Links of the Week

Every week, I inevitably get sucked into many of what I think are super cool articles. I often will retweet such articles or post them on Facebook. I try to refrain from posting too many and filling my friends’ news feeds with what they might not be as interested in. Therefore, I’ve decided to post a “Links of the Week” at the end of every week on my blog. It will include the photographs, articles, and videos that I’ve come across online and found riveting. I just LOVE to share things that I find interesting and hope to tickle someone else’s interest too. So, without further ado, here are this weeks’ Links of Week. Enjoy!

Great article about animals! Neurologist: Animals Have Spiritual Experiences. And, if you like animals, here’s a really short vid you just can’t miss: Smart Dog Covers Himself with a Blanket.

Interesting articles on storytelling. Most of my interests and my academic career are built around stories. I am fascinated by them as well as by our fascination with them. So, first check out Social media has evolved into the art of storytelling, and we must all become masters of it. And then head over to Your Storytelling Brain

And, finally, this is rather random, but a friend of mine told me about this cult that died out in Michigan. Found it interesting. The History of the House of David.

A Groovy Day

Today has been a wonderful break from grading, prepping, reading, writing, and packing. Though we were disappointed when we learned our escrow date will be pushed back at least a week, there are some perks to not moving next weekend. One perk is that we’re almost entirely packed, sonow no packing had to be done this weekend. I slept in, watched a couple episodes of Angel, and then spent the day with my hubby, one of our dear friends, and his thirteen-year-old son. We ate lunch at Wienerschnitzel, saw Real Steel, ate ice cream, and played Monopoly.

I was really surprised by Real Steel. I hadn’t had any interest in seeing it. It was basically my love for both Evangeline Lilly & Hugh Jackman that made me agree to go with the guys. I really feared it was going to just be a little boy’s movie with lame robot fight after lame robot fight. Boy was I proved wrong!! There was a real story here! A story about love, about fathers and sons, about the underdog. It didn’t matter that it was set in the future with fighting robots. That wasn’t the point. Although, they actually did a great job with the robots, and through the love I had for the little boy, I came to really love his robot. I even enjoyed the robot fights because I really came to care who won!! (Thankfully these scenes were not drawn out like many of the scenes in the most recent Transformers film). This film had heart, and I’m really glad I saw it.

For our Monopoly and pizza filled evening, my husband and I took our two small(ish) dogs to our friend’s house. They always enjoy a change of scenery, not to mention a back yard to run around in. This was the first time our puppy had the opportunity to play with our friend’s son. And that’s when I realized something… I’ve always said that kids should have dogs. (I always had at least one dog when growing up.) But now I see how important it is for dogs to have kids!! My pup had a blast running around the yard and through the house both tackling and being tackled by this young teen. I told my husband that most people get pets for their kids, but we need to get some kids for our pets. ;) In all seriousness, we really want children of our own one day, and I do look forward to all the fun play we’ll have with our kids and the variety of pets we’re sure to have.

Today was a good reminder of the importance of balancing out grown-up-life with some good ol’ relaxation, play, and good company. It was a kid’s kind of day, and that was just what I needed.