What To Do On A Rainy Day:

1) Go camping on Daddy's bed.






















2) Build a train station out of a cardboard box.

Ken Robinson: schools kill creativity

A Visit To The Dentist

Here's the boxscore: 2 kids, 44 teeth, 0 cavities, 1 copayment - Yay
for the home team!

Just Another Night At The Puzzle Factory

Friday, 6:55pm The Cuckoo's Nest:
I am sitting at the front desk of the unit, by the ocher painted elevators - purportedly to ensure that none of the denizens of the ward make a break for said elevators, and the freedom to gallop out into the chilly November Brooklyn night - running the streets in ill-fitting (and often stained) blue speckled gowns, that seem to have been engineered specifically so that the wearer's posterior is exposed exactly once with each step. I think I need to wash my eyes.

I am here to pass out soap, toothpaste, an odd comb or two, and other personal care items, but mostly my job is to serve as a focus or release valve for the rantings of those here incarcerated. So I listen - sometimes thoughtfully, offering soothing words or a different perspective, but more often staring glassy-eyed at the clock wondering if "crazy" can be contracted through over-exposure.

One of my coworkers wheels an elderly male patient by the desk, taking him to be toileted, and I am pleased that I have been spared this gruesome task, at least for another hour or so after I have eaten. The old man has been getting electric shock treatments - I find myself wondering if sizzling human smells worse than the lingering odor of flatulence that permeates the linoleum clad halls - caused, no doubt, by the persecuted chicken served for dinner nearly two hours earlier. I wonder if even the extra-strength Tide I keep for my work clothes will get the fetid aroma out of my garments.

The televisions on either end of the unit announce that "This is Jeopardy!" - one a split second after the other, creating a peculiar delayed stereo effect that enhances the surreal nature of this nightly experience. I hear two patients arguing heatedly about some piece of religious minutiae, over the smug quips of Alex Trebek. I have learned that religion and psychiatry can make for a rather volatile cocktail; having no energy for a wresting match with them, I wish they would stop.

I am trying to think of a topic to write on - to get the creative juices that I've allowed to stagnate flowing again - but as I sit and sip my soda, I find that the only juices flowing are the ones from my kidneys.

7:05pm With five hours to go I find that I am missing the clip-clop sounds of a certain pair of high-heeled shoes.

Why oh why didn't I take the BLUE pill?

Spoon boy: Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Spoon boy: There is no spoon.
Neo: There is no spoon?
Spoon boy: Then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.

Miranda's Fancy Lunch

Today was an early dismissal day, due to parent-teacher conferences. So Daddy and Miranda took the opportunity to go out for a special lunch. First, Daddy spent some time talking her out of a Happy Meal, then we went to the Taj Mahal and had an Indian feast. Miranda was very impressed that the napkins were folded like flowers, that all of the plates were made of "glass" and at how colorful the food was. She tried everything, settling on Pakora and Biryani as her two favs. She also loved the Nan.
Of course afterwards we had to dance, because that is what real princesses do - Daddy was very grateful that there were no other customers in the place to witness his two left feet.
Good times!

Miranda's Class Trip

I recently had the chance to go as a parent-helper with Miranda's Kindergarten class on one of their monthly class trips, to the Brooklyn Children's Museum.
Although we had been there before, it was a very different experience going when the museum was not open to the public and getting to see some of the exhibits (and critters) that are not normally on display.
Miranda was her usual curious self - she held the giant Bull Python (pictured) and the Giant Madagascan Hissing Cockroach. Cool huh?

Halloween 2009

Tickertape Aftermath

Broadway, looking North from Bowling Green.

76th Street Stairs

Halloween Moon (over Brooklyn)

Stillwell Nightvision

Zechariah On The N-Train

Miranda's Birthday (with Daddy)

Zechariah (my BumbleBee)

Butterflies

This is a month or so belated, but here are some pics of the butterflies that we hatched and released back at the end of August. It was really cool to watch our batch of caterpillars eat themselves into a stupor, spin a chrysalis then emerge as these beautiful Painted Lady butterflies. It was also, thankfully, surprisingly easy to do. Any moms or dads out there that are interested in the details? Just post a note:-)

Birthday Party Videos

These are short videos taken last Sunday at the Zach and Miranda's birthday party, held at Bounce U in Brooklyn.

Zach Climbs a Tower:

Miranda Chimes In:

Zach Bouncing:

Two Little Monkeys Have A Birthday Party