Walking uphill in the snow both ways
At the risk of sounding like the proverbial old grandpa, kids these days have it too easy. Case in point: a 13-year-old's review of the now THIRTY YEAR OLD Sony Walkman.
It took me three days to figure out that there was another side to the tape. That was not the only naive mistake that I made; I mistook the metal/normal switch on the Walkman for a genre-specific equaliser, but later I discovered that it was in fact used to switch between two different types of cassette.
Yeah, and the cell phones were the size of bricks and had batteries like the one in your mom's car.
Can you believe this kid? Or his parents for that matter? You mean to tell me that his mom and dad have never showed him a cassette tape?
Later, he whines about having to listen to the tape all the way through because there "is no shuffle,"and breaking the cassette"
Its a function that, on the face of it, the Walkman lacks. But I managed to create an impromptu shuffle feature simply by holding down "rewind" and releasing it randomly - effective, if a little laboured.
I told my dad about my clever idea. His words of warning brought home the difference between the portable music players of today, which don't have moving parts, and the mechanical playback of old. In his words, "Walkmans eat tapes". So my clumsy clicking could have ended up ruining my favourite tape, leaving me music-less for the rest of the day
HONESTLY!
The ignorance of this kid is breathtaking. He's 13, meaning he was born in 1995 or 1996, depending on when his birthday is. My 1995 car came with a tape deck in the top model stereo. You could not GET a CD player in that car, and yet this kid acts as if the cassette is some kind of dinosaur.
And they gave HIM a platform? If all 13-year-olds are like this, I am frankly scared.
Get a life, kid, and pull your selfish head out of your own ass and pay attention to the whole world around you. Not just your easy little toys.
1
Yeah, bizarre. My library still has cassettes with some kids books. Sheesh, I still have a cassette stereo in my car! (a '99)
Still have my SONY Walkman (yellow, sport model). Loved that thing. Bet it still works great!
Posted by: Marie at June 30, 2009 01:48 PM (UunPp)
2
Heh. I've told my kids all about the days before cable, CD players, ipods, microwaves, etc. And they use the cassette player in the minivan ('04) to um, put in one of those hook-up-your-mp3player things. Sometimes, you have to tell them just how good they have it so they appreciate how cruddy things used to be.
Posted by: Theresa at July 01, 2009 04:59 AM (h1wTG)
4
Well, if you think about it, by '95 or '96 it was pretty hard to get cassettes (I graduated high school in '96), you could get them, but by that point, CDs had pretty much taken over. I was born in '78, I know 8-track was around then, but that doesn't mean I was familiar with them at all.
5
It sounds more to me like a very misguided attempt at humor: "Look at me! I'm so up to the minute that I don't even care about what came before me! I'm going to pretend I've never seen a cassette tape because it makes me seem cooler and younger!"
Feh.
I remember saving up money when I was in high school (I received a truly pitiful allowance: $2 a week, plus an extra $2.50 if I mowed my parent's ACRE SIZED lawn) to buy a second or third generation Walkman (this would have been after they'd been out for 6 or 7 years). Couldn't even get a name brand one.
I STILL use one of the Sony Sport Walkmans (Walkmen?) for workouts; I have an awful lot of cassette tapes I bought over the years that I hate not using. (And I'm too tight with my money to buy an iPod)
Posted by: ricki at July 04, 2009 04:16 AM (wIJjG)
6
What's funny is the clueless, quizzical looks you get from many of today's teens when you show them an old record player. A turntable. Y'know, the one with a needle that plays records. With two speeds. Priceless.
Posted by: diamond dave at July 04, 2009 07:31 AM (UKUNx)
7
A couple of years ago, at our family Christmas party, my niece's friends came up to our ranch to visit. They tried calling home on their cell phones to let the parental units know they had arrived safely. No signal. When directed to the phone, (Black, hangs on a wall, rotary dial) not a one of them knew how to use it. And, they couldn't remember their home phone number - the phone was supposed to dial it....
Posted by: Leslie at July 06, 2009 04:54 PM (CA06Q)
Theme for June Gloom?
Shannon's latest post (and BTW, still so totally weird to call her Shannon in "public") speaks of the music of our lives, songs and moments that go together, pieces of time and melody that weave together to calm, cajole, soothe, or enchant the soul.
There are many songs that speak to me, too. Songs for particular occasions, for soothing, for sleeping, for screaming along in the car in rotten LA rush hour.
I started my own list, every one of these songs has a meaning for me; a time, a place, a person, a feeling. I was going to follow Shannon's example, but then I realized most of the explanations are "you had to be there" kinds of things, so I thought I'd just write them out, and let you have the fun of guessing.
Or just listening. It's kind of the soundtrack of my life.
1
I'm just sitting here wondering if we've had parallel lives or something, because I identify with so many of those songs, too. Especially Maxwell's Silver Hammer.
Posted by: Mrs. Who at June 05, 2009 05:20 AM (nPR3h)
2
I know No. 20!! Can't say the same for the others though.
Posted by: Amanda at June 07, 2009 10:18 AM (K/H+p)
4
"Maxwell's Silver Hammer"
Ah, memories. Of quite a few years ago. When we took the liddle kiddles to a Chuck E. Cheese in San Jose. They had an animatronic band called "The Beagles", a takeoff on the Beatles. The kids could hit a button and the band would play a Beatles song, with some joking commentary in authentic Liverpudlian accents and some actual Beatles jokes/comments I recognized.
And one of the songs this band played, for the wee-little-kiddies there, was...
... "Maxwell's Silver Hammer"
You know, that really ain't a kids' song.
Friday Countdown
Tomorrow we attempt to beard the lion in its den. I could use any prayers or good wishes you can put forward. Not for me, though. For our students. If things continue as they are, my students will be the ones who will suffer the most.
I just want so much to be a part of effecting a change that will make things WORK.
caltechgirlFTR, the fucking turd in question was some stupid ass liberal state senator who evidently only represents RICH PEOPLE
caltechgirlI
think if you find yourself in a hole this deep, the first question you
should be asking is not how do we fill the hole, but rather...
caltechgirl... how did we get here? What are the bad decisions that led us here. And then don't repeat them.
caltechgirlBecause you can only blame "the economy" so much.
caltechgirlI
thought the democrats were the champions of poor people. I guess that's
true only until they need them to bear the brunt of their mistakes.
The above was in response to some opportunist idiot on the TV taking advantage of the camera in his face to make the budget mess all about Democrats vs. Republicans.
That's just ignorant. What it's about is how much are we going to take and who's listening. Have you heard the man-on-the street interviews in the media? NO ONE wants you to solve the problem by choking us to death with taxes. NO ONE. Yes, some tax increases are necessary, but how are we spending the money? Isn't there something that can be done without shoving it, quite literally, on to the backs of your constituents?
I've heard both sides point out that this economy is based on spending. Great. Explain to me, then, how people can get the economy going by spending when it costs them more NOT ONLY to buy items, but also TO GET TO THE STORE. And more of their income goes back to the state to begin with. These people are barely spending, and you're threatening to put a BIGGER hurt on their wallet?
You don't improve this state by taking money from people. You encourage them to give the state more than you would take by giving them incentives to buy.
As much as I hate the sheer size of the "porkulus" package that the President will sign tomorrow, I have to point out that it is based on INCENTIVES. And maybe that's why people were willing to pass it. Because the help is obvious. It's money going to people. Not coming out of their pockets. At least not today.
1Because the help is obvious.
Actually, I would beg to differ.Money going to people has to come from somewhere. Since the government produces nothing, that money comes from other people. This is unlikely, on the whole, to be of any help, as we're rapidly approaching the point where
1) There aren't enough people to soak anymore
2) China grows uneasy enough with our nation's debt that they stop lending, or start calling some of their markers due.
Economic downturns occur. I would posit that whatever DC does is likely to lengthen and exacerbate the recovery. I base that opinion on empirical evidence from the past.
Is there spending in the bill that I support? Sure. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure ( I work in power generation) in this country are antiquated and should be updated or replaced. Unfortunately, these needs existed before, but they aren't really vote buyers, which is why things like the Minnesota bridge collapse happen.
Posted by: physics geek at February 17, 2009 09:28 AM (MT22W)
2I thought the democrats were the champions of poor people.
They are. That's why they have created so many of them by taking as many jobs, homes, and as much money as they away from the middle class and the rich. The more poor, the more power they gain. And that is what they're after, isn't it?
Posted by: DCE at February 17, 2009 07:26 PM (bzJcf)
3
Problem is not that there is not enough money..there is just too much spending by governments...governments at all levels. And since governments NEVER produce anything it is always someone else's money that governments spend.
The only way to beat them is to quit producing anymore than it takes to live. When there is no one left to loot they will have to feed off each other and maybe that will be the end of them
Posted by: GUYK at February 19, 2009 11:59 AM (uyoGg)
4
I downtown with you wanting to get the fuck out of CA. Too bad Big Sur is on the Left coast instead of the Right.
Posted by: Sam at February 20, 2009 04:55 AM (kN++T)
Keep your laws off my octuplets!
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've likely already seen the story of the Southern California who woman who gave birth to the world's first known surviving set of octuplets.
What you may not know, is that (no surprise) despite the family's plea for privacy, the vultures have been hard at work and have discovered that she already has (gasp!) six children, these babies were conceived (gasp!) via IVF, and that she's (wait for it........) a single mother living with her bankrupt parents.
"Where are the ethics??" scream the journos and the academics. "How could you justify fertility treatment for a woman who already has a pack of kids? Don't you have a MORAL OBLIGATION to keep a poor (reputedly on Medicaid), single woman from populating the planet with her bastards that the rest of us are going to have to support?"
There oughta be a law! A law I tell ya! (read the comments here)
Well, there is a law. Just not here. I'm sure you've heard of China.
The selfsame "voices of the people" who decry this woman's choice to have a large family are the same folks who cry out bitterly about China's One Child policy.
Either fertility is regulated or it is not. How many children is too many? Is it a sliding scale based on your ability to pay for them? If so, I'd wager most of us would have disappeared up the abortionist's vacuum tube.
Somehow they also fail to mention that if it's my choice to have a child or not, that includes BOTH outcomes: having the baby or not having the baby. The faceless critics lamenting this woman's "irresponsible choice" (a phrase uttered by a so-called Bio-Ethics expert during a news report this morning) are also the same crew lobbying so hard to keep abortion legal.
I'm sorry, but I thought "Keep your laws off my body" was an absolute. Or does that just apply to the popular choices?
I haven't even touched the infertility aspect of this case. Many of my dear friends struggle with infertility, some have pursued multiple courses of treatment. Some, ultimately, decided that the pursuit was futile despite the deepest longings of their heart for a biological child. Having seen the struggle that so many endure, it seems to me that any successful procedure resulting in a healthy baby is a win. Perhaps those of you who have been down this road would like to chime in.
Certainly, it is a pertinent question, how will this mom support 14 children? But how does a 14 year old support one baby? How do two parents with two careers handle two or three small ones? Raising kids is not easy for anyone at anytime. 14 children, including (reportedly) 2 with special needs and 8 infants presents a huge challenge, but that doesn't mean necessarily that the children will be neglected or hungry. In fact, it's entirely possible that these 14 kids will be MUCH better off than some kids with only one or two siblings.
You can't have it both ways, either people get to choose the family they want, or they don't. And if they don't, who makes the rules? Based on what?
1
Excellent article, truly! If the parent is not able to care for the children at that point the state would step in and take them. But like you said... how do we know she can or can't? It's none of our dang business.
Posted by: pam at January 30, 2009 12:01 PM (l6NIn)
2
Beautifully said. And quite right. Once you start trying to legislate this kind of thing - it's bad for everyone and you end up like China.
Of course I wonder where she got the money for IVF - is it covered under medicaid? I won't take anything the media says as being true - they have tipped their hand on how they feel about any children at all... So I'll just go back to my life and not worry about this woman... Imagine that - I'm going to walk away and let her live her own life!!!
Posted by: Teresa at January 30, 2009 02:03 PM (ybEr8)
3
the local media have stated that the mom works at a fertility clinic. Insinuating, of course, that her bosses provided free services since IVF is NOT covered by Medicaid.
Posted by: caltechgirl at January 30, 2009 02:46 PM (IfXtw)
4
Ouch. I'm split both ways on this. I'm totally against any government interference in this matter, but I hope to hell she's able to care for all of them. I have nothing but the utmost contempt for mothers who keep having children and don't take care of them (like my wife's niece). Either other family members have to pick up the slack, or they end up in foster care (almost the worst outcome). If they are going to continue having kids they have to take full responsibility for their raising and care.
Legal sanctions for a mother's irresponsibility? Probably. I think the niece should be breaking rocks until every last one of her kids (5 at last count) turn 18. But government dictating how many kids one can and cannot have? Sorry, that's how China handles things. Caltechgirl's argument wins.
Posted by: diamond dave at January 30, 2009 07:16 PM (iBUsJ)
5
I'm confused -- I went to the links but I only saw comments indicating that they thought the mother was irresponsible. Where are the "journos and the academics" who are screaming that the government should regulate the privacy of a woman's body? Though I think it *is* freaking irresponsible to have ANY child, one or six or eight, when you cannot not emotionally, physically, or financially support them, I don't know anyone who says (other than insane web people who I've never met) that there should be a law that regulates the number of children people can have in this country.
Posted by: SBC at January 31, 2009 08:03 AM (1Q6g4)
6
Did you even SEE the news? These talking heads were EVERYWHERE.
Posted by: caltechgirl at January 31, 2009 10:23 AM (IfXtw)
7
I'll be honest, I don't watch the local news that much if at all. But I do watch CM, KO, and RM -- the liberal trifecta of talking heads -- and I don't remember them saying anything other than it happened and I can't even remember if all of them said the the births happened. Most of what I've been reading or seeing is about the stimulus bill anyway...
I remember a story on NBC saying that octuplets are at risk for a ton of health things (which is in fact GOOD that they reported on that)...maybe its on the morning shows? I mean, I can understand people talking about the responsibility of the woman the same way I can understand talking about the responsibility of teenage pregnancies but there were talking heads who said we should regulate how many children? Are these talking heads who are saying this on Fox?
But it sounds like that issue that people are having isn't so much about how many children can one have but should IVF procedures be cleared to someone that has more than double the average number of children per American household. It may be treated like organ donation where medical boards decide if people are either young enough or healthy enough for the procedure because even though IVF has a hefty bill at the end (so its usually a procedure only available to the upper middle class - rich groups), it still takes time and resources from other people. But that's going to be up to the individual hospitals and companies probably in the end...I would be surprised if it ever became a legal issue and I would imagine every *real* pro-choice woman would fight any regulation.
Posted by: SBC at January 31, 2009 03:10 PM (1Q6g4)
8
I completely agree that it's nobody's business as to how many children a person should be able to bring into this world, especially not the business of any government. BUT...
Prospective adoptive parents have to go through rigorous background checks, psychological, financial, etc., especially here in the United States, which is why so many end up going to China for their unwanted children. Why shouldn't there be some sort of the rigorous background checks for prospective in vitro fertilizations? Especially some serious looking into someone's psyche as to why after having experienced the thrill of parenthood 6 times over anyone needs to reproduce again. If it is so necessary to have even 1 more child, why not adopt? AND...
From what I have come to understand of this situation (just so happens this young woman lives in my hometown of Whittier) this mother of 14 children is not gainfully employed as she is a full-time college student, nor is there a father in the picture. I would assume (and I'm sure the media will dredge this up eventually) that the mother subsists on Welfare. God only knows how she can afford the in vitro process.
I was on Welfare years ago while trying to raise my 1 and only child after my divorce. I was 32 at the time (I had been had been gainfully employed and paid taxes since I was 16 years old), and I knew full well that I was at the government's mercy as to my personal life. I had to show bank statements, receipts from my utilities, receipts for childcare, and I was told that I could be investigated at any time, meaning they could come into my home, look in my cupboards, interview my neighbors, whatever.
So the media is doing to this woman what they should have done to our new president, and yes, in comparison, that is wrong on so many levels it boggles the mind. But once you put yourself in a position of being scrutinized whether for public office or for personal gain via benefit of living off of tax payer's dollars, all bets are off.
God bless her for not "selectively harvesting" 6 or 7 of these babies, but all in all, someone needs to take a hard look at the mindset of someone who needs to bear 6, 7, or 14 children when there are so many little one's who need homes.
Sorry to go on so long. Kind of a heated subject for me since speaking to several family members and friends who live in Whittier.
Posted by: My Awesome Mix Tape #6 at January 31, 2009 07:02 PM (K9H6U)
9
I didn't comment when you first posted because my initial snarky thought was that she did it so she could become a TV star and make money that way b/c of her huge family. Appears that is, in fact, the case.
To me that makes a big difference - I don't care how many kids you have, 1 or 15 or 25, you shouldn't be doing it in hopes of getting endorsement deals. Kids shouldn't be bargaining chips for career moves.
Posted by: beth at February 03, 2009 10:29 AM (Slkto)
My own thoughts
Just a few reflections on the Inauguration...
Funniest moment? Heard on C-Span open mike, Joe Biden arriving at the top of the stairs to walk down to the main platform: "Well, I made it."
Least expected moment? Rick Warren's prayer. I am not a fan of public prayer. For two reasons. One, prayer is (according to scripture) to be a personal, secret act. Two, public praying tends to become a sideshow: quoting, telling God all kinds of shit he already knows, showboating by the pray-er. You know what I mean. Warren's prayer followed a more humble structure: he praised God's greatness, he humbled himself, he asked for intercesion, and ended with the Lord's Prayer. Nice, actually.
Best moment? The Williams Quartet with YoYo Ma and Itzak Perlman. Amazing. And yes, I am a sucker for both Ma and Perlman. Especially Perlman, whose playing regularly moves me to tears.
Most surreal moment: Again, captured by the C-Span open mike: At the end of Obama's oath, the crowd began chanting "CHANGE!" a la Randy Marsh.
By the time The One spoke, I was getting sleepy. I noted that the first half of the speech sounded like a Republican (personal responsibility, huh?). And then I crashed.
I could have done without Aretha. Hang it up sister. Your voice is going away, as it does to all divas at your age. Let us remember you at your finest. She did have a killer hat on, though.
Finally, poor Chief Justice. His nerves got the best of him and he flubbed the Oath. Here's hoping he gets it right in four years.
2
I had to work and didn't watch. Then again I wouldn't have watched even I wasn't working. I've never watched one in the past and really, I had no desire to start now.
Posted by: Contagion at January 20, 2009 04:06 PM (Jfxjt)
3
I hadn't planned to watch, but my new bosses had the tv on the entire day, and invited me to come watch the inauguration. So, despite what I said about it, apparently you COULD pay me to watch.
I'm pissed to now know the names of both daughters. My goal for the next 4 was to never know their names. Thanks to Warren praying their names, I know them. Grrrr.
I loved Aretha's hat, not her song.
Loved Yo Yo Ma and Itzak Pearlman! My bosses had no clue who they were as I gushed. We're from very different backgrounds.
Posted by: wRitErsbLock at January 20, 2009 07:12 PM (0Pi1o)
4
Just tell me what's NOT racist about "when white will embrace what is right."
Seriously.
Posted by: caltechgirl at January 20, 2009 11:30 PM (IfXtw)
5
Ah, I see. I thought originally you were talking about the color referencing -- I didn't realize you took offense only about the comment about white people. Yeah, that wasn't very PC, but I think you're personalizing it. It was said in hyperbole, referencing a long history of one ethnic group having power and control and not always having moral justification. It would be absurd if he meant that all white people today are bigoted racists. In fact, the text of that part of the benediction was about exercising racial caution.
I didn't feel it was racist, but I guess I can see how some people would be sensitive to it -- my white husband didn't get offended and neither did most of my other white friends, as they focused on the spirit of what he said.
But I am surprised that you would take offense to it, as then it would make a lot of things that you, your DH, and I have said into non-PC/racist stuff and certainly on our blogs.
Posted by: SBC at January 21, 2009 11:39 AM (L2+uQ)
6
i hated it all. the street fair mentality; what the moonbats did to president bush when he came in; michelle's clothes; lowery and his hateful self; even aretha's voice was disappointing. (i did like her hat somewhat though... very spiffy)
rick warren i didn't mind too much. i know michelle's feet were positively bleeding after walking in the parade --- those heels looked like they were pinching bigtime.
mostly, i hated the idea that W wasn't in the white house anymore. damn.
Posted by: kate at January 21, 2009 11:05 PM (8rwgl)
Think Happy Thoughts.... ... And sprinkle a little fairy dust....
Tomorrow, January 11, two amazing people are going to follow through with a resolution they made in August and run a marathon in honor of people who have been touched by cancer.
WB and Bou are running the Walt Disney World marathon on Sunday as part of Team in Training, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Together they've raised just shy of $5300 for cancer research.
I'll be thinking of you both and watching your split times from here, and wishing you fleet feet and much success!
Please take a minute to click over and wish each of them well! And maybe enough of us do it, then maybe just maybe, they can fly!
No, you're not seeing things
Given my utter lack of Christmas cheer, I thought I might brighten things up with a return visit from the Snowfolks of No Evil, who some of you may remember from a couple of years back.
Boy, CSS is just like riding a bicycle... I haven't played with the site design in a while, and I was afraid I'd screw it up royal. Especially since I went from 2 columns to three since the Snowfolks last came out to play.
They need names, by the way. Any suggestions?
So enjoy the holiday theme. At least there's some snow in my virtual space....
Emerging from Black Friday
So Black Friday has come and gone, and I am nearly done with the Holiday shoppage once again. Other than stocking stuffers and a possible gift or two for the parents or the Hub, the only people I have left to shop for are my 9 year old nephew and my 6 year old niece. Both of whom are super bright and super picky. Any ideas?
I did extremely well, shopping-wise, saving more than I have spent so far by wisely shopping particular sales and comparing the ads on Thursday evening, post-turkey.
By 9 am we had been to 7 stores and it was time to call it a day. Not bad for a morning's work.
Of course, some of the shopping was done earlier, courtesy of Amazon, Woot, and Etsy.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Etsy. Handcrafted, unique, everything you can imagine, and I've had nothing but good experiences with all of the sellers I've dealt with. Many of your favorite bloggers also sell their crafty output at Etsy. Look them up!
1
I did some Christmas shopping on both Amazon and etsy. Love etsy; I can get lost in there just as well as any physical mall!
All I've got left is the kids and they're the toughest to buy for! LOL!
Posted by: pam at November 30, 2008 04:56 AM (l6NIn)
2
I love Etsy too... for your nephew or niece - are either of them musical? Last year I found a small clay flute (ocarina) on Etsy and sent it to my 6-y/o nephew. It was right up his alley! And it's on a string, so he can wear it around his neck.
Posted by: Marie at November 30, 2008 07:22 PM (UunPp)
3
We made sushi from scratch and it didn't suck! I tried to go BF shopping but there was very little that *I* wanted to buy on a good enough sale. I heard that the clothing sales were decent but my sister just gave me a bunch of her very well kept designer clothes so I have absolutely no urge to buy more clothes...that and I dress like a bum to work anyway. Oh, and DH found his xmas gift (Xbox 360). I won't let him open it though. Oh, and NO experiments.
god, I'm boring.
Posted by: SBC at December 01, 2008 10:03 AM (HSoa4)
4
Nothing for a change. No in-laws, no traveling. Just a nice quiet weekend.
Posted by: NAVY CPO at December 01, 2008 11:45 AM (v3pYe)
5
Black Friday: hubby worked. I finished taking down the Halloween decorations. Put Hween back into the attic, retrieved Christmas. Put up the tree, fluffed it so it looked more like a tree and less like the box. Then, when the kid showed up and the husband came home, we decorated the tree.
After that, I wrapped presents at the mall for my charity.
It was a good day.
Posted by: wRitErsbLock at December 01, 2008 04:19 PM (0Pi1o)
Open up your computer, click on the 6th file of pictures, and then on the 6th picture, and post what you get.
And here it is (reposted from Flickr):
Looking down from the top level of the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Library to the Presidential Motorcade diorama on the lower level. On display are President Reagan's actual limousine and a secret service follow vehicle.
This is a lot of fun! I'm not tagging anyone, but you can do it if you like! Leave your link in the comments so everyone can click around and see all the pictures!
An even BETTER way to say Thank You
In keeping with yesterday's post, a better way to say thank you to our vets is to give a little back to help a lot.
Long-time readers know that Soldier's Angels is one of my favorite groups, and in particular, Project VALOUR-IT which provides voice-activated laptops and other technological devices to wounded servicefolks who can't otherwise easily communicate with the outside world or who need help with rehabbing their injuries.
Imagine being stuck in a hospital in the Middle East or Germany, your family and friends thousands of miles away in the US, and your hands and arms are casted up. How do you hold the telephone? How can you type an email, even just to say, "I'm fine, and I love you?". VALOUR-IT makes that possible through our donations.
And VALOUR -IT depends on all of us. Without donations, they are quickly running out of funds with a waiting list hundreds of names long. Even a small donation ($5) goes a long way.
Each year, bloggers team up in a friendly competition to see which service can raise the most funds for our wounded vets. All the money goes to VALOUR-IT, regardless of which team you donate to, but it's fun to compete.
As usual, I am soliciting donations for Team Army (Go Army, Beat Navy!) in honor of my precious husband's service.
1
I love this project and have supported it the last 2 years. Usually I support NAVY (BEAT ARMY!!!), but after being hijacked yesterday, I decided to switch over to USCG. Poor guys. They do a LOT here in San Diego, and I have a friend who is in the CG, so I figured why not.
Posted by: Jenn at November 16, 2008 04:09 PM (QQLml)
Well, it's over for me anyway. As of 7:15 this morning.
Our polling place is at a little church a block or so away, and we thought the lines would be small this morning, so we decided to chance it.
Arriving at just before 6:45, this is what we found:
The mother and daughter directly in front of us (blue and black jacket, respectively) were perusing the Democrat Voter Guide, which irked the crap out of my husband. He kept muttering "think for yourself!" and "know what you're voting for" under his breath...
According to the numbers on our ballot stubs we were #29 and #30 to vote at our precinct. It took about 30 minutes to get to the door, where the check in was, and to get through the ballot. Then I had to wait because the lady in front of me (in the blue jacket, above) voted twice on Prop 10, so she had to decide whether to re-vote a new ballot, or just ask the computer to accept her ballot and NOT count her Prop 10 votes (she decided for the latter).... In any case, we were both done by 7:20, and despite the worst morning traffic I've ever seen in The 'Dena (two Sigalerts on the 210 so everyone was on the streets!), I got hubby to school on time and I am back home prepping for my lecture this afternoon. Or at least I will be as soon as I finish this post and get my bagel out of the toaster.
Go vote. It doesn't matter who or what you vote for, as long as you vote your conscience. I did.
Head in my hands, Heart on my Sleeve
I've been thinking a lot about Prop 8. It's the only ballot measure I haven't yet decided on.
My head tells me to vote yes and tell activist liberal judges to get a fucking clue. That CA's registered Domestic Partnership law provides the same rights to gay couples who register as marriage does to straight couples. That marriage is a construct not of the state, but of the church, and really the RDP law should apply to gays and straights both as a "civil union," a mere contract. That "marriage" is solemnized and consecrated by your belief system, whatever that is, and abides by those rules. God's rules. Or gods' rules. Whatever you believe. Not the state's rules.
I worry about the consequences for churches and ministers who are against marrying gay couples, for whatever reason. Will they be breaking the law if they refuse? Will they lose their 501 status? Will anyone be allowed to believe that homosexuality is wrong or state that belief? It may be bigoted, but in this country, people have a right to believe as they choose. We call it Freedom of Religion.
And you know, I just am so tired of all the in-your-faceness of the Prop 8 fight. I just want to vote no to say HA! Keep your "whether you like it or not" and all your Gay PDA on TV (for the record, all PDA on TV makes me sick, we've just seen a lot of it with this Prop 8 thing). It makes me want to be perverse and give all the Prop 8 opponents the finger.
But my heart tells me differently.
As I've mentioned many times on this blog, one of my dearest friends is gay, and he married his partner about 5 years ago in one of the most beautiful, heartfelt weddings I have ever seen. I was proud to be a "bridesmaid" and stand up for them, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I remember feeling so clearly the love between them, and seeing how precious they were to each other. I could never take away from them the things that DH and I have, the comfort of knowing we are each other's first and last resort, that we make each other's life and death decisions, that we share the rights and responsibilities of our life together for better and for worse.
I received this today, via email. I hope my friend won't mind me sharing it with you in part, and with the names redacted, of course.
Hi Everyone,
As you know, we're barely a day away from the most historic election of our time. But as you are also probably well aware, there's a lot more at stake than the Presidency.
Here in California, one of the most important -- and one of the closest -- issues you can vote on is Prop 8.
Prop 8 seeks to eliminate fundamental rights for one group of people. If passed, Prop 8 would take away something very close to Nick and me: our marriage. I trust you agree that eliminating fundamental rights -- from anyone -- is unfair and wrong.
...
If you want to help but don't have much time, here's something simple you can do:
The simplest thing you can do is to call everyone you know when you have a few free minutes on Tuesday and bug them to go vote if they haven't. Even if they say in advance that they'll vote, call them on Election Day to make sure they've voted. Even if it looks like the Presidential contest is over nationally by 5 or 6 pm our time, it's still critical that everyone goes to the polls to vote NO on 8. And even if it's raining, and even if the lines are long ... that shouldn't matter.
Finally, please modify and pass along this e-mail to everyone you know in California.
(And, no, you don't need to call N or me on Election Day -- we have both already voted by absentee ballot.)
Thanks so much for all your support!
Love, A (& N)
I just can't tell them no. As much as I think this whole issue is screwed up and proceeding ass-backwards and I want to vote yes to make a political point, I don't think I can look my friend in the eye and tell him I voted to take away the marriage that means so much to him in favor of a lousy, meaningless contract. Unless you give me one of those lousy, meaningless contracts, too.
So this girl's in an unfamiliar quandry: head or heart? I can't tell which makes more sense.
1
I think it comes down to this: if you believe that your gay friend's marriage should be treated the same as your own (and marriage, not some partnership that is treated as something that has rights but still not a marriage), then you should vote no. I really feel, and these are my opinions, that a vote yes is equivalent to someone coming to my wedding but doing something to make my interracial marriage invalid.
There was a point in California law where interracial marriages were actually illegal -- Armenians couldn't even buy homes in some places. I know you don't like judicial activism, but some activism is necessary to help society progress. Without it we wouldn't have had the civil rights movement for sure. I think this is actually the right way to go about bringing gay rights on a national level. I don't think its right to do something on a national level until at least a quarter of the states have really taken a good hard look at the issue. California should be at the forefront of this because of our unique diverse population.
You express annoyance for the No on Prop 8 people but aren't you just annoyed with the Yes on Prop 8 people? The blatant exploitation of children is just damned noxious to me.
To quote my boss -- "it is what it is." It's the "elimination of rights for same sex couples." It's not about telling churches what to do - Catholic churches can refuse to marry some people if they are not really practicing Catholics...same with Jewish temples. It's a scare tactic used by people who only want traditional marriage. There are going to be some idiots who may try sh*t but then it'll go to the courts and we'll take care of that as it comes.
I hope you vote No and I hope I helped a little.
Posted by: SBC at November 03, 2008 03:16 PM (JLqd9)
2
It's tough - more than tough. It feels unfair. And frankly - we believe in fairness whether it be in the retrospect of skin color, sexual persuasion, socio economic class, or whatever...
Laws should be "fair". But I *do* have issues with the the word "marriage" within a social or church philosophy being dictated by law.
I DON'T believe that I am any less married in God's eyes because I was married by a judge in a chapel and NOT in the Catholic Church (or any other).
I do believe that people in a committed relationship should be recognized (if they so choose) - the same as me - as "married". With all of the benefits and detriments (hello - painful, complicated dissolution of said relationship) and legal ramifications (as in decisions concerning medical care or disbursement of estates) as *I* am.
I have trouble with labeling the whole deal "marriage" - because that indicates a relationship recognized by the church and GOD.
"Civil Union" works for me - Meaning equal rights under the law for committed couples regardless of hetero sexual palimony or same sex union - and a few of the gay people who are in my life (see Wald Law Blog) - they are trying to find a balance too.
It's tough.
Something will make it right - I am just not yet sure that a definition of "marraige" is it... WE shall see...
Posted by: Richmonds at November 03, 2008 06:22 PM (RCeqK)
3
Don't go to the dark side! This is not about what feels good, it's about what is best for the future of our nation. Vote Yes on 8!
4
Vote no! Vote no!
Parenthetically, you should see the emails that flew back and forth on this between my dad and my sister...
Posted by: ZTZCheese at November 03, 2008 10:15 PM (Iw+8+)
5
CTG, you know the right thing to do.
If the proposition were about activist judges defining marriage, it would be the "Judges Don't Define Marriage" Proposition.
But that's not what it's about. It's about defining marriage. Restricting it, by law. Is this the right way of doing it?
A vote against 8 doesn't mean you favor activist judiciary, or even marriage for LGBT -- it can also mean you simply feel that the proposition as written is too flawed to vote for. It hurts too many people. I myself voted against a proposition in the previous election that ostensibly stood for things I believed in, but it would not have accomplished those things, not in the right way.
You know what's right. Good luck tomorrow.
Posted by: Joe at November 03, 2008 10:25 PM (JLqd9)
6
Definitely a rock and a hard place. I too have a dear friend who is a lesbian. And was there when she stepped out of that closet. We had a dear friend commit suicide because we *believe* he was hiding his homosexuality. These are people we love, and would never choose to hamper or harm them. It is a struggle on so many levels.
Posted by: Stacy at November 04, 2008 12:15 PM (92p8H)
7
I weighed it out between my flesh and my spirit. I chose to vote by my spirit because in the end, it is what matters most to me.
As long as YOU can live with your choice, that is all that matters.
Posted by: Lauren at November 04, 2008 09:13 PM (Pt1kf)
Halloween in 30 seconds
If you've never seen the Bunnies, you're in for a treat. Originally a creation of the Starz network, these talented little guys make it their mission to make sure that you never have to miss a movie just because you don't have time to go to the theater... they'll show you the whole thing in 30 seconds.
Here's some Halloween fun, Bunny-style!
Scream:
The Ring:
Texas Chainsaw Massacre:
Saw:
The Exorcist:
The Shining:
And last but not least, for RightGirl, Rocky Horror Picture Show:
There's lots more. Go here for more Bunnies Halloween, or here for all the 30 second Bunny goodness!
Four years (and over 300,000 hits!) ago today, after being dragged kicking and screaming, I opened up shop here at Not Exactly Rocket Science.
I'd been commenting and quasi-blogging for a couple of years by then, and a bunch of people were constantly on my case to just shut up on their bandwidth and get my own.
So I did. Obligatory sucky first post here. Yeah, I know it says 10/30, but trust me, it was 10/29 when I posted it. Blogger sucks.
And this is the result. The world has changed a lot over the last for years, and so has my life, but the blog has been a real constant.
So thanks, y'all for making my life a lot more interesting and putting up with me virtually for the past 4 years!
Y'all keep your fingers crossed for me
As some of you may know, about a year ago I was forced to move from a cozy office in an out of the way corner of the building to a more front and center office that at least facilitates interaction with my students. When I moved, I had to leave all of the furniture except my file cabinet in the office, and I only got to take that because the person who moved in said it was too big for him to deal with.
This means that for the past year I have been making do with a crappy, old, MDF computer desk that has pull out shelves and no drawers that I managed to scavenge and 2 tiny borrowed bookshelves. You sense a theme, here. Yep. No drawers. So I have been living out of boxes. My tiny desk is a mess, all cluttered with students' papers, office supplies, my computer, phone, and calendar.
A lot of people come to my office or pass my office. And it is a frigging MESS. It's despicable. And I am SOOOO tired of it.
Unfortunately, there's just no money for office redo's. However, my grant is ending and there's a small sum left in the supply budget. So if the Dean approves, I am getting a REAL desk and a hutch. WITH DRAWERS. And CABINETS. SoI can put things away for the first time in over a year!!!!!
Pray for me and my office, folks, I need it fixed for my SANITY.
Following the meme
Because everyone I know has done it (or so it seems)
1. My uncle once: handed me his fishing pole and told me to watch it. And I caught the biggest fish of the day! (ok, not my uncle, cousin actually, but I always called him uncle. Still do!)
2. Never in my life: would I have imagined all the things I have been able to do and all the people I have met
3. When I was five: I started Kindergarten for the second time
4. High school was: my intellectual playground
5. I will never forget: how I felt the moment I knew I was in love with my DH
6. Once I met: Stephen Hawking on the Olive walk at Caltech
7. There's this girl I know: who has a license plate frame on her car that says "My other car is a Zamboni"
8. Once, at a bar: my dog nearly had beer spilled all over her
9. By noon, I'm usually: pissed off at work
10. Last night: I went to bed early
11. If only I had: enough money to be secure and pay the bills, then I'd take time off
12. Next time I go to church: it will likely be because someone got married or died or had a kid
13. What worries me most: is being alone
14. When I turn my head left I see: my Princess (the older one) and the back yard through the window
15. When I turn my head right I see: the doorway, and through that the hallway and the bathroom door
16. You know I'm lying when: trust me, you won't.
17. What I miss most about the Eighties is: time to play with my Barbies
18. If I were a character in Shakespeare I'd be: Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing
19. By this time next year: I would like to be healthier
20. A better name for me would be: The F***ing Bitch. Ask my husband. I have also been known as "Miss Einstein"
21. I have a hard time understanding: Liberals. Seriously. Did most of you swallow your brains?
22. If I ever go back to school: it will be tomorrow. For work.
23. You know I like you if: I keep talking to you, or more usually, if I cook for you.
24. If I ever won an award, the first person I would thank would be: My husband, then my parents.
25. Take my advice: don't waste your time doing a job you hate
26. My ideal breakfast is: Two words: Ba. Con.
27. A song I love but do not have is: there MUST be something from the 80s
28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest you: visit the Fresno State Farm Market and buy some wine!
29. Why won't people: get a frigging clue
30. If you spend a night at my house: be prepared to have dogs sleep in your bed or stand guard at the door
31. I'd stop my wedding so: all the late people could be seated. Armenian Standard time and all.
32. The world could do without: Idiots
33. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: be late
34. My favourite blonde(s) : my husband and my mother, both childhood blondes
35. Paper clips are more useful than: dirt
36. If I do anything well it's: listen to other people's problems
37. I can't help but: get pissed at idiots. Especially DRIVING idiots
38. I usually cry: when I am really pissed off
39. My advice to my child/nephew/niece: learn from your mistakes and let others do the same
40. And by the way: You are born with millions more neurons than you will ever use, your brain is bigger at 40 weeks gestation than at any other point in your life! I guess it really is all downhill from there.....
caltechgirl it's not about IDEOLOGY, you fucking turd it's about breaking poor people's backs. Gas goes up $0.14/ gallon INSTANTLY
Also, I'm at work.
