O (b LOG N)

I’m just finishing reading “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain”. Thank you Miiko for the suggestion. It has been a fantastic read. Ratey layers medical, psychiatric and psychological research atop his own anecdotal evidence. The focus of the book is on rewiring the brain with physical exercise. As such, this book, and Tara, have inspired me to join Tara’s running group, West Coast Road Runners, which is intended to prepare one for running the Rock & Roll Marathon. In 6 months the program works you up to a 20 mile.

I don’t intend to run the full Rock & Roll this July, maybe the half. Primarily my interest in joining the running group is to diminish the negative effects my ADHD has on my life; both personal and professional. “Spark” offers compelling medical evidence that regular exercise provides significant benefits to folks like myself with ADHD. Moreover, when I’ve exercised regularly in the past I experienced a significant difference in my ability to focus, organize and relax that i simply wasn’t completely cognizant of until reading “Spark” and reflected.

In summary: read “Spark”. It just may change your life in 2009.

This is apparently a very popular song in the UK during Christmas-time; it’s been on repeat for me today. A belated Merry Christmas to you all!

And embeds The above Pogues music video of “”Fairytale of New York”. I’m a huge Pogues fan. They’re so young in this video. I’ve seen them in concert a few times. In fact, the best show I’ve ever been to was The Pogues with Joe Strummer (RIP) standing in for Shane McGowan. Yes, sorry Joe Strummer was way better than Shane. It’s Joe @#$%ing Strummer. The show was at First Ave in Minneapolis.

I hadn’t seen this video in probably ten years. It makes me nostalgic. I think it does especially so because I’m currently in Duluth, MN. I moved here 15 years ago when I had just turned 18. I listened to the Pogues intensely back then and it was in 1995 (I think) that I saw the Pogues live for the first time.

I took this photo in 2006 at the Fillmore. I found it via
Zemanta, not at my Flickr account, but at Wikipedia. I love
when this happens.

Times were very different for me back then. I was broke. I mean broke. Not a dime to my name, I was briefly homeless. My only possessions were a few boxes of books, some notebooks for writing, a backpack and sleeping bag for camping. I remember I slept on duct taped couch cushions on the floor for a couple years. My furniture was constructed from Leinenkugel cases. It was actually a happy time for me. I was only concerned with getting laid, reading, writing, backpacking and camping. All of which were enjoyed in abundance. 

I’m of the mind one should “Remember, Be Here Now.” So, no. I do not miss this time of life, but it’s nice to reflect on who I was then and the firends I had. Many of which are still good friends. In fact, I’ll be seeing one of these old friends, Scott Graden, later today. Scott owns Scenic Cafe, which is probably the best restaurant in northern Minnesota.

It’s been a great Christmas. Ashby was the big winner this year with so many gifts it finally became a chore for her to open them all. It wasn’t Tara and I responsible for this, rather it was her grandparents. I got some new underwear and socks. Sweet! One of my most favorite gifts this year was from my brother-in-law, Toby. Check it:

Awesomeness! He recites Bible passages when you press his back. This is from One2Believe.com. I want every toy this company makes. I am confused why the site has Samson wrestling Goliath though. Weird. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a religious action figure series? Buddha, Abraham, Zorasta, Jesus, Mohammed, Joseph Smith, Bahá’u'lláh, etc… Wouldn’t you want to collect every one? Check out the full Jesus photo set.

As is our tradition for Christmas, I made Beef Wellington with Brenda. We made a walnut ham pate’ as an alternative to the liver pate’ to go with the mushroom duxelle that is used to insulate the tenderloin and I made a mushroom bordelaise with a mix of oyster and button mushrooms. Brenda (my mo-in-law) prepared twice baked potatoes, creamed spinach and a broccoli salad. Delicious.

…so be good for goodness sake, ooohhh!

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• Merry Christmas from Santa Chris
• Holiday Songs
• Czech Christmas Eve

I’m packing this evening for a flight to Duluth, MN with Tara, Ashby and Roe (still in uterus). We’re spending the next several days with Tara’s family north of Duluth on Lake Superior. It’s a four hour flight to Minneapolis and another forty minute flight to Duluth. What are we packing for Ashby?

• Books - Ashby got some great new books from Roy, Steve and Brigette in the last couple days that I’m packing.
• Silly puddy
• Stickers
• Crayons, coloring books, notebook
• Little People
• Snacks

These are our usual standbys and are capable of tiding Ashby over for hours. But, I’ve got some other goodies I’m excited about.

Tara and I got Ashby a Tag Reading System from Leapfrog. I’m super excited to work with her on phonics and reading with Tag. It has solid reviews. I already played with it tonight and downloaded the audio for another book I bought with the Tag  that didn’t come pre-loaded. It was quick and easy peasy.

Then I’m also preparing for the flight with the free video podcasts from Nick Jr and PBS. Yup, that’s right, free educational video podcasts for kids. We have a Philips 8.5” DVD player with iPod dock that is going to come in handy. And the following video podcasts are now loaded on my video iPod and ready to roll.

• Super Why 
• Dragonfly TV
• Sesame Street
• Diego
• They Might be Giants Friday Night Video podcast for kids
• The Goodnight Show

I haven’t watched but a few of these yet, but it seems they’re mostly one to six minute excerpts from the show. Super Why is the full episode. By the way, I love the theme song for this show! Oh, and I couldn’t resist buying some Sponge Bob on iTunes. I know, Tara hates Sponge Bob too, but I think he’s awesome. And c’mon people. I grew up watching Tom and Jerry and Loony Tunes. I’ll bet you did too. That stuff is raw violence and brain rot with no redeeming quality.

Postscript- I love how I find my own photos using Zemanta, not on my Flickr account, but via Wikipedia. See first photo of Lake Superior.