Yesterday was my 37th birthday. I was sick. I have been sick on every birthday as long as I can remember back to junior high. Apparently I carry the "sick" around but do not allow it to come out until I am done with work, school, holiday shopping and the holidays. My body is either very smart or very dumb. I vote the latter.
In related news, tomorrow is my 24 hour Ph test. The will put a guide wire up my nose, down the back of my throat, into my esophagus. On the outside the wire will connect to a little belt pack computer which monitors the Ph levels in my esophagus for, yes, 24 hours. Sounds fun!!!
For my birthday the boys (whch, of course, includes Nate) and I went to the Melting Pot. One of my favorite places, if not the classiest of my favorites. If you're not familiar with it, it is a chain which only serves fondue. We had traditional Swiss for an appetizer, salads (I had a southwestern Cobb salad), then we had a variety of meats, poultry and fish cooked in the traditional boullion, then for dessert dark chocolate with peanut butter and great dippers. Yum. Even with a bottle of wine we didn't spend a terribly large amount and the boys seemed to have a little fun, so I was happy.
I forgot to mention here, but holden and Ethan went to bed around 9:30 on xmas eve. Holden normally stays up until between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on school nights and around 2 a.m. when there is no school the next day. Ethan has a 10 p.m. bedtime on school nights, but 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. bedtime when there is no school the next day. It made me so happy to see they were still at the ages where they can be excited about xmas morning. Holden got an Xbox 360 and Ethan got an Ipod Classic. And Nate and I got lots of great stuff for each other. It was a banner xmas this year.
Then Friday night was my friend Tahnee's surprise birthday party for her 30th which was at Appalachian Brewing Company. We had fun; Tahnee a little too much maybe, lol. It was nice to get out and see people.
Oh and I got a letter today saying I got a 3% merit raise at work.
Good week , other than "the sickness."
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Re: Last Post's Title
"Short post to get the balling rolling again. "
should read "ball rolling."
I must have had something else on my mind, lol.
should read "ball rolling."
I must have had something else on my mind, lol.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Short post to get the balling rolling again.
Tiredtiredtired. And I don't have any idea why, but I am constantly sleeping.
MY BFF and her DH had their gorgeous baby boy, Tobin Samuel Sincoff. (I was up there for a few days so that is my excuse for not blogging for a month, lol.)
I'll post the pics I took after I (finally) email them to the proud and happyhappy parents.
Quick news:
MY BFF and her DH had their gorgeous baby boy, Tobin Samuel Sincoff. (I was up there for a few days so that is my excuse for not blogging for a month, lol.)
I'll post the pics I took after I (finally) email them to the proud and happyhappy parents.
Quick news:
- Boys are on Xmas vacay now.
- My quarter is done (finally!) and I have two paid weeks off. (Great to work for a university.)
- My chest x-ray, bloodwork, biopsies, etc etc were all normal. Cuz it's probably all in my head, right? I am going to take BFF's advice and reuqest a pulmonology follow up for asthma (even though my immunologist seemed pretty sure it wasn't, because, ehy, that's not their speciality, right?) if the 24 hour Ph test shows nothing, since that is already scheduled anyway. Since I skipped it once before thinking it wasn't necessary, that is probably the one test for which they'll find something. Because that is my luck. I could have gone and been taken care of months ago, but I think I'm a doctor or something.
- Honestly it is the kind of tired I had with bad depression, but we'll keep that on the back burner until we know there is no physical reason for it. They already upped my anti-depressant (because of increased depression) and anti-anxiolytic (for sleep since they took me off of the sleep aid I had taken forever because we were trying to weed out some drugs that might worsen the dryness I experience orally, ocularly and-um-vaginally). But I'm going to ask about raising the Effexor XR once again, lowering the cloanzepam back to what it was and going back on the Trazodone at a half of the dose I had been on. (I like chemistry, lol!)
- BFF and I will be starting a slightly different sort of mommy blog shortly.
- My holiday shopping is (almost) done, but nothing is wrapped.
- Reading lot when I'm not sleeping.
- My plants are doing well, knock wood.
- I'm Twittering a bit more regularly the past few days to try to get some momentum to post here.
- And I'm thinking of starting a tumblog. Ooops, I did it. No posts, yet.
Monday, November 24, 2008
My Behind is Behind
Yeah, so it's been a while. It's hard for me to feel like posting as my depression is getting worse and there seems to be too much to say to have the energy to explain. Plus, most of the people in my life already know all of this, but here goes: a recap of sorts.
I had sent an email to my rheumatologist regarding the neuropathy that was a paranoid rant about how "maybe I have sarcoidosis or MS??" My rheumy graciously responding without saying, "Hey nutso!! CHILL!" She explained the reasons why I probably don't have either, but we can run a few tests to prove it and she also suggested I should have had the Ph test for reflux that my immunologist had suggested. (They told me that the wheezing and coughing I've been having for a while was not asthma as far as the tests showed ad it may be reflux--even though I don't have the more common symptoms like heartburn or acid burps. I skipped it because the test required wearing a wire up my nose down into my esophagus for 24 hours, said wire being attached to a little computer I wear on my belt monitoring the Ph levels in my esophagus. Since I was convinced it is not reflux, I said "eewwww" and skipped it.) So I called to schedule that.
Then I got a phone call from my primary care doctor's office saying she received the email from my rheumy and wanted to bring me in to discuss some things we could explore. (They never called me for an appointment before, so this freaked me out a little.)
Meanwhile I had my gastroenterology appointment. The woman told me that we would not do the Ph test as first she wanted to schedule me for an upper GI endoscopy to check for esophogeal damage, ulcers and pre-cancerous lesions. WHAT?? Oooookay. So I scheduled that. Then when the nurse called to go over the procedure and my meds, etc., she said they would do a biopsy to check for eosinophilic esophagitis at the request of the doctor in addition to any they do if the see "something." Oooookay.
Anyway, whatever is causing the wheezing and dry cough is what is probably leaving me exhausted as it obviously interferes with the amount of oxygen I get while I sleep.
Still no idea why I have neuropathy. Probably will have to just live with it at this point. Sigh.
So all of this uncertainity is combining with the fact that it is fall heading into winter and that is always bad for my depression to leave me on a downward slide. My psychiatrist upped my Effexor XR; my PCP took me off of my trazodone and upped my clonazapem and took me off of two other meds (allergy stuff) to try to a) reduce the number of meds I'm taking and b) relieve some of the severe dryness in my eyes, mouth and --ahem!--Sister Suzy. (This is not--as proven by bloodwork--Sjogren's; just dryness from meds and a natural dryness I've always leaned towards. The mouth dryness is annoying because my teeth are starting to chip and break more easily and the eye dryness prevents me from ever wearing contacts. I use Celluvisc in my eyes and various forms of biotene and sugar-free gum to alleviate mouth dryness.)
So now we wait.
In other news, I'm not sure if I've mentioned that both of my boys, in recent months, have cut off their long, luxurious locks into "skater" cuts and my oldest died his black. It actually looks good on him, but the whole "cool teen/tween" thing they are going through makes me sad. I miss my little baby boys snuggling on my lap and laughing crazily at life. Now they are "emo" and perpeutally sarcastic--still funny and not at all depressed, just the projection of coolness and aloofness that makes me miss them even when they are right there in the room.
Holden made high honors and Ethan did well with his first quarter portfolio.
Nate is still working his butt off.
My BFF is ready to pop out a sweet baby boy any day/week now.
My brother-in-law's wife, ditto.
It's hard to be surrounded by baby love just as I'm missing it most.
I've started a few small indoor succulent gardens with various types of living rocks. All of my plants still seem to be doing alright, knock wood.
My book list over there -------> is suffering a bit. I've been reading a lot of magazines when I do read,; I forget to enter books and I haven't reviewed anything for a while. But anyway, at least I'm reading something, right?
And my job... Well, let's just say I'm looking forward to the end of this quarter. I need new sample. New areas to work.
And lastly, poor Ethan is home sick with what seems to be a cold. Voluntarily sleeping. Now that's sick. Poor sweetie.
I had sent an email to my rheumatologist regarding the neuropathy that was a paranoid rant about how "maybe I have sarcoidosis or MS??" My rheumy graciously responding without saying, "Hey nutso!! CHILL!" She explained the reasons why I probably don't have either, but we can run a few tests to prove it and she also suggested I should have had the Ph test for reflux that my immunologist had suggested. (They told me that the wheezing and coughing I've been having for a while was not asthma as far as the tests showed ad it may be reflux--even though I don't have the more common symptoms like heartburn or acid burps. I skipped it because the test required wearing a wire up my nose down into my esophagus for 24 hours, said wire being attached to a little computer I wear on my belt monitoring the Ph levels in my esophagus. Since I was convinced it is not reflux, I said "eewwww" and skipped it.) So I called to schedule that.
Then I got a phone call from my primary care doctor's office saying she received the email from my rheumy and wanted to bring me in to discuss some things we could explore. (They never called me for an appointment before, so this freaked me out a little.)
Meanwhile I had my gastroenterology appointment. The woman told me that we would not do the Ph test as first she wanted to schedule me for an upper GI endoscopy to check for esophogeal damage, ulcers and pre-cancerous lesions. WHAT?? Oooookay. So I scheduled that. Then when the nurse called to go over the procedure and my meds, etc., she said they would do a biopsy to check for eosinophilic esophagitis at the request of the doctor in addition to any they do if the see "something." Oooookay.
Anyway, whatever is causing the wheezing and dry cough is what is probably leaving me exhausted as it obviously interferes with the amount of oxygen I get while I sleep.
Still no idea why I have neuropathy. Probably will have to just live with it at this point. Sigh.
So all of this uncertainity is combining with the fact that it is fall heading into winter and that is always bad for my depression to leave me on a downward slide. My psychiatrist upped my Effexor XR; my PCP took me off of my trazodone and upped my clonazapem and took me off of two other meds (allergy stuff) to try to a) reduce the number of meds I'm taking and b) relieve some of the severe dryness in my eyes, mouth and --ahem!--Sister Suzy. (This is not--as proven by bloodwork--Sjogren's; just dryness from meds and a natural dryness I've always leaned towards. The mouth dryness is annoying because my teeth are starting to chip and break more easily and the eye dryness prevents me from ever wearing contacts. I use Celluvisc in my eyes and various forms of biotene and sugar-free gum to alleviate mouth dryness.)
So now we wait.
In other news, I'm not sure if I've mentioned that both of my boys, in recent months, have cut off their long, luxurious locks into "skater" cuts and my oldest died his black. It actually looks good on him, but the whole "cool teen/tween" thing they are going through makes me sad. I miss my little baby boys snuggling on my lap and laughing crazily at life. Now they are "emo" and perpeutally sarcastic--still funny and not at all depressed, just the projection of coolness and aloofness that makes me miss them even when they are right there in the room.
Holden made high honors and Ethan did well with his first quarter portfolio.
Nate is still working his butt off.
My BFF is ready to pop out a sweet baby boy any day/week now.
My brother-in-law's wife, ditto.
It's hard to be surrounded by baby love just as I'm missing it most.
I've started a few small indoor succulent gardens with various types of living rocks. All of my plants still seem to be doing alright, knock wood.
My book list over there -------> is suffering a bit. I've been reading a lot of magazines when I do read,; I forget to enter books and I haven't reviewed anything for a while. But anyway, at least I'm reading something, right?
And my job... Well, let's just say I'm looking forward to the end of this quarter. I need new sample. New areas to work.
And lastly, poor Ethan is home sick with what seems to be a cold. Voluntarily sleeping. Now that's sick. Poor sweetie.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Voting Shifts from '04 to '08
(Click it to enlarge)This is a neat little map from the NYTimes which shows the percentage higher that people voted Democratic Party versus in the '04 election.
Pretty, innit??
Palin' in comparison to even herself.
Newsweek has an interesting round-up of now-known election secrets in which they touch on Palin's spending among other things:
Hackers and Spending Sprees
Highlights from NEWSWEEK's special election project.
But this article in an Aussie paper delves a little deeper into the sheer idiocy that was almost--well, not really, but could have been, maybe--our VP.
And she is not being gracious about the revelations:
Palin: McCain aides ‘Jerks’
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
At risk of seeming like an ungracious winner...
(Reminded by my bestest, non-husband friend that I seemed a little like a poor winner, I will now get my gush on...)
I let my children stay up until 11 p.m. to see the US of freakin' A being called for the First Black President of the United States and his bee-yoo-tee-ful First Family. (And then we all shared a bottle of 2002 Perrier-Jouet Rose Champagne and watched the speeches; I admit I cackled and yelled all through McCain's gracious and kind speech--I'm like that; you should know that by now. Hope the kids can get up in the a.m....) Until about a year ago, I though this was not something they'd see in their lifetime, much less I in mine. Ignoring what this means to our country now, at this moment in history, PLEASE pay attention to the meaning of this man, with his history and his family and his skin color, for goddess' sake, being not only POTUS, but arguably, Leader of the Free World. This is more historic than for which I have words. I've been teary and on edge and ready for today for weeks now, weepy all day and *weeping* since 11 p.m. I'll let the tears speak for me. Amazement and awe and love for my country leaks from my puffy red eyes and probably will for some time. And then start all over again on 1/20/09. For weeks or months. Can you imagine the weight on Our Man's shoulders right now?? Crushing. And I do not normally pray, you all know that (as my readers are pretty much my friends and family and y'all know about my agnostic/seeking/confused/whatever-it-is-ive-ness) but I will be *praying* for this man to fulfill our hopes and dreams and to be safe and to not change from the Man--capital M--who he is and who we elected. I will teach myself to pray to What/Whoever-Is-Out-There for him. We all need to do so to the best of our abilities right now, and we all need to REVEL in the utter history of what we are are living for at least a few days, and then get to fuckin' work for this Man who has committed his family and life to Us.
Bless you all BLESS YOU ALL BLESS YOU ALL for making history tonight. Let's continue to live it and be worthy of the man with whom we made it and worthy of the children and the world for whom we made it.
LOVELOVELOVE,Kayly
P.S. I wish I could hug you all tight to me right now. I am in awe of my beautiful, wonderful country right now (and I laugh in utter joy as I write that right now, as the irony of me--me!!!!--writing that phrase without any irony WHATSOEVER; who knew???)!!!
P.P.S. For the Sincoffs: I know the Obamas said their girls' dog will be a shelter dog, and I think I heard the First Lady Obama (god! I love that!!!) say it would be a small dog, so here's hoping it's a shelter-Shih-Tzu. It'll give you, and thus me, a leg up in the friendship battle, lol.
I let my children stay up until 11 p.m. to see the US of freakin' A being called for the First Black President of the United States and his bee-yoo-tee-ful First Family. (And then we all shared a bottle of 2002 Perrier-Jouet Rose Champagne and watched the speeches; I admit I cackled and yelled all through McCain's gracious and kind speech--I'm like that; you should know that by now. Hope the kids can get up in the a.m....) Until about a year ago, I though this was not something they'd see in their lifetime, much less I in mine. Ignoring what this means to our country now, at this moment in history, PLEASE pay attention to the meaning of this man, with his history and his family and his skin color, for goddess' sake, being not only POTUS, but arguably, Leader of the Free World. This is more historic than for which I have words. I've been teary and on edge and ready for today for weeks now, weepy all day and *weeping* since 11 p.m. I'll let the tears speak for me. Amazement and awe and love for my country leaks from my puffy red eyes and probably will for some time. And then start all over again on 1/20/09. For weeks or months. Can you imagine the weight on Our Man's shoulders right now?? Crushing. And I do not normally pray, you all know that (as my readers are pretty much my friends and family and y'all know about my agnostic/seeking/confused/whatever-it-is-ive-ness) but I will be *praying* for this man to fulfill our hopes and dreams and to be safe and to not change from the Man--capital M--who he is and who we elected. I will teach myself to pray to What/Whoever-Is-Out-There for him. We all need to do so to the best of our abilities right now, and we all need to REVEL in the utter history of what we are are living for at least a few days, and then get to fuckin' work for this Man who has committed his family and life to Us.
Bless you all BLESS YOU ALL BLESS YOU ALL for making history tonight. Let's continue to live it and be worthy of the man with whom we made it and worthy of the children and the world for whom we made it.
LOVELOVELOVE,Kayly
P.S. I wish I could hug you all tight to me right now. I am in awe of my beautiful, wonderful country right now (and I laugh in utter joy as I write that right now, as the irony of me--me!!!!--writing that phrase without any irony WHATSOEVER; who knew???)!!!
P.P.S. For the Sincoffs: I know the Obamas said their girls' dog will be a shelter dog, and I think I heard the First Lady Obama (god! I love that!!!) say it would be a small dog, so here's hoping it's a shelter-Shih-Tzu. It'll give you, and thus me, a leg up in the friendship battle, lol.
Words I thought I'd never hear on November 4th:
"Montana is too close to call."
(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
HEY MCCAIN YA FAT FUCK!!!
HOW YOU LIKE US NOW BEE-YOTCH?!?!?!?!?!?!
wooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too many tears of joy right now.
This is TRULY HISTORIC!!!!!!
wooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too many tears of joy right now.
This is TRULY HISTORIC!!!!!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween Blahg-apalooza Pt. 8 "Obama News"
- Declaration of Support by over 300 Former Diplomats
- Former GOP senator, vet backs Obama
- Daughter of slave votes for Obama 109-year-old Bastrop woman casts her vote by mail.
Halloween Blahg-apalooza Pt. 7 "McCain News"
- McCain's Private Visit With Chilean Dictator Pinochet Revealed For First Time
- News Orgs Investigate Possibly Fatal McCain '64 Car Crash
- Republicans hire mercenaries for ground war against Barack Obama (Psst, but they're voting for Obama, lol!)
- What Is the True Story of McCain’s Wartime Experience? by Mary Hershberger (I highly recommend the Rolling Stone article to which she refers and which I posted earlier.)
- Boy shocked after man powers up campaign sign
Halloween Blahg-apalooza Pt. 5 "'Regular' Joes"
Have you stopped beating your wife?
Thanks, Joe! Keep up the good work!!
Snickersnickersnortsnort:
Thanks, Joe! Keep up the good work!!
Snickersnickersnortsnort:
- Joe the Absentee leaves McCain fumbling in Ohio (The video is yummy as McCain uses "dick fingers" which amuse me much more than others, I guess. In fact I think The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks should publish a McCain specail bulletin, lol.)
Via Shakesville: a great photo essay:
From Joe.My.God.:
Don't Touch 6 Train, Thursday, 7pm A five year-old boy is swinging from the
grab pole in the middle of the train. Mom: Don't touch the pole. It has germs on
it. Kid: You say that about everything. Mom: Everything has germs. Don't touch
anything. Kid: What about people? Mom: People have the most germs. Don't touch
people. Kid: Fine. I won't touch you either. Mom: I'm used to that. Ask your
father.
Halloween Blahg-apalooza Pt. 3 "Palin Junk" (some old, some new, collected here, just for you)
Halloween Blahg-apalooza Pt. 2 "The YouTubes" (with apologies to those behind an un-fun firewall)
The election humor of some very talented people:
(Also check out her Opera for Obama: Catty Palin Twins: Your Worst Nightmare.)
...and my personal favorite for Meme of the Day:
(Also check out her Opera for Obama: Catty Palin Twins: Your Worst Nightmare.)
...and my personal favorite for Meme of the Day:
Halloween Blahg-apalooza Pt. 1 "Halloween Stories"
Happy Halloween!!!
For Halloween I thought I'd give you some "Bat News":
...and "Spooky Cell Phones":
...and mysterious "Legoman":
...and some super scary right-wing Xian whackjobs (no, not Palin)
...and some REALLY scary Tales from the Crypt:
For Halloween I thought I'd give you some "Bat News":
- Flying Fox Bats Are Off The Menu
Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing Duets - Giant bat makes comeback in Tanzania
- Nasty fungus may be killing thousands of bats
- Nature Notes: pipistrelle bats
- Project aims to keep bats under Ore. bridges
- Army creates new homes for bats
...and "Spooky Cell Phones":
...and mysterious "Legoman":
...and some super scary right-wing Xian whackjobs (no, not Palin)
...and some REALLY scary Tales from the Crypt:
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
"P into V"
I like reality shows that are "real," so, of course, there aren't really any reality shows I'm interested in watching. But "Sex Change Hospital" on We network is fascinating. Nate never really has understood my fascination with the whole gender fixing thing, but I think it is because:
But the show is very well done and heartwarming, in most cases and I highly recommend watching it.
- I like the voyeuristic thrill of the before and after, just as I do on any plasctic surgery show as well.
- I so admire the lengths to which the people in this situation are willing to go to be themselves.
But the show is very well done and heartwarming, in most cases and I highly recommend watching it.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Proud Ma
Forgot to mention the other week that Holden made high honors his first semester of high school. So PROUD!!! [BEAMING]
Also, now Ethan got his super long, lustrous locks cut short--for him--it's a long flop on the one front side and short all around. Very '80s skater boy. I guess that's retro cool now. This follows on the heels of Holden cutting off his long, curly hair in the early fall. Sigh... they look super cute, but I miss their long hair.
Also, now Ethan got his super long, lustrous locks cut short--for him--it's a long flop on the one front side and short all around. Very '80s skater boy. I guess that's retro cool now. This follows on the heels of Holden cutting off his long, curly hair in the early fall. Sigh... they look super cute, but I miss their long hair.
Friday, October 24, 2008
I heart Ronnie Howard. Hard.
See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die
You KNOW he's serious when he shows us his gut AND his bald, bald head!!
huh...
From DailyKos:
Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, the amendment before the Senate is a very simple one. It restricts the use of campaign funds for inherently personal purposes. The amendment would restrict individuals from using campaign funds for such things as home mortgage payments, clothing purchases, noncampaign automobile expenses, country club memberships, and vacations or other trips that are noncampaign in nature.
From Committee on Standards of Official Conduct:
Proper Use of Campaign Funds and Resources
Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, the amendment before the Senate is a very simple one. It restricts the use of campaign funds for inherently personal purposes. The amendment would restrict individuals from using campaign funds for such things as home mortgage payments, clothing purchases, noncampaign automobile expenses, country club memberships, and vacations or other trips that are noncampaign in nature.
From Committee on Standards of Official Conduct:
Proper Use of Campaign Funds and Resources
McCain loves Club Hunts and bush. Loves me some Keith.
Okay, so you've all heard this by now:
Book: McCain temper boiled over in '92 tirade, called wife a 'cunt'
But methinks the word is too "on the tip of his tongue" for my taste. (Um, please excuse any double entendre as I am quite sure he doesn't think of it "that way.")
And then there's this:
To which Keith adds a second great dimension.
Book: McCain temper boiled over in '92 tirade, called wife a 'cunt'
But methinks the word is too "on the tip of his tongue" for my taste. (Um, please excuse any double entendre as I am quite sure he doesn't think of it "that way.")
And then there's this:
To which Keith adds a second great dimension.
"Postelection remarks"? Is that code for concession speech? Not getting cocky, just asking.
McCain might skip his own election-night party
Oct 23 04:28 PM US/EasternBy BETH FOUHY Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - John McCain's election night watch party might be missing John McCain. Instead of appearing before a throng of supporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix on the evening of Nov. 4, the Republican presidential nominee plans to deliver postelection remarks to a small group of reporters and guests on the hotel's lawn.
Aides said Thursday that the arrangement was due to space limitations and that McCain might drop by the election watch party at some other point.
McCain's remarks will be piped electronically into the party and media filing center, aides said. Only a small press "pool"—mostly those who have traveled regularly with the candidate on his campaign plane, plus a few local Arizona reporters and others—will be physically present when he speaks.
Thomas Patterson, a government professor at Harvard's Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy, called the arrangement "unusual" but said the campaign may simply be bowing to the reality that the candidate's remarks are geared toward the televised audience rather than those in the hall.
"Addressing your supporters election night is one of those traditions in politics, like where you choose to launch your campaign," Patterson said. "Why wouldn't you want the energy of the crowd? And if you're going to lose, you almost need it even more."
With just 12 days left in the presidential contest, most polls show the Arizona senator trailing Democrat Barack Obama nationally and in most battleground states, although a new AP-GfK poll showed the race tightening a bit in the last few days.
Obama, by contrast, plans to address a giant outdoor celebration election night in Chicago's Grant Park. The event is free and open to the public, but the campaign was charging media organizations a hefty fee for close-in spots on the camera risers and platforms and for cable and wireless Internet at those spots.
The Obama campaign was also charging news organizations $935 per person for a spot in its press filing center, as opposed to $695 per person at the McCain gathering. But as Obama spokesman Bill Burton pointed out, "Anyone credentialed for our filing center will also be able to watch the event live and in person, unlike the McCain event."
Oct 23 04:28 PM US/EasternBy BETH FOUHY Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - John McCain's election night watch party might be missing John McCain. Instead of appearing before a throng of supporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix on the evening of Nov. 4, the Republican presidential nominee plans to deliver postelection remarks to a small group of reporters and guests on the hotel's lawn.
Aides said Thursday that the arrangement was due to space limitations and that McCain might drop by the election watch party at some other point.
McCain's remarks will be piped electronically into the party and media filing center, aides said. Only a small press "pool"—mostly those who have traveled regularly with the candidate on his campaign plane, plus a few local Arizona reporters and others—will be physically present when he speaks.
Thomas Patterson, a government professor at Harvard's Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy, called the arrangement "unusual" but said the campaign may simply be bowing to the reality that the candidate's remarks are geared toward the televised audience rather than those in the hall.
"Addressing your supporters election night is one of those traditions in politics, like where you choose to launch your campaign," Patterson said. "Why wouldn't you want the energy of the crowd? And if you're going to lose, you almost need it even more."
With just 12 days left in the presidential contest, most polls show the Arizona senator trailing Democrat Barack Obama nationally and in most battleground states, although a new AP-GfK poll showed the race tightening a bit in the last few days.
Obama, by contrast, plans to address a giant outdoor celebration election night in Chicago's Grant Park. The event is free and open to the public, but the campaign was charging media organizations a hefty fee for close-in spots on the camera risers and platforms and for cable and wireless Internet at those spots.
The Obama campaign was also charging news organizations $935 per person for a spot in its press filing center, as opposed to $695 per person at the McCain gathering. But as Obama spokesman Bill Burton pointed out, "Anyone credentialed for our filing center will also be able to watch the event live and in person, unlike the McCain event."
Taxes?!? We don't pay no stinkin' taxes!!
By way of AMERICAblog:
So when is Sarah Palin paying $50,000 in taxes on the $150,000 in clothes the RNC gave her?
John Aravosis (DC) · 10/23/2008 01:13:00 AM ET ·
As you know, the Republicans bought Sarah Palin $150,000 in clothes last month - that's more than the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years. That's also a gift. And it's a taxable gift. It doesn't matter if it's for work. And it doesn't matter if the Republicans now say they're going to donate the clothes to charity after it's over. Sarah Palin can't accept $150,000 dollars in goods, use them, then later give them away to charity and not pay taxes on the gift she received. By the time she gives them away to charity, they're used clothes - and worth about 1/3 of their original value. So, sure, she can take a tax deduction on the $50,000 in clothes she's giving away (a savings of perhaps $15k or so), but she still has to pay $50k or so in taxes on the $150,000 gift she received in the first place. That means Palin will owe $35,000 net in taxes due to her big shopping spree at Neiman Marcus and Saks. And the Republicans can't help her pay for it, or she'll be paying taxes on their help as well. Of course, Palin is no stranger to failing to report her taxable income - she did the same thing while serving as governor of Alaska.
So when is Sarah Palin paying $50,000 in taxes on the $150,000 in clothes the RNC gave her?
John Aravosis (DC) · 10/23/2008 01:13:00 AM ET ·
As you know, the Republicans bought Sarah Palin $150,000 in clothes last month - that's more than the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years. That's also a gift. And it's a taxable gift. It doesn't matter if it's for work. And it doesn't matter if the Republicans now say they're going to donate the clothes to charity after it's over. Sarah Palin can't accept $150,000 dollars in goods, use them, then later give them away to charity and not pay taxes on the gift she received. By the time she gives them away to charity, they're used clothes - and worth about 1/3 of their original value. So, sure, she can take a tax deduction on the $50,000 in clothes she's giving away (a savings of perhaps $15k or so), but she still has to pay $50k or so in taxes on the $150,000 gift she received in the first place. That means Palin will owe $35,000 net in taxes due to her big shopping spree at Neiman Marcus and Saks. And the Republicans can't help her pay for it, or she'll be paying taxes on their help as well. Of course, Palin is no stranger to failing to report her taxable income - she did the same thing while serving as governor of Alaska.
I've always wanted a son named Cuisinart, so I can see her point.
People:Alicia also wondered if you had any more unique names up your sleeve.
SP: We did. We never got to get our Zamboni in. I always wanted a son named Zamboni.
TP: I don't think that would have flied.
Todd Palin, the voice of reason, folks.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Another Idiot for McCain and Two People with Integrity Formerly "for" McCain
It's funny and sad.
Then there's these two: Robocaller quits his job & Woman quits job at call center over anti-Obama script
More racism. Again. Still. Whatever.
John McCain’s Racism and Why It Matters
Despite the right weirdos saying there is no proof this happened, I have listened to this video several times and hear the same thing I heard when I listened to it live:
- McCain: In short, who is the real Barack Obama?
- [Simultaneously]Man 1: Terrorist! Man 2: Kill him!
- [assorted crowd noise]
- Man 3: We are killin' him! [Presumably this man means "in the polls." Does the first??]
Voter Registration Fraud vs. Voter Registration Fraud & Vote Fraud
VS.
- Block the Vote: Will the GOP's campaign to deter new voters and discard Democratic ballots determine the next president?
- McCain campaign paid Republican operative accused of voter fraud
- Voting Machines Switch Votes; Officials Blame Voters -- Update
- Voters say they were duped into registering as Republicans
- Election Integrity Filmmaker Sees Own Vote Flipped on ESS Touch-Screens in TN
- WV Voting Machines Switch Votes from Obama to McCain
P.S. ...and voter harassment:
McCain Supporters Heckle Early Voters, Call Them 'Cheaters'
What the eff is wrong with the right?
Somehow the right wing nutjobs are turning Obama's visit to his sick grandmother into a bad thing. I am nauseated by these people's tactics even more so than usual.
- The Inexplicable * and an open thread
- Barack’s Contrived Hawaii Trip
- I also listen to right wing talk radio while driving all day and have heard Limbaugh, Beck and Hannity all give their own takes on how this somehow proves how bad a choice Obama is for country.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
McCain Thinks "Patriots" are Card 56 Douchebags
I had a shorter version of this video to share, but after seeing the whole first minute on CNN just now, I sought out longer version. Note how tied up he gets after he realizes his mistake. You almost expect him to yell, "Run away! Run away!" And run all higgledy-piggledy off the stage. Note at the end he almost says "agree" again. Good stuff. I've watched it a bazillion times and it stays just as funny, to me anyway.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Who's gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It's chocolate, it's peppermint, it's delicious.
A little wee tiny bit of politics. Just a little.
McCain is a "Card 56 douchebag." Again.
Well, this card-carrying, hairy-legged, socialist feminist will be proud to counter the "counter" of Palin with a vote for Obama.
By now you've probably heard that Palin thinks some of us in the (AHEM!) blue states ain't so patriotic. Card 56 douchebag (and my pal) Michele Bachmann (R.-Minn) was kind enough to have Palin's back on that one. Can't wait for the all-girl version of the HUAC. HOT!
More racist bullshite if you can stand it:
Sarah Palin is an unethical thief, part 2.
Alaska funded Palin kids' travel
(Ya gotta read this one, goshdarnit. Sarah SixPack sounds so goldang down to earth. Just like me. Especially the part about spendin' $21K of someone elses money on plane tickets and thousands of someone elses money on separate luxury hotel rooms for the kiddos over the course of 23 months, you betcha, goshdarnit.)
Horrible people exploit their own children so "the gays" don't get married and somehow...exploit...their children? Hmmm...wait, that can't be right...
This is seriously effed up. What the hell is going on in today's Army? Seriously?
Alton Brown, a man who owes his living to those who love food, is a fattist. Gross.
Finally, a personal note:
Ugh, it was a long day. I left the house at 9:45 a.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. and still had a bunch of admin stuff to do. At least I'm getting hours in, right?
So..."the incident" i mentioned the other day? Well, a respondent met me at my car with a gun and told me to get off of the property. I quickly obliged. Went back to work yesterday, finally, and got another freakazoid flipping out in their own paranoid, government-hating, inbred hillbilly way. Thus proving that the jokes regarding that particular county's ignorance (in every sense of the word) are based in a modicum of sad, sad truth. I won't name the county, as I would violate confidentiality laws, but if you're from around here, you probably know which county I mean. (Yesterday was not traumatizing, just annoying as all hell.) I'm doing okay now, just dreading the next few months "up there." Nate handled the news admirably, although he is still fighting the urge, he says, to go up there himself. Probably doesn't hurt his odds at not getting shot that I would never tell him the address. ;-)
And I know I haven't talked about my mental state in a while and that is one at least a couple of people ended up here.
So...
It's fall. I'm blue.
But, don't panic!! I'm not what I qualify (for me, at least) as depressed. At lot this has to do with the shorter days. A little has to do with my boys separating more and more from me as they self-actualize more and more. The past few days there is a bit of anger at humans who threaten other humans merely for existing thrown into the mix. And a LOT of it has to do with the exhaustion I have been experiencing lately in conjunction with neauropathy, both of which are, still, as yet unexplained. Sigh. But I know what the causes are, so I am able to deal with the various aspects in effective ways. Today I read that the brain stimulating magnet which I've following closely for years now has been approved by the government for use. This heartens me a lot, and it is something I will try to pursue before more ECT if it ever comes to that. But I am still a hearty proponent of ECT for those who can get no relief otherwise for whatever reason (drug resistance, pregnancy, old age, etc.). Some people might question how I can take such chances with my most important organ. My answer is, if you had ever experienced my brain, you, too, would probably do whatever you needed to do to try to make your way back from hell for yourself, your children, your husband, your parents, whatever or whoever it is that anchors you to this Earth. There was no other answer left for me and I made the decision as fully informed as one can be without actually training to perform the prodcedure. The magnet? Well, I think if I get to that point again, why not try something less invasive? If it doesn't work? Back to the ECT again. And if it does work, but later we find out there was some horrible after effect? Well, I will have had the time that it gave me back, and perhaps my having participated in the treatment will have helped to discover or confirm whatever the problems were. I have no problem with being a guinea pig. As long as I am as fully informed as I can be and I feel comfortable with what is knowable, I feel like maybe my willingness to pioneer (or whatever) could help others who aren't willing to be ealry adapters or guinea pigs or whatever you may want to label it. Some people play(ed) "chemistry class" with their bodies in other ways, I choose to do it in potentially helpful ways, either for me or for others or both.
Moving on...
My plants are all doing amazingly well, even the pothos which I almost (somehow) killed. 9ddon't laugh!) When I divided it into three smaller sections instead of one HUGE section it plumped right back up. YAY!
Just watched Law & Order: SVU and, by gosh, by golly, my honey Chris Eliot played an astronaut stalking weirdo. Straight. It was awesome!
And right after that I watched last night's Countdown, on which he told a cool story:
Keith always has little tidbits like this, and they always make me wonder if there isn't some kind of Six Degrees game we couldn't make up for him. He's connected to EVERYTHING, man!
(And p.s.: His Special Comment was great, too. He hates Bachmann as much as he should.)
McCain is a "Card 56 douchebag." Again.
Well, this card-carrying, hairy-legged, socialist feminist will be proud to counter the "counter" of Palin with a vote for Obama.
By now you've probably heard that Palin thinks some of us in the (AHEM!) blue states ain't so patriotic. Card 56 douchebag (and my pal) Michele Bachmann (R.-Minn) was kind enough to have Palin's back on that one. Can't wait for the all-girl version of the HUAC. HOT!
More racist bullshite if you can stand it:
- Snohomish County GOP pulls "$3 bills" smearing Obama from fair booth
- Incendiary sign in McCain office links Obama to dictators
- Obama effigy found hanging at George Fox University
Sarah Palin is an unethical thief, part 2.
Alaska funded Palin kids' travel
(Ya gotta read this one, goshdarnit. Sarah SixPack sounds so goldang down to earth. Just like me. Especially the part about spendin' $21K of someone elses money on plane tickets and thousands of someone elses money on separate luxury hotel rooms for the kiddos over the course of 23 months, you betcha, goshdarnit.)
Horrible people exploit their own children so "the gays" don't get married and somehow...exploit...their children? Hmmm...wait, that can't be right...
This is seriously effed up. What the hell is going on in today's Army? Seriously?
Army to probe 5 slayings linked to Colo. brigade
By P. SOLOMON BANDA, Associated Press Writer P. Solomon Banda, Associated Press Writer – Sat Oct 18, 10:12 am ET
DENVER – Fort Carson soldiers returning from deployment in Iraq are suspects in at least five slayings, and officials want to know why.Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Graham announced Friday a task force will examine any commonalities in the five killings, all allegedly committed by soldiers from the post's 4th Brigade Combat Team in the past 14 months. A sixth BCT soldier faces an attempted murder charge. "We have many great young Americans in our Army who have volunteered to serve during a time of war, almost all of whom are great citizens," Graham said in a statement. "However, we too are very concerned about these horrible acts." Fort Carson also plans to re-screen about 1,200 soldiers from the brigade for potential physical or mental health problems. Earlier Friday, Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar asked Army Secretary Pete Geren to investigate the slayings. Officials learned of the latest on Monday, when Spc. Robert Hull Marko, 21, led investigators to the body of 19-year-old Judilianna "Judi" Lawrence, whom he met on the social networking Web site MySpace, according to an arrest affidavit released Tuesday. The affidavit said Marko told investigators he had violent sex with Lawrence before slitting her throat and leaving her to die in the foothills west of Colorado Springs. His next court appearance is Monday. The issue of homicides by combat-stressed veterans gained national prominence in January, after The New York Times reported that at least 121 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans had committed a killing in the United States or been charged in one. Karen Linne, a spokeswoman for Fort Carson, said commanders two months ago ordered squad leaders and team leaders to reevaluate soldiers to see if they need additional help following concerns raised after another soldier from the unit was linked to a double slaying. Pfc. Jomar Dionisio Falu-Vives, 24, and
Spc. Rodolfo Torres-Gandarilla, 20, face attempted murder charges in the May 26 wounding of Capt. Zachary Zsody, who was shot twice while standing at an intersection. An arrest affidavit released in August said an AK-47 used in the Zsody case was found in Falu-Vives' apartment and it was also used in the June 6 deaths of two people gunned down on the street while putting up signs for a garage sale. Killed were Cesar Ramirez Ibanez, 21, and Amairany Cervantes, 28. Prosecutors filed murder charges against Falu-Vives on Sept. 15. Three other members of the unit were accused in the slayings of two soldiers. Bruce Bastien Jr. was sentenced last month to 60 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to accessory to murder in the December shooting death of Kevin Shields, and conspiracy to commit murder in the August 2007 death of Robert James.
Bastien, and co-defendant Kenneth Eastridge, both agreed to testify against fellow Iraq war veteran Louis Bressler, the alleged triggerman. Eastridge pleaded guilty July 11 to accessory to murder in Shields' death and will be sentenced Nov. 3. Bressler is scheduled to go on trial in the Shield slaying Nov. 3, while his trial in the James homicide is scheduled for Dec. 1. "Those who committed these violent crimes should be brought to justice," said Salazar. "But these tragedies also raise a number of questions from the backgrounds and service records of these soldiers, to whether they received waivers to enter the service, to the adequacy of mental health screening and treatment within the Army." Falu-Vives and Torres-Gandarilla, accused together in one case and Bastien, Bressler and Eastridge, accused in the two slayings, served in Iraq last year with the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Brigade Combat Team. There weren't any immediate indications that both sets of men knew each other. Marko was a mortarman with Charlie Company, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, of the 4th BCT and served from February 2007 until February of this year.
Alton Brown, a man who owes his living to those who love food, is a fattist. Gross.
Food Star Alton Brown Talks Sustainability
[EXCERPT:]”I’ve
struggled with weight all my life, and probably always will. But I was on my most recent book tour I was shocked by the number of overweight families,” he says. “People would come up to me and say, ‘Oh, we love the Food Network.’ Well,
no (expletive); did you eat the TV? There’s only four of you and you can’t ride
in an elevator together. I’ll probably make fat people angry, but we need, as a
culture, to be ashamed. It’s not “… healthy.”[whole article at link]
Finally, a personal note:
Ugh, it was a long day. I left the house at 9:45 a.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. and still had a bunch of admin stuff to do. At least I'm getting hours in, right?
So..."the incident" i mentioned the other day? Well, a respondent met me at my car with a gun and told me to get off of the property. I quickly obliged. Went back to work yesterday, finally, and got another freakazoid flipping out in their own paranoid, government-hating, inbred hillbilly way. Thus proving that the jokes regarding that particular county's ignorance (in every sense of the word) are based in a modicum of sad, sad truth. I won't name the county, as I would violate confidentiality laws, but if you're from around here, you probably know which county I mean. (Yesterday was not traumatizing, just annoying as all hell.) I'm doing okay now, just dreading the next few months "up there." Nate handled the news admirably, although he is still fighting the urge, he says, to go up there himself. Probably doesn't hurt his odds at not getting shot that I would never tell him the address. ;-)
And I know I haven't talked about my mental state in a while and that is one at least a couple of people ended up here.
So...
It's fall. I'm blue.
But, don't panic!! I'm not what I qualify (for me, at least) as depressed. At lot this has to do with the shorter days. A little has to do with my boys separating more and more from me as they self-actualize more and more. The past few days there is a bit of anger at humans who threaten other humans merely for existing thrown into the mix. And a LOT of it has to do with the exhaustion I have been experiencing lately in conjunction with neauropathy, both of which are, still, as yet unexplained. Sigh. But I know what the causes are, so I am able to deal with the various aspects in effective ways. Today I read that the brain stimulating magnet which I've following closely for years now has been approved by the government for use. This heartens me a lot, and it is something I will try to pursue before more ECT if it ever comes to that. But I am still a hearty proponent of ECT for those who can get no relief otherwise for whatever reason (drug resistance, pregnancy, old age, etc.). Some people might question how I can take such chances with my most important organ. My answer is, if you had ever experienced my brain, you, too, would probably do whatever you needed to do to try to make your way back from hell for yourself, your children, your husband, your parents, whatever or whoever it is that anchors you to this Earth. There was no other answer left for me and I made the decision as fully informed as one can be without actually training to perform the prodcedure. The magnet? Well, I think if I get to that point again, why not try something less invasive? If it doesn't work? Back to the ECT again. And if it does work, but later we find out there was some horrible after effect? Well, I will have had the time that it gave me back, and perhaps my having participated in the treatment will have helped to discover or confirm whatever the problems were. I have no problem with being a guinea pig. As long as I am as fully informed as I can be and I feel comfortable with what is knowable, I feel like maybe my willingness to pioneer (or whatever) could help others who aren't willing to be ealry adapters or guinea pigs or whatever you may want to label it. Some people play(ed) "chemistry class" with their bodies in other ways, I choose to do it in potentially helpful ways, either for me or for others or both.
Moving on...
My plants are all doing amazingly well, even the pothos which I almost (somehow) killed. 9ddon't laugh!) When I divided it into three smaller sections instead of one HUGE section it plumped right back up. YAY!
Just watched Law & Order: SVU and, by gosh, by golly, my honey Chris Eliot played an astronaut stalking weirdo. Straight. It was awesome!
And right after that I watched last night's Countdown, on which he told a cool story:
Keith always has little tidbits like this, and they always make me wonder if there isn't some kind of Six Degrees game we couldn't make up for him. He's connected to EVERYTHING, man!
(And p.s.: His Special Comment was great, too. He hates Bachmann as much as he should.)
And lastly I watched Craig Ferguson (Cleg Feh-guson) who had Leanne Marshall on and went on and about Project Runway. He is actually, apparently, a HUGE fan. Which cemented it: he had made THE LIST!
So the new list is:
- Jon Stewart
- Christian Bale
- Keith Olberman
- Daniel Craig
- Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt--but only as a team!! ;-)
But most of all my wonderful, loving husband who does sexy-ass-motherfucking things like cook me chocolate pudding, put it in a HUGE measuring cup with a comfortable handle and letting me eat spoon by spoon and not sharing it because I had a tough week and my period on top of that. That's (as Paris would say) HOT!
Someday soon, I'll get my verbosity under control. But there is so much going on in the world right now!!! TTFN, sweeties! (Sleepy....YAWN!)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I think I'm in love.
Sarah Haskins' "Target Women" on infoMania (Current) is about the funniest thing on tv right now.
Three different e-mails, all good questions:
Over the past two months I have received three separate emails with the same basic premise, hypocrisy of the right.
Here they are:
Number One:
Here they are:
Number One:
- If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic,
different.'/Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers: you're a quintessential
American story. - If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim. /Name your kids Willow, Trig, and Track: you're a maverick.
- Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable. /Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating: you're well grounded.
- If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience./If your total resume is: local weather girl (sports caster), 4 years on thecity council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with fewer than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
- If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian. /If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
- If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society./If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
- If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's./ If your husband is
nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DUI conviction and no college
education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a
group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is
extremely admirable.
- If you're a minority and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a "token hire."/If you're a conservative and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a "game changer."
- Black teen pregnancies? A "crisis" in black America. /White teen pregnancies? A "blessed event."
- If you grow up in Hawaii you're "exotic."/Similarly, if you name your kid Barack you're "unpatriotic."/Name your kid Track, you're "colorful."
- If you're a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fully vetting the individual you're reckless."/A Republican who doesn't fully vet is a "maverick."
- If you spend 3 years as a community organizer growing your organization from a staff of 1 to 13 and your budget from $70,000 to $400,000, then become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new African American voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, then spend nearly 8 more years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, becoming chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, then spend nearly 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of nearly 13 million people, sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you are woefully inexperienced./If you spend 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, then spend 20 months as the governor of a state with 650,000 people, then you've got the most executive experience of anyone on either ticket, are the Commander in Chief of the Alaska military and are well qualified to lead the nation should you be called upon to do so because your state is the closest state to Russia.
- If you are a Democratic male candidate who is popular with millions of people you are an "arrogant celebrity". /If you are a popular Republican female candidate you are "energizing thebase".
- If you are a younger male candidate who thinks for himself and makes his own decisions you are "presumptuous"./If you are an older male candidate who makes last minute decisions you refuse to explain, you are a "shoot from the hip" maverick.
- If you are a candidate with a Harvard law degree you are "an elitist-out of touch" with the real America. /If you are a legacy (dad and granddad were admirals) graduate of Annapolis, with multiple disciplinary infractions you are a hero.
- If you manage a multi-million dollar nationwide campaign, you are an "empty suit". /If you are a part time mayor of a town of 7000 people, you are an “experienced executive".
- If you go to a south side Chicago church, your beliefs are "extremist". /If you believe in creationism and don't believe global warming is man made, you are "strongly principled".
- If you kill an endangered species, you're an excellent hunter. /If you have an abortion your not a Christian, you're a murderer (forget about if it happen while being date raped.)
- If you teach abstinence only in sex education, you get teen parents. /If you teach responsible age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
Number 3:
- What if John McCain were former president of Harvard Law Review?
- What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?
- What if John McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to?
- What if Barack Obama left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?
- What if John McCain was a charismatic speaker?
- What if Barack Obama were a member of the Keating 5?
- What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?
- What if Michelle Obama not only became addicted to painkillers but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?
Barely ANY Politics!!!
Amy Poehler is a freaking genius, and she is about a hundred times cuter with her big preggo belly. She absolutley stole last night's SNL with two skits last night, one of which was the Palin rap. (As a side note, as much as I hate Palin, after the Weekend Update was over I told Nate, "If I didn't hate her so much, I'd really like her right now." Plus now we know that both tickets have one person with the ability to bust a move cutely. I was not happy that Palin seems to be a decent actress as that is not something I want in a VP.) I'll be sad to see her move on from the show, but Kristen Wiig seems to be the emerging female comice star on SNL, so at least we won't be left bereft. (Fun fact: Wiig spent some of her growing up years in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.)
Movies I'm jonesing for:
The casting in W. looks genius if not, at first, obvious. Especially Jeffrey Wright as Gen. Colin Powell. Genius. (And Once in a Lifetime seems a perfect song for the trailer.) I'm rarely over the moon for Stone movies, but I've got it bad for this one.
Which leads me to today's big--but not suprising, really--Obama endorsements: Gen. Colin Powell and Fareed Zakaria. Obama also has about three times as many newspaper endorsements, so I've lost track of the most recent of those.
Not much going one today. Just reading the Sunday Times, catching up on some magazines I am really behind on reading (New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Ms. and Bitch; yeah, most of my magazine "reading" lately has been gossip rags and fashion mags. Sigh. I'm an addict.), watching Sunday talking head, drinking coffee and generally being a fat, lazy fuck.
Movies I'm jonesing for:
- W.
- RELIGULOUS
- Nick & Norah s Infinite Playlist
The casting in W. looks genius if not, at first, obvious. Especially Jeffrey Wright as Gen. Colin Powell. Genius. (And Once in a Lifetime seems a perfect song for the trailer.) I'm rarely over the moon for Stone movies, but I've got it bad for this one.
Which leads me to today's big--but not suprising, really--Obama endorsements: Gen. Colin Powell and Fareed Zakaria. Obama also has about three times as many newspaper endorsements, so I've lost track of the most recent of those.
Not much going one today. Just reading the Sunday Times, catching up on some magazines I am really behind on reading (New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Ms. and Bitch; yeah, most of my magazine "reading" lately has been gossip rags and fashion mags. Sigh. I'm an addict.), watching Sunday talking head, drinking coffee and generally being a fat, lazy fuck.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Shopping, Snarkiness, Spoilers for Slow-Watchers and Some Shit about the Elections
SPOILER ALERT!
Did you see the Project Runway Season 5 Finale? I cannot believe Leanne won. The collections were all a bit lackluster as far as I was concerned, but Korto's was the best of the three. It was so vibrant and full of life. And accessible to all body types, which Leanne's and Kenley's were not. Kenley's surprisingly had a few pieces I liked, showed her personality, and was well executed and cohesive. But that "Balenciaga rip-off" was horrid! And I am not a fan of any of the hand painting. Goofy stuff. (P.S. Though I hate Kenley and a lot of her designs, I do have the feather fascinator bug now. Sigh. At least they are something I can actually make.) Leanne's collection was extremely well-executed, extremely pale, extremely cohesive (like sticky rice or wheat paste) and extremely one note. Technically gorgeous, emotionally cold.
And I obviously have no idea how Project Runway works in [real] reality, because here are Jerrell's beautiful collection; Joe's Stella-like weird, ugly-ass collection; and Suede apparently did a prom/pageant/cotillion collection.
I did love all three finalist's runway music and have tracked down Kenley's (apparently composed by her boyfriend?) and Leanne's (composed by her boyfriend). Korto's continues to elude me even though it was my favorite of the three. (It is either by Fela Kuti--but I don't know the title--or Osyrusakbar's, so says himself and, again, I cannot find the piece or even the title.)
One last note about Leanne: WHAT was up with her hair and makeup in her final interview on the aired episode? She looked like a wet, sad mouse. Even if she got caught in a storm, couldn't they have fixed her up for the interview, at least??
Moving on...
And now, POLITICS:
So that's about it for now. Later tater's.
Did you see the Project Runway Season 5 Finale? I cannot believe Leanne won. The collections were all a bit lackluster as far as I was concerned, but Korto's was the best of the three. It was so vibrant and full of life. And accessible to all body types, which Leanne's and Kenley's were not. Kenley's surprisingly had a few pieces I liked, showed her personality, and was well executed and cohesive. But that "Balenciaga rip-off" was horrid! And I am not a fan of any of the hand painting. Goofy stuff. (P.S. Though I hate Kenley and a lot of her designs, I do have the feather fascinator bug now. Sigh. At least they are something I can actually make.) Leanne's collection was extremely well-executed, extremely pale, extremely cohesive (like sticky rice or wheat paste) and extremely one note. Technically gorgeous, emotionally cold.
And I obviously have no idea how Project Runway works in [real] reality, because here are Jerrell's beautiful collection; Joe's Stella-like weird, ugly-ass collection; and Suede apparently did a prom/pageant/cotillion collection.
I did love all three finalist's runway music and have tracked down Kenley's (apparently composed by her boyfriend?) and Leanne's (composed by her boyfriend). Korto's continues to elude me even though it was my favorite of the three. (It is either by Fela Kuti--but I don't know the title--or Osyrusakbar's, so says himself and, again, I cannot find the piece or even the title.)
One last note about Leanne: WHAT was up with her hair and makeup in her final interview on the aired episode? She looked like a wet, sad mouse. Even if she got caught in a storm, couldn't they have fixed her up for the interview, at least??
Moving on...
- Payless will be doing a sustainable shoe and purse collection. I love Payless for fashion shoes and have a ton, but tend to were my good sturdy expensive comfortable shoes most of the time.
- Nate and I were watching Kath & Kim last night (which I love, TW; Selma Blair referred to it as an "American tragedy" and it is, really, but funny as hell) and they mentioned Merry Go Round. The mention caused Nate and I to have a five minute nostalgia trip wherein we remembered Chess King as well. Remember those stores? The epitome of '80s cool at my school. They also played Erasure's Respect, causing a second round of nostalgia
- One of my gossip rags showed Brad Pitt bicycling in N'Awlins with what looked like a gigantic Moleskine notebook. Only they don't make them that big, and Moleskine's don't have pencil loops. So what is it? If you find it let me know. I thought maybe it was this one but, the corners are rounded on Pitt's and squared on this one. My Moleskine obsession (because of the beauty and simplicity of them, not necessarily the brand) causes me to seriously covet this notebook.
- I cannot stop wearing my Bandit perfume. Even to bed and in my sweats. It's dirty clean, which I love. I smell like a sexed up lady who just took a good soap-fueled bath. I love it. So now my favorite perfumes to wear are both Robert Piguet--Fracas and Bandit. I want the rest now. Even the designed-for-men Cravache.
- This toilet paper rocks! Natural Value is not all shred-y and thin like most "green" tp. It's still no Charmin, but I think the Newcomer family has found a new tp after years--YEARS!!--of Charmin addiction. Now if I could break our mean-ass boy cat NCL of his clay, non-scoopable litter. We tried all of the green litters with gradual transitions and once the mixture gets to a certain level he pisses outside the box to say, "Hey! This litter BLOWS, assholes!!"
And now, POLITICS:
- You know who I hate? Rep. Michele Bachmann (R) of Minnesota. Apropos of nothing, really. I'm just sick of her, I cannot wait until the election is over and I don't have to listen to this a-hole anymore.
- Did you see McCain and Obama at the Alfred E. Smith Foundation banquet last night? Both were funny. Although McCain's roast of Obama was a bit more "roast-y" than Obama's was of McCain. Obama was a bit more self-deprecating. But both were funny.
- Will Todd Palin get security clearance? Well, yes, I'm sure he will, but the question is valid and thought provoking.
- Another mailer in Virginia compares Obama to terrorists, or even calls him one, maybe.
- More proof regarding the real Obama tax plan follows in Samuel "Joe" "The Fucking" "Plumber" Wurzelbacher's wake.
- Arizona Republicans want to do the right thing for the wrong reasons regarding robo-calls going on there.
So that's about it for now. Later tater's.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
These Pretzels Are Making Me Thirsty
Election Stuff:
Still fundraising for Obama, if you're giving, do it through my Obama page, please!
McCain said in the debate he lost last night (basically) that his supporters are good people, not hateful, and how dare you (or Rep. John Lewis [D] of Georgia) imply that??
Really??!!?? Really?!?!? How about these:
Easiest Q&A ever (Bitch Ph.D. mocks McCain's Q & A style in a most succinct manner.)
McCain is an Asshole, Part MCCXXXVIII (or more, I've lost count):
Still fundraising for Obama, if you're giving, do it through my Obama page, please!
McCain said in the debate he lost last night (basically) that his supporters are good people, not hateful, and how dare you (or Rep. John Lewis [D] of Georgia) imply that??
Really??!!?? Really?!?!? How about these:
- Inland GOP mailing depicts Obama's face on food stamp
- Inflammatory Republican rallies raise concerns
- MCCAIN'S 'FELLOW PRISONERS' ?
- For Some, Uncertainty Starts at Racial Identity
- Racism Revealed At McCain/Palin Rallies
- Material linking Obama to Bin Laden removed from Sacramento GOP Web site
- [Republican National Committee ] GOP mail ties Obama to terrorists
Easiest Q&A ever (Bitch Ph.D. mocks McCain's Q & A style in a most succinct manner.)
McCain is an Asshole, Part MCCXXXVIII (or more, I've lost count):
And, by the way, can we stop, already, with the term "partial birth abortion?" It's called an intact dilation and extraction. Don't be a nitwit. You too, Obama. (This is one of a few things on which I disagree with Obama.) BTW, again, I am not against late-term abortion, and, yes, I am pro-abortion, and unapologetically, so stop using it as an epithet, ya doodooheads. I am also pro-life. Stew that one over for a while. Confuses your tiny heads doesn't it, you narrow-minded right-wing nuts? And I love the morning after pill, to. So there. Unfortunately, Indian women are not getting enough education on its use. And there is one form not yet available, again unfortunately.
Also: Exclusive: Verizon and AT&T Provided Cell Towers for McCain Ranch
And for fun:
Sarah Palin picture via The Mills River Progressive:
Joe "The Fucking" Plumber: Is a "Card 56" Douchebag*. He's not a licensed plumber, always knew he was going to vote for McCain (ya just know it), is a tax evader, and an utter douchebag who doesn't like Obama's "socialism." Or the "socialism" of Social Security.
Palin t-shirt I NEED!
Republicans hate Republicans, now. (I guess kinda like my hubby.)
Palin might not have blinked, but McCain sure as heck did, ya, you betcha.
A couple o' random news items which caught my eye:
- Pumpkin symbol marks sex offenders' homes
- Rabbit invasion shuts Mandela museum
- NJ flu-shot mandate for preschoolers draws outcry
- Palin says God blessed America with oil and gas
- Disco tune "Stayin' Alive" could save your life
- Mom allegedly takes daughter to fight, intervenes
- Man practicing a quick draw shoots himself in leg
- Drinking mom asks daughter, 9, to drive
- Kids Pulled From Transgender Teacher's Class
Kayly Stuff:
I just got polled on the election for about the 10th time. This time it was, I think they said "Pennsylvania Research Institute" or Center or something. It was automated, so I couldn't ask them to repeat it.
Had my rheumatologist appointment today. She basically said she didn't know what is going on. More tests. This time it's Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) . And later she says I might want to revisit this with my PCP and possibly even do a sleep study to see if there is a cause for my increased fatigue of which I'm not aware. (Apnea, snoring, anything else...)
I'm taking a few days off of work with my boss' and boss' boss' approval. Weird, scary, icky encounter with a respondent. That's all I'll say on that for now, so don't ask. [Side note: I was unsure of the possessive form of boss, so I went to Google and typed in "possessive for of" and one the of the Google suggested searches was "possessive form of boss," so I felt less stupid. ;-)
Separated at birth:
*"Card 56" Douchebag is my latest attempt to enter the slang lexicon. It refers to the card in the book we use for the NSFG when asking women about douching habits. USE IT , DAMMIT! ;-)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I have nothing to say about the debate.
If you like Obama, you probably think he won. If you like McCain, you probably think he won. (And ended up on this page by accident.) And if you're undecided...20 days out...then fuck you and grow a fucking pair.
Intelligent discourse this is not, but truth it is.
Intelligent discourse this is not, but truth it is.
That Heroes girl has a DIRTY mouth! S-E-X-Y!
See more Hayden Panettiere videos at Funny or Die
My youngest sent this to my oldest who sent it to me, and now I share it with you to show how relevant I can be. Plus it's hy-fucking-sterical. (Why is this word not catching on yet, are you guys using it in casual converstaion??)
To be clear and a footnote to my comments last night:
Yes, to be clear: I am not using "retarded" as a disparaging word but in the literal sense, here.
Reportedly, but without substantial proof, Palin's IQ is 83.
According to the Weschler Scale (the scale being used in this supposed transcript):
Gifted 130 and above
Superior 120-129
High Average 110-119
Average 90-109
Low Average 80-89
Borderline Mental Retardation 70-79
Mild mental retardation 50–69
And last night I said, "A momentary lapse of the normal idiocy (of course, I won't mention that McCain thinks the opposite of Muslim is a decent man, but hey, he was trying, sort of)[...]"
Tonight I watched last night's Countdown and Keith bascially said the same thing. What can I say? Great minds... ;-)
Reportedly, but without substantial proof, Palin's IQ is 83.
According to the Weschler Scale (the scale being used in this supposed transcript):
Gifted 130 and above
Superior 120-129
High Average 110-119
Average 90-109
Low Average 80-89
Borderline Mental Retardation 70-79
Mild mental retardation 50–69
And last night I said, "A momentary lapse of the normal idiocy (of course, I won't mention that McCain thinks the opposite of Muslim is a decent man, but hey, he was trying, sort of)[...]"
Tonight I watched last night's Countdown and Keith bascially said the same thing. What can I say? Great minds... ;-)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
OMG! She REALLY is ALMOST RETARDED!!
I checked Snopes and found nothing to refute this. PLEASE, someone tell me this is a fake!
PLEASE!! I hate her, but it's tootoo scary to be true.
See pages 4 & 5
PLEASE!! I hate her, but it's tootoo scary to be true.
See pages 4 & 5
Another Flower and More Lazy Blogging
Usually Canna Lillies bloom in the heat of summer around here, but we didn't plant any of ours (received from a Freecycler) until the heat of summer. Well, imagine my surprise when I saw thiss out my window today. Isn't it pretty? These are Canna lily 'tropicanna.'
I have a few more things from the election front which I was too tired to post last night.
Here we go:
Altough he left Countdown under weird circumstances, I still read Dana Milbank occassionally. The other week he wrote this:
If your mortgage is in default with Fannie Mae: Try to kill yourself! It works!
The fact that anti-choice terrorism in this country has always been mostly ignored dumbfounds me. And now that the whole "Ayers thing" is being beaten to death, I'm glad someone pointed out McCain's implicit condoning of such acts.
Gail Collins usually hits the nail on the head and makes me laugh all at once without being as snarky as Maureen Dowd.
I have a few more things from the election front which I was too tired to post last night.
Here we go:
Altough he left Countdown under weird circumstances, I still read Dana Milbank occassionally. The other week he wrote this:
Unleashed, Palin Makes a Pit Bull Look Tame
By Dana Milbank Tuesday, October 7, 2008; Page A03
FORT MYERS, Fla., Oct. 6 John McCain is collapsing in the polls in Florida and other swing states, but Sarah Palin, God bless her, has a solution. [continued at above link]
If your mortgage is in default with Fannie Mae: Try to kill yourself! It works!
Fannie Mae forgives loan for woman who shot herself
(CNN) -- Fannie Mae said it will set aside the loan of a woman who shot herself as sheriff's deputies tried to evict her from her foreclosed home. [continued at above link]
The fact that anti-choice terrorism in this country has always been mostly ignored dumbfounds me. And now that the whole "Ayers thing" is being beaten to death, I'm glad someone pointed out McCain's implicit condoning of such acts.
John McCain's Domestic Terrorism Problem (new video)
Gail Collins usually hits the nail on the head and makes me laugh all at once without being as snarky as Maureen Dowd.
Dear Old Golden Dog Days
By GAIL COLLINS Published: October 10, 2008 I miss the good old days. Remember when the presidential campaign was all about oil drilling? That sure was fun.
Interesting stuff on the "I was a P.O.W." front:
The "war hero" candidate buried information about POWs left behind in Vietnam Research support provided by the Investigative Fund of The Nation Institute. This is an expanded version, with primary documents attached, of a story that appears in the October 6, 2008 issue of The Nation. By Sydney H. SchanbergSeptember 18, 2008 John McCain, who has risen to political prominence on his image as a Vietnam POW war hero, has, inexplicably, worked very hard to hide from the public stunning information about American prisoners in Vietnam who, unlike him, didn't return home. Throughout his Senate career, McCain has quietly sponsored and pushed into federal law a set of prohibitions that keep the most revealing information about these men buried as classified documents. Thus the war hero who people would logically imagine as a determined crusader for the interests of POWs and their families became instead the strange champion of hiding the evidence and closing the books. [continued at above link]
Good for them!
Coal miners in West Virginia stay home in protest of anti-Obama NRA tactics
Posted by Kate Sheppard at 12:47 PM on 07 Oct 2008 Coal production at the Blacksville No. 2 Mine in Monongalia County, W.Va., came to a halt for one day last week when all the miners stayed home in protest after a National Rifle Association camera crew tried to get them to bad-mouth Barack Obama on film. [continud at above link]
Disgusting stuff:
Obama & A Noose: They're Not Even Trying to Hide It Anymore
by: Maryscott O'Connor Sun Oct 12, 2008 at 18:33:21 PM PDT [check out link so I don't have to print it here]
You gotta love Philly!
Palin hears plenty of boos
But it wasn't all bad for the VP candidate, who made 2 stops in Phila.
By Mari A. Schaefer and Amy S. Rosenberg Inquirer Staff Writers
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin came to town yesterday fully expecting to be booed by Philadelphia hockey fans.
And ya gotta love Donna:
October 6, 2008
Donna Brazile: “If I Were Running This Campaign”
On Saturday, October 4th, Jeffrey Toobin hosted a panel discussion with Donna Brazile, Alex Castellanos, Edward J. Rollins, and Joe Trippi. As reported earlier, Brazile stole the show. Watch Brazile’s impassioned closing remarks below. [video at above link]
General, we hard knew ya:
Petraeus Talk Bolsters Obama While McCain Backs Petraeus, General Sounds Notes That Harmonize With Democratic Nominee. By Spencer Ackerman 10/8/08 4:16 PM [article at link]
Finaly, sometimes actuaries have something interesting to say:
1 in 4 chance McCain may not survive 2nd term
An actuarial company has run the numbers for McCain and Obama
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR updated 3:28 p.m. ET, Tues., Sept. 30, 2008 WASHINGTON - If John McCain is elected and goes on to win a second term, there's as much as a one-in-four chance America could see its first woman president —Sarah Palin. [continued at link]
So, okay, you betcha! Yah, I'll get back to ya!
Monday, October 13, 2008
A little bit on me & stuff-I-read-on-other-blogs-round-up
Hope you all had a great Italian rapist/pillager/enslaver/syphilis spreader Day!
My work computer is at the computer doctor. So I'll have to squish in my hours at the end of the week--again. They might compensate me for the lost hours from computer problems, but I'm not real clear on that. I know they compensated me for lost hours during quarter closing because I did not have enough work left to keep me busy. So, we'll see...
My husband and I celebrated out 14th anniversary on Saturday. He got me a gorgeous Konstantino three stone faceted citrine ring. I'd show you a picture, but it is being sent to the company to be be sized properly for my huge ass hands. :-( But you can see a pink tourmaline version here.
The weekend before this past one Nate got me a bouquet at Costco, and I always like their bouqets, but this had a neat flower called a pink mink protea:
My husband and I celebrated out 14th anniversary on Saturday. He got me a gorgeous Konstantino three stone faceted citrine ring. I'd show you a picture, but it is being sent to the company to be be sized properly for my huge ass hands. :-( But you can see a pink tourmaline version here.
The weekend before this past one Nate got me a bouquet at Costco, and I always like their bouqets, but this had a neat flower called a pink mink protea:
The flowers and leaves got dark at the edges within a week so I have to be more careful about clean vase/clean water/sterm trimming if I get one again. The colors in this flash picture look more clash-y than they do in real life, but they clash in a nice Kayly-ish sort of way in real life.
Then this week I got myself a beautiful Halloween arrangement at Linglestown Flowers and Gifts (don't bother Googling them; it's just their Teleflora site and they do some of their own work that is gorgeous). They always have an arrangement in my Starbucks that are great, but this is the first time I had to buy them. I know I don't seem like a "holiday arrangment" girl, but check this:
The first photo is without flash and the second with flash. The true colors are more subtly in between. Matchy and clashy puply fuschia and fuschia-y purple with that wonderful grass green POP!
Cartoons of the week (courtesy of Bust Blog and Zen Comix):
(I love the Zen Comix one so much because it is the exact point I made during the debate.)
The rest is a random round-up of the election and what I've been reading and watching this past week. Buckle up!
This article by Michael Kinsey about a McCain craps table blow-up is interesting in its own gossipy way. So much for Obama being the only celebrity running for POTUS.
If you're an Obama Mama, you might want to see if there is a group near you.
And if you hate poly-blend fabric as much as I do watch this video. Oh, wait, what? Muslim? Oooooooohhhh....
More ignorant assholes make me lose a little bit more faith in human decency. (Don't watch these if prone to election despair.)
(Actually definelty watch this one; the blonde is hy-fucking-sterical. Watch her devolve.)
This one is GOLDEN, girl! (P.S. I heart Craig.)
A momentary lapse of the normal idiocy (of course, I won't mention that McCain thinks the opposite of Muslim is a decent man, but hey, he was trying, sort of):
BOO BOO?????
Big ballot boo-boo: Osama for president?
Rensselaer County gaffe makes national news after absentee ballots misspell Barack Obama's name By BOB GARDINIER, First published in print: Saturday, October 11, 2008
TROY — It could have been Ovama or Ofama. Or even Olama. [continued at link]
Alrighty, ya, you betcha! I'm tired, doggone it! I'll find some more and get back to ya!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
You might also like these:
