"Sing Me to Heaven" is an intimate reflection of humankind’s inevitable journey from this world into the next. This exquisite collection of music explores the fear, mourning, consolation, joy and celebration that accompany our thoughts of death and what lies beyond. Whether your view of this voyage is one of mystery or one of certainty, you’ll be moved, challenged and uplifted by the music of Tavener, Debussy, Barber and Holst; the poetry of Emily Dickinson and King Solomon; and the spirituals of Hall Johnson, André Thomas and Aldophus Hailstork.You can see Sing Me to Heaven Sunday, Nov. 11, 3:00 pm at Unity Lutheran Church, 5409 N Magnolia in Chicago, or Friday, Nov. 16, 7:30 pm in Lincoln Park. Order your tickets online now!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Sing Me to Heaven
A friendly reminder: The Chicago Chamber Choir's fall concert series approacheth.
Modern-Day Cruella De Vils
I'm extremely distressed by this story about stolen puppies. Seeing as the robbery took place on Chicago's South Side, I first assumed the pups were headed for dog-fighting circles (like the South-Side circle from which our sweet Pepper was rescued). However, the story says these stolen puppies are headed to the "animal black market," where you can get your hands on a replica of Paris Hilton's Tinkerbell at rock-bottom prices.
What is wrong with these people? These puppies are helpless creatures who live and feel and need protection, not exploitation. I honestly believe that something is wrong with the essential humanity of people who have so little regard for animal life. The canine snatchers aren't as bad as the Michael Vicks of the world, but they are damaged goods.
I hope the puppies at least end up in homes where they're loved and properly cared for, although that doesn't seem likely.
What is wrong with these people? These puppies are helpless creatures who live and feel and need protection, not exploitation. I honestly believe that something is wrong with the essential humanity of people who have so little regard for animal life. The canine snatchers aren't as bad as the Michael Vicks of the world, but they are damaged goods.
I hope the puppies at least end up in homes where they're loved and properly cared for, although that doesn't seem likely.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Magic
Today, I was transported back in time to finals week of December 1994, UNC's Wiebking Hall room 149, with Tori Amos' Under the Pink blaring in the background. (Well, blaring softly in this case so as not to awaken sleeping twins.) Good times.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Why Twins Happen, since you asked
My search-engine hits mostly fall into one of two categories: song lyrics inquiries and searches for information about twins. I'm not so helpful for that first group (unless you're interested in some Cyndi Lauper lines -- if so, I've got you covered).
The twins-related hits are of more interest to me. There's a lot of misinformation out there about twins. I'm happy to do my part to debunk some of the strange things people seem to believe about twins, but I don't claim to be an expert. That said, here's what I know:
Fraternal twins can be hereditary, but only through female blood lines. Fraternal twins happen when a woman releases two (or more) eggs in an ovulation cycle, and both (all) of those eggs are then fertilized. Because it all has to do with how many eggs a woman releases during her cycle, the man has nothing to do with it. Men cannot influence whether or not a woman will have twins, even if the man is a twin or has twins in his family.
A woman who is related to a woman who has given birth to fraternal twins can think of herself as having twins in her family, so to speak, although that's by no means a guarantee that she will have twins (Nanette beat the odds there). And I know lots of moms of twins who don't have a hereditary predisposition for multiples (Rug's Bug and Mary Beth, to name a few), so heredity doesn't seem to play a very big role in whether you'll have twins or not. Lots of other factors come into play. Obviously, fertility treatments can result in fraternal twins (triplets, quadruplets, etc.). Age, weight, medications that mess with your hormones, and even diet can have an effect on whether you'll have fraternal twins.
So, really, it's a pretty random affair, nearly impossible to predict. If you want to have twins and are trying to make it happen, don't get your hopes up too high. Even fertility treatments aren't a sure-fire method.
Identical (monozygotic) twins are not hereditary. They just happen, and they can happen to anyone. No one really knows why an egg splits, although I've heard it said that fertility treatments might encourage monozygotic twins. Why that would be, I couldn't tell you, but if you're looking at fertility treatments, you're more likely to end up with fraternal twins (or more), not the identical variety.
I believe I've mentioned before that we don't know whether our twin girls are identical or fraternal. Everyone tends to assume that they're identical, and I can understand why. They are quite similar. But I'm not convinced. And I'm also not curious enough to subject them to blood tests to find out for sure. It remains a mystery. (Of course, Jim and Amy say the same thing about their twin boys, and I can't imagine how they could be so blind as to not know that their twins are identical. Is that what everyone says about us, too?)
For lots more fun facts about how to have (or avoid having) twins, check out this link.
The twins-related hits are of more interest to me. There's a lot of misinformation out there about twins. I'm happy to do my part to debunk some of the strange things people seem to believe about twins, but I don't claim to be an expert. That said, here's what I know:
Fraternal twins can be hereditary, but only through female blood lines. Fraternal twins happen when a woman releases two (or more) eggs in an ovulation cycle, and both (all) of those eggs are then fertilized. Because it all has to do with how many eggs a woman releases during her cycle, the man has nothing to do with it. Men cannot influence whether or not a woman will have twins, even if the man is a twin or has twins in his family.
A woman who is related to a woman who has given birth to fraternal twins can think of herself as having twins in her family, so to speak, although that's by no means a guarantee that she will have twins (Nanette beat the odds there). And I know lots of moms of twins who don't have a hereditary predisposition for multiples (Rug's Bug and Mary Beth, to name a few), so heredity doesn't seem to play a very big role in whether you'll have twins or not. Lots of other factors come into play. Obviously, fertility treatments can result in fraternal twins (triplets, quadruplets, etc.). Age, weight, medications that mess with your hormones, and even diet can have an effect on whether you'll have fraternal twins.
So, really, it's a pretty random affair, nearly impossible to predict. If you want to have twins and are trying to make it happen, don't get your hopes up too high. Even fertility treatments aren't a sure-fire method.
Identical (monozygotic) twins are not hereditary. They just happen, and they can happen to anyone. No one really knows why an egg splits, although I've heard it said that fertility treatments might encourage monozygotic twins. Why that would be, I couldn't tell you, but if you're looking at fertility treatments, you're more likely to end up with fraternal twins (or more), not the identical variety.
I believe I've mentioned before that we don't know whether our twin girls are identical or fraternal. Everyone tends to assume that they're identical, and I can understand why. They are quite similar. But I'm not convinced. And I'm also not curious enough to subject them to blood tests to find out for sure. It remains a mystery. (Of course, Jim and Amy say the same thing about their twin boys, and I can't imagine how they could be so blind as to not know that their twins are identical. Is that what everyone says about us, too?)
For lots more fun facts about how to have (or avoid having) twins, check out this link.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Smell My Feet
While we were out in the 'hood with the ballerina princesses last night, celebrating All Hallow's Eve, we encountered scores of candy-crazed trick-or-treaters. I'm disappointed and disgusted to say that, almost across the board, they were the most horribly rude kids I've ever encountered. They barged into friendly local businesses, demanded candy in loud, bold tones, took their loot, and high-tailed it out with nary a thank you. Their parents, trailing along behind the precious angels, were no better. Never once did I hear one say something along the lines of "Say please!" or "Say thank you!" or even "Use your indoor voice!"
Is it just that the holiday brings out the worst in these brats? Or are they like this year-round? I suspect the latter, and I vow that the twins will have much better manners when they start trick-or-treating in earnest. (And in all areas of life, if I have my way.) But maybe the candy mania will take over, and all of my careful grooming will fly out the window in the face of Whoppers and Tootsie Rolls and those ever-coveted Smarties. We'll see.
Is it just that the holiday brings out the worst in these brats? Or are they like this year-round? I suspect the latter, and I vow that the twins will have much better manners when they start trick-or-treating in earnest. (And in all areas of life, if I have my way.) But maybe the candy mania will take over, and all of my careful grooming will fly out the window in the face of Whoppers and Tootsie Rolls and those ever-coveted Smarties. We'll see.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
It takes a lot of nerve.
This was going to be a rant about the bill I received from the hospital today (see above). However, when I called the hospital's billing department to rant and rave and threaten legal action, I was denied delivery of my carefully scripted tirade. (Imagine it: "You don't really want me calling every local news station in town and telling them about how you endangered my adorable, photogenic two-year-old's life, do you?") The helpful and friendly woman on the other end of the line insisted that no, no, this account has a $0 balance, no balance due, nothing to pay. And she would not elaborate further. Huh. I guess the hospital is smarter than I thought.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
News?
The question: Are these reporters extremely credulous? Or are they just hoping that we are?
Cow-eating trees
Dolphins used to look like humans and lived in Atlantis
Thanks to Fark for the links.
Cow-eating trees
Dolphins used to look like humans and lived in Atlantis
Thanks to Fark for the links.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
An Open Letter to L'Oreal Paris
Dear L'Oreal Paris,
I purchased your L'Oreal Superior Preference Fade-Defying Color & Shine System in 8G Golden Blonde, looking forward to the promised eight weeks of true color. However, use of your product resulted in something less like 8G Golden Blonde and more like 75R Raggedy Ann. Thus, I'm wondering just how iron-clad this eight-week promise is. Can we negotiate? Because, really, I'm willing to let you out of your contract early.
Sincerely,
Kelly
I purchased your L'Oreal Superior Preference Fade-Defying Color & Shine System in 8G Golden Blonde, looking forward to the promised eight weeks of true color. However, use of your product resulted in something less like 8G Golden Blonde and more like 75R Raggedy Ann. Thus, I'm wondering just how iron-clad this eight-week promise is. Can we negotiate? Because, really, I'm willing to let you out of your contract early.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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