Sorry, but I didn't read this until after I had finished today's post...
Police say a Michigan man has been arrested after "receiving sexual favors from a vacuum" at a car wash.
You know, there are some things better not reported, and be damned to the public's right to know.
Really.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Strange Days, Indeed
So, it's Monday (although I'm taking that on faith, since now that I'm no longer working at The Company I really have no idea what the heck day is which), and I'm thinking back on this past weekend. Well, brooding about the fragmentation of society is more like it.
Every day, more astonishing crap crawls out of the woodwork. I sometimes think I'm living in some weird StarTrek-ish parallel universe, and on the other side of the time-space continuum, things are just fine.
The election: I know that Gov. Palin's appearance on this weekend's SNL drew the largest audience that show has had in a decade or so, but WTF was she thinking? It was funny and amusing and all that, but this is the person who could, if things shake out in a way that would lead me to thinking seriously of decamping to Australia, be a heartbeat away from the presidency of the US. (Of course, the way things are going in this country, maybe that's exactly what we -- as a country -- deserve.) The descent of John McCain, who at one time was an endearing and curmudgeonly politico, into a nasty old man, spewing vituperation and tired old political barbs at Obama. What a bloody shame. The bizarre measures on the ballot here in California, and the shivers I feel about the fact that they're even on the ballot at all. There is a country out there that I just don't understand, don't like, and which scares the bajeezuz out of me.
The economy: Every day, I just shake my head at the latest BS to spew forth out of the imploding of our economy. Like, duh, is anyone really surprised, when we have, for longer than anyone cares to remember, created, believed in and worshipped an economy that is built on non-sustainable principles (e.g., continuous growth, focus on annual consumer spending, the worship of the almighty [and slightly manipulated] quarterly bottom line, the off-shoring and outsourcing of vast portions of our corporate infrastructures, the dumbing-down of popular culture). Greed... One of the seven deadly sins, and for good reason. You may not believe in the infallibility of the Bible, but there are a lot of things in there that surely make absolutely the best sense. I spent enough hours in enough conference rooms over the years I was an actively-practicing attorney with investment bankers, insurance execs, and their ilk, to understand that this was just a disaster waiting to happen. These folks were the supreme no-value-add elements in any deal. And, yes, I do understand -- very damn well -- the economics of deals and who's getting what. (I recall that, occasionally, when I could no longer contain myself, and would make muttered comments about taking those investment bankers out into the parking lot and shoving them under the wheels of an oncoming BMW, that the "boys" would get that look on their faces . . . you know the one . . . "oh, she's just a girl, what does she possibly know about the fabulous deal we're all doing" . . . oh, puhleeze...)
But, on the other hand, there are wonderful people out there. People who are doing their best every day in the face of stressful conditions. Who are exercising personal responsibility (a quaint notion that is one I hold dear), and worrying about the impact of their actions (or failures to act) on society as a whole, who actually care about the greater society, and who do not believe that taxes are just the "gummint" taking their money and giving it away to no-good rotters. There are thoughtful journalists and public servants and financiers and just regular folks, all of whom tell it like it is. One of my favorite folks is Maureen Dowd (OK, all you right-wingers -- not that any would be reading this blog, most likely -- can start rolling your eyes.) Go on www.nytimes.com (today's edition), and read her op/ed piece, "After W., Le Deluge" -- very well written. A very good piece of writing.
On the up side, I went to the doctor today, for my one-week post-surgery check-up, and he pronounced himself thrilled with the progress of my recovery. And, even better, he gave me the green light to resume drinking caffeinated beverages (oh, yeah, mama -- bring me my latte!) and alcohol (and, Jeeves, bring me that Cosmo now, if you would)... I thought I was on the wagon for another week, at least. However, my body (god love it) was in good shape, and supported rapid healing of all the incisions and nasty business. Of course, now that I've been pure as the driven slush for two (well, almost three) weeks, I'm not feeling any huge driving urge to indulge. In fact, after the doctor's appointment, the spousal unit and I went to Peet's for an afternoon pick-me-up, and I just had a jasmine lime green tea cooler (and, of course, some carrot bread, to count as one of my veggies for the day). I've also been drinking smaller cups of coffee, and I've come to enjoy them a lot more. There just might be something to this clean living thing...
OK, now that I read this, am I really becoming a crotchety old fartette? Possibly. The nice thing is that, at this age, I really don't care all that much. Freedom! Yessss!!! I refuse to let The Man keep me down!!! (By the way, The Man is now all those 20-somethings...) I love the irony of history.
Well, time to pay attention to dinner, and get ready to watch Monday Night Football on our new Shining Symbol of Consumerism: we broke down and purchased a mega-LCD flat-screen TV. Yep, we gave in to Mammon. You know, if you show up at one of these chain electronics stores with cash, you can pretty much negotiate any deal that you want (within some reasonable bounds). I was actually astonished at the deal we got. We selected a size and brand and level of quality that we liked, and then found one that was a floor sample, got the store to give us a very good deal and then, in a burst of negotiating ballsiness that I honed on many business trips to China, asked for yet more off. And we got it. A good deal all around. I feel so guilty watching this beast. I really do. But, it's really really nice. We actually watched "La Vie en Rose" (on DVD) on it over the weekend, and the experience was fabulous.
May all your teams win tonight. Or not. Cheers!
Every day, more astonishing crap crawls out of the woodwork. I sometimes think I'm living in some weird StarTrek-ish parallel universe, and on the other side of the time-space continuum, things are just fine.
The election: I know that Gov. Palin's appearance on this weekend's SNL drew the largest audience that show has had in a decade or so, but WTF was she thinking? It was funny and amusing and all that, but this is the person who could, if things shake out in a way that would lead me to thinking seriously of decamping to Australia, be a heartbeat away from the presidency of the US. (Of course, the way things are going in this country, maybe that's exactly what we -- as a country -- deserve.) The descent of John McCain, who at one time was an endearing and curmudgeonly politico, into a nasty old man, spewing vituperation and tired old political barbs at Obama. What a bloody shame. The bizarre measures on the ballot here in California, and the shivers I feel about the fact that they're even on the ballot at all. There is a country out there that I just don't understand, don't like, and which scares the bajeezuz out of me.
The economy: Every day, I just shake my head at the latest BS to spew forth out of the imploding of our economy. Like, duh, is anyone really surprised, when we have, for longer than anyone cares to remember, created, believed in and worshipped an economy that is built on non-sustainable principles (e.g., continuous growth, focus on annual consumer spending, the worship of the almighty [and slightly manipulated] quarterly bottom line, the off-shoring and outsourcing of vast portions of our corporate infrastructures, the dumbing-down of popular culture). Greed... One of the seven deadly sins, and for good reason. You may not believe in the infallibility of the Bible, but there are a lot of things in there that surely make absolutely the best sense. I spent enough hours in enough conference rooms over the years I was an actively-practicing attorney with investment bankers, insurance execs, and their ilk, to understand that this was just a disaster waiting to happen. These folks were the supreme no-value-add elements in any deal. And, yes, I do understand -- very damn well -- the economics of deals and who's getting what. (I recall that, occasionally, when I could no longer contain myself, and would make muttered comments about taking those investment bankers out into the parking lot and shoving them under the wheels of an oncoming BMW, that the "boys" would get that look on their faces . . . you know the one . . . "oh, she's just a girl, what does she possibly know about the fabulous deal we're all doing" . . . oh, puhleeze...)
But, on the other hand, there are wonderful people out there. People who are doing their best every day in the face of stressful conditions. Who are exercising personal responsibility (a quaint notion that is one I hold dear), and worrying about the impact of their actions (or failures to act) on society as a whole, who actually care about the greater society, and who do not believe that taxes are just the "gummint" taking their money and giving it away to no-good rotters. There are thoughtful journalists and public servants and financiers and just regular folks, all of whom tell it like it is. One of my favorite folks is Maureen Dowd (OK, all you right-wingers -- not that any would be reading this blog, most likely -- can start rolling your eyes.) Go on www.nytimes.com (today's edition), and read her op/ed piece, "After W., Le Deluge" -- very well written. A very good piece of writing.
On the up side, I went to the doctor today, for my one-week post-surgery check-up, and he pronounced himself thrilled with the progress of my recovery. And, even better, he gave me the green light to resume drinking caffeinated beverages (oh, yeah, mama -- bring me my latte!) and alcohol (and, Jeeves, bring me that Cosmo now, if you would)... I thought I was on the wagon for another week, at least. However, my body (god love it) was in good shape, and supported rapid healing of all the incisions and nasty business. Of course, now that I've been pure as the driven slush for two (well, almost three) weeks, I'm not feeling any huge driving urge to indulge. In fact, after the doctor's appointment, the spousal unit and I went to Peet's for an afternoon pick-me-up, and I just had a jasmine lime green tea cooler (and, of course, some carrot bread, to count as one of my veggies for the day). I've also been drinking smaller cups of coffee, and I've come to enjoy them a lot more. There just might be something to this clean living thing...
OK, now that I read this, am I really becoming a crotchety old fartette? Possibly. The nice thing is that, at this age, I really don't care all that much. Freedom! Yessss!!! I refuse to let The Man keep me down!!! (By the way, The Man is now all those 20-somethings...) I love the irony of history.
Well, time to pay attention to dinner, and get ready to watch Monday Night Football on our new Shining Symbol of Consumerism: we broke down and purchased a mega-LCD flat-screen TV. Yep, we gave in to Mammon. You know, if you show up at one of these chain electronics stores with cash, you can pretty much negotiate any deal that you want (within some reasonable bounds). I was actually astonished at the deal we got. We selected a size and brand and level of quality that we liked, and then found one that was a floor sample, got the store to give us a very good deal and then, in a burst of negotiating ballsiness that I honed on many business trips to China, asked for yet more off. And we got it. A good deal all around. I feel so guilty watching this beast. I really do. But, it's really really nice. We actually watched "La Vie en Rose" (on DVD) on it over the weekend, and the experience was fabulous.
May all your teams win tonight. Or not. Cheers!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Astonishing
And I wonder why I get in a funk sometimes. The world is clearly an f'd up place, as evidenced not only by the results of all the unmitigated greed on the part of all those weeny Masters of the Universe, but also by incidents like this. [For those of you who haven't seen it, it's the video of a fight between two 12-year-olds -- and who, I might add, what shooting this video? -- and the mother of one of the two girls drove her daughter to the park for the smack-down... WTF????]
Just had to comment on this...
Just had to comment on this...
Oh, and...
... thoughts on religion versus faith versus belief. Can you have rituals without faith, or vice versa? If you do, is it right, is it real? And what is the nature of comfort in religious rituals? And what about partial faith? Can you be a "cafeteria" believer?
This is the kind of stuff that bounces around in my brain as I'm driving. Jeez.
This is the kind of stuff that bounces around in my brain as I'm driving. Jeez.
Sigh...
Saturday, and I am in a major funk. Really. Just pissy and morose. No real reason. Just humpf. So, I'm not going to go on and on, whining and moaning. Instead, I'll tell you all that I'm brooding about a post on the Dissolution, the King's Great Matter, the peace I find in the ruins of the abbeys in England, and other who-the-heck-knows-where-that's-coming-from musings.
I just had to share.
Ignore this whinging. Really.
I just had to share.
Ignore this whinging. Really.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Day Three...
... after surgery, and if I do say so myself (knock wood), the healing appears to be going quite well. My face is less swollen (particularly around the eyes), although the color is not to be believed. I think I look a lot like a very ripe papaya -- quite yellow, with tinges of purple/green... Lovely, quite a tropical look... I actually ran a few errands today, and no one screamed or fainted or made any untoward remarks, so I guess all is fine. (Either that or folks were shocked silly, which I truly doubt.)
And, no pain pills at all today! Hoo-hah! Really, the physical side-effects of those narcotics are not all that pleasant. Even being a child of the Sixties, and not having any moral issues (well, not too many, anyway) regarding drugs, I still prefer, all things considered, not to have too many of them floating around in my body. Particularly over the past year or so, when I've made a very concerted effort to eat healthily (less processed foods, more fruits and veggies, and lots of liquid)(water), I think it's made a big difference, now that I'm healing from what could have been quite a traumatic physical assault on my body. I was chatting with a buddy today, and she said she remembered when her aunt had her face lift, she stayed overnight in the hospital, and then stayed in bed for a week, whining and moaning. Well, obviously techniques have improved over the years, and I'm not even factoring in the aunt's possible predeliction for drama-queen antics, but still I think I'm doing quite well.
And, no, I won't be posting any photos to back up my claims. Just use your imagination. Or ask one of the two buddies who visited me yesterday. If you're a close friend, you'll know who they are!
Anyway, I've been watching/listening to all the post-debate punditry that's going on, and I'm not detecting that there's been a huge groundswell of anyone out there in the electorate changing their minds about who to vote for as a result of the campaigning and/or the debates. I personally find it very distressing that this country seems to be so very divided, and that the degree of bitterness and rancor (and general bad behavior) is getting higher and higher. It seems to me that the ideas of sacrifice, and sharing the burden, and civic duty, and a general lack of selfishness seem to be sorely lacking across this country. Or, maybe I'm just cynical and jaundiced. (Well, yes, jaundiced but that's because of the bruising... No, silly, that's not the context. Sorry, bad joke. Couldn't help myself.) But, seriously, I think this country is going to heck in a handbasket, driven by an excess of "me first" attitude that I just do not understand. Or, could it be that I'm just getting to be old(er) and (more) crochety?
Well, regardless, all in all, life is good. The weather is lovely, the house is relatively clean, there's food in the cupboard, there are comfy pillows on the bed, and it's foot-rubbing night. So, how can I complain?
I wish all of you the very best of everything, and may you each sleep well tonight.
And, no pain pills at all today! Hoo-hah! Really, the physical side-effects of those narcotics are not all that pleasant. Even being a child of the Sixties, and not having any moral issues (well, not too many, anyway) regarding drugs, I still prefer, all things considered, not to have too many of them floating around in my body. Particularly over the past year or so, when I've made a very concerted effort to eat healthily (less processed foods, more fruits and veggies, and lots of liquid)(water), I think it's made a big difference, now that I'm healing from what could have been quite a traumatic physical assault on my body. I was chatting with a buddy today, and she said she remembered when her aunt had her face lift, she stayed overnight in the hospital, and then stayed in bed for a week, whining and moaning. Well, obviously techniques have improved over the years, and I'm not even factoring in the aunt's possible predeliction for drama-queen antics, but still I think I'm doing quite well.
And, no, I won't be posting any photos to back up my claims. Just use your imagination. Or ask one of the two buddies who visited me yesterday. If you're a close friend, you'll know who they are!
Anyway, I've been watching/listening to all the post-debate punditry that's going on, and I'm not detecting that there's been a huge groundswell of anyone out there in the electorate changing their minds about who to vote for as a result of the campaigning and/or the debates. I personally find it very distressing that this country seems to be so very divided, and that the degree of bitterness and rancor (and general bad behavior) is getting higher and higher. It seems to me that the ideas of sacrifice, and sharing the burden, and civic duty, and a general lack of selfishness seem to be sorely lacking across this country. Or, maybe I'm just cynical and jaundiced. (Well, yes, jaundiced but that's because of the bruising... No, silly, that's not the context. Sorry, bad joke. Couldn't help myself.) But, seriously, I think this country is going to heck in a handbasket, driven by an excess of "me first" attitude that I just do not understand. Or, could it be that I'm just getting to be old(er) and (more) crochety?
Well, regardless, all in all, life is good. The weather is lovely, the house is relatively clean, there's food in the cupboard, there are comfy pillows on the bed, and it's foot-rubbing night. So, how can I complain?
I wish all of you the very best of everything, and may you each sleep well tonight.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Day Two...
... post-surgery, and I'm getting antsy. Today, I only took one mega-pain pill, and only took one nap. I still look fairly hideous, but better than yesterday. Theoretically, today is the day on which the swelling is worst, and it gets better from now on. However, I think the swelling is better, although odd parts of my face are pooching out. My doctor says that's all normal, as the swelling "migrates" downward. (Oh, great, I'll have a poochy tummy by the time this is all over...) And, the healing is going along fine, apparently, as I'm starting to itch a bit. And my energy level is coming back. Now, apparently, is the critical time when I need to be conscious of taking it easy, and NOT jumping back into my normal level of business. (Kind of like when I had my babies -- after hauling around that load for nine months, you at first feel wonderful, like Super Woman, and you do too much, and then -- wham! -- it hits you between the eyes and you're laid flat out!
Anyway, two buddies from work dropped by today -- no doubt they could not wait to see what I look like -- and they didn't flinch too much. So, I guess I don't look too bad. Got caught up on all the gossip from The Company (nothing truly juicy), etc., etc. We will be scheduling the official "unveiling" of my new look for a few weeks out, complete with alcohol, I hope. (I'm still on the no-caffeine, no-alcohol regimen...) And, believe me, I am truly looking forward to my first Cosmo! I had to watch yet another Presidential debate sans wine tonight. That is truly painful. I am so done with all this election hoo-hah, I can't tell you. I really admire systems in other countries where the campaigning is limited to like five or six weeks. Yep, very civilized... This race has gone on for a year, or more, as far as I can tell. I am so done...
Tomorrow, perhaps I shall get back to some sewing. Maybe some reading (real books). Maybe some house cleaning. Maybe some laundry. Oh, boy, sit back and kick it, girlfriend! Wooohoooo!!! Yeah, so I'm just a tad snarky tonight. Just a bit. If I hear one more person promise, on their word of honor, that they will create thousands, no, millions, of jobs... I'll puke. How? and, of course, the favorite mantra of "no new taxes"... Who, pray tell, will pay for all the infrastructure repair and replacement? the bills generated by the day-to-day operation of the government? the stupid bloody war(s) we keep getting involved in? The bloody Easter Bunny? For the love of pete...
I am really getting crabby. Yep, time for another codeine pill. Well, no, not tonight. I think I'm done with those. Maybe some graham crackers and warm milk? Yum! (Oh, god, I really wish I could have a nice glass of chilled white wine...)
Well, I hope you all watched the debate, and are ready to vote on November 4th. It can't come any too soon, IMHO...
Anyway, two buddies from work dropped by today -- no doubt they could not wait to see what I look like -- and they didn't flinch too much. So, I guess I don't look too bad. Got caught up on all the gossip from The Company (nothing truly juicy), etc., etc. We will be scheduling the official "unveiling" of my new look for a few weeks out, complete with alcohol, I hope. (I'm still on the no-caffeine, no-alcohol regimen...) And, believe me, I am truly looking forward to my first Cosmo! I had to watch yet another Presidential debate sans wine tonight. That is truly painful. I am so done with all this election hoo-hah, I can't tell you. I really admire systems in other countries where the campaigning is limited to like five or six weeks. Yep, very civilized... This race has gone on for a year, or more, as far as I can tell. I am so done...
Tomorrow, perhaps I shall get back to some sewing. Maybe some reading (real books). Maybe some house cleaning. Maybe some laundry. Oh, boy, sit back and kick it, girlfriend! Wooohoooo!!! Yeah, so I'm just a tad snarky tonight. Just a bit. If I hear one more person promise, on their word of honor, that they will create thousands, no, millions, of jobs... I'll puke. How? and, of course, the favorite mantra of "no new taxes"... Who, pray tell, will pay for all the infrastructure repair and replacement? the bills generated by the day-to-day operation of the government? the stupid bloody war(s) we keep getting involved in? The bloody Easter Bunny? For the love of pete...
I am really getting crabby. Yep, time for another codeine pill. Well, no, not tonight. I think I'm done with those. Maybe some graham crackers and warm milk? Yum! (Oh, god, I really wish I could have a nice glass of chilled white wine...)
Well, I hope you all watched the debate, and are ready to vote on November 4th. It can't come any too soon, IMHO...
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