'nsurance
Is there some particular REASON why insurance is so expensive? I paid for 6 months worth today and - really? Why is it so freaking expensive.
This isn't what I really wanted to talk about but I can't really remember what it was....
maybe later.
Gender & Power: Relationships
I saw Garon Tate today!! I love that kid, he is so awesome.
So, you might be wondering why I am excited that I saw him. Well, Garon lives in Mississippi
The rings are not for Garon - they are for later in my story.
(Sorry for any scares this may have caused)
(M,
I,
crooked letter,
crooked letter,
I,
crooked letter,
crooked letter,
I,
humpback, humpback,
I!)
anyway.
We were watching a lecture by Dr. Pepper Schwartz (yea, Dr. Pepper, poor kid) anyway, suddenly! there he was in the background! yay!!
So, we had this phenomenal lecture, very interesting but I really question this idea that having a woman work outside the home is really "fair," and "best," in the dynamic of
the family. In the relationship that is a matter that should have been discussed
before the marriage.
Having said that - I realize completely! - there are some cases where the spouses need to be divorced but I STILL will hold with the fact that it is better for the family As A Whole to have a parent in the home.
What good is it to dump your kids off with some random person to teach them morals, values and things like getting along with each other? And, in the end, doesn't it cost Just As Much to pay a sitter/nanny/day care as it would have been to stay at home and live a little more economically?
Look at our kids these days! And we wonder why parents don't know their own kids. Or their spouses. No one is ever home.
THEN you look at the impact this has had on our neighborhoods. No one is home, no one is aware of what's going on --- why? So we can afford an extra car or another vacation or a house that is too big for us anyway?
WHAT are we doing?
Women's lib --
BULL!!
All "we" have done is lock ourselves into a cycle that takes us away from our families and our kids and is weaking our society as a whole.
When are we, as a whole, going to accept that Some Women work, and that is great! BUT those that choose not to are just as (IF NOT MORE) valuable to society's FUTURE than those that punch the clock?
If you have to work - okay, fine, great, go for it.
You want a career, okay, fine, great, go for it.
BUT - if you want to have a family and you want kids -- then by God you better be a good mom.
And Guys -- what? You think it's EASY taking care of kids, appointments, chores, etc. etc. every day? And perhaps your wife works, too! OR - she worked before staying home with the kids and the dog and the house. Ask her - she'll tell you it is JUST AS, EQUALLY, The Same As working 40+ hours a week.
Come on, get real. A "homemaker," as quaint as the phrase maybe, is truly that: a
HOME MAKER -- they don't take care of themselves.
So, this discussion of "power" in relationships needs to be reevaluated to "
Pride" and "
Selfishness" in the family. THAT is what we are really talking about.
Actual College Classes
Hello, all!
I'm writing from the land of Procrastination because now that I actually have *real* college classes I have no time.
Kudos to professor Hart who actually was preparing me for college classes, until you I never had one and after you I just thought I was getting lucky.
So, you may wonder why I am commenting on this - I love I-Dub (lots) but most of the classes there, unless you are in an intense program, leave much to be desired. Like... your tuition back. It's great for those that are needing a step between high school and, well, actually, it's great for those who should be in, but are too old for, high school.
My peers can't spell, write, perform basic arithmetic and etc. It drives me INSANE!!!
Anyway, I am lucky enough to now have classes where I am not getting "easy" A's - but am actually LEARNING things. That are interesting. And applicable.
So - to the ITP instructors who tolerate me with an admirable forbearance - here's to you.
YOU ROCK!
Would you jump off a bridge?
It occurred to a me a few days ago that even if my friends won't join me I might not necessarily be wrong. I always feel bad for the "friends," in the statement, "If all your friends were jumping off a bridge..."
Well..., why were they jumping? Were they being chased be a bear? Was there a car out of control? Are they on fire?
Perhaps there is a logical reason for jumping.
Just a note --I really wanted this post to be about slogans that would work for Viagra, too, but decided against it. Maybe later.I am approached (or reprimanded!) all the time for doing things a certain way. Did it ever occur to anyone that I have a reason?
I am currently growing a Colorado Blue Spruce in my car. Yes, in my car. Now, three people have told me that it was the most ridiculous thing they have ever heard. Excuse me! I don't live in a house with a yard I can plant the tree in, I don't want to plant the tree in someone else's yard and I want it to be in a sunny place. Judging from the fadedness of my car seats, my car gets sun, and I get to keep my baby tree. Get over yourself.
I can't imagine living in a world where everything just follows the same old predictable patterns, I would cry. Right now I spend approximately 7 hours a day in the same classroom with the same people and really would like to kill 1,2,3,4 of them. Really! But, I can't so.
Sometimes I like to stir up trouble but more often than not trouble just kind of finds me. Case in point: One month ago I ordered a text book for a class. I paid for the book with my Pell grant (Thanks, Uncle Sam!) and put the receipt in a box to keep it safe so at the end of the semester I can get the receipt back out and get 1/2 my money back. I didn't have it with me - but keep in mind I go to IWCC where everyone knows everyone because there are maybe 100 students.
As the books were coming in the book store was calling us to let us know. Eventually everyone in my class had there book but me. It's a law book and our first test covers four chapters of facts. (Ick.) I go down and say, "Hey, is my book in yet?"
They take oh... ten minutes looking in the back and can't find it.
Then one of the girls says, "wasn't that ADA ... book?"
"Yes."
"Oh! It's on the shelf!"
(! Idiots! Why didn't you call me?!)
She meanders over and grabs it, hands it to me. I thank her and go to walk away.
"I need to see your receipt."
(! Are you kidding? I've been in here
everyday for a month!)
"I'm sorry, I don't have it."
"Well, I need to see it, you can't just take your book."
(BIG BIG PISSED OFF SIGH)
"I bought it on my pell, can't you look it up?"
(( THERE is NOBODY in the store! They were NOT busy.))
"It's 5 dollars to look up a receipt."
I threw the book back on the counter and invited them to keep the book.
(((( I REALLY wanted to (scream) why don't you take this book and shove it up your... but I refrained))))
I went up to our Vice President of Finance and yelled and twenty minutes later I had my book, sans the receipt.
I invite people to join me in jumping off bridges when you run into the same bureaucratic, idiotic laziness that is epitomized by ... well, pretty much everything. Make a statement and start to hold people accountable.
(And, if you're the idiot, remember this: Always do right, it will gratify some and astonish the rest.)
scale the canyons of the city to the heavens
That was how the "skyride" in the towers described the WTC; that they scaled the canyons of the city to the heavens.
and they did.
I took a test a few days ago and I commented to my teacher that while mnemonics works for somethings I wasn't sure that I
was actually learning what she wanted us to.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________________________
September 11th was beautiful; beyond gorgeous. Long Island is, hands down, the most beautiful place I have ever been.
Jordan was 6 and in kindergarten; he didn't want to go to school that day. Just as well.
Amy was working; she worked for a law firm on the back side of the towers; the buildings shared a back wall.
Andrew came home; he saw the smoke from the LIE. He was freaking out.
The Poland Springs man was clueless - he was just out doing his rounds. Probably listening to a CD or something; not radionews, for sure.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________________________
I'm 25. More aware, more cynical, more scared and just a little bit betrayed. All those people-
Did you ever see the towers?
Do you have any idea how big they really were? It was like they weren't even real - they were so incredibly huge. Can you even begin to imagine? No, you can't. They were indescribable. Standing next to them was - it was like they weren't even there they were so big. Your mind could not grasp the enormity of them; and they fell.
down! Look at that. That's insane!
It would be like the Rockies being gone one day. Poof. What the ?? really?
Jordo's 11. I can not even imagine. I miss him
every single day. I would love to see him and know that he is doing well.
Amy and Andrew moved to Florida; I think about them all the time. I hope that they are happy, that they found a place to be safe and have peace. I hope that Nana and Pop Pop still come over all the time for bagels 'n lox and harass them.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________________________
Okay, and so, here we are five years ... (YEARS! Can you believe it? It feels like it was *maybe* two years ago. Maybe.) ...after 9/11 and what have we learned?
Here is what I feel like:
I don't care to hear about lists of names being read off;
what have we done to prevent names from being added to lists of victims of terrorism?
I don't care to see flags being flown when they otherwise aren't;
what have we done to make this nation stronger?
I don't care to see some families receive help because their father, mother, parents died;
what are we doing for ALL our children to teach and guide them?
I don't care to only look back on yesterday and hope for a better future -
what are we actually doing today?
So - there you go people. Be a hero and make a difference. We must learn something from this.
May I See Your ID, Please?
A good friend of mine (and her husband!) are celebrating their 40th Anniversary today. They are the Most Phenomenal people I know.
Congratulations and Yay!And as I was thinking about it... 40 years. I really would have said she was 40 years old. Obviously, not the case.
As I look at the people in my life - as I get older - they maybe not "get younger" but,
they don't age.
My best friend is 37 - 38 - 39 (I'm not for positive) and I would tell you in a heart beat that she was 28.
Even my mom. If you were to ask me how old she was I'd say, "Oh, 39."
I'm 25, so.. really? That's amazing! She's been 39 since for as long as I can remember.
This is an especially fun phenomenon to encounter while you're dating. (Meghan and Joe at Croce's, having dinner.)
Joe: ... and that's the most important thing. But memory? I'm not sure.
Meg: Well, I remember sitting in front of the tv when the Berlin wall came down and willing
myself to remember because I thought I was too young and I would forget.
Joe: How old were you?
Meg: Eight.
Joe:
(choking) what?
Meg: I was eight, why?
(suspiciously)...How old were you?
Joe: Eighteen!
oh. I sure did think when he asked me out that he was only 23 or 24. oops.
But then I can't help but wonder where people place me on the
age continuum; when I directly ask them I get anywhere from 19
(not happening, folks) to 30. Now, if you're just looking at me I can see where the confusion comes from, maybe - but that
still seems a little extreme on both ends - a space of 11 years? Come on!
I went out with a friend of mine who just turned 21 a few weeks ago. We got up to the door and bouncer asked to see her ID and as I was reaching into my pocket to grab mine he says, and I quote, "Oh, it's okay ma'am, you're good."
Excuse me? I took one of those "How old are you quizzes," that asked irrelevant questions like, "It's Friday night..what do you do?" and because I didn't pick the
( ) play with my kids or
( ) go bar hopping
.... because I don't drink AND have no money for the cover, because I would dance!...
I ended up picking
( ) curl up at home with a good book.
My cyber age is 29. I just wonder what happens when I actually am 29 - does my cyber-age go up to 32?
So? The question on the table is --
How old are you really?I would have to go with 22.
(Even though someone asked me one time and I randomly said 17. I wish!)
.
Day from U-Hell
So, about a month ago
Phi Theta Kappa, my honor society, was taking half a giggle and laugh of books to Ames, IA for
Pages of Promise. (Ok, 36,000 books.) They had been packed, stacked,
saran wrapped and counted.
We rented a truck from U-Haul. The
baddest truck they have.
We get it to the loading site.
The tire falls off the rim.
(okaaaaaaaaay. This should have been
The Sign, but we weren't paying attention.)
The guy gets there about 2 hours later and, as the boys had already pushed the tire back on the rim,
kicks the tire and says, "How far are you going with it?"
?!
Are you Freaking Kidding me?
"We are going to
Ames and coming back tomorrow, so we need a good tire."
"Oh. Well, I have to go get one, I'll be back soon."
What?! Okay, ...(skipping part)... half an hour after lunch he comes back and puts a new tire on.
Okay! Great. Good to go.
NEXT DAY
Driving to
Ames (different link) from
Council Bluffs. (< check out that link!)
I am behind the truck because we all couldn't fit in the cab. Suddenly this
plume of smoke and debris (okay, it wasn't like CHUNKS, but...?) come out of the trucks exhaust.
We pull over and check the oil.
Chunky!
Sigh. Call them back.
"We are adding oil."
"It doesn't need oil."
"We are going to Ames and it's spewing forth smoke. The oil is chunky."
"Well, okay.
10W-40."
I am in the gas station purchasing 10W-40 and a
FedEx man in a similiar truck says,
"Aren't you with the U-Haul?"
"Yes."
"And that oil is for the U-Haul?"
"Yes."
"Isn't the U-Haul a diesel?"
"Yes."
"Um... I drive a diesel, too, and
that isn't what you put in it."
"Well. Um. It's what they guy told me to put in it."
"Oh. Okay. Good luck."
*sigh* This should have been Sign II, but, again, too Headstrong to notice.
The next time we pull over (And HOW far away is Ames?? NOT far enough to need a
Rest Stop unless you can't pass 35-45 mph!) the girls say, "It sounded like
Mardi Gras beads going through the engine so we had to turn off the air."
It's 900 frickin' degrees! You're going to die!
( "Well, yes, " they reason, "but at least it won't be the truck exploding!" )
So we finally get up to Ames and met some of the Greatest Guys around and unloaded the truck.
ALL of us, realizing that the truck would NOT make it back to CB decide to drop it off at U-Haul in Ames and squish in the other car to head home.
We get to the U-Haul in Ames.
BRIAN! You are the BEST manager I have ever met that had to deal with a Crazy Complaint.
(Such as ours.)
They, concurring with our estimation of the problem, agree that the truck would not be safe to drive back to Council Bluffs.
"If I knew that one of my customers were going to be going out of town I would never let them take one of these trucks."
(A direct paraphrase.)SOOOOOOOOOOO. We figure, okay. We'll pay for the mileage to Ames. Not for the rental or for the drop off because, really? Who rents out poor vehicles?
Today I find out that they charged
MY checking account for the cost of the truck because the schools credit card would only allow them so much to charge.
Really? Because I had $400 in my checking account? I wish I would have known I would have bought some pants that fit me! Or groceries. Or paid my car payment!
I call them back. "Well, we can't help you. You need to talk to you local U-Haul in Lake Manawa. They are the ones that this situation has been given back to."
Does anyone have a
dollar I can have?
oh... what to say?
You know - I have like... five things
I really want to comment on.
I guess I'll just start and see where I go with it.
(!) A friend of mine calls last night while I'm putting a chair together. ((Yes, A chair.)) Anyway, she asks, "What are you doing?"
And I reply and then I say, "I need an allen wrench."
And she says, "What's an
allen wrench?"
Are you kidding me?
You don't know what an allen wrench is?
(~) I'm hanging out with S-, and we're talking. It's all good. And the topic turned to, imagine!, the singles ward and then on to -- oh, that's right!
Marriage. Okay. Then he says, "you know, why does this keep coming up?"
I am continually flabbergasted by him. He's great but..
(*) I'm looking at
moving when I'm done with school. (Obviously.) (This was one of the thing S- and I were talking about.) And I really wonder about where I'm s'posed to be headed. Weirdness.
(!) Freaking THRILLED about my service learning project. I'm working with the
Girl Scouts and I can't even imagine all the great things I'll get to do.
(#) Beyond excited for the
Deaf events; not quite so scared to go up and just say, "Hey." I've been looking at this culture more and more and am just so incredibly WOW. It's awesome.
(+) Mildly irritated by I-dub. Is there some reason you hold our money hostage?
And why are we catering to crazy eighteen and nineteen year olds? Hold them accountable! I'm sick of waiting for people to catch up. I completely understand that I'm older (believe me!) but this behavior is coming from our "non-traditional" "adult" students,
too!!!
What is this???
My advice for today comes from the amazing B. Welsch: "Think positive!"
Supporting Murder
On cnn.com about a month ago there was an article, "Officials: Dad kills neighbor accused of molesting girl"
Now, I've thought about this.
Quite a bit.
(that's him, in the middle)
Good for him!
His daughter was two - too young to make up stories about inappropriate subjects. The man had already called the police to report indecent exposure. So - if this guy did molest this little girl and her dad killed him - Great. (There is a better
recap at Conn Post on line.)
Now - Obviously, I am believing the little girl's story. Because I have no reason not to, I absolutely can not believe after working with children that young and having been molested myself around that age that a child makes that up.
That little girl will never be able to erase that from her mind. It's like a burn victim with a scar on their face; it's there. And even with surgery and make up and great self esteem ... it's
still there.
The abuser probably would have gotten some insanely non-appropriate-to-the-crime punishment like 10 years in Prison so, no; I am really glad that her dad did that.
Props to him.
Mercury, Venus, Us, Them, J, SUN, Pluto!
You remember, I *know* you do -You remember how you memorized the planets for a test? That was mine, "Mercury, Venus, Us, Them, J, SUN,
Pluto!" Just had to keep Mercury and Venus straight and I was good to go!
And I just want to add - is
Mercury really that much bigger than
Pluto was - er, is, anyway? (um, well, yeah, it is but! relatively! come on!)
So, today I am talking about stupid decisions. Or, not stupid, but - okay Pluto, to me, seems irrelevant but I did want to say that this next one just falls under "stupid."
Washington (where else?) wants to add "
A mix of bacteria-killing viruses " to our "cold cuts, hot dogs and sausages". Now - they say it is "to combat common microbes that kill hundreds of people a year," but, you know - it's a VIRUS on our FOOD. Normal virus kill hundereds of people a year and the FDA hasn't started spraying people down in January!
I think that it is great that people are working to make our food safer.
Woah - hold on. "... make our food safer."
My greatgrandparents were farmers and I often eat mulberries right off the trees in local parks. There was nobody around the check my grandpa's cow's milk and no one walks behind me spraying random fruit I pick off trees. And we are all okay. (Well, my great grandparents are dead - but not because of the food they ate!)
And on top of all that -
Intralytix (in tral i ticks?) (Entrails I ticks?) (what?) is a Manufacturer which makes me wonder how much we are paying for this new miracle of science. And I *really* worry when the FDA is telling me that not only is it safe - it's safe for pregnant women. I seem to recall something called...
thalidomide. Anyone else?
Here - this sounds rather official:
The bacterium the viruses target can cause a serious infection called listeriosis, primarily in pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems. In the United States, an estimated 2,500 people become seriously ill with listeriosis each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those, 500 die.
Luncheon meats are particularly vulnerable to Listeria because, once purchased, they typically aren't cooked or reheated, which can kill harmful bacteria like Listeria.
(( SO - can't you just say, "heat this sandwhich meat" and who still eats hotdogs cold? Nastiness.))
" The FDA had concerns that the virus preparation potentially could contain toxic residues associated with the bacteria. However, testing did not reveal the presence of such residues, which in small quantities likely wouldn't cause health problems anyway, the FDA said. "The FDA is applying one of the toughest food-safety standards which they have to find this is safe," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, director of food safety for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy group. "They couldn't approve this product if they had questions about its safety."
---------Are you kidding me??? ----------------------
Do you have any idea how big they really were? It was like they weren't even real - they were so incredibly huge. Can you even begin to imagine? No, you can't. They were indescribable. Standing next to them was - it was like they weren't even there they were so big. Your mind could not grasp the enormity of them; and they fell.
