Soxy

Wow.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 04:38 PM) let go my lego, beatch! *rimshot* He'll be here all week folks! Don't forget to tip your waitress. (Okay, I admit, I laughed)

To me this sounds more like an attempt to teach sharing, communication as a way to solve problems (I was impressed by how included the children were in this process and how their opinions were reinforced and validated), and the importance of understanding the effect of power. I thought this situation was very well handled by the adults (and I bet if the people who don't like the article had one of the kids who was being excluded during the initial legotown building, they wouldn't be so against these changes). The fact that this turned into a dialogue with the children is really impressive--I think it models some very important behaviors that children should learn: 1.) Importance of communication as a way to solve problems 2.) Understanding that your actions have an effect on other students 3.) Collective belongings (these weren't one child's legos) will be shared by all who have a stake in them. 4.) Importance of delaying gratification In all honesty, I think all of the stuff that the teachers engaged the students in has been shown (in both the developmental and personality literature) to be important to the emotional and ethical development of children. I also think it should be pointed out, that the legos weren't banned permanently, but where given back when rules were established that were fair to all the students. QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 30, 2007 -> 03:54 PM) I guess I prefer the oppresive and unfair capitialist system, versus penalizing the smart, talented, hardworkers, go getters, etc. There is a big difference between helping your neighbor and having the government just take it anyways. I like the freedom aspect, but I guess that is just me. It doesn't seem (in this article) like the hardworkers or go getters WERE punished. Perhaps that's your conception of socialism, but I didn't get that from this article. Instead, it seemed like the kids that were first in got the good pieces and wouldn't share with newcomers.

Interesting article on Iran Some excerpts: Yet it is hard to punish masochists. The problem for policymakers is that Iran’s leadership positively welcomes Western threats. Almost certainly, the Castro regime in Cuba has lasted a generation longer than it would otherwise have because of the state of siege imposed by Washington. So, likewise, Mr. Ahmadinejad’s power, and that of the clerics who rule behind the scenes, depends upon sustaining confrontation. We must keep talking to the Iranians, offering carrots even when these are contemptuously tossed into the gutter, because there is no credible alternative. Even threats of economic sanctions must be considered cautiously. Their most likely consequence would be to feed Iranian paranoia, to strengthen the hand of Tehran’s extremists. A state of declared Western encirclement could suit President Ahmadinejad very well indeed.

QUOTE(AssHatSoxFan @ Mar 29, 2007 -> 08:57 PM) Marco, Carla's Brother "We've been to the libary" I believe that was Troy. When he and the Janitor were looking up how to make 30 cents with two coins and one of them ISN'T a nickle. "See, it's funny because you've never really satisfied a woman!"

Happy birthday Kap! And Little (female) Texsox!

Great read! Cognitive Psychology at its finest.

From yesterday's Trib. Teaser: Already, experiments have shown that when people are reminded of their own deaths, they become more patriotic, more conservative, more family-oriented, more security-minded.

I went hiking for the first time this season, and about 2 miles into my 4 mile hike I noticed my foot started to hurt. By the time I got back to my car I have a blister (no joke) that is on the entire bottom of my heel (and is starting to get close to the arch of my foot). Anyone have any tips to make it go away or make it less painful? I was really hoping to get lots of hiking in this weekend, but that might not be possible. Help me please!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 01:03 PM) Actually I don't think it is stupid, I think you hit it on the head in your first post... unstable. People do stupid things when they feel threatened, and this guy is threatened and half insane. Not a good combo. I meant the Iranian people in general aren't dumb enough to believe that 15 British soldiers were going to do anythign about it. I DO believe the Iranian government is stupid (and crazy) enough to believe that this ploy will work.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:55 PM) Personally I think this a calculated ploy for ahmadinejad to be able to claim some sort of a "victory" over the west and prop up his sagging approval ratings back home. Nothing unites a country like a common enemy. It might be a ploy, but I really doubt the Iranians are that stupid. I am concerned about what role China and Russia will play in the unfolding Iran drama.

The plot thickens Excerpt: Russia slams U.S. global policy By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 47 minutes ago MOSCOW - Russia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday criticized the United States for what it called over-reliance on force and warned Washington against military action against Iran. But in a major review of foreign policy priorities, the ministry said Russia was ready to cooperate to end global crises if Washington treats it as an equal partner. The statement reflects Russia's growing confidence and economic clout, and appears to be a signal to Washington that, while the two nations can work together, Russia will not always follow the U.S. lead. It also plays to national pride in advance of parliamentary and presidential elections. Russia criticized what it called "the creeping American strategy of dragging the global community into a large-scale crisis around Iran," saying that Iran helps maintain stability in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 11:39 AM) I like eggs!!! I can eat 50 eggs.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 11:58 AM) Well to spin that question around, do you think Iran would stand by while the British seized one of their ships and 15 sailors? No, but they are also led by a crazy person who is rapidly losing the support of the common people. EDIT: What I mean by this is that I don't think we should allow our national policies to be something that would mirror Iran. In fact, I think that would be a disaster for well, everyone. I saw this news story when it came up, and I just thought, "Frick, there is a nightmare." I mean, how do you deal with a country that has the stability of, say, Tom Cruise? I hope the British soldiers get back safely, but this is a really as close to a no win situation as you can get.

QUOTE(Brian @ Mar 25, 2007 -> 11:52 PM) Is crate training exactly what it sounds like? I had a dog when I was a kid but would probably get one as soon as I get my own place. Curious what it is. Yep, exactly what it sounds like. You get a big crate, and the dog sleeps in it and stays in it while you're at work. Best way to potty train a dog.

QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Mar 24, 2007 -> 01:18 PM) Yup, he is fixed and he is somewhere around 5 (he was found as a stray and originally adopted in March 2003). I think we will have to look into the crating. Our Aunt Maureen does that with her dog and she said that she hasn't had much of any going issues. Brian just called me when he got to work and was getting really upset at the idea of having to get rid of Pooka. I really honestly believe that crating will stop the problem. Good luck with it!

QUOTE(Queen Prawn @ Mar 24, 2007 -> 12:41 PM) Did you know it hurts really bad when you whack the side of your head on a steel pole? It bleeds too. To make a really good time out of the ordeal, you HAVE to experience a nose bleed where the blood is shooting out of your nose. Good times I tell you. Rough week huh?

Do you have a crate for him? I would really suggest crate training him--my dog is crate trained and has only had 2 or 3 accidents (mostly my fault for not letting her out when she asked) since she was around 4 months. She has need made a number two in the house. You could put the crate in your room so that he is near you at night which should help the separation anxiety. Caton (my little, 80 pound, monster dog) is in the crate when I go to bed and when I am at work. I will sometimes let her be out if I just have a fast 20 minute errand to run, but otherwise if I am not home she cannot be out. (My problem with her is much more destructive chewing than potty issues, but this works for both.) A lot of dog owners I know think that crate training is cruel, but my dog actually seems to like it. She knows that when she goes into the crate she gets a snausage (which she loves) and I keep her food and water in there. And since dogs don't, usually, mess their bed you will have a lot less messes to clean up. She also likes to go into her crate and just chill when she's really tired. She'll just walk in and lie down in her crate. Pookah might have some mild to moderate crying when you first start crate training (it was very difficult to ignore her crying at first because she sounded so sad). But it is very important NOT NOT NOT to reinforce the crying and to ignore it. Caton probably cried the first night or two in her crate, but after that it was smooth sailing. She now knows the command "Bed" and will go to bed with just the command. When I was thinking about crate training her I did some research and some people have suggested that dogs actually like being in a smaller enclosed space that it makes them feel safer (because wolves sleep in caves or something). So, I would try that. If Pookah has some behavioral anxiety issues it might be worth a trip to the vet to see if you can get him some doggy downers for his first solo day in the crate or when there are bad storms (or fireworks), we had one dog that had a very severe aversion to loud noises and the occassional doggy downer really stopped her anxious messes. I also would suggest (and this will only work for when your home, which does not seem to be the main problem) tying jingle bells to your doors that go outside. As you leave the house with the dog to go potty jingle the bells. Eventually the dog will jingle the bells when it needs to go out (this really helped me avoid accidents because I could always hear the jingle bells). Is pookah fixed? Because that can also make a HUGE difference. Finally, I read that dogs like to see you cleaning up their messes and it's almost like a game for them once they see you do that, so I guess you are never ever supposed to let them see you cleaning it up. But seriously, I would recommend a crate. They can be pricey (for a dog his size I would say you should expect about $70), but it will really stop his accidents when you can't be around to let him out. I hope that helps, it really helped me housebreak my little monster dog in record time.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Mar 24, 2007 -> 08:34 AM) I know where the smart money is on that bet. Honestly, I know we're really not that far apart, age-wise. We're both in that group of people who grew up listening to actual LP records and not CDs. Of course, I played my records with a turntable and stylus, and you played yours with a prehistoric bird attached to a victrola like Fred Flintstone used to. . . My Spanish is rusty, is that "The Chicken Place" or "The Crazy Chicken"? Crazzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyyyyy Chicken!

QUOTE(Brian @ Mar 23, 2007 -> 07:58 PM) I'm probably the only one here to think this, but I'd like to see a "Her Story IV" or whatever number it is surrounding Jordan. I think that wuold be cool. I like Jordan.

QUOTE(Texsox @ Mar 23, 2007 -> 02:26 PM) And common up until about 150 years ago. I wonder what changed to have that shift. I agree it seemed weird. But of course what is weird is always based on our societal views of "normal". To hazzard a guess, I would say the change was education. More women started staying in school longer and getting their own careers. I would also say it was common up until WWI.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 23, 2007 -> 12:53 PM) thats legal in some states. And icky in all states.

Very cute! I am glad all is well! And my cousin had another baby yesterday, so it was indeed a very good day for cute babies.

So, every time I see Tony snow I always think, who the heck does he remind me of? It's seriously been driving me crazy for the last few weeks. But then, it hit me. The Janitor from Scrubs. I think they look alike and, well, I think their delightful demeanor is also shared. For serious guys.

9/10 I called one programmer a serial killer. Maybe I should work for the FBI. Scary how difficult that was though. . .