Wednesday afternoon ennui

I've accomplished absolutely zilch today. I'm falling asleep and although I have stuff to be working on, I'm too bored/agitated (yes! asleep, bored and agitated) to concentrate on it. I have five more hours to work. Tick-tock.

School project progress report: I've decreased my 403(b) withholding at work so I could increase my take-home pay a little. Saving change (you think I'm kidding). Sold stock. Closed out a money-market account. Basically this is just to accumulate some sustenance funds. Admittedly, I did not plan very well on that account. I should have been putting away money a year ago. But that's the past.

I'm going to be very poor for the next two or so years. Advance warning to family and friends: you'll be getting cards and cute homemade gifts for the duration.

My brother is getting married this weekend and I have yet to formulate my attire plan. Tonight, I need to give myself a serious pedicure so I don't offend anyone at the wedding with my nasty feet. Tomorrow night is the penultimate accounting class, next week's the final. I've planned well for that - all material read & assignments done from the syllabus. So tonight I'll get some advance studying in while my toe nails dry.

Did I mention that my lovely in-laws sent us the first season of "24"? Well, they did, and is it wrong to watch an episode first thing in the morning, while drinking coffee (and while we should be getting ready for work)? Ok, so we're becoming hooked. When it first came on tv and we still had cable, I checked out the first few episodes, but they didn't take. Can I just say how much better it is to see a series on DVD? No commercials, rewind at will, continuity of story. You get the picture.

Ok, gotta go do some work so that others have good self-esteem.

UPDATE, 5:12pm: The day IS actually marching on. I now have about one month's rent & expenses (w/no frills) in the bank, so I'm feeling a little less shaky about finances. I had a good workout, so less agitation. DH Jeff is making steak tonight and that makes me happy. Mmmmm, red meat!

Thanks, Bro, for the reassurance - on attire and morning episodic enjoyment! No, no morning whiskey - yet. ;)

Well, back to work to keep the underclass at bay. Doesn't that mean we shouldn't have any crime since their needs are taken care of? Oh, wait a minute, the social contract only goes one way, huh? I guess the value is that I'm not physically attacked (knock on wood) by a mob on my walk to the Metro, for being, what? um, uppity and privileged. Yeh, that's it.

Thoughts on a Wednesday Morning

America is the land of opportunity. I believe this totally, and I believe that if you’re willing to work, honestly, legally, that you should be able to reap the fruits of your labor – without vilification, without punishment, without extortion. That charity should be voluntary, not forced by the governing bodies.

It’s obvious from the snarky comments I’m getting that some of you don’t agree. I will forgive you for the insults and your misguided ideology. Here’s what it comes down to: I don’t think that solely by virtue of having a heartbeat and living in this country (and having offspring), you are entitled to or have a higher-being-given right to “free” healthcare, housing, sustenance, education. I don’t think productive and legal entities or people should be penalized to maintain or prop up the others. This is where we differ – you obviously think the opposite. Good for you. I believe in equality of opportunity (as in, no laws stopping you), not necessarily equality of outcome. This is a key difference between those of us on the right and those of you on the left. In that sense, never the twain shall meet.

If “redistribution of wealth” or favoritism or whatever you want to call it worked so well, why do we still have poor in this country? Why are we still paying welfare? Food stamps? Medicaid? Other social (engineering) programs? I tell you why –because the nanny state is self-perpetuating. It takes away personal motivation and reinforces dependence. The kids from these individuals are learning from their parents’ example the same thing and will teach their kids the same thing. And so on. And the demands don’t lessen, they increase.

Same with industries: If we’re talking about companies getting preferential treatment solely because of their demographic or because they’re not doing so well, what’s to motivate them to grow, change, adapt, innovate? When does the assistance end? It won’t, and the demands will increase. The policy becomes a right and then it’s practically carved in stone.

It comes down to a question of motivation. A small illustration: a while back I was out having drinks with some coworkers. Our waitress was pretty indifferent, inattentive and not that pleasant. Mind you, we were ordering drinks and munchies the entire time – so we were “active patrons.” Yet, when the bill came around, one of our group insisted on giving her a good tip because we had been there awhile, taking up space at the establishment. Huh? So the waitress learns that she doesn’t have to be a good waitress to get a good tip. That her tip is something that’s owed to her regardless of her actions. This in a microcosm is what happens when resources are rendered without requiring anything in return.

Shaving and Shrugged

In celebration of the fact that the temperature will surpass 90 degrees today and that I managed not to carve up my legs in that time-honored feminine ritual of shaving, I go pantyhose-less today. Personally, I think hosiery gives a more professional look, but my office doesn’t really mind the other way.

I’m currently reading Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand, for an essay contest. Those of you who have read or at least seen the tome will ask, “why?” Well, the top prize in this contest is $5,000, so I’m digging into the 1,100-page work. Actually, I’m enjoying it. I immediately felt sorry for the maligned and demonized industrialist, as well as sympathy for the de facto head of the Taggart Transcontinental, who has to constantly and carefully navigate the shark-ridden waters of ineptitude and cross-purpose machinations of others, including (especially) her own brother.

A theme running thru the book is the concurrent dependence on and contempt for those benefactors on the part of their “dependents.” Rand really describes well the toxic environment. These folks constantly bite the hand that feeds them, yet refuse to do anything for themselves and in the same breath, demand more “food.” Which leads me to another observation: the same applies to aspects of our own society. Some folks advocate for more and more public (read: government programs – new and expanded existing ones) support for those “poor” and “disadvantaged” in our country. More support would be fine if it was voluntary and private, but these folks want to impose (and have imposed) this on the taxpayers at large. I’m especially sensitive (read: chafing) to this as I consider my options for school and the accompanying financial burdens. If I get a second job now, I’ll be putting even more money into the public coffers. Is it worth the hassle and energy to earn a few more tidbits and see even more go into the grasping hand? It gives me pause.

In Atlas Shrugged, the unsympathetic (at least to me) characters go on and on about why others should get a “fair share” and it’s wrong for the successful to hoard their wealth and opportunities (even though they’ve worked and sacrificed for them). Gag-worthy, indeed. The sentiment sounds phony, just as the same socialist sentiments do in our society. Some people actually believe in (forced) redistribution of wealth as a higher good. Others, politicians in particular, use it as a way to keep the underclass at bay and to guarantee votes from the dependents of the system. The latter, while veiled in slogans, is at least practical, the former just perpetuates the status quo (offers recipients no impetus for self-sustenance) while punishing those who actually work. Yes – when you take away our money, it is punitive.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling post.

Friday Morning Rain

Well, it is raining out and I'm ready for a nap.

Speaking of sleep, evidently I can ace tests in my sleep as well as pay bills! Who knew! Accounting exam turned out great. Makes the "consciousness" thing rather overrated, huh?

I had a surprising non-BDA experience last night on the Metro, coming home from class. A group of junior high school students and their chaperones got on the train. When their stop came around, one of the chaperones informed them of their imminent egress and said something like "be quick - don't hold up the line!" The amazing thing is, the whole group just scurried out the doors, fast as you please. Kudos to the chaperones for their alert and assertive shepherding and to the 'tweens for following suit!

More later...

(Not So) Short Notes on a Thurs

This evening I will find out what I got on my last Accounting exam, which by the way I took in a sleep-deprived haze, so what I actually did on that thing is anyone's guess.

Evidently, in the same sleep-deprived muddle, I paid the gas bill. I have no recollection of doing so. Yet, I did, in fact, print out a confirmation of said e-payment. One must wonder what else I did and don't remember. I'm sure it was very responsible, though.

I'm giving up being responsible. A cost benefit analysis shows that no good ever comes of this - you just get to work more, get taxed more, worry more, and get to support all the dregs and their offspring. Depressed? You should be - you'll pay for your own anti-depressants AND theirs. Plus, if sex offenders can't get it up, you'll pay for their Viagra.

Speaking of prescription medications, I did, in fact get my $22 back from the pharmacy. Now, all I had to do was pick up the credit card receipt showing the credit to my account and be off. I had to explain to the clerk a bunch of times what I wanted. First, she went off to check the prescription bins. No, it's not a prescription, it's a credit slip. Then, when she found it, she mumbles an inarticulate question to another clerk who also doesn't really speak English. The other clerk shrugs. The first clerk hands me the slip. I finally gain posession of the slip and scurry off, before more inarticulate and confused mumbling occurs at my expense. It takes a few days until I see the credit on my account.

No, this isn't about managed care so much as it's about hiring the bottom of the barrel.

The techies at work decide yesterday to archive all my emails before 3/1/05 because I'm a persistent 500+ MB file offender. So now, I have to look in two completely different sets of email files to find what was easily and reasonably found in one. It's not that I use email often in my job - just 95% of the time. They just need to get more servers. In fact, I need my own server to accomodate my very necessary email.

Ok, gotta go do some work.

Depressing Rant

Did you ever have an existence the meaning of which you questioned constantly? A tedious job that has only odd and infrequent scraps of satisfaction? To be called into meetings that have no real value whatsoever, but just to frustrate you because they make you miss your spin class? To be competent, therefore the recipient of other people’s work, yet still no respect? That job you wish you could quit but have to continue because your living expenses demand it and won’t be appeased until you render lots of money to them? To be making what most would consider a decent living and still have to worry about money? To be writing essays like crazy for umpteen scholarships and wonder if it ends up an enormous waste of time and effort, not to mention elevated stress levels, because they’ll choose more “needy” or “relevant” students to support? And despite all efforts to the contrary, will probably end up with lots of debt and the need to get some stupid, frustrating, mind-numbing G/O/O/D (get out of debt) job when you finally graduate?

That’s it – I’m getting a boob job, a nose job, a lobotomy, start living a depraved, drugged existence out in LA (Los Angeles? Latin America?) or wherever. I might wanna add some illegitimate offspring to the mix. I really think that’s the answer. Uh-huh.

The one thing I’d like to see right now is some shred of gosh darned real progress in my life.

End depressing rant.

UPDATE, 4:47pm: And what's really special is getting overcharged for a prescription that I've been getting for over two years. Why, you ask? Because the bone-headed pharmacy monkeys didn't do their job! I'm telling you, a life of crime is looking really sweet right now. Heck, I can just steal my prescriptions! And what's this noise about Medicaid paying for Viagra for sex offenders (hat tip: Jeff at Kinshasa on the Potomac)??? You know, because they really need it. Arrghhh!

FURTHER UPDATE, 5/25/05, 2:22pm: Called down there again to the pharmacy and spoke with a nice gentleman who initiated a credit to my credit card for the overcharged amount above. I will go pick up the receipt tomorrow morning. Now, let's see if it's as easy as that. But to his credit, he was polite and even apologized for the mistake. Now, yes, it's inconvenient for me, but at least I got closure.

Peeves du Jour

What’s irking me today:

Drivers, usually driving big clunky gas-guzzling SUVs, who stop directly over the crosswalk. It’s bad enough that you don’t care about the environment or foreign dependency on oil, but do you have to block my way across the street? Do you care that I must walk into traffic because you didn’t have the consideration to stop where you were supposed to? NO, you’re TOO SPECIAL.

Book club members who initially signed up for the once-monthly thang, but need teeth-pulling in order to respond to a simple email (make that 3) asking if you’re in fact going to attend. Are you too SPECIAL to be courteous? Clearly. And if your schedule doesn’t permit you to attend a Book Club with any regularity, or if you no longer want to be a member, why don’t you just SAY SO?

Serial carelessness about simple things. If you can’t get those “trivial” things right, or more to the point, rush through the tasks without thinking about the effects of your carelessness, who says you’re going to be able to do more complex things correctly? Yeh, it’s a work-related grouse, but hey, I have to spend the majority of my waking hours at work, so yeh, it affects me. And wastes my time when I have to correct your mistakes. But I guess you’re too SPECIAL to concern yourself with such small potatoes.

Parents who take their small children on the Metro during rush hour. Ok, I understand if you’re so strapped for cash that you cannot afford a car (so, how can you afford children?), but if you’re going to drag the little ones with you on your commute, please make sure they’re safe. Last evening there was a major Charlie Foxtrot situation on the Metro, wall-to-wall commuters trying to get home and pissed because of the delay, and you’re dragging your undersized human by the hand, not really making sure he’s not clocked by said exasperated, tired, irritated adults? You need to re-evaluate your transportation strategy here.

End rant, end communication; Accounting Principles II beckons with its siren song.

Life as Blog-Fodder

Ok, so I want to save some money by bringing lunch to work. I’m trying to go the whole week without going out to get lunch. Uh-huh. Monday was really good – leftover yummy pot roast DH Jeff made, carrots & tea. Yesterday was fortuitous: my gym was handing out mini-subs and smoothies, ergo lunch! With carrots and raisins. And water. Today was truly sad: half a stale bagel, you-guessed-it, carrots and tea. Ran out of raisins. Now, mind you, I could have broken down and bought something instead of gnawing on that bagel, but 1) I must reach my goal and 2) I can whine about it on my blog.

Next, I’m trying to get into better shape for our Key West vacation/honeymoon. I’m currently doing 2 spin classes per week, weights and miscellaneous cardio. Now, my stamina is great and I could probably kill someone with my legs…and I still have bloop around the middle and thighs. I’ve decreased alcohol intake, am eating even more vegetables, laying off the lattes, and still have bloop. What’s up with that? Sure, I could give up alcohol, and everything I actually enjoy eating and monitor my portions to death, but I have enough sucky things I have to do, I don’t need to ruin food too. I will work it out though – I will not embarrass myself at the beach!!!

And oh, I really need to get more sleep. 1am is not an acceptable bed-time, especially every night. Or morning, that is.

Still plugging away at the scholarship apps. How many ways can I say “I’m a good and worthy student with lots of wonderful, heartfelt values, so give me money – because I WANT it, so you GIVE it”? And why does doing something good and worthy always seem to be a hassle demanding all sorts of time, effort, money, extraordinary time management, and renders truckfuls of self-doubt, anxiety and fear, while criminals, druggies, child abusers and breeder-parasites don’t ever seem to have regular and fierce tummy aches or worry about anything?

Life as blog-fodder – dig in, the slush is tepid!

Confused Insects

The BDA factor was a 4.0 this morning on the Metro – not the worst (like Sundays at Whole Foods), but BDAs wandering like disoriented bugs. This leads to an interesting and pertinent anecdote. Years ago, BJ (before Jeff), I dated a guy who was charged by his parents to take care of their house while they were overseas. Generally, this guy was responsible unlike the ne’er-do-well brother-as-squatter and his squatter girlfriend. At one point, the squatter couple moved out. After cleaning their bedroom, the next thing former boyfriend did was to call an exterminator for the odious roach problem. The guy started with the kitchen and did the spraying, commenting (ok, I’m telling this 2nd hand) that in a few minutes, all the roaches would start heading up the walls to the ceiling and as the spray really kicked in, they would fall down dead. Former boyfriend said this in fact occurred just as the bug guy said it would – and an eerie thing it was to watch this transpire. I’m always reminded of this story when I see human bugs wondering slowly and disorientedly in the metro system or wherever. I’m just glad they can’t climb the walls.

General Notes on Friday the 13th - Rambling

I've been totally spazzing for the last week whence I realized that I don't have that much money saved up for sustenance during my school-hood & I'll have to find a part-time job (this means interviewing - yech!) & what I'll call the "X-Factor" of stress-causing agents that will keep my stomach in knots until, let's say, end of June. Now, those of you who know me realize that there's always something about which I'm spazzing. It goes in waves. I then generally settle down, realizing that all's well and things will work out. That, and DH Jeff talks me down.

Well, I was sufficiently jazzed last night when I found out that I aced my Accounting exam - and got most of the extra credit right. Why just do well when you totally go over the top? This was the first exam of the class and it's really good to come out swinging. Plus, this is good practice for when I do school full-time.

Which leads me to my next thought - you must be asking, if you are going into forensics, Renee, why are you taking accounting courses? Well, let me tell you 1) there's always something new one can learn & especially when your company is subsidizing it and 2) one learns more about oneself in these endeavors. Case in point, I realize that 1) accounting makes sense to me because it's orderly and logical and 2) if forensics doesn't work out for me, I know I could successfully go into accounting. Always good to know the options.

When cooling off from spazzing, I realize how lucky I am to have all these caring folks in my life & how generous and thoughtful they have been to me! Blessings upon all of you - you know who you are! Also, blessings to the Powers That Be for sending me free samples of stuff I can actually use and for leaving all that spare change on the streets for me to collect and save. And furthermore, blessings upon the creators of compound interest! Blessings upon readers of & commenters on my blog - you rock & also lift my spirits! Finally, blessings upon any scholarship funds who would take an interest in a really self-motivated leaf-turner and fund my studies - your investment will not be in vain.

Ok, I have to throw in some sort of bitchy comment here. Why is that people move so slowly? I mean gosh, don't you people have meaningful things and people to go to? Don't tell me you enjoy hanging out in the Metrorail system! And why are you hesitating when getting on an escalator (BDA alert!!!)? It's not moving that fast - hop on, then arrange yourself. Oh, the temptation to give you a little shove to keep you moving! And those of you females who think stillettos are practical when traveling (teetering) on the subway - are wrong! Oh, and to be not-just-a-little catty, those impractical stillettos (only practical if 1) you don't have to actually walk in them and 2) if you're in the sort of business wherein you could claim the expense as a deduction) don't reduce the size of your ass - try stairmaster instead and save your feet. Just saying.

I gotta go work. Be talking to you!

New Acronym: BDA and BDA ratings

Being a perpetual and many times captive observer of human behavior, I've developed a rating system for public places and situations: the BDA and the BDA factor. BDA is "Big Dumb Animals," therefore, a BDA factor would indicate the concentration of said BDAs in a given locale. The rating would be 1 to 5, 5 being the thickest concentration thereof (in this city, there's no such thing as a zero BDA rating, trust me).

A concrete example: yesterday (Sunday) Jeff & I were at Fresh Fields and the BDA factor was a 5. Folks leaving their carts in the middle of the aisles while browsing, kamakazi parents careening their strollers (with tots) to get an edge in, FF employees choosing that incredibly busy time to restock everything, cross-cutting with their huge meat and produce trucks. Then there are the lost souls, who wander aimlessly with their carts, looking for enlightenment to crack them with the Clue Bat. Oh, if only!

Rant over, I must work.

The Myth of Liberal Tolerance

Stuff happening lately, perp'd by you guessed it - liberals:

Pie-throwing at conservative speakers at universities. Ann Coulter has a good piece about this current phenomenon (hat-tip: Michelle Malkin).

"Kill Bush" t-shirts and the like that were until recently offered by CafePress. See Michelle Malkin's piece on that business here.

These things are UNACCEPTABLE. In a civilized society, how are these things tolerated? Yet, I don't here a lot of public (specifically dem/lib) outcry for decency & civility, ie, against this sort of behavior. One would think that these activities would make the rest of you look bad & like a bunch of angry cavemen. Is this the type of constituency you're trying to attract/maintain? Do you really believe that this is acceptable "free speech"? If so, remain silent. Hey, you're digging your own grave (think another Republican victory in 2008). If not, get off your fannies and say something.

Notes

Now I know it for sure - I'm lactose intolerant. This week I tried both lattes & mochas with soy milk & let me just say - no tummy aches, no icky feeling, just good frufru coffee. I'm so sold!!! You just have to experience what lactose discomfort ISN'T, to truly understand what you've been suffering. For those of you who haven't tried soy milk, the taste is different from regular milk, but it tastes nutty, so no biggie there.

Just read Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley and by the end of the book, I was rooting for the sociopath. Good writer to make a law-and-order type like myself want the bad guy to succeed.

Ok now, I must go work or something.

School Update

Well, now I'm deep in the throes of my education funding (financial aid) campaign.

Some good stuff: my years of paying taxes in Virginia have paid off: I'm likely to get some grant money for being a good little resident. Cool.

But...I'm far from my goal of debt-free education. Sure I'm eligible for loans, but I'm getting too old for debt (or just too irritated by it). So...I'm applying for EVERYTHING that involves grant and or scholarship money - or just money in general. If you know of some leads, pls let me know about them!!! Just not the ones that involve sexual servitude - I'm against that.

This also means that I will now engaging in shameless blog fundraising. Be expecting tip jars, Amazon links, and within reason, advertisements. I NEED MONEY to go to school, buy my books, pay my lab fees, and stay in our apartment. Did I mention that I DO NOT want to move? Sure, the place is pricey, but we don't even own a car & besides, DH Jeff & I like it so much. You understand, don't you?

Oh, and I do apologize for this, I've put some of my dear family & friends' emails on the scholarship contests' lists so you'll now be receiving spam from online universities promising an MBA in 6 months. Sorry, sorry, sorry! Just delete them.

Look, my little supporters (of various kinds), you're not just doing it for me, you're also doing it for the community at large! For those of you unfamiliar with my current mission, the field of study is Criminal Justice/forensic science, to eventually catch a bad guy with a partial thumbprint on the inside of a glove, and effectively prosecute his ass. You get the picture - making sure Gotham City is safe for the tax-paying, law-abiding Gothamites. I can do it with your support!!!

I'll also try to actually blog more often to keep you entertained. Ok, end communication.

Metro Blues...Shared

Jim over at the Eleven Day Empire waxes philosophic over crummy Metro passengers & motorists. There was some mention of working for food pellets that I found particularly funny. Mmm, yummy food pellets.

As you well know, readers, I have my own beefs about Metro denizens and have, on multiple occasions been almost been run over by motorists unconcerned with the little red light in full view, or the Homo sapien trying to cross the street. I really agree with his assessment and will add my own two cents.

While I hate pushing and shoving, I equally hate when people move in slow motion down the escalator or when boarding the trains. These are not disabled people nor are they all morbidly obese. And ok, I'm all for taking it easy, but you realize, I do have to get to work at SOME point, no? You do realize the world doesn't revolve around YOUR comfort or whims, no? You do realize that there are more people than just YOU trying to get to work or home, no?

And those of you who believe you're SPECIAL and block train entrances because YOU don't want to fight the mob at your stop - now that's when pushing and shoving are permissible, because clearly, you are totally SELF-ABSORBED and need to be hit with a Cluebat. I myself move in and allow others ingress, and still manage to exit at my stop. Now, there's never a question of my being able to exit, mind you, but generally, a simple "excuse me" is sufficient to create an open path out.

Consideration for others, people, let's give it a try.

Blissful Baths

About a month ago, I started taking baths again. Now before you say "ew," I do actually take showers, but until recently have denied myself the simple, cheap & totally accessible luxury of bubble baths. Like oh, yeh, I don't have time for them! The good news is - I found I actually do.

Like this morning, I was out-of-sorts after not having slept well, having woken up twenty times to pee, having anxiety dreams when I was asleep, dear husband stealing covers the entire night, taking a look out the window this morning at the rainy-crummy weather and my general disgruntlement at having-to-work-at-all-but-especially-today. I decided to call in "late" (as opposed to "sick" or "dead") and have a bath. OH MY GOD! I think I've established a new paradigm. I don't think I've ever had a bath in the morning! The story ends well, with me in a MUCH improved state of mind, turning up at the office at 11:20. OK, so I can't do this every day, but it worked wonders today.

Things Worse than Death

Whilst Death is final and such, some things are worse than actually dying. Here are a few:

- Being Terri Schiavo. Period.

- Being Terri Schiavo and having an inkling about what's going on around her, namely that her scumbag husband wants to starve her to death so he can take her money for himself, the tart he's screwing and their illegitimate offspring.

-Being Terri Schiavo, and slowly & painfully starving and dehydrating, being cognizant of the above circumstances.

Lately, I saw Wit, a movie with Emma Thompson about a woman dealing with aggressive ovarian cancer and the nature of her "treatment" (otherwise known as "torture"). What the character goes thru during her illness and dealings with the medical establishment is exactly "worse than death." Very intense and actually witty protrayal by Thompson. It's really worth a see and at around $8 on Amazon.com, worth at least one see and pass it on.

Another worse than death perspective is staying at the same job for 30 years, with the same irritating conditions, the same stupid office politics, no authority to do anything - and the same constant fear that they're going to fire you at any moment.

What's not worse than death: completing a FAFSA so I can get Federal Funds to stop work and go to school; bed picnics which involve (now, get your mind out of the gutter!) reading leisurely while drinking wine and eating a yummy snack of olives, crusty bread, cheese & veggies - of course, with your honey; admitting you've had a problem with depression & doing something about it; weaning yourself off that "something" and feeling pretty good - and optimistic; taking a class just for the heck of it - and finding you learned a lot about the bigger picture. Now you go make your own list.

It's amazing how much is really under your control.

Electric Kisses

So, one evening Jeff & I engaged in a full-on-the-lips kiss, there was generated (heh, get it?) a visual and auditory electrical spark. Now although I would like to think that we're so hot for each other that the physical world was giving testimony to our love, I figure it was actually because of the extra-dry air in our apartment.

Depressing...

...is this article in the Post today about the prevalence of HIV among African American women. (Insert sarcasm here) Um, I'm sure it's my fault in some way for being a whitey or semi-whitey, rich (although no car, no kids, no home-ownership), well-educated (Look! I can actually balance my checkbook!) that Af-Am women are ALLOWING themselves to become infected with HIV. You just know that I'll be paying for more social programs so that Af-Am women feel better about themselves can say "no glove, no love." Wait a minute - that phrase would be too white and elitist and not fully respectful of their culture! Mea maxima culpa!(end sarcasm here) Read the damn article yourself! I'm now very depressed!

And the thing, dear readers, is that I can't manage to have any sympathy at all for these folks. I mean you need to be pretty blankety-blank stupid to insist on unprotected sex with a guy who's TOLD you he's HIV+.

And another thing, how can anyone in their right mind find a crackhead jailbird remotely attractive? Enough to have unprotected sex with him for two years. Sounds like a real catch! Where can I find one?

You know, it must be nice to be that cluelessly stupid and reckless, just going with whatever impulse you have in life. And I mean both the "men" and the "women" in question. Well, ok, now, why should I (or any taxpayer) wish to drop more money for these self-perpetuating social programs to treat and sustain these infected and infectious people and their bastard (and equally infected) progeny - when so many of them will NEVER take responsibility for their actions, will NEVER teach their children anything worth knowing and the problem will just go on and on?

My final word for today on this is that HIV is not like Smallpox - you can't get it just by being in the same room with someone - AND the ways to prevent HIV infection are REALLY simple.

I GIVE UP

I just read an article that my honey sent me which analyzed Bush's plan for "privatized" Social Security accounts. Let me make this as clear as I possibly can: Bush's plan has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with:

-privatization
-personal retirement savings accounts
-individualized anything
-actual benefit to the taxpayer who would opt-in

Brass Tacks (or Tax, get it, huhhuh): The plan would allow individuals to invest up to 4% (up to a cap of $1,000/yr) of their SS taxes in a "personal" account which would offer more or less the same type of investment vehicles as the Thrift Savings Plan (stock funds, bond funds, mixed funds, and the like). So far so good, then comes the kicker: upon retirement, the individual would be able to receive any money over 3%. So...the government would get a cut of 3% right off the top. Why? Something to do with leveling the playing field for those who opt out of the plan and collect the guaranteed benefit only. WHAT?! WHY? They've CHOSEN to opt out and that should not effect a penalty on the part of the "opt-inners." Also, as you might expect, the O/Is' guaranteed benefit is reduced by some as-yet unspecified amount.

The way I read it is that if your gains totalled 3%, then you would have gained NOTHING over the traditional Social Security plan - because THE GOV'T has taken a cut because THEY CAN. This is a TERRIBLE plan and WOULD NOT give participants ANY REAL advantage. This CANNOT be construed as a personal savings account in any sense of the word, because savings accounts don't generally take away money you've earned. This is not privatization because again, you don't get to keep all you've earned; you choose the funds, but have NO control over the extortion.

Gaack. More BIG GOVERNMENT - and from a Republican! Shameful!

NB: Let's see if I can come up with a link to the article I read.

Damn you, Winter!

I've got it! I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (heh: SAD)! That, or I'm really a bear and desperately need to hibernate. I just want to sleep. It's cold and yucky here. Wahhh...Zzzzzz. Oh, wait a minute, I have to work to sustain our expensive and very comfortable cave-I mean-apartment. Damn. Damn work, damn Winter, damn cold. I also must have Work Affective Syndrome Terminal Ennui (snort! - WASTE), 'cause this whole work just isn't lighting my fire.

Well, here's a really good blog by a gal who was actually fired because of something she wrote on her blog. Funny & good story-teller.

Michelle Malkin's Hate Mail

Ok, I know what I just posted but I must put a link to this - Michelle shares some of the truly heinous hate mail she's rec'd of late. It's truly vile & leads one to wonder - what kind of people have the time and compulsion to write this kind of stuff? Who are they? Can we excise them from the human race now? It's truly edifying to see the dregs the left calls its own.

Piss-Poor Blogging

Because of my evident inability to blog on a frequent basis, I've decided to commit to a once weekly post. Quality (hopefully) rather than quantity. Let's see how that works out...

Idiot Motorists & My (2nd) Brush with Death

Those of you idiot motorists out there (and you know who you are) who don't bother to check the crosswalk when turning - be warned! I'm going on a pedestrian jihad!

Last night I was almost run over by one of you, who evidently didn't notice the red light or the little white walkie man giving me the friggin' RIGHT OF WAY. It took you several seconds and your car bumping into me...I guess eventually you would have had to have noticed...to realize there was a living adult human crossing in front of you. Ah, but I'm sure whatever was causing you to rush on a Sunday night -booze, stupidity, lust, some dumb reality show, all of the above - was MUCH more important than traffic safety.

My first brush with death occurred catty-corned to this incident. Jeff and I were crossing the street, me bringing up the rear, when some asshead was turning while looking the other way. I was on his hood before he noticed. Jeff read him the riot act but good! That was actually funny.

The moral of this story is that just because you didn't maim/kill me these two times doesn't mean the next time - oh, and I'm sure there will be a next time - it won't happen. So...be warned, you stupid, brain-dead motorists - the next time I cross the street after dark, I'm carrying a bat!

Nutrition Alert: Eat Your Fiber!

There's a great article in the Post today about the positive effects of fiber. Now, I see friends and coworkers push aside veggies and the like. For shame! One point is that many chronic ailments can be aleviated or totally avoided by getting enough dietary fiber. Your health and well-being is in large part up to you. Read the article for the whole story.

Slow Moving Humanoids

You're leaving work after a long day & hitting the metro to get home, ie, free time. Now, what makes you slow down, to the point of sluggishness, to the point of bovinity, ambling with no purpose, as if you were taking a stroll? Now, I'm tired after work, but I still muster enough energy to scurry thru the metro system and manage not to form a human bottleneck. I manage not to forget that there are people behind me who wish to get home too. I just don't understand it.

Some good things

-Bottled water frozen just to the point of having ice crispies.

-Finding a lucky quarter.

-Chocolate with kirschwasser pockets. Trust me.

-Sequels that don’t suck (see Aliens for further reference).

-Metro workers that wish you a nice day (they exist – who knew?!).

-Clothes Swaps - "new clothes," no guilt.

Movie Review: Blade Trinity

Ok, there are so many things wrong with this movie, starting with the fact that even though they had a huge budget and two solidly entertaining prequels, the makers couldn’t manage to make a decent film. I actually yawned half-way through it. The characters were ½ dimensional. The dialogue was irritating. The baddies were irritating. The Big Bad wasn’t that compelling, big or bad. Kris Kristopherson was wasted, Wesley Snipes looked bored. Can we just say the great washerboard abs displayed by the male Scoobie wasn’t quite enough to make me feel good about the $6.50 I paid to see this movie. I mean, it had some neat fight scenes and gadgets (the Blade boomerang, the fold-up laser batleth). But in the words of my Scooter, it’s sad when a TV show (Angel) with 1/80th of the budget does a better and more creative fight scene. Oh, and the vampires are better too. Yup.

Some movie reviews

Lately, I've watched 2 new films: "Saw" & "Sponge Bob Square Pants."

"Saw" is hyped one of those suspense-morality tales that I love to watch. But while it had some excellent atmospherics (sets) and a potentially interesting premise, it ultimately dragged and fell flat. And the actors, including Cary Elwes, just weren't up to the task. If you want to see an excellent morality tale, with all the atmospherics, well-acted, and totally creepy, watch/rent/buy "Seven."

"Sponge Bob" didn't have any aspirations to be more than it was - a silly, fun, kiddie cartoon - but one with nice messages - going out on a limb for someone else, the value of friendship, believing in oneself. I was entertained.

So effective, it even kills the "mother"...

Evidently, RU-486 is not quite the wonder drug lauded by the pro-abortion types. Hat tip to Michelle Malkin for link to this article.

Update: My adorable Scooter & I had a lively discussion (reads: heated debate) about this article, specifically that (his point) RU-486 is actually safe & effective and that's the fault of the neglectful healthcare folks that women die from RU-486-related ailments. Here's my take:
1. Conceded. Neglect was involved by healthcare professionals in many cases of adverse effects noted in the article.
2. Conceded. My motives in our discussion were suspect: I personally don't want abortions to be any easier than they already are, and I'm not that concerned with dumbasses who die while killing their unborn young.
3. Follow this logic: use contraception as directed, insist your partner uses a condom, no pregnancy, therefore nothing to kill or infect, including oneself. Got it? Anyone with 2 little neurons to rub together understands this and follows suit.
4. For the sake of argument, though, if the manufacturers, abortionistas, and medical establishment are going to market and recommend this product as a safe & effective alternative to surgical abortion, than it should be actually so. Even though neglect was evident with Planned Parenthood, there are risks of serious complications even when administered properly. Does that sound absolutely safe to you? And regarding effectiveness, evidently in only 60% of RU-486 administrations is the full abortion achieved (so says the article). A second drug must be administered to make sure all the little bits and pieces of the destroyed child are expelled. Even then, some women must still undergo a surgical abortion to complete the ghastly task.

You've come a long way, baby!

Oh Canada!

IMAO has a very funny/sick post about Bush's trip to Canada. Go read the whole thing here. You just gotta laugh.

Just when you thought...

...people couldn't get any lower or more depraved, I read this in the Post yesterday. A woman prostitutes her 13-year-old daughter in exchange for free rent and to support her cocaine habit. Ok now, this begs the question, why didn't she prostitute herself instead of her daughter? Not the ideal choice, but it's like, "oh, I have no money for rent because I spent it all on cocaine...let's see, what do I have around here that could bring some street value? Ah! I have it! My adolescent daughter - why men, including my boyfriend - really prefer underage girls to a used hag like me! Brilliant!" This heinous creature is getting only 3 years in prison for her deeds. I myself prefer the "tazing until dead" choice of punishment. Ah well, if there's any justice, maybe she'll be used in prison like she allowed her young daughter to be, only with creative means of penetration. Just saying...

I want to scream...

That's it. I can't elaborate. Just want to scream, then quit. Don't you hate it when you can't just quit because you need to pay rent and buy food? I hate that.

Performance Evaluations

I just finished my annual performance self-evaluation. I detest these things, but, as they say, the sooner you start the sooner you finish. Done. It's such an artificial format and you KNOW there are pertinent things you just can't bring up. Here are a few questions and a few choice responses that did not appear on my self-evaluation:

Q: What can you do to improve your performance and value to the organization?
A: Nothing. I'm perfect as is.

Q: What can you do to improve customer service to the rest of the organization?
A: Nothing. They're a bunch of rat bastards who never met a deadline they didn't break or a requirement they didn't ignore. And let's not even talk about last minute "fire drills"! The real question is "what can the rest of the organization do to prevent my wrath?"

Q: What are your goals for the coming year?
A: To raise enough money to quit this job and go back to school for something unrelated. Hehe, just kidding. No I'm not.

Q: What makes you an asset to the organization?
A: If you need to ask, you haven't been paying attention. Go, be free in your ignorance, but still give me a raise.

Ok, enough already, but if you have some other good ideas, feel free to share them with the royal Us in the comment section.

Ok, it's official...

...I am a dorkus magnus. I went to Spanish class today, then to Fresh Fields...came home, looked in the mirror...and only then did I realize that I had two, very dissimilar earrings on. I ask Jeff, did you notice this? He hadn't until that moment. No one mentioned a thing all day. I am a dork. I embrace this. Otherwise, I'd be mortified. Thankfully, I put on matching shoes and my shirt was on the right way.

Whew! Am I relieved!

Bush won; Kerry conceded. No drawn-out BS, no sore losing. Hopefully no one out there is going to be saying "Bush stole the election" for another 4 more years. Yes, I'm relieved.

Yesterday at the polls was thankfully very calm & as you might expect, well-attended. We arrived there at about 5:50am and there was a substantial line. Our little polling place gets kudos for organization & proper identification procedures. The officials made sure that even in the packed little gymnasium, the lines (A-L, M-Z & cleared for voting) were discrete and proper. Also, the touch-screen machines are a cinch to use with bold, simple directives, even to the blind and caffeine-deprived like me. You can even move back and check your answers on previous screens.

Ok, now, Mr. President, are you going to do something real to secure our borders this time around? Are you going to play "Spending like a Democrat" some more? There are other questions, but I must earn a living. Mewl, mewl, mewl.

I'm really here, I really have thoughts...really!

Ok, we found the missing higher-order remote control deep inside the couch. Funny, I thought I looked there - sly boots!

Speaking of boots, the honey & I will be in line to vote muy temprano tomorrow morning, and if either of us are accosted by some left-wing wack job because we're not the aforementioned and we ARE voting for Bush, you'll become well-acquainted with a steel-toed version thereof in your nether regions. Translation: I do not suffer fools easily, especially violent fools - you are warned.

On the way to the metro this morning I came across something I hadn't previously: a Bush campaigner. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked, "do you want to help elect John Kerry." No, fool, I'd rather extract all of my own teeth. But I digress. I thought it was another one of those, but pleasantly surprised. I think I heartened the lad by saying that I was voting for Bush. He seemed relieved.

Anyway, go vote tomorrow & be safe. For that matter, better go in packs!

Quick Stuff

Theresa Heinz Kerry is a horse's patoot. By now, you've heard or read about THK's comment about how Laura Bush never held a "real job." You dems out there - do you really want this woman as your first lady? You know what's obvious? THK has no passing acquaintance with class (as in, classy), just a lot of inherited money & a big stupid mouth. Thank goodness we've had LB as first lady (emphasis on lady)for the past few years & hopefully, for 4 more! Oh, BTW, Susan Konig over at NRO has some choice words about the matter too, so go read the whole thing here.

Hello Again & Random Thoughts

I've been a very bad blogger these last few weeks. It's all due to the evil that's called work. I've been skipping lunch breaks (aka workouts) and working like crazy. I object to this strenuously, but alas my bills just don't go away.

The Horrible: There was an article in the Post today that demonstrates the cheapening of human life in this country. This guy shakes an infant to death and the jury recommends 5.5 years in jail. Well, after all, he wasn't a full-fledged human being, only an infant (can you feel the sarcasm?). Basically, just a slap on the hand. Read on & you'll learn that this same beast permanently handicapped another small child...and has an established criminal record, to boot. But his mom says "he's a good father." Um huh? Read the whole thing and be horrified.

The Unexplained: We had this remote and now it is gone. We still can find other, lesser remotes, but not this main one. Where has it gone? Our apt is only 955 square feet, after all. Yoohoo!

Mewl, mewl, mewl: I must go back to work...

Too Much Stuff...

Ok, so I have training all week, I have to keep up with regular work on breaks, the only Ladies Room on the floor was out of commission this morning & people are just being annoying. I have Accounting class tonight. Class will include quizzes every week. Yeah. I really don't care about all the campaign BS. Looks like we're going to be hearing about Native America & the new museum ad nauseum. I haven't worked out all week.

All will be well, no?

UPDATE: Did I mention that the laptops we're using have micronized the normal viewing aspect, so my eyes are burning holes in the back of my head? And what's more, I haven't taken off my lenses in a week and a half so things are getting a little tight? Namely my temples?

On the good: Big thanks goes out to D., a coworker, for standing guard at the Men's Room while I took an urgently needed potty break. You rock! The Ladies' Room is now operational. Whew!

On that subject, what kind of moron designs a large building with only one of each bathroom per floor?!!

Juicy Pulsating Candy

Two items of note:

-Swiffer products rule!!! Early on Sunday morning (eh, slightly after midnight), I found myself in the midst of a cleaning frenzy. Now, this doesn't happen often, so I just went with it. Using my new Swiffer "mop," I cleaning all tile floors in the apartment - in a matter of minutes! Amazing. I also bought the Swiffer duster & that saves all kinds of time too! Equally amazing to have a mostly dust-free living space! Yes, anyone who has visited our place would undoubted note the inch of dust on everything - but no more!

-Jolly Ranchers Chews rock! I've always been a fan of the hard candy variety, but just tried the chews yesterday at the movies & was totally hooked. Yummy, sweet & tart!

Sept 11 Note

On Saturday, Sept 11th, Jeff and I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon eating yummy hamburgers & french fries, drinking beer & reading. No hurry. Just taking our time.

It might not sound like an appropriate way to observe the 3rd anniversary of the attack, and to be quite honest, we didn't have that in mind when we headed to the Clarendon Woodgrill, but it sufficed quite nicely for us. We enjoyed an afternoon together, unhurried, doing what we enjoy doing - eating, drinking, reading, discussing. This is the sort of thing those bastards sought to destroy on that pristine morning 3 years ago - but didn't.

We rejoice in our - still free - American lives!

My Blogging Sucks...

...ok, just for a while. Work actually expects me to work - go figure! Hectic, crazy, and more hectic.

Did I mention that I'm totally sick of the whole campaign thing and esp. Kerry? Yesterday evening, at my metro station, I was accosted by a Kerry-ite (handing out Kerry bumper stickers) demanding to know if I was registered to vote. I said yes, but I'm voting for Bush. Heh. She promptly scuttled away.

Ok, back to work. Mewl, mewl, mewl.

Random Thoughts

This week will suck - got too much work. Quick, disorganized thoughts...

Code Pink sucks. Amazing, the lefty dumbasses.

I want a Subaru Forester in cobalt blue. I want one, so you give me one. heh. And you pay the stupid car taxes.

Woe to those slow, meandering people in crowded public places - Fresh Fields, the Metro, wherever. I especially love those who park their shopping cart right at the entrance of the store, blocking ingress for others, taking their sweet time, looking at stuff - evidently unaware or not caring that there are others trying to get by, shop, whatever. They're so special. Cattle prod? What a good idea!

I'm less than jazzed about my piles of work and work-related intercourse (heh) today. But, my boss brought in yummy cookies for us, so all is not lost.

Blah.

More Notes from the Underground - Thurs Morning

A little non-PC note about an observation on the Metro this morning. Well, I was lucky enough to get a seat so I could comfortably read - yeah! Catty-corner from me sat a blue-clad behemoth. Now I don't use that word lightly. She was so huge, that she took up a good portion of the empty seat beside her. Let's face it - no one is going to sit beside her because even if they're carrying half their apartment to work with them, they don't want to be smashed up against all that cascading fat. When her stop came about, she literally had to hoist herself to a standing position, then shuffled slowly out.

The disturbing thing about this, besides the obvious visual nightmare, is that she is not an isolated incident. I've seen morbidly obese people around on a pretty regular basis. Look folks, the human body was not designed to hold that much adipose. I can only imagine the myriad health problems that accompany this lifestyle choice. Ah, you say, how cruel, etc, but I say whoa, most obesity is caused not by "glandular disorders" but by identifiable bad habits.

The good news is that people have changed those habits, lost weight, gotten healthier, and feel better about themselves. The Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee is perfect example of a great success story.

Notes from the Underground

I was sitting beside this youngish chick today on the Metro and as I was calmly reading my book (Great Feuds in Medicine, by Hal Hellman), I noticed via peripheral vision that this girl's hands never stopped moving - to her hair, to her face, into her purse, to her eyes, back to her hair. I just found it amazing that she couldn't just sit there calmly. Could it be that she was nervous? That she had had too much coffee earlier? That she's a mental wreck? Well, as we both disembarked at Faragut West, she pulled an errant string from my jacket. Weird.

A Bright Spot on the Education Horizon

You know, I have all these great articles that are just waiting for posting and commentary...and drat! work just gets in the way, so by the time I have a few minutes to blog, I have this stack of stuff to report on, and I'm completely overwhelmed. Yep, I have plenty of child abandonment, heinous crime & liberal bullshit articles stacked up, but instead, I'll now share something uplifting.

Today in the Post was an article about KIPP, Knowledge Is Power Program, a program started by two young lads (public school teachers), who wanted to give inner-city kids a real chance at education and therefore, success, not just bogus grade promotion. Their system is basically about accountability - the kids & theirs, and about consistent reward and yes, punishment. Best of all, their system produces results in way of notably improved test scores.

What is abundantly clear in the article is that this is not just a flavor-of-the-month, throw some money at-type program. These guys, Mike Feinberg & Dave Levin, are true believers, with persistence, courage & an incredible amount of energy. This is not just a job, it's a mission. Not so surprisingly, their core beliefs are nothing more exotic than doing your homework on time, being well-behaved, asking for help when you need it. Read the article and let me know if you're not impressed.

Also let me know if you're as scandalized as I was about education bureaucrats who are willing to sell out their own students for statistical appearances. Gaack.

The Catch of the Day

I just checked out Silent Running, another right-wing blog, to which I linked from Rachel Lucas's site. It's kinda interesting because it's done by a group of people instead of just one. Ok, I found that kinda interesting, so it's my Catch of the Day.

Jeff's New Blog

My love monkey Jeff has a new blog called Nuthin' But Fluff. While his old blog Kinshasa on the Potomac focuses on politics and current events, his new blog will be movie, restaurant, bar reviews plus anything upon which he wishes to comment. Check it out!

Questionable Parenting?

About a year ago on a different blog, I gave the following account of delinquent parents:

"When dining out, please secure both your toddler. The other night, I actually witnessed a couple allow their small child to roam around a restaurant, getting under foot of the servers and patrons, while they (the "parents") nonchalantly had cocktails and appetizers. Now, what's wrong with this picture? First, it shows no concern for the safety of the toddler or anyone else for that matter. It's a trip to the ER waiting to happen. Second, if you take your kid to a restaurant, it's YOUR responsibility to actually parent, ie, control him/her - not the restaurant staff's. How is that hard to follow? More later on other great parenting skills..."

Evidently this species of parent is alive and well. This Saturday morning, my scooter Jeff & I were having coffee & bagels at Cosi. There were two very energetic little ones racing around, screaming & squealing with delight. Now, people generally don’t go to Cosi to supervise others’ kids. But that seemed to be the expectation of these bonehead parents. I decided to not stew about it like I usually do, and asked the mother if she would corral her kids. You know what she asked me? “Oh, are they getting out of hand?” You should have seen my jaw drop. I felt like shaking her and reminding her that she – not we – is the parent & that she should probably know what her own spawn are doing. Well, the couple – and I wasn’t being sexist by talking to the mother – she was just closer at hand – left shortly and blessedly after my request.

I'm still shaking my head over her response.

Non-smoker Vitriole

Did I mention how much I loathe and detest cigarette smoke? Even worse, I’ve been witnessing the “smoke and toss” response on the streets of lovely DC. Let me just say that every time I see an (by definition) obnoxious smoker finish his/her fix and then toss his/her butt on the street, I’m sorely tempted to just smack them.

Here’s enumeration of my wrath at smokers in general, in case you were wondering:

1. You are not smart. Anyone who purposely inhales that carcinogenic muck needs his/her head examined.
2. You are not sexy or cool. Sucking desperately on your death stick like a junky is not attractive. Ditto for the smoker’s cough.
3. You stink: your hair, your clothes, your breath. Even though you can’t smell anything anymore, the rest of us can.
4. You are not environmentalists. Polluting the air and city – think about it.
5. You are selfish assheads who make healthcare costs go up.
6. Don’t ever whine about how poor you are – smoking is an expensive habit & you know it; quit and put that money in the bank.
7. You support Big Tobacco.
8. If you’re a lib, you’re also supporting Big Business.
9. If you have kids and smoke around them – it’s child abuse. Not to mention a bad example.
10. Don’t whine about how hard it is to quit; there are only about a bazillion products on the market to help you.

End rant…for now.

The Promise of Adult Stem Cells

Today in the Washington Post’s Business Section, there is a very interesting article about the potential therapeutic and curative uses of adult stem cells. This is related to the whole hoo-ha about how us backward conservatives object to the use of embryonic stem cells for research, whereas the pragmatic and beneficent libs think there’s nothing wrong with it & this administration is robbing millions of the cures and a better life from disease, accident injuries, etc.

For the record, I see fertilization as the line not to be crossed in the whole “life begins” debate. So I’m against embryonic stem cell research because I see embryos as helpless humans that deserve protection. They are the ultimate underdog. Now, I have no problem with research & experimentation done on stem cells derived from umbilical cords for instance. I have no problem with adult stem cell research.

Therein lies the big fight. Embryonic stem cells are so highly desired because they can develop into any type of cell (bone, liver, etc) whereas adult stem cells are generally thought to only be able to develop into & reproduce cells of the type of tissue from which they are derived. One side makes it seem that there are existing cures or that cures & treatments are imminent. They are not; it might be ten years and a lot more research before any are realized. On the other hand, says this article, they are companies who are finding that adult stem cells may be able to produce different types of cells. And, on a limited basis, there are current clinical trials for various treatments.

One of the big issues for companies who are doing adult stem cell research, however, is funding. The Feds give some grants. Few of these companies are publicly traded and those that are not doing that great.

So, my perspective is that we need to support adult stem cell research, so that beneficial AND ethical research can progress. Sometimes the best path is the road less traveled.

A Little Progress

In my "now-or-never" state of mind, I've been filling out my first online application for the "starting over" chapter of my education/career. That is, I'm applying to various schools as an UNDERGRAD! Gotta have that science background if I'm ever gonna become Kay Scarpetta. Almost done. Even have a draft of my very earnest essay almost finalized. Onward, ho!

IMAO on Vacation

Check out Harvey from Bad Example who is guest-hosting Frank J.'s blog, and his "John Kerry's Post War Accomplishments." My favorite is:

"He stopped the Borg from assimilating Earth by inventing the warp drive."

Ok, what do you want already? I'll have to review Harvey's site and let you know if he's worthy of a "Catch of The Day."

Work Just Gets in The Way...

I've been so lame about blogging and it's because of work - just takes up too much time and energy so I don't keep up with my rants. Boo-hiss. And I actually have a bunch of things to rant about!

Oh, I just came back from the doctor's and evidently I'm very healthy. My BP is 110/70!!! I will live another day if I just avoid darting out into traffic. Darn cars.

Ok, must work.

I, Robot

Jeff & I saw I, Robot last night. I think the best & worst that can be said is that it was entertaining eye-candy. If you were happily expecting the same, like I was, it was a win-win situation. Don't be looking for Shakespeare.

The movie is about this cop (Will Smith) who hates/distrusts all robots (who in 2035 do all the mundane tasks). He's brought in to investigate a suspicious suicide, which might involve a robot. Themes of sentience, personhood, prejudice and "unhealed wounds" abound*. Don't think too hard about any of those items - just enjoy the action and pretty sets...and of course, the gratuitous Will Smith nude scene. Like I said, "eye candy."

I give it a B, for what it is.

*For what it's worth, I think Next Gen's "Measure of a Man," involving whether or not Data should be experimented on is a lot more poignant, but that's just me.

For What You're Charging...!!!

Amazing how one (my beloved) can spend thousands of dollars on his education at a certain institution of higher learning (GWU) & they don't seem able to produce one lousy form. Jeff was sent to 2 different offices, and left feeling that the info he was given wasn't right & possibly with the wrong form. Now he has to call back, come back later, discuss with an adviser & ferret out the actual truth.

Reminds me of how the organizers of my graduation from the same institution couldn't bother with an inclement weather contingency plan. No - it never rains in DC! Especially when there's an out-door graduation planned!

Priorities!

Ok, I'll let you know what came of this SNAFU.

UPDATE 8/17/04: Jeff found out, after again being telephonically shuffled around, that he just needed to send an email to the grad school adviser/coordinator, telling her that he wanted a leave of absence & why. She, in theory, would effect the necessary paperwork and circulate to the pertinent parties. Let's just see if it's that easy. More to come on this, no doubt.

Talk About "Gross"

Keen news observer Jeff found this article about a morbidly obese woman who died - literally attached to her sofa. At what point does one say, I don't care if I go to the bathroom on my furniture because I'm too fat to get up and use the facilities? And, in order to maintain this weight, who was feeding her truckloads of twinkies? Wouldn't you say, if you want to eat, get your fat ass to the kitchen? Ok, I would say that, but you get my point. Lots of questions. The horror, THE HORROR!!! Read the whole thing here.

Pieces of Note

Deroy Murdock over at NRO has much to say about catch-phrases from the right & left - and how the words become meaningless because the intent behind them is meant to confuse or mollify by meaning just what the constituency wants them to mean. Read the whole thing here.

The second piece of note is brought to you by Linda Chavez at JWR. You may wonder why I've stayed away from the whole Kerry thing. The truth is that I do have an opinion of the guy, but trying to "discuss" him seems such a waste of time...especially when Ms Chavez can say pretty much what I would, only more succinctly. Go here to read the full story ("Pollsters ignore the Bush secret weapon — the ‘faith factor’").

On a More Happy Topic...

Last evening, I spent the most peaceful, non-muggy hour on our balcony, just reading away. Watched the sunset. Drank a beer. This is amazing because usually DC is nightmarishly hot and humid during August. Really nice.

Then my sweet made buffalo meat tacos which were to die for! Yeah Jeff!

Ragin'...Finally

Two articles caught my eye in the Post today & quickly raised my blood pressure.

- The first one concerns a guy who wakes up in the middle of the night to find a drunken, naked immigrant (legal status unknown) on top of his 4-year-old child. DNI has only been in the country a short time & is already committing a felony. Yes, open boarders, hurrah! And the really nifty thing is we (as in, US taxpayers) will have to support this scumbag during his prison sentence...that is if he serves one! Read the whole story here.

- The second involves a guy who leaves his 3-year-old daughter in a hot SUV for several hours. She dies. How many times does this have to happen before these uh, "parents" wake up and stop leaving their children in hot automobiles??? Unbelievable. What morons actually think leaving small children alone anywhere is a keen idea? Clearly more than one. Read the whole story here.

Arghhh!

The Right Way to Start a Monday

Listening to Tina Turner's cover of Proud Mary.

FYI, Nutbush City Limits is a great song for cardio machines - elliptical or stairmaster. The fast beat really works you & energizes.

Source of the Quote?

"Use you what you have got, and you won't need what you have not." - Some character on an old Saturday morning kiddie show.

Does anyone know who said the quote of the day & from what show it was? Not a trick question - I just don't remember.

Sad News

I took a fantastic spin class yesterday with my favorite instructor (who reminds me of Riley Fin from Buffy)...only to find out he's leaving after next week to go do something dumb like attend business school in the mid-west. Wanker!

To be honest, the Thurs lunch class has this problem of having great teachers leave. The last one before Riley moved to Africa for work. A substitute for her has stopped teaching altogether. Gaack!

Those of you have taken spin often enough to have a fave teacher feel my pain, I'm sure. That's all on that.

Frank J. Is Bad for My Keyboard

Although I have piles of tedious work to do before I leave today, and I really don't have time to blog, I did check out Frank J's (IMAO) "Know Thy Enemy: Democrats" and must post something on that. It's hysterical if 1) you're a Republican and/or 2) you have a sense of humor. Here's a taste:
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* No matter what legislation the Republicans propose, the Democrats call it "just a tax cut for the rich." When Republicans proposed to free the slaves, Democrats called it "just a tax cut for the rich."

* Many Democrats intensely hate Bush because it's easier than confronting the irrelevancy of their ideas. It’s funny to dump a bucket of cold water on them and hear them blame Haliburton.

* Democrats will often visit maternity wards and shake their fists angrily at all those who escaped the wrath of choice.
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Yeh, I needed a laugh today. Go read the whole thing and tell me if you don't spew your coffee all over your keyboard, screen or cooworker!

Why I'm a Conservative (part 4 in a sporadic series)

Support for Israel. I do. Hmmm. A stable (and US-friendly) democracy doing its best to survive surrounded by people who want to annilihate them, whose citizens live with the ever-present fear that today might be the day they'll be blown up while shopping for bread by some bonehead who thinks he's doing "God's work." Yep, Israel has my sympathy, for sure.

The Palestinians - oppressive "society" which brutally kills anyone who is even suspected of "collaborating" with Israel, whose leader talks enthusiastically about wanting to be a suicide bomber, yet never makes good on that promise (yeh, he leaves it to the 15-year-olds), who also hides stolen money in Swiss bank accounts, whose people teach Israel-hate in schools, whose moms raise their children to view suicide bombing as the preferred (if short-lived) career choice. I truly don't understand how anyone can be sympathetic to these barbarians. Actually if there are a few peace-friendly-yet-afraid-for-their lives Palestinians, I have some sympathy for them. The rest of them, buggers!

And that is all I have to say on that (yeh, fat chance)!

Musings on Monday...

...More like, bitching on Monday, but would you expect any less from me?

I'm pretty certain I've paid for any sins I've committed (therefore, no need for continued Purgatory), I continue to "pay my dues" and thus, still dragging my bum into work day after day in order to pay bills. That's how it feels. I'm getting too old to feel this way day after day.

Now, you can say, I'm also paying for vacations in Key West & you would be right; yet that's a fairly recent thing. You also know part of the problem is my procrastination about applying for schools & my loathing thereof (applying, that is). Have not completed or started applications. Boo-hiss. This will be an ongoing issue.

Well, I not only made gazpacho this Saturday, but then used the leftovers for a hot vegetable soup base on Sunday evening. Both results were good, and I had enough left-over for lunch today.

Paid bills over the weekend. Depressing. So bringing lunch on a regular basis will become mandatory. Nice if I could get to the concept of an emergency fund. Not this month, though.

I started a major purge of old files and reorganizing by year. Amazing how much I threw out, yet there is still substantial clutter and piles in our "study." Realized we need a shredder.

I'm reading The Bookseller of Kabul, which makes me immensely glad I'm an American woman. Gaack, how bleak their lives are in Afghanistan, even after the Taliban. Realized having too many options is infinitely better than having none, ever.

Realized once more today how much I despise meetings, folks who can't grasp the concept of deadlines, and folks who constantly call in sick, always when you need something from them. But, hey, I still have a job.

Realized in spades how much I hate being guilted into or about anything. Enough on that.

Had a vision this morning of the Jeff & moi-meme having dinner out tonight. Jeff shared this vision - yeah!

Going to take an accounting class (for work, on them) and a Spanish class (for fun, on me) in the fall. It's something.

Read a commentary blurb in the Post today lamenting the CDC non-funding of several preventative AIDS programs for teens in DC. Questions: where are the parents? and why aren't they teaching their kids about such things? Is it the Fed's responsibility to tell the little angels to wear condoms so they won't catch a fatal disease? I guess parents are too busy teaching lessons of perpetual victimhood, stupid virility, teen pregnancy and how to get the govts to pay for the little bastards. Ok, enough - go read the thing for yourself and see what you think.

Back to work...

Juicy Pulsating Candy…of the Past?

Fresh Fields/Whole Foods Market used to carry a brand of chocolate called “Cloud Nine” which was produced in Israel. They had wonderful variations like dark chocolate with bits of peppermint candy, with dried tart cherries, with espresso beans. Having triangles of this chocolate with some good strong coffee was just pretty amazing! Not only an excellent product, but I get to support Israel.

Suddenly, though, they stopped carrying it. A major travesty. They have a web site, indicating that they're still in business - and actually coming out with new products. I zipped off an email asking 1) if they knew why FF/WFM stopped carrying them, and 2) where I could find their products around here. I'll let you know what I discover! I did find out that the company is environmentally positive (visit website here).

Speaking of chocolate, the other night I had a major choco jones and so Jeff & I went downstairs to Euro Cafe to get some. Being the label reader that I am, I perused the saturated fat content of some of the possible choices - big mistake! One Lindt variety had 14 grams of saturated fat; 19 grams total! Gaack! And that was only for a third of the bar! We opted for an After Eight bar with 3.5 grams saturated fat per 1/3. Ignorance is bliss only if you eat celery for the rest of the day.

Community Comes Through

There’s a poignant story in the Post today about a tragic automobile accident that critically injured a woman, Elizabeth Marchman, and killed her young son and pre-born daughter. The loss to her and her family is heart-wrenching, but there is an uplifting aspect of this story. The retired firefighters who pulled her from her burning car and 128 other community members all turned up to donate blood for her. Not only that, but neighbors have established a fund to help cover Mrs. Marchman’s medical bills and burial costs for her two lost children.

It’s hard to be cynical when reading a story like this. Her community rallied – took action – to provide tangible and needed help in this time of crisis. Some of the donors waited two hours to give blood. Shows there is some good in this world. Read the full story here.

Thought of the Day

If a person tried to poison another, society would deem this criminal and incarcerate the poisoner; however, smokers poison themselves regularly and systematically, fight for right to do so, and to impose that poison on others.  Ponder this.

Why I'm a Conservative (part 3 in an endless series)

Do you ever wonder how some folks can justify all sorts of bad behavior and failure by blaming it on others?  And why others reinforce that abdication of responsibility, thus perpetuating it?  I do - all the time - and get really pissed about it.

Personal Responsibility!!!  As infants we are incapable of making decisions, but I'd say by earlier than age 15, we know that choosing to filet the neighbor is wrong.  One doesn't "just get pregnant,"  there are choices before the fact.  If I'm not happy in my present situation (job, life, etc), it's not the fault of my parents, society, liberals, The Man, name-your-own-scapegoat;  the onus to change my life and have some satisfaction is on me.  Things done in a drunken state are not justifiable because of that drunken state.  You get the picture.  With the exception of the random acts of God, a person chooses his or her destiny thru a series of smaller choices.

So, it is odious to me, the liberal belief that a person is only a sum of his/her environmental influences and cannot be held accountable for those choices.  And further, that the rest of us must bear the responsibility for the wellbeing/sustenance of that person - no matter what they've done, no matter if we would never have made those choices.  And that we must never question any of the person's subsequent choices nor object to our forced support of them.     Also in this view is the belief that we the people are not to be trusted to make our own decisions regarding our own earned income - basically everything has to be legislated and social programmed to death - because government knows best.

I realize this is a rambling rant, but you understand of which I speak, no?

Thought of the Day

Submissives in power positions are frequently dangerous and undesirable for their dominant subordinates. Ponder this.

Millennium Fest

The now-defunct Chris Carter series, Millennium, just came out with the first season on DVD.  Jeff bought it and we've been watching a few eps per night.  For the uninitiated, Millennium was the second series by C.C. (the first being The X-Files).  It's about this guy Frank Black, former FBI, who has the "gift" of being able to see thru the eyes of killers when he's in the proximity of their victims.  He uses this talent doing "consultant work" with a group of former law enforcement folks called the Millennium Group. 

The series, at least in the first 2 seasons was DARK, DARK, DARK and CREEPY.  And we fans liked it that way.  Where else can you get "what ifs" about serial killers, religion, conspiracies, the apocalypse, angels, demons, etc, etc?  In how many series are they willing to kill off main characters in the first season?  Then, in the 3rd season, they tried to lighten it up & brought in a new partner for Frank.  Can I just say BAD DECISIONS?  The show lost its cred & was eventually cancelled anyway.  So, if you are at all interested, see only the first 2 seasons.

A Word (or Confession) on Procrastination

Warning:  Long Post!
For the longest time, I've been simultaneously career-wise coasting and angry/frustrated at my lack of career satisfaction.  I've come to the conclusion that 1) given my interest in forensics and 2) my lack of a science background, I must go back to school as an undergraduate (full-time) and get that academic background, then proceed to either grad school or medical school to specialize and/or get a job in the field to acquire the work background end of it.  So far, so good. 

What's the problem, you ask?  I mean, I already have an undergraduate degree & graduated with honors.  I did well in a recent basic level Biology class.  OK, so what's the what?  Well, it's this little thing called procrastination.  Completing the applications is no biggie...except for the essay and recommendations.  It's partly about representing myself & my goals...perhaps that I doubt admissions staff will consider them "worthy" - not enough frills like community service, not the naive optimism of an 18-year-old, etc, etc.  It's partly because as in all my writing, I agonize over every little word.  It'll take me a week of revisions to finish a one-page essay.  And the recommendations?  I just hate having to ask people to say nice things about me.  So I put off the whole thing, and put it off, and put it off.  Meanwhile, I'm exactly where I don't want to be:  getting older, dragging my ass to work every day, just about as motivated as you'd expect. 

There's another task about which I've been procrastinating for about a year.  In our apartment building there's a front-desk guy, David Young, who has always been super:  pleasant, courteous, helpful in general & especially with a very specific problem we were having with our next-door neighbor last year. Now, I keep telling myself I must write-up a commendation letter to David's supervisor, singing his praises.  I've even drafted a letter on my laptop.  So, it's there, waiting to be completed.  No biggie.  Yet, the thing is not done.  Now, this is just plain laziness.

Why did I choose to write ad nauseum about this problem today? 
a.  Self-therapy to examine one of my many issues
b.  To talk ad nauseum about something, in print
c.  To light a fire under my lazy, self-doubting buttocks
d.  To share with others what must be a common malady
e.  All of the above.

If you answered "e," you would be correct; however, "c" is the primary reason.

Remember (and I must too), you can't finish something if you don't start it.  That said, don't let it go too long before jumping in again.  Yeh, that and self-doubt keeps you in the parking lot.

Update 7/29/04:  Well, I shamed myself into action:  I finished the commendation letter and delivered it! Yeah!  One less item of guilt. 

Pro-Life Dems? Who Knew?!

Thanks to Michelle Malkin, I now know that there are 1) Pro-Life Democrats and 2) an organization of them (Democrats for Life of America)!  Check out their website and Ryan Zempel's coverage (Townhall.com) of their convention dinner. 

Wonders never cease.  But kudos to them for being other than Pavlovian Dems.

Bush Infiltrates the Dem Natl Convention!

IMAO does it again.  Go here to read more.  Warning:  DO NOT drink anything while reading this piece - your poor monitor will suffer for it!  Here's a little taste:

"Uh, hey everybody," Bush said as he walked to the microphone. He then uttered to himself, "Think like a Democrat. Think like a Democrat." Bush cleared his throat. "Who here hates Bush more than they love America?"

Yep, exactly. 

Singin' the Blues...

or more appropriate, the Blahs.  I'm so unmotivated today.  The weather is conspiring to ensure my lack of energy - muggy, drizzly, overcast.  Oh well, just thought I'd share that...

E Coli Double Feature

Just finished reading Toxin, a novel about a dangerous E. coli infection, by Robin Cook.  I enjoyed it because it involves medical drama.  You might want to read this together with a non-fiction "exposé" about the fast food industry, Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser.  Interesting to read the fictional account of slaughterhouse operations and then compare it to the non-fiction description.  Scary.  Yet, still, I happily eat meat.  Go figure.

Another (related) book I just finished which was really intriguing was The Medical Detectives, by Berton Roueché, kindly given to me by a colleague, after noting my interest in such things.  It's a collection of accounts of investigations, from the 1940s thru the 1980s, of all sorts of mysterious ailments and their resolutions (or not...).  VERY interesting.  My question is:   how have treatments, diagnoses, methodology, technology changed/improved the chances of resolution since then, and how? 

Lance Wins Again! (Raspberry to the French!)

There's yet another opportunity to thumb my nose at the French - Lance Armstrong wins the Tour de France again!  This makes his 6th win & a record.  Ooh, the feeling of American superiority in a French event!  Of course, major kudos to Armstrong for blowing away the competition!  Read more here.

Disclaimer:  I don't actually despise all the French, just that arrogant & smug Chirac, his policies and all those anti-American, lefty boneheads yonder.  Warm greetings and salutations to the roughly 250 French men and women who actually remember the 2nd World War & our timely assistance to their country. 

 

Welfare on Wilson - Redux

As I'm having a lame blogging week, I'd like to share a rant from my now defunct blog Big Stick Commentary (I like E.Z. better), which reflects my general outlook/mood at the time (last year).  Now, I'm never going to believe in welfare, but my rants thereof may take a somewhat softer tone.  Enjoy!

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Welfare on Wilson
Let's just say I'm not a big fan of the current (or any) welfare system. I do believe that I, as a person who pays lots of taxes because I DON'T have dependents (among other things), have no particular moral or ethical compulsion to support those who breed - just because they breed - and their unfortunate offspring. Unfortunately, the Feds & VA state gov't disagree. I go to jail if I don't pay my taxes. That said, you can just imagine how I feel about a pair of lard-ass individuals with the stroller attachments canvassing our very own Wilson Blvd for handouts. Both lovely fiance Jeff & I have been accosted before and know them by sight. In fact, the other day, Jeff stopped dead in his tracks and said - "quick, we must cross the street." He had spied one such, and wished to avoid the whole scene...only to discover that her partner-in-panhandling was covering the other side! Now they have strategy! We passed by quickly, not allowing her to engage us. Let me just say that my loathing for welfare queens has found particular subjects. To wit, if I'm forced to shell out all this tax money for these morons, why the hell would I voluntarily give them MORE money?!!! What value are they providing us in return? Not raising the property values, let me tell you (not that that would help us anyway because we rent). Not making Arlington a more pleasant area through which to stroll. Not raising good self-reliant citizens - keep in mind that the kids in tow are observing all this - by which they'll grow to understand what is "normal and acceptable behavior." But, as usual, I'm accomplishing only one thing here - raising my own blood pressure. Females like them don't (refuse to) understand that having children is a choice, a personal responsibility and not a shared one at that. THEY made that choice (directly or by omission) and THEY are responsible for the wellbeing of their offspring. NOT ME, NOT JEFF. I feel sorry for the children, who don't have a choice in the matter, but giving their "mothers" money isn't going help the children in the long run - they're still in the same dysfunctional environment. Thus, we don't feel guilty about not enabling them to perpetuate their dependent behavior. And frankly, the thought of their demise really doesn't concern us - there will ALWAYS be more of their type, guaranteed. 

Catch of the Day

Check out Banana Republican.  Very cool & she hails from my alma mater, GWU.  Yes!  There are Republicans in college!  Who knew?

Incidently, credit where credit is due:  I linked to BR from Michelle Malkin's site.  Go Team!!!

Yesterday, Revisited

Days like yesterday should not happen too often.  Horrible.  No workout, lame blogging.  Work, work, & last minute work.  Irritating people.  Missed deadlines.  Unreasonable demands.  Yuck.

Upon meditating on my experiences, I realized:  you can't expect people to act other than themselves; therefore, it is useless to get angry or upset when they act exactly like themselves.  What I mean by that is that if they were always likely to cave on what they previously said or promised in the past, it is futile to expect they adopt some gonads and stand firm (uh, heh) on their words.  If they are unreliable and flaky in the past, chances are you can expect more of the same currently.  To expect otherwise and become upset  is doing yourself a disservice and won't change them one iota.

Ponder this as you encounter such boneheads today, and be at peace with yourself.

Lame Blogging Day

A thousand pardons for this lame blogging day, but work has rudely intruded into my blogging time.  I have lots of thoughts, but alas, they will have to wait until I have a few minutes more...
deep breath, whew!

Catch of the Day

The Catch of the Day today is Rachel Lucas's blog.  She dropped out of the blogosphere for a while, but now she's back with all her "sassy impudence."  Rachel even gets hatemail comments!  Ah, to be that famous!
 

Some More Notes on Vaykay

Some general observations while in Key West:
 
- Many of the dogs I saw down there were very fluffy, long-haired.  Now, if you have temperatures in the 90s with high humidity for several months of the year, why would you have furry dogs - isn't that a bit sadistic?  Those poor pooches looked so miserable!
 
- Big surprise - the vast majority of folks (guests) at the resort were in really crummy shape.  Soggy middles, big cellulite, thunder thighs, etc, etc.  And not all those there were American - I heard some French & German being spoken.  Ha!
 
- Many of the, um, "men" with the aforementioned "soggy middles" were strutting around like God's Personal Gift to Women. Huh?  It was truly something. 
 
- The French family I noticed spoke only French and really loud.  Or maybe it was just my rather negative attitude towards the French which made it seem like they were obnoxious...in my country.  Heh. The German I ran into (not literally), only the other hand, was polite & his English was very good.
 
Well, there are all my observations for the time being.    

Why I'm a Conservative (part 2 of a continuing series)

Taxation.  Now, I believe in paying my fair share for defense, roads, etc, but I strenuously object to the following:
 
- taxation only because they can, not because it makes any practical sense, and penalizing specific taxpayers. 
 
The whole taxing of tuition benefits is an example.  Most students who are taking advantage of this benefit don't have the financial wherewithall to go to school full time, so they take a more-than-likely underpaid job at a university to get tuition.  Then they're taxed on money they never see.  Thus drastically decreasing their take home pay.  Try that in a city like DC, in which housing costs are thru the roof.  You see the problem.  Yes, initiative bad! 
 
Also, car taxes.   So, you've had federal and state taxes withheld from your paycheck.  Then you paid sales tax on the vehicle.  Then, you must pay a tax for the privilege of actually owning the car. Now, how is that fair? Is it any wonder that neither Jeff nor I own a car?
 
- taxation for yet another self-perpetuating social (engineering) program. 
 
I have a big problem with government "charity" (ie, government shouldn't be in the charity business).  We've observed what started out as a safety net for widows with children turn into a way of life for many.  Then it became an entitlement, a right, that has, is and will be very difficult to dissolve.  Part of that difficulty is that this ethic is passed on to the kiddies, whether thru stated teaching or observed behavior.
 
- "Robin Hood" taxation - taking from the rich to give to the poor. 
 
Why is that in a society with great economic mobility possible, we find it necessary to punish the rich to give handouts to the "poor"?  Giving money to folks doesn't make them any more likely to succeed financially; it makes them dependent on that handout.  Forcing the better-off to give away larger portions of their earnings promotes a message that says - it's bad to have money.  Isn't that the American Dream to be financially successful & secure, to rise to a higher financial station than what you started in, thru your own efforts and talents?  Hmm.  And who are these poor and why should anyone be forced to give them money?  We as taxpayers are supposed to - at least in the liberal mind - give away our hard-earned cash without any regard or control over what these poor spend it - which could be more kids, drugs, luxuries (like TVs and other entertainment electronics), alcohol, cigarettes, etc, and without observable progress, results - specifically, less folks "needing" our money. 
 
This hasn't been an exhaustive examination, but you get the picture.  Taxation for governance, defense, and infrastructure - Fine, used pragmatically.  Taxation for social engineering & Nanny State support - BAD, BAD, BAD!
 

(to be continued)

Sweet Sunday

Could anything be nicer than enjoying good strong coffee, hot croissants and fresh cherries and strawberries with your beau (or belle, as the case may be) while lounging on your balcony? Well, ok, yes - doing all the above in Key West, but it's still a sweet way to start your Sunday!

Contact Lens Blues

Ok, I don't know what's more irritating, wearing one contact lens or having to wear my glasses.  Rewind, I abraded my cornea today - probably because I've been wearing my lenses too long - maybe 2 weeks straight.  Ok, I've worn them 2 weeks straight before with no problem.  I've had abrasions before.  So I know it's no biggie, except it's just damn inconvenient.  So, I think I'll wear my glasses for a day, but let me tell you, it's not fun going without peripheral vision - my prescription is -10.5 & -12.0. 
 
So, I'm just bitching.  There was no particular aim to this post.  See ya!

Why I'm a Conservative (part 1 of an ongoing series)

Those who know me knew that I would be getting down to political business at some point. Here's the start... I choose the term "conservative" instead of "Republican" because so many so-called Republicans are just too liberal for my taste.  Oh, and these are not in any particular order.  Onward!
 
You know I'm a conservative because:
 
1.  I have a barely controlled impulse to bitch-slap the next person (esp. female) who states proudly, "I'm pro-choice!"  Now, what would that choice be, per chance?  The choice to ignore the piles of contraceptives available in this country?  The choice not to insist on condom use?  The choice to be proud of something that involves the death of a helpless human being for convenience sake?  The choice to flush your own flesh-n-blood and then whine about how tough the decision was?  The choice to march in bonehead demonstrations for "women's lives"?  Lookie here at some LOGIC - viruses are many times smaller than a sperm cell, so naturally any discussion of women's lives in this context would involve discussion of condom use to prevent HIV transmission, etc, which coincidentally would also prevent pregnancy.  So...the whole abortion-RoevWade thing is moot.  N'est-ce pas? 
 
And for the record, overturning RoevWade would not "outlaw abortion," it would result in each state deciding how they want to handle the issue.  Oh, and I didn't hear a peep of you NOW types when Norplant was taken off the market.  I guess that whole prevention thing doesn't "empower" you as much as destroying your fetus.  My bad.
 
And by the way, I'm not "Pro-Life" or "Anti-Choice" - I'm anti-abortion.  No slogans, just description.  
 

 (to be continued...)
 

A Few Short Notes on Vaykay...

I've been terrible about updating my blog since back in town, so, feeling guilty, here are a few notes about our wonderful vacation:
 
1.  It was wonderful.  I'm now a pleasant shade of brown & look even healthier than before.  Ha! 
2.  Why can't I be there now???
3.  Here are a few restaurants you should check out when down there:
- Shula's on the Beach - part of the resort at which we stayed - Wyndham Reach Resort.  Kinda pricey, but great seafood & steak - and a chocolate souflée that is TO DIE FOR. 
- Camille's - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner -  comfortable, mid-priced restaurant with really good food (American)
- Blue Heaven - sit outside under Key lime trees and watch the chickens and roosters chase each other around.  Very friendly service, good food, esp. brunch.
- B's -  very inexpensive Cuban restaurant with yummy food, sangria, good strong coffee.
4.  Tourist place you must visit:  The Butterfly Conservatory.  It is an enchanting place with butterflies all around you.  Sounds kinda lame, but trust me, it was well worth the trip; even Jeff was impressed.
 
Ok, must justify my salary.  More to come - reviews, rants, stuff.  Have a smurfy day!
 
PS/UPDATE:  Jeff just reminded me of an restaurant oversight:  Origami - a great little, cozy sushi place. 
 
This and most of the above places are around the Duval/Simonton Streets area & easy walking distance from both Wyndham resorts.

Back in Town...

We've returned from Key West & I miss it. Work looks like it'll be hell today, so I might just have to blog on my own time - yikes!

More to follow.