My son is a man- I am so proud, he has decided on a college, arranged for his first semester, and kept me in the loop the whole time. I am so proud of him I could burst!!
Things under the umbrella are good- we have quite a bit to do between now and June, and wow, the time is just going like 60!
Muffin is looking forward to camp- he will be gone a month already, and our summer schedule is looking intense!
Butter- Baseball, swiming lessons, Spanish lessons, violin
Precious- Dance lessons, swimming, therapy, field trips
Cocoa- Gymnastics, swimming, Spanish, dance
Me- Indepenent study, prelims, present at ASA Teach summer session to PAY for Boston
KIA- Graduate, Summerfest with mom, Mayhemfest with mom, the Police with mom, and Matisyahu with his girl
Muffin- Camp, Police concert, Mayhenfest with mom, working out at the gym
I am tired just reading it!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Are you an American who is ___________ or
are you a ___________ American? Good luck with this question, Barak! My family and I can tell you a couple of things about how to answer the hysteria laden question bombs that are coming fast and furious. . .but you will not like it.
Can you start that conversation about race when everytime the critics speak, someone says "it's a Black thing, you won't/don't/can't/have no business understanding it.
Wright's statements "you don't get the Black church"- so AIDS as a government plot is somehow a Black church thing. . .check
Grandma Whitey- apparently she didn't get it either and she raised and loved Obama. . .but will be remembered for her contribution to his unshakeable belief. . .in the racism that is at the root of everyone white. . .or not? What does this mean? That she had stereotypes on the brain negated the love that she gave him? Why else put her in the spotlight during a race speech- ignore her love and support, and instead, highlight her moments of ignorance. Yep, that makes for the ULTIMATE in conversation starters across racial divides. . .stay with me. . .if Obama's GRANDMOTHER who loved and raised him cannot get any slack for ignorance, what hope do the rest of us have?
Blue collar White America- See above, when yer all don gitting yer guns loaded, and yer done with tha meetn on Sunday, surefire come on over, let the book larnin begin. . .set a spell and see what high faluttin edacation. . .
Bitter, clinging, and otherwise bumpkins who did not graduate from Uppercrust U. . . ready to let the healing begin?
Enough to make me get Social Conflict on you all. . .but wait
The conversation has shifted, and therein lies the question; which is it, America? Are you all Americans of different origins, or are you different origined Americans?
The answer will decide more than you know. . .
sigh- Back to Indiana Jones daydreams. . .
Can you start that conversation about race when everytime the critics speak, someone says "it's a Black thing, you won't/don't/can't/have no business understanding it.
Wright's statements "you don't get the Black church"- so AIDS as a government plot is somehow a Black church thing. . .check
Grandma Whitey- apparently she didn't get it either and she raised and loved Obama. . .but will be remembered for her contribution to his unshakeable belief. . .in the racism that is at the root of everyone white. . .or not? What does this mean? That she had stereotypes on the brain negated the love that she gave him? Why else put her in the spotlight during a race speech- ignore her love and support, and instead, highlight her moments of ignorance. Yep, that makes for the ULTIMATE in conversation starters across racial divides. . .stay with me. . .if Obama's GRANDMOTHER who loved and raised him cannot get any slack for ignorance, what hope do the rest of us have?
Blue collar White America- See above, when yer all don gitting yer guns loaded, and yer done with tha meetn on Sunday, surefire come on over, let the book larnin begin. . .set a spell and see what high faluttin edacation. . .
Bitter, clinging, and otherwise bumpkins who did not graduate from Uppercrust U. . . ready to let the healing begin?
Enough to make me get Social Conflict on you all. . .but wait
The conversation has shifted, and therein lies the question; which is it, America? Are you all Americans of different origins, or are you different origined Americans?
The answer will decide more than you know. . .
sigh- Back to Indiana Jones daydreams. . .
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
FIRE these people NOW
In no particular order-
The person who convinced Obama that it would be a good idea to "bowl with the little people"- should have stuck to his "clinging gun" position, it was a lot more natural!
The person in charge of McCain's speeches- Hamas wants Obama to win, sheesh!
The person who continues to mess with Clinton's wardrobe to the extent that she looks like she dressed in the dark. STOP trying to figure out how people would dress if they were her, just let her wear the normal stuff- so help me if this keeps up, she will be wearing a Jimi Hendricks tee before long!
The person who leaked Obama's comment, isn't that what we all think will happen ANYWAY ;)
The people who continue to ruin my department with the . . .shall I say, status quo? Yes, quite.
The person who thought that running delectable French toast commercials for IHOP during PASSOVER was a good idea- jerk, be gone!!
The person who made sociology unmarketable without an advanced degree- damn them!!
The person who made Viagra, effing commercials from HELL, as if Viva Viagra was not bad enough, how about the Baby boomers one where they are all yelling "30? Never trust anyone over 90!. . . .you're FIRED!!!!!!!!!
The people at Kotex, for the "pad as a roller coaster" and for urging me to have "a happy period"!!
The person who wanted to make everything I love traf for Passover- FIRED!
See what a lack of my carbs will do to my mood????? Beware, all those who would dare to mess with me. . .:)
The person who convinced Obama that it would be a good idea to "bowl with the little people"- should have stuck to his "clinging gun" position, it was a lot more natural!
The person in charge of McCain's speeches- Hamas wants Obama to win, sheesh!
The person who continues to mess with Clinton's wardrobe to the extent that she looks like she dressed in the dark. STOP trying to figure out how people would dress if they were her, just let her wear the normal stuff- so help me if this keeps up, she will be wearing a Jimi Hendricks tee before long!
The person who leaked Obama's comment, isn't that what we all think will happen ANYWAY ;)
The people who continue to ruin my department with the . . .shall I say, status quo? Yes, quite.
The person who thought that running delectable French toast commercials for IHOP during PASSOVER was a good idea- jerk, be gone!!
The person who made sociology unmarketable without an advanced degree- damn them!!
The person who made Viagra, effing commercials from HELL, as if Viva Viagra was not bad enough, how about the Baby boomers one where they are all yelling "30? Never trust anyone over 90!. . . .you're FIRED!!!!!!!!!
The people at Kotex, for the "pad as a roller coaster" and for urging me to have "a happy period"!!
The person who wanted to make everything I love traf for Passover- FIRED!
See what a lack of my carbs will do to my mood????? Beware, all those who would dare to mess with me. . .:)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Oh, I am BITTER
Thought I was cynical. . .
Yeah, Barak, I get it, my clinging is because I am bitter, not through faith nor through conviction, but bitterness. . . thanks!
He is having a tough time of it, after all, how can he be critical of those who cling to religion as a means of comfort and guidence, no matter what, and yet, the person he clings to would have serious problems with me and my fellow Jews. . .religion, there is a reason you are not supposed to bring it up in polite conversation- or politics, because in our soundbyte world, very few people stick around for the rest of the story.
Obama continues to show that he while he may be ready to start conversations, he is more than willing to shut them down or discontinue them, as he sees fit, and while that may be ok in some areas, in the political arena, it is not well received.
Yeah, Barak, I get it, my clinging is because I am bitter, not through faith nor through conviction, but bitterness. . . thanks!
He is having a tough time of it, after all, how can he be critical of those who cling to religion as a means of comfort and guidence, no matter what, and yet, the person he clings to would have serious problems with me and my fellow Jews. . .religion, there is a reason you are not supposed to bring it up in polite conversation- or politics, because in our soundbyte world, very few people stick around for the rest of the story.
Obama continues to show that he while he may be ready to start conversations, he is more than willing to shut them down or discontinue them, as he sees fit, and while that may be ok in some areas, in the political arena, it is not well received.
The smell of dryer sheets at midnight
Once, during one of my assignements for urban studies, and happened across a description of the day in the life of a working woman in the early 1900s in America- one line, and I think it is damn near a quote-
While men could come home from their 12 hour days to a chair and perhaps a newspaper, while for the women, the day was not even close to being over. In the still night air, the silence was broken, sometimes even into the midnight hour, by the squeaking of the laundry wheel, signaling that women, after their own shifts, were still working.
And the other night, I could relate. Having produced 1 55 question multiple choice exam, produced on slide show presentation of my research findings in one class, coded 4 pages of interview responses for my other, and writing 4 pages on the women's movement in Italy, I was beat. But there was Casey, with her "red thing" we cannot say "leash" or 'walk" or wanna go, and if I go downstairs with my 'pod- it is ON- looking for all the world like pathetic creature. . .and I realized my day was not over- out we went, and as we rounded th ehouse, I smeeled it, the smell of the laundry I had going in the basement, and then, as we went farther and farther, I smelled more and more laundry being done, and then, there was another block with smells of cooking and laundry, one of those insanely orgainzed women who can do that cook ahead meal thin maybe? Not sure, but as I walked to 3 miles with Casey, I smelled laundry everywhere, and it was 11:30 pm-
Granted, the times have changed, but the work continues- and that total appreciation I see in this dog's eyes, make the work worth it!
Oh, and yeah, the Boston thing? IT IS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While men could come home from their 12 hour days to a chair and perhaps a newspaper, while for the women, the day was not even close to being over. In the still night air, the silence was broken, sometimes even into the midnight hour, by the squeaking of the laundry wheel, signaling that women, after their own shifts, were still working.
And the other night, I could relate. Having produced 1 55 question multiple choice exam, produced on slide show presentation of my research findings in one class, coded 4 pages of interview responses for my other, and writing 4 pages on the women's movement in Italy, I was beat. But there was Casey, with her "red thing" we cannot say "leash" or 'walk" or wanna go, and if I go downstairs with my 'pod- it is ON- looking for all the world like pathetic creature. . .and I realized my day was not over- out we went, and as we rounded th ehouse, I smeeled it, the smell of the laundry I had going in the basement, and then, as we went farther and farther, I smelled more and more laundry being done, and then, there was another block with smells of cooking and laundry, one of those insanely orgainzed women who can do that cook ahead meal thin maybe? Not sure, but as I walked to 3 miles with Casey, I smelled laundry everywhere, and it was 11:30 pm-
Granted, the times have changed, but the work continues- and that total appreciation I see in this dog's eyes, make the work worth it!
Oh, and yeah, the Boston thing? IT IS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
So, know any experts in the Jewish community in Milwaukee
If so, can you give them my name- I am jonesing for just that kind of expert for my final prelim committee member. . .:)
So, yes, I have taken a bit of a Barak, um break, from the political to try to salavage the rest of my semester. Have pretty much decided to go for the gusto with Margo,m and hope for the best with my other class- which is not nearly as fun or informative as I hoped. . .too bad, it seems like methodology would be important. . .;)
Kids are recovered now, I hope, they have not had a break from the sniffles, and Cocoa' asthma medicine is suspect all of a sudden, but the doctor says that we may be stepping her off that particular drug before long, and the problem with it is not well documented. . .so we wait!
Butter has had WHIRLWIND time of it, what with medaling in Math Olympaid and being selected to do the rocket launch, AND being part of Elementastics, an afterschool program for the science type, just like his mom, loved the whole "what happens if I do this" scenario!
So, made reservations to get my ass to Boston and back on the WAY cheap, I hope my hotel room has a door. . .you know how those 2 star places can cut corners:)
Graduation is less than 2 months away, wow wow WOW! KIA, wow!
Muffin is off to camp in 2 months as well, one whole month, he will LOVE it!
Precious is hard down fighting the mom on his new therapy regime. . .bet on me, I will win!!
Oh, and Casey had her first guard dog test, we had some drama, and she did WONDERFULLY. . .Except it was someone she knew breaking in (locked out of house, no spare), but she did great, had to reassure her I was not mad at her. . .she was mad that we were breaking into her, our house!
So, off to lit review my merry ass off. . .
So, yes, I have taken a bit of a Barak, um break, from the political to try to salavage the rest of my semester. Have pretty much decided to go for the gusto with Margo,m and hope for the best with my other class- which is not nearly as fun or informative as I hoped. . .too bad, it seems like methodology would be important. . .;)
Kids are recovered now, I hope, they have not had a break from the sniffles, and Cocoa' asthma medicine is suspect all of a sudden, but the doctor says that we may be stepping her off that particular drug before long, and the problem with it is not well documented. . .so we wait!
Butter has had WHIRLWIND time of it, what with medaling in Math Olympaid and being selected to do the rocket launch, AND being part of Elementastics, an afterschool program for the science type, just like his mom, loved the whole "what happens if I do this" scenario!
So, made reservations to get my ass to Boston and back on the WAY cheap, I hope my hotel room has a door. . .you know how those 2 star places can cut corners:)
Graduation is less than 2 months away, wow wow WOW! KIA, wow!
Muffin is off to camp in 2 months as well, one whole month, he will LOVE it!
Precious is hard down fighting the mom on his new therapy regime. . .bet on me, I will win!!
Oh, and Casey had her first guard dog test, we had some drama, and she did WONDERFULLY. . .Except it was someone she knew breaking in (locked out of house, no spare), but she did great, had to reassure her I was not mad at her. . .she was mad that we were breaking into her, our house!
So, off to lit review my merry ass off. . .
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Mercy, William plead Mercy,
Ok- maybe not being disembowled just yet, but I may just need some sort of transplant before all is said and done- a sanity transplant appears to be most necessary.
I am not sure if this is how the last semester of grad classes should be playing out- my Master's experience was first rate, I asked my chair what my options were, she told me how I could graduate in 2 years with a defended proposal, and viola, it was done, so writ.
You would think, because the stakes are a bit higher, that the path would be a bit clearer- nope, no so much.
Of course, my chair this time around is wonderful, but the grinding path to getting to prelim stage is daunting for someone who hates to wait for ANYTHING, I want to know NOW what I need to do to get this done NOW, and I cannot get all my ducks in a row at once, the little @*&^%!
Case in point, contacting people- having long ago realized and embraced my e mail addiction, I have learned that some people take **gasp** HOURS to answer them! Some times, oh sweet day in the morning, DAYS!! I have learned to back off. . .but when it has been weeks, and people are not responding to requests for mid term progress grades, and feedback on the final paper, and well, just not responding to ANYONE in the class. . .I have fits!
That being said- I have been patient, I have been kind- but when potential
On the plus side? Well, only a month or so to go, then time to get ready for BOSTON!!!!!! eye on the prize, if not a beloved face in the jeering crowd of onlookers who are watching for first blood. . . . . .
FREEEEEDOMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not sure if this is how the last semester of grad classes should be playing out- my Master's experience was first rate, I asked my chair what my options were, she told me how I could graduate in 2 years with a defended proposal, and viola, it was done, so writ.
You would think, because the stakes are a bit higher, that the path would be a bit clearer- nope, no so much.
Of course, my chair this time around is wonderful, but the grinding path to getting to prelim stage is daunting for someone who hates to wait for ANYTHING, I want to know NOW what I need to do to get this done NOW, and I cannot get all my ducks in a row at once, the little @*&^%!
Case in point, contacting people- having long ago realized and embraced my e mail addiction, I have learned that some people take **gasp** HOURS to answer them! Some times, oh sweet day in the morning, DAYS!! I have learned to back off. . .but when it has been weeks, and people are not responding to requests for mid term progress grades, and feedback on the final paper, and well, just not responding to ANYONE in the class. . .I have fits!
That being said- I have been patient, I have been kind- but when potential
On the plus side? Well, only a month or so to go, then time to get ready for BOSTON!!!!!! eye on the prize, if not a beloved face in the jeering crowd of onlookers who are watching for first blood. . . . . .
FREEEEEDOMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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