insomnia: Future American lawyers to be proud of.
Three cheers for the G-town folks.
In the past few days, I've subscribed to a bunch of podcasts from iTunes. I never really tried listening to podcasts before. Sure, I have an iPod and it's loaded with my music, all of which sits on my home desktop. I just never really tried podcasts before. So I thought I'd give it a shot.
WOW
I love that I can get a bunch of information, so far without commercials, about tons of topics. Tonight, while feeding Aurelia, I listened to a bunch of tech podcasts on Open Source, Yahoo, Google, Apple, and a politic one from Democracy Now. It totally rocked.
I also recently got an Airport Express and hooked it up, so I was listening to these podcasts on my home stereo, which sounds infinitely better than my computer speakers. Also, it let me listen to Amy Goodman while silently watching Conan the Barbarian - which added its own surreal and hilarious juxtaposition.
So, now I'm searching for more interesting podcasts. Here's what I've subscribed to so far:
I have listened to all the posts from these, so I'm not totally sold on all of these yet. Of course, I know NPR and Democracy Now since I listen to the regular radio broadcasts (or used to listen to them). Also, I'm looking for anything good. Not just politics and tech stuff, but anything of interest.
Got any favorites?
I have recently discovered several things that are utterly indispensable. These are things that are now become our default baby shower gifts. Here they are in no particular order:
The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD. This video and book have, arguably, the dumbest sounding title ever. But the information is truly insightful. Among other things, this shows you - literally in slow motion - how to swaddle your infant. It shows how to soothe him or her when they seem completely beyond control. This might sound easy, but I assure you it isn't. And this DVD is worth its weight in gold.
A good baby sling. We have one and we love it. I can't find it online, but if you go to a place like the Pump Station, you'll find one that's all one piece of cloth that feels kinda like thin sweatshirt material - and it has a emblem like a hawaiian hibiscus on it. That's the one you want. It's a little hard to use at first, so you have to have someone show you. But once you get it, it is awesome. In fact, I am wearing Aurelia right now. That's right... these things let you manage your newborn but leave your hands free for other stuff.
iTunes playlists. One of the first things you should do is create a "Sleepy Baby" playlist. I think almost all infants like the sound of music... it's one of those weird traits that seems inborn in most if not all infants. So, grab iTunes and load up a good playlist of music that your baby likes. One key thing to remember - try lots of different kinds of music. Just cuz you don't think a particular type of music sounds right for napping doesn't mean your infant agrees. For example, Aurelia loves folk rock, reggae, and new age music with high pitched female vocals (a la Enya or Vas), as well as classical. No real rhyme or reason I can figure out for this... and I don't really care too much. The point is that you find something that is reasonable for you and helps the baby get to sleep.
An exercise ball. We have this one and it totally rocks. We sit on it and bounce all the time. Of course, you can bounce with your baby on your knee or in your arms. But the ball makes it super easy to bounce for hours with a lot less effort on your part. For around $20, this is a spectacular value.
Some funny books about parenting to read. Personally, I really like Eats, Poops, and Leaves. This book is really hysterical. I would even recommend it to people who have friends who have kids. It takes all of 2 hours to read because it's only 150 pages or so... but it's laugh out loud funny. Maybe not David Sedaris funny, but damn close (and much more likely to happen to you).
Lastly, of course, is patience. Yeah, it's trite to say, but I had to anyways. There are good days and bad days. Some days seems like they will never end. Some days you never want to end. Just accept it and have fun.
I noticed today Apple announced the new laptop with Intel Chip. After reading the story, I might serious consider getting one of these guys. It really does seem noticably different... things that jump out at me:
I wonder how long it will take for them to appear at the UCLA bookstore.
Anyways, here's the story if you haven't read it yet.
I've been thinking about what things I'd like to get in 2006 with my Christmas moneys. I haven't really decided on what to get, but here are the things that I'm thinking of.
The other day Diana's Ipod Shuffle broke. Out of the blue, it just broke. Wouldn't play music, wouldn't show up in iTunes. Bad stuff.
After futzing with it for a while, I took it into the Apple Store's Genius Bar. After waiting for like 20 minutes, I finally talked with the Genius. And after looking at it, he just gave me a new Shuffle. No questions asked. I signed a receipt saying that I received it. But that's was it. Brand spanking new Shuffle at no charge.
That is cool and GREAT service.
Experiences like this make me want more Apple products.