenda. Terrorists want to get the USA out of their country. Babies want food and attention.
2) Standard diplomatic channels have failed both groups. The U.N. and other government processes don't take terrorists very seriously, which provides a motive for them to resort to unconventional methods of persuasion (see #3). As for babies, they can't talk to, or understand adults. When babies politely ask for food and attention, we ignore them or say, "isn't he cute." Like the terrorists, this failure of normal conflict resolution channels leads babies to explore alternative ones.
3) Unconventional warfare tactics. Terrorists have airplanes and IEDs. Babies have a very loud screaming noise that is used to bring the enemy to their knees and scramble frantically around trying to figure out and give the baby what it wants. Babies have developed a highly dangerous explosive chemical warfare device known informally as the "poop bomb". Male babies have also experiemented with peeing in the enemy's face during diaper changes, although this sometimes backfires when they pee in their own face.

4)Neither respond to well-reasoned arguments. I had a long talk with James the other day about the necessity of taking breaks during long crying sessions as a way of improving endurance. You know, you've got to pace yourself if you are going to scream all night. But he didn't even take me seriously, and continued to scream at an unsustainable rate until falling asleep 30 minutes later

5) Persistence. I've often tried to distract James from crying through airplane rides, pep rallies (this is when I get in his grill and get him all pumped up to stop crying, kind of like the WWF wrestler pump up talks), and truck noises. These all work for only a short while. It reminds me of the short-lived cease fire agreements common in the middle east.

McKinsey Basketball Injury

Where's Dr. Mason when you need him? As you can see, my normal skeleton right ankle has swollen and locked at an unnatural angle. My penalty for fighting with George Kase (former captain of UCLA football team) for a rebound. Curses.

Born in the Covenant

As we were folding laundry today, I introduced James to the L&T logo. Amy said, "so what does James have to do to be able to get an L&T shirt? After all, I had to pay a pretty steep price to get one." That's when I explained to Amy about being born in the covenant. Since James's last name is Bankhead, he is entitled to the blessings of L&T shirts without having to do anything but beg Uncle Johnny for the latest and greatest models. Then Amy realized in horror, "Oh no, my child is a Bankhead!" Ha ha . But at least he doesn't have to pay the steep price that non-Bankheads would pay for the privilege of being an L&T man (or woman).

Swimmy, - the tale of a little house in Flossmoor

I was going to send an email, but blogging seemed so much more, well, fancy.

So after the rain adventure on Easter evening deposited flood water up to our basement ceiling shattered our windows downstairs and left a foot of water in our garage and livingroom, we have begun sloshing our way to freedom.

We've got all the water sucked out of our house, the carpet upstairs ripped up, the drywall cut out, and all the contents of our baseent slogged into a huge dumpster in our driveway. The crews from our fantabulous flood folks descended on the house yesterday like a swarm of honeybees and carried all our stuff out, sprayed the place down, and set up fans. Now we just need to wait for many days for our house to dry out. When it does, they can check out the foundation, the electrical system, and such, and replace the water heater, furnace, air conditioner, humidifier, and our other systems that make our little robot of a house work. Three cheers for flood insurance and the crew who is doing all this. It's a crazy amount of work.

Emily put on her rescue ranger costume and boarded a plane to Illinois and whisked our wee girls away from the disaster zone, thanks to southwest vouchers from Mom and Dad. Now we're staying downtown in Rick's bosses corporate apartment while Rick works and I go to my MBA admit weekend. By the way, right now and MBA and MPP seem totally worthless. I want to go into plumbing. But be that as it may. Our neighbors, friends, and Rick's coworkers have been super nice will offers to help. I am going to join Emily and the girls in Texas on Sunday. So Paul and Austin, I don't know if it is a good time for you and yours, what with babies and moves pending, but if it works perhaps we can swing a visit up there.

Wanted to give you all the update. Thanks for phone calls etc. Looking forward to seeing everyone in June for Alan's pending nuptuals.

Love Laurie

 

Trash Metal 101

I would like to announce that James and I spent the morning listening to Def Leppard. I just bought a new 2 CD greatest hits album called Rock of Ages. Ironic, eh? Anyway, James really likes "Bringin' on the heartbreak" and "Pour some sugar on me."

In other news, James experienced a blow-out today, leaving poop all over his back. I assume it is just this kind of malfunctioning that led John to require surgery. Hopefully James will grow out of it and won't follow in his uncle's footsteps in regards to anal functionality.

Bruce Bloggtrotter

I too think the idea of a blog is a good one. perhaps it will be like the emails we traded in days of yore..... I'm just preparing to take some finals next friday and hopefully I will be done with school sooner than later. My summer plan is to work for westec and continue the excellent tradition of HPAD. I think sometime I am going to go to australia for a week or so, which I am rather pleased about. anyway, nice idea paul!

Jace

Sophie, etc.

The Sophie-ism of the week was claimed early Sunday. We went to the Unitarian church, which we hadn't done in months. We've had mixed feelings about the church, and have been looking into other options. When the minister came to say hello and tell us he'd missed us, Sophie announced, "We've been checking out some other churches". I felt rather sheepish. Bluffing as a lifestyle has become increasingly difficult.

I went to the public policy weekend at U Chicago and am doing the MBA one next weekend. Hurrah. I am not finalizing any decisions until I've been to both (when I believe the business school will offer me millions of dollars to attend, thus simplifying my decision considerably.)

Sophie and I are doing office work currently. She's pretending she's a Mom who works, and has quite a bit to do. I am being recruited to help her make rainbows for her friends, so off I go.

More than you wanted to know

Just for the record, I am going in today to have surgery on my anus. That's right folks, my anus. As Alan has been prone to say, my anus has been overworked and underpaid and is currently on strike. And let me tell you, an angry anus is a painful anus. I hope all of you will be more kind and considerate to your anus, thereby avoiding potentially painful situations in the future.

Sweet Baby James

Here is a picture of our boy in his cool Combi car seat.

Update on my Job situation

It seems I have a knack for combining multiple life changes into small periods of time. Like when we got married, moved to Dallas 3 days later, went to England a day later. After England, I worked in Florida for a week then started a new job the next day. Not to mention I'd graduated from college a few months eariler. Yikes.

This time, we've had a baby, I'm quitting my old job, looking for a new job, and most likely moving in the next few months. Yikes again. I'm looking for a cool businessy job in the internet or ecommerce industry. So far, I've interviewed at Google and Ebay, so it looks like either way we'll be moving to the Bay Area. Mountains, trees, ocean, and nice weather here we come. Hooray.

Also I would like to comment that we like James. He is a good boy so far, and makes excellent faces.

Career Musings

I'm still wishing I knew what to do when I grow up. I waffle between two vague possibilites.

1) Live a quiet life in a quiet town working a boring job from 8-5. Accept a life of poverty and mediocrity, knowing that I probably am not "living up to my potential", but hey, I make every single one of my kids baseball games. Perhaps wake up when I am 50 and realize my kids can't afford to go to college and they have horribly crooked teeth bacause I couldn't afford a dentist and perhaps I have wasted my God given talents and abilities to do cool things.

2)Live life in the fast lane. Work in fancy impressive jobs in corporate America in big progressive cities. Travel. Work long hours. Rarely be home for dinner, but rarely look at the clock because work is actually pretty interesting. Work with smart interesting fun people who spent a year backpacking through pakistan or fighting world poverty or living in malta. Change the world. Be rich and maybe famous and important. Perhaps wake up when I am 50 and realize I don't know my own family.

I suppose it is nice to have both options, but I am not really sure where I will end up. Hopefully somewhere in between.

Welcome to the family Blog!!!`

Hey Folks,

I'm still figuring this out, but I think it would be cool if we all used the family blog. We can talk about issues, post pictures, and even leave voice messages for everyone else on the web page.

Happy Blogging,

Paul