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I’ve spent a lot of time reading about our previous economic crisis and their causes – the 15% APR on mortgages in the 80s, the S&L scandal, and the Great Depression – in an attempt to better understand how we got into those situations and what they meant for people like me, but mainly so that I could have fuel in heated discussions with heartless Republican friends – they could use a little educated enlightenment.

The New York Times had an interesting editorial on how our current situation differs from the Great Depression, and how we should not expect a burgeoning shanty-class, as long as we actually do something to shore up the economy.

Man dies after eating hot chili. World awaits autopsy.

Habanero poppers by Doug:

I won’t claim to be an economist, though apparently living in the close proximity of many world famous economists makes me more qualified to speak on this than others (shameless, I know). Here’s an interesting article explaining how we got into this situation.

With the polls so close, and so much at stake, I’ve been seeking solace in Mental Floss. According to them (Sept-Oct 2008, Vol 7, Issue 4), Andrew Jackson was a dolt, voted in by the people because he wasn’t from the upper class, but instead a working class man with little political experience or education. Somehow the fact that our civilization hasn’t actually deteriorated over the past century – we were apparently no more intelligent as a group back then, than we are now – and our founding fathers have somehow gained credibility over time makes me a little bit less embarrassed that the American people actually voted Bush into office in the last election, and seem to seriously be entertaining voting that yahoo from Alaska into the second highest office come November. Maybe it is simply the fact that apparently, as a nation, we survived THOSE two dolts (Bush and Jackson), perhaps we’ll survive another.

In case you were wondering how to secure a wooden pantry from gangs of wild raccoons:

They may still empty your cooler and drink all your beer, but you’ll have food for breakfast.

Costco has a baby set – stroller, bassinet, carseat, diaper bag. Doug emailed me a picture to confirm that we should get it for Sylvie’s birthday. Reading over my shoulder, Sylvie was in convulsions, “Baby! Baby! Baby!”

When he arrived home, I convinced Doug we could bring the box of baby things inside without Sylvie noticing. I unpacked it, placed it picture side down on my head, and proceeded inside, only to be met at the door by the baby fanatic. We made eye contact, and then she looked up instantly identifying the contents of the box, “Baby! Baby! Baby!” she screamed, following me through the house. I made it to the bedroom and stuffed the box behind a wingback. Sylvie one room behind me, was not to be fooled. She entered the room, running directly to the chair still yelling, “Baby! Baby! Baby!” By now there were giant tears rolling out of her eyes.

Reasoning that two year-olds have no understanding of birthdays, we caved and she and Will spent the evening playing babies. At bedtime, we went through our usual ritual, and Sylvie went down amazingly easy. But, about 15 minutes after I kissed her goodnight and closed her bedroom door, Doug went in to find her quietly wheeling her baby around the room in her new stroller.

shhh… this is a secret.

I’ve been acutely aware of my pinko-ness, recently. But thankfully, when I’m feeling like I’ve become so leftist that I’ve fallen off the common ground, Berkeley throws their “How Berkeley are you” festival, and I feel normal again. Representative of the wackos I’m surrounded by, there were Communists followed by Klingons followed by basket heads followed by witches trailed closely by polyamorous sleaze-balls. Even the Republicans showed up in their vehicle of mass destruction:

My two favorite art cars were the Calistoga wagon:

and the snail:

The Spiraling Review posted instructions for knitting these funny stocking scarves using a vintage kiddie knitting machine.

Coveting, I googled and voila! Wouldn’t ya know it, great ideas don’t die. You too can own a kiddie knitting machine! Below is the picture of Amazon’s stock. Apparently Fisher Price has it’s own model as well. Crank powered knitting fun!

Sarah Silverman worked on a funny commercial for the Jewish Council for Education and Research encouraging jewish kids to schlep to Florida to save the Obama campaign.

We’re raising a strong-willed child. Although this can be a great thing for him in life – it puts him at great advantage to succeed in all of life’s endeavors – I’m afraid that if we mis-step in our parenting through his tantrums, he may instead end up with a poor self-image, finding solace in drugs or abusive relationships. I realize this is a gross over-simplification, but still. Ah, parenting.

How are we supposed to teach our 4 year-old that it is okay to have an opinion, but it is not okay to throw a tantrum when expressing that opinion? I realize that the fact I don’t just toil over how I could have reacted better when my son threw a tantrum, but I also worry that my reaction is going to be detrimental to his success as an adult, probably pigeon-holes me even further in that radical commie pinko, obnoxiously self-absorbed, heirloom tomato eating, Berkeley Bowl shopping group. I’ll try not to project that neurosis onto my kids.

Books I’m checking out:
Why gender matters by Dr Sax
Setting limits with your strong-willed child… by Dr MacKenzie
How Children Fail; How Children Learn by John Holt