Can the US do math?

I was watching the news tonight, and there was all this talk about Afghanistan's 90th Independence Day celebration. Reporters stressed that violence and corruption have plagued the country since independence. These comments were paired with the news of opium production being at an all time high. I thought, "hm, let's do the math, and think about where we were as a country 90 years after independence."

1776 + 90= 1866

That puts us a year after the end of a civil war.

Our media is really lame right about now. There is no critical analysis of the information that is reported. I know you could argue that they are simply there to report and be impartial. However, I argue that such a position is false. The decision to run a story- to deem it as important enough to spend time on- is a bias. The questions that are asked (or not asked), and the perspectives that are presented are all biased. That is the nature of the beast. Therefore, the "leap" to consider where we were as a country 90 years out from independence as we sit in judgment of (i.e. report on) another country in the same position does not feel to me like too much to ask.

Whoa- Time Flies Yet Creeps

I can't believe how long its been since I've posted. To be honest, I've been caught up in Facebook :) and trying to get ready for my research leave. Of course, I've also been enjoying every minute of Avery growing and exploring.

So I thought I would post some thoughts on the contradiction of time. In some ways it flies by so quickly. The summer is coming to a close as marked by school starting, the sun going down earlier and those awful summer TV shows coming to a close. I can't believe how much Avery has grown and changed in just these past three months. He's more intentional in his actions and is definitely learning to assert himself. We went to the Children's Discover Museum today, and he really enjoyed watching the other kids and playing in the under 5 area. In the same breath, there are areas of my life where it feels like time is going by SO slowly- losing the residual baby weight, for instance. I have been working out since the beginning of July, and gosh darnit my body is having some issues parting with this weight. I know, I know. It takes time, I'm nursing and not aiming to lose more than one pound a week, but I SWEAR it feels like forever! In all honesty, I am making good progress, but I am extremely aware of the effort it takes to choose to exercise every day and to make good food choices throughout the day. I know it's those small choices that add up and make a difference.

I was in the car today, and one of the radio stations had a thought for the day. It was something like not one of the raindrops feels it is responsible for the flood. With regard to time, it is the way we spend each minute that adds up to make a difference. Duh. Yet sometimes it's worth reminding myself- when time feels like it's flying by or moving like molasses- being mindful, aware and present is what counts.