Blogging from San Diego

Patricia and I found this little tea-coffee shop next to the beach with free Wi-Fi. Highly recommended! Try the green tea sencha with added coconut.

Santa Visits Early

The kids were headed to Utah so Santa made an unscheduled appearance. 

David

Fatherhood

The lengths I go through to cut toenails. 

David

Making truffles

Here is Kelsea making homemade truffles at Pierre's house.

Proust was a Neuroscientist

Proust Was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Here's the new book I'm reading. An early Christmas gift. I’ve found it a nice, relaxing read for Christmas break. It’s about how neuroscientists are now rediscovering what painters, writers, musicians and chefs had already known for a long time—what kind of art looks good to the brain, what poetry is beautiful, why certain foods taste good, etc.


View all my reviews.

Phoenix Zoo Pics

Phoenix Zoo pics

Squirmy little fellow

Wouldn't hold still for the pic

Chameleon

You should've seen this guy eat. Tongue like a bullet.

The little one

Can you believe the big one started out like this?

Feeding

Lots and lots of lettuce

Can we buy it?

Bearded dragon

Alligator

Yes, I let my kids pet alligators.

Torie and the tortoise

We went to a reptile show and I got this cool pic.

Python wraps around Aster

squirmy little fella

Get it off me!

Kelsea holding a blacked-headed python

Torie petting a boa

David

no, please not diego

please excuse me while I rattle on about soccer. (that foreign sport) 

i hated basile and his undecipherable player choices, but i just wanted to cry when i heard diego took over my beloved seleccion. so many other good coaches to choose from: bianchi, batista, simeone. talk about a guy who just feels he's entitled to anything he doesn't earn. guess we should all bow and worship the self-proclaimed 'hand of god'. 

and his crazy message of how he's going to only choose players that 'play with heart' just shows we'll be counting on divine grace to see argentina through the qualifiers. and heaven forbid messi crosses him again after suggesting batista would have been a better choice. 

what kills me is that he gets a crack at the job now, after argentina's beautiful show at the world cup and in china. u take the greatest team on earth and give it to this undeserving nutball. i'm hopeful. very hopeful in diego's right-hand man bilardo. i did like diego's (or bilardo's) last choice of players much more than basile's. maybe we'll see some success. and if not, maybe i'll just be satisfied in saying, 'i told them so'. 

marcelo bielsa is the best coach in the world, so get used to saying, "¡aguante chile!"

d

Talents to Recognize

Torie's advertising skills -

Today she gave me a advertisement today that read: "Are you unhappy and need to get away? Then call Torie and Victoria's tippady tappaday toes. Number Do Dae Do Yell Fun in the Sun." So cute!

Aster's creative story line skills -

Today he put together little cartoons he made for YouTube that he made using a stick figure animation program. He makes these cartoons on paper all the time.

Kelsea's time-management skills -

Not only does she wake me up each morning like an alarm clock ("Dad! Time to wake up!"), today she presented me with a schedule of when I was to watch a program with her and at what time I was to study for my test.

Mornings

Kelsea woke me up this morning and the following conversation ensued: Kelsea: Torie won't let me take a shower and it's 7:30. Great, I'm going to be late. Dad: OK, calm down. Where is Torie right now? Kelsea: She's in the bathroom and she won't get out. Dad: What's she doing? Kelsea: She's on the toilet. Dad: Why don't you just wait until she's done? Kelsea: She says she won't get off the toilet until someone brings her some toilet paper. Dad: [reaches under my sink and pulling our a roll] I think you're answer lies in this cylindrical object. [Kelsea takes the roll and walks off] [Dad goes back to his pillow]

Does global warming exist?

Dear smart people I know, 

I had always been of the opinion that despite whether global warming exists or not, I simply didn't think it wise to risk the only Earth we have. Well, I just attended an informed lecture on climate change and thought I'd share some of what I learned with you since there appears to be so much confusion these political days, doggone it. 

See attached PowerPoint show on IPCC. (Yes, it does include corrections that were needed for the movie, Inconvenient Truth, which simply makes it more objective than non-scientist Al Gore.) 

Summary

Basically, global climate change always occurs, but there has been a sudden spike in warming that, despite all other factors, is directly attributed to human interference. If the human-caused warming spike continues, then we might not like it so much. In fact, it's likely we're all doomed. Have a nice day!

Quotes from Scientific Community

"It is unequivocal that the climate is changing, and it is very likely that this is predominantly caused by the increasing human interference with the atmosphere... Our present energy course is not sustainable." 

- Joint statement of the Academies of Science from all G8 countries

"There is adequate evidence from observations and interpretations of climate simulations to conclude that the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface are warming; that humans have significantly contributed to this change; and that further climate change will continue to have important impacts on human societies, on economies, and on wildlife through the 21st century and beyond" 

- American Meteorological Society

"If this 2 degrees C warming is to be avoided, then our net annual emissions of CO2 must be reduced by more than 50 percent within this century."

-American Institute of Physics and the American Astronomical Society

"The GSA supports the scientific conclusions that Earth's climate is changing; the climate changes are due in part to human activities... the potential implications of global climate change and the time scale over which such changes will likely occur require active, effective, long-term planning"

-Geological Society of America

"Careful and comprehensive scientific assessments have clearly demonstrated that the Earth's climate system is changing rapidly in response to growing atmospheric burdens of greenhouse gases and absorbing aerosol particles. There is very little room for doubt that observed climate trends are due to human activities. The threats are serious and action is urgently needed to mitigate the risks of climate change."

-American Chemical Society

"Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today. To protect the health and economic well-being of current and future generations, we must reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases by using technology, know-how, and practical solutions already at our disposal."

-Union of Concerned Scientists

Feel free to share with others. 

David

Celebrating Chris's new job

Our little bro Chris finally got a job at Taco Bell. He will now have something to do with his time besides sleep. I was ecstatic, so in an attempt to celebrate, I took Chris with Nono and the kids for Bingsoo (Tawainese version of Italian ice).

1st attempt at conversation went like this: 

David: "Hooray! free tacos for us!" 

Chris: "No dude. They don't even give me free tacos. It's stupid."

David: "Hooray! Free hot sauce for tacos." 

Silence. 

2nd attempt at conversation:

Nono wants to tease Chris about his lack of a girlfriend. He picks up magazine with a hot chick on the cover.

Nono: "Oooh, looky Chris. Looky here."

Chris: "You're 80 years old looking at young women. That's really creepy." 

David and Nono chuckle and say indecipherable things in Spanish that Chris won't understand. 

3rd attempt at conversation:

Our server happens to be Chinese, so Nono attempts a joke.   

Nono: "Este tiene cara de chino." -laughs at his own joke-  

Chris stares at Nono: "Uhhh... OK." 

David tries to explain background of joke. 

Chris in a really, really serious tone: "It's illogical. It's not funny."

David starts laughing and can't stop. 

Want more??

4th attempt at conversation:

David shows everyone how he can bend plastic ice cream spoon with his mind. 

David: "Maybe life is all a computer program until you know how to bend the rules." 

Aster: "Sometimes I think I'm in a 100-year TV show and everyone is watching me."

David: "Cool! Aliens are watching you on TV? Am I a robot?"

Chris: "They're not watching you on TV, dude. No, they're not. If they were then blah blah blah. The universe blah blah blah and the world blah blah blah. And I hate it when blah blah blah. You think you know every blah blah blah."

David: "Uh, Chris, he's only 12."

--------------

Cheers from AZ, 

David Despain

Torie crawlin up wall

Torie crawlin up the wall

Patri w Debbie the bird

Both so cute

Don't poop on me

Debbie and lucy on girls heads (pic taken with my phone)

sep 7

i'm writing really late so i'll need to keep it short. here's some pics of our last adventure down to tucson and ryan's house in hereford (capital of hummingbirds, but we saw flycatchers). we had a blast at the arizona desert museum, the san pedro river and the huachuca mountains. lots of birds for aster to find. they dug for fossils. they saw kestrels, lizards, etc. we've been really busy. i've started school again. taking biochem that's really hurting my head's biochem. but we still find time to have fun. today we were out in superior with a biologist and spotted a ring-neck snake. the biologist picked it up and let the kids touch it. aster's babysitting a couple of lovebirds for a friend. really rare ones that cost a bunch of money.  

David

Debbie the tino lovebird likes our oranges.

Kids posing in front of a mountain lion hungrily looking over them

at the Arizona Desert museum over Labor Day weekend

Last Child in the Woods

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Recommended for every city-dwelling parent, this book brings a child-psychologist viewpoint on why we must introduce our children to nature.


View all my reviews.

Jim Burns

Jim Burns' Arizona Birds: From the Backyard to the Backwoods by Jim Burns

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
After meeting Jim Burns on a guided birdwatching walk at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, I began reading his book. It's not just a guide because it offers a little something memorable about each bird.


View all my reviews.

Peach-faced Lovebirds in Phoenix

Aster and I were walking along at the Gilbert Riparian Preserve and were stunned by a family of non-native peach-faced lovebirds. An extraordinary non-North American moment. Aster says it was "like being in the Amazon jungle". Lots of singing. The birds have created a new home here. Aster was beside himself. We might have to take a trip south for more. 

This was years ago, but I just had to blog it

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David

The little ones need help

David

Expanding family

Jolina and Cocker (as in Spaniel)

Why I need to live in South America

Yesterday was an unofficial holiday in Argentina (after Arg-Brazil 3-0) while Marcos and I celebrated by going out to lunch. We thought of going to a Brazilian churrasco and chanting Argentina on the way in, but those Brazilian restaurants rob you -- $28 for the lunch buffet?!! Instead we went to a Thai place. Kind of a downer. 

David

Nature Walks

We went on a lizard nature walk with a biologist who was super-impressed with Aster's ability to point out different lizards and birds. The next day we followed up with a bird walk. We've planned some more all through November. By the time it's December we'll be experts of the desert. Attached are some pictures of some of the adventure. I spotted that whipsnake in a tree I was walking past! We saw some great birds and lizards, but my camera sucks. 

I'm out of Haagen Dazs sorbet

I'll blog this and call it my lunch break from working at home. If you ever get your tonsils out, be sure to stock up on Haagen Dazs sorbet. I like raspberry best. It's really good. But when you run out, life sucks.

What's worse is that I'm home alone without any Haagen Dazs sorbet. That means I can't tell anybody to go get any at the store for me. I have to get up, take a shower, and go get some myself.

No, I can't eat regular ice cream. The milk of it gets all mucousy (not a word) in my throat.

What do I do when I sit at home all day eating Haagen Dazs?

I go to the Haagen Dazs Web site, of course, and learn all about the company's mission to save the honey bees.

Now that I've gone to the Web site, I really appreciate honey bees and I feel good about eating as much sorbet as I can. I wonder just how much money Haagen Dazs spent on honey bee research and how much they spent on the honey bee Web game.

check out this yak

I want to upgrade my boat to an Agent 6.0. It's small. Great for tricks. I can let Aster use it. It's about a $1,000. Should I go for it? 

David

Tonsils out; surgery went well

I actually don't really remember what happened. I don't feel nearly as bad as I thought I would. But maybe that's just cuz my painkillers haven't wore off. 

I feel like a small part of me has been pulverized to ashes. 

David

Send me your awesome athletic pics

I need the motivation...

The other day a lady I was talking to on the phone said to me, "I've seen pictures of your family. Are you as athletic as they are?"

"No. I just look at their pictures, watch their movies and feel incredibly jealous," I said. It's a conversation I've had over and over again. All the pics of crazy stunts of my family has made them famous. I explained to the lady, "Whenever I try to do anything athletic (like run a mile or even go swimming) I end up with a sore throat for a week." 

"You should get your tonsils out," the lady told me.

"I know. I'm trying."

Tomorrow's the day. My tonsils will be no more. I know this is like déjà vu, but I think I will actually be able to get them out this time. And my doctor says he is not able to describe the agony I will be in for the next two weeks. 

I'll be suffering so all I ask is that you send me your best rock climbing, capoeira, kayaking, and snowboarding pics. I'm going to hang them on my wall. Some day soon I'll have crazy stunt pics too (within reason; a couple of you are clearly insane.). 

 
David

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David

Politics

In the last year my political self has been pretty rocked and I've been having a lot of trouble determining exactly what I should describe myself as now. So I took a quiz, which I believe I did pretty well at, and now think everyone should take it.

You are a Social Liberal (66% permissive) and an... Economic Moderate (41% permissive) You are best described as a: Centrist Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test