August has been a fairly stressful month, dominated for the most part by our search for a new place to live. Who would have thought under $1000 for one bedroom, close to freeways, around Mira Mesa with a 10 mile radius, dog-friendly seems to be impossible requirements to fulfill at one time.
I felt my brain was constantly trying to weigh all the factors and trying to find the best possible combination. Unfortunately, though I knew we weren't desperate, none of our fall back options were pretty. Live separately, give up the dog, live either up by San Marcos/Escondido, or down near Downtown, Hillcrest, Golden Hills (we didn't even give a thought to El Cajon and Chula Vista).
We finally decided to stay within our complex in a studio. Last time we had a one bedroom, we remarked on more than one occasion that the apt was rather lacking in furniture, though I refuse to buy more because I detest moving. So a studio hopefully will fulfill our needs better.
I realized after we came to a decision that a stressed out brain trying to make a decision while factoring in the weight of different criteria and options is very much like a computer stuck in a loop, working on a problem. Almost like not having enough RAM. I really had no mental room to spare for other considerations in life. I found myself slightly more paranoid, unable to care about others' needs, and less able to plan for the less essentials. Interesting experience. I like that now my brain is free to wander to think about other things. Like what others' mental life is like? I would like to have the ability to invisibly camp out in someone else's brain. That would be fun. =)
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Omnivore's Dilemma
In an effort to entertain my brother, we went to B&N. There's something there for everyone.
I wanted to continue reading a book about birth that I picked up last time. The Birth Book did a very good job describing the various interventions used in modern hospitals. In addition to discussing how they work, it also attempted to ascertain their merits based on scientific studies. I got as far as pitocin and electronic fetal monitoring (surprisingly, unnecessary) before forced to leave the store. Unfortunately, when I attempted to find the book again, I couldn't. It was on hold for someone. I know I am selectively reading books that agree with my birth philosophy without giving the same consideration for the other side. However, I am loathe to try and find the opposing side. I will justify this with the excuse that I am trying to find out what average natural births are like.
Disappointed, I wandered around trying to find a book that piqued and held my interest. I chanced upon the much talked about Michael Pollan book The Omnivore's Dilemma (btw, who coined the term "foodie"? What does it even mean?). Perfect. I randomly flipped through some chapters and stopped at his journey in following a typical cow from birth to grill. After reading about the problems steers have with eating corn along with all its associated problems (the one I remember, acidosis, which incubated the much feared e. coli), I am horrified that I eat regular beef at all. Why am I not eating grass-fed beef? What is our diet supposed to be? Are we really supposed to consume so much meat? Obviously, because of corn subsidy and because we don't figure environmental costs in to our food prices, the true price of beef that we currently eat should be much higher. But if not this, then what? I know from experience that with the eating culture that I am familiar, if I don't eat protein during lunch, I will be hungry three hours later, which is a little ridiculous to me.
As I find myself trying more and more to come up with healthy and filling meals, it's quite a mental exercise to come up with variety, figure out cost of food and calculate preparation time. Healthy meals, at least for me, takes a lot of time and effort (which is why I really appreciate it when someone else cleans up afterwards). How do other people eat? How many people are succeeding at this balancing game?
Also, one more book I thought would be interesting to read, Genome, The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. The author was a science journalist. Hence the book seems to be fairly accessible to anyone without a biology degree. Yet, it seems to give a good sense of where genetics stand as the last 5-10 years. It doesn't claim to be comprehensive, that would be too much information. I thought the fun thing about the book was the his structure: 23 chromosomes, 1 gene selected from each chromosome, so 23 genes in 23 chapters.
I wanted to continue reading a book about birth that I picked up last time. The Birth Book did a very good job describing the various interventions used in modern hospitals. In addition to discussing how they work, it also attempted to ascertain their merits based on scientific studies. I got as far as pitocin and electronic fetal monitoring (surprisingly, unnecessary) before forced to leave the store. Unfortunately, when I attempted to find the book again, I couldn't. It was on hold for someone. I know I am selectively reading books that agree with my birth philosophy without giving the same consideration for the other side. However, I am loathe to try and find the opposing side. I will justify this with the excuse that I am trying to find out what average natural births are like.
Disappointed, I wandered around trying to find a book that piqued and held my interest. I chanced upon the much talked about Michael Pollan book The Omnivore's Dilemma (btw, who coined the term "foodie"? What does it even mean?). Perfect. I randomly flipped through some chapters and stopped at his journey in following a typical cow from birth to grill. After reading about the problems steers have with eating corn along with all its associated problems (the one I remember, acidosis, which incubated the much feared e. coli), I am horrified that I eat regular beef at all. Why am I not eating grass-fed beef? What is our diet supposed to be? Are we really supposed to consume so much meat? Obviously, because of corn subsidy and because we don't figure environmental costs in to our food prices, the true price of beef that we currently eat should be much higher. But if not this, then what? I know from experience that with the eating culture that I am familiar, if I don't eat protein during lunch, I will be hungry three hours later, which is a little ridiculous to me.
As I find myself trying more and more to come up with healthy and filling meals, it's quite a mental exercise to come up with variety, figure out cost of food and calculate preparation time. Healthy meals, at least for me, takes a lot of time and effort (which is why I really appreciate it when someone else cleans up afterwards). How do other people eat? How many people are succeeding at this balancing game?
Also, one more book I thought would be interesting to read, Genome, The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. The author was a science journalist. Hence the book seems to be fairly accessible to anyone without a biology degree. Yet, it seems to give a good sense of where genetics stand as the last 5-10 years. It doesn't claim to be comprehensive, that would be too much information. I thought the fun thing about the book was the his structure: 23 chromosomes, 1 gene selected from each chromosome, so 23 genes in 23 chapters.
Friday, August 20, 2010
9/11 mosque controversy
I had to drive John home to register for his Junior year classes. In the evening, we went out to dinner with the two kids rooming with the parents.
On the way over, I thought about the current controversy surrounding a plan to build a mosque close the Ground Zero. I brought that up with my brother (he being surprisingly well versed in current events and politics). In a good mood, I was determined to keep up the conversation at the dinner table so as to avoid awkward moments.
Anyway, though I don't think the plan is very tactful, I fully support their right to do so. If it's legal, then why should we prevent them from doing so? I think a benchmark test of the much touted Americans freedoms and rights is allowing people to do things despite of the repugnance that action elicits from within us.
My mom said that they absolutely should not be allowed to do so because it is insulting and not in good taste. I tried explaining to her that things considered in good taste changes with every generation. Miscegenation. Same-sex marriage. That's not a good standard to prevent people from doing something they want. In addition, just as the sins of the father may not be visited upon the son, we cannot hold everyone of one religion responsible for what their fringe group did.
"...then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up."
-Martin Niemöller
On the way over, I thought about the current controversy surrounding a plan to build a mosque close the Ground Zero. I brought that up with my brother (he being surprisingly well versed in current events and politics). In a good mood, I was determined to keep up the conversation at the dinner table so as to avoid awkward moments.
Anyway, though I don't think the plan is very tactful, I fully support their right to do so. If it's legal, then why should we prevent them from doing so? I think a benchmark test of the much touted Americans freedoms and rights is allowing people to do things despite of the repugnance that action elicits from within us.
My mom said that they absolutely should not be allowed to do so because it is insulting and not in good taste. I tried explaining to her that things considered in good taste changes with every generation. Miscegenation. Same-sex marriage. That's not a good standard to prevent people from doing something they want. In addition, just as the sins of the father may not be visited upon the son, we cannot hold everyone of one religion responsible for what their fringe group did.
"...then they came for me,
and by that time no one was left to speak up."
-Martin Niemöller
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