Wanted:
One manly-type cordless drill, with extra battery packs. I need to borrow it until the end of the week.
Anybody? Anybody?
Nah, didn't think so.
L recieved permission to build and bring and show off a working Van Degraaf generator to the academic fair on Thursday. But the rules say "nothing that requires electricity". We've taken that to mean "nothing that requires the schools electricity.
L's generator is powered by a cordless drill. Which we have. With 2 power packs. And the charger is broken. (dammit) Which makes the power packs useless. L used up the last of the power in the packs when he used the jigsaw attachment to build the base.
Today, I'm calling all my relatives and asking to borrow a cordless drill. I plan on borrowing as many as I can, so that L has back up power. It would really suck for him to put in all this work, and then be unable to show it off at the fair.
Tonight, L and I will build a back up generator out of 2 toy motors, a rubberband, a pair of batteries, a toilet paper tube, fine copper wire, and a pepsi can. The smaller contraption will generate enough static electricity to lift a few strands of silk thread. Not quite what we were going for; but if the larger generator fails, he'll still get a grade.
So wish him luck!
Monday, January 31, 2005
Saturday, January 29, 2005
The Halloween Costume
My son's Han Solo costume. I finally got around to posting it. The brass buckle from the old baseball hat failed halfway through the night. I was lazy, and hadn't drilled holes to sew it on; so the friction of the metal sawed through the thread I had used. We safety pinned it back in place. No one noticed.
Lots of people recognised his costume, and that was gratifying.
Next year he wants to be a monster called a "zergling"... Not sure how we're going to pull that off. I think he'll have to change his mind. We're having a party next year, and I have the plans for the slime wall ready. That should be really cool. We might do something with the van degraaf generator he's building for the science fair. It should be fun.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
More
.
Mother Jones has an excellent article, chock full of information on the Kalahari bushmen here.
.
Mother Jones has an excellent article, chock full of information on the Kalahari bushmen here.
Botswana
.
I heard on NPR about the relocation of the Kalahari bushmen, and it's got my stomach in knots.
You all know my issue with blood diamonds, aka conflict diamonds; because they come from regions in conflict. The overly high price of diamonds pays for the conflict, and (as always) the average citizens are the ones who suffer. Well, there's a whole new kind of suffering attached to diamonds now.
The Kalahari bushmen had lived on their land for 30,000 years. They have managed to maintain their culture, values and traditions, while sharing their knowledge with the outside world.
Earlier this month, the news channels were excitedly talking about the Kalahari bushmen and an appetite-suppressing plant that grows on their land. 'Wow! Think what this could do for fat Americans!'
Nothing was said about the government taking that very land away. Nothing was said about the reason behind it. Nothing was said about relocation camps, alcohol or AIDS. Nothing was said about the death of a culture so those same fat Americans can own a sparkly chunk of carbon.
According to the news, this is a voluntary relocation to create a game and tourist reserve, and has nothing whatsoever to do with good quality diamonds being found on their land. NPR tells a darker story.
It's a story we all learned in History class. A story of taking the good land and moving indigenous people to crap land. A story of draining the wells late at night and killing the medicine plants so the bushmen will "volunteer" to move.
But there's a difference between American history and modern day Botswana. The bushmen are going to court. They have legal rights, and they're not afraid to use them.
That won't reverse the diseases they've caught, and that is why my stomach is in knots. When they catch TB in their relocation camp, they can no longer perform their healing ceremonies on the burial sites of their ancestors. (One of their many traditions) On this new land, they have no traditions for finding food, water or spirit. So they live on government subsidy. And they find forgetfulness in drink and prostitution. And they get sick. And they will die.
For diamonds.
Some Botswana facts:
Botswana supplies 70 percent of the diamonds sold by the DTC. It relies on the gems for 75 to 80 percent of its export income, a direct 50 percent of its government income and 35 to 40 percent of its gross domestic product.
Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection. Citizens are entitled to free anti-retroviral drugs which official reports indicate cost the country 477 million pula/annum, or 2,6 percent of the most recent national budget.
.
I heard on NPR about the relocation of the Kalahari bushmen, and it's got my stomach in knots.
You all know my issue with blood diamonds, aka conflict diamonds; because they come from regions in conflict. The overly high price of diamonds pays for the conflict, and (as always) the average citizens are the ones who suffer. Well, there's a whole new kind of suffering attached to diamonds now.
The Kalahari bushmen had lived on their land for 30,000 years. They have managed to maintain their culture, values and traditions, while sharing their knowledge with the outside world.
Earlier this month, the news channels were excitedly talking about the Kalahari bushmen and an appetite-suppressing plant that grows on their land. 'Wow! Think what this could do for fat Americans!'
Nothing was said about the government taking that very land away. Nothing was said about the reason behind it. Nothing was said about relocation camps, alcohol or AIDS. Nothing was said about the death of a culture so those same fat Americans can own a sparkly chunk of carbon.
According to the news, this is a voluntary relocation to create a game and tourist reserve, and has nothing whatsoever to do with good quality diamonds being found on their land. NPR tells a darker story.
It's a story we all learned in History class. A story of taking the good land and moving indigenous people to crap land. A story of draining the wells late at night and killing the medicine plants so the bushmen will "volunteer" to move.
But there's a difference between American history and modern day Botswana. The bushmen are going to court. They have legal rights, and they're not afraid to use them.
That won't reverse the diseases they've caught, and that is why my stomach is in knots. When they catch TB in their relocation camp, they can no longer perform their healing ceremonies on the burial sites of their ancestors. (One of their many traditions) On this new land, they have no traditions for finding food, water or spirit. So they live on government subsidy. And they find forgetfulness in drink and prostitution. And they get sick. And they will die.
For diamonds.
Some Botswana facts:
Botswana supplies 70 percent of the diamonds sold by the DTC. It relies on the gems for 75 to 80 percent of its export income, a direct 50 percent of its government income and 35 to 40 percent of its gross domestic product.
Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection. Citizens are entitled to free anti-retroviral drugs which official reports indicate cost the country 477 million pula/annum, or 2,6 percent of the most recent national budget.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Disturbing
.
WASHINGTON (AFP) "Six members of the peace activists Codepink stood up on their chairs in the VIP section as Bush gave his inaugural speech and shouted "bring the troops home!"
They were escorted out of the inaugural ceremony by the police, and two of the women were taken into police custody, the group said."
On the flip side, I'm heartily encouraged that so many protesters (and their signs) made it through the security. I honestly didn't expect that anyone would get to protest within sight of a news camera.
.
WASHINGTON (AFP) "Six members of the peace activists Codepink stood up on their chairs in the VIP section as Bush gave his inaugural speech and shouted "bring the troops home!"
They were escorted out of the inaugural ceremony by the police, and two of the women were taken into police custody, the group said."
On the flip side, I'm heartily encouraged that so many protesters (and their signs) made it through the security. I honestly didn't expect that anyone would get to protest within sight of a news camera.
I Love A Parade or pithy comments by yours truly
.
I'm genuinely astonished that we have any military left for the parade and honor guard. I thought they were all overseas or recovering in hospitals... Or buried.
*tick*
*tick*
*tick*
(time passes)
Still waiting for the parade to start. I've never watched an inaugural parade before, and It looks like I won't be watching this one either. Oh wait! They finally came out in the cold.
My god. Lookit all the pollution damage on the Capitol building steps. That's just sad.
The limo is a 2006 caddy (with heavy modification). It looks like a cross between a hearse and a humvee. It has little flashy red and blue lights, white wall tires, and recessed grips for the secret service to hang onto. Nice.
Right now they're moving quite slowly. I expect they'll speed up as they pass the protestors.
*tick*
*tick*
They actually went slow for the most part as they passed the protest zone. They did speed up toward the end. Other parade high points:
The crowd parted, leaving two guys standing alone. Both had their back to the prez, and both were holding up little signs reading, "liar".
The crowd also kept their distance from the nutball in the full-length fur coat who was blowing kisses. yeesh.
The limo did a brief imitation of a spooked cat when someone threw a piece of fruit (and missed.)
Did you know that people paid to stand there in the cold? The ticket prices ranged from $15 to $125. The prez and wife got out to walk past the $125 ticket holders. Gosh, I'm so impressed.
.
I'm genuinely astonished that we have any military left for the parade and honor guard. I thought they were all overseas or recovering in hospitals... Or buried.
*tick*
*tick*
*tick*
(time passes)
Still waiting for the parade to start. I've never watched an inaugural parade before, and It looks like I won't be watching this one either. Oh wait! They finally came out in the cold.
My god. Lookit all the pollution damage on the Capitol building steps. That's just sad.
The limo is a 2006 caddy (with heavy modification). It looks like a cross between a hearse and a humvee. It has little flashy red and blue lights, white wall tires, and recessed grips for the secret service to hang onto. Nice.
Right now they're moving quite slowly. I expect they'll speed up as they pass the protestors.
*tick*
*tick*
They actually went slow for the most part as they passed the protest zone. They did speed up toward the end. Other parade high points:
The crowd parted, leaving two guys standing alone. Both had their back to the prez, and both were holding up little signs reading, "liar".
The crowd also kept their distance from the nutball in the full-length fur coat who was blowing kisses. yeesh.
The limo did a brief imitation of a spooked cat when someone threw a piece of fruit (and missed.)
Did you know that people paid to stand there in the cold? The ticket prices ranged from $15 to $125. The prez and wife got out to walk past the $125 ticket holders. Gosh, I'm so impressed.
Inauguration Anyone?
.
The hubby-man brought me lunch, and we're watching CNN right now. They keep showing the protesters between discussions. Meanwhile, little tidbits are scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Apparently 61% of people polled think that protesting during the inauguration is inappropriate. In another poll, 49% think Bush is a uniter, 49% think he's a divider, and 2% have no opinion. (snicker)
CNN is showing the (pricey) inaugural luncheon right now. Bush is giving a speech at a gilded podium that's shaped like an eagle perched on a globe. It looks like it's about to take flight, with the world snagged firmly in it's claws. The podium is on loan from the Daughters Of The American Revolution, and it's 100 years old. Every time the crowd stands up, there's a sound like a third-grade brass band warming up. It's not really a bunch of students torturing musical instruments. It's their chairs scraping the floor.
.
The hubby-man brought me lunch, and we're watching CNN right now. They keep showing the protesters between discussions. Meanwhile, little tidbits are scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Apparently 61% of people polled think that protesting during the inauguration is inappropriate. In another poll, 49% think Bush is a uniter, 49% think he's a divider, and 2% have no opinion. (snicker)
CNN is showing the (pricey) inaugural luncheon right now. Bush is giving a speech at a gilded podium that's shaped like an eagle perched on a globe. It looks like it's about to take flight, with the world snagged firmly in it's claws. The podium is on loan from the Daughters Of The American Revolution, and it's 100 years old. Every time the crowd stands up, there's a sound like a third-grade brass band warming up. It's not really a bunch of students torturing musical instruments. It's their chairs scraping the floor.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Should I be offended?
Nearly every day, as I drive home from L's school, I pass a vehicle with some spanish words displayed on the back window. The first time I saw the words, I was baffled. I have a meaning assigned to each word, but strung together they made no sense. At least as to why someone would put those words in big letters on the back of their vehicle.
La = feminine form of "the"
Gordita = a food you can get at taco bell
Sexy = well, sexy.
But why would someone want to write that in letters you can't help noticing?
So I googled the phrase.
And every link was a p0rn site.
Which I figured out by clicking "translate this page"
Oh dear.
That was just more than I ever needed to know.
Nearly every day, as I drive home from L's school, I pass a vehicle with some spanish words displayed on the back window. The first time I saw the words, I was baffled. I have a meaning assigned to each word, but strung together they made no sense. At least as to why someone would put those words in big letters on the back of their vehicle.
La = feminine form of "the"
Gordita = a food you can get at taco bell
Sexy = well, sexy.
But why would someone want to write that in letters you can't help noticing?
So I googled the phrase.
And every link was a p0rn site.
Which I figured out by clicking "translate this page"
Oh dear.
That was just more than I ever needed to know.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Sad, Really
I made my Hubby sad today. But here's the reality... I have a fair amount of 14k gold in the form of sheet, bezel, wire, ring sizing stock, and casting grain. I never paid more than $285 per troy ounce. Gold is selling for a lot more than that now. My oxy tanks are empty, we can't afford more oxy, so I can't make jewelry anyway. So I can sit and stress that we don't have cash, or I can convert my gold to liquid dollars.
I believe it's time for me to sell my gold. I can ship it back to the company I bought it from and incur only a minor fee, which would be more than covered by the increase in gold's current value. If I have an ounce of 14k stock, that's 300 dollars. That would get us out of the hole we're in long enough for my first paycheck to come through.
Yeah, it bites. But when I bought the gold, I did say, "If I don't use it, I can always sell it. Either way it has value."
*update* Haven't sold any gold yet (LOL), and here it is, 3 o'clock in the morning. I've been waiting up to hear if my son barfs again. Ah, the joys of parenting. But then again, how many parents will give their son the best mixing bowl to drag off to bed with them (not having a bucket), wait for it to be filled (bleah), and be willing to discuss the contents of said mixing bowl before washing it out?
We were both a bit worried when thick red stuff came up, but after swirling it around in the bowl a few times, we agreed it was the liquid tylenol, not anything scary.
The hubby started filling the other mixing bowl around 1 am or so.
It's just a house full of fun, it is.
:D
I made my Hubby sad today. But here's the reality... I have a fair amount of 14k gold in the form of sheet, bezel, wire, ring sizing stock, and casting grain. I never paid more than $285 per troy ounce. Gold is selling for a lot more than that now. My oxy tanks are empty, we can't afford more oxy, so I can't make jewelry anyway. So I can sit and stress that we don't have cash, or I can convert my gold to liquid dollars.
I believe it's time for me to sell my gold. I can ship it back to the company I bought it from and incur only a minor fee, which would be more than covered by the increase in gold's current value. If I have an ounce of 14k stock, that's 300 dollars. That would get us out of the hole we're in long enough for my first paycheck to come through.
Yeah, it bites. But when I bought the gold, I did say, "If I don't use it, I can always sell it. Either way it has value."
*update* Haven't sold any gold yet (LOL), and here it is, 3 o'clock in the morning. I've been waiting up to hear if my son barfs again. Ah, the joys of parenting. But then again, how many parents will give their son the best mixing bowl to drag off to bed with them (not having a bucket), wait for it to be filled (bleah), and be willing to discuss the contents of said mixing bowl before washing it out?
We were both a bit worried when thick red stuff came up, but after swirling it around in the bowl a few times, we agreed it was the liquid tylenol, not anything scary.
The hubby started filling the other mixing bowl around 1 am or so.
It's just a house full of fun, it is.
:D
Friday, January 14, 2005
And In The News
.
NASA launched Deep Impact on Wednesday, and today the Huygens probe landed on Titan.
I love watching NASA geeks do their thing. Their jobs seem both teduisly boring, and way too stressful. The same holds true for the ESA. Can you imagine getting paid to watch a blank computer screen, waiting for data -wondering if your 7 year investment will fail? No, thank you.
Cassini successfully launched the Huygens probe. The probe sucessfully landed. To top it off, it was still broadcasting as it's transmission went over the horizon. The geek being interviewed said dryly, "Huygens is still transmitting. We're just waiting for Cassini to turn around and transmit the data."
The excitement was palpable.
.
Bush (sort of) finally apologises for some of the crap he's said. AP- WASHINGTON Jan 14, 2005 — President Bush says he now sees that tough talk can have an "unintended consequence.""I don't know if you'd call it a regret, but it certainly is a lesson that a president must be mindful of, that the words that you sometimes say. … I speak plainly sometimes, but you've got to be mindful of the consequences of the words. So put that down. I don't know if you'd call that a confession, a regret, something."
-So now that he's on his (hopefully) last term, he wants people to like him? Not this little red head.
.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005 09:14:33 EST CBC News
LONDON - Prince Charles is demanding that his son Prince Harry visit the Auschwitz concentration camp after he caused international outrage by wearing a Nazi costume to a party... 20-year-old Harry swiftly apologized in a statement saying he "was very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologize." last Saturday to a private party with the theme "colonials and natives." His brother, age 22, came dressed as a leopard.
-The media should cut this kid some slack. The costume was in extremely poor taste, there's no doubt about that. Yet people are saying this isn't a proper apology because it was released as a statement.
.
The warning stickers are coming off of textbooks in Georgia, thankfully.
The Associated Press
ATLANTA Jan 14, 2005 — Since 2002, Dr. Kenneth Miller has been upset that biology textbooks he has written are slapped with a warning sticker by the time they appear in suburban Atlanta schools. The stickers read, "This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered." On Thursday, Miller along with fellow teachers and scientists cheered a federal judge's ruling that ordered the Cobb County school board to immediately remove the stickers and never again hand them out in any form.
Scientists, several of whom testified in the case, say the sticker confuses the scientific term "theory" with the word's common usage and inappropriately combines science with personal religious belief.
"Many of us hold deeply personal religious ideals as well," Freed said. "But for a science teacher in a public school to introduce religion into a science class would fall way outside the ideals of any organization of scientists or science educators."
"What it tells students is that we're certain of everything else in this book except evolution," said Miller, a professor of biology at Brown University, who with Joseph S. Levine has authored three texts for high schoolers.
-I have no problem reconciling creationism and evolutionism. God created the entire universe in 6 days... Ok, he's god. He can do that. Critters evolve, adapt and adjust over time; why is it so impossible to believe god created that too? Why do we need stickers telling kids that evolution is a theory? It already says "theory of evolution" in every science book. Maybe parents could try teaching their kids, instead of forcing their beliefs on everyone else.
.
And last, but certainly not least... An anal athiest is going to court to bar an opening prayer at the pResiden't inauguration. Michael Newdow – best known for trying to remove “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance – told U.S. District Judge John Bates that allowing an overtly Christian prayer at the ceremony Thursday violates the Constitution by forcing him to accept unwanted religious beliefs.
Attorneys representing Bush and his inaugural committee argued that prayers have been widely accepted at inaugurals for more than 200 years and that Bush’s decision is a personal choice the court has no power to prevent.
- "under god" was added to the pledge in the 1950's. We should dump it. If we can't dump it, we should allow silence during that part of the pledge. Prayer before inauguration is an entirely different matter. As much as I disagree with Bush's ...um, everything really... I fully support his right to pray. Not because he's the President, but because he's an American citizen. He can pray in public all he wants. He can not, however, make me pray. He cannot block the sidewalk or obstruct my passage. But since he's not blocking the sidewalk or obstructing my passage, I say -pray away! This country needs all the prayers it can get.
.
NASA launched Deep Impact on Wednesday, and today the Huygens probe landed on Titan.
I love watching NASA geeks do their thing. Their jobs seem both teduisly boring, and way too stressful. The same holds true for the ESA. Can you imagine getting paid to watch a blank computer screen, waiting for data -wondering if your 7 year investment will fail? No, thank you.
Cassini successfully launched the Huygens probe. The probe sucessfully landed. To top it off, it was still broadcasting as it's transmission went over the horizon. The geek being interviewed said dryly, "Huygens is still transmitting. We're just waiting for Cassini to turn around and transmit the data."
The excitement was palpable.
.
Bush (sort of) finally apologises for some of the crap he's said. AP- WASHINGTON Jan 14, 2005 — President Bush says he now sees that tough talk can have an "unintended consequence.""I don't know if you'd call it a regret, but it certainly is a lesson that a president must be mindful of, that the words that you sometimes say. … I speak plainly sometimes, but you've got to be mindful of the consequences of the words. So put that down. I don't know if you'd call that a confession, a regret, something."
-So now that he's on his (hopefully) last term, he wants people to like him? Not this little red head.
.
Fri, 14 Jan 2005 09:14:33 EST CBC News
LONDON - Prince Charles is demanding that his son Prince Harry visit the Auschwitz concentration camp after he caused international outrage by wearing a Nazi costume to a party... 20-year-old Harry swiftly apologized in a statement saying he "was very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologize." last Saturday to a private party with the theme "colonials and natives." His brother, age 22, came dressed as a leopard.
-The media should cut this kid some slack. The costume was in extremely poor taste, there's no doubt about that. Yet people are saying this isn't a proper apology because it was released as a statement.
.
The warning stickers are coming off of textbooks in Georgia, thankfully.
The Associated Press
ATLANTA Jan 14, 2005 — Since 2002, Dr. Kenneth Miller has been upset that biology textbooks he has written are slapped with a warning sticker by the time they appear in suburban Atlanta schools. The stickers read, "This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered." On Thursday, Miller along with fellow teachers and scientists cheered a federal judge's ruling that ordered the Cobb County school board to immediately remove the stickers and never again hand them out in any form.
Scientists, several of whom testified in the case, say the sticker confuses the scientific term "theory" with the word's common usage and inappropriately combines science with personal religious belief.
"Many of us hold deeply personal religious ideals as well," Freed said. "But for a science teacher in a public school to introduce religion into a science class would fall way outside the ideals of any organization of scientists or science educators."
"What it tells students is that we're certain of everything else in this book except evolution," said Miller, a professor of biology at Brown University, who with Joseph S. Levine has authored three texts for high schoolers.
-I have no problem reconciling creationism and evolutionism. God created the entire universe in 6 days... Ok, he's god. He can do that. Critters evolve, adapt and adjust over time; why is it so impossible to believe god created that too? Why do we need stickers telling kids that evolution is a theory? It already says "theory of evolution" in every science book. Maybe parents could try teaching their kids, instead of forcing their beliefs on everyone else.
.
And last, but certainly not least... An anal athiest is going to court to bar an opening prayer at the pResiden't inauguration. Michael Newdow – best known for trying to remove “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance – told U.S. District Judge John Bates that allowing an overtly Christian prayer at the ceremony Thursday violates the Constitution by forcing him to accept unwanted religious beliefs.
Attorneys representing Bush and his inaugural committee argued that prayers have been widely accepted at inaugurals for more than 200 years and that Bush’s decision is a personal choice the court has no power to prevent.
- "under god" was added to the pledge in the 1950's. We should dump it. If we can't dump it, we should allow silence during that part of the pledge. Prayer before inauguration is an entirely different matter. As much as I disagree with Bush's ...um, everything really... I fully support his right to pray. Not because he's the President, but because he's an American citizen. He can pray in public all he wants. He can not, however, make me pray. He cannot block the sidewalk or obstruct my passage. But since he's not blocking the sidewalk or obstructing my passage, I say -pray away! This country needs all the prayers it can get.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
You Can Lead 'Em To The Water, But You Can't Make 'Em Think
.
Hypocrisy is Republicans going to court over a governor's job after telling Democrats to get over Kerry's loss.
So what's the deal with Iraq? We must push for democracy, but some areas won't be able to vote? WTF.
How's this for an idea.
Take a bunch of soldiers and a big metal ballot box. Carry the box dor to door. Knock on every frickin' door. Say, "Hello sir or madam, would you like to vote?"
.
Hypocrisy is Republicans going to court over a governor's job after telling Democrats to get over Kerry's loss.
So what's the deal with Iraq? We must push for democracy, but some areas won't be able to vote? WTF.
How's this for an idea.
Take a bunch of soldiers and a big metal ballot box. Carry the box dor to door. Knock on every frickin' door. Say, "Hello sir or madam, would you like to vote?"
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
And speaking of trucks...
Chasmyn has a link to a beautiful post about SUV's. I'm a hypocrite when I bitch about SUV's, because I own a 4wd pickup truck. Shun me if you like. My truck lets me do things I couldn't do with a Prius, even if the dealership had any in stock. ...Like filling the bed with free mulch from Carondelet Park, which soaked up 5 inches of rain before I could offload it; turning the truck bed into a murky swamp. Apparently, mulch is a good sealant. Now it's a frozen swamp. But I digress.
I wanted to talk about the SUV temptation.
I understand the allure of power. I used to own a ton and a half of steel and chrome that could push other cars out of the way (and came with special bumpers just for that purpose). But I was 17 at the time. And newer cars couldn't get up to 55 mph with a full compliment of passengers.
Now I'm 35, and things are different. Any car can carry passengers, and still not be a traffic hazard. And they can do it with better fuel economy than the crap from the early 80's. There's no need to buy "power", unless you genuinely use that power daily. If you want attention, glue dollar bills to your car. It's friendlier to the environment. Again, I digress.
When the Hubby-Man and I went to the showroom to buy a new truck, we knew exactly what we wanted. But since they didn't have a pickup truck that scavenges pollutants out of the air and emits nothing but potable water, we settled on a Toyota Tacoma. Lightweight, 4 wheel drive, seating for 5, and able to haul stuff. We looked wistfully at the single shiny Prius, knowing that we couldn't afford 2 cars and that the Prius didn't fit our family's needs; then went to find the Tacoma of our dreams. We found it alright. It was parked next to a Tundura. With 4 doors. In the color we wanted. It was almost the same price. I swear they do that on purpose.
The Tundura flashed it's paint at us and seemed to say, "I have more leg room! My seats are plusher! I have 4 doors! You know you want me." And, oh! We did want it. It wasn't a stick shift, but look at those seats! It wasn't 4wd, but 6 cylinders, wow! The truck bed was smaller, but... wait a minute. What's the mileage on this beast? Oh. My. Gods. Seventeen miles to the gallon. And that's before you put any weight in the truck.
It made it easy to wipe the drool off our chins and buy the Tacoma. I don't regret the decision when I gas up once per paycheck. I don't regret it when my son has to climb over the seat, either. A little exercise is good for a person.
Chasmyn has a link to a beautiful post about SUV's. I'm a hypocrite when I bitch about SUV's, because I own a 4wd pickup truck. Shun me if you like. My truck lets me do things I couldn't do with a Prius, even if the dealership had any in stock. ...Like filling the bed with free mulch from Carondelet Park, which soaked up 5 inches of rain before I could offload it; turning the truck bed into a murky swamp. Apparently, mulch is a good sealant. Now it's a frozen swamp. But I digress.
I wanted to talk about the SUV temptation.
I understand the allure of power. I used to own a ton and a half of steel and chrome that could push other cars out of the way (and came with special bumpers just for that purpose). But I was 17 at the time. And newer cars couldn't get up to 55 mph with a full compliment of passengers.
Now I'm 35, and things are different. Any car can carry passengers, and still not be a traffic hazard. And they can do it with better fuel economy than the crap from the early 80's. There's no need to buy "power", unless you genuinely use that power daily. If you want attention, glue dollar bills to your car. It's friendlier to the environment. Again, I digress.
When the Hubby-Man and I went to the showroom to buy a new truck, we knew exactly what we wanted. But since they didn't have a pickup truck that scavenges pollutants out of the air and emits nothing but potable water, we settled on a Toyota Tacoma. Lightweight, 4 wheel drive, seating for 5, and able to haul stuff. We looked wistfully at the single shiny Prius, knowing that we couldn't afford 2 cars and that the Prius didn't fit our family's needs; then went to find the Tacoma of our dreams. We found it alright. It was parked next to a Tundura. With 4 doors. In the color we wanted. It was almost the same price. I swear they do that on purpose.
The Tundura flashed it's paint at us and seemed to say, "I have more leg room! My seats are plusher! I have 4 doors! You know you want me." And, oh! We did want it. It wasn't a stick shift, but look at those seats! It wasn't 4wd, but 6 cylinders, wow! The truck bed was smaller, but... wait a minute. What's the mileage on this beast? Oh. My. Gods. Seventeen miles to the gallon. And that's before you put any weight in the truck.
It made it easy to wipe the drool off our chins and buy the Tacoma. I don't regret the decision when I gas up once per paycheck. I don't regret it when my son has to climb over the seat, either. A little exercise is good for a person.
Traffic Rant
Actually, traffic was great today. Everyone left home early, or slept late because of the London-esque fog had turned the city into a misty wonderland. Traffic was so light, in fact, that L and I had time to chat about the WPA and the concept of working for a living before school.
It was the traffic coming home that was a bother. Because look, I don't care that you overslept and might now be late for work. That is no excuse. When the lights start flashing on the fire station, and an ambulance comes whipping out, you pull over. So you're delayed for 20 seconds. Those 20 seconds might make a difference in someone's life, and you pull over. And how dare you blow past the little gold truck that did pull over, just so you can stop right in front of the fire station, causing the fire truck that's following the ambulance to pull out very slowly so that they don't accidentally hit your car.
Not one, but two cars. Two idiots didn't even pause as I pulled over. Just so they could slam on their brakes as the fire truck came out of the station.
I mean, what did they think was going to come out, a rabbit?
Actually, traffic was great today. Everyone left home early, or slept late because of the London-esque fog had turned the city into a misty wonderland. Traffic was so light, in fact, that L and I had time to chat about the WPA and the concept of working for a living before school.
It was the traffic coming home that was a bother. Because look, I don't care that you overslept and might now be late for work. That is no excuse. When the lights start flashing on the fire station, and an ambulance comes whipping out, you pull over. So you're delayed for 20 seconds. Those 20 seconds might make a difference in someone's life, and you pull over. And how dare you blow past the little gold truck that did pull over, just so you can stop right in front of the fire station, causing the fire truck that's following the ambulance to pull out very slowly so that they don't accidentally hit your car.
Not one, but two cars. Two idiots didn't even pause as I pulled over. Just so they could slam on their brakes as the fire truck came out of the station.
I mean, what did they think was going to come out, a rabbit?
Monday, January 10, 2005
Ya Learn Somethin' New Every Day.
Today, I learned that I'm not perfect. (ouch)
Ok, really; this isn't a pity story. I promise.
I went job hunting. And I genuinely expected to be hired today. I've heard people say that you can't just walk in off the street and get a job; my response is, "Really? It almost always works for me."
I walk in, knowing that I'm the ideal candidate. I walk out with the job I want. Today is the third time I've failed to convince my future employer of my value. And it sucks.
Maybe it's because they were busy. Maybe they didn't like the color of my shirt. Maybe they'll call me. Maybe, maybe, maybe. :)
But what do you do when someone says, "Jost jot down your name and number." and hands you a stack of post it notes and a pen? I don't know what you would do, but I wrote my name, my number (with area code) and this, "Experienced barista, professional and friendly."
I'll be astonished if they call.
I drove around looking for the other coffee houses on my list. They were all closed. Well, tomorrow is another day; and there's always Starbucks. (shudder)
Today, I learned that I'm not perfect. (ouch)
Ok, really; this isn't a pity story. I promise.
I went job hunting. And I genuinely expected to be hired today. I've heard people say that you can't just walk in off the street and get a job; my response is, "Really? It almost always works for me."
I walk in, knowing that I'm the ideal candidate. I walk out with the job I want. Today is the third time I've failed to convince my future employer of my value. And it sucks.
Maybe it's because they were busy. Maybe they didn't like the color of my shirt. Maybe they'll call me. Maybe, maybe, maybe. :)
But what do you do when someone says, "Jost jot down your name and number." and hands you a stack of post it notes and a pen? I don't know what you would do, but I wrote my name, my number (with area code) and this, "Experienced barista, professional and friendly."
I'll be astonished if they call.
I drove around looking for the other coffee houses on my list. They were all closed. Well, tomorrow is another day; and there's always Starbucks. (shudder)
Friday, January 07, 2005
Here It Is
The best search request I've gotten this year. And look, I'm number one. Um, yay?
Via yahoo's search engine, the request was:
if u are lost in the wilderness? What weapons will you need to find food.
The best search request I've gotten this year. And look, I'm number one. Um, yay?
Via yahoo's search engine, the request was:
if u are lost in the wilderness? What weapons will you need to find food.
An Experiment In Reality
Today is the last day of the week-long "baby" project for the 8th grade. The children adopted 5 lb bags of flour on Monday, and they've been carrying them around all week.
I'm calling it an experiment in reality because:
On Monday, 3 of the babies had birth defects and needed surgery to fix their leaks. On Tuesday, "DFS" (Division of Flour Services) removed a baby because it's parent left it sitting on a desk while (s)he went to another class. The bag of flour went into foster care. (The teacher confiscated it.) On Wednesday, said bag was adopted by another student; and more babies were taken away for neglect. On Thursday, students were given the option of paying fines to get their children back, and several of the babies died. It was very sad. One was dropped, by accident of course. It died in a floury explosion of whiteness. One fell off a desk and hit the floor; suffering a catastrophic tear... And one was kidnapped, then used as a projectile on another student. The parent of the kidnapped flour baby, and the student who was assaulted are both suing. In an amazing departure from our own legal system, court is next week.
Today the students will be graded on the care of their children, and the babies...
Well...
Let's just say they'll be cookies in their next incarnation, and leave it at that.
Today is the last day of the week-long "baby" project for the 8th grade. The children adopted 5 lb bags of flour on Monday, and they've been carrying them around all week.
I'm calling it an experiment in reality because:
On Monday, 3 of the babies had birth defects and needed surgery to fix their leaks. On Tuesday, "DFS" (Division of Flour Services) removed a baby because it's parent left it sitting on a desk while (s)he went to another class. The bag of flour went into foster care. (The teacher confiscated it.) On Wednesday, said bag was adopted by another student; and more babies were taken away for neglect. On Thursday, students were given the option of paying fines to get their children back, and several of the babies died. It was very sad. One was dropped, by accident of course. It died in a floury explosion of whiteness. One fell off a desk and hit the floor; suffering a catastrophic tear... And one was kidnapped, then used as a projectile on another student. The parent of the kidnapped flour baby, and the student who was assaulted are both suing. In an amazing departure from our own legal system, court is next week.
Today the students will be graded on the care of their children, and the babies...
Well...
Let's just say they'll be cookies in their next incarnation, and leave it at that.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Voting On Certifying The Ohio Vote
I've been watching CSPAN since noon, but I just switched over to CSPAN2. The Senate has concluded their debate and they're voting now. The text at the bottom of the screen reads, "The Senate is voting on whether to agree with an objection to Ohio's electoral votes."
I'm hearing a lot of "no" votes. That's ok. I'm glad the matter was voiced. I'm glad it was debated. I'm glad that our various Senators and Representatives stood up and said something. At least this time they said something.
*later*
Our Representatives are voting. Right now it's 265 "no"'s and 32 "yea"'s. 133 Representitives have not yet voted.
Again, at least they voiced their objections. It gives me a slight hope that they will impeach if their constituents write in and ask for it.
I've been watching CSPAN since noon, but I just switched over to CSPAN2. The Senate has concluded their debate and they're voting now. The text at the bottom of the screen reads, "The Senate is voting on whether to agree with an objection to Ohio's electoral votes."
I'm hearing a lot of "no" votes. That's ok. I'm glad the matter was voiced. I'm glad it was debated. I'm glad that our various Senators and Representatives stood up and said something. At least this time they said something.
*later*
Our Representatives are voting. Right now it's 265 "no"'s and 32 "yea"'s. 133 Representitives have not yet voted.
Again, at least they voiced their objections. It gives me a slight hope that they will impeach if their constituents write in and ask for it.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
A Realization.
I haven't blogged about the tsunami, I know. It isn't because my petty problems are bigger than their loss. It's because their losses, each and every one of them -be it a teddy bear, a home, or a whole family- each loss is so great that I have no words.
I've read so many accounts of tragedy, heroism and miraculous survival...
They've all touched me.
I have no money to give, and knit wear is too heavy for the warm climate of Southern Asia; so knitting something is out. But ya know what? I'm a pagan. And I have several beautiful sarongs.
Give World might take them.
I haven't blogged about the tsunami, I know. It isn't because my petty problems are bigger than their loss. It's because their losses, each and every one of them -be it a teddy bear, a home, or a whole family- each loss is so great that I have no words.
I've read so many accounts of tragedy, heroism and miraculous survival...
They've all touched me.
I have no money to give, and knit wear is too heavy for the warm climate of Southern Asia; so knitting something is out. But ya know what? I'm a pagan. And I have several beautiful sarongs.
Give World might take them.
Just a little stress...
My bowels still hate me, my hair is coming out by dozens of strands -particularly on the side I sleep on, and I'm so tense you could bounce a quarter off me. Why? You may ask.
Because L's interview with CBC is TONIGHT. In the middle of rush hour. And there may be ice on the way.
I'm so not ready! He's been ready since he picked CBC in the 7th grade. But I'm not ready! I'm not ready to have him go to high school. I'm not ready for it! You would think, that since I've had 13 years to prepare, I'd be ok with this. And I'm not. I want to get down on my arthritic knees and plead... "Please see his worth. Please see his magnificence! Please... do you need a kidney? Whatever it takes!"
And I can't. I have to keep my mouth shut, and my personal desires hidden, and smile as he walks off into the future.
My bowels still hate me, my hair is coming out by dozens of strands -particularly on the side I sleep on, and I'm so tense you could bounce a quarter off me. Why? You may ask.
Because L's interview with CBC is TONIGHT. In the middle of rush hour. And there may be ice on the way.
I'm so not ready! He's been ready since he picked CBC in the 7th grade. But I'm not ready! I'm not ready to have him go to high school. I'm not ready for it! You would think, that since I've had 13 years to prepare, I'd be ok with this. And I'm not. I want to get down on my arthritic knees and plead... "Please see his worth. Please see his magnificence! Please... do you need a kidney? Whatever it takes!"
And I can't. I have to keep my mouth shut, and my personal desires hidden, and smile as he walks off into the future.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Bummer
Today has been a bummer of a day. I know I'm more fortunate than most. I have a roof over my head, my son is a good kid, my hubby truly cherishes me, I have friends and family... I really am fortunate!
And I'm bummed today anyway, because:
I can't job hunt with diarrhea (I know, thanks for sharing)
I can't pay all my bills
I'm asking my mom (who made less than 10k last year) to buy food for my family, in an attempt to avoid a food bank
I just feel lost right now, and for the first time in a very long time I feel lonely.
Today has been a bummer of a day. I know I'm more fortunate than most. I have a roof over my head, my son is a good kid, my hubby truly cherishes me, I have friends and family... I really am fortunate!
And I'm bummed today anyway, because:
I can't job hunt with diarrhea (I know, thanks for sharing)
I can't pay all my bills
I'm asking my mom (who made less than 10k last year) to buy food for my family, in an attempt to avoid a food bank
I just feel lost right now, and for the first time in a very long time I feel lonely.
On a brighter note
I was going to quit smoking again anyway. It's an addiction I can't afford.(In so many ways) And we probably have enough aluminium in the shed to buy L's lunch through payday. And if not, we have enough to buy bread, lunchmeat and apples. And I've been doing my PT regularly, which helps a lot with my pain management and mobility. And we have heat, and a home. And we're not living in Carbondale! (woot!) And L is old enough to understand that sometimes you just have to do without some things. And I have a lot of shea butter and gemstones to sell, if anyone would like to buy them.
(sigh) This is so not helping.
We do still have a lot of things we could sell off; and we're not facing bankruptcy or anything. I'm just bummed today, that's all.
I was going to quit smoking again anyway. It's an addiction I can't afford.(In so many ways) And we probably have enough aluminium in the shed to buy L's lunch through payday. And if not, we have enough to buy bread, lunchmeat and apples. And I've been doing my PT regularly, which helps a lot with my pain management and mobility. And we have heat, and a home. And we're not living in Carbondale! (woot!) And L is old enough to understand that sometimes you just have to do without some things. And I have a lot of shea butter and gemstones to sell, if anyone would like to buy them.
(sigh) This is so not helping.
We do still have a lot of things we could sell off; and we're not facing bankruptcy or anything. I'm just bummed today, that's all.
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