Imponderables, things that irk me no end edition

I may not be the most tolerant person out there, but if you're reading this blog you probably already know that.  And probably don't care.

I've complained, via twitter no less (see below), about this trend to Scare People About the Weather Forecast.  Apparently, in addition to naming winter storms, the Weather Channel now feels it's important to state how many people are "at risk" from the day's weather systems.  And just like that, Bill Karins on MSNBC follows suit.

Let's leave aside why the Weather Channel, not NOAA, is suddenly the gold standard.  Let's just ask ourselves, if (as is the case today, June 19, 2017) that 65MM people are "at risk" the other 300MM living in America are perhaps immune to any weather.  Is there an inter-dimensional portal out there, protecting the rest of the US?

Have I got a deal for you

Thanks to the delayed winter storms and Spring Break and a never-ending cold, I've been watching more tv than usual.  And because I've been a politics junkie for a while, much of that it stuff like MSNBC and C-SPAN, so I'm getting a lot of what's going on in Washington.  And... it's depressing, isn't it?  No matter who you voted for, you should be depressed by the tone of conversation, the lack of presidential demeanor and the spate of "fake news"/"alternative facts"/Tweetstorms pouring out of that city.

Yesterday's press conference was a case-in-point.  Reporters trying to get a clear answer from the Press Secretary, who actually gave one of the worst storytime readings I've ever heard (and I've judged the NYC storytelling competition, so I have some expertise in this).  They did a great job of not laughing in his face but it was close.  It's fascinating theatre.  Crap politics, but you can't have both, right?  (at least, you can't these days)

One thing that I think is getting lost in all the budget bother: our president claims to be a Master Negotiator.  Everything he does is framed that way, and most of his campaign promises were along the lines of "better deal" or "renegotiate".  The Draconian nature of this budget and his government reorganization may be just that, a position that simply can't be defended or that will pass but will serve as a point from which to negotiate.  And then, when the budget or government size his advisors (because I simply can't believe that Trump himself actually has a clue about any of this) actually want, it can be TRUMPeted (see what I did there?) as a HUGE WIN.  #MAGA.  Etc.

I'm reminded of the episode of Star Trek TNG where Scotty tells LaForge that he always padded the time needed for a repair so when it came in well under that prediction, Kirk would think he (Scotty) was a genius.

Lost in their calculations is that the way this is playing out means many people will feel as though no one has their interests at heart, from the president to their representatives.  Also lost is the fact that while ultimately I may send less to Washington, I'll be sending more to Boston (and you, dear readers, will be sending more to Albany, Sacramento, Austin, etc.) as programs fall on the shoulders of state governments and those taxes will rise.  And rise.  As our president says, Sad!

Sliding back and forth

Since Thanksgiving, things have been... difficult.  The fact that we spent part of that day at the animal ER saying goodbye to Mallory should have been a clue that there was more to come:

• December 5 my eyesight suddenly took an odd turn, with a massively inflamed optic nerve in my left eye.  Things are still not back to what the neuro-ophthalmologist calls "baseline" but she did warn me that it could take 3-6 months.  And no, no guarantee that it will never recur.  
• Early February, a migraine led to a norovirus which morphed into a head cold that is still (still!) plaguing me.  Even a wonderful shopping trip (new Lamy pen, new Hermes scarf) and high tea to celebrate turning 54 didn't help... on the other hand, doing all that with a fever probably wasn't the best plan I've ever had.  Every time I think it's all gone, it rears its ugly sinus-filled coughing head.  
• Two weeks ago, BoyCat was running to the litter box ever few minutes.  I know that that means - a possible case of FUS (now known as FLUTD).  Back to the local animal ER.  No blockage.  The same pattern yesterday.  But this time his bloodwork said Urinary Tract Infection.  So today we're heading back for an antibiotic shot.  Oh, and BoyCat?  Really, really, really hates being touched, let alone going to the vet.  Should make for a fun afternoon.

The good news is that I'm reading for two book awards (Alex and the new Excellence in Science Fiction for Children award).  My staff is doing amazing work.  And in four days Spring Break starts.  Over two weeks to slide forward a bit.  Wish me luck.

Sometimes, newer is better

Today's Friday Five post over at Philosophy Mom contained this question: 1. About how many family Christmas photo-cards did you receive [in 2016]?

I wryly smiled at this, because the family Christmas card thing is relatively new, right?  And we all sort-of hate it, but it's an easy way for others to send a personalized card (personalized to them, anyway) and to subtly keep us informed.  The kids are bigger.  The waists are wider.  Oh, there's someone new (engagement?).  What happened to the dog?  OMG that poor cat, stuck in that outfit.  Etc.

But then I think back to a few short years ago, before this trend.  Each card - birthday, Christmas, Arbor Day, whatever - came with what I called family confetti included.  What's family confetti?  Those small photos, maybe 1"x2", that came along with the larger, for-framing/wallet-size photos we all had taken on School Photo Day.  And there were always so many of the smaller ones it was easy to tuck them into cards so that family and friends could see how cute/big/well-dressed your darlings were.

One year, I included photos of Howard, Pravda and Mallory in our outgoing cards.  I doubt anyone got the hint.

What's odd to me is that people expected you to save all these photos, but they don't seem to expect you to save the Christmas card.  Perhaps that's because with the advent of the digital photo age, and the prevalence of photos on Flickr, Facebook and other cloud sites, they're not rare and precious (I knew that when my father took photos of my niece taking her first right step.  then her first left step.  then her second right step.  and second left step.  etc. - we get it.  the kid can walk.  yay?).

If you're into decluttering, as I am (most of the time) it's great: I toss my cards at Epiphany and move on.  Some cards I keep the front of for Friends Who Collage/Scrapbook.  I could scan photos if I wanted.  Or not.  And now, no guilt about getting rid of the confetti, because it's not there. Sometimes, new really, truly is better.

Digital Detritus

More from the never-ending, never-fully-emptied Twitter and Feedbin saves:

• Sooo many recipies!  So much time lost trying to find The One.  Maybe one of these will help?
• If you want to pass as non-American, watch your swearing (caution: NSFW!)
• Really? 10 questions about social media content
• Tips to improve your critical thinking (via TED-ed of course)
• I scored 38 on this "Do You Live in a Bubble" quiz.  What's yours?
• When you become the person you hate on the Internet.  Guilty.
• I'm nearly done with my 2016 tax prep.  What should I shred? What should I just get rid of? And (on a morbid note) what about my digital afterlife? 
• What language is that? Or American dialect (mine is a cross between Inland Northern and New England Eastern)?
• Doesn't everyone think doors are magical?  Love these doortraits.
• Just for fun, what words would a native English speaker know vs. an ESL speaker? And then these words and phrases that will soon disappear.

Imponderables: A Spam Recipe

Usually I hear that some one has heard of my incredible probity and compassion and is interested in helping me help others, because some foreign person (who may or may not share my last name) needs help accessing the millions of dollars they've inherited (or won).  And, of course, I ignore them because... I don't need to finish that, right?


Today's mail, caught helpfully by my spam filter, includes this gem:

Granted, I've been a tad forgetful recently, but I'm reasonably certain that arranging this transfer (not to mention the meeting when this was all set up) would be something I'd remember. 


I do wonder, however, how many people actually get caught by this stuff.  I mean, we've been getting these messages and pleas for almost as long as email has existed - is anyone taken in?  or do the spammer live in eternal hope that one person, somewhere...

Not Guilty, Your Honor

Terry recently posted a flashback to a post he wrote about guilty pleasures.  Thing Two once confessed that Gilmore Girls was a guilty pleasure.  Here's my problem: the word "guilty".

Perhaps when I was younger, I had guilty pleasures.  But now, as a mid-century adult?  Nope.  If it's a pleasure, I'm not going to feel guilt.

There are definite times when guilt invades my life.  For example, when I recognize I could have been kinder to someone in pain.  Or when I don't take action (through laziness, usually, or being too rushed to do it now and then forgetting) that would help someone.  There are fleeting flashes when I get one of those pleading letters or emails (or, now FB posts) asking for help that I could give, when I know it's a worthy cause but not my cause.  That's it.

I don't feel guilty if I break my diet.  I don't feel guilty when I fail to live up to my standards.  I don't feel guilty when I watch pure trash (ok, what I think of as trash) on tv rather than actually getting things done.  I don't feel guilty when I take a mental health day at work.  Rather, I might feel pleasure with a tinge or embarrassed or defensive or ashamed or sad.  But not guilty. Because I'm in my mid 50s.  And part of being an adult is admitting that something gives you pleasure and enjoying that.

Digital Detritus

I'm starting the new year right: decluttering and organizing while watching the Hoarders marathon.  So inspiring!  Here's some digital detritus (my new name for the Links Galore posts) for your pleasure:

• I really hate talking about "privilege" - let's change the conversations to "advantages" (The distinction between “privilege” and “advantage” is important because “privilege” is not a particularly useful phrase to incite change in the minds or actions of others.)
• And more words that we need to stop using.  Thx LSSU for doing some of the heavy lifting for me!  Sadly, these may completely disappear.
• There's so much confusion and anger among many people I know regarding the election.  These Friendly thoughts about Those Who Voted the Other Way speak to me.  As does this article about political unfriending (confession: I do mute!)
• If you have a guest room (or are planning a gathering) this Hot Chocolate Bar might work nicely.
• These clothes don't speak to me now as much as they might have back when, but I love that there are real people wearing them!
• “I am rushing” is a thought, a speed, and an action. For me, it has become a mantra of love and memory.
• Those crazy kids (and adults) with their streaming isn't good for the music business.
• I love Discworld and try to share it with others - if you're wondering where to start, here's an infographic!
• A new favorite word: tsundoku. The struggle is real.
• 
  

(more to follow - my goal is Feedbin Zero and Twitter Saves Zero by MLK Weekend)

New Year's Meme 2016

Totally stolen from Philosophy Mom!  And what better way to recap / get ready for a better blogging 2017?

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?
Opening prompt... let's focus on something good (the bad will come later!).  In 2016 I went to several tasting dinners, which I have done before but this time one of those was a whiskey dinner and the other saki.  Whiskey hasn't been something I've ever enjoyed before, but the combination of people at the table and the different tastes made for quite the nice evening (and by "nice" I don't mean "drunken" I mean genuinely nice).

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did manage to lose some weight, and tried to be more organized.  I usually don't do resolutions, but my intention is to be more composed, more deliberate in the new year.  That includes my food intake (no more eating what I know only looks good but doesn't taste the way I want it to), activity (get back into shape - time's a-ticking!) and professionally.

3. Did anyone close to you get married?
Not this year.  There were two engagements announced, one wedding will be in April and the other next January.

4. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Depends on how you define "close".  Thing One's family has great-aunted me twice in the past month with a third on the way.  For those keeping track, that's 10 greats.  Probably many more on the way.

5. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes.  If by "anyone" you mean "any living being":

Mallory Le Chat

1999 - 2016

We knew he was getting old, and quite possibly blind.  But I had hoped he'd somehow make it a few more years (yes, 17 1/2 is old for a cat, but still...).  On Thanksgiving, we said goodbye and snuggled for the last time.  The remaining three members of The Herd are still, one month later, figuring out the new normal.  And since they're 8 and 6 years old, with luck we'll have many years for them to figure it out.

6. What countries did you visit?
Only one trip to Montreal this year.  Because work.  But next year... We'll see.

7. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
Honestly, I don't think I lacked much in 2016, but getting together with friends more than I did would be nice.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It's got to be a tie between the overhaul of the library collection (25,000 books weeded and another 25,000 moved, mostly over the summer) and hiring three great members of the library team.  Both took a lot of work, physical in the case of the former and mental in the case of the latter, but Academic Year 2017 has been going really well as a result!

9. What was your biggest failure?
I'm on the introvert side of the spectrum and not breaking out of that more, even via email or snail mail, was a definite failure.  Part of the composed intention is to literally compose more (blog posts, letters, emails).

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Oh yes.  Almost a month ago I woke up with something a little off in my eye.  Turns out I have optic neuritis, aka an inflamed optic nerve.  Major steroid infusions helped, and now it's just a question of time (as in possibly months to a year) before we're back to what the doctor calls "baseline".  The good news is that it's only affected one eye, so my reading hasn't suffered.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My new scarf (no photo available now, but perhaps later...).  It was my reward for spending all summer working 7-11:30 in a non-airconditioned, unventilated library doing incredibly physical labor.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Thing One, duh.  He's been a rock throughout the optic nerve adventure.  Plus giving in to my whims.  What's not to celebrate?

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Several of Thing One's family who truly support the awful (racist, misogynist, xenophobic) side of our incoming President.  If I had any luck I wouldn't have to see them until 2018, but with three newborns and a major Birthday/Anniversary Celebration this year, that's doubtful.

14. Where did most of your money go?
The Herd.  We were at the vets pretty much every week over the summer, and at least once a month after.  One had a growth on her chin, another a tummy infection (the spaying scar - don't ask, but she looks like she has a human belly button, which is not normal!), Mallory's illness, and one really, really doesn't like vet visits.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Really, nothing.  This seems to have been a stress-filled, work-filled year.  So perhaps "starting 2017" is the correct answer?

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:

• happier or sadder? Calmer.  Which could be a way of saying "happier".   
• thinner or fatter?  Thinner.  But not by much.  Next year...  
• richer or poorer? Richer.  I've been much more careful with spending.  If I could only sell my house, saving would be a lot easier! 

17. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taken advantage of living in my Birthtown.  There's so much going on, and great day trips to be taken.  Again, next year...

18. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time at the vet. Stress eating.  Played backgammon and cribbage on my phone, rather than getting caught up with professional stuff and/or reading magazines while watching tv.  I may have read 345 books, but I have nearly a year's worth of The Economist and Atlantic Monthly in an accusatory pile.

19. How did you spend Christmas?
Almost the same way as usual: opening presents at breakfast, then having the Traditional Chinese Dinner.  No movie this year (nothing at the times we wanted, plus my eye problem).

20. How did you bring in the New Year?
Reading.  Sleeping.  There will be a nice NYD brunch today, though.

21. Did you fall in love?
No.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Hmmm... there were several I really liked: 19-2.  People of Earth.  Happy Valley. Winter. Those are new ones I've discovered.

23. What was the best book you read?
Because of the Book Award, I can't really talk about my real favorites.  I'd really have to think about YA books I loved; sadly, none stood out.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I was going to say "none" but then I remembered (as if I could forget!): Bruno Mars.  I got to see him play Mohegan Sun, in the most amazing seats, as part of a weekend with some HS friends.

25. What was your favorite film of this year?
Didn't really see many movies this year.  In part because I don't see the point in spending all that money for something ultimately "meh" (if I could do that with food I know won't taste as good as it looks like it wants to taste, I'd be so much thinner by now!).  And in part because so few really benefit from the Big Screen so I'm willing to wait for Netflix.

26. What was your favorite live performance?
PNB's performance at Jacob's Pillow.

27. What did you want and get?
My "reward" scarf.  A great team to work with.  

28. What did you want and not get?
Good health. A summer travel experience.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
For the third year in a row, my birthday (number 53) was also a snow day at MPOW.  This year that won't happen because its on a Sunday.  But maybe either Friday or Monday will be one!  Hope, as they say...

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Selling my house.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
Not quite "capsule wardrobe" but I've settled on green/grey as my colors and am paring down my wardrobe to the pieces I really like and look good in.

32. What kept you sane?
How presumptuous: am I sane?  Seriously, though... until Thanksgiving, I'd say it was my early morning and bedtime cuddle with Mallory.  There really is something about the purr that lowers blood pressure, eases stress and makes you feel loved.  After Thanksgiving, Thing One (who doesn't purr, or fit in my arms as comfortably).

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None.  Is that elitist of me?

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not the election (although that did!) as much as watching otherwise intelligent people embrace the really awful things that were bring promoted by the winning candidate.  And watching serious fault lines develop among colleagues and students who weren't on the same side of that issue (I really do understand not wanting to vote for Hillary - I didn't! - but The Donald?  His ideas are so vile.  And those who think he's ok are just beyond my comprehension).

35. Whom did you miss?
No one.  I spent more time with people I like this year.  I missed not spending more time with them.  Does that count?

36. Who was the best new person you met?
One of my new team members.  A professional colleague who I finally met in person.  The other members of the Book Award Committee.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016.
I'm getting older.  Watching my health is important.

38. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Two: attending one of the best professional development sessions I've ever attended, back at my alma mater (which just made it all the sweeter). And the weekend spent with some HS friends.

39. What was your least favorite moment of the year?
3:45pm, Thanksgiving Day. Saying goodbye to my Mallory.

40. If you could go back in time to any moment of 2016 and change something, what would it be?
Nothing.  I mean, there are things I didn't love, that I would love to change, but ultimately I couldn't change my eye issue or keep Mallory alive.  So... nothing.

41. What are your plans for 2017?

• Lose weight / get in shape (well, better shape than I am now)
• Continue to enjoy my work on the Book Award Committee
• Get better organized (declutter plus time management)
• Take a fun trip somewhere 
• Be better about being connected to family and friends

Year End Reading Wrap-Up

345 books read - GOAL MET (goal was 300, so met and surpassed)!  Now, if you go over to the reading blog, you'll see far fewer books listed and I've only done one quarterly list, so click here to see the 2016 reads.  Here's the thing: among the unlisted are the picture books I "read" for MPOW's Mock Caldecott, while many more fell into the "you can't talk about this" category for the Book Award Committee.  Which is also, in its way, one of the reasons why I haven't blogged as much this year as in previous years.

So... here's the 2016 reading analysis (2015 numbers in parens):

• number of books read in 2016:  345 (309) 
• best month: December/52 (last year was also December with 49)
• worst month: tie between June and August/22 (April/13)
• average read per month: 28.75 (25.75) 
• adult fiction as percentage of total: 21 (17) 
• children's/YA fiction as percentage of total: 35 (55)
• Advance Readers Copies: 90 (191) 
• e-books: 0 (5)
• books read that were published this year: 300 (249)
• books that will be published in the coming year: 6 (22) 
• five star reviews (aka "Must Read"): 5 (30) 
• one star reviews (aka "DNF"): 11 (15) 

Thanks to Book Committee Books unread, Mt. Bookpile is at 287! And with another year of committee work ahead, it doesn't look like that will go down terribly far, but I'm going to try to keep it below 300.  As with 2016, my public reading goal will be 125 and 300 as my personal goal.  We'll see how that goes.