Category Archives: Media/TV

7 Quick Takes — TV, Minivans, and ABA Training

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7 Quick Takes

It’s been a week of interesting TV, discovering my inner soccer mom (she doesn’t exist), and trying to figure out how to fit ABA techniques into my day with Daniel.

— 1 —

Being part of Quick Takes has been a blessing to me. I’ve learned a lot about myself, about interacting with others who may believe differently than I do, and I’ve found a community of people with whom I can discuss life. There are people who have helped me through Daniel’s autism diagnosis and others who I’ve been able to help through some things in their lives. Thank you to everyone who has emailed me and commented. You’ve helped me out a lot.

— 2 —

OMG CSI!!!! The episodes the last two weeks have been insane and I’m glad I got to see them though I had to watch the last part of this week’s episode online because I was dealing with Daniel puke during the last 20 minutes of it when it was on TV. Obviously, I’m sad Catherine is leaving the show but I’m excited to see what they do after her departure. I’m especially excited to see what they have in store for Brody.

— 3 —

The interaction at the end of Hart of Dixie this week between Zoe and Brick was touching. I’m sure that we’ll see that he still wants her to leave Bluebell but he was actually really warm and tender with her as he told her about Harley’s family. He had watched her put herself out there for ridicule in order to prove herself worthy of being part of “The Belles” and that included watching Lemon treat her like dirt. The best exchange of the episode was probably Lemon telling her to go out and milk the cow and not come back unless she had two gallons. Brick walks in and comments, “We have a cow?” Lemon’s response: “Today we do.”

— 4 —

I’m within the last 150 pages of Inheritance by Christopher Paolini. Honestly, it’s like pulling teeth right now that they’re in with Galbatorix. I think we’re going to get the two views of the battle: Eragon’s and Roran’s for awhile. We know that either Eragon is going down or Galbatorix is going down — the two can’t be alive together. Part of me is dying to know what happens and another part of me is having problems reading about things not going well.

— 5 —

I did not watch the State of the Union address or the GOP response. Considering the number of my friends who live-tweeted it, I don’t really think I needed to. Instead, I had to deal with a sub-par episode of NCIS and a crappy episode of The Big Bang Theory afterwards. I decided to see what was on other channels rather than watch and I got to see ABC’s “Last Man Standing”. It’s OK — sort of on-par with “Home Improvement” but not quite.

— 6 —

ABA training went well. I understand the theories behind this method and I can see its benefits. The problem for me is that Daniel isn’t completely at the point yet where it is really effective. He isn’t exhibiting a lot of the behaviors that need to be extinguished so I’m having to find something/anything where I need to fix his behavior. Our home visit is on the 3rd and I’m afraid that all my efforts won’t be good enough. The idea is that we teach a skill and the skill I’m working on with Daniel is one of the base skills that have to be in place to teach the kind of skills they want us to teach. OK… enough being neurotic.

— 7 —

My car was in the body shop this week so I had a rental. They didn’t have any cars like mine at Enterprise so… they asked if a minivan would be OK. Having a cranky toddler with me, I said “sure”. The result: I have a Chrysler Town and Country to drive this week. It’s a soccer mom car and it’s a lot more car than I need even though it’s nice to have Sirius radio and the ability to sync my iPod with the car’s computer. Truthfully, I miss my Dodge Stratus.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

7 Quick Takes — Brain Purge

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7 Quick Takes

As I had themed Quick Takes last week, you all will be subjected to the purging of my brain this week.

— 1 —

PROJECT SIPPY CUP: Successfully completed. Last Thursday, I moved Daniel from exclusively bottles to exclusively sippy cups. He was biting the nipples in half and after he sprayed the living room with milk, I decided it was time. Thanks to all those who told me to stay the course and that this would be the “new normal” within a couple days. He finally relented at about 7:00 p.m. that night and hasn’t had a bottle since.

— 2 —

My retail Christmas shopping (at least in brick and mortar stores) got done last Friday. I had to buy for my kid at church and for my mom. It took three tries but I got it all done. Additionally, I found some nice soft socks for my father-in-law that we hadn’t been able to find a year earlier at Kohl’s. Given how much I hate being in any retail establishment at Christmas time, I’m glad that the rest of my stuff just involves giving my credit card number to Amazon.Com and the place where my dad buys his telescope stuff.

— 3 —

I managed to piss off a psychopath at the grocery store on Saturday. She nearly ran me over with her cart when I stopped by the exit to see if there were any bell ringers and started cursing at me. OK… whatever. I get in the car and am turning to get to the exit of the shopping center that is nearest where I was going when she comes tearing through the parking lot in her SUV. She almost hit me, flipped me off, and started screaming obscenities out of her open window. I probably could have called police but she had left too fast for me to get her license plate number. I have no idea what her problem was or why she was in a hurry.

— 4 —

I head down to San Jose tomorrow (Friday) for a concert. Mom and Dad saw Golden Bough in concert this summer as part of the concert series that takes place at Lick Observatory during the summer. When they found out that they were going to be playing at a church in Los Gatos, they asked if I wanted to go. Originally, we thought that we’d all go and Mom would take Daniel out if he got fussy but she decided to just keep him at home with her and let me have a date with Dad. (This will be the first “date” for the two of us in 25 years — since I was 5 or 6.)

— 5 —

I’m glad that there were two episodes of “Hart of Dixie” this week but they weren’t the best episodes. I’m kind of hoping for two more next week and hoping that they’re good episodes. I know that I can watch them live on the CW website but it’s kind of nice to hang out with Daniel and watch them with him snuggled on my lap.

— 6 —

I probably have enough material for another Judge Judy set of Quick Takes. Seriously… I had bonus items last week and could probably write seven more based on this week. From tonight’s episode: if you no longer reside at a place and your ex tells you not to come over, DON’T COME OVER!!!!!! Doing so is trespassing. I was also happy that Judge Judy gave some dog owner a stern lecture on keeping the dog chained up because they’re liable if the dog attacks people. (We have too many unchained dogs around here.)

— 7 —

I’m wishing for rain. This probably will sound weird because I get weather-change migraines and the pressure changes wreak havoc on my joints but I love the sound of rain beating against the windows and on the roof. We got a little bit this morning but it wasn’t worth mentioning. I’m wishing for a decent rainstorm with thunder and lightning.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

Purging My Brain

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It’s 7:52 a.m. — an hour at which I have never risen joyfully, even when I worked at UPS and loved my job. (This also includes the times I got up at 6 to kick-box before work.) I woke up at 4:15 and couldn’t get back to sleep. Instead of going and making myself some Instant Breakfast, I played online and listened to podcasts. Bad idea. So… I’m going to purge my brain so that I can go back to sleep (if Jon does office hours from home this morning) or at least cat-nap (if he doesn’t).

[+] Lowe’s, you suck. I could understand if you pulled advertising from “All-American Muslim” because you disagreed with how the show portrayed Muslims and felt that it was not a correct representation of life in America in a Muslim household. (I’ve read non-biased opinions of the show that say that it isn’t really all that accurate. Then again, Islam is as diverse as Christianity in terms of practice and how people observe the tenets of the faith.) Instead, you caved into a group that claims that all Muslims are terrorists. I’ve signed eleventy billion petitions to boycott you and have your CEO removed. Apologize, OK?

[+] Daniel had a good park date with his physical therapist yesterday. We met S at a park in Elk Grove that’s tailored for younger kids and we got him working on climbing things, going down slides, doing steps, going on suspension bridges… It was great. S is also trying to hook us up with a play group in Elk Grove so he can be around other kids.

[+] I’m finally getting over the mutant death cold that landed Daniel in the hospital and gave me a sinus/bronchial infection. We have an appointment with his pediatrician today to re-check him and to maybe try and come up with a strategy so that we don’t have another hospitalization.

[+] Ahem CW… you picked two of the crappier episodes of “Hart of Dixie” to show on Monday. Could we remedy this please?

[+] We got Daniel on a sippy cup and off the bottle cold turkey on Thursday. This meant TODDLER RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but it was worth it.

[+] I have online shopping to do once Jon gets paid tomorrow and then I’ll be DONE for Christmas. I have to toss a box in the mail to Claremont today but that will be once I have brain cells to spare.

OK… going back to bed.

7 Quick Takes — Life Lessons from Judge Judy

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7 Quick Takes

As I’ve mentioned in several recent Quick Takes, I’m addicted to Judge Judy. I love that she is very to-the-point about what she thinks and that she does not suffer fools gladly by any stretch of the imagination. Jessica of Grumbling & Gratitude expressed an interest in seeing a Quick Takes on this subject so… here are life lessons gained by watching Judge Judy. (What can I say? I am to please.)

— 1 —

Do not co-sign for a loan unless you happen to be married to your fellow signer. I think about 25-40% of the cases presented deal with this one. It’s usually a girlfriend who co-signs for a car loan with her boyfriend and wants the car back when they break-up or who wants their ex to make the payments even though the car is in the girlfriend’s name. This also takes place after the parties have only been dating for a month. Anybody else see a problem with this one? I don’t think I’d be ready to decide ANYTHING long-term after only dating someone for a month, especially something that could potentially screw up my credit rating.

— 2 —

If you’re going to move in with your paramour pre-marriage or with a friend, at least wait until you’ve known them for more than a month because most leases are not month-to-month and breaking them is expensive. Another popular theme is roommate break-ups where one roommate claims the other owes them back rent, utilities, and all that because the other moved out before the lease was up. Again, one month is not long enough to know someone well enough to want to do something that will affect my credit. I could probably share an apartment with friends but there would have to be a written-out roommate agreement as to who would do what. (I will cook and clean the kitchen and clean floors but I hate anything that involves the bathroom.)

— 3 —

Get everything in writing because oral contracts aren’t binding. It’s amazing how many people go on the show and claim that the other party claimed that they would pay back money/make payments on the car/pay X for the apartment/do _______ and are suing that party for not holding up their part of the oral contract. In nearly every case, Judge Judy tells them that they should have gotten it in writing because anyone can claim that someone said they’d do something. Seriously, this is almost a no-brainer.

— 4 —

You are not immune from paying people back a loan just because “you don’t feel like it”. These are the cases that crack me up due to sheer stupidity. If someone loans you money, you’re a complete schmuck if you don’t make good on the loan. In almost 100% of those cases, the judgement is for the plaintiff and the moral of the story according to the plaintiff is not to loan friends/adult children money.

— 5 —

Your parents don’t owe you anything past the age of 18/high school graduation except love. They don’t owe you a car, unlimited credit on their credit cards, free room and board in any dwelling other than their house, or anything else. I’ve seen parents who co-sign for car loans for their adult kids and then get stuck making payments while the adult child keeps the car and is supported financially by the parent. I’ve seen parents who take their kids’ debts and put them on their credit cards with the expectation that the kid will pay it back in a timely fashion while the kid thinks the parent should just tell the credit card company to kiss off and forgive the debt. I’ve also seen parents who give their child a credit card to buy things to start their career and the child runs up a huge bill of frivolous stuff. In all these cases, the parent is suing the kid to recover the debt and the child acts like an entitled brat in court. This is actually one of the things Judge Judy takes on in her most recent book Keep It Simple Stupid. Seriously, don’t screw your parents over if they decide to help you out. Pay them back what you owe, don’t abuse the credit card, and don’t put them on the hook for your car payments. Parents, wise up. Teach your kids to be responsible and stand on their own two feet.

— 6 —

If you borrow something and cause damage/destroy it, man up and pay for the damage. A number of cases involve property or a car borrowed and damaged by the borrower. The borrower usually thinks that they shouldn’t have to pay for the damage because it was an accident. Hello? Does the word “responsibility” mean anything? In the case of a totalled car, you don’t have to pay for a new one but you should ideally pay the deductible or whatever is left on the loan. With other types of property, pay for the damage or replace the property. It’s the adult thing to do as well as the morally right one.

— 7 —

People will take you more seriously if you behave like an adult. I really wonder where people learn their manners because some of them seem to think that her courtroom is an extension of “The Jerry Springer Show”. There are usually several warnings and threats from Judge Judy that she’s going to throw them out of the courtroom and/or dismiss their case if they don’t stop interrupting the other party or her. Don’t interrupt her. Just don’t. It’s not pretty as to what happens when people do that. 10% of the people also come to court dressed like they are going to be guests on Jerry Springer, an offense that also earns a rebuke from her.

— Bonus 1 —

Keep your hands to yourself. She makes no bones about the fact that she doesn’t tolerate assault. I think there is at least one case a day where someone claims to have been assaulted and she tells whoever did the assault that they should not have put their hands on the other person. In a few cases, she has awarded punitive damages. One thing she is strict about: you need photos and a police report to document it — I think this comes from her background in Family Court. If you didn’t call the police or seek medical attention, the burden of proof is pretty iffy that you actually were assaulted. Another category here is injuries you cause through stupidity. If you were drunk and sucker-punched a friend, you are liable for the bills to repair their eye socket and everything else. If you put someone in a choke hold (even as a joke to get attention from a girl) and they pass out, you’re going to be paying for their medical care.

— Bonus 2 —

BOTH parents need to be involved in their childrens’ lives. In a few cases, the mother has refused to let the father see the children and Judge Judy has lit into her for that. If there isn’t a danger in letting the kids have access to both parents, she is adamant that both parents be allowed to interact with the kids. She also is very intentional about making sure that the non-custodial parent pays support. Again, this is probably a holdover from her family court days.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.

Cleaning Out My Brain

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My Quick Takes this week are themed ones so here are some things in my brain that I need to talk about so I can fill it with other material.

[+] Please lift up a prayer or two for my friend Kathleen Basi and her son Michael who was born 3 weeks early and is in the NICU with lung issues.

[+] This is an interesting article on why some who identify as atheists go to church — it’s for their children. Some want to give their children exposure to different ideas so they can be freethinkers and maybe decide for themselves what they believe. I think we (the Church) have more than a few people who are atheist/agnostic in the pews but who attend for the purpose of having a community. I’m not arguing that they should or shouldn’t attend or whether it’s ethical to — I just simply think this interesting from a religious scholar standpoint.

[+] Apparently, Egyptian ballots had symbols for the candidates in addition to their names. (HT: CNN.Com) According to Fareed Zakaria, almost half of Egyptian adults are illiterate so having the symbols was a way of identifying the candidates on billboards for those who couldn’t read. This brings up thoughts of the purpose of stained glass windows in the Middle Ages: a means of teaching the faith to those who were illiterate.

[+] I’m taking Daniel off of his bottle cold turkey and putting him on sippy cups. I am in serious disgrace in his eyes but I’ve been backed up by his occupational therapist and child development specialist who told me that if he’s thirsty enough, he’ll drink from them.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: December 5, 2011

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 5, 2011

Outside my window… night and supposed to dip down below freezing. I am positively giddy.

I am thinking… that I should probably start pondering what to get people for Christmas.

I am thankful… that Daniel is occupying himself right now so I can do this entry.

In the kitchen… I haven’t had to cook today — I had something frozen for breakfast, Jon brought home some awesome veggie pizza from a meeting, and he brought me home fries for dinner tonight.

I am wearing… blue maternity shirt (no, I am not pregnant — it’s just comfortable) and my blue striped pajama bottoms.

I am creating… entries and Postcrossing postcards.

I am going… to be doing a fair amount of laundry tomorrow.

I am wondering… if I’ll ever get into the Christmas spirit this year. (I am seriously a Scrooge.)

I am reading… The Alpine Winter by Mary Daheim. Technically, I finished it last night but it could use a re-read.

I am hoping… Daniel doesn’t have another puke fest tonight.

I am looking forward to… Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday.

I am hearing… Daniel playing with remote controls and “The Magic School Bus” on TV.

Around the house… *whistles innocently*

I am pondering… many things in my heart.

One of my favorite things… black cats who aren’t routing around in the laundry pile.

A few plans for the rest of the week… “Hart of Dixie” tonight, PT tomorrow, neuro appointment/speech therapy/Ladies’ Night Out on Wednesday, OT and child development on Thursday, and hopefully nothing on Friday or Saturday.

Hosted by The Simple Woman’s Daybook

7 Quick Takes — TV Edition

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7 Quick Takes

There has been some good TV this week and as I’ve done enough updating on my so-called life already, I figured I’d give y’all my thoughts on what I’ve watched.

— 1 —

Judge Judy. Nothing new with this one — I’ve just gotten addicted to watching her. I saw an interview with her a few months ago and her philosophy is that if you’ve graduated from high school and are working and trying to live your life decently, she’s chill with that. Her problem comes when people make choices that aren’t wise and that hurt other people. I love her sternness, her wit, and the fact that she doesn’t suffer fools gladly. She’s also a good source of ideas for my NaNo piece.

— 2 —

Hart of Dixie. This isn’t in the class of CSI or NCIS but it’s been a new addiction for me. I don’t think I ever watched anything with Rachel Bilson before and I happened to see ads for this randomly while channel-surfing and watching NUMB3RS. I love the contrast of the Zoe Hart and Lemon Breeland characters.

— 3 —

NCIS. Serious goosebumps when they were off-loading Quincy’s body and the Marines were saluting. (I may be a flaming liberal but I am patriotic and I do believe that we need to treat our fallen heroes with dignity.) It was a lovely two-part episode. Other highlights were the flashbacks with Gibbs and Matteson when they were at basic training and seeing what Di Nozzo’s greatest fear was.

— 4 —

NCIS:LA. It was a tough episode to watch because of the brutality and I genuinely felt sorry for Jada in the end. It also made me wonder if Ruben, one of my seminary classmates from Sudan, was still alive. He was getting his MTS in Old Testament at Trinity and I used to word process his papers for him (all 30 pages). He went back to Sudan to be an Anglican bishop for the Diocese of Renk in what I think would now be South Sudan. At the time, he had a wife (Grace) who was my age (21 at the time) and a 2 year old son.

— 5 —

CSI. Powerful writing for the episode last night (Wednesday), especially when the killer turned out to be Detective Vega — one of the good guys for 8 seasons. Seeing Nick tell Russell (the Ted Danson character who I like) to stop working on the murderer that Vega was trying to drown and instead focus on Vega was very well done and I continue to like the character of Morgan Brody.

— 6 —

The Big Bang Theory. OMG… “Relationship Agreement” between Amy and Sheldon tonight!!!!!! I also loved the Warlords of Ka’a expansion pack that was “Wild West and Witches”. Best line: “Like shooting nerds in a barrel.” My college friends were the guys on the show (math/compsci/engineering geeks who did role-playing games) so this show is endlessly amusing.

— 7 —

NUMB3RS. What can I say? I like crime dramas. It’s not my favorite one but it keeps my attention.

For more Quick Takes, visit Jen at ConversionDiary.Com.