Friday, November 30, 2007
Heading Out
I will be attending a conference in Boston for the next week; I fly out tomorrow and will return home next Wednesday. Hopefully I will have some great pictures and maybe a funny story or two. I may have access to a computer, but I am not banking on it or on taking the time to blog, because, you know, it's Boston. Chowder, lobster, Cheers!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Not Sure I Can Buy This
My son was born in April 1989. I quit work to be a stay at home mom in January of '89, so I had a little over two months when I could listen to my body and do what it said. I didn't have to get up at a certain time (except for the ocasional doctor's appointment) or go to bed at a certain time. My husband at the time worked shift work, so his hours were wacky anyway. I just listened to what my body wanted. After about 6 weeks my schedule went something like this:
3pm - wake up, get something to eat, shower,
4-7pm - do whatever chores needed doing, laundry, mopping, bathroom cleaning, etc. Cook and eat dinner if husband was going to work at 10p.
7-10pm - watch whatever was on TV I wanted to watch.
10-12pm - Cook and eat dinner if husband had just gotten off work. Clean up dishes either way.
12-1am - Go to bed and wait patiently for husband to go to sleep (if he was home) then get up.
1am-whenever - Watch all daytime TV shows that I had taped while I was sleeping (yes, I have always known how to program a VCR). Then play video games or read a book until I was tired enough to sleep. Usually about 5 or 5:30.
There was one other time when I was out of work for about a month and my body did the same thing. My body does not like to watch sunrise, unless I am headed for bed right after. I wish I was one of those people who popped out of bed every morning, happy, chipper, smiling @ 0600 ready to start the day. Instead I hit the snooze button, stumble to the shower and speak in a grunt for 2 hours!
Which brings me to this story that says that cancer is linked to the graveyard shift for two reasons...
#1. People are going against their bodies natural rhythms (What am I doing?)
#2. They are not getting enough sunlight. (And the people who work in factories 12 hours a day do? I work in an office with no windows, although I do wander from building to building sometimes)
So I think this is just another scare. We can't live in a bubble and make a living and some people have no choice. Why scare the hell out of them?
3pm - wake up, get something to eat, shower,
4-7pm - do whatever chores needed doing, laundry, mopping, bathroom cleaning, etc. Cook and eat dinner if husband was going to work at 10p.
7-10pm - watch whatever was on TV I wanted to watch.
10-12pm - Cook and eat dinner if husband had just gotten off work. Clean up dishes either way.
12-1am - Go to bed and wait patiently for husband to go to sleep (if he was home) then get up.
1am-whenever - Watch all daytime TV shows that I had taped while I was sleeping (yes, I have always known how to program a VCR). Then play video games or read a book until I was tired enough to sleep. Usually about 5 or 5:30.
There was one other time when I was out of work for about a month and my body did the same thing. My body does not like to watch sunrise, unless I am headed for bed right after. I wish I was one of those people who popped out of bed every morning, happy, chipper, smiling @ 0600 ready to start the day. Instead I hit the snooze button, stumble to the shower and speak in a grunt for 2 hours!
Which brings me to this story that says that cancer is linked to the graveyard shift for two reasons...
#1. People are going against their bodies natural rhythms (What am I doing?)
#2. They are not getting enough sunlight. (And the people who work in factories 12 hours a day do? I work in an office with no windows, although I do wander from building to building sometimes)
So I think this is just another scare. We can't live in a bubble and make a living and some people have no choice. Why scare the hell out of them?
Should We Blame the Victim?
I was horrified Monday morning as I was putting on my shoes and heard the news that Washington Redskins player Sean Taylor had been shot in his home. I did not have time to follow up on the story throughout the day and had no idea how serious his injuries were until I heard on Tuesday that he had died. His death made me sad, not because he was a rich and famous NFL football player, but because he was a young man just starting out in life with a small child. And his death seemed so senseless. My heart goes out to his family.
I didn't really know anything about Sean before this tragic incident. I don't follow the NFL much (only the Super Bowl, really) and the only players I readily recognize are the former Gators. So the problems this young man had over the years meant nothing to me. Why should they now? Sean Taylor was at home, in bed, asleep in the early morning hours of 26 November 2007. Someone broke into his home and shot him. Whatever Mr. Taylor had or had not done in the previous 24 years of his life did not give anyone the right to shoot him, certainly not in his own home!
It seems to me that the media is holding Sean Taylor accountable for his own murder due to his actions in the past and that is not acceptable. It is like holding a woman accountable for her own rape because she was wearing a short skirt. We all need to be held accountable for OUR OWN actions and use some common sense, but we should not be blamed, by the media, by the courts, by anyone for things that are beyond our control. Sean Taylor was exactly where he was supposed to be and some lunatic broke into his house and shot him. Let's not blame Sean Taylor.
Rest in Peace, Sean.
I didn't really know anything about Sean before this tragic incident. I don't follow the NFL much (only the Super Bowl, really) and the only players I readily recognize are the former Gators. So the problems this young man had over the years meant nothing to me. Why should they now? Sean Taylor was at home, in bed, asleep in the early morning hours of 26 November 2007. Someone broke into his home and shot him. Whatever Mr. Taylor had or had not done in the previous 24 years of his life did not give anyone the right to shoot him, certainly not in his own home!
It seems to me that the media is holding Sean Taylor accountable for his own murder due to his actions in the past and that is not acceptable. It is like holding a woman accountable for her own rape because she was wearing a short skirt. We all need to be held accountable for OUR OWN actions and use some common sense, but we should not be blamed, by the media, by the courts, by anyone for things that are beyond our control. Sean Taylor was exactly where he was supposed to be and some lunatic broke into his house and shot him. Let's not blame Sean Taylor.
Rest in Peace, Sean.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Movie Review "The Mist"*
I like well-made movies, although I don't find too many of them. Normally when a new movie comes out that I think I may want to see, I either do not take the time to go see it or I am phenomenally disappointed in it. I can suspend disbelief to enjoy a well-written, well acted movie, but please do not treat me as if I am stupid. I can even enjoy a decent movie with one or two (at most) stupid scenes (have you seen John McClain being chased by the hovering fighter plane in "Live Free or Die Hard"?) But I knew when I paid my money that a Bruce Willis/Die Hard movie was going to be over the top. I don't expect that from most movies.
I also like Stephen King novels. I think I have read almost every King novel written (many more than once) although I don't normally enjoy movies made from his books, because the screenwriters/directors usually ruin the story. "Christine"? Great book, lousy movie. "Cujo"? I don't even want to talk about how bad that movie was. "1408"? Good short story and Surprise! a pretty good movie. (I saw it on DVD, so I think it was probably better than 'pretty good' in the theater.)
I took my 18 year old son and 13 year old step son (not sure I should have taken him, but that is another story) to see Stephen King's "The Mist" this afternoon. Normally my complaint with Stephen King novels made into movies is that the movies miss... something. It is just a fact that movies made from novels do not have the time or the budget to put everything from the book into the movie, so I try to stay away from them because I expect too much and am, usually, disappointed. I thought I might be ok with "The Mist" because (a) it was a short story and could probably cover the entire story in the 127 minutes running time and (b) I haven't read the actual short story in over 15 years so the missing details would also be missing from my memory.
As we left the theater my son turned to me and said, "Wow". That seemed to sum up my entire experience with this film nicely. As I watched I had moments of flashback from the book, "Oh, yea, that is where...". I also had moments of "Oh, shit". At one point I sunk into my seat and pulled my sweatshirt up until it covered my nose, mouth and ears (I left my eyes out or I could've missed something). I think I jumped (really, honestly jumped) 8-10 times. I think I laughed 2 or 3 times. I wanted to cry at least once. And I felt murder in my heart at least once (but probably more).
Even though this movie was based on a Stephen King novella, I would not classify it as part of the true horror genre. This movie was, at times, bloody, yes, but so was "Saving Private Ryan" and you could not say that was a horror movie. Yes, blood and strange things that go bump in the night were an integral part of the story, but it wasn't THE story. The story was more of a sociological question. What happens when a group of very different people (different races, different backgrounds, different socio-economic circumstances) are thrown into a difficult, stressful, possibly life-threatening situation? Who leads? Who follows? Who loses their mind? Who lives? Who dies?
The ending of the movie was different than the one in King's original story and the punch it packs is more of a wallop. I think I finally caught my breath about the time I reached home and if I think too much about it, I still feel a slight hitch in my heart. It wasn't conventional and it wasn't pretty, but it did make a horrible, heart-rending statement about life and love and sacrifice.
If a little gore does not make you sick, I completely recommend this movie. If you watch it, I would appreciate it if you stop back by and let me know what you thought, and, if possible, answer this question. Could you have done it?
*The opinions on this site are strictly those of the author and in no way, shape or form reflect those of Blogger or the Blogger staff. If you hated this movie or just want to read reviews from those who did, they can be found HERE.
I also like Stephen King novels. I think I have read almost every King novel written (many more than once) although I don't normally enjoy movies made from his books, because the screenwriters/directors usually ruin the story. "Christine"? Great book, lousy movie. "Cujo"? I don't even want to talk about how bad that movie was. "1408"? Good short story and Surprise! a pretty good movie. (I saw it on DVD, so I think it was probably better than 'pretty good' in the theater.)
I took my 18 year old son and 13 year old step son (not sure I should have taken him, but that is another story) to see Stephen King's "The Mist" this afternoon. Normally my complaint with Stephen King novels made into movies is that the movies miss... something. It is just a fact that movies made from novels do not have the time or the budget to put everything from the book into the movie, so I try to stay away from them because I expect too much and am, usually, disappointed. I thought I might be ok with "The Mist" because (a) it was a short story and could probably cover the entire story in the 127 minutes running time and (b) I haven't read the actual short story in over 15 years so the missing details would also be missing from my memory.
As we left the theater my son turned to me and said, "Wow". That seemed to sum up my entire experience with this film nicely. As I watched I had moments of flashback from the book, "Oh, yea, that is where...". I also had moments of "Oh, shit". At one point I sunk into my seat and pulled my sweatshirt up until it covered my nose, mouth and ears (I left my eyes out or I could've missed something). I think I jumped (really, honestly jumped) 8-10 times. I think I laughed 2 or 3 times. I wanted to cry at least once. And I felt murder in my heart at least once (but probably more).
Even though this movie was based on a Stephen King novella, I would not classify it as part of the true horror genre. This movie was, at times, bloody, yes, but so was "Saving Private Ryan" and you could not say that was a horror movie. Yes, blood and strange things that go bump in the night were an integral part of the story, but it wasn't THE story. The story was more of a sociological question. What happens when a group of very different people (different races, different backgrounds, different socio-economic circumstances) are thrown into a difficult, stressful, possibly life-threatening situation? Who leads? Who follows? Who loses their mind? Who lives? Who dies?
The ending of the movie was different than the one in King's original story and the punch it packs is more of a wallop. I think I finally caught my breath about the time I reached home and if I think too much about it, I still feel a slight hitch in my heart. It wasn't conventional and it wasn't pretty, but it did make a horrible, heart-rending statement about life and love and sacrifice.
If a little gore does not make you sick, I completely recommend this movie. If you watch it, I would appreciate it if you stop back by and let me know what you thought, and, if possible, answer this question. Could you have done it?
*The opinions on this site are strictly those of the author and in no way, shape or form reflect those of Blogger or the Blogger staff. If you hated this movie or just want to read reviews from those who did, they can be found HERE.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
I am not as smart as a 1st grader
Well, I hope everyone in the blogging world had a great day. Ours was wonderful. Great food and great people normally equals a spectacular day and ours was.
After the leftovers had been put away and the dishes done and all of the guests went home, my son's friend, Ryan, came over and brought his mother's new game, "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?". This is a popular night time game show that my parents love, but I have never watched. It sounded like fun to play and I was interested in seeing how I did compared to the children in grade school right now.
There were 4 of us playing, my son, DSD's youngest son, Ryan and me. Ryan won the first game without ever giving me a chance. I knew a lot of the answers to his questions, Fe is the symbol for iron, 75 is an odd (not even) number... how hard could this be?
My son started the 2nd game and I should have known I was in trouble when his 2nd question (a 1st grade one) had the answer congruent. How exactly are congruent triangles taught in the 1st grade? Where are they taught in the 1st grade? Really, if you learned about congruent triangles in the 1st grade, please let me know.
It was finally my turn. I answered the first one correctly, it was not difficult. The answer to the second question was Louisiana. The question was 1st grade music. Do you have any idea what the question was on? Yes. "Oh, Susanah" The person singing was coming from Alabama and going where? I bombed it. There are a lot of things I remember about first grade, that was not one of them.
So, I am not as smart as a 1st grader. Oh, well, I would like to see a 1st grader negotiate the name change and benefits update I have recently gone through. Maybe they know the words to "Oh, Susanah", but I understand my 401k. Can a first grader top that?
After the leftovers had been put away and the dishes done and all of the guests went home, my son's friend, Ryan, came over and brought his mother's new game, "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?". This is a popular night time game show that my parents love, but I have never watched. It sounded like fun to play and I was interested in seeing how I did compared to the children in grade school right now.
There were 4 of us playing, my son, DSD's youngest son, Ryan and me. Ryan won the first game without ever giving me a chance. I knew a lot of the answers to his questions, Fe is the symbol for iron, 75 is an odd (not even) number... how hard could this be?
My son started the 2nd game and I should have known I was in trouble when his 2nd question (a 1st grade one) had the answer congruent. How exactly are congruent triangles taught in the 1st grade? Where are they taught in the 1st grade? Really, if you learned about congruent triangles in the 1st grade, please let me know.
It was finally my turn. I answered the first one correctly, it was not difficult. The answer to the second question was Louisiana. The question was 1st grade music. Do you have any idea what the question was on? Yes. "Oh, Susanah" The person singing was coming from Alabama and going where? I bombed it. There are a lot of things I remember about first grade, that was not one of them.
So, I am not as smart as a 1st grader. Oh, well, I would like to see a 1st grader negotiate the name change and benefits update I have recently gone through. Maybe they know the words to "Oh, Susanah", but I understand my 401k. Can a first grader top that?
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Much to be Thankful for
I am 99% certain that I will not have time to blog tomorrow. While we are hosting a rather small group this year (10 instead of the 14-16 we usually have), there is still plenty of cooking, visiting and enjoying to be done. I know my mother feels bad that I cook every year, but she shouldn't. I really enjoy doing it.
So, I thought, in the spirit of the holiday, I would list all the things I am thankful for, in no particular order...
An awesome 18 year old son
A wonderful new husband
Great parents, Ozzie and Harriet had nothing on my Mom and Dad (although I would bet money that my dad is louder than Ozzie ever thought of being).
Fabulous friends (you really find out who your friends are when the tent is late on your wedding day)
Super In-laws... at least the ones I have met.
A job I thoroughly enjoy.
A lot of great co-workers (not all, but then life can't be perfect)
A nice house
The fact that the elections are less than a year away.
Great blogs
Hope, that my son will continue to grow as a man, that my husband and I have many years to be together, that anyone reading this feels as blessed in life as I do right this minute, that the elected leaders of this country will start listening to the people, that peace will happen in my lifetime.
Happy Thanksgiving.
So, I thought, in the spirit of the holiday, I would list all the things I am thankful for, in no particular order...
An awesome 18 year old son
A wonderful new husband
Great parents, Ozzie and Harriet had nothing on my Mom and Dad (although I would bet money that my dad is louder than Ozzie ever thought of being).
Fabulous friends (you really find out who your friends are when the tent is late on your wedding day)
Super In-laws... at least the ones I have met.
A job I thoroughly enjoy.
A lot of great co-workers (not all, but then life can't be perfect)
A nice house
The fact that the elections are less than a year away.
Great blogs
Hope, that my son will continue to grow as a man, that my husband and I have many years to be together, that anyone reading this feels as blessed in life as I do right this minute, that the elected leaders of this country will start listening to the people, that peace will happen in my lifetime.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I Give Up...
See? Here I am and here I go, HOP, onto the bandwagon.
No, not the Kansas bandwagon, or the Mizzu one. I can't wait for one of those teams to get flattened in the Championship Game. I am hopping onto the "Tim Tebow for Heisman" bandwagon. I have repeatedly denied that he will win the Heisman for the entire season. Florida is not in the National Championship race; they aren't even in the SEC race anymore AND (this is the biggie), our beloved Timmy is a SOPHOMORE.
Sophomores don't win the Heisman. If they did, don't you think they would have given one to Herschel Walker? And any decent Florida fan knows the only reason Grossman didn't win in '01 was because he was a sophomore (I don't care if he sucks at Chicago, we are comparing apples and oranges).
The trophy is supposed to go to the best all-around football player. Not the best Senior or Junior. Not the best QB, or running back. The best all-around player. Do I think that Tim is the best all-around player? No. ESPN The Magazine did a story on why LSU's Glenn Dorsey should win. And they are probably right. But Glenn is a defensive player and I have not heard his named mentioned in conjunction with the trophy.
So, if the trophy is going to go to an offensive player, a quarterback or running back, who should receive it? Who has earned it?
I am not going to list all the stats of all the offensive football players in Div IA football. But here are Tim's for 2007 (the only year in question, the Heisman is not supposed to be given out on past accomplishments).
Passing 198 for 289. 68.5% completed for a total of 2870 yards and 26 TDs and 6 interceptions.
Rushing 181 times for 749 yards and 20 TDs. No fumbles.
Pretty impressive numbers. If Florida had a Defense, they could be right back in the National Title hunt.
And, in case you missed the news (because you live under a rock), Tim is the first Div1A football player EVER to rush and pass for 20 TDs each in one season. EVER. That is a pretty big stat.
And that is what convinced me he should win.
No, not the Kansas bandwagon, or the Mizzu one. I can't wait for one of those teams to get flattened in the Championship Game. I am hopping onto the "Tim Tebow for Heisman" bandwagon. I have repeatedly denied that he will win the Heisman for the entire season. Florida is not in the National Championship race; they aren't even in the SEC race anymore AND (this is the biggie), our beloved Timmy is a SOPHOMORE.
Sophomores don't win the Heisman. If they did, don't you think they would have given one to Herschel Walker? And any decent Florida fan knows the only reason Grossman didn't win in '01 was because he was a sophomore (I don't care if he sucks at Chicago, we are comparing apples and oranges).
The trophy is supposed to go to the best all-around football player. Not the best Senior or Junior. Not the best QB, or running back. The best all-around player. Do I think that Tim is the best all-around player? No. ESPN The Magazine did a story on why LSU's Glenn Dorsey should win. And they are probably right. But Glenn is a defensive player and I have not heard his named mentioned in conjunction with the trophy.
So, if the trophy is going to go to an offensive player, a quarterback or running back, who should receive it? Who has earned it?
I am not going to list all the stats of all the offensive football players in Div IA football. But here are Tim's for 2007 (the only year in question, the Heisman is not supposed to be given out on past accomplishments).
Passing 198 for 289. 68.5% completed for a total of 2870 yards and 26 TDs and 6 interceptions.
Rushing 181 times for 749 yards and 20 TDs. No fumbles.
Pretty impressive numbers. If Florida had a Defense, they could be right back in the National Title hunt.
And, in case you missed the news (because you live under a rock), Tim is the first Div1A football player EVER to rush and pass for 20 TDs each in one season. EVER. That is a pretty big stat.
And that is what convinced me he should win.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Friday BSing
Work, work, work with no time to blog. How horrible is that? I should probably be working now, but I figured I could take a few minutes to babble.
**My son's little sister was born Nov 5th. He is very excited to finally be a big brother (he's only been asking for about 10 years). He is calling her Kaylee. That is not her name, but the poor thing's name is really just AWFUL and he refuses to use it. Poor baby, an awful name and that man for a father. I hope he has grown up a lot since our son was that age or she is in for a long, hard life.
**The week after the honeymoon I went back for my 6 month recheck mamogram. There has been no change so the doctors don't seem concerned at all. I will have another (both breasts this time, I can't wait!) in 6 more months and then back to the yearly thing. I know that men hate the prostate check, but give me a break. It is only a couple of minutes and you are on your way. I would much rather have a prostate check than a Pap and Mamogram (if, you know, I had a prostate). Stop whining and get checked.
**2-3 more weeks of regular Div I college football. What a wild season it has been! Another #2 lost last night. Oregon fell after their QB fell. Who's next? I can't even begin to predict who will end up in the BCS games. I just hope Ohio State kicks Michigan's ass tomorrow and Florida whips FSU the following Saturday. (And if Georgia and Tennessee could each lose a game in the next 2 weeks, allowing Florida to play LSU again in Atlanta for the SEC Championship... well, I am fine with that, too.)
**Married life is awesome. :-)
**I mentioned in this post that we were pushing for DSD's youngest son to come live with us. Or at least we were discussing it. The child's mother was not happy at that idea and there is no justification for suing her for custody. She is not a bad mother. It isn't like she beats him or mistreats him. She loves him and takes great care of him. Sadly, I think she takes TOO good care of him. Is that even possible? He is 13 years old. When does anything become his responsibility? He is not working on grade level and she wants to spend $1300 a month in tutoring to get him up to grade level so that he can go on to HS next year. HELLO! My house payment is not $1300 a month! And I do not know how spending another $1300 a month on tutors is going to make him pay attention and learn. Can a child be MADE to learn? Plus tutoring is not going to help his immaturity or lack of social skills.
As soon as we get our insurance straightened out (shouldn't take long, just getting the paperwork in) we are going to get this child into longterm therapy. His issues are not NORMAL. Maybe there is something else wrong besides just AD/HD. Maybe he has a learning disability also, but there are problems. And they need to be addressed and apparently I am the only one who sees how HUGE they are.
** Not much more going on (that I can think of now). Getting ready for Thanksgiving. Trying not to think about Christmas. Enjoying life. What more can a person ask for?
**My son's little sister was born Nov 5th. He is very excited to finally be a big brother (he's only been asking for about 10 years). He is calling her Kaylee. That is not her name, but the poor thing's name is really just AWFUL and he refuses to use it. Poor baby, an awful name and that man for a father. I hope he has grown up a lot since our son was that age or she is in for a long, hard life.
**The week after the honeymoon I went back for my 6 month recheck mamogram. There has been no change so the doctors don't seem concerned at all. I will have another (both breasts this time, I can't wait!) in 6 more months and then back to the yearly thing. I know that men hate the prostate check, but give me a break. It is only a couple of minutes and you are on your way. I would much rather have a prostate check than a Pap and Mamogram (if, you know, I had a prostate). Stop whining and get checked.
**2-3 more weeks of regular Div I college football. What a wild season it has been! Another #2 lost last night. Oregon fell after their QB fell. Who's next? I can't even begin to predict who will end up in the BCS games. I just hope Ohio State kicks Michigan's ass tomorrow and Florida whips FSU the following Saturday. (And if Georgia and Tennessee could each lose a game in the next 2 weeks, allowing Florida to play LSU again in Atlanta for the SEC Championship... well, I am fine with that, too.)
**Married life is awesome. :-)
**I mentioned in this post that we were pushing for DSD's youngest son to come live with us. Or at least we were discussing it. The child's mother was not happy at that idea and there is no justification for suing her for custody. She is not a bad mother. It isn't like she beats him or mistreats him. She loves him and takes great care of him. Sadly, I think she takes TOO good care of him. Is that even possible? He is 13 years old. When does anything become his responsibility? He is not working on grade level and she wants to spend $1300 a month in tutoring to get him up to grade level so that he can go on to HS next year. HELLO! My house payment is not $1300 a month! And I do not know how spending another $1300 a month on tutors is going to make him pay attention and learn. Can a child be MADE to learn? Plus tutoring is not going to help his immaturity or lack of social skills.
As soon as we get our insurance straightened out (shouldn't take long, just getting the paperwork in) we are going to get this child into longterm therapy. His issues are not NORMAL. Maybe there is something else wrong besides just AD/HD. Maybe he has a learning disability also, but there are problems. And they need to be addressed and apparently I am the only one who sees how HUGE they are.
** Not much more going on (that I can think of now). Getting ready for Thanksgiving. Trying not to think about Christmas. Enjoying life. What more can a person ask for?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Boycotting Burger King
I have a confession to make... I am a fast food junkie. I love it. I can tell you what almost all of them have and give the "meal deal" number of my favorites. Now that I am older and my metabolism has slowed and DSD's cholestoral is up (well, it was), I don't eat fast food like I did in my 20's and early 30's. But that does not mean that I don't still think about it, dream about it or wish for it.
So, it is with a saddened heart that I must cross Burger King off my list PERMANENTLY. (Or at least until they get their act together and start paying a living wage).
I do not think I have the ability to explain all the reasoning behind the boycott, but the AFL-CIO does. And here is a link to the CIW. The best link is this one: A Day in the Life of the Farm Workers. Not a life I would want to lead and those men (and women if they are there) deserve to earn a living wage for work that would not be done by anyone I know personally.
Check out the links, make up your own mind. Join the BIG protest in Miami if you are able or the little one I am trying to organize here on 30 November. So far, I have THREE people who are going to protest (yes, including me!).
I have led a charmed life, it is time to give something back!
So, it is with a saddened heart that I must cross Burger King off my list PERMANENTLY. (Or at least until they get their act together and start paying a living wage).
I do not think I have the ability to explain all the reasoning behind the boycott, but the AFL-CIO does. And here is a link to the CIW. The best link is this one: A Day in the Life of the Farm Workers. Not a life I would want to lead and those men (and women if they are there) deserve to earn a living wage for work that would not be done by anyone I know personally.
Check out the links, make up your own mind. Join the BIG protest in Miami if you are able or the little one I am trying to organize here on 30 November. So far, I have THREE people who are going to protest (yes, including me!).
I have led a charmed life, it is time to give something back!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Go Dennis
I am not pleased that Dennis Kucinch's effort to impeach Dick Cheney was sent to committee, therefore, stopping it in its tracks. I am certainly not pleased with any Democrats who voted in favor of sending it to committee. I am appalled by the White House's response*
Congress has focused on health care for children, dipshit Dubya vetoed it. And the only reason the votes were futile is because it didn't work.
*I wish I remembered the last time I wasn't appalled by the White House!
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino criticized Democrats in Congress for
spending time on this debate rather than focusing on health care for children
and veterans.
"This Congress has not sent a single appropriations bill to the
president’s desk this year – a new record of failure," Perino said.
"Yet,
they find time to spend an entire work period on futile votes to impeach the
vice president or to pass contempt citations against the president’s chief of
staff and former counsel. It is this behavior that leaves the American people
shaking their head in wonder at this Congress,” Perino added.
Congress has focused on health care for children, dipshit Dubya vetoed it. And the only reason the votes were futile is because it didn't work.
*I wish I remembered the last time I wasn't appalled by the White House!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Common Courtesy anyone?
Why are people so damn rude? Why are people so damn lazy?
On Monday night I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few basic necessities (bread, milk, oj, caffeine-free Diet Coke) on my way home from work. I am not one to drive around the parking lot looking for a super close parking spot, I think that is stupid. I just happened to get lucky, because the store was not busy & got the spot closest to the door. I bought my items and delivered them to my car and looked around for a spot for my cart. Well the store was closer to where I was parked than the 'buggy corral' so I took my cart back into the store. As I was walking back to my car I watched a woman (parked 2 spots from the corral) just PUSH her cart away from her. The cart traveled across the lane and came to rest in a empty parking spot. An empty HANDICAPPED parking spot. Right in the middle of it so there was no way to park a car in the spot. I absolutely saw red. This woman was not elderly and didn't appear feeble. Frankly, she was fat and could have used a couple of extra steps of exercise. So, staring right at her, I marched to the cart and pushed it back to the store. She was driving away as I came out and I just glared at her, she did not meet my eyes.
Was I rude also in this instance? Maybe. Was it possible that she had a reason for not taking her cart to the proper place? Possibly. But there was NO REASON to push the cart across the entire lane and into a handicapped spot. I can sympathize with parents of small children who are not comfortable leaving their children in the car to put the cart away, but normally when I see this, they put the cart in a place where it will not hinder other shoppers' ability to park. I can sympathize with those who are not physically capable of getting the cart to the corral. But this was complete and total rudeness on her part and I am sick of people like her.
It seems to me that the basic rules of polite society are missing today (at least around here). While I understand that many sections of the country do not believe in using the "yes ma'am, yes sir" that I personally believe in, is there something wrong with "Please and Thank you"? Is there something wrong with a holding a door for a stranger? Especially a stranger who has their hands full?
It is sad, but maybe if we all acted like the people in those TIAA-CREF commercials, the world would be a better place.
On Monday night I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few basic necessities (bread, milk, oj, caffeine-free Diet Coke) on my way home from work. I am not one to drive around the parking lot looking for a super close parking spot, I think that is stupid. I just happened to get lucky, because the store was not busy & got the spot closest to the door. I bought my items and delivered them to my car and looked around for a spot for my cart. Well the store was closer to where I was parked than the 'buggy corral' so I took my cart back into the store. As I was walking back to my car I watched a woman (parked 2 spots from the corral) just PUSH her cart away from her. The cart traveled across the lane and came to rest in a empty parking spot. An empty HANDICAPPED parking spot. Right in the middle of it so there was no way to park a car in the spot. I absolutely saw red. This woman was not elderly and didn't appear feeble. Frankly, she was fat and could have used a couple of extra steps of exercise. So, staring right at her, I marched to the cart and pushed it back to the store. She was driving away as I came out and I just glared at her, she did not meet my eyes.
Was I rude also in this instance? Maybe. Was it possible that she had a reason for not taking her cart to the proper place? Possibly. But there was NO REASON to push the cart across the entire lane and into a handicapped spot. I can sympathize with parents of small children who are not comfortable leaving their children in the car to put the cart away, but normally when I see this, they put the cart in a place where it will not hinder other shoppers' ability to park. I can sympathize with those who are not physically capable of getting the cart to the corral. But this was complete and total rudeness on her part and I am sick of people like her.
It seems to me that the basic rules of polite society are missing today (at least around here). While I understand that many sections of the country do not believe in using the "yes ma'am, yes sir" that I personally believe in, is there something wrong with "Please and Thank you"? Is there something wrong with a holding a door for a stranger? Especially a stranger who has their hands full?
It is sad, but maybe if we all acted like the people in those TIAA-CREF commercials, the world would be a better place.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Skipping to the Good Stuff
There are tons of pictures of me getting dressed (not the dirty stuff), putting on makeup, etc. And I may add them slowly to this blog in addition to the several other posts that I have in mind. But for now, I just want to add the ceremony pictures and a couple of post-ceremony sunset pictures. Keep in mind, these are NOT the professional shots. These are the pictures that a friend of mine from work took. I can't wait to see the professional shots.
Here is DSD and his little man on his way to what I refer to as "the grassy knoll" for the ceremony.
I love this picture of me. I wish the trash can was not there, but what can you do?*
Walking down the aisle with my dad. This was NOT planned. DSD and I were supposed to walk down the aisle together, but his youngest son got bored and went to play on the beach just before the ceremony. So DSD had to go look for him and my dad decided to walk me down the aisle. 
Exchanging rings.
The kiss.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Pictures! I promised
The boys! That handsome young man on the right is my son! The young one is DSD's youngest. I am not sure we have any of his other 2 children, because it was so late in the evening when we finally got them on camera.
This was about 12:00.
The tent finally leaving the ground about 2:45
My dress!
This is me! I am leaning over the balcony to see what is going on at the tent. I am completely ready, except for the dress, of course! Check out those cool Gator sunglasses. I am also waiting on DSD to shower inside the room. We saw each other in the morning, but he isn't allowed to see me now until I am 100% ready!
I will post more pictures soon! The really good ones will be next!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
