Carly Stasko investigates the quandaries of new parents
FROM ROUTINES TO RITUALS:
Having a consistent and fun bedtime ritual for your baby keeps everyone happy. It gives your little one important cues to help them transition from a busy day to a restful night. It’s a chance to wind down, to reconnect, to imagine, and take comfort in a predictable routine.
Mere months ago, my husband and I both fancied ourselves to be wild spirits free from the restraints of what we saw as oppressive routines. Being predictable seemed like a fate to avoid at all cost, dare we risk being sentenced to a life of boredom.
Since we’ve become parents an interesting shift has occurred. With the birth of our son we’ve enjoyed the introduction of an additional wild spirit into our lives and our days are filled with chaos, hilarity, relentless learning, play, poop and crazy, crazy love. As we surrender to the improv-act-that-is-parenthood we have found that a bit of routine can be a very welcome sanctuary. Read more...
Walking past the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. in Seattle, you might see silver-clad mannequins or get a chance to observe someone being tested in a “Space Competency Certification Station”. If you decide to enter, you’ll be transported into another reality altogether. The walls are lined with scientific equipment from another era, an emergency spaceship repair hull and machines whose uses are left to the imagination of the observer. Read more...
Since 826 National‘s storefronts are really a cover for their secret identities as not-so-mild-mannered tutoring centres, it seems appropriate that one of them should really run with that theme, and run they do. Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. is your one-stop-shop for everything a superhero needs. From grappling hooks to antimatter, from secret identity kits to invisibility powder, this crowded little store will keep crime fighters at the top of their game. Read more...
Dave Eggers, who brought us the awe-inspiring organization, 826 National, was awarded a 2008 TED prize for his literacy building work. In this acceptance speech, he talks about what led to the conception of 826 Valencia, similar projects all over the world, and asks the community to join him in supporting public schooling.
Robofontaine 12,000 is trying to grow a moustache. The 12,000 series Robofontaine is one of the robots who oversees the Ann Arbor chapter of 826 National: Liberty Street Robot Supply and Repair and he’s joined forces with the Saline fire department and men across the state (many of whom are named Michael) to raise funds for 826michigan in their 3rd annual “Mustache-A-Thon”. Read more...
TOR.com and Idiots’ Books have created a fabulous and fun resource at their One Page Wonders story site. Merely print the free PDFs, cut, fold and enjoy! It’s amazing how many different stories you can tell with eight phrases.
When you’re done with the pre-prepared stories (there’s a new one each week), why not create your own one page wonders and share them with your friends and family? We’d love to see them, too!
Bunch sends props to the innovative and inspiring non-profit organization, 826 National, which operates what have to be the seven coolest literacy centres this side of the Atlantic.
Over the next couple weeks, Bunch will give you a peek inside each of 826 National’s fabulous locations. Read on for more information about the organization as a whole. Read more...
