Monday, March 27, 2006
My next great YA read. YA stands for Young Adult.
Joe Sacco
Joe Sacco rocks. He is the pioneer of cartoon journalism. Palestine won rave reviews from other graphic novelists such as the great Art Speigelman who won a Pulitzer Prize for Maus, a graphic novel set during the holocaust of WWII. My descriptions could not do his brilliance justice.
Equally worthy of mention in the graphic novel genre is Pyongyang by Guy Delilsle. Thank you Darren for the thoughtful and perfect Xmas gift. It was riveting, humourous, rare look inside the walls of North Korea. Pyongyang could not have been more bizarre: a brief glance inside a country completely cut off from the rest of the world.
Joe Sacco rocks. He is the pioneer of cartoon journalism. Palestine won rave reviews from other graphic novelists such as the great Art Speigelman who won a Pulitzer Prize for Maus, a graphic novel set during the holocaust of WWII. My descriptions could not do his brilliance justice.
Equally worthy of mention in the graphic novel genre is Pyongyang by Guy Delilsle. Thank you Darren for the thoughtful and perfect Xmas gift. It was riveting, humourous, rare look inside the walls of North Korea. Pyongyang could not have been more bizarre: a brief glance inside a country completely cut off from the rest of the world.
crib woes, stroller envy and hooray we're going on vacation!
It seems that kid gear is always unsatisfactory in one way or another. It took a couple trys before we got the right stroller and even then we ended up with three. It looks like the crib is going to be the same problem. My dear and wonderful friend Teresa loaned us her son Jaden's crib. It's a fantastic crib but sadly we just don't have the space for it in Gus' tiny room/home office. It has built in drawers which is really great but we just don't have the space. Augusten's new found ability to stand up in his crib means we can no longer have the crib by the window or he'll pull down the curtains. We'll be heading to the crib shop soon - to invest in one of those 4 in one cribs that allows you to convert the crib to a toddler bed, day bed, and twin size bed (click to see example). A worthy investment since it should last him years. And sadly The one we have, being older and well-used, has a noisy gate so it wakes Gus up every time we close it. and you have to use two hands to put the gate up and down. Newer ones have silent drop gates that you can slide down with one hand.
The good news is that I think I'm finally done with the stroller envy. Choosing a stroller is one of the toughest things - they are expensive and there are so many choices. The MacLaren is almost perfect - although I would have purchased one of the lesser MacLarens;s if I could go back since he doesn't really need a full recline anymore. and the cheaper ones are smaller and more lightweight. I think every new and expectant mum I know obsesses about it. I am big a fan of the backpack - we both have to get in better shape before our big trip to Italy. We are heading to Victoria for 2 days tomorrow - It'll be so nice to get away and we'll get to test out the various contraptions we have to transporting the little guy. Stay tuned for some fantastic new photos of Gus' adventures in Victoria. And a million thanks to my mom for coming with us and hanging out with the boy if we want to go out! We are staying at the Strathcona Hotel, a superb character hotel with FIVE bars! yeehaw!
The good news is that I think I'm finally done with the stroller envy. Choosing a stroller is one of the toughest things - they are expensive and there are so many choices. The MacLaren is almost perfect - although I would have purchased one of the lesser MacLarens;s if I could go back since he doesn't really need a full recline anymore. and the cheaper ones are smaller and more lightweight. I think every new and expectant mum I know obsesses about it. I am big a fan of the backpack - we both have to get in better shape before our big trip to Italy. We are heading to Victoria for 2 days tomorrow - It'll be so nice to get away and we'll get to test out the various contraptions we have to transporting the little guy. Stay tuned for some fantastic new photos of Gus' adventures in Victoria. And a million thanks to my mom for coming with us and hanging out with the boy if we want to go out! We are staying at the Strathcona Hotel, a superb character hotel with FIVE bars! yeehaw!
Baghdad Burning
Baghdad Burning
This blog is written by a young Iraqi woman living in Baghdad. If you've ever wondered what it's like to live in a warzone or are interested in Iraqi perspectives on war, politics and occupation, have a look. It is very well written, funny, sad, and brutally honest. A book of key entries from the blog has been published and is on the longlist for the BBC Four Samuel Johnson Prize.
This blog is written by a young Iraqi woman living in Baghdad. If you've ever wondered what it's like to live in a warzone or are interested in Iraqi perspectives on war, politics and occupation, have a look. It is very well written, funny, sad, and brutally honest. A book of key entries from the blog has been published and is on the longlist for the BBC Four Samuel Johnson Prize.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Thanks Gramma Joan!
Here are my Big Boy Jammies:
and oh-oh here is my Big Boy Beverage:
check out the look on Darren's face!
and oh-oh here is my Big Boy Beverage:
check out the look on Darren's face!
Monday, March 20, 2006
cruisin' slideshow on Flickr
cruisin' slideshow on Flickr
he can now cruise around furniture - you can't tell by the photos but he originally pulled up on the table and moved over to his "space ship"
he can now cruise around furniture - you can't tell by the photos but he originally pulled up on the table and moved over to his "space ship"
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
I love my chariot!
Tested out the new chariot with a stroll to Queen Elizabeth Park (where we got married). It was a good 45 minute leisurely walk from our house, a hike on a kinds of terrain through the park and back again - Augusten slept through much of it so I guess the thing is comfortable. Although as one person in the park remarked as we bumped down some stairs - "Kids can sleep anywhere!". Too true.
Check out the Flickr page for the latest photos!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Talking.
The dictionary of Augusten:
mama (MUH'-muh) - when he's upset. I think it translates to "this sucks."
dede (deh'-deh)- actually means "Dad"
tongue clicking (!K) (like the !Kung San of the Kalahari) - I think this clicking translates to: "I need a drink" or maybe "cat"
mama (MUH'-muh) - when he's upset. I think it translates to "this sucks."
dede (deh'-deh)- actually means "Dad"
tongue clicking (!K) (like the !Kung San of the Kalahari) - I think this clicking translates to: "I need a drink" or maybe "cat"
Crawling.
Well, the easy days are over. Augusten started crawling (forwards) two days ago. Crawling has two very serious implications: 1) we can't leave him alone for a second and 2) he can't sleep longer than an hour because he sits up in his sleep. Fortunately, once we come to bed he'll sleep until about 7am. We had nine glorious months of a baby who slept in until 8, 8:30 and even 9am!! Boy, we're we spoiled. I'm hoping once he's used to crawling and sitting up he'll go back to sleeping like a teenager. He can also pull himself up to standing on the furniture, but he forgets that he can do it so it doesn't happen all that often. Here is an attempt at sharing photos of crawling with you:
Monday, March 06, 2006
Teenreads.com
Teenreads.com
I love reading teen books. Generally speaking, they are better than books for adult readers for a number of reasons: 1) they hit on "hot topics" sooner and do it better. For example, the first book about living with HIV/AIDS was written for teenagers at a time when writers generally wouldn't touch the topic.
2) Good teen reads (some are bad and miss this point) do NOT insult the intelligence of the reader. Teenagers are more willing to accept new ideas than us stuck in the mud adults - and a good author knows it.
3) My values are constantly challenged by good teen books. They offer up new ways of looking at the same old problems.
I am currently reading "A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly. It is amazing. I am sending a copy to my niece Kessa in Thunder Bay soon!
I love reading teen books. Generally speaking, they are better than books for adult readers for a number of reasons: 1) they hit on "hot topics" sooner and do it better. For example, the first book about living with HIV/AIDS was written for teenagers at a time when writers generally wouldn't touch the topic.
2) Good teen reads (some are bad and miss this point) do NOT insult the intelligence of the reader. Teenagers are more willing to accept new ideas than us stuck in the mud adults - and a good author knows it.
3) My values are constantly challenged by good teen books. They offer up new ways of looking at the same old problems.
I am currently reading "A Northern Light" by Jennifer Donnelly. It is amazing. I am sending a copy to my niece Kessa in Thunder Bay soon!
BookCrossing - FREE YOUR BOOKS!
If you've never heard of BookCrossing check it out. if you ever pass books on to friends, family or donate books to charity, used bookstores etc and wonder where they end up, who's read them and what they thought of them consider registering your books at BookCrossing. By giving your book a reference number and "releasing it into the wild" by leaving it at the mall, in (dry) park or just giving it to a friend you can watch the book's travels online. Each person who reads the book will have the reference number and instructions (pasted in the book before you release it) and will be able to post messages and notes about the book online. It's free! and way too cool! Bookcrossing is a labour of love and is not done for profit.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Uncle Bri, off-road babies and Pomme d'Api
Little Augusten is checking out his uncle Brian this weekend. New faces usually elicit one of two reactions from the boy - joy and happiness or complete terror. Lucky Brian gets the joy and happiness. I wonder if there is some kind of hardwired knowledge that we have that allows us to recognize blood relatives. Usually any one with a larger than usual head will make Gus cry. Especially if they have a loud voice. But he's OK with Brian. Go figure. Something in the genes. And now we know where he gets his dark blue grey green eyes from. and of course his big head. Same goes for Brian - he seems to think the kid is OK too, taking him on upside down airplane rides. Gus isn't so sure about the upside down airplane rides. He humours Brian by not crying.
He is still "almost crawling" and scooting backwards using his arms. It seems like any day he is going to start crawling - but I've been saying that for weeks. So who knows. He tries very hard to pull himself up on furniture but he doesn't realize that he needs to use his legs. I don't think he realizes he has legs.
We picked up a baby bike trailer off craigslist this week. I'm very excited. For now it will just be an off-road stroller until he is old enough to pulled behind a bike - around a year old. Chariot is one of the best brands of bike trailers around - the kit we bought usually runs around $650-700 and we got it for $200. It's few years old but its in good shape. I'm looking forward to hitting Pacific Spirit park in it this spring. You'll see some photos.
I am already checking out the schools in the 'hood - he's not even a year old, I know. We really want to send him to French immersion which can be a challenge to get into so I want to be able to increase my chances by figuring out what to do early on. I think I'll start by getting him on the waitlist for the French immersion preschool in our neighbourhood. Small children have such a capacity for languages so it's best to start early. Pomme d'Api is nearby and is a great program. I only wish enrollment gave him some sort of priority in the French immersion elementary school.
I'm looking forward to getting him involved in all sorts of things - music, maybe Circkids (if you don't know what Cirkids is you must have a look. It is so cool: CIRKIDS), sports and whatever else he might be interested in. What kid wouldn't find Circkids amazing???
I figure the more we expose him to different languages, music, new cultures, sports and other interesting activities the more well rounded he will be. and I can hope that his early enthusiasm for books will continue! Books rule!
He is still "almost crawling" and scooting backwards using his arms. It seems like any day he is going to start crawling - but I've been saying that for weeks. So who knows. He tries very hard to pull himself up on furniture but he doesn't realize that he needs to use his legs. I don't think he realizes he has legs.
We picked up a baby bike trailer off craigslist this week. I'm very excited. For now it will just be an off-road stroller until he is old enough to pulled behind a bike - around a year old. Chariot is one of the best brands of bike trailers around - the kit we bought usually runs around $650-700 and we got it for $200. It's few years old but its in good shape. I'm looking forward to hitting Pacific Spirit park in it this spring. You'll see some photos.
I am already checking out the schools in the 'hood - he's not even a year old, I know. We really want to send him to French immersion which can be a challenge to get into so I want to be able to increase my chances by figuring out what to do early on. I think I'll start by getting him on the waitlist for the French immersion preschool in our neighbourhood. Small children have such a capacity for languages so it's best to start early. Pomme d'Api is nearby and is a great program. I only wish enrollment gave him some sort of priority in the French immersion elementary school.
I'm looking forward to getting him involved in all sorts of things - music, maybe Circkids (if you don't know what Cirkids is you must have a look. It is so cool: CIRKIDS), sports and whatever else he might be interested in. What kid wouldn't find Circkids amazing???
I figure the more we expose him to different languages, music, new cultures, sports and other interesting activities the more well rounded he will be. and I can hope that his early enthusiasm for books will continue! Books rule!
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