Halloween Vocabulary

The stylistas at Daily Candy are brilliant at picking the latest trends and informing the not-so-hip masses.  They've also created a new lexicon.  For example:

Costomb n. The overcoat you inevitably have to wear every year, which totally kills your costume.

Veepie Crawler n.  One of the hundreds of Sarah Palin/Tina Fey costumes you'll spot this year.

Wee-atch n.  That ho who copied your witch costume.

For more visit the Daily Candy site.

Happy Halloween!

Multitasking Reconsidered

As a person who likes to juggle many projects, hobbies, and activities at once, I always assumed that multitasking was essential to keeping all the balls in the air.  Recent news reports have shaken my world view on multitasking.  

For example, a recent New York Times article states, "while multitasking may seem to be saving time, psychologists, neuroscientists and others are finding that it can put us under a great deal of stress and actually make us less efficient."  

An NPR story cites research showing that "people don't do lots of things simultaneously, instead we switch our attention from task to task extremely quickly."  This switching makes your brain work harder and can reduce your ability to learn and retain information.

Everyone's A Critic: Rock Daddy Rock by Chris Bihuniak

Recently, I received an e-mail from Chris Bihuniak asking me to listen to his new CD for kids, Rock Daddy Rock, and to review it.  Excited to have a new blog reader, I quickly agreed.

Then I looked at his promotional material more carefully.  Chris describes his CD as "comedy-rock songs about the silly, gross and wonderful behaviors of kids."  Gross behavior?  What did I agree to?

The CD arrived a couple days later.  I looked at the song list before popping the CD in the player.  Track 1: Boogers; Track 3: Wart; Track 9: Don't Pass The Gas.  Ew!  

Now, I'm not totally anti-potty words in music for kids.  One of my favorite songs is The Poopsmith Song, by Over the Rhine.  But about 30 second into "Boogers" I started wondering whether I should send the CD back to Chris.  Around that time, Mr. S. walked in the room, exclaimed, "What are you listening to?" and walked out.

I kept listening.  Some of the songs, like the Beastie Boys-esque "Don't Hit, Don't Spit," really rock.  "When You Grow Up" and "Biter" made me want to dance and reminded me of Little S favorite The Sippy Cups.   Songs like "Gun (Peace Sign)" and "Turn It Off" provided good messages without preaching.  (I especially enjoyed hearing Bihuniak's kids sing,  "I'll clean my room and do it with no pay and do my very best to keep it clean that way" in "Your Room's A Mess.") 

I was about to write the CD off as a decent effort, highly unlikely to appeal to moms, when Little S walked into the room.  She stared the CD over and listened carefully.  Then, she put on her ballet shoes and tutu, replayed the CD, and danced for the entire CD.  "It really makes me want to move, Mom," she said.  "We should listen to it every morning to get us going."  She played it five times in a row.

Two days later, she hasn't stopped listening to Rock Daddy Rock.  Part of the appeal is listening to songs like "Don't Pass the Gas" without getting into trouble for using potty words.  But the real delight comes from Bihuniak's hard rocking and danceable music.

I can only hope that Little S's teacher won't call asking why she's suddenly talking about boogers, warts and gas.

You can find samples of Rock Daddy Rock songs here.

Bag Lunch Blues: A Taste of my own Medicine

This week I went on the pumpkin patch field trip with Little S and her classmates.  I enjoyed every minute of the trip.  Well, every minute except the time I spent eating my bag lunch.

On school mornings, I throw together lunches for Little S.  I try to hit all the food groups, limit the amount of sugar and plastic waste, and include some favorites.  But, especially by the end of the week, the lunches are a little random.

As I ate my soggy pb&j sandwich, my past-its-prime apple and a handful of trail mix at the pumpkin patch, I vowed to put a little more effort into making healthy, attractive and delicious lunches.  

Here are some lunch tips I found from WebMD, Food Network, and Parents Magazine.

OMFGG:So that's what the kids are listening to these days

During the worst of my writers-strike-induced T.V. withdrawal last year, our babysitter recommended that I watch The O.C. on DVD.  The first season was captivating:  the lush Southern California setting, the teen angst and romance, the Cohen family comic relief.  I decided to watch the entire series.  

The quality of the series was, to be polite, uneven.  Despite the ups (Chrismukkah) and downs (that hippy guy at Brown?  Kaitlyn's reappearance?) of the plot line, the music selected for the show was consistently good.

The theme song, California by Phantom Planet, is a great example.  Its haunting longing embodies the unease of the main character, Ryan, and the opening is instantly recognizable.  Jem's version of Maybe I'm Amazed is beautiful and well matched to the wedding scene.  Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah and Youth Group's version of Forever Young -- amazing.

When The O.C. creators, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, announced that they were creating a new show, Gossip Girl, I ran to set my DVR.  Gossip Girl is much lighter on the teen angst.  It focuses on the lush Manhattan lifestyle of the characters and is the TV equivalent of cotton candy (in the best escapist fantasy sort of way).

Once again, Schwartz and Savage have found incredible indie music to orchestrate their show.  Next week, the Gossip Girl CD, OMFGG (Original Music Featured on Gossip Girl), will be released.  I can't wait.  

Truth be told my music selection is anything but hip these days.  NPR and songs about backpacks and loose teeth have taken over my car stereo.  I can't wait to put OMFGG in the CD player, listen to what the kids are listening to these days, and spend a moment in the alternate universe without home repairs, carpools and juice boxes.

Or maybe I'll download the iTunes version right now.  This version features two bonus tracks: Glamorous by the Constance Billard A Capella Choir and Everytime by Lincoln Hawk.

xoxo,

SherriLynn

Smart Sisterhood: Women's Forum for the Economy and Society

Today's New York Times has an article on Women's Forum for the Economy and Society.  The Forum is described as a female-friendly alternative to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.  In addition to discussing timely public policy issues, the assembled women considered the challenges facing women in the workplace and elsewhere.

The number of female leaders at the highest levels in politics and business are very small.  And the conversation  continues to whether this problem is caused by individual choices or structural societal problems.

Meanwhile, the Forum participants interviewed in the story were energized by the networking, support and role models.  Seems like a step in the right direction. 

Barefoot Contessa BtB: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

Rarely, in our house at least, is salad the highlight of the meal.  This salad, from Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, stole the show at dinner tonight.

The salad provides a combination of flavors, textures and temperatures that meld together well.  Roasted butternut squash and a warm vinaigrette wilt the arugula and melt the parmesan cheese just the right amount.  

Preparing the salad requires more dishes than Mr. S would like to wash: a skillet for toasting the walnuts, a saucepan for warming the vinaigrette, a sheet pan for the squash.  But the result is worth the effort.

Note:  Kitchen novices might want to learn more about cutting a butternut squash before tackling this recipe.  I hacked mine apart.  You might opt for a more graceful approach.

Can't wait to see the full cookbook on October 28.  In the meantime, I'll be stockpiling butter.