Category: Seen, Heard, Said

Yes, I realize it’s not Friday, but I was sick, and I still haz links to share.

10 Lessons from Angry Birds that can make you a better CIO
I love Angry Birds & thought this was a very insightful article on leadership. Point #3 resonated with me personally, in terms of my temper. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hit the reset button before my first bird even hit the target – I just KNEW it was a bad launch! Likewise, I feel like I’m finally in a place where I can abort my temper before it really even hits its intended target. Not all the time, but enough to make me think I really do trust this Jesus guy after all.

The article came to me by way of Geek Wire.

Ben Kingsley, on portraying Holocaust history (NPR)
“I think it’s just very important to embrace tragedy as a real part of our lives….Western civilization is a civilization determined to outlaw tragedy. If removed, the interpretation of tragedy, and the presentation of tragedy, promise shaman, who’s sitting by the bonfire – you’re telling the tribe nothing of real life. And it doesn’t prepare us as adults. It’s infantilizes us, and it dodges an enormous responsibility.”

When Ruthie was three, her grandpa died. A few years ago our beloved dog died in our living room as the kids snuggled around her. Elderly women stand outside a nearby abortion clinic with signs, and my son asks why that baby in the picture is turned inside out. They now have friends whose parents are divorcing, and they ask why so-and-so’s mom and dad don’t live together anymore. Earthquakes and tsunamis are wiping out thousands of lives.

My kids observe tragedy all the time. I can’t hide it or protect them from it – or maybe I can, but choose not to. I think it’s possible for my kids to keep their innocence without becoming ignorant. I don’t go looking for scary stories to tell them, but when they see the scary stories being written all around them, they need a language to interpret them through. Jesus gives us that language in the Bible, which is full of death & betrayal & murder & tragedy. But he also gives us a language of hope & life & grace. They can’t truly appreciate the Easter moments of life without somehow experiencing or understanding the tragedy of Good Friday.

Changing Education Paradigms
I’ve watched this video several times since it was posted. I feel like I need to keep reminding myself how important it is to be involved in my kids’ learning, even if we’re not called to home school. It also made me realize that Thomas is an innovator, and at barely six years old he blows me away with his curiosity, creative problem solving, and ability to MacGuyver his way through a challange.

My Life Changing Diapers
This post really struck a nerve with me. In fact, I’ll probably end up writing an entire blog post in reflection. I’m not sure how a selfish person like me was allowed to parent children, but I feel like 99% of my anger issues come from the frustration of not being able to do whatever the hell I want because of these meddling kids.

I absolutely do not feel called to have more children while Jesus works this out in me, but I definitely understand that my heart seeks to please itself at the cost of serving others. I think I’ve finally hit the bottom of myself and find this reality so gross that I’m this close to praying something drastic like, “Lord, please give me a heart that’s willing to serve others.”

All the churchy people in the room just gasped because they know I’ll soon be drinking service from the fire hose.

Coffee Drinks Illustrated
My personal favorite, other than a basic cup of black coffee, is the Espresso Macchiato. This is how a real Macchiato is made, and I hate it when a clueless barista makes me a giant cup of milk sweetened with caramel. Blech.

Percolator Flickr Group
I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I downloaded a new photo app called Percolator. This week I discovered a Percolator photo group on Flickr. Browsing here makes my brain happy when it can’t write technical scripts any more.

Social Robots raise moral, ethical questions
Interesting story on NPR about people who are so distraught over human relationships they crave non-human companionship.

Fonts In Use – Black Swan posters
I wish I was better at font design, so I’ve been looking around for resources to help me learn. I came across these Black Swan posters on Fonts in Use and like them better than the typical movie poster.

Planting Dandelions: Field Notes From a Semi-Domesticated Life
A blogging friend of mine is due to release her memoir next month, and I can’t wait to read it. My copy just came in the mail this week – thanks Kyran!

Photo Apps Are Like Crack
With the addition of these two, I now have around six or eight photo apps I use regularly. I’m sure Jenny has infinitely more – she’s the only person I know who takes more self-portraits than me.

By the way, the best feature on the iPhone 4? FRONT FACING CAMERA. Yeah, I’m a big fan of myself.

I’m bringing back Friday Link Love, a weekly collection of interesting and inspiring things I find around the web.

Family Moves to Pioneer Square
We’ve been exploring the idea of moving back into the Seattle core for many of the same reasons this family lists, though I can’t really relate to the price tag for a 2400 sq ft condo. Hope they got a deal!

Over the Rhine: The Long Surrender
“Some people write love songs about what happens in the beginning of a relationship,” Bergquist says. “We’ve sort of moved on to what happens during the bulk of that relationship — the work, the investment, the commitment, you know? And some of it doesn’t really sound all that sexy.”

Macklemore

Bryan discovered this local rapper via KEXP, and DAY-YAM. I love this song, Wings, in particular – it’s great story-telling.

We donated to his Kickstarter campaign to fund a Wings music video, and I think you should, too. It’s important to support good story-tellers. Check out his previous music video – it’s gorgeous.

Me: “Getting to the Good Friday service can be such a hassle sometimes.”

Friend: “Yeah? Why? The traffic?”

Me: “Yeah. And we have to cross the bridge.”

Friend: “Hm. Well at least you don’t have to carry a cross.”

Me: “You may have a point, there.”

Did you hear? President Obama is brainwashing our kids today!

I don’t normally rant about politics in this space, but this issue gets me riled up at a foundational level.  Because for me, this is not really about politics, but about fear of Other, about thinking we’re in Control, and about PARENTING OUR CHILDREN.

So, allow me to back up and fill in the blanks in case you haven’t heard.

President Obama is giving a speech today directed at school children around the nation, encouraging them to work hard and stay in school. The uproar from conservative communities regarding this speech has, in my opinion, hit a tipping point into conspiracy theory.

“OUR CHILDREN WILL BE BRAINWASHED! OUR CHILDREN WILL BECOME SOCIALISTS!”

From a ten minute speech?

Because here’s where I have a simple solution for everyone who is protesting this:

HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR CHILD.

It’s that simple, really.

Ask your child what he or she heard in the speech. Reinforce what you agree with, and talk about the things you disagree with.

There. That wasn’t so hard, was it? It’s called CRITICAL THINKING.

—

That’s about all the time I want to sacrifice on this topic. Though I could say more, here are other comments from around the web:

CNN –

A Baltimore, Maryland, teacher who asked not to be identified bemoaned the fact that the country has “become so polarized that we believe that our president is an enemy and not our leader.”

Former First Lady, Laura Bush –

“And I think it’s also really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States.”

Abraham Piper

If you can’t handle your kids listening to their president for 10 minutes, perhaps you should consider moving to a different country.

Albert Mohler

At this level, the controversy is a national embarrassment. Conservatives must avoid jumping on every conspiracy theory and labeling every action by the Obama administration as sinister or socialist. Our civic culture is debased when opposing parties and political alignments read every proposal by the other side as suspect on its face.

Furthermore, this controversy smacks of disrespect for the President and, by extension, disrespect for the presidency itself. Both fly in the face of Christian responsibility to pray for those in authority. Respect for our government, though never as an end in itself, is part of our Christian responsibility. This controversy threatens to sow seeds of permanent distrust and suspicion in the hearts of the young. In an age of rampant cynicism, this is inexcusable.

John Piper

This is the speech I expected the President to give to our children—excellent.

Given that he is not directing them to Christ, which would be the best counsel, his advice is a wonderful gift of common grace from God to the students of our land.

If you settle for the news headlines that say the president tells the kids to wash their hands and take care of the environment, you will miss the wisdom and courage in this speech. Within its spiritual limitations it is simply amazing.

Going Big – This American Life
I first heard of Geoffrey Canada last year when I was thinking a lot about education in the inner city, and found his “total life” approach to education fascinating. I am completely in love with his charter school concept, and totally heartbroken by the socio-economic divide in education.

Canada’s Harlem Children’s Zone has revolutionized a generation in Harlem by providing resources and education for inner city kids from birth to college. His program is fascinating.

Test results from the charter school’s third grade state-wide assessment tests just came in, and the results were astonishing. Reading scores were above New York City average, and 95% of the students met grade level in Math. This was the first group of kids to enter the charter school program before it was fully in place – most of them didn’t enter the pre-kindergarten program, and their parents did not participate in the parenting classes.

But the kids entering kindergarten now have been in the program since birth. Their whole lives. When these kids get to third grade, says Canada, look out.

Small donations having measurable impact – Jolkona Foundation
Friends recently launched this incredible foundation inspiring youth and young professionals to give back. Donations can be made on a small budget, and donors can choose specific projects to fund and see the impact of that gift.

For instance, $40 will pay for one girl in Afghanistan to go to school. If you choose this project, a picture of the sponsored student will be posted online along with her report card at the end of her school year. You can see where your money is going and how it’s impacting others.

Jolkona is involved with 50 projects in 25 countries around the world, with giving options as low as $5. I encourage you to check out the website, give, and spread the word.

14 Cows for America – The Story
Heard this interview on my local NPR station about a village in Kenya who broke generations of tradition to comfort America after the 9/11 attacks.

The 10 principles of economics – Ignite Seattle
HILARIOUS presentation by the “standup economist,” Yoram Bauman.

Ignite Seattle: Public Library Hacking, by Dawn Rutherford

Postcards From Yo Mama
This is one of the websites I go to when I need a five minute break to laugh my ass off. Real email and IM correspondence with mothers, and you won’t be able to stop reading!

Controversial Breast-Feeding Doll
Yeah, I think it’s a little weird – I don’t really get the need for all the accessories when all you need is a doll and your imagination. I would never buy my kids this doll.

But seriously? With the uproar? Are people REALLY saying – and I quote – “breast-feeding is too grown-up for young children — and may even promote early pregnancy.”

WHAT. THE. EFF.

I have two calloused nipples that prove breastfeeding does not romanticize having a baby AT. ALL. And sure, I GET that not all children are exposed to breast feeding and may find the whole thing a little awkward – SO DON’T BUY THAT CHILD A BREAST FEEDING DOLL.

Personally, between me and several friends who breast fed, it’s nothing that phazes Ruthie, and she pretends to nurse her dolls all the time. Not a big deal.

For your kid a big deal? Maybe. I’m not here to judge nursing vs bottle feeding.

I do, however, judge idiots who say idiotic things like exposure to breast feeding will lead to trauma and/or teen pregnancy, because, well, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

That’s funny.

New GI Bill Offers Massive Benefits – NPR
“By 1947, the president said, half of all Americans enrolled in college were veterans. Eight million veterans who were educated under the original GI Bill, Mr. Obama added, became the backbone of the largest middle class in U.S. history.”

I did not know this. That’s pretty cool.

Mom Entrepreneur Success Strategies – Startup Princess
“If you take your kids to the pool during the day, let that be kid time. Don’t take your lap top. If you answer email at the end of the day, let your children know that this is work time. If you are starting your business from home it is too easy to let work creep into every waking hour you are at home which does no service to ether your family or your business. Set clear timeframes for both.’”

I struggle with this lack of attention on a daily basis, and it doesn’t even have to do with starting a business! I simply let tasks bleed into kid-time, and kid-time bleed into task-time, which always ends up making everyone grouchy. This week I’ve really started disciplining myself to writing or doing other computer tasks during set times, and turning off the phone when I’m out with the kids. I find the kids are way more cooperative if they know my work time is defined, and that I won’t be distracted when we’re hanging out.

How to freeze fresh green beans – Green Beans N’ More
Green beans were recently on sale for $0.99/lb, plus I’m growing some in my garden, so I wanted to stash some away in the freezer for the winter months!

Geek Girl: A Life Story – Maya Bisineer
Maya presented at Ignite Seattle the same night I did, and we’ve become fast friends. We’ve all decided her next Ignite talk needs to be How To Pick Up a Geek Girl.