A good time was had by all

Last night we held our 5th annual Super Bowl party (even though we've only had three actual parties - it's a point of dispute in our house). I think I watched about 5 minutes of the game. To be quite honest I don't even know who won. The party was a little dark because a quirk of our house is that when you turn the kitchen lights on channels 4 and 5 on the TV go fuzzy. Well the Superbowl was on channel 5 so we didn't have the lights on in the kitchen (which are pretty much the main lights in the house). When we moved a lamp into the kitchen to alleviate the darkness one of the little guys kept trying to get at the now empty plug - we found a cover pretty quickly.

At the height of the party we had nine children ages three and under and about 16 or 17 adults. Our youngest attendee was a little over a week old! Brave parents. This year the party ended right after the game - last year we stayed until the wee hours solving all the world's problems. Kids make it harder to do that. Thank you to all who attended we enjoyed your fellowship. Compliments to the chef - he used my husbands new grill. To those who missed out - maybe next year.

Opposites Attract

I read almost only non fiction, my husband reads just about anything. I am a doer, my husband is a thinker. I am an extrovert, my husband is an introvert. People were shocked when we started dating - but somehow we fit together well. I want to discuss this last pair of ideas. Here is a quick look at the difference (as found in the Myers Briggs test):

Extroverts vs. Introverts (EI)

First two mutually exclusive patterns tell where you prefer to get energized. If you are stimulated by the environment, you are an Extrovert (E). This personality type likes to be more social, expressive and outward.

However, if you are stimulated by your inner imaginations, thoughts and ideas, you will be classified as an introvert (I). This psychological type prefers solitude, quietness and concentration over gatherings.

As I was looking for a link for Neal Stephenson (the last post) I found a page that he wrote and encouraged all of us extroverts to read an Atlantic Monthly article "Caring for your Introvert". My husband has tried to encourage me to study this in the past. He kindly got me the book The Hidden Gifts of the Introverted Child. He was trying to prepare me for the fact that our child could be an introvert. I have to say, I did not read the whole book, but what I did read was very interesting. Basically, introverts need time to think through things, sleep on it, etc. Their brain patterns are literally different than an extroverts! So, I am learning to give my hubby some room to think - maybe if I read the whole book I would have more insight into his world.

So, I want to pay tribute to those who are introverts. I am an extrovert and I don't totally understand the introverts in my life - but I am trying to learn. As one of my friends says - people are like sugar to me - they give me energy. I do appreciate that my husband tries to support my extroversion and will go along and be social with me. However, I will try to consider how to better care for my introvert.

If you can't beat 'em . . .

This past week my husband has been sick. So, I have let him do what he wants - which is nothing - but sit around and watch movies and listen to the latest Modern Scholars tapes he checked out. This time he has "From Here to Infinity: An Exploration of Science Fiction Literature" by Michael D.C. Drout of Wheaton College. This same professor did the fantasy overview that he listened to a few months ago. Anyway, since it is playing in my living room it is difficult to ignore. I have to admit that I actually enjoyed it!

I had no idea that science fiction dealt with so many social issues and philosophical questions. This tape series really looks at the questions posed by science fiction. I think that we might be missing the boat by dismissing fantasy and science fiction literature. So, I am not totally converted but there are some books that I might try reading. (My husband had me type out the whole bibliography so that he can read them all!) So I encourage you to consider reading some science fiction. Try some Octavia Butler or Neal Stephenson. Granted, I haven't read these yet - but he highly recommends them.

So if you can't beat 'em - join 'em. I'm not D&D geeky yet. I'm not sure I will ever be - but I'm getting closer!

Thinking Hats

Recently I have returned to learning about facilitation. I seem to end up doing a lot of facilitation (including an upcoming meeting at church). I was realizing that out of the 4 jobs I've had - only one was just for one organizaiton. Every other job I've had I was working for at least 2 entities and sometimes up to 3 or 4 at a time. I am not sure why this is - maybe it comes back to me being the connector. I actually enjoy the challenge - but not the politics. Most of the time the organizations didn't have a great relationship with each other - I was the link.

Anyway, I have been researching different ways to help facilitate groups and I came upon Edward De Bono's six hat theory. It's actually a great way to analyze a problem from a variety of perspectives. I actually found this idea through Brandy Agerbeck who does graphic facilitation. (the chart on that page is very cool - if you make it bigger and roll over it you can see all the different ways to help facilitate a group - AWESOME!) I enjoyed looking through all of her work. I was even inspired by the graphic facilitation website to learn more about drawing and came upon Ed Emberly's drawing books (thanks to the library I checked out 4 or 5). Last night as I watched I Love Huckabees (a VERY bad movie) I practiced drawing like Ed. Hey, I can draw - who knew?

Back to the point - six hats. So, I think this is even a good way to help children look at problem solving (I did find a kids graphic but it wasn't all that impressive). I just thought I would offer this up. I have found a lot of other cool things but we'll save some for another time. I know this seems sort of disconnected - but this is how my mind wanders . . . I mean works.