Thanks, Mr. Zinn

Not a good week for men of consequence. Certainly Catcher in the Rye is defining for any introspective person. I used to keep a copy of it tucked into the side of my loft bed between the mattress and the wood when I was in college. I haven't read it in quite awhile. I would like to say I am going to brush the dust off that old book and start it again. But we all know when I get home I am just going to watch Law and Order.

The loss of Howard Zinn this week has touched me even deeper. There are few writers whose prose is powerful enough to change someone's entire outlook; there are few books that have affected me so profoundly that I remember the extraordinary feeling of my mind opening as I read.

That is how it was for me when I first read A People's History of the United States. I was 17. I could hardly speak when I finished the first chapter. I remember sitting on my bed in the quiet of my thoughts. Tracing the stitching on the quilt covering my bed. Trying to process what I had just read. Knowing that I would never look at things quite the same again.

I was raised by educated people who encouraged critical thinking, no doubt. Nevertheless, until I read Zinn, I didn't realize how many ways one history could be told; how differently things are experienced; how the voices of the conquerors and the conquered have different intonations.

So thank you, Mr. Zinn, for your work and for your words.

Politics Trumps Football Every Time

The Vikings lost. It's a shame. But they truly had so many opportunities to win...whatever.

So now it's Colts v. Saints. Indiana v. NOLA. Manning v. Brees.

Who do I cheer for?

Nola? But they kept my team from the Superbowl!

Indiana? But who's Indiana? Manning is a pompous, RNC-donating conservative. He will donate all that money to a political party I despise.

NOLA. There's something about rooting for New Orleans that feels right- even though the Vikings lost to them. 2005 is not that long ago. It's not so long ago that the Bush Administration made one the hugest blunders (oh the blunders...they are countless) of those shameful 8 years in its lack of responsiveness. The definition of inert. I realize success at football doesn't mean a successful city. There's obviously a long way to go. But if New Orleans won the Superbowl, I guess I would feel some sort of moral victory on their behalf.

"Ain't no one gonna hold me down. Oh no. I got to keep on moving.."

Something like that.

So, in short, the combination of Manning the RNC supporter and NOLA the city that won't be drowned means I think I have to root for the Saints in two weeks.

Don't tell Adrian Peterson.

Success...

Work Comp trial today. Whether I end up winning or not, this is success:

Me: Well, on direct examination, you testified that blah blah blah.

Witness: Yes.

Me: And now you're saying the opposite of blah blah blah.

Witness: Uh, yes.

Me: So are you telling the truth now or were you telling the truth then?

Witness: Then.

Me: And you're lying now?

Witness: Wait. Am I supposed to tell the truth, or...

Me: Or what?

Witness: The other stuff.

Me: What other stuff?

Witness: The other stuff I was supposed to say.

Me: No further questions.

Just Kidding, THIS is the Best Video Ever Made.

I tend to be slow on the uptake (upload?) when it comes to technological advances.

I believe I have just successfully recorded a video on my Black.berry, e-mailed it to mysely, downloaded it to my computer, uploaded it to YouTube, and now embedded it in my blog.

Worth it? You be the judge:

The Best Video Ever Made

Created by the 9-year-old nephew of one the paralegals at my office. I can't stop laughing:

Haiti

I don't have a lot to say. It's a bit overwhelming.

There is a very selfish part of me that is just grateful that the epicenter was not close enough to Eduardo to hurt him or anyone in our family.

There is another selfish part of me that feels that I am *more* connected to this than a lot of people. While my time was mostly in the DR with only a very brief sojourn to Haiti, that's my island. You know, not like I own it, but MINE, nonetheless.

There is the historian in me. Feeling a renewed interest in colonial history and Toussaint L'ouverture and the birth of revolt in the Western Hemisphere.

There is the Occidental student in me. A girl who traipsed off to Afro-Haitian dance class with my roommates and Professor Chin every Tuesday and Thursday. Learning about a country through its dance.

Then, finally, there is the common humanity of the whole thing. This isn't about me or how I feel about it. It's about a time to find a common humanity, and act like we ought to all the time: here on this planet to hold one another up when we need it.

Ok, I guess I do have quite a bit to say.

Places

I've been thinking about how I haven't been to New York in quite awhile. During the early 2000s, I made several trips as Sarah was living in Connecticut and then later in Brooklyn. Most of the times I went, I was visiting her (except for once in 2002 when I stayed at the Midtown Crowne Plaza with my mom and step dad after 4 months in Chile and that Midtown Crowne Plaza was about the best shower I've ever had in my entire life).

BUT.

The point is that my memories of New York are inextricably tied to Sarah. When I think of New York, I think of the times there with her. This is weird only because I am sure she doesn't associate New York with me at all. I mean, she shouldn't. I never lived there- she had a life there with many people and while I am sure (ahem) that she had fun during my visits, I doubt very much that I am the first person to come to mind when she reflects on time in New York.

I wonder if there are other examples. For me, when I think of the Dominican Republic, I certainly immediately am reminded of the first several years I knew Eduardo. My memories of that place are wrapped up with him, but for him, I am only a small part of his memories there.

I don't know that any of this really means anything, but it's just strange to think about unilateral associations. I just made that term up now. Unilateral associations. Let's see if it catches on. And if I can think of other examples.

It Still Takes My Breath Away...

Sometimes, when I am enjoying a quiet night at home, I watch this:




I realize it is really nerdy to watch old(ish) MSNBC news on youtube. Get over it because it's more awesome than it is nerdy.

And it still takes my breath away.

You Must Eat This Now.

Last Sunday night my friend Brigid came over for dinner. She brought the dinner. That's how I roll. What she made was so deceptively simple and so fantastic. With a green salad, it is an excellent dinner. Cut into small wedges, it could be an awesome party appetizer. I must share.

Take one of these (Brigid recommends Jack's brand):



Don't cook it quite yet.

Next, saute one of these in butter or olive oil. Everyone knows butter is better.


Once the onion is translucent, spread it over the uncooked frozen pizza.

Then add some chevre, either crumbled or in slices:



Finally, drizzle this over the top of the pizza:



Pop it in the oven and cook according to directions on the pizza. So good. So very, very good. I wish I had pictures of the finished product. Or of my happy face after I ate it.

Eat, drink, and be merry. Cheers.

Milestone

Happy New Year.

The last few weeks have been full of holiday parties, celebrations, and reunions. I noticed in Johan a new interest in other kids. Rather than wanting to play with me or by himself, or just look at other kids, he actually wanted to play with them.

This is so cool to watch as it seems to be a major marker in his development as an autonomous being. He doesn't need me to entertain him or to have fun. He interacts with others in his own way, without direct cues from me (although my comfort level in a given situation is mirrored by him- in other words, he is quicker to get accustomed to a new environment if I appear at ease.)

This is also an exciting milestone in that it makes for more momma-enjoyment when bringing Johan to parties. It is fun to watch him interact with kids and also to have more freedom the engage in adult conversation.

There are so many milestones kids reach. The first step. The first word. The first time he sleeps through the night uninterrupted. The first tooth. You don't hear much about the first time your kid just goes along with a bunch of cousins and spends the morning playing with stuffed animals, wrestling, jumping on the bed, and playing make believe princesses and castles and knights while mommy drinks coffee with the grown ups. Well, let's be honest, I'm not sure if Johan knew he was supposed to be a knight or just liked riding the pretend horse Even so, believe me, this is a milestone to be celebrated.

Happy New Year.