Pinch!

No, this is not another post about Johan's antics. He hasn't learned to pinch yet. But I have. After a couple checks-run-out-before-the-month experiences, I decided we need to cut down on some expenses. However, we pretty much like our lifestyle and don't want to a) quit drinking wine, b) quit having cable, c) or spend the summer cleaning our house.

However, reviewing our expenses, we were able to make some easy changes that I think will make a noticeable difference:

-I called the cable company and threatened to switch to satellite dish, even though I don't think we can because of our front yard tree. Cowering before our mighty threat, the cable company reduced our monthly cable/Internet bill from $120.00 to $70.00. They also gave as twice as many channels, including Soap.net which has old episodes of 90210. And HBO. Uh, awesome. Savings: $50.00 per month.

-I talked to our cleaning person who comes once every two weeks and got a quote for just cleaning the main floor and cutting out the basement (which pretty much just needs to be vacuumed once in awhile. We rarely use that bathroom and it's "Eduardo's bathroom" anyway...). She said she'd charge $50.00 per clean rather than $65.00. Savings: $30.00 per month.

-We agreed to switch to Target brand diapers. Pampers really are better quality, but crap, it's crap. So, Johan, the economy is tough and we all have to do our part. We buy approximately 2 large boxes of diapers per month. Pampers large box is $20.00. Target large box is $13.99. Savings: $12.00 per month.

-I have reduced yoga from 2x per week to 1x per week. I do a treadmill workout when I would be at my Tuesday yoga class. 5 classes cost $60.00. Average monthly savings: $60.00

TOTAL MONTHLY SAVINGS: $152.00.

Not too bad, considering we won't even notice these changes. Except that I get to watch more 90210.

What else are some good cost savings that don't involve huge sacrifices?

and then i was born

I am 28 now. Johan just laid down for his nap and when he wakes up, we are heading to my cousin's for some celebration. I've been feeling like late 20s are a time when birthday celebrations aren't quite as big of a deal. Obviously kids birthdays are exciting and fun and over the top. Then, as people grow older, birthdays become reflective and a celebration of aging gracefully and beautifully.

I suppose part of my problem is that most of my friends live far away and my husband works weekends. I didn't even have totally firm plans until 9 last night. Lots of ideas floating around, but nothing confirmed. Then, as Johan and I were playing in the grass this morning, giggling and sharing cheerios, I decided that this birthday isn't less celebratory, just happiness in a different way. A different way that will still include lots of wine and good food.

4th of July

Me: (asked sort of tongue-in-cheek): So, what's your favorite thing about America.

David: Diversity. Well, either that or steak.

Some Thoughts on MJ and Pop Culture

I'm back in the cable news world. I'm watching a mass of people outside the Apolo theater holding up radios and dancing. It's strange. Keith Olbermann, how I've missed you. Thanks for taking me through this evening.

My first thought when I heard that Michael Jackson died was of him as a little boy. As someone who didn't really get to be a kid, and how that likely set him up for a tragic life and maybe predictably tragic ending. That maybe if he was just playing with trucks and hanging out at the pool when he was a kid, he might have lived a happier life?

I am also fascinated by the way that *we* build famous people up, celebrate them (hence "celebrities), then tear them down and crucify them. Then they die and *we* glorify them again. I don't know that I have any insight into why, but I think it's irresponsible and in some ways, inhumane.

I was out for happy hour with folks from work when one of my paralegals got a text saying MJ had died. On my way home a couple hours later, I turned to B96, which is the main hip-hop station in Minneapolis. I think it has the most street cred among pop/rap stations, know what I mean? Anyway, it's not a station I listen to, but I turned to it to hear what they had to say. They were playing a bunch of old MJ songs, including Man In the Mirror and Black & White. Totally awesome. Then, the DJ started giving some commentary- he pointed out how MJ was the first black artist to get airtime on MTV. How his videos were unprecedented in form, content, and length. He ended by responding to those listeners who were calling MJ's character into question, especially the criminal accusations. He pointed out that he was found not-guilty. An obvious statement, but I'm glad that he said it. Does that mean innocent? I don't know- but that's the justice system we have. Trials, juries, the presumption of innocence. Sometimes the results aren't what people want but it's a pretty phenomenal system and I don't think any of us would really have it any other way.

There are moments in pop culture that remain vivid in my memory. I remember watching the OJ car chase on TV with my mom the night before I went on a church trip to Washington. I remember wearing black to school for 3 days after Kurt Cobain died, even though I didn't really listen to Nirvana. I remember the Challenger exploding on TV at Kindergarten. I remember the phone calls and text messages on Election Night 2008- watching MSNBC and realizing that Obama only needed California and Oregon to win.

I remember singing a version of We Are the World at pre-school. I remember watching the world premiere of Black & White, the MJ video with Macaulay Culkin and all those multi-racial people's head and shoulders during an episode of The Simpsons while laying on the floor in my dad's sun room. While I wasn't a huge Michael Jackson fan, his impact on music is extraordinary and his impact on anyone born in the 1970s or 1980s can't be disputed.

Johan the Barbarian

I don't know if it's nursery school influences or just the toddler inability to control emotions and reactions, but Johan has started hitting and kicking. Not fun. When he does it, Eduardo and I look him in the eye and sternly tell him NO, we don't hit. If he does it again right away, then we say NO and place him on a chair for a 1-minute time out. It seems to work for the moment- after the time out he doesn't hit again, until the next time he's frustrated...

Anyone have any other creative solutions to deal with this problem (that don't involve hitting or kicking him back thankyouverymuch.)

Rated DP

Last night Eduardo and I watched The Changeling. It's that Angelina Jolie is a mom in the 1920s whose kid gets kidnapped movie from last year. It's the first "new" movie I've seen in a long time. It's mostly been catching bits of Wedding Crashers and Romy & Michele on TBS since Johan was born.

The movie was decent, but not awesome, and it made me decide that there needs to be another rating system. I need a warning before watching when a movie features an execution. Since watching Dead Man Walking (which certainly gave a warning in its very title) at the Boulevard Theater when I was 12, movies that deal with the death penalty affect me strongly. It's not even the watching of the execution- I am not a lightweight in terms of being able to see violence on TV or in cinema. It's the feelings that get stirred up me; the disruption of my equilibrium; the physical changes that happen in my body- heart racing and irregular breath. All this doesn't last for too long, but nevertheless an intense reaction.

I can think of a few movies I've seen that should have been rated DP for death penalty, including The Changeling. Another is Chicago (I love the movie and the music, but the death penalty is an over-arching theme and the ballet dancer is actually hanged) and by far the most disturbing one is Dancer in the Dark. When I started watching it, I expected a quirky and cute Bjork-y film. I can't even remember exactly why the execution in that movie happens, but I can recall vividly my physical reaction to it. It wasn't pretty.

Anyway, I need movies to be rated DP- not because I won't watch them, but just so I am prepared.

Also, I just googled The Changeling and I see its original release date was October 31, 2008, just a few days before the election. The last line of the entire film is Angelina saying "Because now I have something I didn't have yesterday- hope." Coincidence? I doubt it. Way to go, Clint Eastwood.

My Dad

Well, as most of my readership likely knows, my dad is right up there among my favorite people on the planet. My bosses and co-workers could tell you how many times I reference my dad's intelligence, wisdom, and insight on any given day. It's a lot more that once. Believe me.

Today my dad announced that MS has forced him to retire. In my previous post that mentioned his health, that was his diagnosis. While I am angry and sad that my dad has MS, the doctors first thought it was a brain tumor. And I will take MS over a brain tumor any day. I need my dad, and his mind is clear as ever, and much more brilliant than mine.

He announced that he will be done as CEO of Sons of Norway as on July 31, 2009, and this is what the International President had to say:

Dear International Board and District Presidents,

It is with a great deal of regret that I must inform you that John Lund had decided to retire. John feels that his MS is preventing him from performing his duties as CEO to meet the high standards that he has set for himself. John is the type of person who if he can't give a task 110% then he feels he is not doing his job. The job and the energy that it requires has taken a toll on his health. We have indeed been extremely fortunate to have John as our CEO for the past 9 years and before that as Legal Counsel. His leadership skills, his people skills, his wealth of knowledge about Sons of Norway and Norwegian Community, and his great sense of humor will be missed by us all. We retired folks welcome him to our ranks and know he will enjoy retirement as much as we do! John's last day in the office will be July 31, 2009.

John has told me that he will only be a phone call away to answer questions and serve as an advisor for the Interim CEO and the new CEO when that position is filled. I have already put John's number in my speed dial!

I have appointed Eivind as Interim CEO in accordance with the Succession Plan that was updated during our Spring Board Meeting in April. Appropriate agreements are being drawn up.

I am appointing the Executive Committee as the Search Committee for a new CEO. The Executive Committee with Legal Counsel held a teleconference on June 11, 2009. I will be keeping you posted every step of the way.

If you have any question feel free to give me a call.

International President
Sons of Norway


I am sad to see my dad leave a job he was so good at, but these days his energy is limited, and I am thrilled for my Johan that he gets to aprovechar (Spanish for take advantage of/enjoy) more of his Ba-pa's energy in the form of kisses, hugs, walks, and playing.

And I am pretty sure I need to sign up for an MS walkathon. That's a goal for 2010.