Three Interesting Things

1. You might have heard the story of the black female doctor who was told they needed "real" medical professionals when she came forward for a request for medical assistance.  But as a result, she met with the airline and they are revising how they ask flight crew to seek out assistance. 

2. My grandmother always had cats. Once she was suffering dementia, it was tricky as dementia patients are not good at remembering to feed and clean up after animals. My family's solution involved a very understanding assisted care facility and daily visits from a cat care assistant.  But robotic therapy cats might be a much more achievable solution for many. 

3. This is framed as a lazy dog, but I would argue that the dog has learned efficiency, and that the Roomba will just go around it. 

Food and Friends

It was a weekend that involved bundling up and staying warm, eating yummy food made by myself and friends, knitting and otherwise.  In my extended circle this weekend involved two funerals and a new puppy.  In some ways it was a great reminder that we gather, we hang out, and it may just seem like knitting, and gossiping, and eating, but the connections and the maintenance of them through time and food make us better, fuller people and the reason on this top half of the planet we try really hard to do this this time of year is not only because of the cold and the dark, (although yes, that too).  

Project Runway: The Tim Visits

The Tim visits are my favorite part and if I had been Roberi's family, I would have demanded they have that video chat while Tim was there.  Also, time for my annual reminder to folks, hi, I love you, if you get on "Project Runway" make it to the final four and invite me as your dear friend.  Laurence told Tim her story, which viewers had gotten a peek at earlier.  Roberi talked about leaving Caracas.  Erin took Tim to a bar.  And Rik took Tim bowling which is kind of delightful.  I don't know what makes you think, I'll take Tim bowling, but these are creative minds at work here. 

Back in New York (or still in New York in Roberi's case) they showed the judges three looks with Heidi there via video chat, and Michael Kors there as an in person judge (along with Nina and Zac).  And so they were all told to work on cohesion.  I don't think the judges were wrong, and in fact it was a lot of what Tim had said during his visits, but I think the three looks can be tough, because if I show you a chocolate chip cookie, an sugar cookie, and a brownie, the brownie stands out.  But if I show you a chocolate chip cookie, sugar cookie, gingersnap, a marshmallow treat, a blondie, and a brownie, now it seems more balanced.  (This is a bad example because who says brownies, what were you thinking?  But you get my point.) 

But I'm looking forward to the finale.  These are some talented designers with excellent sewing skills, and the two have not always gone hand in hand.  

Three Interesting Things

1. You may have heard there was a recent legislative change to Voice of America.  This article talks about what Voice of America does now and how they expect this to change their mission. . 

2. This article about how Moana is an unusual female character for demonstrating leadership through empathy and smarts rather than supreme fighting skills is really interesting but it contains a spoiler for the ending, so proceed with caution. 

3. Because it is sugar season, these three recipes can be combined into one amazing sounding thing. 

RIP, Mr. Thicke

When I was in high school "Growing Pains" not only aired new episodes throughout the year, it reran on one of the local stations every evening.  So, in an average week I watched six episodes of "Growing Pains" while doing my homework.  (I would argue that I got a lot done during this half hour, my parents may disagree.) So, I am intimately familiar with the show, watched all the reunion movies, and also know "Growing Pains" factoids like Brad Pitt guest starred twice, at a time he was such an unknown that he played a different character. As someone who at the time had flirted with the idea of becoming a psychologist, the role of psychiatrist Dr. Jason Seaver was compelling to me, plus the various sibling differences ultimately spoke to me.  I haven't revisited those episodes, so have no idea how they read now, but I was incredibly attached to them and so, with sadness saw that Alan Thicke passed away last night.  He was also a TV theme song writer, and ridiculously, I can still sing quite a few of those.  These days I understand increased ad time has limited such things, and really only "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" is committing to the theme song as a complete song, and not a short riff.