A Few Things On My Mind
** So I'm not sure how many people that read here are also fans of watching the reality series The Biggest Loser but Cole and I have been hooked for a couple of seasons now. The thing I find the most curious about the show is that about halfway through the episode, no matter how full I am feeling from dinner, We usually get up at some point and get into the freezer and eat some ice cream, or I'll pop a bag of popcorn and eat the entire thing. Anyone else find themselves doing things like this? What's the deal here?
** I wish someone would keep some stats on couples that choose the no shower route vs the couples that keep up the regular shower routine despite being tired and just wanting to sit and stare at walls for an hour to unwind. I want to know if the no shower people are having more sex than the shower people. Are the no shower people more productive during the day than the shower people? Do the shower people have more friends than the no shower people? I feel like these stats would blow minds apart.
** I quit using twitter a couple months ago and have been loving my internet life much more ever since. Anyone else make the leap and quit, and discover that this incredibly useful and essential social media tool really doesn't matter at all? You have to constantly feed that monster to make it work for you, and I have the feeling that there are way more people out there feeding it noise because they think they have to, compared to people truly enjoying the experience. I'm not denying that twitter can be powerful and amazing, I'm just saying it feels good to unplug from that drain. Curious if anyone else was experiencing this...
** Speaking strictly to any possible readers who also have a child with SMS, I was curious if you noticed an escalation in tantrums and bad behaviors during the winter months vs the summer months when the days are longer. Cole has picked up on this, and tracked a major swing in defiance and stubbornness in LB when the days get shorter. The less sunlight he is exposed to the more difficult he can be. Which of course is linked to the reversal of the circadian rhythm and melatonin levels in people with SMS. Really interested to know if other parents are experiencing the same thing. We have been so curious about trying light therapy and just starting to really look into it.
** Do most people still lie to their kids about Santa? Or is this considered one of those truly terrible things parents used to do, that just ins't cool anymore? Like spanking. And sticking soap in mouths.
** Thanks for the race suggestions yesterday, I think I have myself a great start to a team already, now we just need to settle on a race so I know what to train for. And so far I haven't seen one that quite fits the description I gave. I will keep looking at all the suggestions. Truly appreciated all of them. For now I am just going to keep getting into basic all around good shape, and then start worrying about specializing. I love the idea of needing a navigator on the team to make it. I am drawn to adventure racing. How is that for a midlife crisis? From Couch Potato to Adventure Racer wouldn't that be a miracle to pull off?
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I have a friend who was on The Biggest Loser. I'll have to dish all the secrets I know to you in January. And I find when I'm watching it I feel super lazy - regardless of how hard I worked out that day.
Also - I've been way behind on Twitter. I kind of feel like the kid sitting alone at the cafeteria table - watching everyone else have witty 140-character fun. I'm not giving up on it completely - I just haven't been prioritizing it lately.
1) I miss you on Twitter. I'm not giving up on it because I've found an awesome IRL community here in my town through Twitter. Twitter found me my house, my church, and a broad circle of friends. I like carrying these friends around in my pocket all day long. Though my non-Tweeting friends are still thoroughly weirded out when "strangers" wander up and ask, "Are you Ernie Bufflo??"
2) I stopped showering every day this year. Down to every other day, sometimes longer. Dry shampoo is awesome, my hair and skin feel healthier, and hey, more time to do stuff other than wash my body and fix my hair. Also: more eco-friendly. And not a single person has told me I smell.
I always eat less when I watch the Biggest Loser. I think to myself, "Well that guy is working his ass off, the least I can do is not stuff my face." *shrugs*
I'm proud to say that I have yet to even join Twitter. Not because I'm too cool- I'm basically just scared to add one more thing to my already busy life. Thanks for validating that for me :)
I personally am put out by all of the bastards that DON'T go along with the santa thing! Kids grow up fast enough, let them have a few magical Christmases to remember the rest of their lives. You found my soapbox, and drew me out of lurking.
Oh my goodness, THANK you for owning up to that ice cream/dessert thing during Biggest Loser. My husband and I do the exact same thing...It feels so wrong...and yet? So right. :)
I always thought Twitter was kind of pointless and never used it to begin with. I don't even like reading other people's. I guess I just don't have it in me to follow along with every agonizing second of someone's day and see what witty hashtags they can come up with.
But I guess I just don't get it.
I'm going to go ahead and guess that shower couples have more sex and do more in general. Speaking as one half of a non-shower couple. I guess a comforting thought is knowing your partner doesn't mind when you're all gross and funky, ha.
I hope parents still do the Santa thing! That was my favorite part of Christmas growing up, and when I eventually accepted the truth, I didn't feel lied to or angry. I look forward to having my own children and bringing Santa back. I very much disagree with the opinion that Santa is horrible lie, but I can't explain why, just that I think it's a harmless and fun tradition. Lying about Santa is about #999999 on the list of Damage Parents Can Cause.
I think it depends on the child, as well. You've got nerds like me who wanted to believe in Santa wayyyy longer than usual (like 12, 13) and kids who think it's B.S. when they're 5.
Yep. Do the same thing with the Biggest Loser. I think I have some kind of sick mentality that is something like "well, I'm doin' better than THAT guy so, what the hell..more chips for me!"
And, I have it on good authority that non-showerers have more sex. Trust me on this one.
Hmm - all good questions Ryan, for sure.
My two cents:
-Yes, I would love to know the shower statistics, as a stay at home mom with a husband who primarily works from home, i can tell you there is very little showering going on here. It's gross, but we are busy. That said, I can almost guarantee those daily showers are getting more sex than us! Every time my husband showers (which only requires minor effort) and puts a shirt on to make an appearance at the office, I think, "who is this guy?"
- I can one up you on the twitter thing, because.... wait for it... I am cutting myself off from the internet. Yes, I sound like a crazy person, but oh WOW am I more productive with photography and writing. I create more, instead of just being a passive consumer. We started on Sunday, my husband (a software engineer) developed a tool we are calling the 'internet embargo'. Basically it allows us two hours a day of internet, and that's it. No twitter, no mindless blog reading for hours on end, two hours and then done. It has been hugely helpful. That said, we both still have iphones, so in the event of an emergency when we truly have to look something up, we can. Oh, and I deleted twitter on my phone months ago, too much of a distraction. Go with instagram, as a photographer that's better and more useful for you anyway.
Whew! good questions! Can't wait to hear what everyone else weighs in on!
Shannon
www.11thandshannon.com
I can so relate to your Biggest Loser observation. I used to find myself with a cocktail in hand every time I watched the show Intervention. In my defense, it aired on Friday nights then. :)
I've been meaning to delete my facebook.. I don't know why I haven't done it yet. Such a time waste, and all it does it make me question the integrity of the people I grew up with.
I refuse to lie to my child about Santa. I have gone back & forth about it since she was born, and then I read this article & it was the deciding factor. http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/truth-about-santa?fb_ref=.TsedV7ethpo.like&fb_source=home_multiline
I've never watched BL, but can tell you my niece has been a fan since it began and now she is on a serious diet. coincidence? -not sure.
I CANNOT go to bed w/out a shower and often take another when I wake up. It's a clean thing at night a temperature thing in the a.m. Sex? I don't think it has anything to do with a shower, unless, of course, you're doing it *in* the shower.
I use twitter, but I rarely read it or tweet. I'm more of an alligator than a bird I guess.
Lying about Santa is about as dangerous as reading anything fiction to them. C'mon really? There are parents out there who NEVER have told an untruth to their kid to *sell* an idea, sway the crowd, as it were, or just to make the kid happy? I'm all over lying out right to your kid to get their little imagination going. It's what faery tales, Halloween, Disneyland, Harry Potter, being a "Snuggle Monster", movies, gramma visiting as a surprise, were made for. It's called "pretending", and it's a great thing!
I quit twitter and it was the best thing I've ever done :)
the biggest loser thing is actually hilarious, because it seemed that EVERY tuesday, my boyfriend and i would order pizza. so now it's "Pizza Tuesday" and we end up just eating pizza, watching the biggest loser, and feeling bad. that's about to change though, so Pizza Tuesdays are coming to an end.
i was looking for you on twitter the other day to wish you happy birthday...so happy belated birthday! haha.
and those adventure races look SO awesome. the other week on biggest loser (again with that show..) when they ran the marathon, my boyfriend is suddenly inspired and wants to start doing races together. i'm super nervous. i was a figure skater for 12 years but never a runner, but it's a weird hobby i've always wanted to get into. best of luck to you with getting in shape!
About LB and winter.
I do not have a child with SMS , but have been dealing with depression for a LONG time. and have realized that winter and lack of sunlight really affects my mood. (crankiness)
after some research realized is lack of vitamin D.
So I take extra... it helps.
... may be it helps him too...
I will be bold and say that we both shower 3ish times a week and we fuck like little rabbits. It's a little bit of the hippie mentality, I think, and it goes hand in hand with us just being comfortable with each other. Neither of us are very odorous people though, so that helps. I happen to be extremely attracted to the scent of *him* without perfumes and colognes.
We let our children decide if they believed in Santa or not. Our son was the one who told his kindergarten class that Santa wasn't real. Our daughter decided this year, she is 5, that she believes in Santa, so we are going with it. I really like this post on letting your children decide for themselves. http://parentingbeyondbelief.com/blog/?p=3507
I manage to eat Ben & Jerry's out of the pint everytime I watch Biggest Loser. Thankfully, I don't catch it very often. :)
My husband is a daily shower-taker. I however have long hair and HATE going to bed with wet hair. So if I didn't manage to get a shower during the day (naptime), I don't usually do it once the kid goes to bed... Sex life is great. Productivity sucks. Friend level is good.
I've never started the Twitter thing. Too much to read/do already on my Google Reader & Pinterest!
My LO is just 2, and we haven't fully decided what to do about the Santa thing. It seems to take a life of its own, but I also don't want to outright lie. Do we still put out cookies & beer? I don't know.
Good luck with your new workout routine & possible marathon!
I manage to eat Ben & Jerry's out of the pint everytime I watch Biggest Loser. Thankfully, I don't catch it very often. :)
My husband is a daily shower-taker. I however have long hair and HATE going to bed with wet hair. So if I didn't manage to get a shower during the day (naptime), I don't usually do it once the kid goes to bed... Sex life is great. Productivity sucks. Friend level is good.
I've never started the Twitter thing. Too much to read/do already on my Google Reader & Pinterest!
My LO is just 2, and we haven't fully decided what to do about the Santa thing. It seems to take a life of its own, but I also don't want to outright lie. Do we still put out cookies & beer? I don't know.
Good luck with your new workout routine & possible marathon!
You're so right about twitter. I feel that way about the internet in general sometimes. Feed, feed, feed... it's exhausting.
I quit Facebook on Jan 1 of 2011, so I'm ramping up on one full year Facebook-free. Same deal, total drain, and I never looked back or missed it once.
Haven't watched much of TBL but I think I read before that you + Cole are Survivor fans? Matt and I are Survivor Junkies! Curious who you're rooting for? We're pulling for Ozzy, hands down.
Santa and Spankings are still cool!! Don't get that confused with spanking Santa! I don't think it is lying to your kids. It's just something to make it fun!
Next year I am going to start a new tradition with my kids. They will get 4 presents. A want, need, treasure, and santa gift. But we also still talk about the real reason for the season.
I shower daily. And we have "it" a lot. Sometimes we even shower togehter...ooohh lalala!
I always, always find myself wandering into the kitchen while watching weight loss shows. But I'm even worse, I usually come back with a huge plate of nachos >_<
No Santa in our house. We earned the money and bought the presents, not some fictitious fat man in a suit. creeeepppyyy
I tried Twitter for a couple of months; I didn't have enough to say and I had neither the time or the fancy enough phone to keep up with all the tweets. I don't feel like I'm missing out not having it. Actually, I haven't used Facebook for a few days, either, because I'm throwing a hissy fit about something and I'm tempted just to ditch that, too...
While I'm wittering on about me, me, me, I don't have kids so don't know how I would approach this but my parents never told me Santa was or was not real; they just told me only kids who believed in him got stockings. I'm not sure I ever did believe, but I was happy to go along with it in return for a bag of chocolate coins and a clementine.
Okay a few more races. This one is like Hood to Coast, but you run from Skagway Alaska to Whitehorse. Beautiful scenery, brutal hills, and the people of the Yukon are awesome.
http://www.klondikeroadrelay.com/race2/
Oh and there is always Trans Rockies..
http://www.transrockies.com/
If you need another teammate let me know. Depending on what race you choose and what time of year. I'd love to do a team event.
Julie
julie.perilla@gmail.com
Yes, I love eating awful food while watching biggest loser.
I tutored/mentored a teenager with bipolar disorder and severe ADHD and we always had more difficult sessions when the days would get shorter. We bought him a sun substitute lamp (made for people with SAD) and it really helped. We had him use it while he was listening to music, watching TV or doing homework. You might want to try that?
Can't wait for your workshop at ALT! See you next month.
The Biggest Loser: I'll admit to feeling a little smug, sitting on my ass eating pizza while the contestants talk about how chewing gum helps them satisfy their cravings.
Twitter: When you follow so many people, it's hard to keep up and even remember who everyone is. I feel like I'm usually just broadcasting something and leaving.
Santa: Duh, of course parents should lie to kids about Santa! I'm not saying that when your kid is 10 or whatever and asks you about it you shouldn't be honest, but to never feed them the lie in the first place? Talk about hipster cruelty.
You make quitting twitter sound so, so tempting. I'm *THIS CLOSE*.
1-We don't watch tv on a tv so no biggest loser comment here
2-In regards to twitter. I have zero irl friends right now so all my socializing with other awkwardly social chicks who also have a kid happens there. But I am using twitter completely different than you.
3-Santa? Well we're just not doing Santa. If Ziggy decides when she's older she believes he exists. We wont burst her bubble but no, no Santa "lies" will be happening.
Re: Biggest Loser. Something about that show makes me NEED ice cream.
Re: SMS/Light. We go through moodier/more trantrum-y times, but nothing that ever correlated to the seasons as much as the school calendar. Lots of parties and cookies at school mean hell at home. Lots of social events and dietary changes this time of year - maybe those are having an impact? Other thoughts - is your, LB's Dad or Cole's schedule changing? More travel or more nights out? I don't know - sometimes I feel like the John Nash of SMS trying to find patterns everywhere. It can be tough to tell a trigger from a natural ebb and flow of good days and bad days. Regardless - you guys know your kid best. Good luck with the light therapy if you try it.
We eat popcorn during Biggest Loser and drink Microbrews during Intervention. Oh the irony.
loved reading these tonight. Thanks for the responses, I was particularly interested in the Santa thing. I have a feeling it's going to get crazy over the years as people take stronger stances and the sides start to stack up. Can't wait for that show.
Also very nice to know we aren't the only ones dipping into the freezer for ice cream during BL.
And the shower thing. hilarious, all of you take a shower tonight. Please :)
As for Twitter, I can't say enough how much better off I feel without it, but will say I would never ever have been able to spread the word about Do Fun Stuff without it. So I will always have a soft spot in my heart for that damn thing.
We have more sex NOT being shower people. Meaning- Once I let go of the ick-I-haven't-showered-no-sex-tonight OCDness and just went with the flow of my sex drive, we have more and better sex. If the ick factor is a factor, instead of saying NO, I hop in the shower to rinse off real quick. Besides, I like the smell of my man NOT showered.
My parents, born and raised catholics who both separately realized they really weren't religious and are now atheists, raised both my sister and i in a non-religious home, but we still did christmas and santa claus like any other family. when i was younger we went through the whole shebang of putting out the milk and cookies and they'd magically be gone by morning (i later found out my dad took care of the cookies), but they just let us figure out on our own that santa wasn't real. now on our presents, some will be from santa claus, but we've started the tradition of doing ridiculous gift tags that say things like, "To: Dylan From: Barack Obama". Really hilarious to play along and say, "Oh thanks, Barry! Love the sweater!"
Santa is not a lie - of course he exists! Haven't you seen him at every mall this winter? Although my 8 year old tells me that most mall Santas are just his elves in disguise... But Santa isn't just a fat man on a sled - he is magic and wonder surrounded by lights and music. He is the childhood version of faith and hope, and the emotions and the joy he brings out in children are very very real.
No experience with SMS, but I will swear by light therapy. Life-changing.
I quit Facebook and I swear I lost five pounds!
Regarding LB, I don't know any children with SMS but I wonder if in addition to being sensitive to sunlight exposure if he is also more apt to experience meltdowns/stubbornness with changes in barometric pressure.
I don't know anyone with SMS. But I do work with children with Autism. When winter comes it is hard for some children to adjust. I have one child in particular who throws tantrums because he can't go outside since it is too dark and its only 5:30. which is really confusing for him because during the summer he is out past 8.The only thing I can do for him is try to explain to the best of my ability why he is not allowed outside and redirect his attention to a different activity.
-Ashley
How about mixed couples: one who is a multiple showerer and the other who might occasionally skip a shower even if she runs and works out?
The Santa charade can be hard to keep up, but when they stop believing, and the magic is gone . . . it's like a big, fat punch in the gut.
No pig-outs during BL. I always think, "Hey, that could be me one day."
So, the Santa thing. I've been pondering it as well. Our oldest is just 2, so it's probably the time to decide. I love the idea of Santa, for the most part, but not the notions of good and bad children, or that being nice is something for which to strive (polite, yes, nice, not so much). Or that material gifts are sufficient rewards. Ok, talked myself out of it. I say, with confidence, no Santa. Or Elf on a Shelf.
I was JUST thinking about the whole 'lie about Santa thing' yesterday. I have a 2-year-old and as I'm telling her about Santa, I'm thinking...I'm totally just setting you up for a major disappointment in a couple of years. That's so mean, right? I kinda just want to do away with the whole thing, but it would have to be a united effort from all parents. You don't want some kids being told one thing and then a bunch of others being told that first group is being lied to. Bah!
The Santa thing - I have three kids ages 10,7 and 4. Yes, I've lied about Santa. Yes, they all believe.
There is such a short time to be an innocent kid, especially nowdays more than ever - if I can preserve one magical thing, then dammit I'm going to!
Spanking? Nope. Not cool, never was. Have I done it? Yep and I apologized. No one deserves to be hit.
It's interesting that you see shorter hours having an effect on LB. Perhaps this is something you could talk to the discover of SMS too - she might have some insights? I wonder whether giving LB (and the whole family) a daily dose of cod liver oil (or omega 3,6,9) packed with vitamin D, the sun vitamin, to help with the winter blues??
I have not completely unplugged from twitter, but I have done so ~95%. It feels great. While I agree that it can be powerful, I felt like the amount of time I put into it wasn't worth the reward. I'd rather spend my time with Instagram, my blog (which I've given little attention to in the last several months), or my life outside of the computer.
I find a daily shower necessary for myself. If I don't get a shower sometime in the morning, I just feel funky and out of it for the rest of the day. It's never a burden for me -- always a relief -- even if I slip right back into my pj's and lounge around the house for the next 10 hours.
My partner, on the other hand, showers once every few days. And it definitely hurts the sex life when I ruin foreplay by asking, with my nose squished up, "Wait. When did you last wash?"
:)
Santa is a good thing. It's a rite of passage. When my kids who are now 13 and 15 started to figure it out, I told them that if they wanted to believe, they could. They did, they said it was more fun that way. Now they're having fun passing on the tradition to their 3 year old brother.
Showers are great, especially super hot ones. I didn't realize I was losing so much time with a daily shower. Sex after a shower is the best. It's fun getting dirty together.
You're kind of making me want to quit Twitter. Or at least lessen/limit my use of it. I feel like it is slowly sucking the life out of me... and what you said is exactly right - you have to be ALL IN. Or not at all. You can't half-ass it or you're lost. :-\ Ugh. It's all-consuming. And James officially hates how much time I spend on there.
And we're totally in the pig-out while we watch Biggest Loser camp. Yup.
My question is, don't you need to take a shower after sex?
I'm kind of burnt out on Twitter. I can't keep up, I never have anything that useful, and not having anything as seemingly good or popular as everyone else hurts the ol' ego. I can live without that.
I went from potato to Triathlon. I trained with Team in Training.. You have to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma but it's a good cause and the coaches are amazing. AMAZING. And then after I did the NYC Triathlon I sprained an ankle, crutches and all and I'm back to coach potato but planning on doing another tri next year. I need the regime.
a) Twitter and I broke up months ago. It wasn't intentional, it just happened, and I have to say that I haven't missed it at all.
b) I don't think that showering has any effect on sexual activity as long as both partners are totally cool with whatever is going on. I've been in the backcountry for weeks at a time - which means alot of physical exertion plus no showers and very sparse bathing - and still had plenty of *cough* fun.
c) We told our daughter (6 weeks off Tessa's age) that Santa is a fun story, that it may have been based on a real person a long time ago, but that today it is just a fun story and that what Santa represents is the spirit of generosity and forgiveness and thoughtfulness throughout the year. We also talked to her about the economic theory behind Santa, and although she is still too little to understand that she certainly comprehends some of the basics.
Santa...no way. I remember being super pissed at my mom when she confirmed my suspicions that it was a farce. Why would I want my kids to be mad at me like that? Honestly, always. Plus my husband is from New Zealand. We spent many Christmases there before moving stateside and it's summer there so obviously the huge suit and stuff doesn't add up. I don't want my kids showing up there when we move back and being the jackass americans who believe that BS. The truth shall set you free.
I feel like the new Santa trend is to celebrate the fact that Chris Kringle was a real person.
Wasn't he?
My son doesn't have SMS, but he is a very stubborn boy and can be very defiant at times. I DO notice that during the winter months with the shorter days and more dark (we live in Vancouver Canada) he is MUCH moodier and harder to keep happy and tantrum free! He was particularly bad today, from the moment he woke up to the moment he went to bed. I can't wait for the longer, light filled days. Hopefully I will be a lot less abused!!
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