Data
According to the Department of Energy, the U.S. uses 19,761,000 Barrels of petroleum per day. The data listed is from 2002.
USGS scientists report that between 5.9 and 13.2 billion barrels of oil are technically recoverable in the 22.5-million-acre federal lands of NPRA, with a mean value of 9.3 billion barrels Â? more than four times the mean value of the previous estimate. For the entire NPRA, including state offshore areas and Native American lands, the mean estimate is 10.4 billion barrels.
Assuming we could recover all that oil in one day (which we can't), and put it in a big container, to be tapped at will (snort); We would have enough oil to last for 528 days.
Yep, less than a year and a half.
So let's go dig up Alaska and keep those SUV's on the road!
Seriously folks, someday we will tap Alaska's oil "reserve". But 10.4 billion barrels of petroleum are not going to solve the problem. Such a marginal amount of fossil fuel won't lower what you pay at the pump.
On a side note, CNN finally decided the demand for hybrid cars was newsworthy. Toyota expects to sell 40,000 hybrids in America this year. The waiting list in St. Louis is 6 months long. In some parts of the country it's 2 years.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Stingy
I've been stingy. There's a thing happening with my family, and I've only briefly touched on it. I just wasn't ready to go public with the whole mess. I still don't feel ready, but it's impacting my writing, so I'm going to talk about it. Ready or not, I need to get this out in the open. My family isn't listening, so it's up to you in blog land to listen in their place. I need to feel like I've been heard, and perhaps what I say here can help you down the road. Thank you all for reading me.
My grandma is in her late 80's. Sadly, I can't say how old she is. I think she's 86 or 87, but I really can't remember. She's always looked the same to me, and counting candles has never been my strong suit.
She's been in and out of the hospital for as long as I can remember. This past year, she's been in the hospital a lot. When we talk on the phone, she tells me that she would like to die. She's not whiney about it. I don't think grandma owns a pity pot. She simply expresses how tired she is of life, and how nice it would be if God were done with her.
Well, God isn't done with her. I think His latest plan is to use her to test my family. We've never been a great family, but we're better than some. We have a closeness that you don't see every day. We have love; even when we don't have fondness. But moving grandma is a tearing a few of us apart.
I confess; I've never had much use for grandma. (Isn't that an awful thing to say?) Beyond a deep spirituality, we don't have much in common. I spent my youth trying to survive. I rarely thought about walking the 7 blocks to her house and hanging out with her. I saw her on Sundays, that was enough for me. When I took my first tentative steps into Paganism, I actively avoided grandma. Selfish teenager that I was, I thought she wouldn't understand. I thought I would cause her grief, and I worried that she would pray for me; when her prayers could go toward someone who actually needed them. As if there aren't enough prayers to go around. Grandma has a rosary for ever member of the family. She prays over every single one of them. She prays for our health, our peace of mind, our happiness, our strength to deal with hardship, and yes -our souls. I think grandma accepted that I was pagan before I accepted that she would pray for me no matter what my religion was.
I hope to return that unconditional love now. Grandma needs an advocate. Someone who can see her as a person. Someone who will speak up for her, instead of speaking up for themselves or speaking from their issues.
Not everyone in the family is behaving like a child, but the childish ones are the ones who call me. It's hard.
I've been stingy. There's a thing happening with my family, and I've only briefly touched on it. I just wasn't ready to go public with the whole mess. I still don't feel ready, but it's impacting my writing, so I'm going to talk about it. Ready or not, I need to get this out in the open. My family isn't listening, so it's up to you in blog land to listen in their place. I need to feel like I've been heard, and perhaps what I say here can help you down the road. Thank you all for reading me.
My grandma is in her late 80's. Sadly, I can't say how old she is. I think she's 86 or 87, but I really can't remember. She's always looked the same to me, and counting candles has never been my strong suit.
She's been in and out of the hospital for as long as I can remember. This past year, she's been in the hospital a lot. When we talk on the phone, she tells me that she would like to die. She's not whiney about it. I don't think grandma owns a pity pot. She simply expresses how tired she is of life, and how nice it would be if God were done with her.
Well, God isn't done with her. I think His latest plan is to use her to test my family. We've never been a great family, but we're better than some. We have a closeness that you don't see every day. We have love; even when we don't have fondness. But moving grandma is a tearing a few of us apart.
I confess; I've never had much use for grandma. (Isn't that an awful thing to say?) Beyond a deep spirituality, we don't have much in common. I spent my youth trying to survive. I rarely thought about walking the 7 blocks to her house and hanging out with her. I saw her on Sundays, that was enough for me. When I took my first tentative steps into Paganism, I actively avoided grandma. Selfish teenager that I was, I thought she wouldn't understand. I thought I would cause her grief, and I worried that she would pray for me; when her prayers could go toward someone who actually needed them. As if there aren't enough prayers to go around. Grandma has a rosary for ever member of the family. She prays over every single one of them. She prays for our health, our peace of mind, our happiness, our strength to deal with hardship, and yes -our souls. I think grandma accepted that I was pagan before I accepted that she would pray for me no matter what my religion was.
I hope to return that unconditional love now. Grandma needs an advocate. Someone who can see her as a person. Someone who will speak up for her, instead of speaking up for themselves or speaking from their issues.
Not everyone in the family is behaving like a child, but the childish ones are the ones who call me. It's hard.
Monday, May 24, 2004
Sometimes
After ranting (see below), I read some of the blogs on my list (see sidebar). There's a blog that's not on my list; that I reach through another blog. On request, I did a reading for this anonymous blogger. Now here's the sucky part...
Sometimes you get the perfect answer in a reading. Sometimes it works out like a fairy tale. I hate telling people a fairy tale. Even when I know it's going to come true, I feel like I'm blowing smoke up his or her ass. I feel like a cheesy $3.99 a minute psychic, you know -the ones who tell you what they think you want to hear. Here are the worst things I've ever had to say in a reading:
Your father is not dying. He will live on for another 4 years. (talking about a man with cancer and chronic pain)
and
You will get pregnant, and you will have an out-of-the-blue opportunity to adopt a baby; before you actually have a child from your own body. (to an infertile)
I hate telling people that they will have to wait, and suffer and struggle, but in the end they get the fairy tale. The future is so fluid, anything could happen. Life rarely gives one the best possible outcome. Struggle grows our souls and brings us together. Which is why my favorite quote is:
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in it's hands. We seek problems because we need their gifts." -Richard Bach
After ranting (see below), I read some of the blogs on my list (see sidebar). There's a blog that's not on my list; that I reach through another blog. On request, I did a reading for this anonymous blogger. Now here's the sucky part...
Sometimes you get the perfect answer in a reading. Sometimes it works out like a fairy tale. I hate telling people a fairy tale. Even when I know it's going to come true, I feel like I'm blowing smoke up his or her ass. I feel like a cheesy $3.99 a minute psychic, you know -the ones who tell you what they think you want to hear. Here are the worst things I've ever had to say in a reading:
Your father is not dying. He will live on for another 4 years. (talking about a man with cancer and chronic pain)
and
You will get pregnant, and you will have an out-of-the-blue opportunity to adopt a baby; before you actually have a child from your own body. (to an infertile)
I hate telling people that they will have to wait, and suffer and struggle, but in the end they get the fairy tale. The future is so fluid, anything could happen. Life rarely gives one the best possible outcome. Struggle grows our souls and brings us together. Which is why my favorite quote is:
"There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in it's hands. We seek problems because we need their gifts." -Richard Bach
Is there something about me?
I've given myself several days to cool off before writing this.
What is it about this blog that draws Christians and makes them think it's ok to prosletize to me? This is my PERSONAL blog. It's mine. Nowhere on this blog did it say, "Oh, please... I need you to foist your god on me. Please encourage me to be powerless and unhappy just like you. Please change me so I can be uplifted by looking down on everyone; because I really want a religion like that."
(Pardon any typos, I'm so mad my hands are shaking)
Look, this little blog gets maybe 20 hits a day. Woo, big numbers there! I try to be nice. I try to respect the religions of others. I follow the maxim, "If you can't say anything nice..." I do give polite responses in my comments. Is that what draws them? Do they think I'm searching?
I AM NOT LOST. I HAVE faith. I just don't have YOUR faith. I have looked at Christianity; it's a worthy religion. AND IT IS NOT MY RELIGION.
Were I to follow Christianity, you would find me up on a stage laying hand on people and healing them... and I would be miserable. Please just let me be. Let me interact with the world and do my work in peace. Let me follow my calling, as I let you follow yours. There is enough oppression in the world.
I've given myself several days to cool off before writing this.
What is it about this blog that draws Christians and makes them think it's ok to prosletize to me? This is my PERSONAL blog. It's mine. Nowhere on this blog did it say, "Oh, please... I need you to foist your god on me. Please encourage me to be powerless and unhappy just like you. Please change me so I can be uplifted by looking down on everyone; because I really want a religion like that."
(Pardon any typos, I'm so mad my hands are shaking)
Look, this little blog gets maybe 20 hits a day. Woo, big numbers there! I try to be nice. I try to respect the religions of others. I follow the maxim, "If you can't say anything nice..." I do give polite responses in my comments. Is that what draws them? Do they think I'm searching?
I AM NOT LOST. I HAVE faith. I just don't have YOUR faith. I have looked at Christianity; it's a worthy religion. AND IT IS NOT MY RELIGION.
Were I to follow Christianity, you would find me up on a stage laying hand on people and healing them... and I would be miserable. Please just let me be. Let me interact with the world and do my work in peace. Let me follow my calling, as I let you follow yours. There is enough oppression in the world.
Friday, May 21, 2004
I'm Making Comfrey! surprise, surprise
The shea butter is whipping, the lavender is added, there's more set aside waiting for it's turn to be whipped with peppermint... and I still don't have my labels printed. (mue)
So, I'm gonna label them by hand.
*time passes*
Ok, the Shea with Comfrey and Lavender is done. I have 8 four ounce tubs and 4 half ounce samples. I would have had more, but I accidentally dropped a tub and it spilled out onto the floor. Ah, well... spills happen.
The shea butter is whipping, the lavender is added, there's more set aside waiting for it's turn to be whipped with peppermint... and I still don't have my labels printed. (mue)
So, I'm gonna label them by hand.
*time passes*
Ok, the Shea with Comfrey and Lavender is done. I have 8 four ounce tubs and 4 half ounce samples. I would have had more, but I accidentally dropped a tub and it spilled out onto the floor. Ah, well... spills happen.
More Asteroid Fun
I'm running a more reasonable scenario, using my backyard as the impact site and my front yard as the observation point. In these scenarios, L's second fondest (geology) dream is realized -a meteorite of his very own to add to his rock collection. :) (his first fondest (geology) dream is to unearth a flawless diamond the size of the shed)
Parameters are the same as before; porous rock, 40 degree angle, 22 km/hr velocity, St. Louis type soil
A 2 inch pebble: burns up in the atmosphere, happens a few times a month
A foot wide rock: burns up in the atmosphere, happens a few times a month
A 4.5 foot rock: finally leaves a remnant. It also showers the block with dirt and leaves a shallow crater in my back yard.
Now, personally, I like iron meteorites. They have such lovely crystalline patterns. I doubt I'll ever have one to add to my collection; but for the sake of fantasy, I'll imagine one striking my back yard. I had to reduce the velocity to 17 km/hr
a 2 inch hunk of iron: burns up in the atmosphere (damn!)
10.5 inches: leaves a nice, big crater and dumps dirt on the fire station 2 blocks away. It also makes a fireball 65.5 times larger than the sun. Oh, and the air blast would flatten my house.
Anything smaller than 10.5 inches or so would burn up in the atmosphere. So that's it then. Either I don't get an iron meteorite in my yard, or I get one at the cost of my home. I think I'll keep my home and hope the rocks fall elsewhere.
BTW, kudos to the University of Arizona for sponsoring the calculator; and MAJOR kudos to Robert Marcus, H. Jay Melosh, and Gareth Collins for creating it. I know they put a ton of effort into this project, and I -for one- appreciate it.
I'm running a more reasonable scenario, using my backyard as the impact site and my front yard as the observation point. In these scenarios, L's second fondest (geology) dream is realized -a meteorite of his very own to add to his rock collection. :) (his first fondest (geology) dream is to unearth a flawless diamond the size of the shed)
Parameters are the same as before; porous rock, 40 degree angle, 22 km/hr velocity, St. Louis type soil
A 2 inch pebble: burns up in the atmosphere, happens a few times a month
A foot wide rock: burns up in the atmosphere, happens a few times a month
A 4.5 foot rock: finally leaves a remnant. It also showers the block with dirt and leaves a shallow crater in my back yard.
Now, personally, I like iron meteorites. They have such lovely crystalline patterns. I doubt I'll ever have one to add to my collection; but for the sake of fantasy, I'll imagine one striking my back yard. I had to reduce the velocity to 17 km/hr
a 2 inch hunk of iron: burns up in the atmosphere (damn!)
10.5 inches: leaves a nice, big crater and dumps dirt on the fire station 2 blocks away. It also makes a fireball 65.5 times larger than the sun. Oh, and the air blast would flatten my house.
Anything smaller than 10.5 inches or so would burn up in the atmosphere. So that's it then. Either I don't get an iron meteorite in my yard, or I get one at the cost of my home. I think I'll keep my home and hope the rocks fall elsewhere.
BTW, kudos to the University of Arizona for sponsoring the calculator; and MAJOR kudos to Robert Marcus, H. Jay Melosh, and Gareth Collins for creating it. I know they put a ton of effort into this project, and I -for one- appreciate it.
Asteroid Fun
Space.com has a link to a Catastrophe Calculator. Hee! I've been playing with it for a bit. It takes a little set up, but it sure is fun. First you must set a distance between impact site and observation point. I set it for 850 miles; the rough distance between St. Louis and a festival I'll be attending in August. Since that's well over the horizon, I wouldn't see squat; so I'm not mentioning thermal radiation.
I tested the impact results of a porous asteroid striking St. Louis type land. I set the parameters of a 40 degree angle and a velocity of 22 km/hr. The results for a rock the size of a:
car: hits every other month - leaves a 105 m crater - no seismic effects would be felt
house: hits every 5.9 years - 307 m crater - no seismic effects would be felt - generates a 0.1 mph wind
1 acre field: (rare) hits every 1.1 x 10(to the fourth power)years - 2.79 km crater - has a Richter Scale Magnitude of 6.3, but I still wouldn't feel it at the festival - almost no ejecta would fall on us nekkid pagans - but we would hear it at a decibel level of 55 dB (as loud as heavy traffic)
St. Louis City (roughly 17 miles in diameter): City sized rocks don't hit very often, the frequency is about every 8.9 x 10 (to the eighth power) years - it would leave a complex crater 210.73 km across (From St. Louis to the Lake Of The Ozarks) - I would still miss out on the spectacular fireball, but the thermal radiation would get me anyway. My sarong would catch fire, much of my body would suffer 3rd degree burns; but that wouldn't matter because the festival site is always under a fire watch or fire ban in August, and the trees would ignite. As if flaming clothes, 3rd degree burns and a forest fire weren't enough; 273.7 seconds after impact, the campsite would shake. - 597.7 seconds after the impact, ejecta would start raining down on us. (remember, we're 850 miles away from the strike) the rest is yoinked wholesale from the site: The air blast will arrive at approximately 4561.7 seconds.
Peak Overpressure: 231761.5 Pa = 2.3176 bars = 32.9101 psi
Max wind velocity: 287.4 m/s = 642.8 mph
Sound Intensity: 107 dB (May cause ear pain)
Damage Description:
Multistory wall-bearing buildings will collapse.
Wood frame buildings will almost completely collapse.
Multistory steel-framed office-type buildings will suffer extreme frame distortion, incipient collapse.
Highway truss bridges will collapse.
Glass windows will shatter.
Cars and trucks will be overturned and displaced, requiring major repairs.
Up to 90 percent of trees blown down; remainder stripped of branches and leaves.
Space.com has a link to a Catastrophe Calculator. Hee! I've been playing with it for a bit. It takes a little set up, but it sure is fun. First you must set a distance between impact site and observation point. I set it for 850 miles; the rough distance between St. Louis and a festival I'll be attending in August. Since that's well over the horizon, I wouldn't see squat; so I'm not mentioning thermal radiation.
I tested the impact results of a porous asteroid striking St. Louis type land. I set the parameters of a 40 degree angle and a velocity of 22 km/hr. The results for a rock the size of a:
car: hits every other month - leaves a 105 m crater - no seismic effects would be felt
house: hits every 5.9 years - 307 m crater - no seismic effects would be felt - generates a 0.1 mph wind
1 acre field: (rare) hits every 1.1 x 10(to the fourth power)years - 2.79 km crater - has a Richter Scale Magnitude of 6.3, but I still wouldn't feel it at the festival - almost no ejecta would fall on us nekkid pagans - but we would hear it at a decibel level of 55 dB (as loud as heavy traffic)
St. Louis City (roughly 17 miles in diameter): City sized rocks don't hit very often, the frequency is about every 8.9 x 10 (to the eighth power) years - it would leave a complex crater 210.73 km across (From St. Louis to the Lake Of The Ozarks) - I would still miss out on the spectacular fireball, but the thermal radiation would get me anyway. My sarong would catch fire, much of my body would suffer 3rd degree burns; but that wouldn't matter because the festival site is always under a fire watch or fire ban in August, and the trees would ignite. As if flaming clothes, 3rd degree burns and a forest fire weren't enough; 273.7 seconds after impact, the campsite would shake. - 597.7 seconds after the impact, ejecta would start raining down on us. (remember, we're 850 miles away from the strike) the rest is yoinked wholesale from the site: The air blast will arrive at approximately 4561.7 seconds.
Peak Overpressure: 231761.5 Pa = 2.3176 bars = 32.9101 psi
Max wind velocity: 287.4 m/s = 642.8 mph
Sound Intensity: 107 dB (May cause ear pain)
Damage Description:
Multistory wall-bearing buildings will collapse.
Wood frame buildings will almost completely collapse.
Multistory steel-framed office-type buildings will suffer extreme frame distortion, incipient collapse.
Highway truss bridges will collapse.
Glass windows will shatter.
Cars and trucks will be overturned and displaced, requiring major repairs.
Up to 90 percent of trees blown down; remainder stripped of branches and leaves.
Thursday, May 20, 2004
The Thing About The Silver Ring Thing
I remember well the Mothers Against Drunk Driving campaign. My mom still has the faded contract stuck to the side of the fridge. It was a fun bit of teen activism that also gave me an opportunity to show my mom that I was responsible. Golly, she was so proud of me.
The latest way to con your parents into thinking you're mature enough to have some freedom is the Silver Ring Thing.
Take a vow of celibacy, wear a silver ring stating your choice, buy merchandise... sounds good, eh?
Yeah, NOT.
The original definition of celibacy is: an unmarried state
So, do I vow to remain celibate until I'm married? I guess I do!
The proper word to use is chaste. Chastity is defined as: abstaining from sexual relations
Just wanting to be clear.
Let's try this again. Take a vow of chastity until you are married, wear a ring and buy merchandise.
Yeah, that's better. Except the only way to get the ring is to attend a 2 hour "high tech presentation". Perhaps I should let them speak for themselves.
This is an edit-free cut and paste from their "about" page:
"What is the Silver Ring Thing?
Real life questions and answers about sex. Silver Ring Thing uses sketch comedy and music videos to make the abstinence point. Don't worry. We'll help you get our point! Our program features high-tech club-style lighting, videos and, of course, a sweet sound system. YOU'VE GOT TO BE HERE!
The History of the Silver Ring Thing
Silver Ring Thing (SRT) sexual abstinence program was created by Denny Pattyn and the Youth FORUM Southwest leadership team in 1995. The program was designed to attract the attention of the typical 21st century teenager and offer them protection from the destructive effects of America's sex obsessed culture.
In 2000, Denny joined the John Guest Team as the Executive Director and with him brought his vision for the Silver Ring Thing program. It was here that the national SRT program was developed.
The Silver Ring was designed by Paul Bensel Jewelers of Yuma and is worn as a symbol and reminder of the abstinence pledge. The "Thing" in Silver Ring is the high-tech presentation that makes this program uniquely attractive. By featuring awesome lighting and video systems, hilarious skits, concert sound systems, high-energy music, TV's, computers, and a faith-based abstinence message, students become interested in the message being offered to them about their sex lives. In the first five years of operation, nearly 1000 teenagers completed the two-hour program, received a silver ring and signed an abstinence vow.
As other cities have become interested in the Silver Ring Thing, a national deployment program has been initiated. In the next three years (2001-2004), 45 U.S. cities will bring the SRT program to their community. Over 40, 000 teenagers will put on the Silver Ring and sign an abstinence pledge. Your city can participate in this exciting sexual abstinence program. Contact us at info@silverringthing.com for more information."
Every page is filled with self-righteousness... And every page has the same sickening picture at the top. The center and right of the picture holds 8 wholesome looking caucasian youth, proudly displaying their rings. The left corner holds a pair of unsmiling, gangsta-gear wearing, black men. The white kids are brightly lit, while the black men are in shadow. I didn't even notice them at first.
I feel like I'm going to vomit.
And now for my humble opinion. I think the ring of abstinence would be quite successful for a few years, and I think the religious indoctrination is completely unnecessary. I think the religious aspect will turn kids away. I find their program oppressive, rather than empowering.
I remember well the Mothers Against Drunk Driving campaign. My mom still has the faded contract stuck to the side of the fridge. It was a fun bit of teen activism that also gave me an opportunity to show my mom that I was responsible. Golly, she was so proud of me.
The latest way to con your parents into thinking you're mature enough to have some freedom is the Silver Ring Thing.
Take a vow of celibacy, wear a silver ring stating your choice, buy merchandise... sounds good, eh?
Yeah, NOT.
The original definition of celibacy is: an unmarried state
So, do I vow to remain celibate until I'm married? I guess I do!
The proper word to use is chaste. Chastity is defined as: abstaining from sexual relations
Just wanting to be clear.
Let's try this again. Take a vow of chastity until you are married, wear a ring and buy merchandise.
Yeah, that's better. Except the only way to get the ring is to attend a 2 hour "high tech presentation". Perhaps I should let them speak for themselves.
This is an edit-free cut and paste from their "about" page:
"What is the Silver Ring Thing?
Real life questions and answers about sex. Silver Ring Thing uses sketch comedy and music videos to make the abstinence point. Don't worry. We'll help you get our point! Our program features high-tech club-style lighting, videos and, of course, a sweet sound system. YOU'VE GOT TO BE HERE!
The History of the Silver Ring Thing
Silver Ring Thing (SRT) sexual abstinence program was created by Denny Pattyn and the Youth FORUM Southwest leadership team in 1995. The program was designed to attract the attention of the typical 21st century teenager and offer them protection from the destructive effects of America's sex obsessed culture.
In 2000, Denny joined the John Guest Team as the Executive Director and with him brought his vision for the Silver Ring Thing program. It was here that the national SRT program was developed.
The Silver Ring was designed by Paul Bensel Jewelers of Yuma and is worn as a symbol and reminder of the abstinence pledge. The "Thing" in Silver Ring is the high-tech presentation that makes this program uniquely attractive. By featuring awesome lighting and video systems, hilarious skits, concert sound systems, high-energy music, TV's, computers, and a faith-based abstinence message, students become interested in the message being offered to them about their sex lives. In the first five years of operation, nearly 1000 teenagers completed the two-hour program, received a silver ring and signed an abstinence vow.
As other cities have become interested in the Silver Ring Thing, a national deployment program has been initiated. In the next three years (2001-2004), 45 U.S. cities will bring the SRT program to their community. Over 40, 000 teenagers will put on the Silver Ring and sign an abstinence pledge. Your city can participate in this exciting sexual abstinence program. Contact us at info@silverringthing.com for more information."
Every page is filled with self-righteousness... And every page has the same sickening picture at the top. The center and right of the picture holds 8 wholesome looking caucasian youth, proudly displaying their rings. The left corner holds a pair of unsmiling, gangsta-gear wearing, black men. The white kids are brightly lit, while the black men are in shadow. I didn't even notice them at first.
I feel like I'm going to vomit.
And now for my humble opinion. I think the ring of abstinence would be quite successful for a few years, and I think the religious indoctrination is completely unnecessary. I think the religious aspect will turn kids away. I find their program oppressive, rather than empowering.
Sunday, May 16, 2004
Enter the Twins
The Hubby-Man left to fetch our kitten, and returned with a pair. So now we have 3 black cats. One grumpy, overweight cat; and two puffy kittens; one boy and one girl. What to name them? Studies show cats respond best to two syllable names, so I've suggested: Hunter and Seeker, Java and Coffee, Midnight and Starlight, and a string of ridiculous names like: popcorn and kernel, pepsi and cola, meatloaf and gravy... do you see a trend here?
I looked at some baby-names-for-twins sites and found that Aswad is Arabic for black, but I can't call a cat "ass wad"
Dee means black or dark in Celtic, while Nigel or Nigella mean black haired. Moonshadow and Melingro would be great, but they've already been used on other cats. Melingro means "walks with the dead".
Purrhaps Maelstrom and FeMaelstrom? How about Catalyst, Catastrophy, Catalogue etc?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
*update*
The kittens are now named. Hunter Of Things In The Night (Hunter) and She Hides In Shadows (Moonshadow)
Hunter is happy, pouncy and cuddly -frequently all at the same time. Moonshadow likes to hide. She'll let me pet her, but I've yet to get her to purr.
Friday is slowly giving ground to the kittens, albeit with much hissing and growling. She spent most of yesterday guarding her kitchen; so we put food, water and litter in the living room. This morning, Hunter and Shadow invaded the kitchen. Hilarity ensued. Friday laid down by her food bowl and hissed up a storm. The kittens don't know what to make of her. I guess that's ok, though. She doesn't know what to make of them, either.
The Hubby-Man left to fetch our kitten, and returned with a pair. So now we have 3 black cats. One grumpy, overweight cat; and two puffy kittens; one boy and one girl. What to name them? Studies show cats respond best to two syllable names, so I've suggested: Hunter and Seeker, Java and Coffee, Midnight and Starlight, and a string of ridiculous names like: popcorn and kernel, pepsi and cola, meatloaf and gravy... do you see a trend here?
I looked at some baby-names-for-twins sites and found that Aswad is Arabic for black, but I can't call a cat "ass wad"
Dee means black or dark in Celtic, while Nigel or Nigella mean black haired. Moonshadow and Melingro would be great, but they've already been used on other cats. Melingro means "walks with the dead".
Purrhaps Maelstrom and FeMaelstrom? How about Catalyst, Catastrophy, Catalogue etc?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
*update*
The kittens are now named. Hunter Of Things In The Night (Hunter) and She Hides In Shadows (Moonshadow)
Hunter is happy, pouncy and cuddly -frequently all at the same time. Moonshadow likes to hide. She'll let me pet her, but I've yet to get her to purr.
Friday is slowly giving ground to the kittens, albeit with much hissing and growling. She spent most of yesterday guarding her kitchen; so we put food, water and litter in the living room. This morning, Hunter and Shadow invaded the kitchen. Hilarity ensued. Friday laid down by her food bowl and hissed up a storm. The kittens don't know what to make of her. I guess that's ok, though. She doesn't know what to make of them, either.
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Joy and Sorrow
A yahoo news headline today reads: "Path Clear for Same-Sex Marriages in Mass." Which, of course, fills me with joy. Then I started reading the article. That's where the sadness comes in. The journalist who wrote the article included several quotes that I find downright offensive. Although I applaud her willingness to cover the opinions of the religious right; their statements were like a slap in the face. If you've come here via a search engine, know this: I'm straight. I'll be celebrating my 14th wedding anniversary in July. I know some gay people, but I'm not on truly intimate terms with any of them. Onward to the offensive quotes!
' "The problem is they're being told that their sin is wonderful and fine," said Sandy Rios, former president of Concerned Women for America,'
"I know the best, safest place for a child to be raised is in a stable home with one mother and one father,"
(sigh) Sin is defined differently from religion to religion. The laws of a religion were designed to protect their community. Simply put, honoring one's parents is a good idea for the community. Murder and theft are bad for a community. And there are grey areas. Should you honor the parents who abuse you? Do abusive parents bring strength to a community? No. What about sentencing a mass-murderer to death? A repeat killer gives nothing of value to a community; yet, to abide by a law, "Thou shall not kill"; the community must provide for a killer, while keeping him/her from killing again. What is the cost of life imprisonment? What are the benefits to the community? Does the cost balance with the benefit? (Actually, I think it does. I could buy a bauble, and feel good about myself... Or I could forfeit the price of a bauble to support a life -thereby feeling good about myself.)
As for the second quote, I do not know that the best, safest place for a child to be raised is in a stable home with one mother and one father.
Missouri citizens will be voting in November on an amendment to ban gay marriage. The prospect fills me with despair. I would so like to see marriage available to all partners; regardless of sex, ethnicity, religious affiliations, lack of religious affiliations, income level, or societal status. But this is Missouri. The cities of St. Louis and Kansas City have some forward thinking people, but the rest is all bible-belt. Another thing that fills me with despair, is that now that we have an amendment on the ballot, Bush will be visiting more than ever!
Waaaaah!
A yahoo news headline today reads: "Path Clear for Same-Sex Marriages in Mass." Which, of course, fills me with joy. Then I started reading the article. That's where the sadness comes in. The journalist who wrote the article included several quotes that I find downright offensive. Although I applaud her willingness to cover the opinions of the religious right; their statements were like a slap in the face. If you've come here via a search engine, know this: I'm straight. I'll be celebrating my 14th wedding anniversary in July. I know some gay people, but I'm not on truly intimate terms with any of them. Onward to the offensive quotes!
' "The problem is they're being told that their sin is wonderful and fine," said Sandy Rios, former president of Concerned Women for America,'
"I know the best, safest place for a child to be raised is in a stable home with one mother and one father,"
(sigh) Sin is defined differently from religion to religion. The laws of a religion were designed to protect their community. Simply put, honoring one's parents is a good idea for the community. Murder and theft are bad for a community. And there are grey areas. Should you honor the parents who abuse you? Do abusive parents bring strength to a community? No. What about sentencing a mass-murderer to death? A repeat killer gives nothing of value to a community; yet, to abide by a law, "Thou shall not kill"; the community must provide for a killer, while keeping him/her from killing again. What is the cost of life imprisonment? What are the benefits to the community? Does the cost balance with the benefit? (Actually, I think it does. I could buy a bauble, and feel good about myself... Or I could forfeit the price of a bauble to support a life -thereby feeling good about myself.)
As for the second quote, I do not know that the best, safest place for a child to be raised is in a stable home with one mother and one father.
Missouri citizens will be voting in November on an amendment to ban gay marriage. The prospect fills me with despair. I would so like to see marriage available to all partners; regardless of sex, ethnicity, religious affiliations, lack of religious affiliations, income level, or societal status. But this is Missouri. The cities of St. Louis and Kansas City have some forward thinking people, but the rest is all bible-belt. Another thing that fills me with despair, is that now that we have an amendment on the ballot, Bush will be visiting more than ever!
Waaaaah!
Friday, May 14, 2004
My Views on the Incident at Riverview
Teacher suspended after student putdown
A St. Louis area teacher has been suspended with pay after being overheard remarking that her dog Â?is smarter and cleaner than most of the children we teach.Â?
The Riverview Gardens High School teacher supposedly made the remark shortly before a school board meeting Tuesday night, after the teacher was told the dog she brought along could not be allowed inside.
What the article doesn't say is why the teacher was suspended. According to the morning DJ's, (and believe me, they're all talking about this)she was suspended because her remark was "racist".
And that, in a nutshell, shows the problem with St. Louis.
First off, what kind of dweeb tries to bring her dog to a school board meeting? Secondly, her comment was "racist" because she's white; while most of her students are black. She did not mention race in her comment. I think it was rude, but not racist. I think it's appropriate that she be suspended. We don't need teachers like that, thank you so much. As a matter of fact, I think she should have been suspended without pay. Perhaps she might learn to think before she speaks. (or think before she totes her dog around)
But no, I don't think her comment had anything to do with race. I had to do with anger, and feeling slighted, and even embarrassment at being told her dog couldn't come inside. She directed her frustration at her students; and even though they were not there to hear it, her lashing out was unacceptable. But it wasn't racist.
How can we put an end to racism, when people are actively looking for racist remarks? Finger pointing and calling others wrong while sitting on a high horse will never correct a situation. Perhaps making racism something shameful was the right way to start, but haven't we moved beyond that by now? Isn't it time to see people as people?
Teacher suspended after student putdown
A St. Louis area teacher has been suspended with pay after being overheard remarking that her dog Â?is smarter and cleaner than most of the children we teach.Â?
The Riverview Gardens High School teacher supposedly made the remark shortly before a school board meeting Tuesday night, after the teacher was told the dog she brought along could not be allowed inside.
What the article doesn't say is why the teacher was suspended. According to the morning DJ's, (and believe me, they're all talking about this)she was suspended because her remark was "racist".
And that, in a nutshell, shows the problem with St. Louis.
First off, what kind of dweeb tries to bring her dog to a school board meeting? Secondly, her comment was "racist" because she's white; while most of her students are black. She did not mention race in her comment. I think it was rude, but not racist. I think it's appropriate that she be suspended. We don't need teachers like that, thank you so much. As a matter of fact, I think she should have been suspended without pay. Perhaps she might learn to think before she speaks. (or think before she totes her dog around)
But no, I don't think her comment had anything to do with race. I had to do with anger, and feeling slighted, and even embarrassment at being told her dog couldn't come inside. She directed her frustration at her students; and even though they were not there to hear it, her lashing out was unacceptable. But it wasn't racist.
How can we put an end to racism, when people are actively looking for racist remarks? Finger pointing and calling others wrong while sitting on a high horse will never correct a situation. Perhaps making racism something shameful was the right way to start, but haven't we moved beyond that by now? Isn't it time to see people as people?
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
My cat is a freak
When I order shea butter, it comes in a big ziploc type bag. I transfer it to glass containers in order to infuse it with comfrey. So today, I dropped a little flake of shea while measuring it. The cat rushed up and licked the floor clean where it had fallen. Now, I know shea is edible and all; but I never thought a cat would want to eat it.
By the way, if you decide to grow comfrey yourself, dry the leaves in a closet or something. Cats love the leaves, and they will eat your entire stash. One advantage to growing prickly comfrey (comfrey uplandicum) is the neighborhood cats won't eat it while it's growing. Of course, it grows so fast, that a little nibble here and there won't make much of a difference.
*shameless plug time*
For those of you who are interested, I have eight 4 oz tubs of pure shea butter ready to go. The price is $5.
When I order shea butter, it comes in a big ziploc type bag. I transfer it to glass containers in order to infuse it with comfrey. So today, I dropped a little flake of shea while measuring it. The cat rushed up and licked the floor clean where it had fallen. Now, I know shea is edible and all; but I never thought a cat would want to eat it.
By the way, if you decide to grow comfrey yourself, dry the leaves in a closet or something. Cats love the leaves, and they will eat your entire stash. One advantage to growing prickly comfrey (comfrey uplandicum) is the neighborhood cats won't eat it while it's growing. Of course, it grows so fast, that a little nibble here and there won't make much of a difference.
*shameless plug time*
For those of you who are interested, I have eight 4 oz tubs of pure shea butter ready to go. The price is $5.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Haiku Fun!
Apocalypse Now!
It is George's battle cry
Some people aren't fools
To bring back a god
Make war in the Middle East
Bush's secret vow
Lets make sex a sin
Then use it to torture for
What information?
Four seasons, four years
Reduce, reuse, recycle?
November brings change
Anti-Bush Haikus
Bitter Shack Of Resentment
Each hit spreads the word
Apocalypse Now!
It is George's battle cry
Some people aren't fools
To bring back a god
Make war in the Middle East
Bush's secret vow
Lets make sex a sin
Then use it to torture for
What information?
Four seasons, four years
Reduce, reuse, recycle?
November brings change
Anti-Bush Haikus
Bitter Shack Of Resentment
Each hit spreads the word
Updates Galore!
I just got the bill for my filling. I need to call my insurance company and find out why I should pay $105 for a white filling. That's just crazy!
I have more comfrey oil available. Lords, that took a long time to make!
Today I'm whipping shea butter, cleaning house, and starting phase one of making comfrey/shea butter. Lesley, yours should be ready in a few days, unless you want shea with comfrey, peppermint and lavender; because all I have right now is lavender that I can add peppermint to. I'm sorry it's taking so long.
I just got the bill for my filling. I need to call my insurance company and find out why I should pay $105 for a white filling. That's just crazy!
I have more comfrey oil available. Lords, that took a long time to make!
Today I'm whipping shea butter, cleaning house, and starting phase one of making comfrey/shea butter. Lesley, yours should be ready in a few days, unless you want shea with comfrey, peppermint and lavender; because all I have right now is lavender that I can add peppermint to. I'm sorry it's taking so long.
Friday, May 07, 2004
I love a good Haiku
Yeah, I'm weird. But I do. I love a good Haiku. For me that means a poem that follows the 5-7-5 syllable format, and that touches my inner being. Thanks to Coyote's Bark for linking to The Bitter Shack Of Resentment. Thanks to The Bitter Shack Of Resentment for requesting anti-Bush Haikus. My favorites are:
Democracy can't afford
The truth anymore
Let's build an Empire
written by: Victor Solano
disenfranchised youth
this democracy is yours
rock the fucking vote
written by: linnea
Cling to the promise
Regime change begins at home
November awaits
written by: Tamara Thompson
"Have you made mistakes?"
"I can't recall any now."
"Let me remind you."
written by: BVCC
Yeah, I'm weird. But I do. I love a good Haiku. For me that means a poem that follows the 5-7-5 syllable format, and that touches my inner being. Thanks to Coyote's Bark for linking to The Bitter Shack Of Resentment. Thanks to The Bitter Shack Of Resentment for requesting anti-Bush Haikus. My favorites are:
Democracy can't afford
The truth anymore
Let's build an Empire
written by: Victor Solano
disenfranchised youth
this democracy is yours
rock the fucking vote
written by: linnea
Cling to the promise
Regime change begins at home
November awaits
written by: Tamara Thompson
"Have you made mistakes?"
"I can't recall any now."
"Let me remind you."
written by: BVCC
Thursday, May 06, 2004
The Good Thing About Getting Up Early
I got to see the beginning of the sunrise, and I got to see my son actually hurry for once. You see, I have the hall clock set 10 minutes fast. So when the clock read 5:35, he grabbed his bookbag and was out the door before I'd even gotten my jacket on. I knew we had plenty of time, but he had forgotten the clock was fast. He was determined to be on time for this field trip. His class is reading Tom Sawyer, and today they're going to Hannibal, Mo. I went there when I was about his age, and I loved it. The town is absolutely beautiful, and the views of the river are spectacular. There was virtually no traffic. The sky was beautiful.
And now for the sucky parts. I had to get up at 5 in the morning! I didn't fall asleep 'til almost 2 because the hubby man was restless. I love him, but sometimes I hate his body for keeping me awake. Anyway... Last night, we couldn't find the shirt L wanted to wear. I knew it was clean. I remembered washing it and handing it to him, and he hadn't worn it yet, so I knew it was clean. We just couldn't find it. So I washed his other favorite shirts while he slept. This morning, he tells me that the shirts I'd picked were too big, or otherwise unsuitable. (sigh) So I dug under his bed and pulled out the clean, but wrinkled black t-shirt with a white dragon on it. That was the shirt he'd wanted to wear. I bought it at the Pagan Picnic last June from a local artist.
We had to be at the school by 5:45 so the class could attend mass before the trip. That's just not right. I get to pick him up at 6:30, or whenever the bus arrives afterward. Looks like I'll be taping Survivor.
I'm going back to bed.
I got to see the beginning of the sunrise, and I got to see my son actually hurry for once. You see, I have the hall clock set 10 minutes fast. So when the clock read 5:35, he grabbed his bookbag and was out the door before I'd even gotten my jacket on. I knew we had plenty of time, but he had forgotten the clock was fast. He was determined to be on time for this field trip. His class is reading Tom Sawyer, and today they're going to Hannibal, Mo. I went there when I was about his age, and I loved it. The town is absolutely beautiful, and the views of the river are spectacular. There was virtually no traffic. The sky was beautiful.
And now for the sucky parts. I had to get up at 5 in the morning! I didn't fall asleep 'til almost 2 because the hubby man was restless. I love him, but sometimes I hate his body for keeping me awake. Anyway... Last night, we couldn't find the shirt L wanted to wear. I knew it was clean. I remembered washing it and handing it to him, and he hadn't worn it yet, so I knew it was clean. We just couldn't find it. So I washed his other favorite shirts while he slept. This morning, he tells me that the shirts I'd picked were too big, or otherwise unsuitable. (sigh) So I dug under his bed and pulled out the clean, but wrinkled black t-shirt with a white dragon on it. That was the shirt he'd wanted to wear. I bought it at the Pagan Picnic last June from a local artist.
We had to be at the school by 5:45 so the class could attend mass before the trip. That's just not right. I get to pick him up at 6:30, or whenever the bus arrives afterward. Looks like I'll be taping Survivor.
I'm going back to bed.
Monday, May 03, 2004
You wanna see something really scary?
Then go to the Frontline section of PBS, and take a look at "The Jesus Factor". It's a documentary about our current President, his religious beliefs, and how those beliefs affect his decisions.
I taped it when it aired, and the Hubby-Man and I watched it this weekend. It was scary and depressing. Did I mention it was scary? Here are some of the bits that scared me:
The Faith Based Initiative
I'm all for tax dollars assisting religious charities with their services to the needy. Religious institutions offer community, which you don't get from the current system. And here's my problem with this:
"The second executive order on the faith-based initiative created five Cabinet centers -- that is, faith-based centers in five departments of the U.S. government. Later, an additional executive order of the president expanded that, so that there are now a total of seven, adding the Department of Agriculture and USAID."
These offices have given our tax dollars to several religious groups, however; the money has only gone to evangelical Christian groups. Not one penny has gone to Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists (Tibetan or otherwise), or Pagans; yet each of these groups offers services that fit within the laws for the Faith Based Initiative.
Religious References in Bush's Speeches
Prior to September 11th, 2001; Bush was openly religious, but not threateningly so. Things have changed.
"When President Bush adds God to their formulation and says God's purpose or intention is somehow linked with American military preeminence, that's a very dangerous thing. President Bush [and] the White House basically choreographed a liturgy at the National Cathedral. President Bush was a chief homilist. In the pulpit of the National Cathedral, he made a war speech. He called the nation to arms in the pulpit of the National Cathedral, and he claimed a divine mission for our nation to rid the world of evil.
That is not only bad foreign policy or presumptuous foreign policy -- I would say it's idolatrous foreign policy to claim God's purpose for that mission. And in the language that Mr. Bush has used, he does this again and again and again. Our role, and his role as president, this is acclaiming a righteous [decree] that Pax Americana is God's foreign policy. This is a very unsettling thing."
The viewer comments section is pretty interesting, too.
"Thank you Frontline for covering this vitally important aspect of the Bush Presidency. Many Americans are amazingly uncritical of religious views and tend to see only positive things as coming out of religious faith. However few of us have taken the time to really read the whole Christian bible. If everyone had - would Bush be able to hold up a bible and claim that it is the only real guide that is needed for child care? Does even George W Bush realize that the Bible demands that unruly children be stoned to death?"
"Thank you for airing "The Jesus Factor". I had no idea how deep and wide Bush's messianic zeal is.
How fortunate for Bush that 46% of people in America are "God fearing." He has tapped a demographic and marketed himself to those people as the "chosen one". Perfect, since these God fearers seem to want a chosen one. This seems okay with the Evangelical Christians because it furthers (and funds with our tax dollars)their missions.
But what happens to the other 54%; Wiccans, Pagans, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Atheists, and Christ lovers who aren't living in fear of God? I would love to see a follow up to The Jesus Factor which would address this question.
Keep the faith...to yourself."
Then go to the Frontline section of PBS, and take a look at "The Jesus Factor". It's a documentary about our current President, his religious beliefs, and how those beliefs affect his decisions.
I taped it when it aired, and the Hubby-Man and I watched it this weekend. It was scary and depressing. Did I mention it was scary? Here are some of the bits that scared me:
The Faith Based Initiative
I'm all for tax dollars assisting religious charities with their services to the needy. Religious institutions offer community, which you don't get from the current system. And here's my problem with this:
"The second executive order on the faith-based initiative created five Cabinet centers -- that is, faith-based centers in five departments of the U.S. government. Later, an additional executive order of the president expanded that, so that there are now a total of seven, adding the Department of Agriculture and USAID."
These offices have given our tax dollars to several religious groups, however; the money has only gone to evangelical Christian groups. Not one penny has gone to Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists (Tibetan or otherwise), or Pagans; yet each of these groups offers services that fit within the laws for the Faith Based Initiative.
Religious References in Bush's Speeches
Prior to September 11th, 2001; Bush was openly religious, but not threateningly so. Things have changed.
"When President Bush adds God to their formulation and says God's purpose or intention is somehow linked with American military preeminence, that's a very dangerous thing. President Bush [and] the White House basically choreographed a liturgy at the National Cathedral. President Bush was a chief homilist. In the pulpit of the National Cathedral, he made a war speech. He called the nation to arms in the pulpit of the National Cathedral, and he claimed a divine mission for our nation to rid the world of evil.
That is not only bad foreign policy or presumptuous foreign policy -- I would say it's idolatrous foreign policy to claim God's purpose for that mission. And in the language that Mr. Bush has used, he does this again and again and again. Our role, and his role as president, this is acclaiming a righteous [decree] that Pax Americana is God's foreign policy. This is a very unsettling thing."
The viewer comments section is pretty interesting, too.
"Thank you Frontline for covering this vitally important aspect of the Bush Presidency. Many Americans are amazingly uncritical of religious views and tend to see only positive things as coming out of religious faith. However few of us have taken the time to really read the whole Christian bible. If everyone had - would Bush be able to hold up a bible and claim that it is the only real guide that is needed for child care? Does even George W Bush realize that the Bible demands that unruly children be stoned to death?"
"Thank you for airing "The Jesus Factor". I had no idea how deep and wide Bush's messianic zeal is.
How fortunate for Bush that 46% of people in America are "God fearing." He has tapped a demographic and marketed himself to those people as the "chosen one". Perfect, since these God fearers seem to want a chosen one. This seems okay with the Evangelical Christians because it furthers (and funds with our tax dollars)their missions.
But what happens to the other 54%; Wiccans, Pagans, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Atheists, and Christ lovers who aren't living in fear of God? I would love to see a follow up to The Jesus Factor which would address this question.
Keep the faith...to yourself."
Saturday, May 01, 2004
The Reading Of The Names
I'm glad we have a satellite dish, because Dish Network offers Free Speech TV 24 hours a day. This morning, FSTV was showing Democracy Now!, and they were talking about ABC's nightline program. Last night Ted Koppel spent the entire show reading aloud the names of the soldiers who have died in Iraq. We didn't get to see it here in St. Louis, because St. Louis was one of the network affiliates who chose to preempt the program. They did it at the request of Sinclair Broadcast Group, who owns a bunch of ABC stations.
You can follow the links to get the whole story, because if you live in St. Louis, you certainly won't hear much about it locally. On a side note, Missouri must be very important to Bush, because he keeps showing up here. We get a visit every month or so, and every time he comes; protestors come too. Not that it matters much, because any protestors are held in "designated protest zones" as far from the President and the press as possible. St. Louis is a pretty accessable city, and it takes our entire police force to clear the President's route; so that there is nary a whisper of dissent near the Messiah-In-Chief.
Please vote in November.
I'm glad we have a satellite dish, because Dish Network offers Free Speech TV 24 hours a day. This morning, FSTV was showing Democracy Now!, and they were talking about ABC's nightline program. Last night Ted Koppel spent the entire show reading aloud the names of the soldiers who have died in Iraq. We didn't get to see it here in St. Louis, because St. Louis was one of the network affiliates who chose to preempt the program. They did it at the request of Sinclair Broadcast Group, who owns a bunch of ABC stations.
You can follow the links to get the whole story, because if you live in St. Louis, you certainly won't hear much about it locally. On a side note, Missouri must be very important to Bush, because he keeps showing up here. We get a visit every month or so, and every time he comes; protestors come too. Not that it matters much, because any protestors are held in "designated protest zones" as far from the President and the press as possible. St. Louis is a pretty accessable city, and it takes our entire police force to clear the President's route; so that there is nary a whisper of dissent near the Messiah-In-Chief.
Please vote in November.
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