umbrella hat man

Picture an in-the-flesh version of fat albert (one of my all-time favorite cartoon characters) wearing one of those red, yellow, blue & green umbrella hats, standing near one of those little folding camp chairs, in downtown New Orleans on Canal Street where the street cars ride back and forth between really tall buildings, equipped with a megaphone in one hand - king james bible in the other, yelling (sometimes into the megaphone, sometimes not) words like 'cometh' and 'believeth' and 'repent' to passers-by.



I see umbrella hat man almost every day when I bike to work and he always makes me smile. I appreciate his effort - he's on a mission - he's devoted - and he understands the importance of sun protection. I haven't been biking because of the weather, but today it is warmer - so I'm back to my routine and I'm reminded of one of the many reasons why I love New Orleans so much.

ambidexterity - a personal experiment

I'm right-handed. However, in high school soccer, I had better aim with my left foot than I did with my right. I also place my mouse on the left side of my keyboard, so that I can point and click with one hand and take notes with the other (this always freaks people out if they sit at my computer - I enjoy that). I have a few other left-handed preferences as well, but am predominantly right-oriented. Since my mom and my sister are lefties, I have been wondering if I have a tendency toward ambidexterity and, as a result, have made my new year's resolution to become ambidextrous. Possibly weird - I realize, but a fun challenge.

So, awkwardly, but with great attention, determination and enjoyment, I have sworn off the right hand for:
-writing journal entries and grocery lists (at work I choose efficiency over adventure and continue to use my right hand)
-cooking (e.g. holding the knife to cut vegetables, stirring anything, grating cheese, etc.)
-brushing my hair and teeth
-dialing a phone

Some things I haven't quite convinced my brain of yet:
-unlocking doors
-stitching of any sort (buttons, etc.)
-turning the pages of a book or newspaper

More updates as I progress (or not...)
(p.s. just to clarify - this is Heather's experiment. On occasion James will eat or brush his teeth with his left hand to show his solidarity, which I appreciate.)