@ Evilbeagle, severely off topic, but you mentioned their noise. I wrote a children's story called How the Peacock Got Its Voice, and it goes that they once had beautiful, mesmerizing songs, but they used them to entrance and enslave all the other animals with it, until one day a snake came around (snakes are deaf) and couldn't be enchanted. The snake steals the voice of the peacock and replaces it with the sounds of desperate mourning from all the baby animals whose mothers had been enslaved by the peacock. And That Is How the Peacock Got Its Voice.
Now that I'm remembering that story, it's hell of creepy. Maybe not the best bedtime tale for the wee ones?
I've been broke in SF for years now, and there are ways. Breakfast on free samples at the Embarcadero farmer's market, free museum Wednesday, Dolores Park movie night, classical music Sundays at Revolution and Socha, and a case of Two Buck Chuck shiraz for 24 dollars at Trader Joe's. I'm also growing massive quantities of heroin in my backyard. Make it work.
As far as generalization go (Justine), meh. Ladder climbers? It's true my friends and I are pursuing advanced degrees and can spell schadenfreude, but that's not, like, some kind of awful tragedy. And if it weren't for the gays I wouldn't have anyone to tell me straight up that the shirt I'm wearing needs to be donated to the museum of hell no.
This is a small town, too expensive, with world class beauty and a vibrant artistic energy. On balance not a bad place to be.
@yo: I wish you were joking, but since you're not, let me ask: Are those that believe such things so insecure about them they need to take any remotely-relevant opportunity to argue their case? Why do you need to proselytize if you're secure in your knowledge? Just carry on being wise and benevolent if you're all that. You know, like that guy from that one book.
@Gauldar: And that tidbit was the Least disgusting thing about him.
I'd like to comment on this, but I'm too busy cataloguing my opinions on which desserts benefit from the inclusion of fruit, and which ones are better off fruitless.
As with a lot of things, it's just about how much time/energy you can/will devote to your kid/pet/self.
There's no physical reason most babies couldn't be swimming, communicating their needs, etc. in the first year or two, except that life is consuming for parents. Playpens and nannies and, to a lesser extent diapers, are basically measures that bridge the gap between what parents could theoretically do and what they can manage now.
I have a couple friends who brought their baby up mostly without diapers, but they had to be present and engaged pretty much all the time. And it wasn't always pretty.
The chewing thing is a pretty good idea. Most of us inhale our meals like mindless little hoovers. Our bodies have forgotten how to savor and how to know when we're satisfied. Slowing down gives the system a chance to register the moment when we've had enough, allows us to really notice the food we're eating, and mixes the food thoroughly with saliva--one of the most important factors in digestion--so we absorb more nutrients.
Not that I do it, but it's a solid principle.
Drawback: It reminds me of my deranged uncle who would store food in his cheek and carry on extended conversations before retrieving the cheek-pouch material and consuming it. Shudder.
Now that I'm remembering that story, it's hell of creepy. Maybe not the best bedtime tale for the wee ones?
As far as generalization go (Justine), meh. Ladder climbers? It's true my friends and I are pursuing advanced degrees and can spell schadenfreude, but that's not, like, some kind of awful tragedy. And if it weren't for the gays I wouldn't have anyone to tell me straight up that the shirt I'm wearing needs to be donated to the museum of hell no.
This is a small town, too expensive, with world class beauty and a vibrant artistic energy. On balance not a bad place to be.
@Gauldar: And that tidbit was the Least disgusting thing about him.
Cinnamon buns: raisins are an insult.
There's no physical reason most babies couldn't be swimming, communicating their needs, etc. in the first year or two, except that life is consuming for parents. Playpens and nannies and, to a lesser extent diapers, are basically measures that bridge the gap between what parents could theoretically do and what they can manage now.
I have a couple friends who brought their baby up mostly without diapers, but they had to be present and engaged pretty much all the time. And it wasn't always pretty.
Not that I do it, but it's a solid principle.
Drawback: It reminds me of my deranged uncle who would store food in his cheek and carry on extended conversations before retrieving the cheek-pouch material and consuming it. Shudder.