TED Tuesdays: The Best Stats You've Ever Seen

I had the NewsHour on in the background as I was preparing dinner last night (Man, I'm turning into my parents). The show had very little of my attention, until a voice cut through the clutter of the negative campaigning currently going on in Florida. I voice that was fast, upbeat, and energetic. I turned to the TV to see a segment on Hans Rosling. Rosling is a statistician who has developed a method and software for explaining the world's economic and health situations. Sounds like a real hoot, don't it? But it is actually very interesting and very accesible, which is Rosling's goal.

Check out his TED Talk. I promise you will entertained and enlightened.

Song of the Day

Please enjoy the B52's "Roam."

The One-Upper

Harry Potter Club Team Meeting at Harry Potter Exhibit.

Me: I wish a new Harry Potter book was coming out today and that I could go home and read it
Amy:  I too wish a new Harry Potter book was coming out today.
And when I went to the bookstore to buy it, Daniel Radcliffe was signing copies.
And when I gave him my book, he signed it with "I love you" and his phone number.
And then I called him and we sat together and he read me the new Harry Potter.
And then when I looked in the front cover there was a hole cut in the pages.
And the biggest diamond ring ever was in it.
P.S. Now we are married.

Such a one-upper!

Song of the Day
We haven't had any Abba here in a while. Please enjoy "Mama Mia."

Shaking My Fist

I was tricked, I tell you! Tricked! I’ve been shaking my fist at my friend Becca ever since we got accepted into the New York City Half Marathon. A while back I said that if she wanted to do a half marathon I would join. But that is the kind of crap we all say to each other...I didn’t think it would actually happen!

At the beginning of December, Becca IM’ed me in a panic saying that the registration for the race had just opened, and we had to sign up NOW or we wouldn’t get in. I’m always happy to get worked up into someone else’s frenzy so I signed up immediately without looking at the details of the race. Once I had submitted my information I looked took a deeper look. WHAT!? The race is on March 18th!? (the fist shaking started here) That means we will be training outside throughout January and February. I’m a bigger fan of colonoscopies than I am of running outside in the winter.

Ok ok, lets all take a deep breath. Maybe it will be fun. Maybe running in 10 degree weather along the Hudson with my lips chapping and snot steaming across my cheek will be enjoyable. But all joking (and most bitching aside), this run will be a great challenge for me. Running a half marathon is on my Life List, and I want to trim down for the wedding.

Becca, someday soon I’ll stop shaking my fist and join you for a run. And maybe, MAYBE, after the race is over, and I’ve stood up from the fetal position I plan to take at the finish line, I’ll thank you. 


Song of the Day
Please enjoy Cake's "Going the Distance."

TED Tuesdays: Nurturing Creativity

Happy New Year! After taking a long break from this blog I'm back with a revived commitment.

I thought we could get back to TED Tuesdays. Today's presentation comes from Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love. If you haven't read it, I urge you to check it out. It would be a great read to start off the year. Her talk is inspiring, funny, and thoughtful. Enjoy and tell me about your favorite TED talks.

 

Song of the Day
Please enjoy Janelle Monae's super catchy "Tightrope."