Sunday, March 25, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Teenagers are Impressive
I have been working as an educator of sorts for over 30 years. This sounds like I am all grey haired or something, but I started as an early teen, so I am only mildly ancient.
When I was 13, I started volunteering at the local science museum, Center of Science and Industry (COSI). I was immediately was taught how to work with the public answering science questions, performing shows on science topics, and basically showing off with my huge, science-geeked teenage brain. I learned quickly that it I didn't know something, go look for the answer immediately--knowledge must not be faked. I learned it was okay to say, "I don't know, let's go find out." I got to run around in a lab coat, and wear a round badge with my name on it. I got to look like an adult, and I was thrilled when someone called me, "Ma'am." The first few shows I did were in and around a weather station, and included cool stuff like making clouds in a bell jar, cooking hotdogs in a parabolic mirror with the sun's rays and shooting pencils at 125 mph at blocks of wood through a tube to simulate the force of a tornadic wind. Later, I got to help create a show collaboratively on earthquakes, tornadoes and continental drift called "Shake, Rattle and Roll." This show had a grand finale of making a volcano that was lit with a magnesium strip, shot sparks and more than once got the carpeting smoldering. I was very proud of it.
I felt I had really made it at the museum though, when I was entrusted with helping to run the planetarium. They had a 1964 Spitz planetarium machine that was reportedly worth $250K, but looking back I really don't know what they paid for it. All we knew, was it was delicate, it fell apart easily, and changing its halogen lightbulb was devilishly difficult and could only be done by one of the adults. Learning how to work the planetarium was only allowed to a chosen few, because it was one of the most popular of the exhibits in the museum. All the shows effects were all orchestrated manually, and it took some dexterity to make it all look automated. One show had over 93 manual cues, and it was only a half hour long. Doing this 9 times or more in a day, and it was not surprising that if I was the only volunteer on duty, with one supervisor popping in from time to time for breaks, I would get sweat stains in the armpits of my lab coat.
Looking back, I can't help but be grateful for the amount of trust and leadership that the museum staff gave its volunteer force of teenagers. We truly did run that museum on the weekends and in the summer time. It couldn't have been done without us, and we were so proud of work experience it gave us--and the freedom to succeed or fail in being awarded new responsibilities.
In college, I got a paying gig as the weekend supervisor of the planetarium, and as one of the weekend overnight camp-in staff. I worked with a lot of volunteer teens, and I gained a new appreciation for how to work with them to gain their trust, and get their input on how to make science exciting for them and the thousands of visitors and scouts we had going through the programs.
I graduated and moved away, but whenever we go back to visit, COSI is always one of the places we must stop by.
Fast forward to about nine years ago--a fellow actor in a show I was in mentioned that he worked as a speech coach at a local high school, and they would love volunteers to work with team. Having also been a former high school and college speech geek, as well as a working actor, I jumped at the chance to see if I could work with them. It sounded like a blast.
I interviewed with the head coach, and she said, "You're not volunteering--I'm hiring you!" And I have been happily working with them ever since.
It's a part-time thing. The stipend is nice, but it isn't commensurate with the amount of hours we put in. However, a lot of us have been coaching for many years, and it's because we love it, and we truly enjoy our kids. I am sure my experience as a teen volunteer who was trusted and guided has some influence on my happiness in being able to coach and interact with the kids on the team.
The best thing about working with teenagers, is the amount of "brain explosion" that is going on in their lives. I mean this in a great way--I swear sometimes when I am working with a kid, I am watching neurons connecting and expanding their capabilities at lightning speed right before my eyes. Their ability to change and adapt and learn thrills and boggles my mind.
I love watching year to year, the freshmen novices evolving from uncertain, clueless little kids to seasoned, poised, and focused varsity members. You cannot judge a person by what he/she is like as a freshman. They change into new people every year, and in four years, you barely recognize them as the same person. It's so fun to watch.
I rejoice in the child who goes to every tournament, but doesn't break into finals for three years--then in her fourth year, figures it out grandly, and ends up being the only one on the team that makes it to State. That child has learned tenacity. That child has learned that hard work makes it happen.
I rejoice in the kid who decides to join the speech/debate team even though he has only been speaking English for 18 months. I admire his hard work and tenacity and rejoice when he starts getting top ranks. That child has learned so many things, but mostly that his ability to overcome adversity is a formidable gift.
I get frustrated with the talented child for whom acting or speaking comes easily at first, so they don't put in much effort to improve. I warn them they will get passed up, but it is the rare kid who heeds that warning. Usually that kid has to learn it the hard way, if at all, and it's brutal.
The best is the talented kid, who does learn that they still need to work hard to be the best, to push themselves, and that the drive to succeed has to come from inside them, not from someone else pushing them. That kid will succeed no matter he/she goes.
I am humbled and grateful for the chance to be a part of a coaching team that seems to make a real impact on the guidance and development of these wonderful kids. We have so many that come back after graduation for years to help out, to give back, and to share with others what we have given to them. This makes it come around full circle, and it is a wonderful thing for everyone.
When I was 13, I started volunteering at the local science museum, Center of Science and Industry (COSI). I was immediately was taught how to work with the public answering science questions, performing shows on science topics, and basically showing off with my huge, science-geeked teenage brain. I learned quickly that it I didn't know something, go look for the answer immediately--knowledge must not be faked. I learned it was okay to say, "I don't know, let's go find out." I got to run around in a lab coat, and wear a round badge with my name on it. I got to look like an adult, and I was thrilled when someone called me, "Ma'am." The first few shows I did were in and around a weather station, and included cool stuff like making clouds in a bell jar, cooking hotdogs in a parabolic mirror with the sun's rays and shooting pencils at 125 mph at blocks of wood through a tube to simulate the force of a tornadic wind. Later, I got to help create a show collaboratively on earthquakes, tornadoes and continental drift called "Shake, Rattle and Roll." This show had a grand finale of making a volcano that was lit with a magnesium strip, shot sparks and more than once got the carpeting smoldering. I was very proud of it.
I felt I had really made it at the museum though, when I was entrusted with helping to run the planetarium. They had a 1964 Spitz planetarium machine that was reportedly worth $250K, but looking back I really don't know what they paid for it. All we knew, was it was delicate, it fell apart easily, and changing its halogen lightbulb was devilishly difficult and could only be done by one of the adults. Learning how to work the planetarium was only allowed to a chosen few, because it was one of the most popular of the exhibits in the museum. All the shows effects were all orchestrated manually, and it took some dexterity to make it all look automated. One show had over 93 manual cues, and it was only a half hour long. Doing this 9 times or more in a day, and it was not surprising that if I was the only volunteer on duty, with one supervisor popping in from time to time for breaks, I would get sweat stains in the armpits of my lab coat.
Looking back, I can't help but be grateful for the amount of trust and leadership that the museum staff gave its volunteer force of teenagers. We truly did run that museum on the weekends and in the summer time. It couldn't have been done without us, and we were so proud of work experience it gave us--and the freedom to succeed or fail in being awarded new responsibilities.
In college, I got a paying gig as the weekend supervisor of the planetarium, and as one of the weekend overnight camp-in staff. I worked with a lot of volunteer teens, and I gained a new appreciation for how to work with them to gain their trust, and get their input on how to make science exciting for them and the thousands of visitors and scouts we had going through the programs.
I graduated and moved away, but whenever we go back to visit, COSI is always one of the places we must stop by.
Fast forward to about nine years ago--a fellow actor in a show I was in mentioned that he worked as a speech coach at a local high school, and they would love volunteers to work with team. Having also been a former high school and college speech geek, as well as a working actor, I jumped at the chance to see if I could work with them. It sounded like a blast.
I interviewed with the head coach, and she said, "You're not volunteering--I'm hiring you!" And I have been happily working with them ever since.
It's a part-time thing. The stipend is nice, but it isn't commensurate with the amount of hours we put in. However, a lot of us have been coaching for many years, and it's because we love it, and we truly enjoy our kids. I am sure my experience as a teen volunteer who was trusted and guided has some influence on my happiness in being able to coach and interact with the kids on the team.
The best thing about working with teenagers, is the amount of "brain explosion" that is going on in their lives. I mean this in a great way--I swear sometimes when I am working with a kid, I am watching neurons connecting and expanding their capabilities at lightning speed right before my eyes. Their ability to change and adapt and learn thrills and boggles my mind.
I love watching year to year, the freshmen novices evolving from uncertain, clueless little kids to seasoned, poised, and focused varsity members. You cannot judge a person by what he/she is like as a freshman. They change into new people every year, and in four years, you barely recognize them as the same person. It's so fun to watch.
I rejoice in the child who goes to every tournament, but doesn't break into finals for three years--then in her fourth year, figures it out grandly, and ends up being the only one on the team that makes it to State. That child has learned tenacity. That child has learned that hard work makes it happen.
I rejoice in the kid who decides to join the speech/debate team even though he has only been speaking English for 18 months. I admire his hard work and tenacity and rejoice when he starts getting top ranks. That child has learned so many things, but mostly that his ability to overcome adversity is a formidable gift.
I get frustrated with the talented child for whom acting or speaking comes easily at first, so they don't put in much effort to improve. I warn them they will get passed up, but it is the rare kid who heeds that warning. Usually that kid has to learn it the hard way, if at all, and it's brutal.
The best is the talented kid, who does learn that they still need to work hard to be the best, to push themselves, and that the drive to succeed has to come from inside them, not from someone else pushing them. That kid will succeed no matter he/she goes.
I am humbled and grateful for the chance to be a part of a coaching team that seems to make a real impact on the guidance and development of these wonderful kids. We have so many that come back after graduation for years to help out, to give back, and to share with others what we have given to them. This makes it come around full circle, and it is a wonderful thing for everyone.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Christmas and New Years
Christmas is a time for family.
If you aren't particularly religious or materialistic, like us, it's what it's mostly all about. That, and all the food you normally don't eat. And having time to catch a few movies.
We have traveled back to Ohio every Christmas every year for the family. Some years have been ridiculously snowy, and many years have been clear and unremarkable. Some years, a lot our peers from high school and college are back visiting their families, and we have a reunion. We have our favorite places to hit up in Columbus, and we never make it through the whole list in one trip. So, we come back.
The tradition of traveling there has gone on for a long time, probably past its usefulness. Family is important, but sometimes they aren't a lot of fun.
The absence of my Mom still weights very heavily in my heart. My Dad and my niece and nephew are always a joy, but other members are like black holes fighting for matter and everyone's energy.
My mom used to help to create some balance in the family, but now she is gone, and the dynamic has changed. The black holes take all they can get and offer nothing in return.
I resolve that next Christmas will be in a different place, and a new tradition will begin, sans anyone insisting on acting like a black hole.
New Years traditions also continued, and brought joy and contentment. We had our nuclear family gift exchange, the feast of favorite snacks, and board games were played. We always stay home, and it's a pleasant and low-key family time.
If you aren't particularly religious or materialistic, like us, it's what it's mostly all about. That, and all the food you normally don't eat. And having time to catch a few movies.
We have traveled back to Ohio every Christmas every year for the family. Some years have been ridiculously snowy, and many years have been clear and unremarkable. Some years, a lot our peers from high school and college are back visiting their families, and we have a reunion. We have our favorite places to hit up in Columbus, and we never make it through the whole list in one trip. So, we come back.
The tradition of traveling there has gone on for a long time, probably past its usefulness. Family is important, but sometimes they aren't a lot of fun.
The absence of my Mom still weights very heavily in my heart. My Dad and my niece and nephew are always a joy, but other members are like black holes fighting for matter and everyone's energy.
My mom used to help to create some balance in the family, but now she is gone, and the dynamic has changed. The black holes take all they can get and offer nothing in return.
I resolve that next Christmas will be in a different place, and a new tradition will begin, sans anyone insisting on acting like a black hole.
New Years traditions also continued, and brought joy and contentment. We had our nuclear family gift exchange, the feast of favorite snacks, and board games were played. We always stay home, and it's a pleasant and low-key family time.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Ever spend the night yelling at people in your mind instead of sleeping?
That's how I spent the night last night. Yelling at some deadbeats I know. Telling them off. Expressing my disappointment in them in ways that would scald their psyches if they knew how I really felt.
I am so tired. But, I am through with being angry and I didn't hurt anyone, and I am reasonable now.
I am so tired. But, I am through with being angry and I didn't hurt anyone, and I am reasonable now.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
I can sit again! Hello blog!
One thing I discovered in the past few months is how hard it is to blog when you are having trouble sitting comfortably.
Yes, I re-injured my lower back again, with an awesome shot of sciatica. Fortunately, I have a nice chiropractic office that is setting me right again, slowly but surely.
It started again when I started my new job in July. It's at a small company that is expanding, and there was a shortage of decent chairs left. Bad office chairs where what set it off last time, and this time, once again I was in great pain in no time with all the bad ergonomics.
I was able to fashion a workable solution with the cube I am in, and soon we are all getting new chairs, and having test-driven one, they meet my approval.
I am glad, the new job is good and I like my work and my co-workers.
Today was the first day I was able to get back to the YMCA and work out in about 3 weeks. It felt great. I can't run yet, but I will, oh, I will.
In other random thoughts;
I am very interested in a watching-the-car-wreck fashion in the Republican debates and all the subsequent implosions. I find it unreal that Newt Gingrich is currently the best hard right winger they can get right now. Perhaps there really isn't such thing as a good hard right winger--it takes a level of douche-bagginess few can stay the course on. That man has always been a douchbag's douchebag. Newt spewed today on the news shows that he would be glad to arrest judges that seem too "elite" or "activist" (read, liberal.) Hey Newty, I think North Korea just got a new opening for a dictator, perhaps you should give it a look-see. And stop pretending you believe in the Constitution.
I am similarly not understanding the tactic the House Republicans are using with the constant threat of shut downs because they are apparently just plain ornery and don't want to give in to an extension of a payroll tax cut for the middle class because isn't cruel enough to the poor and defenseless, doesn't ruin the environment enough, and doesn't make millionaires richer.
Keep up these tactics, good ol'boys, and not even the sleaziest tea bagger will support you.
Yes, I re-injured my lower back again, with an awesome shot of sciatica. Fortunately, I have a nice chiropractic office that is setting me right again, slowly but surely.
It started again when I started my new job in July. It's at a small company that is expanding, and there was a shortage of decent chairs left. Bad office chairs where what set it off last time, and this time, once again I was in great pain in no time with all the bad ergonomics.
I was able to fashion a workable solution with the cube I am in, and soon we are all getting new chairs, and having test-driven one, they meet my approval.
I am glad, the new job is good and I like my work and my co-workers.
Today was the first day I was able to get back to the YMCA and work out in about 3 weeks. It felt great. I can't run yet, but I will, oh, I will.
In other random thoughts;
I am very interested in a watching-the-car-wreck fashion in the Republican debates and all the subsequent implosions. I find it unreal that Newt Gingrich is currently the best hard right winger they can get right now. Perhaps there really isn't such thing as a good hard right winger--it takes a level of douche-bagginess few can stay the course on. That man has always been a douchbag's douchebag. Newt spewed today on the news shows that he would be glad to arrest judges that seem too "elite" or "activist" (read, liberal.) Hey Newty, I think North Korea just got a new opening for a dictator, perhaps you should give it a look-see. And stop pretending you believe in the Constitution.
I am similarly not understanding the tactic the House Republicans are using with the constant threat of shut downs because they are apparently just plain ornery and don't want to give in to an extension of a payroll tax cut for the middle class because isn't cruel enough to the poor and defenseless, doesn't ruin the environment enough, and doesn't make millionaires richer.
Keep up these tactics, good ol'boys, and not even the sleaziest tea bagger will support you.
Friday, October 14, 2011
The 99 Percent
I am one of the 99%. We make much less than the $350,000/year to be a 1 percenter.
I am writing this to clarify what we are protesting. Because apparently, "it isn't clear."
We protest corporations now being people, and the 1% having far too much leverage to control law making, politics and the media. We protest that the bankers and finance "wunderkinds" that nearly destroyed the economy STILL have not to face any repercussions, and are enjoying the millions and billions in bonuses they got AFTER we bailed them out. We protest that the regulations to make sure they can't do it again are STILL not in place, and that the 1% is lobbying to get even less regulation, falsely claiming that "this is strangling our ability to make jobs" despite all evidence to the contrary. The 1 percenters are not job creators that for some reason should not be fairly taxed like the rest of us. They took their Bush Tax cuts and DID NOT create new jobs with them in the past 10 years, and it's not going to happen if we give them more at the expense of people in the bottom 30%.
This is what we are protesting. If you do not understand that, or if it is not clear, then you must pay better attention and get your head out of your arse.
I am not able to be one of the many doing the occupying, but I support those who are. There are far more of us than them, and if anyone lifts a hand or a club to people who are peacefully protesting, we will be out there, because the economic and political injustice is real. There are too many people suffering. Our nation was not founded to be for the rich and by the rich, but for the people and by the people. To be claiming anything else is truly unAmerican.
I am writing this to clarify what we are protesting. Because apparently, "it isn't clear."
We protest corporations now being people, and the 1% having far too much leverage to control law making, politics and the media. We protest that the bankers and finance "wunderkinds" that nearly destroyed the economy STILL have not to face any repercussions, and are enjoying the millions and billions in bonuses they got AFTER we bailed them out. We protest that the regulations to make sure they can't do it again are STILL not in place, and that the 1% is lobbying to get even less regulation, falsely claiming that "this is strangling our ability to make jobs" despite all evidence to the contrary. The 1 percenters are not job creators that for some reason should not be fairly taxed like the rest of us. They took their Bush Tax cuts and DID NOT create new jobs with them in the past 10 years, and it's not going to happen if we give them more at the expense of people in the bottom 30%.
This is what we are protesting. If you do not understand that, or if it is not clear, then you must pay better attention and get your head out of your arse.
I am not able to be one of the many doing the occupying, but I support those who are. There are far more of us than them, and if anyone lifts a hand or a club to people who are peacefully protesting, we will be out there, because the economic and political injustice is real. There are too many people suffering. Our nation was not founded to be for the rich and by the rich, but for the people and by the people. To be claiming anything else is truly unAmerican.
Monday, October 3, 2011
October Awesomeness
September always feels ripe in possibilities, October is when to start putting the new plans in motion. New Year's resolutions have nothing on the beginning of the school year for determination, no matter how old you are.
When I was a teen, the beginning of the school year was a chance to try being whole different person, a better person, a different person than I was the year before. It was like hitting "reset." Some year's personalities were better than others. I learned to love fresh starts in the fall.
Once again I am hitting another reset, and moving from one role toward another. I am no longer an at-home mom with an unusual set of side businesses, but moving toward exploring possibilities of making a difference for a small company. It's exciting.
Outside, my garden looks like hell, but it's still producing. It has been a casualty of my new schedule. The trees are about to hit their best colors, and the weather report is predicting a full week of fall perfection.
I am as excited as a school kid, because change can be so cool.
When I was a teen, the beginning of the school year was a chance to try being whole different person, a better person, a different person than I was the year before. It was like hitting "reset." Some year's personalities were better than others. I learned to love fresh starts in the fall.
Once again I am hitting another reset, and moving from one role toward another. I am no longer an at-home mom with an unusual set of side businesses, but moving toward exploring possibilities of making a difference for a small company. It's exciting.
Outside, my garden looks like hell, but it's still producing. It has been a casualty of my new schedule. The trees are about to hit their best colors, and the weather report is predicting a full week of fall perfection.
I am as excited as a school kid, because change can be so cool.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Honking at a ship that's passed
"The Rogue" by Joe McGinniss is out with all sorts of salacious details and "proof" Sarah Palin is a shallow, mean spirited human being. But who cares? It's not like anyone with half a brain couldn't have figured that out themselves just watching her the past three years. The thing is, her ship is passed, and all he is doing is honking as it passes. She even honks back, hoping someone will wave at her as she goes. But no one cares. They are on to other things.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
In which I inform Joe Walsh he is an Embarrassing Asshat
This morning I got up early to go to a local Republican Party meeting to see what it was like, to hear Joe Walsh speak, and to hopefully ask him questions and tell him my displeasure with how he is representing us.
No, despite my last post, I really am much too polite of a person to be disruptive in my social discourse. This doesn't mean I don't make myself heard, or that anyone would be wondering where I stand on something, just that I am not going to be a jerk about it.
Just about everyone there was old, as in, over 55. Everyone except one of the judge-candidates was very white.
Fully a fifth of the people there were running for office of some sort or another and looking for petition signers--mostly judges and committee people, and one state representative. A couple of the judge-candidates I quite liked, and will look into supporting.
MoveOn.org tried to organize something last minute, and everyone that showed up was civil. It was a very crowded room. Oh, so typically, during the question and answer period the republican chair person decided only to give the microphone to known republicans and ignored anyone else in the room he did not know.
This is not free speech, but he explained to me later, they had had some ugly meetings in earlier months, and he was scared things could get ugly again if he let any of the new people talk. You mean, use tea party tactics? Shocking!
However, I politely let him know that I would have been civil, and showed my civility, and he should let me speak in the future. He agreed and thanked me for introducing myself. You see? Civil.
Afterwards, Joe did go outside to the front of the storefront and shook hands and talked to people. I held up my sign which read "Your Job is to listen to us and represent us, not to make stupid sound bites for Cable News." So if I didn't get to talk to him, he would know a tiny bit of what I was there for.
But, I did get to talk to him. I had time for one recent specific item. It's all I had time for. I told him that his making a big announcement the other day that he not going to go to the president's speech because Obama is idiotic was not only disrespectful to the office of the President of the United States, it also was disrespectful to all of us in the 8th district. He was basically saying that he was not going to listen, and he was not going to be there to represent us. He does not think before he spouts off, or even if he does, it's embarrassing to have him representing us. I told him, 'respectfully,' that when he acts like that, he really looks like an asshat. That basically he is saying, "I'm Joe Walsh, I'm not going to the speech because my penis is so big!" (Well, boo, civility lost, but I said it with a smile.)
His reply was to smile and say,"I didn't say that! What would happen if I said that?" I assured him I was speaking euphemistically, and he acknowledged that.
He asked me if I thought Obama was smart. I said of course! Did I think Michelle Bachman was smart? "NO!" Did I think Sarah Palin is smarter than Obama? "GOD no. No. But she may be wilier."
"Well, then 'respectully' you see that we live in two different worlds. I think Sarah Palin is smarter than Barack Obama."
Jesus, he's not kidding. We are really from way different worlds. I think his is called "Bizarro."
Then it was time for him to leave, and that was that.
There are so many reasons to dislike and reproach this man--he's a deadbeat dad, anti-gay, a foreign policy ignoramus, anti-environment, a liar about small business, he's a tea party hypocrite, and he's just plain embarrassing. But today, for just one of his most recent embarrassments to our district, I personally got to tell him that he is an embarrassment, and that was in some wee measure, good.
No, despite my last post, I really am much too polite of a person to be disruptive in my social discourse. This doesn't mean I don't make myself heard, or that anyone would be wondering where I stand on something, just that I am not going to be a jerk about it.
Just about everyone there was old, as in, over 55. Everyone except one of the judge-candidates was very white.
Fully a fifth of the people there were running for office of some sort or another and looking for petition signers--mostly judges and committee people, and one state representative. A couple of the judge-candidates I quite liked, and will look into supporting.
MoveOn.org tried to organize something last minute, and everyone that showed up was civil. It was a very crowded room. Oh, so typically, during the question and answer period the republican chair person decided only to give the microphone to known republicans and ignored anyone else in the room he did not know.
This is not free speech, but he explained to me later, they had had some ugly meetings in earlier months, and he was scared things could get ugly again if he let any of the new people talk. You mean, use tea party tactics? Shocking!
However, I politely let him know that I would have been civil, and showed my civility, and he should let me speak in the future. He agreed and thanked me for introducing myself. You see? Civil.
Afterwards, Joe did go outside to the front of the storefront and shook hands and talked to people. I held up my sign which read "Your Job is to listen to us and represent us, not to make stupid sound bites for Cable News." So if I didn't get to talk to him, he would know a tiny bit of what I was there for.
But, I did get to talk to him. I had time for one recent specific item. It's all I had time for. I told him that his making a big announcement the other day that he not going to go to the president's speech because Obama is idiotic was not only disrespectful to the office of the President of the United States, it also was disrespectful to all of us in the 8th district. He was basically saying that he was not going to listen, and he was not going to be there to represent us. He does not think before he spouts off, or even if he does, it's embarrassing to have him representing us. I told him, 'respectfully,' that when he acts like that, he really looks like an asshat. That basically he is saying, "I'm Joe Walsh, I'm not going to the speech because my penis is so big!" (Well, boo, civility lost, but I said it with a smile.)
His reply was to smile and say,"I didn't say that! What would happen if I said that?" I assured him I was speaking euphemistically, and he acknowledged that.
He asked me if I thought Obama was smart. I said of course! Did I think Michelle Bachman was smart? "NO!" Did I think Sarah Palin is smarter than Obama? "GOD no. No. But she may be wilier."
"Well, then 'respectully' you see that we live in two different worlds. I think Sarah Palin is smarter than Barack Obama."
Jesus, he's not kidding. We are really from way different worlds. I think his is called "Bizarro."
Then it was time for him to leave, and that was that.
There are so many reasons to dislike and reproach this man--he's a deadbeat dad, anti-gay, a foreign policy ignoramus, anti-environment, a liar about small business, he's a tea party hypocrite, and he's just plain embarrassing. But today, for just one of his most recent embarrassments to our district, I personally got to tell him that he is an embarrassment, and that was in some wee measure, good.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Bite size blogging
I am thinking of going to see Congressman Joe Walsh on Saturday morning at a republican event and "encourage" at him to think Jobs for Americans not Tax cuts for wealthy people. In addition, I would like to to let him know that obstructionism for party driven reasons is NOT "working for the people" and making embarrassing sound bites to 24 hour news about how cool he is he is disrespecting the president's jobs speech is the opposite of DOING HIS JOB. If I can let him know, by the by, I think that he is a loathsome hypocritical deadbeat dad and an embarrassment to humans in general, that would be swell. This is the sort of politician that needs to be confronted, because he is a fathead.
School has started again, and the world is once again full of possibility. September never stops feeling that way. We are all getting back to the school schedule, with its early mornings. If only I could also get the hang of early evenings.
About a month ago, I started the South Beach Diet at the suggestion of my OB GYN who said it would be great for my stubborn to lose middle age spread. It's healthy, and relies on non-processed foods and lots of fiber, with few to no empty carbs such as regular pasta, white rice, white bread, candy, etc. What do you know--it's actually working. Seven pounds down, ten to go. I am not perfect on it, but the first phase of the diet made me very aware of what was making the weight go on--sugar highs and lows brought on by insulin spikes from inferior foods. My blood sugar has evened out, and I am lacking cravings for high carb foods--most of the time.
I have been at my new job for about a month and a half, and I am excited that I am learning something every day, and there is little likelihood that it will be routine. This excites me. There are opportunities like crazy, and it's a company that is actually doing well even in this economy. It was a small company that is getting absorbed into a global company, and it is going through some growing pains. This seems to some people to be frustrating and full of problems, but I hope that they will also see that this also could be an opportunity to change things that aren't working while things are still flexible, malleable. It's very interesting, and stimulating as long as you don't get upset by negativity in the moment when something is not working.
It is late. I have an early morning tomorrow. Life is good. Ciao for now.
School has started again, and the world is once again full of possibility. September never stops feeling that way. We are all getting back to the school schedule, with its early mornings. If only I could also get the hang of early evenings.
About a month ago, I started the South Beach Diet at the suggestion of my OB GYN who said it would be great for my stubborn to lose middle age spread. It's healthy, and relies on non-processed foods and lots of fiber, with few to no empty carbs such as regular pasta, white rice, white bread, candy, etc. What do you know--it's actually working. Seven pounds down, ten to go. I am not perfect on it, but the first phase of the diet made me very aware of what was making the weight go on--sugar highs and lows brought on by insulin spikes from inferior foods. My blood sugar has evened out, and I am lacking cravings for high carb foods--most of the time.
I have been at my new job for about a month and a half, and I am excited that I am learning something every day, and there is little likelihood that it will be routine. This excites me. There are opportunities like crazy, and it's a company that is actually doing well even in this economy. It was a small company that is getting absorbed into a global company, and it is going through some growing pains. This seems to some people to be frustrating and full of problems, but I hope that they will also see that this also could be an opportunity to change things that aren't working while things are still flexible, malleable. It's very interesting, and stimulating as long as you don't get upset by negativity in the moment when something is not working.
It is late. I have an early morning tomorrow. Life is good. Ciao for now.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
One Year Anniversary
August 17th last year, my mom passed away the day after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
I wasn't sure how I would react, yesterday. Turned out, I had a few moments, but mostly I hung in there and had a pretty good day.
I have a new job, and it wouldn't have been professional to moan and groan, and we were too busy anyway.
It helped that last weekend we went out and visited my Dad, and we managed to have a great time together traveling a little, going out to eat, taking the niece out to go shopping, and talking a lot. Sometimes, it really helps to remember and enjoy who you do have in this world.
We talked about Mom, and since we are on the same wavelength, could talk about her honestly and about how we talk to her from time to time and how that helps.
Missing my mom is like a pain in my chest I have learned how to ignore until I can deal with it. It's good to acknowledge it though. It will always be there.
I miss my mom a lot. I miss her every day.
I wasn't sure how I would react, yesterday. Turned out, I had a few moments, but mostly I hung in there and had a pretty good day.
I have a new job, and it wouldn't have been professional to moan and groan, and we were too busy anyway.
It helped that last weekend we went out and visited my Dad, and we managed to have a great time together traveling a little, going out to eat, taking the niece out to go shopping, and talking a lot. Sometimes, it really helps to remember and enjoy who you do have in this world.
We talked about Mom, and since we are on the same wavelength, could talk about her honestly and about how we talk to her from time to time and how that helps.
Missing my mom is like a pain in my chest I have learned how to ignore until I can deal with it. It's good to acknowledge it though. It will always be there.
I miss my mom a lot. I miss her every day.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The calm down time
Well, I am calmer now. Since as a citizen I have no say in what Congress does or doesn't do, but I am free to say what a want about it, and I feel better for ranting a little. I am in the 96% disapproval rating camp for congress. Their leaving before fixing anything with the FAA was precious and oh so fiscally responsible. Glad someone stepped in and got those people back to work.
I have no idea if getting a lower credit rating is a terrible thing. It may not matter as much, as it didn't for Japan, or it may be terrible.
Obama did what he could by the end. I think (I hope) he knows what's going on better than I do.
I hope republicans can wise up and stop being so dragged around by the nose by crazy people who have hijacked their party. Their presidential primary offerings are just hideous to anyone. Michelle Bachman? Really?!?! Newt Gingritch? HA! Herman Cain?? What is that??!! Mitt Romney looks the part for a TV movie, but I don't know what he's about, and it keep changing.
Anyway, no need to lose any more sleep.
I have no idea if getting a lower credit rating is a terrible thing. It may not matter as much, as it didn't for Japan, or it may be terrible.
Obama did what he could by the end. I think (I hope) he knows what's going on better than I do.
I hope republicans can wise up and stop being so dragged around by the nose by crazy people who have hijacked their party. Their presidential primary offerings are just hideous to anyone. Michelle Bachman? Really?!?! Newt Gingritch? HA! Herman Cain?? What is that??!! Mitt Romney looks the part for a TV movie, but I don't know what he's about, and it keep changing.
Anyway, no need to lose any more sleep.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Angry enough to not sleep
What I am hearing about this "debt deal" they may have reached is not cool. Trillions in cuts, mostly to the poor and young and old.
I have a question. What entitlements will Congress be giving up? Will their families lose health care? Will their children and elderly go hungry? Will their children lack adequate education?
Oh, that's right. Most all of them are millionaires. They are doing fantastic, thanks. They are the annointed ones, many of them are the "Christian, right" folk who think that when Jesus said to 'take care of' those less fortunate than you, he meant Off them.
It kills me to say this, but what is Obama up to? Did he lose his spine?
I am so angry I could bite through my mouthguard. So angry, I am going to be zombie at work tomorrow. An angry zombie.
I have a question. What entitlements will Congress be giving up? Will their families lose health care? Will their children and elderly go hungry? Will their children lack adequate education?
Oh, that's right. Most all of them are millionaires. They are doing fantastic, thanks. They are the annointed ones, many of them are the "Christian, right" folk who think that when Jesus said to 'take care of' those less fortunate than you, he meant Off them.
It kills me to say this, but what is Obama up to? Did he lose his spine?
I am so angry I could bite through my mouthguard. So angry, I am going to be zombie at work tomorrow. An angry zombie.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
An open letter to my Congress People
The President asked us to contact our congresspeople to make sure they know what we are thinking tonight, and it seems that their emails are either all overwhelmed or they really don't want to hear from anyone and just follow their own agendas.
In the mean time, I thought I would voice my views on the whole debt ceiling/budget debacle. I have the misfortune of having a teabagger named Joe Walsh, who won by literally tens of votes as my "representative." The man is an embarrassment. Mark Kirk is my senator, he is a republican but not a crazy one.
Dear Congresspeople:
This is not a time for party above country, Republicans and tea baggers, I am looking at you...and rolling my eyes. It is so sad to watch you, because you think you are being so tough, but really, you are unbelievable, selfish, and serving no one other than yourselves and your corporate benefactors. And you are so incredibly OBVIOUS about it.
Of course we need to cut spending. But even if you are going to tell the lowest denominator in corn pone talk that "ya cain't spend more than ya gots" you are omitting the obvious answer to the question of how to get yourself out of debt the fastest. How? "Ya cain't spend more than what ya gots" AND "Get a source of more revenoo!" Fer instance, why not hit up rich Uncle Jethro for a raise from the 50 cents/wk he's been paying you to mow his estate? Or, in other words, get rid of the loopholes for wealthy people and corporations, and rescind the Bush freaking tax cuts which have been the worst part of our debt spiral. Well, that and Bush's two wars he lied us into. (Republicans were in charge for that one too, yes? You give me no confidence modern day republicans are for the betterment of this country with a record like that.) And you continue to f-ck up the debt talks to score penis points with each other. Shameful.
The Bush tax cuts were STUPID. I remember getting the first check and thinking, "This is it?" But to the rich, it was a whole lot more, but they all did with it what I did with mine--put it in the bank and forgot about it. No new jobs created then or now. In fact, a lot of jobs ran right out of the country, thanks to all those "job providin'" corporations shipping their jobs overseas with no penalty. It will not make a difference to the upper 1% in their lifestyles, so freaking quit treating them as so precious and delicate and tax them that miniscule amount (to them) that they won't even miss. How about some tax incentives for them to get the money back ONLY if they actually provide proof of job creation in THIS country?
I think it is important to remember that there are far fewer rich people than not rich people. And if you pander to them and forget the rest, you will be able to really hear from the American People, not the Fox News "Amuurrrican paeyple" and you will really see an uprising.
In the mean time, I thought I would voice my views on the whole debt ceiling/budget debacle. I have the misfortune of having a teabagger named Joe Walsh, who won by literally tens of votes as my "representative." The man is an embarrassment. Mark Kirk is my senator, he is a republican but not a crazy one.
Dear Congresspeople:
This is not a time for party above country, Republicans and tea baggers, I am looking at you...and rolling my eyes. It is so sad to watch you, because you think you are being so tough, but really, you are unbelievable, selfish, and serving no one other than yourselves and your corporate benefactors. And you are so incredibly OBVIOUS about it.
Of course we need to cut spending. But even if you are going to tell the lowest denominator in corn pone talk that "ya cain't spend more than ya gots" you are omitting the obvious answer to the question of how to get yourself out of debt the fastest. How? "Ya cain't spend more than what ya gots" AND "Get a source of more revenoo!" Fer instance, why not hit up rich Uncle Jethro for a raise from the 50 cents/wk he's been paying you to mow his estate? Or, in other words, get rid of the loopholes for wealthy people and corporations, and rescind the Bush freaking tax cuts which have been the worst part of our debt spiral. Well, that and Bush's two wars he lied us into. (Republicans were in charge for that one too, yes? You give me no confidence modern day republicans are for the betterment of this country with a record like that.) And you continue to f-ck up the debt talks to score penis points with each other. Shameful.
The Bush tax cuts were STUPID. I remember getting the first check and thinking, "This is it?" But to the rich, it was a whole lot more, but they all did with it what I did with mine--put it in the bank and forgot about it. No new jobs created then or now. In fact, a lot of jobs ran right out of the country, thanks to all those "job providin'" corporations shipping their jobs overseas with no penalty. It will not make a difference to the upper 1% in their lifestyles, so freaking quit treating them as so precious and delicate and tax them that miniscule amount (to them) that they won't even miss. How about some tax incentives for them to get the money back ONLY if they actually provide proof of job creation in THIS country?
I think it is important to remember that there are far fewer rich people than not rich people. And if you pander to them and forget the rest, you will be able to really hear from the American People, not the Fox News "Amuurrrican paeyple" and you will really see an uprising.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The loss of a friend
Last week, my husband and I received a shocking and saddening email from our friend, Russ:
Chuck went snorkeling out on a beach with a ferocious rip tide and/or undertow. Costa Rica is infamous for this, and it's topography is such that even a rip tide can go on for miles, and exhaust even the best swimmer. They have had over 400 accidental drownings since 2008.
Both Dan and I have known Chuck since we were in high school. We had lost touch, but figured we would be able to reconnect eventually. One really shouldn't assume there is always time...
Dan and I decided that we would go to his memorial service in Jacksonville, FL. We were so glad we did. We met his wife, who was the love of his life, and we could see she was indeed a very special person, and exactly what Chuck needed. She also has a great family that adored him. We met his business partners, who were also in shock, because they also were family. He was the head of a start up company that is just about to get to the fun part and really take off due to his diligence, relationship building with clients and frugal management of their resources. We could be there to comfort and be with Hilary, his sister, who did an awesome job at his eulogy talking about her love for him and sang the Ohio State Alma Mater beautifully. It was possibly the saddest situation ever, except we know that Chuck truly was happy and having a great life.
A few other high school/college friends made it down, and it was a bittersweet reunion. It was so good to see them. The connections from those early friendships just don't die. It was good to hang out with them, but we all would have preferred a different reason for the reunion. I love these people--they are precious to me. I wish more of our gang could have made it, but notice was very short so they could only be there in spirit.
Wondering about what Chuck was like, and what made him special? Here is is obituary, which was very nicely written but can only say so much. What made him special to me? Well, here are some of my memories from high school onward:
I met Chuck on the forensics team. Chuck always made speech tournaments fun. I had such a fun time attempting directing him and his duo partners in the acting event, dramatic duo. It was usually a lot of laughter, and goofing around with the material. Even "The Odd Couple" became highly experimental theatre.
Hardly any of us made it to final rounds while Chuck was on the speech team. Our speech coach just didn’t really care about coaching, and we rarely knew what we were doing. We had a good-natured girl named Nadia who was smart enough that she would regularly make it to out rounds in debate and get recognized at the awards ceremonies. Chuck, (with his tie around his head by this time) would stand up and shout, “Go, Nads!” and completely embarrass Nadia, even though just about nobody knew the word, “gonads.”
He didn’t respect authority, but wasn’t actually ever much in trouble either. He did run for class president with a potato as his running mate for vice president. They couldn’t stop him, there wasn’t a rule against it. He didn’t win, but he made a great story. Mr. Spud rotted on his dashboard for months.
Chuck was always a good listener. He could always make you laugh at your situation or your absurdity. He made me realize what a lot of fun using my quick wit to make him laugh could be. He loved a great joke, or a really obscure one.
He would give people rides in his junker of a car in high school, but you had to chart the course home with as few right turns as possible because the right side would rooster tail sparks on a right turn.
Dan remembers the empty holes where speakers would be that they threw fast food wrappers into until they couldn’t fit in anymore. It was almost a whole trunk’s worth, but for a long time he couldn't open the trunk. Once he could, they moved all the wrappers and boxes to Russ's locker.
In college:
Chuck started collecting 1966 and 1965 red mustangs. Rides were fun, but they had no seatbelts, and the fumes came through the back seat from the exhaust system. They were broken into way too many times on campus, even though there was nothing inside of them to warrant it.
Chuck was my next door neighbor for my junior and senior year. He was always happy to have me visit, even if sometimes I bored him to pieces with my ranting at a bad breakup or my general cluelessness. He stayed friends with everyone.
He was a great neighbor. A lot better one than I was.
He had a guitar, but I never heard him play. Apparently, he got over his shyness and became quite a musician.
He made his first entrepeneurial endeavor in polymers with plastic fake coffee poured out of paper cups. I don’t think much came of that, but those cups were all over the apartment, like a coffee shop for slobs that really liked only half a cup of café au lait.
He was an exemplary groomsman at our wedding.
Chuck is remembered by me as a friend who was kind, gentle, devastatingly intelligent, humble, quick witted, empathetic, humorous, precious and unique.
The news of his accident shocked and greatly saddened both Dan and I. He will be so missed. We love Chuck.
I just received a call from Chuck Malspeis’ wife. They are in Costa Rica for their honeymoon, and Chuck drowned on Friday. I am sorry, I do not have any more details than that. She is still down in Costa Rica working with the US Embassy to get Chuck’s body returned to the United States. She believes that they will get that squared away most likely on Wednesday, which means they may have services this upcoming weekend. Hilary has flown out to Jacksonville to be with her Dad.
Chuck went snorkeling out on a beach with a ferocious rip tide and/or undertow. Costa Rica is infamous for this, and it's topography is such that even a rip tide can go on for miles, and exhaust even the best swimmer. They have had over 400 accidental drownings since 2008.
Both Dan and I have known Chuck since we were in high school. We had lost touch, but figured we would be able to reconnect eventually. One really shouldn't assume there is always time...
Dan and I decided that we would go to his memorial service in Jacksonville, FL. We were so glad we did. We met his wife, who was the love of his life, and we could see she was indeed a very special person, and exactly what Chuck needed. She also has a great family that adored him. We met his business partners, who were also in shock, because they also were family. He was the head of a start up company that is just about to get to the fun part and really take off due to his diligence, relationship building with clients and frugal management of their resources. We could be there to comfort and be with Hilary, his sister, who did an awesome job at his eulogy talking about her love for him and sang the Ohio State Alma Mater beautifully. It was possibly the saddest situation ever, except we know that Chuck truly was happy and having a great life.
A few other high school/college friends made it down, and it was a bittersweet reunion. It was so good to see them. The connections from those early friendships just don't die. It was good to hang out with them, but we all would have preferred a different reason for the reunion. I love these people--they are precious to me. I wish more of our gang could have made it, but notice was very short so they could only be there in spirit.
Wondering about what Chuck was like, and what made him special? Here is is obituary, which was very nicely written but can only say so much. What made him special to me? Well, here are some of my memories from high school onward:
I met Chuck on the forensics team. Chuck always made speech tournaments fun. I had such a fun time attempting directing him and his duo partners in the acting event, dramatic duo. It was usually a lot of laughter, and goofing around with the material. Even "The Odd Couple" became highly experimental theatre.
Hardly any of us made it to final rounds while Chuck was on the speech team. Our speech coach just didn’t really care about coaching, and we rarely knew what we were doing. We had a good-natured girl named Nadia who was smart enough that she would regularly make it to out rounds in debate and get recognized at the awards ceremonies. Chuck, (with his tie around his head by this time) would stand up and shout, “Go, Nads!” and completely embarrass Nadia, even though just about nobody knew the word, “gonads.”
He didn’t respect authority, but wasn’t actually ever much in trouble either. He did run for class president with a potato as his running mate for vice president. They couldn’t stop him, there wasn’t a rule against it. He didn’t win, but he made a great story. Mr. Spud rotted on his dashboard for months.
Chuck was always a good listener. He could always make you laugh at your situation or your absurdity. He made me realize what a lot of fun using my quick wit to make him laugh could be. He loved a great joke, or a really obscure one.
He would give people rides in his junker of a car in high school, but you had to chart the course home with as few right turns as possible because the right side would rooster tail sparks on a right turn.
Dan remembers the empty holes where speakers would be that they threw fast food wrappers into until they couldn’t fit in anymore. It was almost a whole trunk’s worth, but for a long time he couldn't open the trunk. Once he could, they moved all the wrappers and boxes to Russ's locker.
In college:
Chuck started collecting 1966 and 1965 red mustangs. Rides were fun, but they had no seatbelts, and the fumes came through the back seat from the exhaust system. They were broken into way too many times on campus, even though there was nothing inside of them to warrant it.
Chuck was my next door neighbor for my junior and senior year. He was always happy to have me visit, even if sometimes I bored him to pieces with my ranting at a bad breakup or my general cluelessness. He stayed friends with everyone.
He was a great neighbor. A lot better one than I was.
He had a guitar, but I never heard him play. Apparently, he got over his shyness and became quite a musician.
He made his first entrepeneurial endeavor in polymers with plastic fake coffee poured out of paper cups. I don’t think much came of that, but those cups were all over the apartment, like a coffee shop for slobs that really liked only half a cup of café au lait.
He was an exemplary groomsman at our wedding.
Chuck is remembered by me as a friend who was kind, gentle, devastatingly intelligent, humble, quick witted, empathetic, humorous, precious and unique.
The news of his accident shocked and greatly saddened both Dan and I. He will be so missed. We love Chuck.
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