Case in point: I was shopping at Whole Foods (WF) this evening and it was pretty busy. Plus, they're re-arranging the layout so things are kind of tight while the changes are in progress. I wanted to grab a couple of bagels for breakfast tomorrow. BUT: this woman was in front of me so I had to wait. She opened the bakery case door and was trying to make up her mind about what baked goods to take. Standing. Deciding. Deciding. Deciding some more. Now, I know she realized that I was there, waiting for her to move so I could also experience the wonders of WF's bakery. This didn't alter her careful and painfully lengthy decision-making at all. By the time she moved out of the way, there was at least one guy waiting behind me. Oy.
Oh, if this was an isolated case! But no - last weekend a couple with two small sons were planted in front of the case. The grown-ups were letting their boys experience the wonder of choosing their own bagels. Again the decision-making that required EXTENSIVE consideration. Again the total "blindness" to my standing there waiting. And everyone else who was losing hope of ever choosing their dinner rolls. Oy.
You would think that these special, special people would understand that there are others who might like a shot at the baked goods and since we cannot pass through human flesh to obtain them, it might be considerate to MAKE YOUR DAMN CHOICE AND GET OUT OF THE BLESSED WAY. You would think that, but you'd be wrong.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Ah, Mondays...the perfect day for fisking
A while ago, I wrote a review of the book Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich, PhD, both here and on Goodreads.com. The premise is that Dr. Ehrenreich (an upper middle class academic) tries to see how "the other half" lives: she works in low-wage, low-skilled jobs in places around the country, then reports on her experiences. Wow - I've received so many wonderful comments on my Goodreads review. The most "inspiring" are the ones that excoriate me for being such an awful person (meaning: I have all the wrong views). You'll see what I mean below. Since this guy voiced his opinion of my "work," I feel very comfortable in quoting him verbatim on my blog.
Reader "David" quotes my words about the appropriate time to have kids: "[when folks have] attained sufficient financial stability." My statement doesn't sound out of the question. I mean come on.
He goes on to opine:
So...
1. I'm being unreasonable for stating that people who are considering having kids should have enough money to not only to sustain themselves, but also sustain the proposed kids.
2. Is David saying that people having little money now have no possibility of earning more, no matter what, and
3. Furthermore, that even if they barely have enough income or don't have enough income to support themselves, it's fine that they go ahead and reproduce anyway,
4. Because they're only dumb animals anyway, so just humor them?
5. Is he saying that people who currently earn under a certain amount are too stupid to improve their earning potential and/or use contraception to delay having kids they can't currently afford?
6. Isn't he being a little paternalistic by suggesting that the poor dumbasses are so stupid and hopeless that we (Government, taxpayers, the smart ones) must simply allow them to reproduce sans responsibility and subsidize their lives indefinitely? Noblesse oblige much?
Right. Uh-huh.
1. When I first came to DC, I did temp jobs before I got a permanent job. Starting at the bottom - clerical work, answering phones, etc - I made maybe $14k a year. Even when I got a permanent job, it didn't really pay that much.
2. And come on, Dr. Ehrenreich would (and probably did) stick out anyway. It's very difficult to remove all the education, socialization, attitudes of your upbringing and yes, economic class to be thoroughly convincing anywhere as someone you're not.
3. The author really didn't try THAT hard to do a balanced study or she would have lived/worked in some big cities. Also, as I mentioned in my review that she put a lot of other caveats in her study: that she wouldn't share quarters and pool resources, that she would only rent crummy cars (yeh, because as you know, dear readers, "The Poor" are also too stupid to buy modestly priced, fuel efficient, used cars), etc., etc.
4. And just for fun, David, why not spell the author's name correctly [meow]?
Bonehead, I'm a conservative and take public transportation (subway & buses) every single blessed day. Neither my husband nor I own a car. Some employers even subsidize public transportation - for all employees no matter what their salary level. And furthermore, it's not all us conservatives' fault about poor public transportation access - there's plenty of blame to go around (I may post more on this particular issue later).
Whew! I could go on, but you get the picture.
Reader "David" quotes my words about the appropriate time to have kids: "[when folks have] attained sufficient financial stability." My statement doesn't sound out of the question. I mean come on.
He goes on to opine:
"Major assumption - that they ever will. When being poor is a temporary state, as with grad school, this might be a reasonable thing to say. However, the point is that for many people, being poor is a lifetime prospect. And you've just said they don't deserve to breed."
So...
1. I'm being unreasonable for stating that people who are considering having kids should have enough money to not only to sustain themselves, but also sustain the proposed kids.
2. Is David saying that people having little money now have no possibility of earning more, no matter what, and
3. Furthermore, that even if they barely have enough income or don't have enough income to support themselves, it's fine that they go ahead and reproduce anyway,
4. Because they're only dumb animals anyway, so just humor them?
5. Is he saying that people who currently earn under a certain amount are too stupid to improve their earning potential and/or use contraception to delay having kids they can't currently afford?
6. Isn't he being a little paternalistic by suggesting that the poor dumbasses are so stupid and hopeless that we (Government, taxpayers, the smart ones) must simply allow them to reproduce sans responsibility and subsidize their lives indefinitely? Noblesse oblige much?
"And Ehernreich clearly states why she avoids major cities - the populations filling the low-wage jobs are almost entirely racial minorities, where she would be conspicuous."
Right. Uh-huh.
1. When I first came to DC, I did temp jobs before I got a permanent job. Starting at the bottom - clerical work, answering phones, etc - I made maybe $14k a year. Even when I got a permanent job, it didn't really pay that much.
2. And come on, Dr. Ehrenreich would (and probably did) stick out anyway. It's very difficult to remove all the education, socialization, attitudes of your upbringing and yes, economic class to be thoroughly convincing anywhere as someone you're not.
3. The author really didn't try THAT hard to do a balanced study or she would have lived/worked in some big cities. Also, as I mentioned in my review that she put a lot of other caveats in her study: that she wouldn't share quarters and pool resources, that she would only rent crummy cars (yeh, because as you know, dear readers, "The Poor" are also too stupid to buy modestly priced, fuel efficient, used cars), etc., etc.
4. And just for fun, David, why not spell the author's name correctly [meow]?
"I would _love_ for the poor everywhere (and everyone else) to have good public transportation to use, but that requires public funds that conservatives never want to give. Many poor today need a car."
Bonehead, I'm a conservative and take public transportation (subway & buses) every single blessed day. Neither my husband nor I own a car. Some employers even subsidize public transportation - for all employees no matter what their salary level. And furthermore, it's not all us conservatives' fault about poor public transportation access - there's plenty of blame to go around (I may post more on this particular issue later).
Whew! I could go on, but you get the picture.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Because this is SO important
Well, gentle readers, last evening while waiting for DH Jeff to arrive, I finally sat my butt down and gave myself a pedicure. Now, this involves sitting in one place for a while and allowing 4 coats of polish to dry. Think a LONG time, because I'm the retarded female who always manages to wreck her beautiful handiwork because I don't wait long ENOUGH for the toes to dry. So, I've been putting this off for a while...Like the color? It's called "Dive Bomb."
Weird Science
Last night, DH Jeff & I had sake. This morning, as evidence of how my strange brain works, this memory popped into my head:
Several years ago, DH Jeff (then DBF Jeff) and I were living in what's pejoratively known (for good reason) as "the Arlington Slums" or Howard Manor Apartments, where any semblance of "climate control" is mere wishful thinking. We had heated up some sake in a whistler kettle and finished it, but hadn't rinsed it out the kettle. Yeh, lazy. Then a week went by and I wanted to heat some water for tea. I shook the kettle to see if there was still and water in it (short memory); no water sounds. So, I removed the lid and what do I see? A tiny kingdom of blue-green towers. For real. Jeff had to see this one. Thank goodness I looked before putting adding water.
Reminds me of a Simpsons episode where an entire micro-civilization grows in a petri dish.
Several years ago, DH Jeff (then DBF Jeff) and I were living in what's pejoratively known (for good reason) as "the Arlington Slums" or Howard Manor Apartments, where any semblance of "climate control" is mere wishful thinking. We had heated up some sake in a whistler kettle and finished it, but hadn't rinsed it out the kettle. Yeh, lazy. Then a week went by and I wanted to heat some water for tea. I shook the kettle to see if there was still and water in it (short memory); no water sounds. So, I removed the lid and what do I see? A tiny kingdom of blue-green towers. For real. Jeff had to see this one. Thank goodness I looked before putting adding water.
Reminds me of a Simpsons episode where an entire micro-civilization grows in a petri dish.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Just when I started liking people...
...I read this pair of horrid stories in WaPo this morning:
VA Toddler Dies After Father Leaves Him in SUV. Here’s the low-down: a guy leaves his infant son in his SUV all day long while he’s at work. 90 degrees inside the car. Claims he was supposed to take the tot to daycare, but forgot. All day. Until one of his co-workers asks him – is there something in your car? Indeed. But this story gets richer: this guy had just adopted the boy from Russia a few months prior. Fabulous! So he rescues the kid from a grim life in Russia only to torture the pup to death by neglect before he reaches two years old.
I’m still trying to understand how one can actually forget a whole human being. Guess I’m naïve that way. Plus, if you went to all that trouble to complete an international adoption, would you really want to dump the kid on a stranger daily rather than taking some parental leave or getting a relative (spouse, partner, parent) to ease the child into the family? Not to mention being generally more attentive and remembering you have a child? Hell no, this is America! Buy or birth the toy and put it on a shelf.
In Baby’s Death, a History of Unrest at Home. WaPo kind of soft-peddles this one – “a young couple struggled to rear four [emphasis mine] small children.” The low-down: this unmarried Hispanic woman lives with her children (3-, 2-, 1 year-olds and the 6-month-old) and the sperm donor. She leaves the 6-month-old in his playpen to take a nap (inside) while taking the other three outside to play. The baby dies mysteriously. There’s a history of “turmoil” (possible abuse by the XY). There was a social worker assigned to this “troubled” family…one who never paid a visit to check things out. The breeder seemed overwhelmed to friends and family. Hmmm. I wonder what happened? The ME hasn’t reported yet on the CoD.
I just find it amazing that this woman was essentially continuously pregnant for four years. At some point, don’t you think that she would say, “enough, I’m going on the pill?” Or, maybe "we should get married so these bastards have a name?" So much for Latino family values. She’s a stay-at-home-mom and the sperm donor pays the bills…maybe not willingly. Just around for the trim, really. Or maybe he forbade her to use contraception. I truly cannot fathom the macho mind. Or maybe they’re both too stupid to be proactive. Don’t know. The remaining tykes don’t have a prayer, though, that’s for sure.
VA Toddler Dies After Father Leaves Him in SUV. Here’s the low-down: a guy leaves his infant son in his SUV all day long while he’s at work. 90 degrees inside the car. Claims he was supposed to take the tot to daycare, but forgot. All day. Until one of his co-workers asks him – is there something in your car? Indeed. But this story gets richer: this guy had just adopted the boy from Russia a few months prior. Fabulous! So he rescues the kid from a grim life in Russia only to torture the pup to death by neglect before he reaches two years old.
I’m still trying to understand how one can actually forget a whole human being. Guess I’m naïve that way. Plus, if you went to all that trouble to complete an international adoption, would you really want to dump the kid on a stranger daily rather than taking some parental leave or getting a relative (spouse, partner, parent) to ease the child into the family? Not to mention being generally more attentive and remembering you have a child? Hell no, this is America! Buy or birth the toy and put it on a shelf.
In Baby’s Death, a History of Unrest at Home. WaPo kind of soft-peddles this one – “a young couple struggled to rear four [emphasis mine] small children.” The low-down: this unmarried Hispanic woman lives with her children (3-, 2-, 1 year-olds and the 6-month-old) and the sperm donor. She leaves the 6-month-old in his playpen to take a nap (inside) while taking the other three outside to play. The baby dies mysteriously. There’s a history of “turmoil” (possible abuse by the XY). There was a social worker assigned to this “troubled” family…one who never paid a visit to check things out. The breeder seemed overwhelmed to friends and family. Hmmm. I wonder what happened? The ME hasn’t reported yet on the CoD.
I just find it amazing that this woman was essentially continuously pregnant for four years. At some point, don’t you think that she would say, “enough, I’m going on the pill?” Or, maybe "we should get married so these bastards have a name?" So much for Latino family values. She’s a stay-at-home-mom and the sperm donor pays the bills…maybe not willingly. Just around for the trim, really. Or maybe he forbade her to use contraception. I truly cannot fathom the macho mind. Or maybe they’re both too stupid to be proactive. Don’t know. The remaining tykes don’t have a prayer, though, that’s for sure.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Restaurant Review: Vidalia
A few Fridays ago, our social group decided to meet at Vidalia for happy hour and possibly dinner. A draw was the gratis mini-wine tasting in their lounge. Plus, neither DH Jeff or I had been there, so we were enthused about trying it.
The first impression was positive: helpful hostess staff, a relaxing and hip lounge area near the bar, beautiful, calm restaurant interior. We decided to have dinner there and that was when the sticker shock set in – especially with the rest of the group. DH Jeff & I knew that it would be rather expensive and had planned for that…but the prices even surprised us. Yet, we weren’t going to eat there all the time – this was a treat, a novelty. However, even with the complimentary amuse bouche (a little culinary architecture along with a shot glass of soup), the place was over-priced. The quality of food was good but not commensurate with the cost, and the portions were tiny. The food presentation, in fact, impressed me as a parody of snooty, high end French restaurants. Clearly not the intention of the restaurant, but there it is.
I appreciated the serene, well-designed interiors with all the clever Crate & Barrel-style dishes. The service was polite and competent. We didn’t kvetch about the expense like the some of the group, because we expected it. But I doubt we’ll be going back because, let’s face it, there are better, more reasonably priced establishments in the area. Like legions.
The first impression was positive: helpful hostess staff, a relaxing and hip lounge area near the bar, beautiful, calm restaurant interior. We decided to have dinner there and that was when the sticker shock set in – especially with the rest of the group. DH Jeff & I knew that it would be rather expensive and had planned for that…but the prices even surprised us. Yet, we weren’t going to eat there all the time – this was a treat, a novelty. However, even with the complimentary amuse bouche (a little culinary architecture along with a shot glass of soup), the place was over-priced. The quality of food was good but not commensurate with the cost, and the portions were tiny. The food presentation, in fact, impressed me as a parody of snooty, high end French restaurants. Clearly not the intention of the restaurant, but there it is.
I appreciated the serene, well-designed interiors with all the clever Crate & Barrel-style dishes. The service was polite and competent. We didn’t kvetch about the expense like the some of the group, because we expected it. But I doubt we’ll be going back because, let’s face it, there are better, more reasonably priced establishments in the area. Like legions.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Booze Notes: Chardonnay
I'll admit it - I used to be a complete chardonnay snob. I hated what I found to be the prevalent flavors: oakiness and fruitiness. Yechh. But then I had an awakening: not all chardonnays taste the same! You know why? While some are aged in oak casks (thus the oakiness), others are aged in steel tanks (no oak!). What the latter lacks in charm, it makes up for in drinkability (to my palate). Here are my latest joyful discoveries:
Fat Bastard Chardonnay($8.99/bottle, Whole Foods) - France. Mellow and smooth, very relaxing. And you can't beat the colorful name.
Riven Rock Chardonnay ($5.99/bottle, Whole Foods) - California. Crisp, bracing and a little tart. Can't beat the price either.
Oh, and you can check out Whole Foods online wine info/tutorials here.
Fat Bastard Chardonnay($8.99/bottle, Whole Foods) - France. Mellow and smooth, very relaxing. And you can't beat the colorful name.
Riven Rock Chardonnay ($5.99/bottle, Whole Foods) - California. Crisp, bracing and a little tart. Can't beat the price either.
Oh, and you can check out Whole Foods online wine info/tutorials here.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Netflix rocks!
Ok, I know I'm way behind the whole web-rent dvd thing, so no snickering. I just signed up for Netflix and I just LOVE it! OMG, they make it so easy and efficient! And, they email you when they've received the dvd & also when they're going to mail your next selection. Such good communication skills!
BTW, our next few selections are Season 1 of Lost. No, I've never seen it, but have heard devotees seriously discussing it, so we're going to see what the buzz is all about.
Also, I've put Season 1 of Six Feet Under on my queue. DH Jeff asks, "oh, so what's that about?" (reasonable question) To which I reply, "Not a clue. I just saw the name and thought I should see what it was about." (unassailable logic) He tries to reason that one out...unsuccessfully.
BTW, our next few selections are Season 1 of Lost. No, I've never seen it, but have heard devotees seriously discussing it, so we're going to see what the buzz is all about.
Also, I've put Season 1 of Six Feet Under on my queue. DH Jeff asks, "oh, so what's that about?" (reasonable question) To which I reply, "Not a clue. I just saw the name and thought I should see what it was about." (unassailable logic) He tries to reason that one out...unsuccessfully.
Here's the deal
In July, I'll be working part-time, in a job (and organization) that has lasted a year longer than anyone thought or planned for. So, that is to say, the half-time hours change is good, because even though that means less money this month, I TRULY will have more time to blog.
Really, it hasn't been due to lack of material that I haven't posted regularly, just lack of time. That said, I have tons of movie-book-restaurant reviews, booze notes, other notes, rants and other fun stuff to share with you. So stay tuned!
Really, it hasn't been due to lack of material that I haven't posted regularly, just lack of time. That said, I have tons of movie-book-restaurant reviews, booze notes, other notes, rants and other fun stuff to share with you. So stay tuned!
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