(Not) Reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

Posted by Melissa Baumgart

Me, reading last week's book, and having
some Æbleskiver.
(Although, it has wheat and sugar, so I
didn't actually eat any.)

The New Book-of-the-Week
I feel like I am just reading words.  Like this book is in another language, and words after words keep logging into the spaces of my brain, but not congealing into anything that makes a lick of sense.  Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré is my third book this month.  After the reading success of my previous two weeks, I am feeling defeated as I am on the 4th day of this book and I have barely read 30 pages.  Maybe, after I get 50 more pages in, it will all start making sense.  That is if I remember any of these words I keep reading and rereading.  A big IF.

The Theme
I love a theme.  I don't know if I was always this way, but I noticed it cropping up when I hosted dinner parties.  If I am making Indian food, then it is all Indian, and as authentic as I can manage.  I love to find some Indian music and perhaps a drink from the country to add to the flavor.  Recently, at our Mother-Daughter book club, the host made Æbleskiver (a Danish donut kind of thing) because the book we read took place in Denmark.  I felt right at home, even thought I am not Danish nor do I think I could ever remember how to pronounce the sweet treat's name.

This is all to say, I created a theme for myself with the books.  I decided to read all books that had been made into movies.  I heard that my friend's teenage daughter scoffed a bit at my "movie" books, wondering if that is all I read.  I do read other books, actually besides one, I don't think I have read any other movie books. (Probably because I have not read many books at all.)  Right now, I wish I had picked any other book than the movie book I have next to my keyboard.

The worst part: it turns out reading books and then going to see the movie almost always sucks.  Jamie and I went to see The Descendants this week.  I was really, really looking forward to it.  We both were, because he had read the book too, and loved it.  Loved the BOOK, let's just be really clear about this.

We did NOT love the movie.  Within the first 30 seconds I was done.  The main character's wife is in a coma, and in the book her name is Joanie.  I grew to really like her name, it fit her personality, and I felt a little like I knew Joanie as they author took you back in time, before the accident.  Well, then there goes Goerge Clooney up on the big screen, playing Matt King, Joanie's husband, and what does he call her?  Elizabeth!  Really?  WTF is wrong with the name Joanie?

Beyond that, there were glaring differences, touching and important scenes left out and poor casting.  The best actor in the whole movie was the grandma that had dementia.  I have heard that people who have not read the book really liked the movie.  I say, good for you.  But I am glad I read the book, even if it meant having to sit through that terrible movie.

I doubt I'll even try to see the movie version of Extremely Loud & Incredible Close.  Even though everyone I know loves it.  After my Descendants experience, I seriously cannot imagine the brilliance of Foer's novel standing up to a screen version.

The Screen Diet
I have been true to my word on the screen diet.  I have seriously cut back on screen time.  I do find it difficult to keep track.  I wonder if there is a screen time version of a pedometer.  Keeping track of every blink of your online steps.  I suppose I could practice statistics by gathering information for my browsing history.  That sounds fun.

The phone is a tempting ground for cheating on my diet.  I have Facebook, email, Twitter...all of it right there letting me know every time something new has occurred.  It is harder to not pretend to myself that it doesn't count to check in real quick on my social media world via my phone.

The phone is always there.  Even in the car.  Just the other day, I *very softly* rear ended someone at a red light after I had looked at the photo on the screen saver for my phone.  I wasn't even doing anything with the phone while actually driving.   But glancing down at it at a red light was enough for me to be distracted, and not realize the person in front of me slammed on their brakes just after the light turned green.

The screen diet has been a catalyst to me making a commitment to not look at my phone in the car.  I am embarrassed to say that it is proving to be difficult.  But perhaps not as difficult as reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.  Can't I just rent the TV series from the video store up the street and call it good?

Well, I won;t do that, so wish me good luck in finishing this spy book.  Why in the world did I pick a spy book from the 70's?  I think people who know me are probably wondering the same thing.

-Melissa

I am going on a diet

Oooh, so I see some screens down there?  
Oh well, just books!

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
I am 77 pages away from finishing my book this week.  I had a huge anatomy & physiology exam this morning and I had a hard time studying for it.  I just couldn't seem to engage with the material like I usually do.  I found myself picking up my Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close book instead, completely engaged with every word.

And while I didn't perform to a perfect standard, as I like to do on exams of all sorts, I still think I did OK.  The cool part was that I wasn't stressed or panicked during the exam.  I wasn't hastily scribbling down my answers for fear that if I took too long the information would somehow escape like sands through a broken hourglass.  I was calm and I took my time, thinking through each question and making sure to breathe.  It was a completely different experience.

It may have come from having a calm place to go besides always staring at a screen for entertainment.  I have my book.  It is stimulating in an entirely different way then a screen is.  Screens can create overstimulation for myself.  And the social media aspect, the Facebook and messaging and Pinning and checking to see if anyone repined or liked your identity in the form of a virtual dream collage, creates a state of anticipation that acts like a stress response in the body.

Sure, it is fun for a bit, but prolonged exposure to the stress hormones isn't so great for your body.  I heard a classmate share that when she was teaching high school in Japan, several of her students complained of not being able to sleep because they didn't want to stop texting and Facebooking.  Kids are losing sleep over this?  Because they have to respond to the next message, and the next, and the next?

It all brings me back to a nagging notion that I have has since starting "Read a Book a Week" month.  I need to go on a diet.  A screen diet.  Did I ever tell you that once during game of charades, my 6 year old picked my name, and to act like me she pretended to be sitting at the computer?  If I did tell you already, it's because I felt incredibly guilty after that.  I want to be present to my kids, to my family and friends, not the screen.

I keep resisting it though.  It is such an easy outlet for that thing I wrote about last, procrastination.  But maybe so can a book.  Or cleaning my apartment.  Or being productive in some other way than surfing the web, doing "research" and seeing if any blog readers have popped up from Saudi Arabia this week.  Those stats are so cool, though.  Thanks for reading, whoever you are in Jiddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia!

So, here it is, another challenge...besides blogging, only 1 hour of screen time per day for the next week.  It may still seem like a lot to some of you, but that is cutting it considerably for me.  I hate to even admit that, but it is true.  I want to create a new habit, and I know that it is possible.  Perhaps difficult, but possible.

My last challenge I gave myself was during January's Healthival festival.  During Healthival, I followed through completely on almost half of the 18 things on my list.  That was pretty good for me, considering the list, and my unintentional aversion to some of the things on it.  This challenge is more simple in some ways, but so pervasive.  And as much as I can look procrastination in the face with a refreshing and nonjudgmental perspective, I can't hide from my inner voice any longer.

(Crap.  I am already thinking.  I do not want to do this.  But I have to.  Must summon English bulldog determination.  Thanks, Bikram!)

And now onto another pressing issue, what book to read next?  Do I stick with the theme I have going of reading Books nominated for Best Picture this year?  Or do I just grab something off my shelf at random?

-Melissa

PS...If you join me on the screen diet, reading Good Luck With That! doesn't count.  It's free screen time. Everything has it's exceptions, right?

  

The Drama of Homesteading

posted by Melissa Baumgart

growing my own food.

When I first picked this topic, Urban Homesteading, for one of our months, I didn't know much about what it would entail.  I knew it meant to be more self-reliant, but I didn't really have a detailed picture of all the things I could do to make that happen, living in an apartment in the city.  So, I went to my trusty computer and Googled "Urban Homesteading."

The first thing that comes up is a link, Urban Homestead ® - Path to Freedom.  When I was researching the idea, there wasn't that little ® after the words Urban Homestead.  I looked through their website and found their list of 10 Elements of Urban Homesteading.  Their list follows:

1. Grow your own FOOD on your city lot.
2. Use alternative ENERGY sources.
3. Use alternative FUELS & TRANSPORTATION.
4. Keep farm ANIMALS for manure and food.
5. Practice WASTE REDUCTION.
6. Reclaim GREYWATER and collect RAINWATER.
7. Live SIMPLY.
8. Do the work YOURSELF.
9. Work at HOME.
10. Be a good NEIGHBOR.

I thought that it seemed like a great place to start.  Most of them I could work towards, and some I knew would be out of reach, like keeping animals.  My plan was to check back in with the website as it got closer to Urban Homesteading month.  But before that happened that little ® showed up.  I first head about it through a Facebook page called "Take Back Urban Homesteading."  

It turns out that the Dervaes family, the one that owns the website and I mentioned earlier, Urban Homestead® - Path to Freedom, decided in 2010 to trademark the terms "urban homestead" and "urban homesteading."  Then in February of this year, they wrote letters to bloggers, authors and other organizations using those terms requesting they stop doing so without permission or attribution.

The Take Back Urban Homesteading Facebook page arose as a way to gather forces and keep people who are against this kind of trademarking informed on what is happening.  There have been petitions filed by at least three groups requesting that the trademark be canceled.  

Now I don't feel so great about the website I once thought was so cute and inspiring.  I don't know why they decided to trademark these terms, it seems I can't find any interviews with the Dervaes family since the controversy occurred.  Perhaps their lawyers say it is ill advised to speak about it publicly.  It seems odd to me to think of this urban homestead with lawyers advising them on trademark rights and issues.  

If they truly are into simple living and being good neighbors, then what does it matter if other people use the term urban homesteading?  Why do they care?  Unless they have something to gain?  

What are your thoughts on the topic?  Am I missing something here?  Are they more innocent than the people against them say they are?  I mean, as the Dervaes family says on their website (and yes, this is a direct quote, I am giving attribution, please don't sue me):

"Please note that this is a noncommercial, family-operated venture.  We're not a huge organization nor are we backed by one.  It's just us four with a desire to make our world better.   This website is written, created, developed and run by the Dervaes "kids" because -- let's face it -- Dad (Jules Dervaes) is a luddite at heart and hates computers. 

We devote countless hours to this site, and, despite the opportunity for profit, we remain committed to keeping it an advertisement-free forum. We do this because we believe in giving freely to others, a value upon which strong, healthy communities are built. We hope you will take this principle to heart, and will view this site not just as a place to “take” (answers, ideas, inspiration), but as an opportunity to “give” as well. Whatever you may gain by reading about our journey, please remember to “pay it forward” to others in some fashion."

But maybe these other people just started homesteading all on their own, with the help of the Dervaes family or their website.  Don't they deserve to use these words too?  The book titled The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-sufficient Living in the Heart of the City by Kelly Coyne and Eric Knutzen was published in 2008, three years before their trademark.  Why did they get a letter asking them to stop using that term?  

If I could trademark a term, would I?  Should I see if "Good Luck With That!" is trademarked by anyone?  And then could I get a little something every time I heard someone using it?  

"Oh no you didn't!  Those words are mine!  Pay up or give me attribution."

-Melissa

Serendipitous

posted  by Melissa
What is Serendipitous?   Today, several components.

yes, yet another.

1. It was the name of my drink tonight at Smith. (which I wanted to showcase in a photo, hence the repeat of our fun photo shoot, but my phone took a terrible picture in the dim Smith light.)

2. The fact that I asked Amy if the reason why she wanted to have a meeting about the blog with me before she leaves for Hawaii was because she wanted to quit and she said, "No!!! It's because I am wanting to get more into the blog!!!"  (Yes, I used a lot of exclamation points, but if you know Amy, you know that she is often loud.)

3. I decided on my first poem to memorize and I started the process.  I no longer have a commitment issue.

4. I saw a post by the Sweatbox on FB that shared a TED link about a guy doing a new thing for 30 days.  I clicked the link and watched it.  I though, "Hey!  That is what me and Amy are doing!"  And so, instead of being a quiet watcher, I commented and shared our blog link.

5. Some random person saw my comment, clicked our link, read our blog, shared a poem on my "Kitchen Song" post, and said they liked the blog!  (*super exciting*)

6. Amy and I had our first blog meeting in months, by chance at Smith, where we had our best poutine ever, and the sangria that was the aforementioned...Serendipitous.

7. And now, the name of my new (silly, for fun) poem:

Amy and I had a meeting at Smith
Where we shared the most delicious dish.
I declared that we be brought our own plate
because sharing cheesy, gravy fries is something I hate.

We both had a glass of cabernet coke sangria
and we laughed loud like we do.

We talked about who could be reading our blog
and who doesn't, What? are they snobs?
While we may be twisted and believe in dark fate,
We hope that you read along, because you relate.

And if you don't, well that's alright and we'll see ya.
Because some other people do.


That's it for tonight good people that read.  Don't miss voting on our newest poll!
-Melissa

maybe you are exactly where you need to be

posted by Melissa

Are the birds always chirping early in the morning?  Or is it truly only after we set our clocks ahead and lose an hour of sleep...as if their sweet delicate sounds are our consolation for that one less hour of sleep.  Works for me.  I can hear them now as I type, the rest of the house still asleep...coffee by my keyboard, laundry started, birthday cake ordered (yes, I am not making Lily's birthday cake this year, so, now you know I don't milk my own goats and I am not making my 11 year old's birthday cake.  But I usually do.  Let go, Melissa)...the sun is sorta peeking through the trees and I have time to blog.

Not my backyard, but a photo I took at Seward Park.  Sun and trees

The math test is done.  I scored very well on the Pre-Algebra, and so-so on the Algebra.  Someone I talked to said I placed as high as I could, but I am left to wonder if that is true after looking at the nursing program's prerequisites.  I have a couple meetings today at the school to see what is what.  I can tell you, I am feeling hopeful.  Cautiously optimistic.

A couple Saturdays ago we were watching that advanced tai chi class up on 15th Ave.  As the students began to show up and begin their intimate "pushing hands" warm up, I got this sense that I knew them.  Everyone looked familiar.  It happened again this past Saturday at the tai chi open practice I went to.  Does that ever happen to you?  It's like a deja vu, but different.

I used to think that it meant I had a "soul contract" (something I learned about in my astrology classes) with these people.  And while a soul contract can be a positive thing, meaning we choose before we came here to the Earth to work things out, fall in love, or be a mother to certain other souls.  Only I interpreted it as a message that we were all going to die together.

I used to think about death a lot, and yet it scared me.  I spent years of my life, in a panic that I was about to die at any moment.  So,