And now, for a sort of literary analysis.

I thought this was pretty cool, regardless of your political affiliation.  One of the blogs at Wired Magazine, Threat Level, has posted a Wordle analysis of the major speeches at both Democratic and Republican National Conventions.  The larger the word is in the graphic, the more times the person used it during the speech.  It's a very tidy visual representation of the candidates' major themes and obsessions, as well as their omissions.  Check it out.

Overheard at 10 p.m.

My son wakes, squalling, demanding nourishment.

After this takes place...well, he's a spitter.  He has uncanny knowledge of when his clothing has just been changed, but he has absolutely no aim.  These two truths, combined with an excess of milk, result in the necessity for yet another diaper change and pajama change.  

This results in a certain amount of marital grumbling and shuffling down the hall to get his clean clothes from the recently-folded-but-not-yet-put-away mounds on the floor. Then we hear a little voice from down the hall, hoping to add to the conversation:

"Hey, baby! Your sister's already asleep."

Conversations on the nature of the universe.

While Matt and I don't share a religion, we do share a few favorite humorists in common. One of them, P.J. O' Rourke, published an essay recently on God and science:

On God

I particularly look forward to any upcoming scholarly publications on whatsamatter, as I'm sure they will be able to answer many of the bug's questions about the universe.

For example:

"The whole universe is made up of nature. How do we make it full of love and care for the things we want to care for and make our lives better and better as sky blue?"

Followed by her rock song:  "Rocks I love, Rocks I love, Rocks I love..."

Nothing like living with an abstract poet in the early stages of development.

Professional life. Home life. Twain never meeting.

My world has of late become rather small. My days consist of a slightly unpredictable pattern of cooking, cleaning, feedings, changings, laundry, and child pick-up and drop-off, with the occasional errand and walk outside the house. Because this time I knew what was coming, and how little I'd realistically be able to accomplish, I am much happier than with my first at-home-post-child experience. My expectations are somewhat more realistic, which is to say: Some afternoons, I am just going to nap. That will be the full list of "things accomplished." Other days, I will be able to do five fantastic things between lunch and bug pick-up, because the monkey slept well last night leaving me two brain cells to rub together in the morning.

I am technically still in my old job, though on leave, until the end of September. This means I still check email every day, still answer a few questions here and there, and maintain a limited amount of adult non-familial contact. Which is probably excellent for my general sanity.

I'm also working on a grant application which, if successful, would write my way into a cool job beginning next June. I'm not holding my breath for its success, but it could work out and it would certainly be both challenging and a lot of fun if it did. Not to mention that I'd be in control of my own schedule which is key.

Otherwise, I've been keeping my eye out for jobs to apply for, but to date everything of interest is full-time, and I'm not doing that for at least a few more months. Perhaps longer. In a perfect world, I'd like a job that would pay really well (read: about $40K a year) where I could work no more than 20-25 hours a week in an office, more from home up to another 15-20 hours as needed. That would keep the monkey at home with me at least most of his waking hours until he's three and starts preschool, and would keep the bug on preschool time without before-care or after-care. Is it possible? Who knows? I've been looking since last January for such a job without much success.

If anyone has suggestions for fields I could consider, don't be shy. :) World's oldest profession definitely excluded, although the schedule flexibility and set-your-own-rates financing would be desirable aspects.

The world's second-oldest profession (teaching) would be great, but jobs here are few and far between. As for an ego deflater, I got turned down by the University of Phoenix...not enough humanities online class sections to require my services. I bet they have stacks of humanities CV's that they burn for furnace fuel down there when it gets "cold" in December and falls into the 50's. I hear there are great training programs for paralegals and criminal justice officers available online, but that's because I've been watching TV for the first time in a long time thanks to the Olympics and the DNC. :) Other thoughts?

Clusterfeed.

I am learning new parenting vocabulary this time around.

Apparently when your newborn goes through a growth spurt and decides to eat once every two hours or less, this is called "clusterfeeding." It tends to happen for a day or two around specific growth periods and then he resumes "normal feeding frequency" (still figuring out what "normal" is around here).

I can tell you after being up last night at 10:30, 12:30, 2 a.m., and 4 a.m. that there is a reason the words "clusterfeed" and "clusterf**k" have so much in common.

From a mother's point of view there is really little difference. And for some reason the clusterfeeds don't seem to happen during daylight hours. But hey, he's gaining weight and is healthy! His two-week checkup was yesterday and he is well past his birth weight, which means he is not "failing to thrive."

Maybe all the extra meals will wear him out and tonight I'll get a bit more sleep!