What the hell do I know?

Opinions, ramblings and rants from a dark room on the 3rd floor.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Taking a day off & trying not to hurl

Yes, I'm home today. I didn't take much time off over the holidays so I decided to take two days off this week and try to get some relaxation time. But of course, like any other working mom, I've filled my schedule for these two days with appointments, grocery shopping, and other random chores, so I can't really say I'm going to be doing much relaxing, but at least I'm not at work!

So anyway, here I sit, catching up on some news and I run across this. Now there's a part of me that has thought about visiting the website he's reporting for to read the pearls of wisdom he is generating, but I don't dare contribute to increase of hit stats that will be contributed to him. I thought the first statement, that the "media should be abolished from, you know, reporting" was bad enough, but to then to say that when living in a conflict zone "you can’t plan your day, you can’t take a picnic" just cements that this guy is a FRACKING IDIOT!

OK... I apologize for the pseudo-foul language. On second thought, no I don't. This person is obviously so in love with the fame he has received since being pushed into the spotlight that he is willing to make the juvenile assumption that he has something intelligent and worthwhile to say about the complex issues at play in Gaza.

I can go on, but honestly, I don't want to give this idiot any more attention then he's already getting.

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Friday, January 02, 2009

Happy New Year

Here's hoping for the best in 2009: good health, laughter, and peace of mind.

Take care everyone!

Monday, October 13, 2008

I'm still here

Howdy all!

Ok... took a break for quite a while. What can I say... school, work, kids... it all finally piled up and I had no time to blog.

Anyway, I'm going to try to start this up again and throw out my two cents once in a while. I can't guarantee that it will all be exciting (or even interesting), but what the heck... my two cents are worth something, right?

So here's my first post:

OBAMA IN '08!

Friday, June 16, 2006


Okay, it's been forever I know. Sorry to disappoint. School, summer projects, and a 5 yr old have been keeping me pretty busy.

I had to post when I saw the following trailer: An Inconvenient Truth

Please watch this trailer.

Better yet, see the movie: Find A Theatre

Glad to see Al back.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Two awesome pics


The first snowfall... This was taken from my 3rd floor window. I get to look out into the tree top level. Makes living in town bearable.



This was too cool not to pass on....

Thursday, December 01, 2005

YEA CHRISTMAS!!

So I sit at my desk everyday and listen to the radio piped in over the corporate system. The local soft rock radio station started broadcasting all christmas music on black Friday. I've gotten to hear some of my favorite music this past week:

Jingle Bells ...The Ray Coniff Singers

All I want for Chistmas is You ...Maria Carey

A Christmas Medly ...some symphony (The local high school plays it in their christmas concert each year, as did my own high school band. I can still remember the fingerings for the flute and alto-clarinet parts!)

Christmas in Sereavo ...The Trans Siberian Orchestra

Anyway, it's gotten me in the spirit. I've gotten about 80% of the shopping done. Most of it I got online. I love online shopping!

Speaking of the TransSiberian Orchesta... here's a great video clip to give you a christmas related chuckle. (thanks sam)




Sunday, November 27, 2005

who said college rocks?!?


Okay, I've changed my position on the college thing. It sucks.

In psych class I have a research report to write and a cumulative final to study for. In education I have a non-cumulative, 1/2 semester final to take, a lesson plan to construct, a paper discussing my own education philosophy to write and my resume to revise for submission. I've got the outline for the psych paper and the works cited page pretty well done. Today I finish the first draft and start on my resume. The paper has to be done for Wednesday. I hope to finish the resume by Friday. The tree will be next weekend. That'll give me 2 weeks to finish the education papers and several days to study for the exams. Before, I was always smiling. I'm still smiling, although now it's through gritted teeth.

But, the good news is that I got about 1/2 of my christmas shopping done yesterday. I'll place an online order (bulk orders get you free shipping!) tomorrow that will get me 3/4 done. I bought beautiful christmas cards. I want to write a brief note to stick in the card too.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

A little christmas fun

15 Things to do while christmas shopping when your spouse/partner is taking their sweet time:

1. Get 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they aren't looking.

2. Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals.

3. Make a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the rest rooms.

4. Walk up to an employee and tell him/her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in housewares..... and see what happens.

5. Go the Service Desk and ask to put a bag of M&M's on lay away.

6. Move a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. Set up a tent in the camping department and tell other shoppers you'll invite them in if they'll bring pillows from the bedding department.

8. When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?

9. Look right into the security camera; use it as a mirror, and pick your nose.

10. While handling guns in the hunting department, ask the clerk if he knows where the anti- depressants are.

11. Dart around the store suspiciously loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme.

12. In the auto department, practice your "Madonna look" using different size funnels.

13. Hide in a clothing rack and when people browse through, say "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"

14. When an announcement comes over the loud speaker, assume the fetal position and scream "NO! NO! It's those voices again!!!!"

And last, but not least!

15. Go into a fitting room and shut the door and wait a while; and then very loudly yell, "There is no toilet paper in here!"

Thanks for the chuckle, Mom. Great way to start a turkey day.

Going to the in-laws for dinner today. Get to drive thru the rolling hills covered with a fresh snow. :-)

Monday, November 21, 2005

Back from vacation


Just got back from a few days visiting family. Took one day to go to my favorite city... Pittsburgh. I love that city. If I were to ever consider pulling a reverse Green Acres, I'd move to Pittsburgh.

I got to roam around the Carnegie Museum of Art for several hours. I sat in front of Monet's The Water-Lily Pond for 20 minutes. It was so peaceful. There was also very cool Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition and an impressive photo exhibition titled, "Witness to the Fifties: Selections from the Pittsburgh Photographic Library."

Unfortunately, I didn't find #7 and I endured listening to them loose the game as I drove home Sunday.

: - (

Calling all readers....



WAKE UP PEOPLE!!

Guy is feeling a little neglected. Please go give him some love.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

take a moment


Okay, I'll admit I'm posting more this weekend than I have for several months. I've purposely ignored the web in deference to my studies. The last few days I've caught up on some blog reading and I've found some incredible articles. Here's one that struck a cord...

The False Moral Superiority of the Bush White House
2,000 Americans killed. 15,000 horribly wounded. $200 billion gone. And a Muslim world -- and a non-Muslim world, for that matter -- that hates our guts. Al Qaeda is recruiting terrorists faster than we can kill them. And there is no end in sight.

But thank God there were no blow jobs. They really are Better People.

Hat tip: Guy Andrew Hall

What are we doing?


If you are not appalled by reaching the 2000 dead mark with the Iraq war...
If you think that compared to Vietnam and World War II, that Iraq is a war without death...
If you think there is glory in the sacrifice for democracy...

watch this.

The above link is the brilliant photo montage "Bitter Fruit" by Paul Fusco, produced by Magnum in Motion.
There's no pictures of fallen soldiers..., no blood..., no gore.
Just honest pictures and compelling commentary.

After watching this piece I'm left with a heavy heart and a single thought... if Iraq does, somehow, end up as a lasting, free democracy... how can the Iraqi citizens possibly pay homage to those who sacrificed their own freedom? The unnamed faces of America's soldiers who paid the ultimate price and who's family suffered a horrible loss, are being hidden.

hat tip: Robert Freedland

Saturday, October 29, 2005

WOOT!


I'm ecstatic. I'm Jean-Luc! I've never been so honored!

Do ya think Wil (in exile) would score as Wesley?



Which Fantasy/SciFi Character Are You?

Friday, October 28, 2005

Yum


I know he's young, and I know he's a bit religious, but in my fantasy life, none of that matters. In fact the youth is a bonus. I don't even care if he owns that bike as long as he takes me for a ride (yea baby!).



Keep it going, #7. You're making Sundays my favorite day of the week.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

COLLEGE ROCKS!


I'm just over 1/2 way through my first semester back in college and I must say that for the most part, I'm having a blast. Everything is going well, but after much contemplation, I've decided to switch my major from education to psychology. There's many reasons for this that I won't bore you with, but if you're really interested, we can discuss it via email.

Recently, there was a discussion thread created by a fellow student in my on-line course about "under God" being removed from the pledge. I quickly found out that I am the only dissenting voice supporting the removal. Many of the posts that appeared in support of the phrase boiled down to the "what is this world coming to?" chicken-little squeals.

Within other discussion threads I showed myself to be a drum-pounder for seperation of church and state, and my posts elicited many posts of disagreement. Finally, one post gave me an opening to write in much more detail. My reply was rather long, but I'm quite proud of it and thought it is blog worthy.

There's a history of debate between myself and another student (hereafter referred to as Student B). Long story short: Student A stated that the minority is trying to force their beliefs on the majority by demanding the removal of the "under God" phrase from the pledge. I posted asking "With all due respect, how is that any worse than the majority imposing their beliefs?" Student B then posted a statement that twisted the original wording of Student A's post to make it look like I misunderstood the point. My reply to Student B directly quoted from Student A's post, supported my question and made his rebuttal look off the mark and unnecessary (which it was). This is what Student B then posted:

Are you sure you want ot be a teacher. You sound more like an attorney and would probably make a great litigator!

My post stands, including your quoted quote - "a majority of Americans...a small minority of Americans."

You will note that the majority is not forcing their beliefs, which vary on to the minority, whcih, by the way, is what happens in a representative democracy such as ours - the one that allows a dissenting opinion an equal voice.

I would like to drive at 100 mph on Route 66 and the majority of speeders don't - are my rights being impinged?

If I am ever in trouble, I'm calling you for the defense.

So here's what I replied.

I wasn't going to reply to Student B's post from Thursday, but I'm bored and am looking for a reason not to do my laundry, read yet another chapter, or watch TV. It's off topic a bit, but consideration of the constitutional issues does provide some points to ponder on the current topic.

I’ll also add that the environment of an on-line discussion, at times, doesn’t allow the personality or disposition of the involved parties to come through clearly, so I’ll state up front: I have the deepest respect for anyone who stands firm on their opinion(s) and are willing to back up their statements. I never intend to come across as mean or judgmental, as that is not my nature. I am a warm, accepting person, and a proponent of diversity. I take civil liberties very seriously and have done a lot of research, reading and contemplation. I am also a fascinated by the political process and how it’s evolved.

So in the spirit of friendly debate…

Student B wrote:
"You will note that the majority is not forcing their beliefs, which vary on to the minority, whcih, by the way, is what happens in a representative democracy such as ours - the one that allows a dissenting opinion an equal voice."

My rebuttal:
But the religious majority is forcing their beliefs with the continuing inclusion of references to God and their attempts in the legislature to define policy according to their religion’s practices, which I will note (I know, I know... ad nauseum) was against the intent of the founding fathers. Consider how many references to God and religious beliefs have been very publicly discussed by everyone from the political pundits on Sunday morning TV up to the President himself when referring to the Iraq War, same sex marriage, and most recently the nomination of Harriet Miers.

What makes the protection of the rights of the minority provided in the Constitution even more important is that the "representative democracy" currently in play is not truly representative.

First consider the power of lobbying groups, which in essence negate an equal voice to a dissenting opinion. These lobbying groups can coerce the elected officials, mostly through slippery campaign contributions and threats of voting blocks on upcoming elections. One possible end result is that the elected official may vote against the wishes of the majority of his/her constituency.

Second, you must keep in mind that a large percentage of the potential voting population doesn't vote. This is the major inherent flaw in a representative democracy. According to a US Census report, in the 1996 presidential election only 58% of the citizens who could possibly vote actually did. In 2000, it was 59%. When you further break down the percentages to each candidate, it becomes clear that roughly 30% of the population elects the leader of the nation. In local elections, which routinely get even less voter turnout, the true percentages are much lower. Is that really representative? That these non-voters are not well enough motivated and in many cases not well enough educated, shouldn’t impinge their rights as provided by the Constitution.

Third, look at the reasons people vote for a particular politician. In other words...the continuing effects of negative campaigning have made a representative government almost impossible. A significant percentage of voters will vote based on emotions evoked by TV & newspaper ads and the deluge of mailings received instead of a candidate’s stance on a position.

(I could add a few more, but I'm afraid I've already bored at least some of my potential audience.)

I've really enjoyed these discussion threads and the debates that have ensued, but as a potential English/composition instructor, I feel that I would be doing you a disservice in not addressing the following statement.

Student B wrote:
"I would like to drive at 100 mph on Route 66 and the majority of speeders don't - are my rights being impinged?"

While I understand why you typed this, in the disciplines of rhetoric and debate, your statement would be considered a false analogy. Unlike separation of church and state, speeding is illegal and not guaranteed in the Constitution or Bill of Rights.

In closing, the Constitution and it's amendments in many instances were specifically intended to protect the minority from the wishes of the majority: slavery, civil rights, free speech in general, etc.. Very few will oppose those examples. Separation of church and state is simply another instance of the Constitution’s aim to protect the rights of a minority. It’s not an attack on religion, an opposition to it, or support of the non-religious. Unfortunately, the strength of the majority’s personal religious beliefs interferes with the backing of separation of church and state.

The only problem is that the discussion has basically stopped. Student B has not responded other than to say, "While I typically don't shy away from debates, here I was just sharing another view, nothing more."

Might I add... "chicken"

Damn! I was hoping that the debate would continue.

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Where've I been, you ask... ?

I've been busy with school. I have resumed taking college classes after a 20 year hiatus. I'm having a good time with it, but it has eaten up of the time that I used to surf the net and read the blogs. I do miss it, but I'm keeping my eye on the prize...an education degree. I started this quest with the goal of teaching high school english. Now I've been exposed to pedagogy and educational psychology.

Anyway, one of my classes is online (I couldn't cut the cord completely) and we have discussion threads on various topics that we must comment on. It's been fun, and so much like blogging that I decided to copy my posts to my own blog.

The first topic is 'the role of parents'. This was one of my first posts. I was a bit reserved as is typical in the first few days of class.


Subject: young women and father figures
Author: The Professor
More and more as I teach in the public school system I see children coming from
nontraditional families. Sadly young girls coming from families
without a strong-positive father figure act out in school, desperately seeking
attention of any male figure. How do you believe the role of parents has
changed and how has this impacted school age children?

~The Professor


Subject: Re: young women and father figures
Author: Weenus
Compared to most of the posts in this thread, I had a privileged childhood. My parents, who are still happily married, were very involved in my activities and education. Most of my peers also had highly engaged parents. As an adult I realize their involvement was a primary motivator for our own commitment to education and strong work ethic.

My experience now is that few parents are participating in their children’s lives, both in school and extra-curricular, be it due to lack of interest, time or ability. I have attended countless school board meetings where I was the only parent in the audience, and many field trips where I was one of two or three chaperoning mothers. I cannot estimate the number of soccer games where the parents simply drop the kids off in order to pursue their own interests, hoping that the kids will find a ride home. In our local community, the same few families have organized the youth programs, coached the teams and created/sustained many of the functions that provide a safe environment for the area kids.

The by-product that I’ve witnessed is two fold:
(1) Many kids aren’t encouraged by their parent(s) to commit themselves to their
education and respect their teachers and other authority figures. They end up creating a more difficult community in and out of school, making it even more challenging for the kids who are dedicated.

(2) Teachers, already distressed by having to deal with too many students per class, cannot easily provide the instruction and mentoring that is necessary to produce successful students when much of their time is wasted on disciplinary measures, or tactics to gain and focus their student’s attention.

Monday, August 08, 2005

How I spent my summer vacation

I won't tell you where, because we don't want any more people to find it. This is somewhere in Canada, a beautiful lake where we rent a cabin each summer.



We spent the week playing in the water and sitting around the campfire. It was a great time.



The now-4-year-old Sunfish on her way to play in the sand. This area of shore is protected by the docks. They've brought sand in over the last several years. The little ones loved running around in the shallows, picking out sparkly rocks and watching the minnows swim.

We had one evening of bad weather so we stayed inside, drank a little too much and played Texas Hold 'em. After 4 hours, Hubby beat his sister in the final hand.