Radio, no more!

During my work commute I prefer to listen to my iPod. Recently, I've become bored with my music selection and have been too much of a procrastinator to add new tunes. In its place I've either been practicing my voice (yes, I still have a tape-deck in my car and could never go without one), or listening to NPR. This morning I have had enough of NPR and its news.

You're probably thinking: "But Chris, there are so many other good morning shows on the radio. Why NPR?". That's an easy one. I dispise morning talk shows. The constant talking over one another drives me insane. I chose NPR because it wasn't a talk show and I got my weather and traffic reports (i'm obssessed with these two reports). For a while I did switch over to a classical station, but the commercials were too numerous and detracted from the music itself.

As much as I love NPR, the news has become nothing short of an endless stream of dismal dialogue. My highlight was tuning into the "human interest" pieces that were--for the most part--uplifting. Until now. The "breath fresh air" I anxiously awaited for has turned just as bleak as the news. Oh I know that each piece usually ends with some sort of uplifting message, but it doesn't make up for the 15+ minutes of somber scripting I had to sit through to hear it.

I do know NPR is not all news, but my commute doesn't happen late enough, or long enough to include Diane Rehm or Kojo Nnamdi (I love his voice!). Which is sad because their programs are pretty good and some of the callers just crack me up.

Anyway, with the radio off, I drove 30 miles in silence. A majority of the commute was me trying to reconcile this new found silence while navigating through commuters and stop lights. The last bit of my commute is on 6 miles of road that happens to be aligned with woods on either side. Once turning onto this road, a strange sense of calm came over me. The sun had just risen, the sky was blue with a hint of pinkish-gray, and the air was crisp, smelling of dew -- having just rained a few hours earlier. I was just driving.. in the here and now. Taking notice of nature that is only visible when I run in the mornings. Everything around me was so peaceful; my mind had to stop worrying/thinking (a constant with me). Even my expression of "deep concern for fellow drivers" -- aka: road rage -- even ceased to exist. I didn't want to ruin this moment. It was a driving moment I haven't experienced in about 8 years.

Eight years is way too long. A decision was made-->No more radio. Life is too short. And commutes are too stinkin' long. 24/7 gloom and doom, I'll listen to you later.

Book promotion

"Travelling with an Eggplant" by Alycia Ripley.

I absolutely adored this book. It was a fun read. Everything flowed smoothly and the writing was sharp--such that I was able to vividly see the story play out in my mind. Getting lost in the characters, and the colors, and feeling the emotions was a ride I haven't taken in a long time. I honestly don't remember the last time I was so absorbed in a book. Maybe it's because I saw a part of myself in the main character, which made me think--and am still lost in thought. (I want to sort out those thoughts before extrapolating on them here).

On a lighter note, it was exciting to read about the characters' visit to Port Jefferson (20 minutes from my hometown) and Rocky Point (my hometown). I would like to state for the record that Rocky Point was only mentioned for its train station. A station that has ceased to exist 40+ years ago. The bar/restaurant that now takes its place is pretty cool though.

If you're looking for something different, I highly recommend giving "Travelling with an Eggplant" a read.

Peaceful mornings? Not so much

I have a Senegal named Sydney. He's a cute lil' buggah, when he's not throwing himself around the cage or screaming for attention. Ok.. so he doesn't do this 24/7, only when he first wakes up, or occasionally when we all move to another room during daylight hours. And I've come very close to slamming him.

His breeder sent me a great link on training parrots. This week I've been trying to spend at least 15 minutes in the morning and then in the afternoon on getting Sydney to understand "HALT". (I'm using "HALT" instead of "STAY" because the latter confuses Ollie.) Well, yesterday morning Sydney had other thoughts about his training, which eventually led me to locking him in his cage while I made my lunch, which led Sydney to start his screaming -- to which I immediately ducked behind the counter (out of sight out of mind). And lo' n' behold, the buggah silenced himself.

That day I started to think about whether I have the patience to work though this training and considered talking with the breeder about finding him a new home. But then I thought about having a child and the crying and it needing to be around me 24/7. If I am thinking of getting rid of a bird because I want 'my time' or peace and quiet, how the hell am i going to deal with a kid -- for whom i can't return -- when it begins one if its fits.

Therefore Sydney is staying. I'm turning the situation around from hopeless to character building. I'll find as many techniques as necessary to curb his screaming, as well as a few for me to keep my sanity. Some techniques I've already been trying include leaving the room when he starts screaming, ignoring the scream when we're in the same room, whistling to him from another room--so he knows i'm still around-- and hiding behind counters. Perhaps training him with vocal cues might also help. You know, "I'm going to work" "I'm back from work" "I'll be right back" etc. Stimulating his play time might also help--learning what toys gets him excited. I've discovered the wooden toy with the bell on it interests him.

We'll see how well we both progress in a couple of months.

If anyone has other suggestions, I'd be more than appreciative to hear them.

A New Hobby

I've re-taught myself to crochet, something I have been wanting to do for a while. When I was 12, I decided to move from latch-hook to crocheting and taught myself the basic chain. Made a skirt. That's when I discovered that I am not shaped like a rectangle.

Normally when one teaches themselves something new, you'd like to start off small -- set a goal that is within reason. I'm making an afghan. Thinking about it, the challenge will be to remain motivated enough to finish it. Otherwise, the stitch itself is extremely simple.

I began this project 2 days ago. In 2 days I've completed 4 rows. It would have been 6, but I spent 2.5 hours last night completing row 3 and 4. Apparently I've been making the chains way too tight. Even though D' has told me "Remember to keep the chains loose. It'll make your life easier. Trust me." I do, but my memory is short. (Quick aside: D' has been a great friend -- dealing with me calling in 20 minute intervals because I've confused myself about a stitch, or on where to begin, or for needing a reality check because the 2 completed rows does not look like an afghan.)

So there I was nestled into my futon, Willie Wonka on the tv, and my cute lil' puppy sleeping next to his mommy. 30 minutes later blood pressure is rising, one eye is bulging -- slowly working up to becoming severely bloodshot, sweat collecting at the brow, and my cute lil' puppy is slowly working his way over to his crate where its safe. Safe from the possibility of his human exploding and disrupting his slumber.

Oh, but I AM having fun. I'm making an afghan!!

Morning Run

I am a morning person. And because of this, there is one activity I love doing before going on with my day... RUNNING.

Rolling out of bed, dressing while still bleary eyed, I leave the house with a smile. Why? The sun's rising, the air is crisp (well, currently... let's see what I say 4 months from now) and my once-lost-but-now-found-mittens make my hands so snuggly warm I don't have to worry about Reynauds. Ah, the little pleasures in life.

Running not only relaxes me, but also gets my energy up for the day.

So, my question to you is: if you're a morning person, what gets you motivated for the day? And if you consider yourself a night person, what do you love doing to either start off your night or end your day?

Cheers.

Bambling-on

I'm amazed at how quickly blog names are taken. Bamble.. who would have thought someone else would be using my word. That's right.. MY word. Ok.. i have to give my friend D' some credit b/c it's a word we created during one of our many long-winded emails.
We babble. We ramble. Why not merge the 2 words --> we BAMBLE!

:^)

We have a lot of time on our hands.

Anyway, I created a new URL because the old one was too cryptic. Therefore, here's my new home...where I'll be bambling about nonense.

Cheers.