Kristin van Ogtrop's Blog, page 362
March 4, 2011
Steep.it Helps You Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea
What can't you find online these days? Check out Steep.it, a site that can help brew a perfect cup of tea everytime.
It's pretty simple, just follow the brewing times recommended in their chart, and enter the one you need in the timer box at the top.
Once you've input your time, the site is the timer for you and it goes off when it's time to remove the teabag or loose tea leaves.
Also check out their sister site e.ggtimer.com for, you guessed it, timing eggs and more.
Related:
Room, Chapters 1 and 2 (Presents and Unlying)
This book blew me away from the start. Admittedly, I was intrigued/concerned by the fact that it was narrated by a five-year-old (would the heft of the story come through? would it just seem flippant or childish?), but in my opinion, Emma Donoghue nailed it. Jack was completely authentic and the language well-crafted--telling the story from Jack's perspective was so powerful in its simplicity. His world was Room--he had nothing to compare anything else to--and the purity of this point of view shone through. I can't imagine it being told any other way. What do you think? Do you like Jack as the narrator?
I also was amazed by their daily routine--and to think, by comparison, how much more we pack into our daily lives. Granted, we are thankfully not imprisoned in a Room. But from "phys ed" to tv time to meals, the structure Ma has established for their lives seems almost enviable. Is that twisted to say? It seems that establishing rules and discipline gave Ma some semblance of control of the situation. Or do you think she needed structure because the alternative (watching hours of tv a day) was just so depressing?
I also appreciated the fact that you were immersed in their lives before you actually found out how they got there. Soon, we get to the shift from Lying to Unlying. Ma is starting to crack the facade of Room and begins to tell Jack the truth about their situation and the world around them. I wonder, what is the benefit of this? Is ignorance truly bliss? Though Ma knows the truth, will having Jack learn more about the outside world just make their time together and their relationship in the Room that much harder to cope with? Or did she need to break the bubble for her own sanity? What would you do in this situation?
I don't want to put this book down--though it leaves me unsettled and anxious, I am truly enjoying reading it and NEED to know what happens next. To that end, I'd love to hear from you guys about the pace you'd like to read this book. It is such a page-turner--shall we tackle the next two chapters for next week (Dying and After) or finish the whole book? Let me know what you think.
Who Knows Your Pet Best?
Allow me this rhetorical question, if you will.
As a pet owner, I am continuously amazed by how friends and strangers alike seem to think they know other people's pets better than the people who live with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Case in point: You are merrily walking your dog along the street, noticing for a few minutes how the sun is shining and the birds are chirping or, as is more often the case during this severe northeast winter, how the tree branches are covered with beautiful snow...when all of a sudden, you feel your dog's tension travel swiftly up the leash. Suddenly, you too are on high alert. For whatever reason (and in the heat of the moment, it's really not worth fretting over why), your dog is indicating that he does not like the creature making a beeline towards the two of you.
You attempt to stand to the side, or even to court danger of another kind by taking a sharp turn into the street as cars drive by, to avoid the inevitable confrontation. You would think your body language, and that of your dog, would say everything that needs to be said, and yet 8 out of 10 times, the other pet owner will say, "Oh, it should be fine. It's okay, my dog gets along with everyone." With exasperation, you mutter under your breath that this has nothing to do with the other dog. Out loud, you say, "No, really, my dog doesn't get along with all dogs. Please don't come any closer." And yet, the person begs to differ. My new line, which has met with greater success, is, "I don't want your dog to get hurt."
You might think this wouldn't be the case with friends, and yet here too, issues arise. A well-meaning friend finds it hard not to give my dog a treat, even if I explain that there's a sensitive stomach issue and that there really is no need. Again, I find that I have to insist.
Does this happen with kids too? Do other mothers make their way over to you and tell you how to discipline your child? Do they offer your child a treat? Are you more forgiving than I am?
Maybe I'm particularly aware of these things, as I'm not a busybody. When I witnessed a man and a woman rigging up their dog and inflatable tire into a fun-filled dog-sled-toboggan run, I would never have dreamt of having a word with them and suggesting that their plan was ill-conceived. Rather, I admired their ingenuity and thought, 'How creative of them to give their dog a job!'
As for my future dog walks, I'm tempted to take my cue from a New York City street sign and give my dog a sandwich board that says, "Don't even THINK of coming any closer!"
Friday Find: rockstarbaby Clothing by Bon Jovi's Tico Torres
Parents have many wonderful dreams for their children--everything from becoming a doctor to the next President of the United States. Very few want them to become rockstars for obvious reasons (thanks Iggy Pop and Courtney Love--just to name a few).
BUT, that doesn't mean they can't dress like one--and thanks to the awesomely designed children's clothing line--aptly named--rockstarbaby you can let me them live out their rockstar dreams, before they even know what drugs and alcohol are. Now, that deserves a head-bang or two!
And who better to design rockstar inspired clothes, then a bonafide rockstar like Tico Torres the drummer for the legendary band Bon Jovi (Livin' On A Prayer might be one of the greatest songs ever made..just saying)!
Before you start thinking this is just another mass produced line of cheap clothes that a celebrity has thrown their name on...think again. Torres designs all the looks himself. Shocking, right? Well, it's not so hard to believe when you find that Torres comes from a family of seamstresses.
"I'd cut patterns with my grandma, she'd design them and sew them up. My stage costumes from the 1960s to 1990s were handmade," Torres told PeopleMag.com.
The children's collection ranges from ages 0 to 6 years old and includes clothing, accessories, bottles, cups, pacifiers, bedding and gift sets. As for price point---you won't need a rockstar bank account---items range from $12 to about $130 for a 10-piece gift set.
And don't worry...you can hop on the tour bus too---rockstarbaby has a small adult t-shirt collection as well. Rock on!
To see and shop the entire rockin' collection click HERE.
Happy rocking and rolling!
Friday Find: Rock Star Baby Clothing by Bon Jovi's Tico Torres
Parents have many wonderful dreams for their children--everything from becoming a doctor to the next President of the United States. Very few want them to become rockstars for obvious reasons (thanks Iggy Pop and Courtney Love--just to name a few).
BUT, that doesn't mean they can't dress like one--and thanks to the awesomely designed children's clothing line--aptly named--Rock Star Baby you can let me them live out their rockstar dreams, before they even know what drugs and alcohol are. Now, that deserves a head-bang or two!
And who better to design rockstar inspired clothes, then a bonafide rockstar like Tico Torres the drummer for the legendary band Bon Jovi (Livin' On A Prayer might be one of the greatest songs ever made..just saying)!
Before you start thinking this is just another mass produced line of cheap clothes that a celebrity has thrown their name on...think again. Torres designs all the looks himself. Shocking, right? Well, it's not so hard to believe when you find that Torres comes from a family of seamstresses.
"I'd cut patterns with my grandma, she'd design them and sew them up. My stage costumes from the 1960s to 1990s were handmade," Torres told PeopleMag.com.
The children's collection ranges from ages 0 to 6 years old and includes clothing, accessories, bottles, cups, pacifiers, bedding and gift sets. As for price point---you won't need a rockstar bank account---items range from $12 to about $130 for a 10-piece gift set.
And don't worry...you can hop on the tour bus too---Rock Star Baby has a small adult t-shirt collection as well. Rock on!
To see and shop the entire rockin' collection click HERE.
Happy rocking and rolling!
March 3, 2011
Get Ideas for Your Brown Bag Lunch on Flickr
Bringing your lunch everyday can be challenging because the same sandwiches get boring after awhile. Luckily you can find some inspiration in the Brought My Lunch photo pool on Flickr.
Here are a few more lunch ideas:
Do you bring your lunch to work? If so, what is your favorite thing to bring?
(all photos linked to their sources)
Related:
16 Ways to Upgrade a Brown Bag Lunch
21 Back-to-School Lunches Kids Will Love
37 Time-Saving Foods to Keep in Your Kitchen
Kenneth Cole Brings "AWEARNESS" To The Homeless Living With HIV/AIDS
It always warms my heart when I read about designers trying to make a positive change in the world. So it put a big smile on my face when I heard that Kenneth Cole was teaming up with HELP USA to raise money for the homeless that are living with HIV/AIDS.
Reversible from blue camouflage to solid black, this nylon unisex hooded poncho tucks into a self-containing pouch that can easily be slipped into a bag or briefcase. The poncho retails for $60 and is available exclusively at Kenneth Cole retail stores nationwide and at kennethcole.com starting today through May 30th, 2011.
During this time, 100% of net profits from the sale of the rain poncho will be donated to AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation in support of HELP USA, and will go towards funding housing for homeless people living with HIV/AIDS.
Sad (but true) fact: The mental health and emotional issues of dealing with an HIV diagnosis can often contribute to the patient becoming homeless. As a result, HIV is found in the homeless community in epic proportions throughout the United States with a median rate of HIV prevalence that is three times higher than the general population.
Also, Cory A. Booker--Mayor of Newark, is being recognized as an official "Change Agent" by AWEARNESS, for his passion for social change and ongoing work with HELP USA. A "Change Agent" is a social activist who strives to help educate and encourage others to get involved.
"I don't think service should be a sometimes thing, it should be an everyday thing," says Booker. "People need to understand that you can serve in ways that are large and small."
Happy helping!
You Don't Know Me, But I've Heard All About You
Noisy neighbors. Do you have them? This week's etiquette dilemma comes from a reader who lives below a "heavy walker."
Karebear78: I live in a fairly new condo complex, which is fairly sound proof. However, the person who lives above me is a very heavy walker and paces throughout the night. The breaking point was last night when my neighbor started vacuuming at 2 a.m. I have been meaning to say something or slip a note under the door. However, I don't want to be confrontational or be hurtful. Any suggestions on how I can address?
While your condo complex may have been built recently, I have news for you: it's not the least bit soundproof. If you hear someone walking around on the floor above your head, it's not because your neighbor is a "heavy walker." It's because of how the building was constructed.
People have a right to walk —or, yes, to pace— in their homes, at any hour they choose. Likewise, they have a right to vacuum. And in this case, you have no idea why your neighbor was cleaning house in the middle of the night: perhaps out-of-town relatives are coming to visit today? Maybe a dinner party is imminent? It's even possible your neighbor is an insomniac for whom the whirr of a vacuum is a sedative, reminding her of a childhood in which her mother seemed always to be there, vacuuming in the background, in a comforting way. (Or maybe that was my childhood.)
In any case, your neighbor probably has no idea that her life sounds so loud to you. In fact, it appears she doesn't know you, at all. And you don't know her.
So say hello. Knock on her door on a Saturday afternoon, and when she answers, offer her the plate of homemade cookies you will be holding in your hands as a peace offering.
Say: "I've wanted to introduce myself formally for awhile now, since I feel like I already know you from hearing you above my head."
Then make a joke about how paper-thin the walls are: "I only hope you don't hear me belting out 'Rock of Ages' in the shower."
Chances are, she'll invite you in for a cookie. And now that she knows you, she'll be more reflexively quiet, out of respect.
If this doesn't solve the problem, I suggest you get yourself onto the condominium's homeowners' association where, as a board member, you can actively push through a plan to retrofit the complex to reduce noise.
Who Do You Really, Really Trust?
Last night I was lying in bed thinking about trust. Or Trust, that should be, given the importance of the word. Perhaps I am currently obsessed with trust because our wonderful (and 8 months pregnant) babysitter Christina is leaving at the end of the month, and I am feverishly searching for her replacement. And what endeavor is a bigger exercise (or leap of faith) in trust than that?
I began to compile a list in my head of the number of people I trust completely, implicitly, without question, hesitation, or reservation. The requirements:
• Must be able to keep any confidence, for as long as is required (forever if necessary)
• Must be able to protect my interests and act accordingly
• Must love me despite my many flaws
• Must forgive me when I act like a jerk
As I completed my mental list I realized there are exactly six people in my life that I really, really trust. Really, really Trust, that is. Only six. Not a big number—but at least it's manageable.
Your assignment: Think. How many people are on your list?
Are you reading this via an e-mail or RSS feed? If you wish to comment, please click here.
Can I make an iMovie from my iPhone?
After upgrading to the iPhone 4 I decided to "splurge" on the iMovie app (at $4.99 it was the most expensive app I had ever purchased).
According to Apple, I could use the app to "Make beautiful HD movies anywhere with iMovie, the fun, feature-rich video editing app designed for Multi-Touch. Create a video postcard of your day at the beach and publish it to the web — without ever leaving your spot in the sand. Or make a movie of your child's birthday party and send it to your parents — while the party is in full swing."
Sounds great, right? Except I soon realized that a) I generally don't take much video (which is why my Flip video camera is stuck in a junk drawer) and b) if I'm at my child's birthday party I have little time or energy to create a HD video to send to relatives.
While attending CES in January, I decided to give iMovie a test using still photos I took on my phone. Standing in line for the shuttle bus back to the hotel, I was able to select one of the pre-designed themes, string together the photos, add music and edit clip lengths. I was also able to upload my creation to YouTube before we got back to the hotel! (Check out the video below).
iMovie for the iPhone certainly doesn't give you the flexibility of the full version of iMovie, but it's a nice tool to have for movie editing on the fly. Available for the iPhone and iPod Touch, it was just announced yesterday that Apple would be releasing a universal version that will work on the iPad.
Have you made an iMovie from your iPhone?
