How bad does a typo have to be for you to reprint 7,000 copies of a book? Here's an article about how a recipe in Pasta Bible called for "salt and freshly ground black people" instead of pepper. An understandable auto-correct mistake, but apparently people at the Penguin Group Australia thought it was bad enough that they were willing to reprint thousands of books, which cost $20,000.
Would you have reprinted those books? I'm sure anyone who read that book would realize that it's just a typo. Or, (gasp!) could it be some genius marketing ploy to get pepper -- I mean people -- to pay attention to the book?
Interesting...
In any case, typos suck. I was reading Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers and got really frustrated with the number of typos in this pretty high-profile book. My high school newspaper advisor told us, "If you can't get the spelling or grammar right, how can anyone trust anything in our newspaper?" True.
It's a good thing, though, that I don't have to worry about my typos being worth thousands of dollars, that is until my career as a children's book author takes off...
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
what i've learned about skin care
I've been under the oppression of acne for about 17 years, and I've learned a whole lot. Even last year when I went to get a facial for the first time, I realized that there was still a lot about how to take care of my skin that I didn't know. So, if this is my life's work, so be it!
Here, ladies and gentlemen, are the three most important things to know about taking care of your skin.
1. Hydration
I have oily skin, so I thought that putting more oily stuff on my skin (lotion) would make it worse. So for a long time, I continued to use products that dried out my skin, which was what I thought I needed. WRONG. It turns out that skin becomes oily because it's trying to over-compensate for dryness. And when I heard that for the first time, it totally made sense. When I first got out of the shower, my skin was flaky. Then as the day wore on, it would get oilier and oilier.
But hydration isn't just important for people with oily skin, it's for everyone. In fact, I'd say that keeping your skin properly hydrated is the single most important thing you can do for your complexion. Whoa. Did I really mean that? Yes! Rather than attacking pimples when they appear, properly hydrating your skin improves your overall complexion in the long run.
I use Dermalogica's Active Moist moisturizer. When I first tried it, it felt pretty oily. But of course, it's non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and I got used to it and my skin has never been better hydrated! Every makeup artist and esthetician I've talked to absolutely love this product. They recommend it for all skin types.
Also drink lots of water.
2. Salicylic acid
It's hard to know what to use: salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. When you look at different acne products, these are pretty much the two main active ingredients you'll find. But what's the difference?
For a long time, I used benzoyl peroxide products, which did effectively get rid of pimples, but they dried out my skin like crazy (again: drying out your skin = bad!). I also used it as an everyday pimple preventer and spread it all over my face, even in places where I didn't have pimples. This was also very BAD. It turns out that benzoyl peroxide reduces the bacteria that cause breakouts, and help to dry blemishes. So if you have a major Monster on your face that you need to get rid of ASAP, go with benzoyl peroxide (or toothpaste!).
For more long-term care of your complexion, you want salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps speed the turnover rate of cells on the skin's surface, prevents clogging of the pores and breaks down blackheads and whiteheads. So salicylic acid is the kind of thing you want to use in problem areas even when there aren't pimples around at that moment. And if you do, it won't dry your skin out (which is...altogether now...BAD!). I've been using Clean & Clear's Acne Spot Treatment.
3. Don't pop
This is probably the most difficult thing. I'm sure you've all heard that popping is bad, but why? And why is it okay when esthetician do it when they give you facials?
Apparently, it's all about the proper opening and closing of the pores. If you get a facial, before they begin the painful extraction part, they always spend a good amount of time shooting your face with a warm mist that gently opens your pores. Then they use sterilized tools to get those suckers out. If you don't properly open up your pores, you risk breaking some capillaries and doing some real damage to your skin.
After the extraction, they use a little doohickey to sterilize your entire face because at that point, bacteria from inside your pores is just all over the skin, which, if it stays there, will cause even more breakouts. So they sterilize your skin, then they give you some kind of mask to close your pores so that whatever bacteria is around you won't find their way into your precious pores.
But if you absolutely must pop, here's the way to do it. First, wash your face. Then, get a needle or some sharp point, sterilize it (place the tip of it over a small flame for a few seconds), then poke a little hole. Then squeeze gently to let the pus out. Then wash the entire area again with soap, and use some spot treatment to kill the bacteria that's still hanging around.
So there it is. Do you have any skin care tips that you've picked up?
Here, ladies and gentlemen, are the three most important things to know about taking care of your skin.
1. Hydration
I have oily skin, so I thought that putting more oily stuff on my skin (lotion) would make it worse. So for a long time, I continued to use products that dried out my skin, which was what I thought I needed. WRONG. It turns out that skin becomes oily because it's trying to over-compensate for dryness. And when I heard that for the first time, it totally made sense. When I first got out of the shower, my skin was flaky. Then as the day wore on, it would get oilier and oilier.
But hydration isn't just important for people with oily skin, it's for everyone. In fact, I'd say that keeping your skin properly hydrated is the single most important thing you can do for your complexion. Whoa. Did I really mean that? Yes! Rather than attacking pimples when they appear, properly hydrating your skin improves your overall complexion in the long run.
I use Dermalogica's Active Moist moisturizer. When I first tried it, it felt pretty oily. But of course, it's non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and I got used to it and my skin has never been better hydrated! Every makeup artist and esthetician I've talked to absolutely love this product. They recommend it for all skin types.
Also drink lots of water.
2. Salicylic acid
It's hard to know what to use: salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. When you look at different acne products, these are pretty much the two main active ingredients you'll find. But what's the difference?
For a long time, I used benzoyl peroxide products, which did effectively get rid of pimples, but they dried out my skin like crazy (again: drying out your skin = bad!). I also used it as an everyday pimple preventer and spread it all over my face, even in places where I didn't have pimples. This was also very BAD. It turns out that benzoyl peroxide reduces the bacteria that cause breakouts, and help to dry blemishes. So if you have a major Monster on your face that you need to get rid of ASAP, go with benzoyl peroxide (or toothpaste!).
For more long-term care of your complexion, you want salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps speed the turnover rate of cells on the skin's surface, prevents clogging of the pores and breaks down blackheads and whiteheads. So salicylic acid is the kind of thing you want to use in problem areas even when there aren't pimples around at that moment. And if you do, it won't dry your skin out (which is...altogether now...BAD!). I've been using Clean & Clear's Acne Spot Treatment.
3. Don't pop
This is probably the most difficult thing. I'm sure you've all heard that popping is bad, but why? And why is it okay when esthetician do it when they give you facials?
Apparently, it's all about the proper opening and closing of the pores. If you get a facial, before they begin the painful extraction part, they always spend a good amount of time shooting your face with a warm mist that gently opens your pores. Then they use sterilized tools to get those suckers out. If you don't properly open up your pores, you risk breaking some capillaries and doing some real damage to your skin.
After the extraction, they use a little doohickey to sterilize your entire face because at that point, bacteria from inside your pores is just all over the skin, which, if it stays there, will cause even more breakouts. So they sterilize your skin, then they give you some kind of mask to close your pores so that whatever bacteria is around you won't find their way into your precious pores.
But if you absolutely must pop, here's the way to do it. First, wash your face. Then, get a needle or some sharp point, sterilize it (place the tip of it over a small flame for a few seconds), then poke a little hole. Then squeeze gently to let the pus out. Then wash the entire area again with soap, and use some spot treatment to kill the bacteria that's still hanging around.
So there it is. Do you have any skin care tips that you've picked up?
Friday, April 23, 2010
what is the peter principle?
I don't know a lot about sports, but I was reading this NPR article about Tim Tebow and was intrigued when the writer described him as, among other things, an "obvious classic example of the Peter Principle, pro football version."
Hmm. The Peter Principle. He offers no context about what this is all about, so he must assume it's common knowledge. Uh-oh. Common knowledge stuff that I don't know! So I looked it up.
According to Wikipedia, the Peter Principle originates from a book by the same name by Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull. The principle states that "in a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence."
In other words, "[The Peter Principle] holds that in a hierarchy, members are promoted so long as they work competently. Sooner or later they are promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent (their "level of incompetence"), and there they remain, being unable to earn further promotions."
Do any popular TV characters come to mind? I can almost hear the Office theme music playing in the background with Michael Scott giving us two thumbs up.
I only heard about Tim Tebow during the whole Super Bowl Focus on the Family commercial thing. I never knew that teams didn't want to draft him because he doesn't do things "the approved NFL way."
Anyway, just an FYI! I'm totally going to say, "Ugh! It's a classic example of the Peter Principle!" at one of Cyrus's lawyer dinner parties and seem all smart! :D
Hmm. The Peter Principle. He offers no context about what this is all about, so he must assume it's common knowledge. Uh-oh. Common knowledge stuff that I don't know! So I looked it up.
According to Wikipedia, the Peter Principle originates from a book by the same name by Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull. The principle states that "in a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence."
In other words, "[The Peter Principle] holds that in a hierarchy, members are promoted so long as they work competently. Sooner or later they are promoted to a position at which they are no longer competent (their "level of incompetence"), and there they remain, being unable to earn further promotions."
Do any popular TV characters come to mind? I can almost hear the Office theme music playing in the background with Michael Scott giving us two thumbs up.
I only heard about Tim Tebow during the whole Super Bowl Focus on the Family commercial thing. I never knew that teams didn't want to draft him because he doesn't do things "the approved NFL way."
Anyway, just an FYI! I'm totally going to say, "Ugh! It's a classic example of the Peter Principle!" at one of Cyrus's lawyer dinner parties and seem all smart! :D
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
mo' money, fewer problems?
Handling money lessens the effects of social rejection and physical pain, according to a study that NPR reported about last week.
They split subjects into two groups. The first group counted blank pieces of paper, and the second group counted money. Then subjects in both groups played a game with people and were never thrown the ball. People who were in the second group, the money-counting group, felt less social rejection than the first group! In a related study, the money-handling group also felt less physical pain when they put their hands in a bowl with 122-degree water!
What does this mean? I can just imagine doctors telling their patients with fibromyalgia to dive in a pool full of money a la Scrooge McDuck to make them feel better.
I guess the fact that money can reduce the effect of pain isn't such a bad thing. But if we really think, even subconsciously, that money is a substitute for social acceptance, that sounds dangerous!
In the interview, the researcher was asked what real-world applications could come of these findings, and she joked that she could have just held a wad of money in her hands to help get rid of her pre-final exam anxieties when she was in school! Something to think about I guess! :)
They split subjects into two groups. The first group counted blank pieces of paper, and the second group counted money. Then subjects in both groups played a game with people and were never thrown the ball. People who were in the second group, the money-counting group, felt less social rejection than the first group! In a related study, the money-handling group also felt less physical pain when they put their hands in a bowl with 122-degree water!
What does this mean? I can just imagine doctors telling their patients with fibromyalgia to dive in a pool full of money a la Scrooge McDuck to make them feel better.
I guess the fact that money can reduce the effect of pain isn't such a bad thing. But if we really think, even subconsciously, that money is a substitute for social acceptance, that sounds dangerous!
In the interview, the researcher was asked what real-world applications could come of these findings, and she joked that she could have just held a wad of money in her hands to help get rid of her pre-final exam anxieties when she was in school! Something to think about I guess! :)
Friday, April 16, 2010
the story
Yesterday I posted this picture and had you guess what the story behind it was.
No, it isn't any kind of animal trap. We were trying to plug a leak! A couple weeks ago, we had to find a way to cover the hole that used to be our smoke detector because it was leaking!
Here's the story. During the raincalypse of '10, Cyrus and I woke up to find that the smoke detector was peeing rain on our bed! So we called maintenance, and they removed the smoke detector so that when they came back to fix stuff, there would be access to whatever above the smoke detector was leaking. Too bad they never came back, and we're just left with this gaping hole in our ceiling.
Yikes. See the ring around it? During the second round of crazy rain, we saw that the discoloration had worsened, and then we felt that it was wet. So to save our bed from getting soaked again, we covered it with some tupperware, the only thing we could think of!
Some other damage:
In the picture above, can you see how the wall is kind of bubbling up? There's a 3-4" pillar of that going all the way from our ceiling to the floor, probably into the floor below us, too.
No, we didn't line the corner with a brown Sharpie. That's some kind of drippage from whatever this silver box thing is that also runs from ceiling to floor. Gross.
Anyway, thanks for playing and leaving your comments!
We'll be in New York again this weekend for a work function for Cyrus's job next year! See you Monday with a new Music Monday post!
No, it isn't any kind of animal trap. We were trying to plug a leak! A couple weeks ago, we had to find a way to cover the hole that used to be our smoke detector because it was leaking!
Here's the story. During the raincalypse of '10, Cyrus and I woke up to find that the smoke detector was peeing rain on our bed! So we called maintenance, and they removed the smoke detector so that when they came back to fix stuff, there would be access to whatever above the smoke detector was leaking. Too bad they never came back, and we're just left with this gaping hole in our ceiling.
Yikes. See the ring around it? During the second round of crazy rain, we saw that the discoloration had worsened, and then we felt that it was wet. So to save our bed from getting soaked again, we covered it with some tupperware, the only thing we could think of!
Some other damage:
In the picture above, can you see how the wall is kind of bubbling up? There's a 3-4" pillar of that going all the way from our ceiling to the floor, probably into the floor below us, too.
No, we didn't line the corner with a brown Sharpie. That's some kind of drippage from whatever this silver box thing is that also runs from ceiling to floor. Gross.
Anyway, thanks for playing and leaving your comments!
We'll be in New York again this weekend for a work function for Cyrus's job next year! See you Monday with a new Music Monday post!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
less sarcasm, please
It started in college when someone pulled me aside and told me these three fateful words: "You're kinda mean."
After that, I vowed to do my best never to let my sarcasm, if taken seriously, offend anyone.
I didn't really force my views on anyone else until I became a deacon at my church and saw the potential damage sarcasm could do, especially when sensitive matters were being discussed at a meeting.
One example: Our worship service broke off from the youth group worship service for a few years because our pastor thought that the college-and-up people needed to come into their identity as adults. Totally legit. At a planning meeting for a joint retreat, a high schooler asked, "So...why do we have separate worship services?" And an older person replied, "Because we don't like you!"
Everyone laughed, and it was fine, but imagine if someone in that room wondered if there were some truth to that statement. How hurtful!
Also, sarcasm sometimes results in really awkward situations. A guy was telling a girl about how he only had one final that semester. The girl's response: "Die. Just die." What do you say to that? Isn't it just better to say "Wow, that's great!" Everyone feels good.
So I think if we get rid of sarcasm that could possibly hurt people, we could save a lot of hurt feelings and awkward moments.
Are you in??
After that, I vowed to do my best never to let my sarcasm, if taken seriously, offend anyone.
I didn't really force my views on anyone else until I became a deacon at my church and saw the potential damage sarcasm could do, especially when sensitive matters were being discussed at a meeting.
One example: Our worship service broke off from the youth group worship service for a few years because our pastor thought that the college-and-up people needed to come into their identity as adults. Totally legit. At a planning meeting for a joint retreat, a high schooler asked, "So...why do we have separate worship services?" And an older person replied, "Because we don't like you!"
Everyone laughed, and it was fine, but imagine if someone in that room wondered if there were some truth to that statement. How hurtful!
Also, sarcasm sometimes results in really awkward situations. A guy was telling a girl about how he only had one final that semester. The girl's response: "Die. Just die." What do you say to that? Isn't it just better to say "Wow, that's great!" Everyone feels good.
So I think if we get rid of sarcasm that could possibly hurt people, we could save a lot of hurt feelings and awkward moments.
Are you in??
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
birthday wish lists
Here's an idea to make the world a better place: birthday wish lists!
Cyrus's family is genius - they just ask each other what they want, and then they get it! I've done this with Jenny a couple times, too, and it's so fantastic! I get something I actually want, and the person who gets it for me doesn't have to waste time and money trying to figure out what I might want. Another way to be more efficient!
You might argue that this takes away from showing someone you really know them or that it takes the thoughtfulness out of thoughtful gift-giving. But if you already know that your friend/family member/significant other does care about you, then why do they have to show it with gifts?
So here's my proposal: public wish lists for all! All year long! When you see something you might want but wouldn't buy it for yourself - those cashmere socks! That designer umbrella! - add it to the wish list! Then, when the time comes for someone to buy you a gift, all they have to do is look at your wish list and choose.
It's going to make everything better! I promise!
Cyrus's family is genius - they just ask each other what they want, and then they get it! I've done this with Jenny a couple times, too, and it's so fantastic! I get something I actually want, and the person who gets it for me doesn't have to waste time and money trying to figure out what I might want. Another way to be more efficient!
You might argue that this takes away from showing someone you really know them or that it takes the thoughtfulness out of thoughtful gift-giving. But if you already know that your friend/family member/significant other does care about you, then why do they have to show it with gifts?
So here's my proposal: public wish lists for all! All year long! When you see something you might want but wouldn't buy it for yourself - those cashmere socks! That designer umbrella! - add it to the wish list! Then, when the time comes for someone to buy you a gift, all they have to do is look at your wish list and choose.
It's going to make everything better! I promise!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
the hiccup cure
I don't know why, and you're gonna think I'm crazy, but I promise that this has worked for me every time I got hiccups in the past six years except for maybe twice. And I get hiccups a lot! (Credit for this cure goes to Dave Yi from BU who I heard this from way back in college.)
All you have to do is close your eyes for up to a minute and envision a white horse. I like to think of a scene from the first season of Lost where Kate sees a horse (I think it might've actually been black) in the middle of the forest. I've also envisioned riding the horse (awesome), which also works.
Cyrus believes in the power of the white horse, but we started experimenting with envisioning different things. "What would happen if you thought about people without hiccups?" So I tried it-- didn't work. I also tried thinking about tomatoes. Also didn't work.
So the next time you have hiccups, close your eyes (as long as you're not walking or driving!) and envision the most beautiful white horse.
Let me help you...
All you have to do is close your eyes for up to a minute and envision a white horse. I like to think of a scene from the first season of Lost where Kate sees a horse (I think it might've actually been black) in the middle of the forest. I've also envisioned riding the horse (awesome), which also works.
Cyrus believes in the power of the white horse, but we started experimenting with envisioning different things. "What would happen if you thought about people without hiccups?" So I tried it-- didn't work. I also tried thinking about tomatoes. Also didn't work.
So the next time you have hiccups, close your eyes (as long as you're not walking or driving!) and envision the most beautiful white horse.
Let me help you...
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