Happy, erm, happy...erm, where are you again?

At some point, I decided that this would be a good day to give birth, because it's my dad's birthday. And of course, because it's a big day in Portgual. And then I found out that it's an equally big day in Italy. And now, I realize that it's also ANZAC day (why did it never hit me that ANZAC day is on my dad's birthday?) According to this, it was even a holiday for the Roman empire. How cool is that?

So, now, it's up to the baby to decide to be born. I'm just waiting patiently for something to happen. Oh, and if she isn't here today, then she has orders to wait until May. Which of course she'll obey. In the meantime, while I'm waiting, let me wish you all a happy (insert name of preferred April 25th holiday here).

*Photo from http://www.navigators.di.fc.ul.pt/rtss04/. It is, of course, the 25th of April bridge, in my first adopted hometown of Lisbon. I used to regularly tell people there that it was a very nice gesture to celebrate the day, and to name their bridge in honor of my dad's birthday, but that really, wasn't it a bit much?*

39x365 #24: Prof. Robinson

Professor of literature, resident of a Zen Center, you were the real Zen deal. Your class on religion and literature was punctuated by periodic use of a singing bowl, which enchanted everyone else but put me slightly on edge.

39x365 #23: Buddhist ex-coworker

After a lifetime of flirting with Zen, your non-Zen Buddhism intrigued me. Alas, one lunch with you, and it was clear that your sect, encouraging repeated mantra praying as a way to material success, was deeply not for me.

Happy Human Day

Just to show that I occasionally still have brain cells to think about the world at large, a post about Earth Day. I approve of Earth Day, I encourage all to participate in it in any and all inventive and imaginative ways. But after a day spent in part thinking about the significance of it, my one recurring thought is a memory of a Lauren Becker essay (delivered as the introduction to a Point of Inquiry podcast from around Earth Day 2006) on the real meaning behind the yearly event. Her point is that none of this is about saving the Earth because, let's fact it, the Earth was here long before we were and will certainly outsurvive us. What we're really trying to preserve is ourselves, who are as a species far more vulnerable.

This really resonates with me. Not least because everything on this planet is interconnected. Because our actions towards the environment, the Earth and everything on it, do affect our future. But also because humans as a species are self-centered survivalists, just as we should be. Is this cynicism? Realism? I have no idea.

What are your thoughts on this day? Have you done, or will you do anything particular to commemorate it? What do you do throughout the year to help save the humans?

*Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Earth_flag_PD.jpg*

The thin edge of the wedge?

I used to be such a model pregnant woman. I don't smoke, or use any illegal substances. I didn't drink very much before getting pregnant, and so had no trouble cutting the rest out. Barring one fateful encounter with a white chocolate coffee in my second month, or possibly because of that encounter, I have stayed away from caffeine. I refuse to consume any type of seafood, or any herbal tea, or any other suspect material, without first doing an online search to determine its safety. And of course, I would not be taking any medicine for anything at all until well after the birth.

Luckily I've had it relatively easy. No morning sickness, no major back pain, nothing really. Well, except for a bit of heartburn, which I have had to some degree or other since early on, increasing gradually in intensity, but not serious. Well, unless periodic projectile vomiting (you know, the kind where you get to not only vomit, but also clean the entire bathroom afterwards, which is especially pleasant at 2am) is considered serious? Or not really feeling like eating because I'd then feel like I was going to projectile vomit, except that I'd also get that feeling from not eating? When I'd mention my 'sure opstød' to my doctor or my midwife, I'd hear that, well, I certainly could take something for it. Which would lead to me smiling politely, writing down the suggested treatment, and then ignoring it.

Until the last, and most spectacular erm, incident. When I was finally compelled (and nagged) into buying the stuff whose name I had so politely written down. It's fairly innocuous (the fine print clearly states that the product can be taken during pregnancy), binds to stomach acid, and can be taken whenever I want, in whatever quantity I'd like. And, what's even better, it works. I started by popping them like candy. Now, I've cut back to just a couple one or two times a day. I no longer dread going to bed (if you've ever had heartburn, you'll know that it's not compatible with being in a horizontal position), and have now had almost a full week of my meals staying where I put them.

I don't even feel guilty about it. But now my heartburn is less, I find myself considering treating all the other minor ailments which I've learned to just live with. Like that cough I've had since the middle of the second trimester. Or the snoring. Thor would certainly appreciate if I got something to take care of the snoring. Maybe something to take to keep my feet from swelling in the evenings? Where will it end? Maybe by skipping all natural ways of easing the pain of labor and going straight for the morphine? Maybe I'd be better off just taking up smoking and heavy drinking?

*No photo credit: My idea was to have a current belly photo with this post, but truth be told, I'm just too huge. I can't bring myself to put that kind of abdominal girth on the blogosphere.*

Full moon madness?

Apparently, it's the full moon tonight. Which I wouldn't normally know anything about (unless I happened to go out at night at look up, and even then, I'd probably think, 'hey that looks pretty round...I wonder if it's full yet, or a day or so off?), except that my favorite pregnancy board is now full of posts of all sorts from women who seem varying degrees of sure that they'll go into labor around, oh, now. This goes along with all those who think that accidents happen more, and thus that hospitals are fuller during the full moon. Or that insanity is more likely during the full moon.

This is in contrast to controlled studies, which, if I recall correctly, show no correlation between the full moon and any of those things. Which doesn't mean that I won't try blaming the moon for my moodiness today. But I don't expect to go into labor anytime so soon. I did however check the calendar for all of my relatives for whom I could remember their exact birthday. None of us were born anywhere near a full moon, nor was there a pattern for when we were born, for example near the new moon. I blame it all on confirmation bias (which is generally an easy mark for explaining all sorts of weird beliefs).

The bottom line though, is that I may not believe in them, but old wives tales like this are intriguing (and of course, in some cases, do have a basis in fact). Are there any such tales that I'm missing about the moon?

*Photo credit: http://www.dta.it/gallery/moon_planets.html*

39x365 #22: Jesus

Not Christ, but a bearer of his name. When you dressed as your namesake that one Halloween, complete with lifelike cardboard cross (carried with the proper sacrificial aura) it was not surprising that you won all the school awards.

Happy Big Prayer Day

I came very close to calling this post 'More about zombies' (well, isn't the whole point of Christianity that Jesus rose from the dead and roamed the Earth?), but I really don't like to be that confrontative about my own non-religiosity. So, I'll just wish you all a happy holiday (it's Big Prayer Day, which is a direct translation from the Danish, Store Bededag). I like the idea behind the holiday, to consolidate all the little holidays so that people can actually get some work done. Or should I say, I like the idea in theory. In practice, it's nice to have lots of little holidays.

In honor of such a religious occasion, the day was spent attending Thor's nephew's confirmation. The ceremony, held at the church where the above crucifixion is to be found, followed by a typically Danish multi-hour reception. Which was a lot more fun than it sounds (though I find my endurance is not what it has been). But also a bit worrying, not because of what it was, but because of what I suspect it will represent to my unborn daughter. It's a big deal here, from what I can tell. Not least of which because those getting confirmed get a lot of very lucrative gifts from relatives. Which I don't consider a good reason to profess faith to a religion...but I don't think I would have agreed with the current incarnation of me when I was 13 or 14 years old.

I realize that I have many years before I need to confront this issue, but I really am not comfortable with the whole idea of it (both because I am not religious, but particularly as I am not from a Christian background). But for now, I suppose I should just accept that it was a nice day out. I hope your Big Prayer Day was also good, and that any big prayers you may have had will be answered in some way.

'When there is no more room in hell the dead shall roam the bars.'

I am not normally a big zombie-film watcher. I don't usually participate in events where I would be expected to dress up. I am enormously pregnant, and could give birth at any moment. So, of course I must do this. Actually, because I am enormously pregnant, I must do this. Because, let's face it, what could be cooler than a highly-pregnant zombie?

Would anyone like to join me?

*Photo credit: http://current.com/items/88863566_scandal_intrigue_on_capitol_hill_pregnant_moms_drugs_baby_zombie_uprising*

Today is the first day of the rest of your life

I've taken care of some last minute business, and am now truly ready to embrace being on leave. And I'm more than a bit overwhelmed. I can transform myself, in any way I wish, in this time that I will have. It's the time to start a true interior Spring cleaning (and, why not an exterior one as well while I'm at it).

Is it too late in the season? And where do I start? I'm feeling a deep need for some Camino de Santiago yellow arrows to guide my way.

*Photo: Yep, I took this on the Camino. I have no idea where I was at that point, but this could have been just about anywhere on the way.*

Me, and all the others who aren't going to work tomorrow

I am now officially on maternity leave. It's a strange feeling, and will only feel stranger as the days go on. And I'm not the only one who isn't going to work tomorrow. Actually, enormous numbers of day-care workers, nurses, and, most importantly for me, midwives, will also be on a leave of sorts. Which is to say, on strike.

It's been a question that keeps coming up, about what I will do if I go into labor during the strike, so it seems logical to write about it here. Of course, there's no guarantee that the strike will still be on when my daughter decides to make her grand entrance into the world, as there's no knowing how long the strike will last. In the past, I've heard, such actions have been ended after hours by parliament passing a law ordering the striking workers to go back to work. But there seems to be a sense that this will not be what happens this time, though I suppose we'll all find out for sure tomorrow.

The strange thing is, that although a strike has been rumored and talked about and now planned for a while, we can't seem to find out all the things we'd like to know about what this all actually means for me. I know that I can forget about the tour of the maternity ward which I had hoped to go on this week, and that my midwife appointment for next week is cancelled if the strike is still on (which I assume it will be). Any emergencies or urgent questions, there is a hotline set up, or I suppose I could make an appointment with my regular family doctor. I know that, or at least I assume (I haven't heard anything one way or the other) that I can go to the hospital when I'm in labor, and have my child there. Everything else is conjecture, and assumes that all hospitals will follow roughly the same procedures.

I must confess, I think everything will turn out o.k. The one issue might be the length of stay after the birth. The one hospital in the greater Copenhagen area which has issued what seems to be a full statement (or fuller than the one my hospital has on its website anyway) indicates that (of course barring complications) women having their babies there will be sent home four hours after giving birth. Some women would probably want this anyway, but many women choose to take advantage of the opportunity to stay for two nights, with their partner and of course the baby rooming in. I'd like to do this, too, and it will be very disappointing if I have to go home so soon. Not the end of the world, but not the way I'd like to do things. Though it seems logical; medical supervision for birth is an essential service, giving new parents a chance to get to know their babies before taking them home clearly isn't.

So, in short, what else can I say? I sympathize with the striking workers. I'd prefer they carried out their strike in, oh, June? But of course that has everything to do with me, and nothing to do with them.

Cure for what ails you

I lied when I said I was not a materialist. Because there's one place where I am, a bit. Food. I'm not a gourmet, but I am able to spend money on food that I wouldn't spend on anything else. Because 1) even really expensive food is not so expensive when you compare it to things like computer items or designer clothing, and 2) it eventually gets eaten, allowing the consumer to maintain some delusion of minimalism.

And, in the case of ice cream, I would like to convince myself that it helps with heartburn, in the same way that milk is supposed to. My anecdotal evidence swears to me that it works. More rationally, it doesn't really make a difference, but I listen to the anecdote because it gives me an excuse to eat more ice cream.

On a not very related note, this is the silliest post I've written in a long time (and that's saying something. I write silly stuff all the time). Please help me make it all better by telling me your stories. In what areas are you willing and able to splurge? And if/when you splurge on food and drink, what food or drink do you buy?

*Photo credit: one of my all-time favorites, though not the only one I like by any means, http://bestuff.com/stuff/ben-and-jerrys-cookie-dough*

Life is a countdown

Have you ever gone through a time when all you do is wait for things to happen? I seem to be getting in that mode. Of course, I mean counting down for the birth, but not only that. Especially because I don't know when that will be.

In the meantime, I'm counting down the time until I'm on maternity leave. The time until I can stop travelling outside the Copenhagen area. The time when I will send my latest phd proposal out (which will look scarily untouched since the last time I sent it). Until the possible midwife strike, at which point, if it happens (and it seems likely that it will), I'll start counting down until when it might be resolved. Until I am able to get all the things I need so that we are totally ready for a newborn in our house. Until I am just too tired to leave the house.

So, is it just me? Are you counting down anything, and if so, what?

That's just swell.

I feel the beginning of the end. Marked by my shoes being much tighter than they were yesterday. My fingers a bit swollen, not so much different to look at, but they feel funny when bent into a fist. My heartburn actually seems to be a bit better, but that could be just a delusion. Apparently, my snoring continues the same.

Countdown is at less than a month. We're as ready as we can be considering that there's no way that we could possibly be ready for such a life-changing addition. I'm having daily talks with Squirmy (there's clearly no room left for kicking, so instead she wriggles and squirms) about when she can come out, when she can't, which days work better for my schedule or fit with my image of 'wouldn't that be a cool day to give birth because...'. Is she listening? If she is, does she have any kind of prenatal conceptual awareness of such things as 'April', 'May'? Does she know her days of the week? I'm not holding out much hope.

Now if only she will either come before or wait until after all the midwifes go on strike.

Speaking (or rather meme-ing) about spiritual matters

It's been a long time since any memes have been filled out in this internet space, but that will now change. This one's an interesting one, full of questions on things that I don't believe in. Which means that it might end up being quite short. Or, more likely, not. It was nabbed from fellow Virgo Monkey Dok Holocaust.

Astrological Sign? Virgo. Which makes sense if one considers the spirit of the sign, rather than the literal description that books give of the sign. So, for example, I have no domesticity to speak of, but my cd's are always in alphabetical order by artist, chronological within each artist. I am great at thinking of systems, though crap at actually ever implementing them. That sort of thing.

Chinese Astrological Sign? Monkey. I always like the description of this sign, but have never quite been able to see myself in the description. Maybe on a very very good day, where I'm inspired to act totally unlike myself.

What are you currently setting your intention on or praying for? I'm not the praying type. My intentions are to get some work done so that I have something to say in a meeting on that work next week. At the rate I'm going, we'll see how it goes.

Who do you pray to? I don't.

Do you believe God created humans or humans evolved from primordial goo? No. I believe that we are the result of evolution, but have no opinion on primordial goo. For my view on God, there's a question a bit further down.

What is your mantra? I've never had a mantra that's stuck. 'Carpe diem' is a classic, but not really how I've lived my life. 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' has a rich, biblical feel, and may be closer to reality, but that's not it, either.

Do you believe in Sin? I believe that sometimes people are really stupid, and do stupid things. There may be people who are 'bad people', though my opinion on this isn't really set. But sin? No, I don't think so.

Do you believe in Evil? I sort of see this in the same way I see sin. I'm sure that there are actions or events that can be called evil. As for those involved in these actions or events, I'm sure some are not evil, but stupid, naive, intimidated, etc. If anyone involved in evil can really be just evil, I honestly couldn't say. I'd like to think no, but don't really know that, either.

What do you do when you see 11:11? am or pm?

AM: At the moment, I'm usually at work if it's a workday, or surfing the internet if it's a weekend. Soon I'll be surfing everyday, and then it'll all shift, and I'll be doing something baby-related.

PM: Usually, this is around when I blog, or right after I've blogged, at which point I'm snoring in bed. Soon, it'll all shift, and I'll be doing something baby-related.

Do you believe in Angels? No. I know someone named Angel, and I believe quite strongly that she exists.

Do you believe in God? No, I truly don't, and I feel that through both the good and the bad. However, I don't believe it's possible to disprove the existence of God, either. I consider myself to be a fundamentalist agnostic.

Is there an aspect of your religion/belief that you haven’t made up your mind about? Is there an aspect of my beliefs that I have made up my mind about? Yes, I really do feel that I am an agnostic. I believe the natural world is so amazing just by itself that adding a supernatural layer onto it that doesn't exist is just overdoing it. I realize that many will disagree. The rest is a work in progress, but not much progress is going on because I'm not on a belief-forming path, and am not prioritizing such matters.

Is there a religion that you don’t follow, but deeply respect or admire? I have watched Buddhism from afar for a long time, specifically Zen-type Buddhism. Meditation fascinates me.

Who has inspired you the most on your spiritual path? What spiritual path? I enjoy a few skeptical podcasts. In life overall, my family and friends are important.

In your opinion, what is the worst mistake we make, as a species? Not thinking of the long-term consequences of our actions. Not being willing to make small sacrifices now to make life more livable for all of us later.

What is something you would like to believe, but don’t? I used to study astrology on a very minor level. It, and tarot cards, and suchlike, are wonderful systems in their complexity. I wouldn't say that I would like to believe in them, but it's fun to play with, regardless of their overall level of worth.

Do you believe in soul mates? No, I don't know that I do. I do believe that there can be two people who can have a deep connection and be right for each other. But I don't believe that there is only one such person for any given person, so that if one of the soul mates dies, for example, that there is nowhere else for the surviving partner to go. I think there are many possibilities to have that special connection for each of us.

Reincarnation or heaven? Nothingness, our physical bodies decomposing and returning to the ecosystem. If I could make one true though, I'd go for reincarnation. Actually, it could be argued that by decomposing, we are given the opportunity for a certain kind of reincarnation.

Best “ah ha!” moment/epiphany? The problem with 'aha' moments is that they reveal things that are quite fundamental and basic, so that once the moment is absorbed, it's hard to remember with such clarity. It's just part of who we are at that point. I'm sure I've had many such moments.

Required spiritual reading? I would say, whatever you are inspired to read, then read it. That goes for any type of reading.

If you could pick, in your final moments, what would your last words be? I wouldn't want to focus on last words, but it would be nice to have the nearness of loved ones.

Advice for a lost soul? Accept that by being lost, you have the opportunity to find a completely new path, that you would never have known about otherwise.

A song that encapsulates your beliefs? Hmmm...the last time I was asked about a song, I chose the Grateful Dead, Brokedown Palace. It still fits.

Where I confess to a materialistic moment

I have a strange relationship with material objects. I like many of them, yet feel that I should be a minimalist, without such objects in my life. It leads to some strange behavior. For example, I will buy the occasional big ticket item (like every few years when I replace my laptop computer), but have a hard time buying tiny things, like clothing or music.

So, on the rare occasion when I discover that there is something small that I need, that I must have, and when I then buy whatever it is, it's such a giant novelty, that I find myself obsessively into whatever it is that I've just bought. It can sometimes border on the unseemly.

Such an event happened today. It actually started a while ago with the stunning realization that, in order to be a cool modern mom, it would be necessary for me to get a truly kick-ass diaper bag. I didn't get this at first...at first I was planning on using a bag that I already owned. Silly me. Add to this realization a visit to a big Danish babystuff store, with a store credit waiting to be spent, and you have all the makings of a classic shopper's high moment.

It's even more attention-getting because I have no intention of using it until I go to the hospital to give birth, when it will be my hospital bag. And it'll be a long wait, because I'm in love now. I didn't bring it out to dinner with a friend, but then mentioned it so many times, that my friend finally asked why I didn't bring it with me. I then declared my love for my bag to Thor many, many times, until I believe he stopped paying attention. I'm considering bringing it into bed with me. I'd show it to you, but then I'd have to take my eyes away from it to focus my camera. But you can see a photo of it here. It's much cooler (especially on the inside) than you can see from the link, though.

A confession of sorts

First, I'd request that you read this. And then, maybe this. And then, just know that they're both still so very very true. Really, I can blog everyday, but writing one personal e-mail to someone a day? Or calling one person a day? Nah, too difficult! My intentions are totally pure, but follow-through is sadly lacking. Just keep in mind that if you have reason why you should be written to, then at some point, I will write to you. When you least expect it. Or maybe a few days later than that.

My eyes are bleeding

I love proofreading. Well, I am fond of it anyway. It's such a chance to look closely at language, to analyze my own assumptions on usage and meaning, and often, I get to look at cool documents that I otherwise wouldn't know about.

I hate proofreading. Well, it's a long and tedious process which tends to get dragged on for longer than it should. It makes me feel like my eyes are bleeding.

The next time I agree to proof a very very long document...I won't do it. Ever. Now let's see if I actually remember this post when I next get a request.

*Photo credit, http://www.preproof.bc.ca/*

Culture eats strategy for breakfast

I had a very interesting interview today. Actually two interviews, or maybe it was just one interview in two parts, I'm not entirely sure. It was a follow-up to the one I did back in February.

It was very surreal in some ways. For one thing, my current gravid condition cannot be hidden in any way. It's my most salient feature. By Danish law, the interviewer is not allowed to notice this, however. And I'm under no obligation to mention it. It's sort of the invisible elephant. For another thing, though I was qualified for the job as it was discussed in the ad (it was worded in a very general way), and while I think I would be able to do the job (assuming an extreme learning curve), the tasks on the job have absolutely zero connection with anything I've ever done in my entire life.

So, I'm still confused. The main thing that stuck in my mind is the article I looked at, in the magazine that was in the interview room, on the role of culture in business. I was skimming more than reading (I had only a few short minutes in between interview parts), so the main thing that I brought from it was a simple sub-heading, 'culture eats strategy for breakfast'. Just like so much of the rest of the whole experience, it sounds really good, but means essentially nothing.

It's been in my head, off and on, since. What is the connection between culture and strategy? Of course culture is important, but is it so very important? Because this multi-national company I was interviewing at is known for its extreme corporate culture.* Would this not eat local culture for breakfast, to some extent?

And what about my culture? I went into the interview with the same attitude that I had in the first one, namely that it was all about having fun with it, and getting the experience. In retrospect, that seems a very Californian approach. A sort of 'we are the center of the universe, so let's go out and sell our worth.'

And that's where my brain starts to fizzle out. So many questions, such a lack of time to ponder them. So, what do you think? Does culture eat strategy for breakfast? Or can the two not sit down at a breakfast meeting together, and discuss business?

*I realize that any of you with any knowledge of the job market in Denmark has just figured out the company in question. Please don't ask, because I won't confirm it. But you're probably right.

*Photo credit, http://www.tamarackwv.com/food_services/breakfast_menu.aspx. It's the kind of breakfast that I'd imagine culture and strategy enjoying together.*

Films to hone your maternal instinct

Good news (for me, probably not much of any kind of news to anyone else): My childbirth preparation class does not seem to include any videos of actual births.

Bad news following from the good news: After seeing so many films where people watch videos of births to prepare for birth, I feel that I'm missing out.

So, to help myself prepare cinematically, I am in the process of making a list of films which focus on birth and newborns. Here is what I have so far. Feel free to add more in the comments. And yes, I realize that these films don't give a totally rosy perfect picture of how these things are, but it's important to prepare for all eventualities.

1) All films in the Alien series. Because, as I believe I've mentioned before, you never know when a cesarian might be indicated. An added bonus is the strong women in the series, who are good role models for motherhood.

2) Rosemary's Baby. This can teach women to trust their instincts at all stages of pregnancy. And it proves that mothers love their children, no matter how horrific they actually are.

3) The Omen. This is a lesson in keeping your child in sight at all times from immediately after the birth.

4) Humanoids from the Deep. This is one actually that I haven't seen, but was told about. I'm not sure what the moral of this one would be. Maybe that in whatever you think you're suffering, the women in this film have it worse?

O.K., it's up to you now. What films would you suggest, which focus on pregnancy and/or babies. You can see the types of films I'm getting at, but feel free to add others with other feels to them.

39x365 #21: Rex

Whenever there are siblings, there is always someone who becomes an honorary extra sibling. I’d come home, see no brother, but you asleep on the couch. I’d ask, ‘where’s he at’, and you’d respond (in your sleep) ‘I dunno.’

The mysterious bathtub-free land that I live in

How can it be that a whole country seemingly has no bathtubs? I mean, of course, there are people in Denmark who own tubs. There must be. I've just never seen their bathrooms. And I know I'm not the only one who thinks about this issue. In any other country, I'd think of someone as strange who was actually looking forward to giving birth...because their birthing room would have a tub. (Actually, all the birthing rooms in the hospital we're birthing at have tubs, except for one. Thor's primary job as birth partner is to make sure that I don't get that heinous tub-free room...is that strange? Actually, maybe I'd prefer you didn't answer that question.)

I am developing a fondness for bathtubs that is far out of proportion to how I actually felt about them when living in a country where there were more of them. Maybe it's the possibility of bubbles. Or rubber duckies. Or just it's easier to miss something when it's gone.

*Photo: from one of the bathroom areas in that hotel in Møn. They don't have any bathtubs either.*

Coffee with Venus

I'd blame this fascination on my present condition, except that I've been fascinated with her for a long time. On my Christmas holidays, circling her in her protective glass case in the Natural History Museum in Vienna, this fascination was solidified.

I want to invite her to coffee, to find out who she really was, if she was real, or an idealization, or a combination of the real and the ideal. I want to know if she is a representation of someone who holds a special role in her society. Of course, I want to know if she's pregnant (I don't think she looks pregnant, but some seem to disagree with me). I want to know what she thinks she represents.

In the meantime, I made do with having coffee with a group of real women, who symbolize themselves, and good conversation, and support. I did not feel I was missing out on anything, though the Venus of Willendorf apparently couldn't make it.

39x365 #20: Panda

Not from my childhood, but an integral part of my early adulthood. You have been the basis of a homemade religion, a player of many roles. Always a child magnet, your future undoubtedly includes tooth marks and drool stains.

Happy April Fools' Day

April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four. (Mark Twain)
I've never thought too much or too highly of April Fools'. I'd rejoice when it was not on a school day. Not that I had any horrible pranks played on me or anything, but I suppose I just didn't (and don't) have that kind of humor. But perhaps I'm beginning to appreciate it on a broader level. In Denmark, it's tradition for the television and media to have a 'aprilsnar' news story, made to look real, but which isn't really. From this year (taken from that authoritative source of all that is, Wikipedia), we learn that:

1) Greenland has been sold to the United States (for about $250 million, which seems like a bargain to me).

2) Single people will get some money from the state every quarter (this mirrors the money the state pays each quarter for those with children). They will also be allowed to start work later on Mondays.

3) Tobacco smoking is a major factor in global warming.

4) A chocolate and ice cream boutique somewhere in Denmark was offering free samples of this season's ice creams earlier today. Flavors include cabbage, bamboo, and gorgonzola.

What I want to know is, how many odd stories which just happen to be true, are reported on April 1st, but nobody believes them? And how many people actually went to that boutique expecting to get a scoop of mock turtle ice cream?

How is it where you are on April 1st? Did you fool anyone, or were you fooled in any interesting ways?