Nina's News and Commentary

Blame The Victim

2011-12-06T21:22:00.000-08:00

An excellent depiction of Rugged Individualism and it's equally deplorable cousin Blame The Victim.

Who Are The Top 1%?

2011-11-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

I recently heard where one of the Occupiers asked Michael Moore if he would be willing to give someone in need a million dollars. Afterall, the guy really is one of the top 1% - certainly one of the super rich. Last I heard, Mikey had refused to comment. Makes one think of all these media and celebrity types speaking out in favor of the Occupy Wallstreet movement. Uh, so let me get this straight. The Occupy movement is about redistributing the wealth - at least that is what the primary focus is - the hoarding of the wealth from the rest of us to the upper echelon's. And yet we have these ultra wealthy individuals, who only seem to favor an increase in taxes on their income as a means of offering up more of their income. In truth, who really needs a multi-million dollar salary or a hundred million or even billion dollar networth? NO ONE. Not that the idea is inherently evil. I just take issue with people who have a stockpile of money they will never use and don't need, all of which would be much better utilized helping rebuild our economy (i.e. through donating funds to help folks get into a home, return to school, rebuild the infrastructure, help someone start their own business, etc. etc.). My beef comes in when they think they're like those people who are protesting when NOT ONE OF THEM knows what it's like to be struggling and poor in today's economy. Many of them never have known such struggles as an adult. And while I realize that some of these folks may have come from poor or working class backgrounds during their youth and younger years, to that I say "big whoop". Being poor at 10 or 22 is vastly different than being poor at 40 or 50 - especially when the income drop comes suddenly after years of working your ass off. And MOST ESPECIALLY in today's economic climate of hyper inflation. The dollar goes oh so far less today than it did 20, 30 years ago.

Anyway, click on the link below for the top 1%.

http://educate-yourself.org/cn/toponepercent18oct11.shtml

Occupy This!

2011-11-05T14:06:00.000-07:00

The Occupy movement has me thinking. What isn't there to Occupy in this world? What part of this system truly works for All?

I'd like to Occupy the real estate market. Rip it up. Tear it down. Get rid entirely of the idea of buying a home. Remove completely the concept of buying and selling, buying and selling, over and over again in order to make money. I find it utterly contrary to us as human and spiritual beings to move so much - especially when it's usually about the pursuit of profit/more dollars. How does this make any of us better than the bankers? The elite? IT DOESN'T. Housing is a human right. A RIGHT. NOT a privilege. And believe you me, when you've been priced out of the market, you do indeed begin to view home ownership in this light. There's plenty of space on this beautiful planet to provide each of us with a home and land OF OUR OWN.

This leads me to my next Occupy desire. Occupy this overpopulation bullshit. This planet has a vast intelligence whereby she is not going to allow for herself to be overpopulated. Life itself is also vastly intelligent. Souls simply will not come to this planet in abundance any longer if she is not capable of supporting life. Nope. The real issue is how the resources on this planet have been raped and hoarded. Mega corporations steal land from indigenous populations, employ destructive farming principles that create unhealthy food and leave behind soil that is no longer farmable, hence making way for said evil scum corporation to go spread their evil ways on other lands. Waterways have become our dumping ground and private mega corporations own most of our water supply. Add those two together and you have the illusion of mass water shortages; illusionary only because THIS WAS NOT CREATED BY WE THE PEOPLE but THEY THE CROOKS WHO RUN THE SHOW.

Ah, this leads me to my next Occupy statement. Occupy the myth of manmade climate change. The powers that be along w/their mega corporations have spent years perfecting weather control/creation/manipulation technology. Think about this for a moment. What's one tactic these folks use when trying to get the populace to embrace something nad and difficult? SELF BLAME. Blame the private citizen. Not us. Blame the private citizen for driving a gas-powered vehicle. Blame the private citizen for using incadecent bulbs. Blame the private citizen for x y and z, ad nauseum. But us? Why, we will travel the world in our private jets and our limo's to tell you why YOU need to change YOUR behavior. After we induce you with guilt and encourage you to go to one of our many partners (i.e. WALMART, etc.) to stock up on :::choke choke::: "healthy" compact mercury-laden fluorescent bulbs and turn off your lights and keep your home thermostat at 65 - WE will then return to our 10,000 square foot mansions where every room is a perfect 72 degrees and remain silent on the MASSIVE amounts of energy waste our corporate partners employ every moment of every day. And when we return home, we'll mentally masturbate over all of the stuff we have like the glut of gas powered cars we own. Oh but hey, one of those is a Prius so that alleviates our guilt and allows us to put the finger right back on YOU: private citizen who, if lucky, are still living in your own little meager house, driving to a job each day, working for da man. In between your slavery, excuse me, your typical daily schedule, don't forget it is YOU who is causing the planetary destruction known as climate change.

While we're at it, let us also Occupy slumlords. You know who you are. You also spend your time in the state of mental masturbation these days because you KNOW people are desperate in this current economic state. You KNOW there's been a huge glut of people now in the rental market due to the foreclosure scam. (And what the phuck isn't a scam when it comes to da system?) Rather than reaching into your hearts and offering out some compassion (i.e. reasonable rental rates), instead you decide to massively jack up the rents because, hey, you know, some poor schmuck will do whatever it takes to be in your home. Not only do you charge ridiculous rental prices, you think you can take advantage of your new renters. You won't fix things unless court-ordered. You lie. You threaten. You are always willing to evict for no reason at all other than your latest tenant is smart and aware and knows his/her rights and gawd forbid you be BOTHERED to MAINTAIN your property. Hell, you'll even go so far as one of your scum pal banks and evict an entire family - children and all. Let me tell you this from personal experience: Hell hath no fury like a mama with a little one who has faced no-fault eviction. Let us just hope paths never again cross...

So many things to Occupy. Health insurance. The cost of milk and bread. Stupidity. The church. Religion. Coal. Oil. GMO foods. I could go on and on in my anger and apathy. But what is the point? What would this accomplish?

Nothing. Not a darn thing.

You see, we can tear down walls and rebuild, we can march and scream and shout, but nothing and I mean nothing will change with the level of thinking and feeling we employ in our daily lives. We need to Occupy our hearts. Our innermost feelings. We need to remember what it's like to be a child again. We need to Occupy our innocence. Our hope. Faith. We need to Occupy that space where we look at everyone around us and we desire to reach out and take the others hand and say "hello!" I watch my little one do this and I know - she has the answers. She knows. And somewhere within, so do I. And so do you.

A Message From The Mama

2011-08-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am particularly perturbed with the world at large for not being more understanding of mama's. We work harder and do more before noon than any of our soldiers do all week long. Even in battle. Every other profession gets an assigned break at some point. And sleep isn't an issue for any other profession - certainly not an ongoing situation of LACK OF. Despite all of this work, where's our glory? Where's our recognition? All the world has to offer us is one stinkin' day? THAT'S THE BEST OUR SOCIETY CAN DO? Give us just one day? And usually on that one day we're still stuck doing the daily chores and childrearing. Find me a mama who actually gets the day doing what she wants and I'll say "that's a mom whose children have left home!"

Not only are we deserving of glory and at least a purple heart of some sort (ever chase after a toddler? THAT'S a battlefield!!) - WE SHOULD GET PAID FOR IT. Let me tell you if men carried and birthed and nursed children, THEY WOULD GET PAID FOR IT. The system would ensure them of this. Every WEEK there would be a national holiday surrounding mama's (or papa's).

Nope. This is a man's world baby and ANY mama will tell you that. I always knew this to be true before I was a mama, but since becoming one, it's even more obvious. If it were more slanted towards the feminine, we would see the following: 1) Free and/or affordable childcare for ALL. 2) $ubsidies for all mama's the first 5 years of the child's life if mama chooses to stay at home. 3) Or hell, the elimination of money altogether and in its place, a system whereby every citizen gets EVERY SINGLE THING EVERY MAMA WANTS FOR HER CHILD: safe, secure shelter; healthy food and water; clothing; health care; a rock solid education; respect and any other emotional need met to ensure the child's happiness.

As a mama, I'm always in a hurry. I rush to take a shower. To pee. To eat. To get my child in and out of the carseat.

Ah, getting in and out of the carseat. Now THAT'S an adventure. Try doing it in a crowded parking lot with impatient assholes doing their best to be patient while you attempt to (ok I need to take a time out - mama duty calls - fussy baby who wants to nurse)...back. Where was I? Oh yes, loading up the little one in the carseat. I have a small car which means a small backseat which means I have to sit sideways to put in the baby which means I have to keep the car door open which means sometimes people have to wait to pull out while I put in the little one. Sorry. That's just the way it is. It's been humbling for me because I used to be one of the occasional impatient ones while another mama would load up her little ones in their carseats. I never said anything - I'm too scared and too damn polite to do that. But I certainly projected my impatient thoughts on that mama.

As such, I'm a much more tolerant and patient person of people, mama's in particular. And yet I'm less tolerant and patient with others who support any sort of this world that makes my life more challenging, difficult and downright (some days), impossible. But I'm about to get political and I try not to tarnish my soul anymore with such foolishness. Ok, not foolishness. Cause it isn't foolish. I just have to try and watch where I project my energy for energy that is too charged up is energy I simply can't create. Too tired to.
No one worries more than a mama. No one can possibly know what it's like to both have your heart broken and burst wide open all at the same time. No one but a mama knows what it's like feel such fear and concern over the future of this planet. No one but a mama TRULY wants what is BEST for our children. For ALL children. Sure, lots of people (often childless or men) spout the "we must do what's best for and right by our children" but such folks don't really do what's really necessary. They still support the same 'ole same 'ole. Again, about to get into the political/social commentary so I'll stop. Scroll up and re-read the "what every mama wants for her child" sentence and you'll get what I mean.

Want to know what offends me? When I'm asked "so, what do you do?" Even when I've said "I'm a mama" I have still had people (male and female) ask, "no, what do you DO?" I just smile and say "As I said, I'm a mama. I just don't get PAID for my work" while thinking 'you stupid fucking idiot'... (Oh, how I'd love to just sit down w/someone like this and share w/them all of the ideas and attempts I have made to make $$ - just in the past year alone. Maybe I should start adding "professional money making attempter" to my "mama" title.)

Want to know what else offends me? How often I'm asked "oh, are you going to have more?" Or some folks have been gutsy by stating "oh you are going to have more, aren't you?" I know these people are well-intentioned. But god damn, I'm tired as hell, ok? LOOK IN MY EYES, I want to say. SEE the bags and wrinkles??? LOOK AT MY 3 MINUTE LAME ASS HAIRDO. LOOK AT MY FRUMPY CLOTHES. See how my pants bag on my ass?? That's because I've seemed to LOOSE this particular body part since giving birth and can't afford new pants! And I ain't a spring chicken. Being pregnant took a toll on my body in certain ways. Not that I wasn't as healthy (or even more so) than my younger mama friends during their pregnancies - just that well, time has a way of not being so nice to our bodies. Especially when we're forced to carry around extra weight for 9 months. The knees in particular. And my knees were never my strong point...

Geesh! Re-reading this, all I can think is "someone give this girl a vacation and a massage and a paycheck!"

Want to know what hurts though? No one and I mean no one asks me about ME anymore. Since when did becoming a mama mean I lose things about myself - like my hobbies, my ideas, my thoughts, hopes and dreams? My spouse is in school so that's a topic for people to discuss with him ABOUT him. But me? Oh, I'm just the mama. You know - the one who has nothing of value to share apparently. Oh sure, others will empathize w/me over my sleep deprivation (while more experienced mama's whose children have left home will laugh over at times which makes me want to hand them my little angel and let them spend a few hours with her THEN we'll see if they're laughing upon my return). But still - that sleep deprivation is because OF my little one. IT IS NOT ABOUT JUST ME.

Yes. Come on world. Give this girl a vacation. Give her some massage treatments. Ask her about things that have only to do with HER. For yes, I love being a mama. I am in love in a way I have never been before. But that doesn't mean I have to stop loving myself. Does it?

Late Night Ramblings

2011-05-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, google. You just asked me for my phone number in order to continue to my blog. So I entered "5555555555" and you took it.

Idiots.

So Osama suddenly turns up dead. Killed by our Navy Seals. How convenient of a time for such an event. And how beneficial for Obama who is pining for the 2012 election. Now he can claim "I killed Osama" and all of his googly-eyed peeps can continue to bow in front of his feet whilst doing their on-going dismissal of his failures.

Ever moved with a baby? Try and avoid that unless you have free childcare lined up for weekS. And no, THAT is not a typo.

The older the calendar tells me I am, the harder it is for me to relate to the general populace. I despise small cocktail type chatter and prefer deep relating, especially on the realities of our planet, the system, the crap behind Oz's curtain, etc. I feel this sense of urgency to wake up people now. And yet if they ain't there yet, I just can't stomach interacting with them. Am I a snob? Perhaps in a way I am. Mostly I just feel too old/evolved/different whatever the term is to spend my time trying to connect with someone who is on a whole different level and engaged in an entirely different mindset. I think what this means is me familia and I are headed to the hills of Canada or some such place where we can finally enjoy and live the life we have long desired. Oh so long desired. Be extra nice to find like-minded souls. Simpletons who engage in surface level conversations and who are unforgiving/emotionally void BORE THE CRAP OUTTA ME. Plus yeah, they piss me off, too. Wish there was a pill I could put in their food to change all that. Turn on the AWAKENED HEART/MIND gene.

Being a mama is tough work. The most rewarding. The most challenging. The most unthankful. No recognition. Lots of demands and expectations. Thank god for that unconditional love thing (that and the adorability factor) cause otherwise mama's all around the globe would be putting their little darlings alongside roadway curbs some days. : )

Speaking of, 8am comes all too soon and it's all too late so I'm off for now. Ciao.

N.

Whew!

2011-04-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

On a lighter note...

Did you know that when babies first begin to walk, they walk faster than their parents?

Did you know when you put your baby down to play, she will automatically go for the one thing in which you do NOT want her to play?

Did you know that the concept of babies sleeping soundly and deeply on a regular basis is a lie? (Ok, it's a myth. When you're a sleep-deprived parent who has relied on "experts" and find out said "experts" don't always know what they're talking of, you tend to call them LIARS.)

Did you know that some days your baby may actually feel heavier to you - like noticably heavier?
Did you know that in her infinate, awesome wisdom, nature gives parents, the mama especially, super human strength, incredible vision (also known as "eyes in the back of the head"), insight and the capacity to operate on very little sleep day in and day out? Uh huh.

Did you know that, if you're a breastfeeding mama, and your baby consumes more milk, you will also consume more food? Talk about eating for 2! At NO time, not even during pregnancy, does this have more meaning.

Did you know that the phrase "when the child is your own, it's totally different to your heart, mind, soul and patience than any other child you've ever known" is COMPLETELY TRUE?

Uh huh.

Mad Dash To Spew The Thoughts Rambling Through My Brain

2011-03-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

The little one's asleep. Housework is done for the day. Been another busy day. And my mind is aching to expel the thoughts carried with me throughout this beautiful finally-reached-60 spring day.

*Looks like we have another president with an impeachable offense. Dennis Kucinich has the balls to put the idea on the congressional table. Will others follow suit? Likely the repukes will only because he is a democrap.

*The horrifying nuclear situation in Japan is not enough to touch the sociopathic mindset of certain leaders (which as those who know me is a term is use loosely) in terms of doing the right thing and ridding this planet of anything with the word "nuclear" attached. POWER WITH HEMP.

*Ok. So you lose your job in this hellish economy. Can't find anything decent much over minimum wage. "Go back to school," you're told. You finally decide, "what they hey" and re-enter the classroom. Sounds easy, right? Think again. Obama wants to do away with the Pell Grant program altogether. Schools, even Community Colleges, are turning away students due to the overwhelmingly high demand while raising tuition 30% plus. At the same time, they are cutting staff. Unless you receive priority registration, chances are most if not all of the classes you want will be full. Interested in a high demand program? Get in line and wait. For 1-2 years. Staff tell you, "Take whatever classes you can, even if they're not part of your degree program". Which is another way of saying "give us your money even if you end up not taking the classes you want or need". Sounds like a recipe for collapse??? Hmmm...

*We teach our beautiful angels, our children, to share. To treat others the way we wish to be treated. Then we toss them out into a System that does the exact opposite. Seems to me some of the system creators ought to go through kindergarten again, eh? Assuming they're human that is...

*Who in the hell ever gave banks the right to own this land? The entire concept of home ownership/mortgage is nothing but a giant scam, albeit a (disgustingly) brilliant one. Who else but some banker would come up with the idea of perpetual profit from the land? It is horrifying to me.

*I feel so grateful to be my little girl's mama. It is an experience that cannot be described with words. It must be felt. The feelings run stronger and deeper than any other feelings one can experience.

*The term sustainability is tossed around alot these days. And the missing key in all of this is often money. And those left out of the equation are those who don't have any or very little. The housing market is one thing that is not sustainable. The cost of food is another. Health care yet another. Schooling, ditto. Need I go on? Simply put we have an unsustainable system that says in order to provide for your basic survival needs, you must have the money to pay for it. If you don't, well, sorry for you. How did we ever (de)evolve to such a state of consciousness that we became ok with this? How far away from our authentic selves have we strayed to accept such a concept?

*Am I the only one who feels a sense of deep fatigue when seeing how, once again, The Empire goes and invades another country (Libya)? I mean really, how long can such people continue to create destruction without destroying their own inner consciousness? And how long can we as a public remain apathetic to such life and planet-destroying acts? Are we going to continue on in our apathy and/or sense of helplessness or are we going to dig deep and pull up those love reserves and let it all shine forth loudly, strongly and peacefully? I myself am a fan of love. : )

Common Sense Legislation/A World With No Money?

2011-03-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

On track for the November 2012 ballot. Heck yeah, I say. Heck yeah!
And for those of you who are fed the farmville hell up with the monetary-based system, check out the Zeitgeist Movement (google it). Proposed is a beautiful system that is free of money. Imagine it people. I know you can.

Been a long time since I blogged. My days are spent in a daze keeping up with and caring for the toddler-in-becoming. I love being a mama. More than I ever imagined. However, even though in some ways I am more patient and open, in other ways I am less patient. My disdain for the horrors of our world has only deepened as I now have more reason to care about our planet and its future. I don't have the patience for obvious stupidity and obvious callousness and obvious disregard for life. Call me the mad mama on a mission.

As papa bear says, don't poke the mama bear.

another baby update

2010-08-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

i sit here, typing with one hand as the little one commands that i hold/nurse/snuggle her every day after 8pm. sometimes this goes on for more than 2 hours. what this means is my days (or nights) of partying are over for now.

pausing as i wait for confusion and laughter to cease as for anyone who knows me knows i am not a partyier. and hell, i can't even spell the word - but i do like a good time in my own way and where am i going w/all of this anyway????

ah yes, the little one.

breastfeeding is draining what few precious brain cells i have left (due to the partying i did in my younger years). add in sleep deprivation and singing "the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round" every day and you have a recipe for.....

true love.

ah, fooled ya, huh?

i never knew love like this before...

the first time ever i saw your face...

we can take forever just a minute at a time...

so many songs i sing to my little angel everyday - looking into her eyes - seeing heavenly forever/all there is - well...it never tires me. even when i am utterly spent with fatigue. why didn't i do this sooner?

for once i was lost and now i am found...what used to pass my days - keeping up with the latest political and agenda happenings and screaming about it is no longer my passion. a little person, under 15 lbs, is my passion.

and yet i want to present her with the reality as i see it. i want her prepared. aware. strong. courageous. loving and kind. i want to live another 60 plus years so that i can be here for her as she enters her own mid-life experiences. i'm anti-pill but find me an anti-aging pill and i'll take it just to add to that self-assurance.

did i mention she has my eyes? and smile?

did i mention she is adorably beautiful?

did i mention she greets me with a smile each and every morning, without fail?

did i mention i cannot live without her?

did i mention i wonder why i did not do this sooner?

what was i so afraid of?

love?

hmm...

she's discovered television. and is mesmerized by it. the tv 'off' button is the most-used button in the house now. mostly it is now a big square thing with a black face, sitting silently in the living room. it's a silence i can live with.

she loves to dance. i'll turn on some tunes, roberta flack being one of my faves, and she and i will dance, cheek-to-cheek. we've created several spontanteous baby naps doing this.

did i mention there is nothing more calming than your baby's sweet little breathe on your neck?

did i mention there is nothing softer than your baby's skin?

did i mention there is nothing more precious than 5 little fingers stroking your shoulder?

did i mention there is nothing more addictive than inhaling your baby's sweet scent?

i write her letters, expressing my wishes for her and my concerns. i wish for myself, at times, super-hero characteristics. i want to protect her from harm and pain of any kind. i want to clean the slate clean of our world of all the ills and evils so that her life experience can be of the heavenly kind. my one goal is to work to ensure i leave her with a home and land so that she many never know homelessness. and the skills to garden and hunt so that she may never know hunger. i wish for her to be surrounded by good friends, the kind who can be trusted and counted on.

for now, we are focused on learning how to scoot and sit up - on how to catch the drool and spit-up before they find their place on the carpet or mama's clothing. life is good.

and now the clock tells me it is 10:30pm and little one is finally asleep. therefore, it is also time for the mama (that would be me) to tuck myself in to bed as well.

g'night all.

Baby Daze

2010-06-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

The Led Zeppelin song, Dazed and Confused, in particular the line "been dazed and confused for so long..." has been a theme song in my brain the past 6 weeks. The saying "A baby changes everything" is so true - the brain cells nonwithstanding.

Good lord...

She's changing so fast. And just when I think "at last - she is going to sleep for more than 2 hours" she surprises me and sleeps 30 minutes. Before wanting to eat. Again. For the 50th time. That day.

There are of course lots of opinions on how to cope with this exhaustion. The breast nazi's (pro breastfeeding folks) tell me to ride it out and adjust my attitude. Don't think of it as exhaustion but focus instead on the good I am doing for my baby.

I would focus...IF I COULD.

Then there are the other supposed experts on the other side of the fence who advise to supplement with rice cereal or formula to help stretch out those sleep periods. Then I read where this is a myth.

Then there's the grandparents, who are under the illusion that their children (that would be me) were these perfect babies who slept 4-5 hours at a time off the bat, who rarely if ever cried. Exhaustion? Why, they didn't experience that.

Which proves my point that parents experience infanthood amnesia, which is nature's way of having us forget the struggles of this time period to ensure we have more children. Much like pregnant women experience both pregnancy and delivery amnesia. I can vow for that.

As I said, she is growing fast. Much like a weed. And like a weed she has a purpose. Unlike a weed though, she has a beauty to her that I find intoxicating. It enables me to reach to her when she's crying at 3am wanting to feed, only having done the same thing 2 hours prior.

See ya on the other side of the daze...

Baby Baby Baby!

2010-05-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Mr. N and I welcomed our little girl into the world 2 weeks ago. She's beautiful (looks a lot like her mama so of course she's beautiful) and healthy and just perfect. Labor and delivery was an awesome, surreal experience. It went as planned - a la natural with no medical intervening. 22 hours of labor and 1 hr 45 minutes of pushing. Hurt like hell at times but it's a weird sort of "pain". Nature has a way of making us women forget the pain. Physically I am doing well - healing and resting. Breastfeeding causes the pregnancy belly to disappear quite quickly. It's the lack of sleep that is hard to get used to. Don't think one ever does "get used to" it, frankly. Never thought I'd feel a love like this. It's overpowering at times - something you don't have any control over. Life has totally changed direction for us - new focus for certain. She is, quite literally, the center of our little Universe. As such, blogging is at the bottom of the priority list for the foreseeable future. And that's ok by this new mama.

Long-Term Unemployed: A Sobering Story

2010-05-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

As found on this site.

"Dear Senator Reid:

First I would like to thank you for your work in extending UI benefits to millions of us Americans who depend upon these for basic survival. I also applaud your work on passing health care. I know these were tough tasks, and ones which you put yourself in the line of fire in order to get passed.

Senator I hope you will read my letter carefully. This is probably the single hardest thing I have ever had to sit down and write. I know that you personally know the pain of being a suicide survivor. I am writing today to share my family’s real life tragic experience of the 2009 economic crisis. I am also writing to plead to you for help for a group of us that the Congress has forgotten about - those of us who need a Tier 5 Unemployment Extension because we have exhausted all of our 99 weeks of UI benefits. Those of us who cannot find jobs regardless of how qualified we are, or how hard we look. The country has been deceived into believing that everyone has been looked after with the 60 day extension recently passed. In fact there are millions of us out here who have exhausted all four levels of UI benefits and are scared and suffering. Millions of living and breathing human beings who feel pain and shame, more desperate than we ever imagined we could be. Many of these desperate and scared people without UI benefits will be faced with a very real option that they will consider – unfortunately I am speaking of Suicide.

My dad, S, killed himself March 16, 2009 because he ran out of money and could not find work. My whole family had been devastated by the economy. He was 61 years old and could not take it anymore. He could not figure out how to keep the electric on, buy food, or keep a roof over his head. A day before his electric was to be shut off, and 2 weeks away from eviction, my dad took the hardest walk of his life. He left a note on the dining room table for my sister and I. His suicide letter said “I love you. I had to do this. I ran out of money. I wish you both luck in your lives”. He left the door unlocked with the door key left in the lock. He carefully laid out two suits for us to pick from to bury him in.

I almost caught my dad in time, maybe another 10 minutes and I could have saved him Senator Reid. Dad walked 2 blocks down to the Belmont Memorial Pier in Long Beach at 10:15 am, and walked into the men’s restroom midway down the pier. He took a glock hand gun and shot himself in the head. We called the police when we found the suicide notes. I cannot explain to another human being the depth of pain I feel inside. I will never forget the image of police and coroner’s cars in front of my dad’s condo. I will never forget the looks on the officer’s faces when I walked in. I will never forget hearing the words “they found your dad’s body”. I could not believe what they told. I made the coroner show me his face. They argued and warned that I shouldn’t see this. But I had to, it was my dad, I wanted to understand what was going on. After shifting through many frames cautious so I wouldn’t see the death scene photos she found one with just his face showing, his head was wrapped in a towel. He looked sad and old and asleep. I will never forget the spectator I crossed paths with as he walking out of the restroom laughing because there was not enough of my dad on the restroom wall to entertain him. I will live with horror of this in my head forever. The beach and piers are a really bad place to me now. I avoid the pain they remind me of. I remember looking in my dad’s refrigerator to see how much food he had left. I was desperate to understand what happened at 10:00 am that led us into this horror. There wasn’t much food there. The lights were going off soon, the heat and so on. He must have been terrified. How do you take your last walk knowing you will never touch earth again? How do you walk in that restroom door knowing you will never see daylight or the ocean or your family? I have a million questions Senator. Did he pray? Was he feeling alone and hurt? I will never know the answer to any of these. All I know is that dad left a note in his pant pocket with my phone number for the police to call me when they found him. I know that I will feel really lousy every March 16th and every Father’s Day. On top of this my family could not afford to bury dad. Thank God distant family helped us do what we could not here. Most of congress will never have to figure out how to bury their loved one after a suicide because they have no money.

On a blog for those of us praying and hoping for a Tier 5 Extension I read about another person who has exhausted her benefits. She is, or possibly was by now, 50 years old and had no family other than two dogs and a cat. She was writing about her despair and her only remaining option. Unable to find work and with no UI benefits she has $850 left to her name. Her plan is to take her three pets to a local no-kill animal shelter and give them over, along with her last money to look after them. She is then going home to commit suicide. I wrote back on the blog as did many people and begged her to reconsider this. We offered to be an ear or shoulder and share her fear and pain.

I have called and spoken with most of the senator’s offices and spoken with aids in each office. I relayed my family’s own story of pain and suicide. I also explained about the suicidal woman with the pets. Almost all of these aids acted as if they were bored or indifferent to my call. Each one offered a carefully crafted monotone exit line. However, I spoke with Mike in your Reno office. Mike stopped and listened to my story and my pain. He was the only person I crossed paths with that responded with kindness and compassion. He was kind enough to help me understand the process, and what you are doing to help us seeking a lifeline through Tier 5 Extension. I asked Mike if I write this letter could he please get it to you.

Congress continues to ignore the need for a Tier 5 Extension. I pray you will make this your mission to pass a Tier 5 Extension. There are millions of people out here terrified and suffering. While Congress delays and debates and ignores many of these people will perish. One of these people was my dad. He is not just a tragic story, he was a real living human being to me – he was my dad. Please Senator stop one more person from reaching such a dark and desperate place.

You have my permission to use my story in any manner which you feel appropriate Senator. I ask that you please not use my name or the location of my dad’s death. We already experienced a second page newspaper story the day after dad’s death.

You have my respect Senator. I sincerely hope you will fight for us – we need you right now!

Sincerely,

R"

**A note to those who have not been impacted by the current depression and a note to those who are living comfortably (as in no threat of being homeless or hungry anytime in the foreseeable future): You have an obligation to help out your fellow unemployed human beings. It would be an immense help if you would copy this letter, send it to your representative, then command that the EUC program be extended through years end (at minimum) AND that an additional tier of benefits for the long-term unemployed (aka 'the 99ers') be added. Like it or not, eventually we will all have to deal head on with this issue. The growing number of homeless people are going to have no choice but to begin to take from those who have, especially if services for the needy continue to be cut. The answer isn't to deny them the right to safe shelter and food. The answer isn't to turn this country into an us versus them wild-wild-west atmosphere. The answer is to HELP in any way one can. And a great start is to help those of us in this situation by writing and/or faxing - regularly - your representatives. Thank you.

N.

Unemployment Rates: State by State

2010-05-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

Remember kiddies to double these numbers as they do not include those who have fallen off the unemployment benefits roster nor do they include those who have had to settle for a part-time minimum wage job (as I tell clueless family members: you simply cannot grow an economy or save your ass from poverty on walmart jobs) nor do they include those who have simply given up. These stats are for March of 2010. You can bet those numbers will continue to climb - although I believe one of the reasons why congress has failed to extend the EUC program through years end and has instead allowed the program to lapse for a time before adding a month or so to the program is to help keep the numbers looking "hopeful" (thus allowing hundreds of thousands and/or millions to suddenly drop from the euc program and thus no longer are they included in the UE stats) . It is, afterall, an election year.
***

Michigan 14.1 ▬ 0.0%

Nevada 13.4 ▲ 0.2%

California 12.6 ▲ 0.1%

Rhode Island 12.6 ▼ 0.1%

Florida 12.3 ▲ 0.1%

South Carolina 12.2 ▼ 0.3%

District Of Columbia 11.6 ▼ 0.3%

Illinois 11.5 ▲ 0.1%

Mississippi 11.5 ▲ 0.1%

North Carolina 11.1 ▼ 0.1%

Alabama 11.0 ▼ 0.0%

Ohio 11.0 ▲ 0.1%

Kentucky 10.7 ▼ 0.2%

Georgia 10.6 ▲ 0.1%

Tennessee 10.6 ▼ 0.1%

Oregon 10.6 ▲ 0.1%

Indiana 10.0 ▬ 0.0%

New Jersey 10.0 ▬ 0.0%

United States (national)[4] 9.7 ▬ 0.0%

Arizona 9.6 ▲ 0.1%

Missouri 9.5 ▲ 0.1%

Washington 9.5 ▬ 0.0%

West Virginia 9.5 ▬ 0.0%

Idaho 9.4 ▼ 0.1%

Massachusetts 9.3 ▼ 0.2%

Connecticut 9.2 ▲ 0.1%

Delaware 9.2 ▬ 0.0%

Pennsylvania 9.0 ▬ 0.0%

New Mexico 8.8 ▲ 0.1%

Wisconsin 8.8 ▲ 0.1%

Alaska 8.6 ▲ 0.1%

New York 8.6 ▼ 0.2%

Maine 8.2 ▼ 0.1%

Texas 8.2 ▬ 0.0%

Colorado 7.9 ▲ 0.1%

Maryland 7.7 ▼ 0.1%

Virginia 7.6 ▲ 0.2%

Minnesota 7.6 ▲ 0.1%

Arkansas 7.5 ▼ 0.1%

Wyoming 7.3 ▼ 0.2%

Montana 7.1 ▲ 0.2%

Utah 7.2 ▲ 0.1%

New Hampshire 7.0 ▼ 0.1%

Hawaii 6.9 ▬ 0.0%

Louisiana 6.9 ▼ 0.5%

Iowa 6.8 ▲ 0.1%

Oklahoma 6.6 ▼ 0.1%

Kansas 6.5 ▬ 0.0%

Vermont 6.5 ▼ 0.1%

Nebraska 5.0 ▲ 0.2%

South Dakota 4.8 ▬ 0.0%

North Dakota 4.0 ▼ 0.1%

Think Your Cell Phone Calls Are Private?

2010-04-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

I had a neighbor tell me that, a few weeks ago, she was on the phone with her mother. She owns a cell phone. I do not know if her mother was on a land line or cell phone. She told me that she and her mother were talking about the violence in the Middle East and were innocently talking about bombs - namely all of the bombs that were going off over there. Not about making them. Nothing conspiratorial at all.

And yet, just using the terms middle east and bombs warranted an interruption with a computer-generated voice that said their phone call was illegal under code blah blah blah.

Still think you're safe from such monitoring?

"Frivilous" Lawsuits

2010-04-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, I just had to write up a brief post about this topic as, upon reviewing my latest post on my blog's main page, I see where google had posted an add about ending frivilous medical lawsuits.

Give me a god damn break.

Want to know why medical lawsuits are soaring?

Newsflash: We have a gross shortage of doctors in this country (largely due to the cost of malpractice insurance) and this trend is showing no signs of reversing. Having made contact/friends with those who are either still in the medical system or who once were and got the hell out, I have learned some very interesting tidbits, this shortage of doctors being one. Doctors, especially those who are part of a medium size to large medical practice, have been pressured for years by money hungry, profit-driven administrators to take on more patients, spend less time with them. Surgeons are pressured to pack in more surgeries. This leads to burn out - extreme fatigue - doctors who are simply not capable of performing their duties in the careful, responsible manner in which is necessary. The real outrage should not be aimed towards the patients themselves but towards the administrators whose sole concern is making money (then feigning "concern" when a patient complains) and towards the malpractice attorneys who get away with charging $450/hour and up and/or, who, upon winning their selected case, take over half of the patients winnings. The patient, the victim, gets lost along the way in this very corrupt system. And sometimes, the doctors themselves don't help, especially when they refuse to acknowledge the previous as well as their own ineptness which is by and large due to overworking themselves - sacrificing patient care for the almighty dollar.

I had a medical doctor last week tell me that the United States is becoming a 3rd world nation and much of this is evidenced in the health care system. Yep. And Obama Care is gonna fix all that.

Uh huh.

It Must Be Nice...

2010-04-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

It Must Be Nice:

*to be a self-proclaimed teabagger and be so heartless as to be against authentically helping others (funding war good - funding welfare bad), to be so blinded to the Constitution as to believe America is a Christian nation (so much for brotherly love and helping those in need), to be so ignorant and downright fucking stupid to be so hateful towards gays...and hey - some spelling lessons are in order...correct spelling does make you appear to be, well, more believable...i'm available for $25/hour to proof your signs, press releases and such...however my overall support for your movement begins and ends there (although i do agree with you, overall, on the idea that we are over-taxed as individuals). capiche?

*to be a self-proclaimed left-leaning progressive who is so blind as to the very fact that, at the CORE of sustainability is MONEY, namely the incomes of the people...the current economic/monetary system is NOT SUSTAINABLE...P E R I O D...one simply cannot proclaim to be progressive and supportive of sustainability until they address this very F A C T...

*to be one of those who are cheering the latest health care reform while BLINDLY REFUSING to acknowledge the VERY FACT that the government REQUIRING any individual to purchase health care (much less auto) insurance is blaringly, obviously unconstitutional not to mention downright outrageous...this is NOT a "good starting point" as many of these folks proclaim...it is a nightmare waiting to explode - burdening an already stressed health care system which is run solely FOR PROFIT ONLY (with decisions being made by "suits" who typically have zero medical training) and has ceased to be about true patient care...

*to be members of our family who are living a comfy life, for whom the system of the past worked beautifully, who have NO CLUE what it's really like to have to "tighten" ones belt.... judging us for our current $$ situation (pulling the typical capitalistic, rugged individualistic method of blaming the victim) while failing to see the GOD DAMN FUCKING TRUTH of the system...i was not joking when i said any further judgments, badgering or other such emotional abuse will warrant me throwing your ass out of our house....and my life.

*to proudly wear one of the various labels...oooh i'm a greenie...oooh i'm a neocon....ooooh i'm a lefty....ooooh i'm a socialist....oooh i'm a ____fill in the blank. get over yourself. you're a human being--amazing, miraculous yet no more special or extraordinary than anyone else. yes, you're a human being. i'm a human being. that's enough of a label, don't you think? labels divide and blind us to the truths, realities and opinions of others. this has been a hard one for me to accept.

I Wish...

2010-04-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Not that anyone but spammers will read this, much less read this blog anymore...but i wish the following:

~people would stop telling me how i am "glowing" and how "wonderful" i look. I DO NOT FEEL WONDERFUL. I am scared out of my frigging mind of becoming homeless with a baby. I am stressed to the max. I am not sleeping well and it isn't just due to late stage pregnancy symptoms. I am overwhelmed at the idea of raising a child in this fucked up system.

~along those lines i wish people would stop telling me everything is going to be just fine when there is NO PROOF of this. unless you have money and/or support from those who also have money and stability you will not be "just fine". miracles and opportunities are few and far between and it doesn't matter how much you pray or ask for help or THINK IT TRUE - the bottom line is this world is for shit and true idealism and true emotional expression and the acknowledgement of how things TRULY are does not exist.

~i wish the basics needed to survive were not based on the amount of money one has but instead, were provided for all\ - no questions asked.

~along those lines, i wish more people believed the above as i do.

~if there are other universes in which i am living and experiencing, i wish i knew how to go to that reality (in so long it was a reality much more conducive to my needs and values). if i did, i would be there immediately. without question.

~i wish love is all you need was a true concept.

~i wish certain people would stop nagging me/us, badgering me/us and questioning me/us and instead ask that difficult but REAL phrase that is TRULY about helping: "what do you need?" ask and i will tell you!

~i wish i didn't feel so god damn alone.

~lastly, i wish i would win the lottery. that would take away a lot of the unnecessary stress i am experiencing.

President Signs Yet Another Pitiful Jobless Benes Bill

2010-04-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

I must admit this is a great way to take advantage of a desperate populace. Allow a much needed program to lapse, then give the thirsty, (unnecessarily) suffering masses a small glass of water to satisfy them for a couple of months (while, in their totally understandable desperation, these folks give high praise to our learless feaders), only to toss them out into the jungle again once those 2 months are over.

"WASHINGTON — Just hours after Congress passed an $18 billion bill to restore unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed, President Barack Obama made it the law of the land. The measure comes as welcome relief to hundreds of thousands of people who lost out on the additional weeks of compensation after exhausting their state-paid benefits. They now will be able to reapply for long-term unemployment benefits and receive those checks retroactively under the legislation."

Please note: This bill does not include additional tiers, which would add more benefits - something the 99ers have been pushing for. (The 99ers refers to the long-term unemployed who have exhausted all of their benefits - the maximum being 99 weeks.)

When you've had over 8 million jobs lost; when the majority of created jobs are in the low-wage service industry; when we failed to have a full recovery from the last "recession"; when we have had decades of, overall, declining wages and outlandish increases in housing, food, education and health care; when you hear the talking media pundits give praise to jumps in the market (which simply means it is being controlled by the rich to give us the illusion that all is well/getting better); when foreclosures took another huge jump last month; when close to 20% of the country is on food stamps (and that does not include the millions who are eligible and either aren't aware they are or are too prideful to apply)...I mean come on now. How can you possibly think that the economy is slowly improving let alone fantasize it is somehow going to return to the good 'ole days? Blind wishful thinking that isn't grounded in reality doesn't serve anyone. Not to say that such a wish isn't impossible as anything is always possible. As long as the motivation, intention and the realization that things must change at the core are present.

Oregon Supreme Court Says Employers Can Discriminate Against Employees Who Use Medical MJ

2010-04-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that's right. Discriminate.

"SALEM, Ore.—In a long-awaited decision, the Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that employers are not required to accommodate employees who use medical marijuana. The decision dated Wednesday and posted online Thursday in Emerald Steel Fabricators Inc. vs. Bureau of Labor and Industries involves an employer who refused to hire a temporary worker as a permanent employee after learning he was a medical marijuana user. The Oregon Supreme Court's 5-2 ruling overturned an appellate court ruling that had been based on technical grounds. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act authorizes individuals holding registry identification cards to use marijuana for medical purposes. However, “under Oregon's employment discrimination laws, (the) employer was not required to accommodate employee's use of medical marijuana,” the Oregon Supreme Court majority ruled."

Like the use of the term "accomodate"? What that really means is if you are a patient legally holding a card that gives you the legal right under state law (which the Oregon Supreme Court is supposed to uphold) to use mj for recognized medical conditions, your employer or future employer can refuse to hire you or fire you simply because you hold the card. Said employer doesn't even need to show you are showing up high on the job. The card enough is alone to get you axed. Hence, this is nothing short of discriminatory.

And why in the hell does the fact that in the State of Oregon, being it is legal to use marijuana for medicinal purposes as long as it's prescribed by a medical doctor and therefore, patients can be discriminated by employers for following state law?
"The court also concludes that even though the state law authorizes the use of medical marijuana, the federal Controlled Substances Act pre-empts the state law."

Ah yes, the usual trump card played by mindless goons who wouldn't know the terms logic and open-mindedness (Truth) if they were to bite them in their ass. As I often say these days to people who look at such situations and ask Huh?: "You can't make sense out of crazy." And such laws, backed with mindless unsubstantiated dribble are the epitomy of crazy.

Anyone else thinking about the millions of people hooked on legal prescription narcotics? Or sleeping pills? Or the millions who take OTC antihistamines which make many people extremely drowsy? Or what about people who drive for a living and text and/or talk on their cell phones which has been proven to be as deadly (more deadly if you're a driver-texter) as driving drunk?

And yet here we have a case where someone simply has a prescription card for a legal substance, has not been shown to be impaired on the job present or past and yet, the employer has the right to discriminate against them anyway?

Yep. This "crazy" disease just continues the longer the system keeps on plugging away while the majority of the people engage in childish political battles instead of coming together and realizing BOTH SIDES ARE GETTING SCREWED IN THE ASS.

I want my mommy....and a foot massage...and a chauffeur....and a maid....and cook...and oh yeah a bank account with lots of zeros

2010-04-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

The return of my mind would be good. And my body, too. And oh yeah - a good night sleep would be WONDERFUL.

I don't know how much longer I'll be able to do this blog (it took me 5 times just to type "i'll"). I can't sit in front of this thing for long these days. I'm (nearly) constantly tired. Heartburn occurs regardless of whether I am sitting, standing or lying down. Walking normally left me 3 weeks ago. And we still have things to take care of before this little angel of ours makes her appearance. Of course none of it (with the exception of getting diapers which good lord did any of you know cloth diapers has turned into a science??) matters to her - just her mama and daddy.

Once she arrives, I will be in mama and rest mode 24/7 for some time. Even today, when Mr. N wants to tell me about the latest world happenings, I just kinda space it out, wave my hand and go "uh huh". Not like I don't care. Just cannot process.

Want to hear my latest pregnancy brain fart snafu? I backed the car into our carport post. I haven't hit anything with my car, well, with this particular car, EVER. And I have had it for 20 years, too. But here I was, driving half awake, having come from taking a snooze at the park, attempting to back up the car into our driveway (a definite no-no for me these days as the baby/my belly won't allow me to turn much) - something I've done regularly for years. And yet this time, for some reason, someone moved that damn post without telling me and it had a meeting of the minds with my bumper. Who won? Judging from the bumper and the post, I'd say it was a draw.

Well, Mr. N was so pleased with this. Even my tears didn't persuade him from showing me sympathy (well, for a little while that is). Instead he said that was it. My driving days were over until I give birth.

Yes, that is a thought that pisses me off. Royally. And while he doesn't control what I do - E V E R - he's right. Unless I am driving forward, I shouldn't be behind the wheel of our car. And being I am so tired so much of the time, that only adds to my inability to fully operate anything of the mechanical or moving nature responsibly and safely.

Damn, what did this post start off being? Oh well, who knows! We're at 36 weeks and counting. No signs yet. She could come next week or anytime after that through the middle to end of May. While the idea of birth (ok, pain) kinda freaks me out now and then, an even stronger emotion is the desire to birth her out of my body so I can not only experience being her mama, but so I can GET MY BODY BACK. Sleep on my back. On my belly. Eat a meal or drink a glass of water without experiencing acid reflux. Be able to carry around a little bit of gas without feeling like I want to explode inside. Jump off a park bench. Ride my bike. Drive. Get up without grunting. Walk normally with my hands by my side instead of one instinctively placed on the small of my back. And run. Oh god yes - me the non-runner suddenly wants to RUN. Everywhere. With my arms spread out wide by my sides. Giggling like a school girl while the warrior woman within says "YES. FREEDOM."

Screw all of the other freedoms at the moment. This girl wants to R U N. THAT, to me, as of today, is freedom.

Unemployment Stats: The Truth

2010-04-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

Don't listen to the bullshit being spewed on television by Obama over how the economy is showing signs of improving. Don't listen to any of these DC insiders talk about how we saw an increase of jobs last month (whereby approximately 50,000 are for TEMPORARY census workers and thereby cannot be viewed as real job gains). Don't listen as they blather on about job loss declining (when in reality how many more jobs can this country lose before showing SOME signs of slowing down - that slowing down simply being the result of nothing much less TO lose). And please don't fall victim to those who say "well at least many people are working part-time or temporary and that's better than nothing", as though a nation of part-timers and temporary workers leads to economic prosperity and recovery.

Instead, look at stats like this for The Truth.

The days of working your ass off, fierce competiting, rugged individualism and busting your hump every day to make enough to pay the banks to provide a roof for yourself (whether you are a "homeowner" or renter you are working to make the banks rich) must end. It begins with stopping such mindless chanting and instead, exploring other means of living, where life is truly about living instead of struggling to survive and get by.

Young Girl Doodles On Desk. Gets Hauled Off To Jail.

2010-04-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

More evidence of the Nanny State.

"(April 3) -- When 12-year-old Alexa Gonzalez was caught doodling on her desk at Junior High School 190 in Queens, New York, she expected detention and an afternoon on desk-cleaning duty. Instead, she was arrested, led out of her school in handcuffs and detained at a local police precinct for hours, she said. Two months after the incident, Gonzalez and her mother, Maraima Comacho, are suing the New York City Education Department and the New York Police Department for $1 million in damages, claiming excessive use of force and violation of the girl's rights in the ordeal, which Comacho has called a "nightmare." Gonzalez describes the ordeal as traumatizing and excessive, saying that after her Spanish teacher caught her doodling on her desk with erasable green marker, she was "physically dragged by a teacher and an assistant principal" to the dean's office, where school safety officials searched her by placing "their hands inside the rear and front pockets of her jeans." Police were then summoned to arrest her... The legal papers filed by Rosenthal [whereby the family is seeking $1 million in damages] said Comacho was not permitted to accompany her daughter to the precinct and was instead told to go home and wait for a call. The documents also said that Gonzalez was detained in "an enclosed room" at the precinct and handcuffed to a pole for more than two hours."

And what "horrible" thing did this young girl doodle on her desk?

'"I love my friends Abby and Faith," Gonzalez said she wrote, adding "Lex was here. 2/1/10" and a smiley face."

Her punishment? (As if being traumatized and restrained by a bunch of fascists wasn't enough.)

"...Gonzalez was given eight hours of community service and ordered to write a book report and an essay about what she learned from the experience."

Oh how I hope this beautiful young girls says she has learned we live in a fascist, nanny state where writing cute little loving doodles on our school desks, as all young girls do, can result in being dragged away from school, hauled to the police station for hours, whereby your own mother is not "allowed" to come see you and yet Big Bankers and Corporate America Criminals can steal our money, pollute our waterways, soil and bodies with hosts of toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc. and get away with it all while puppets like Obama et. al orate verbal wet dreams for hours on television feigning "anger" over these real criminals (while his blind supporters point and say "see? he's on our side!") all the while doing nothing about any of it to truly put an end to the nightmare.

Just one more in a myriad of reasons to HOME SCHOOL.

Health Care. Schmelth Care.

2010-03-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

Watching the health care debate play out both on the floor of congress and amongst the left and the right is a bit like watching a group of toddlers attempt to build a bridge (minus the cute factor). They think they know what they're doing, but in reality, they don't.

Congress of course is going to remain on their course of human health destruction with their unwaivering support for corporate insurance companies. Gotta keep capitalism alive and well. Gotta keep those lobbying dollars flowing into their greedy little pockets by the insurance companies. There's really nothing more to add to the behavior of these folks as none is (nor should be) surprising. Same goes for the current administration.

Those on the left, the well-meaning folks that they are, are continuing their pansy-ass type behavior. They pushed and pushed for a single payer option, wanting the insurance companies out of the health care industry altogether (which is the most common sense, fair, just, ethical and moral thing TO do) and yet, when Obama and the Democratic Congress refused to stand by their "supposed" support of including a single payer option, there was no public outcry. Last I heard, Michael Moore was still holding onto his delusional little "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN" ballon while chanting the "Please Mr. Obama, don't tell me you are drinking the same kool-aid as your predecessor." Oh well. At least those radical righties, albeit a scary bunch of folks in some ways, know how to make a point and aren't afraid to show their rage.

Those on the right wish to keep capitalism alive and well and want nothing to do with single payer. Keep government out of their health care choices. (Medicare, anybody?) These folks don't understand the idea of freedom of choice. What's so scary about allowing those who want a single payer option that freedom to do so? All these folks seem to care about is ending welfare and social programs (while screaming "DO NOT TOUCH MY SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICARE!") and while turning a blind eye to the realities of unnecessary suffering around them. I especially love those who chant the tune of Jesus Christ while showing such disdain towards the needy.

That being said however, I will give these righties one more bonus point. While they may not understand freedom of choice nor do they see their own hypocrisy, they do indeed understand the Constitution and are justifiably upset over the idea of mandated insurance, which is clearly unconstitutional and, as of today, 19 attorney general's are challenging this mandate. (Why this same outcry and challenge isn't happening over mandated auto and homeowner insurance is perplexing.)

I will end this little missive with my own thoughts on health care.

1) Health insurance companies have no business nor reason (aside from making people rich off of people's suffering) to be involved at all when it comes to health care. Health Care needs to involve the doctor and the patient only. Period. All other intrusion ends right there.

2) Government is only to be involved to provide proper regulatory measures to ensure the safety of the patients and to provide the financial means for those who cannot afford to provide for health care practices on their own.

3) Doctors need to provide sliding scale fees. The more you make, the more you pay and vice versa.

4) The area of malpractice suits and insurance is a bit foreign to me. However, I was recently told that it is common practice amongst malpractice attorney's to only take cases whereby the outcome is $100,000 or greater in potential winnings. I believe if such attorney's were less "greedy" in terms of their hourly rate and/or the chunk they receive in the end if they win (anything more than 20-25% is indeed, overall, greedy and unnecessary), perhaps this could help put an end to the more extreme cases. And, on the flip side, if doctor's were much better (i.e. properly) trained in such areas as patient communication, compassion, empathy and in the area of pharmaceutical medications and alternative health care practices (and had schedules that were more suitable to their own physical needs), there would be fewer lawsuits. Certainly if the health insurance companies were removed from the scene, doctors would deal with far fewer hassles, paperwork and pressure. In short - they could be themselves - the doctor's they were trained to be instead of some corporate pinhead's puppet (said puppet having received no medical training).

Nano Technology: It's Everywhere. And We Don't Know It.

2010-03-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

It's been shown to damage dna, contributing to such diseases as cancer and heart disease.

(March 24) -- "For almost two years, molecular biologist Bénédicte Trouiller doused the drinking water of scores of lab mice with nano-titanium dioxide, the most common nanomaterial used in consumer products today. She knew that earlier studies conducted in test tubes and petri dishes had shown the same particle could cause disease. But her tests at a lab at UCLA's School of Public Health were in vivo -- conducted in living organisms -- and thus regarded by some scientists as more relevant in assessing potential human harm. Halfway through, Trouiller became alarmed: Consuming the nano-titanium dioxide was damaging or destroying the animals' DNA and chromosomes. The biological havoc continued as she repeated the studies again and again. It was a significant finding: The degrees of DNA damage and genetic instability that the 32-year-old investigator documented can be "linked to all the big killers of man, namely cancer, heart disease, neurological disease and aging," says Professor Robert Schiestl, a genetic toxicologist who ran the lab at UCLA's School of Public Health where Trouiller did her research."

And where is this ugly technology to be found?

"It's 'in everything from medicine capsules and nutritional supplements, to food icing and additives, to skin creams, oils and toothpaste,' Schiestl says. He adds that at least 2 million pounds of nanosized titanium dioxide are produced and used in the U.S. each year."

And do manufacturers have to tell the consumer their products contain nano technology?

"Consumers have virtually no way of knowing whether the products they purchase contain nanomaterials, as under current U.S. laws it is completely up to manufacturers what to put on their labels."

And is there any movement from Uncle Sam to change this insanity?

"...most federal agencies are doing little to nothing to ensure public safety."

Contradiction

2010-03-19T18:52:00.001-07:00

Today while out and about, I saw a car with two bumper stickers: One saying "end this war" and the other saying "Obama/Biden". How's that Obama-Biden team workin' for them, I wonder?

Man Videotapes UFO Over Lake Erie

2010-03-18T11:22:00.001-07:00

For the past 12 nights, these lights have been captured on video over the skies of Lake Erie between the hours of 7 and 8pm, typically lasting for 2-3 hours.

The Logical Song: 30 Years Later and Nothing's Changed

2010-03-06T15:31:00.000-08:00

I've been spending this afternoon listening to some of my old albums (which, like my cassette tapes and 8-tracks, after 30 years are still intact, still sound awesome, unlike today's "modern technological advances" of CD's and DVD's which begin breaking down after a year or two). At the moment, I'm listening to "Supertramp: Breakfast in America" - a very intuitive, rockin' and socially/politically aware album. One of my favorite songs on the album always has been and still is "The Logical Song". I was just entering my teenage years when this song was popular. At the time, in spite of my tender young age, a lot of my innocence had already been shattered apart for a variety of reasons, some too graphic to depict on this blog, not the least of which was an on-going pressure from adults/the church/the system/teachers/family/neighbors around me to "SHUT UP" with my "radical/naive/unrealistic" etc. etc. etc. opinions. At the time it was one thing when you spoke up and you were male (and straight). When you happened to have breasts and a vagina (or had the penis and liked other humans with penises), the venom shot back at you packed an extra punch of contempt.

Usually. But not always.

When listening to this song way back when, while my brain was still trying to understand some of the concepts, assumptions and words, somewhere within I knew the truth: When You See Things As They Are And Could Be And Aren't Silent About Such Things, You're Gonna Face Attempts Of Silence For The Remainder Of Your Life.

30 years ago and this message was every bit as prevalent as it is today. I think each generation tends to forget this and holds the impression (illusion) that theirs is the only one who has experienced such silencing.
Political and social opinions may change a bit over the generations, but one thing has remained the same and that is the above stated truth in bold.

In honor of the vocal truth seekers, I present you with the words from that wonderful song, "The Logical Song". Keep on speakin' out. Keep on rockin'.

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,
joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible,
logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
clinical, intellectual, cynical.

There are times when all the world's asleep,
the questions run too deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.

Not watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,
liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're
acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable!

At night, when all the world's asleep,
the questions run so deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.
Who I am.
Who I am.

Consumer Alert: Aspartame About To Change Its Name To AminoSweet

2010-03-04T16:43:00.000-08:00

Sneaky bastards.

"Aspartame producer Ajinomoto is launching a new initiative that will rebrand the sweetener as “AminoSweet”. Aspartame is used in many foods and beverages marketed as low calorie or sugar-free. However, its reputation has been clouded somewhat by studies that have investigated reports of ill effects. Just to remind you, the side effects of aspartame can include:

Headache
Change in vision
Convulsions and seizures
Hallucination
Nausea and vomiting
Joint pain

It can cause many, many other problems as well...Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history, and its approval for use in food was the most contested in FDA history. In the end, the artificial sweetener was approved, not on scientific grounds, but rather because of strong political and financial pressure. After all, aspartame was previously listed by the Pentagon as a biochemical warfare agent! It’s hard to believe such a chemical would be allowed into the food supply, but it was, and it has been wreaking silent havoc with people’s health for the past 30 years. The truth is, it should never have been released onto the market, and allowing it to remain in the food chain is seriously hurting people – no matter how many times you rebrand it under fancy new names."

Back in the early 90's, my sister-in-law was consuming beverages sweetened with Aspartame. In time, she began suffering debilitating headaches and blurred vision. On an intuitive whim, she decided to go off the crap. Within weeks, her headaches and vision problems disappeared. My spouse used to use this crap as well. For over 20 years, he used it to sweeten his coffee. Coincidentally enough, he developed joint and muscle pain, which to this day have yet to disappear despite his many attempts, both medically and holistically. While some of the issue is likely due to trauma and injury, the possibility certainly exists that, given the amount of time he consumed this crap, it built up in his body.

Of course, Aspartame is just one of numerous substances/chemicals found in our food and water supply and the air that we breath that is creating a host of unnecessary suffering and illness in the people. Makes one long to live on another planet altogether...

My First Visit To Trader Joe's

2010-02-26T17:42:00.000-08:00

Mr. N and I decided to finally check out the new local Trader Joe's here in Corvallis. I was looking for good quality and low prices and, after dealing with First Alternative Co-Op and their poor quality checkout service (in reference to bagging your groceries), I wanted someone to bag our groceries without having to ask or without attitude. Overall, I was pleased. Here's a brief rundown of our experience:

1) Bananas were very cheap at .19 cents a pound. That blows away Winco's prices. Since bananas are grown with very little pesticide usage, it isn't necessary to buy such items organically. And yet, at .39 cents a pound for organic at TJ's (or was it .29???), this price blows away the price of organic bananas at the Co-Op. Plus, the appearance was far superior.

2) Their meat selection was pretty decent. You can buy grass-fed/anti-biotic and hormone-free lean beef (90% fat-free) for a dollar less per pound than you can at the Co-Op. We also picked up some free-range/hormone and antibiotic-free chicken breasts and thighs for a good price.

3) Their cheese selection was just ok. Pretty pricey given their limited selection, although there were some very yummy-looking cheese that were hard to pass up. The Co-Op blows TJ's out of the water in this department, in my opinion, in both prices and options.

4) If you're looking for fresh greens, forget it. TJ's offers only the bag variety, which I don't like.

5) As far as dry goods (cereals, crackers, etc.) you cannot beat TJ's prices or quality. That's where the bulk of our shopping dollars went. And I found a new favorite: TJ's Ginger Snaps. They contain an abundance of real ginger, which you immediately taste upon eating these tasty little treats. They're also made with gluten-free flours and molasses. As far as artificial preservatives and other nasties you cannot pronounce, forget about it. TJ's stays away from such things.

6) Their juice selection was a bit spendy, but cheaper than the Co-Op. We bought a large carton of OJ from the refrigerated section for $1.99. It is yummy!

7) The ambience is what was really nice. It's a fairly small store, which I appreciate. It was crowded when we went, but it didn't "feel" crowded. The aisles, unlike the co-op, are nice and wide (which pregnant women like myself TRULY appreciate). We also had a couple of conversations with complete strangers - something I have yet to find at the co-op, which seems to be more like a club for the elite - a club I apparently have yet to know the secret code in order to enter. Probably a money or a Prius/Subaru thing...
8) For the beer and wine connoisseurs, TJ's has a huge selection of the two. In fact, I would estimate that approximately 15% of the store was contained in just the beer and wine section.

9) And last but not least, the checkout. It was speedy and efficient. The staff was friendly and unless you wish to do so yourself, your groceries are bagged. Mr. N stepped in to do this task himself as he wanted to get out of the store quickly (the clerk was already starting the bagging process but then we had issues with the credit card machine, which warranted a call to the manager.)

10) I am quite picky when it comes to the soaps, lotions, shampoos and make-up I put on my skin. I've been buying this tea-tree bar at the co-op for a couple of years now. At $3.29 per BAR, it gets to be an expensive purchase. However, at TJ's, they have a 2-pack of tea-tree soap (with even fewer ingredients) for just $1.69. At virtually the same size, I snagged 3 packages.

Now all that being said, upon looking around the store, there was not one staff member who was over 30 that we could see on that particular day. I say that given earlier this year, thousands stood in line at their chance of getting on with TJ's, many of these folks in their 40's and 50's and beyond. It's unfortunate TJ's opted out of giving these folks a chance and instead, following the more "age-discriminatory" practice so often seen in the service industry of hiring the youngest worker. What are these companies so fearful of? God forbid someone with some gray hair or facial lines display themselves for the public? Are they afraid older workers will "steal the show" given their stealth of experience and their (typically) stronger work ethic? At least the Co-Op has several "older" workers. Perhaps it's simply a matter of economics. Older workers are more expensive to insure.

Whatever the reason, we figure we'll go there once a month to stock up on meats and dried goods. And my bar soap!

Repuke Jim Bunning Blocks Unemployment Extension - Tells Oregon Democrap "Tough Shit"

2010-02-26T17:13:00.000-08:00

Apparently football is more important than 1.2 million unemployed people.

"Jim Bunning, a Republican from Kentucky, is single-handedly blocking Senate action needed to prevent an estimated 1.2 million American workers from prematurely losing their unemployment benefits next month. As Democratic senators asked again and again for unanimous consent for a vote on a 30-day extension Thursday night, Bunning refused to go along. And when Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) begged him to drop his objection, Politico reports, Bunning replied: "Tough shit." Bunning says he doesn't oppose extending benefits -- he just doesn't want the money that's required added to the deficit. He proposes paying for the 30-day extension with stimulus funds. The Senate's GOP leadership did not support him in his objections."

Well of course a 30-day extension in and of itself is pathetic, but it is something that is absolutely necessary for the time-being while these idiots in Congress enact real unemployment benefit legislation. As Mr. N said "End the wars and use the funds to provide health care for all and unemployment benefits for the next 5 years" (which is how long so-called "experts" say before the economy returns to it's pre-depression status - which was pathetically dismal in and of itself).

Sigh...

Hey All You Unemployed Americans: Come Work As A U.S. Census Taker

2010-02-23T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hey, at least it's something, right? At least that's what those people in our life keep telling us (said people either being retired and/or for the moment, gainfully employed). All you gotta do is go stand in line with hundreds of other desperate folks, take a timed test and wait for a return call. (And when you look around, you'll notice most are over the age of 50). Of course they may not tell you that unless you score a perfect or near-perfect score, your chances of a return call are slim. And they may not tell you the hours may be no more than 5 or that the weeks being employed may not be more than a few.

You can, if you wish, retake the test in hopes of a higher score. But even at that, when you live in an area where over 500 tests have already been given and 3 more dates are on the calendar for testing, your odds of being hired are slim.

No different than searching for a job in this market...

Tidbits

2010-02-22T18:18:00.000-08:00

*Congress, in it's infinite wisdom, has said they wish to extend the current Emergency Unemployment Compensation program through the 2nd week of March. At that date, they will discuss extending it further.
Comment: Knock it off you elitist assholes and quit playing games with the American People. Extend the program through the end of the year. Then add more tiers. Everyone (well except for my family and those like them) knows we're in a Depression. Everyone knows this economy ain't gonna budge or even come close to any sort of recovery for another 3-5 years. Your pompous arrogance ain't cute. And neither is your ignorance.

*You can't rely on local social service agencies to tell you any semblance of truth. One attempts to educate themselves by doing research on particular programs prior to making contact with such agencies. However, more often than not, when agency is contacted, you find out what you have read and what you are told by a PERSON are two totally different things.
Comment: I believe this is done intentionally to piss off those in need. Certainly it adds to an already over-loaded mind. Of course what should we expect when most of these agencies hire brain-dead clueless folks under the age of 25 who sound like they're 12. And to think - I once had the dream to work for such an agency. I was once told, many years ago, by a Social Worker that I was too smart, too aware, too driven and too idealistic to be hired by any such agency, private or public.

*I receive a lot of comments on this blog that I delete due to their spam content.
Comment: So much for the hours I spent reorganizing this damn blog, learning about such things as blog aggregators and adsense and how to generate revenue. All it's lead me to is an increase in the fucking little spammers. My middle finger is up to the world and the system and to anyone who would dare question what I am doing with my life and the steps I am taking to make money. My POV at this point is either give me some cash or get out of my personal space.

*Lots of media attention surrounding these tea-party people.
Comment: If only the blind fools of the left would actually show a willingness to see that there are some darn good and valid points these folks have to make. And if only the tea party people themselves would stop chanting their religious "god" crap and their rugged individualism crap and their "abolish welfare" and support the "free market" diatribe, perhaps they would have their other more valid points and thus their overall agenda respected. The more I contemplate this issue, the more I realize perhaps it is a good idea to break up the states into separate regions where each is completely self-governing. Why should someone who WANTS a capitalistic/individualistic society have to live in a culture where the wealth is shared and collectivism is the norm and vice versa?

Big Bucks For Big Brother

2010-02-19T21:22:00.000-08:00

Forget the words behind the mission statement of the police in California. Vehicle checkpoints to catch DUI offenders has turned into a mass of impounds for unlicensed drivers. Who profits? You guessed it.

"In the course of its examination, the Investigative Reporting Program reviewed hundreds of pages of city financial records and police reports, and analyzed data documenting the results from every checkpoint that received state funding during the past two years. Among the findings: Sobriety checkpoints frequently screen traffic within, or near, Hispanic neighborhoods. Cities where Hispanics represent a majority of the population are seizing cars at three times the rate of cities with small minority populations. In South Gate, a Los Angeles County city where Hispanics make up 92 percent of the population, police confiscated an average of 86 vehicles per operation last fiscal year. The seizures appear to defy a 2005 federal appellate court ruling that determined police cannot impound cars solely because the driver is unlicensed. In fact, police across the state have ratcheted up vehicle seizures. Last year, officers impounded more than 24,000 cars and trucks at checkpoints. That total is roughly seven times higher than the 3,200 drunken driving arrests at roadway operations. The percentage of vehicle seizures has increased 53 percent statewide compared to 2007."

Yes, those unlicensed drivers, many of them immigrants (remember that in many states, including California, immigrants cannot obtain a driver's license), are far more dangerous to other drivers than those pesky drunk drivers. Let's arrest the drunks (who are often repeat offenders) but let them retain their cars while we impound the vehicles of those who are unlicensed yet otherwise sober.

Brief Life Update

2010-02-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

All is well with the little-one-to-be and yours truly. Even though I have 3 months to go, I can't imagine how much more my muscles and skin can possibly stretch, although I am at the right weight for this stage. I've been able to hear her hearbeat at a recent midwife visit with the fetoscope. Aahh, this all such a miraculous, mind-blowing experience.

We're just starting to put together her room and for now, are focused on kids furniture. We've found the crib and are looking for a changing table, a dresser and either a recliner or glider. The crib will be in our room for the first several months.

On the job front and money-producing front, well that's still slow-going, although this particular post is netting me $35 so that's a positive! My online collectible studio is garnering hits but no sales so far. I remind myself that miracles happen every moment of every day, often when we least expect it. This has certainly been the case with our little one...

Man Flies Plane Into IRS Building

2010-02-18T17:52:00.000-08:00

This was one fed-up American.

"AUSTIN, Texas – A software engineer furious with the Internal Revenue Service launched a suicide attack on the agency Thursday by crashing his small plane into an office building containing nearly 200 IRS employees, setting off a raging fire that sent workers running for their lives. At least one person in the building was missing. The FBI tentatively identified the pilot as Joseph A. Stack, 53. Law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still going on, said that before taking off, Stack apparently set fire to his house and posted a long anti-government screed on the Web. It was dated Thursday and signed "Joe Stack (1956-2010)." In it, the author cited run-ins he had with the IRS and ranted about the tax agency, government bailouts and corporate America's "thugs and plunderers." "I have had all I can stand," he wrote, adding: "I choose not to keep looking over my shoulder at `big brother' while he strips my carcass." "

This is so sad. What is there to say, really? It's a sign of the times and sadly, I believe there will be more such acts. It's unfortunate he didn't join in with others of like-mind and attempt a more unified and even peaceful at change. This is simply going to be news for a few days before it all gets swept away by some other lone individual. Of course, I am assuming this was really the conscious choice of an individual who wasn't influenced by any person(s)...

Points of interest: 1) The building didn't collapse; and 2) F-16 Fighter jets were immediately called to the scene, unlike on 9/11.

SCOTUS: A Solid Reason For Unification of Left and Right?

2010-02-18T17:16:00.000-08:00

Ah, one can only hope...

"A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that the vast majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that opens the door for corporations, labor unions, and other organizations to spend money directly from their general funds to influence campaigns. As noted by the Post's Dan Eggen, the poll's findings show "remarkably strong agreement" across the board, with roughly 80% of Americans saying that they're against the Court's 5-4 decision. Even more remarkable may be that opposition by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents were all near the same 80% opposition range. Specifically, 85% of Democrats, 81% of Independents, and 76% of Republicans opposed it. In short, "everyone hates" the ruling."

It isn't like this behavior hasn't been going on for the past 3 decades or so, overlooked and unpunished. All this did was put the rubber stamp of approval from our nations highest court for said behavior, making them immune from punishment. Lady Liberty needs a new slogan: Welcome To Corporate America where Big Biz Rulez and The People Looze.

K2: This Isn't Your Daddy's (Or Jerry Garcia's) Marijuana

2010-02-18T17:11:00.000-08:00

"JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – There may be nothing like the real thing, but some industrious marijuana users have seized on an obscure but easily accessible substance that mimics the drug's effects on the brain — creating a popular trade in legal dope that has stymied law enforcement authorities. The users are buying a product known as K2 — or "Spice," Genie" and "Zohai" — that is commonly sold in head shops as incense. Produced in China and Korea, the mixture of herbs and spices is sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Users roll it up in joints or inhale it from pipes, just like the real thing."

Read more here.

Hmm. The song lyrics, "Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby" go through my mind reading this.

New Crime Ring Hitting Corvallis Residents: Bold Thugs Stealing Cans and Bottles

2010-02-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know, on the surface this sounds innocent enough. People, desperate for cash (a state of mind I am all too familiar with), are stealing returnable bottles and cans from people's property. I can understand this when the bottles and cans are taken from the recycling bins on trash day. I can even understand this when the property owners have been asked if the individual(s) can come onto said property and help themselves. However, I draw the line when these thugs walk onto the property without permission and rummage through the owners/occupiers trash and other items without permission. I also take a huge exception when you happen to confront one of these individuals and they become verbally abusive and threatening and refuse to leave your property.

We have experienced this recently. And from what the police say, so have others. In fact, this has become quite the problem in the Corvallis area on both ends of town and police are asking residents to call immediately upon seeing someone on their property or any other property engaging in this behavior. Today alone, as I drove down a side street, I saw two older men pushing grocery carts full of cans and bottles, walking up people's driveways, rummaging through trash.

Not only is this theft, it's trespassing.

Our recent experience brought this to the forefront of my life when Mr. N happened to walk outside and saw some stranger going through our belongings out front. While we keep our bottles and cans inside (learned that lesson last November when someone stole 3 large bags we had hidden in front of our car underneath some boxes which made it completely undetectable from the street), this individual obviously didn't know that. And didn't care. When Mr. N approached him, asked him what he was doing and told him to leave, the man refused, walked up to Mr. N and threatened to physically kick his a&&, that he was entitled and free to do whatever he wanted. He even boldly stated (lied) that he had permission from everyone in our block to do this.

"You don't have my permission so get off my property," Mr. N said. The guy only left when he was done with his search.

Talking to neighbors later, none declared they have given this individual (or anyone else) permission to walk on their property and help themselves to their returnable bottles. One neighbor even commented "I've been wondering who has been taking our bottles!"

Perhaps I could have some sympathy for these folks if they weren't already targeting a rather impoverished neighborhood. Many of the people on our street are either unemployed or underemployed and are on some sort of government assistance. I was able to walk out at the end of the confrontation Mr. N had with this man and told him, yelled at him, as he rode off, that if he wanted to steal, he should hit the wealthier neighborhoods but to leave neighborhoods like ours alone.

I mean really, the poor robbing from the poor? Come on! I thought we were supposed to be uniting...

Study Shows Being Religious Doesn't Make One Healthier

2010-02-13T18:04:00.000-08:00

An interesting study.

"The study, published in the journal Circulation, suggests that when it comes to heart disease and clogged arteries, attending religious services or having spiritual experiences may not protect against heart attacks and strokes. "There's not a lot of extra burden or extra protection afforded by this particular aspect of people's lives," concluded Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, of the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, who led the study. In a review of data from nearly 5,500 people, Lloyd-Jones and his colleagues expected to see less risk for heart disease among those with more "religiosity." The researchers defined religiosity as participation in religious activities, prayer or meditation, and spirituality, regardless of denomination. They did not report the religious faiths of study participants. Over the course of four years, those in the study had 152 events related to heart disease or clogged arteries, including 9 deaths, 42 heart attacks, and 24 strokes. That rate of such events -- less than one percent per year -- was lower than in the general population, which the team expected because they excluded people who were already diagnosed with heart disease and related conditions. However, neither the rate of heart disease events, nor the number of certain risk factors -- such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure -- differed among those who were more or less religious or spiritual."

While I have stated on this blog I am not religious in that I don't follow one set of religious doctrine nor do I attend church, I do take some issue with this study in that I have found the practice of meditation, whether it be while I am cooking, taking a walk, playing my piano, doing yoga or simply sitting alone in a quiet place quieting my mind and tuning in to the higher frequences of my being does have a positive effect on my physical body. Regular practice, I believe, certainly can lower heart rate and, with other lifestyle changes, improve if not totally reverse heart disease.

The authors of the study chose not to share the particular faith of the study participants. That's unfortunate because that could possibly lead to the rather questionable results. My guess is that the vast majority were Christian or Jewish or Muslim or one of the other more guilt-induced, restrictive religions, and that these folks attended regular church services, where they were fed religious script as interpreted through the eyes of another human being proclaiming to know God/Jesus better than his/her congregants, followed up by large but typically subtle doses of religious guilt, which goes something like this: "We are to strive for perfection. We are to strive to be like God. Be like Jesus. However, since you will never obtain such a goal, you must come back next Sunday again, empty your $$pockets$$ and listen to me speak all over again. And remember, anyone claiming to have reached that state of perfection is under the influence of our good 'ole scapegoat, Satan."

Such exposure sets up a duo inside our already over-burdened state of consciousness and awareness, over-burdened due to the dysfunctional disease of societal conditioning which tells us we're not good enough, not worthy, must prove ourselves and blah blah blah. This duo results due to the societal programming which is in direct conflict with our authentic voice, which knows we're wonderfully worthy (not better than others for that is pure ego - just precious and wonderful at that inherent level) as we are and we don't have to prove our worth or for that matter, anything to another soul, human or otherwise. Meditation and/or religious practice and exposure to those who follow the same inner conscious awareness most definitely can have a positive and profound effect on the physical body.

So sayeth I. And don't worry. I won't ask you to fill the money basket.

Texas Gubernatorial Candidate Questions U.S. Role In 9/11

2010-02-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

Then later recants.

"AUSTIN, Texas – A Republican gubernatorial candidate said Thursday she has questions about whether the U.S. government was involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks — a statement she swiftly backed away from and one that drew immediate criticism from her better-known rivals in the race. Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison dismissed the comments made by Debra Medina on the Glenn Beck Show that there were "some very good arguments" that the U.S. was involved in bringing down the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. "I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn," Medina said. "I think some very good questions have been raised. In that regard there's some very good arguments and I think the American people have not seen all the evidence there." Medina later released a statement saying she did not believe the government was involved in the attacks."

Well, of course we know what happened here. Her handlers quickly pulled her aside after the interview (all while grimacing as she spoke her at-the-time truth), said "Are you NUTS? Are you trying to commit political suicide? Recant, woman! Recant!"

Oregon Senate Passes Unemployment Extension Bill

2010-02-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

This should make some folks breath a sigh of relief, albeit it a temporary one. (Only 6 weeks? That's it? These "representatives" receive hundreds of thousands in perks from special interest scumbags and go on lavish "business" trips at our expense. They don't do a damn thing to petition the feds to end the war on terror and the war on drugs which would MORE THAN adaquately fund the rebuilding of America. They keep throwing money at schools thinking that's going to somehow fix our failed public school system. And yet they look to their constituents who are unemployed and/or underemployed and can say "here's a few more weeks of a tiny bit of relief for you." I mean really, where is the consciousness, the brain matter, the compassion?)

Friggin' frackin' frogs. Whatever... Here's a snippet from the dang article:

"SALEM -- It seemed like deja vu in the Oregon Senate Friday morning, when lawmakers passed a bill extending emergency unemployment benefits to 18,600 Oregonians who have either run out of benefits or soon will. Senate Bill 990 provides benefits to unemployed workers using $19 million from an emergency fund created by the 2009 Legislature. The fund is projected to pay two-to-six weeks of benefits per recipient. The House passed nearly identical legislation Thursday with House Bill 3655. Leadership is expected to pick one that will move forward to Gov. Ted Kulongoski."

This should be easy legislation to push through, although I am bothered (baffled) by the following comment made by a (clueless) Democrat:

"...Sen. Bill Morrisette, D-Springfield, responded that the $19 million would go right back into the economy. "I think these unemployment benefits will create jobs at the grocery stores and gas stations," he said."

Yes, that's just what we need. More jobs in the SERVICE INDUSTRY. More minimum wage, part-time, no benefit positions. Yes, that will TRULY make the economy thrive once more. That will lift people out of poverty. Good lord... I expect such idiocy from Republicans. But from a Democrat? Oh wait. Silly me forgot. They're all the same! Wealthy, self-entitled elitists who don't have a fucking clue how to run an economy and grow business and create jobs much less what it's like to try and LIVE ON SUCH A WAGE at said "grocery stores and gas stations". And nor do the majority of them even care to understand.

Good-Bye First Alternative Co-Op - I Am Taking My Business To Trader Joe's

2010-02-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a letter I recently sent to the First Alternative Co-Op:

Hello~

I have been shopping at the Co-Op since 1997. However, that time has come to an end now that Trader Joe's is coming to town. Why? I am fed up with having to bag my own groceries.

I have brought up this issue in e-mail and on the customer comment cards. I noticed I was not the only one having this issue in a Thymes edition that ran a couple of years ago. At the time, this particular customer was reassured bagging was part of the customer service/check-out procedure and the issue would be discussed/reviewed with staff.

Nothing has changed. In fact, the problem has only grown worse as you have added new staff (North Store). In fact, the last time I chose to ask a clerk if she would please bag my groceries, she gave me attitude. It was a Sunday evening late last fall. The store was very quiet. Upon finishing up the transaction, she proceeded to get on the phone and made a personal call while my groceries (4 bags worth) sat on the countertop. I waited until she was finished then asked her if she could please bag my groceries. She gave me a dirty look and sighed, then slowly began to bag my groceries. At the end I asked her if I could have some beans for my bags. She told me to help myself.

Today I was waited on by Max. I am very noticably pregnant. He didn't bother to bag my groceries. In fact, there was an elderly woman in front of me - likely near 80 or so - and he failed to bag her groceries as well.

Frankly, I am finished with paying my precious extra dollars in order to shop at and support your store. I (or no other customer) should ever have to ask a clerk to bag my groceries, regardless of how busy the store is. When I lived in Portland, I shopped at Trader Joe's frequently. I never once had to bag my own groceries. So for me and my family the choice is easy. Do we pay more for a place that provides less in customer service or do we pay less for a place that provides more in customer service?

That's an easy one for me to answer. Good-bye, Co-Op. You have had your chance to rectify this situation but have failed.

Before I conclude, I do want to say there are some real gems working there. They include Jonathan, Amy, Roslyn, the young girl with glasses and the nose ring, the store manager (all of whom ALWAYS bag my groceries) and the young girl with the pink dyed hair who stocks the produce. I realize (unlike Michelle Adams statement in the Thymes that the co-op pays their staff a higher wage - the clerks at Trader Joe's start at $9/hour whereas the co-op starts their staff at minimum wage) that many of these people make a wage that falls way below the living wage model (to which the Co-Op needs to seriously reconsider if they are to be taken serious in their sustainability philosophy). And I know, from past experience, what it is like to work with the public in a demanding job, having to stand on your feet and do the same thing repeatedly. However - perhaps if some of these lazy clerks of yours realized there are hundreds of very willing unemployed folks (my husband amongst that crowd) who would take the chance at being employed in their positions, they would rethink how they conduct themselves on the job.

Bizarro News: Man Wins Settlement After Exploding Cigarette Knocks Out A Few Teeth

2010-02-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well, this is one way to convince a person to quit smoking.

"An Indonesian tobacco company has agreed to pay the medical expenses of a man who lost six teeth when a cigarette mysteriously exploded in his mouth. Security guard Andi Susanto, 31, told Metro TV in an interview from his hospital bed that cigarette producer PT Nojorono Tobacco Indonesia had offered to pay for his treatment. "The company's officials have talked to my family and we agreed to settle it amicably, as an out-of-court settlement," he said through bandaged lips. "They will pay all the medical expenses." The cause of the explosion remains unknown. Mr Susanto says he was not chewing anything when he lit the Clas Mild cigarette and did not notice anything strange about its odour, colour or taste. He said he would quit smoking after the incident."

Well there ya go!

Bizarro News: Student Sells Virginity For $45K

2010-02-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

Well, this is one way to make quick cash...

"A cash-strapped New Zealand student who auctioned off her virginity to help pay for university said she had accepted an offer of $NZ45,000 to sleep with a stranger. The 19-year-old offered her virginity to the highest bidder in an online auction and said there had been more than 1,200 bids. "I have accepted an offer in excess of $45,000, which is way beyond what I dreamed," the student said on her web page when the auction ended. "Thank you to the more than 30,000 people who viewed my ad and to the more than 1,200 offers made." Calling herself "unigirl", the young woman had described herself as attractive, fit and healthy and said she had never been in a sexual relationship. She did not respond to media requests for an interview but the proprietor of the website, Ross MacKenzie, told the Waikato Times newspaper he had been authorised to confirm the transaction. The advertisement drew wide reaction in New Zealand, which has some of the world's most liberal laws on prostitution. A woman is legally entitled to seek payment for sex and Mr MacKenzie said there was no reason for his website not to accept the advertisement."

Oh dear. We naively think we know so much about life at that age. As a mama-to-be myself, I can only imagine how this young woman's mother (and/or father) would react. I would be horrified. Saddened. And doing everything in my power legal or not to stop this, er, "transaction" from taking place. I would also do everything I could to make sure her college was paid for in such a manner that would not degrade herself or, worse yet, put her in potential harms way. Oddly enough, the article doesn't mention the age of the man/woman (article does not state the gender of the "winner"). Likely some 50 plus year old pervert. If he/she were decent, he/she would simply give the young girl the cash without expectation of sex. Whoever has that kind of money to toss around for random sex certainly can afford to do something decent and good with it.

New Book Discusses How A Shadow Elite of Power Brokers Have Upended Our Democracy

2010-02-09T19:48:00.000-08:00

Author Janine Wedel argues in her new book that a group of shadow elites have corrupted and thus are destroying the free markets and our democracy.
Below is an excerpt. Click on the above link for more.

'We live in a world of flexibility. We have flex time, flex workers, flex spending, flex enrollment, flex cars, flex technology, flex perks, mind flex—even flex identities. “Flex" has become an integral part not only of how we live, but of how power and influence are wielded. While influencers flex their roles and representations, organizations, institutions, and states, too, must be flexible in ways they haven’t been before. The mover and shaker who serves at one and the same time as business consultant, think-tanker, TV pundit, and government adviser glides in and around the organizations that enlist his services. It is not just his time that is divided. His loyalties, too, are often flexible. Even the short-term consultant doing one project at a time cannot afford to owe too much allegiance to the company or government agency. Such individuals are in these organizations (some of the time anyway), but they are seldom of them. Being in, but not of, an organization enables these players to pursue a “coincidence of interests,” that is, to interweave and perform overlapping roles that serve their own goals or those of their associates. Because these “nonstate” actors working for companies, quasi-governmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) frequently do work that officials once did, they have privileged access to official information—information that they can deploy to their own ends. And they have more opportunities to use this information for purposes that are neither in the public interest nor easily detected, all the while controlling the message to keep their game going."

State Farm To The NHTSA: We Warned You In 2007 Of Acceleration Issues With The Toyota

2010-02-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

"WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's largest auto insurer said Tuesday it alerted federal safety regulators in late 2007 about a rise in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the latest warning sign to emerge about the massive recall. State Farm insurance said it noticed an uptick in reports of unwanted acceleration in Toyotas from its large customer database and warned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in late 2007. NHTSA officials said the report was reviewed and the agency issued a recall later that month. NHTSA received complaints about acceleration problems in Toyota vehicles as early as 2003, and congressional investigators are looking into whether the government missed warning signs of the problems. A congressional hearing into the Toyota recalls planned for Wednesday was postponed because of a snowstorm expected to hit the capital."

More here.

I'm a Honda gal myself.

Billboard With Picture Of George W. Bush Asks: Do Ya Miss Me?

2010-02-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

Whether this is a photoshop gag or not, I think most of us know the answer to that question.

"Folks in Minnesota on their way to work Tuesday morning looked up to find a familiar face staring down at them: former President George W. Bush. A billboard with the words "Miss Me Yet?" is causing a stir around the blogosphere, with some claiming it's fake and others curious to know who put it up. The buzz started after Minnesota NPR's Bob Collins blogged that he had seen it in person as he drove on Interstate 35 near Wyoming, Minn. Pretty soon news stations were clamoring to get an interview with him (though all he did was see something). After pictures of the billboard were posted, many people are claiming it's just another Photoshop hoax even though Collins says it's real."

I concur with the following words as boldly stated in the article: Do you really want us to answer that, Mr. President?

Kip Schoning's Crumbling Real Estate Empire Hitting His Own Home

2010-02-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

While I haven't posted about this infamous local Landlord (or slumlord as many of his tenants refer to him) in well over a year, I continually receive regular hits on this blog from folks googling him from, quite literally, around the country. I thought I would add the latest article about his financial troubles and crumbling empire which recently appeared in the local paper (as linked through the local craigslist). Here's a good portion of it:

"Kip Schoning, the mid-valley landlord who has evicted hundreds of tenants for falling behind on their rent, could be facing eviction himself after falling more than a year behind on his home loan. Schoning has missed 13 straight monthly payments on his half-million-doKip Schoning, the mid-valley landlord who has evicted hundreds of tenants for falling behind on their rent, could be facing eviction himself after falling more than a year behind on his home loan. Schoning has missed 13 straight monthly payments on his half-million-dollar residence at 4363 N.W. Honeysuckle Drive in the Timberhill district of Corvallis, according to a default notice filed by the lender. Filed in late December, the default notice claims Schoning owes more than $15,000 on the loan, failing to make monthly payments of $1,032.18 starting in December 2008. The arrears also include monthly late fees of $51.61 starting in January 2009. Schoning's own tenants face a $100 charge if the rent is more than four days past due. Schoning's Corvallis-based property management company, Bula Enterprises, once operated more than 200 rental houses around the mid-valley, many with their front doors painted a chipper shade of red. Behind those doors, however, the company has racked up scores of complaints over the years from tenants citing dilapidated properties, foot-dragging on repairs and excessive fees. And court records show that Schoning has filed more than 800 eviction proceedings in his career as a landlord. But his real estate empire has dwindled rapidly over the past two years, with Bula Enterprises rentals now numbering a little more than 100, property records show. Since the start of 2008, Schoning and his wife, Michelle, have lost at least two dozen homes to foreclosure, often resulting in tenants being evicted by the bank. At one time, the couple had as many as 79 properties in default, according to a records search, and at least 33 are currently in arrears and under threat of foreclosure. Schoning did not return calls to his home and office phones seeking comment for this story, and there was no response to a set of written questions sent to his fax machine. The Schonings have until April 29 to bring the loan payments up to date on their Honeysuckle Drive residence. Otherwise, the house where they live with their two children will be auctioned on the steps of the Benton County Courthouse at 10 a.m. May 3."

And in related Schoning news...

The War On The Poor And Homeless Just Keeps Growing

2010-02-06T21:53:00.000-08:00

This time, it has found its way to Fresno, CA.

"The Fresno City Council has passed, with a 6-1 vote, an ordinance that will remove homeless people from median islands while allowing established community groups to continue using the space for their fundraisers. Bill Simon, the chairperson of the Greater Fresno American Civil Liberties Union, called the measure discriminatory....Fresno City Council member Larry Westerland defended his ordinance, saying that if "somebody who wanted to, up to one time every six months, they would be able to come in and there would be a form they would fill out, a one page form, it would be like here is my name, here is the median I would like to occupy on this date, whatever that date would be. We talked about a 48 hour notice before going out there." Westerlund's ordinance would require the applicant to pay a filling fee, provide proof of insurance, and require the use of a brightly colored vest."

What an idiot. How many homeless people have the money for a filing fee (or would be willing to pay it instead of using it for food and water)? How many homeless have proof of insurance? Does he really believe a homeless person is going to go through this hassle, not to mention having the opportunity to do this only ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS and THEN have to PICK A DAMN DATE, in order to simply stand in a medium in the City of Fresno?

Of course not. Which is why he's defending this discriminatory, fascist-leaning ordinance with such mindless dribble. He knows his pathetic, ugly, discriminatory ordinance is going to put an end to the homeless standing in the city's precious mediums.

I would like to see SOB's like him lose it all and then be told: "Sorry. You can't park/stand/pee/eat/talk/request help here unless you give your government some money and proof of insurance." Perhaps then they will pull their heads out of their behinds so that they can look at their Souls once again. And remember...

Latest Diet Cult: WWJE (What Would Jesus Eat)

2010-02-06T21:42:00.000-08:00

Some days you think you've seen it all, then you stumble upon something like this. A new wave of dieting fanatics are cashing in on Christian Guilt by targeting the obese and posing this one question to them: What Would Jesus Eat?

Then they try and sell you their overly-priced health food supplement.

"...Jordan S. Rubin writes that he has "known Jesus as my Lord and Savior since I was eight years old" and that he was cured of Crohn's Disease at age 19 in 1996 after spending 40 days eating only "whole foods consumed in Biblical times," mainly yogurt, whole grains, organic produce and grass-fed meats. From this, he devised his diet plan, dividing edibles into three categories. "Extraordinary" foods include soybeans, quinoa, kefir, mahi-mahi, buffalo hot dogs (without pork casings) and umeboshi paste. Merely "average" foods include amazake, agave nectar and spelt. "Trouble" foods to be avoided at all costs include ostrich, emu, cashews, Egg Beaters and eel. He quickly followed up his original book with The Maker's Diet Daily Reminders, The Maker's Diet Shopper's Guide, The Maker's Diet for Weight Loss and more. It's heartening to see Rubin's emphasis on organic, free-range, fresh and wild, although his enthusiasm for highly saturated coconut oil unnerves some critics. Ah, but he sells the oil -- for $15.95 per 16-ounce jar -- along with honey and supplements, through his Garden of Life brand. A $50 million company "with the goal of becoming a $100 million company," as Rubin puts it, Garden of Life offers dozens of products including the alleged fat-burner fücoThin® and Goatein®, a goat-milk powder that sells for $49.95 per 440-ounce jar. Advising people on what to eat is all well and good, especially if you're advising them to go organic, shun processed foods, and increase their intake of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. But implying that God wants us to finish the job with a bunch of spendy, and to some extent untested, add-ons is entirely another."

And here I thought subterfusion was a mortal sin.

Local Craigslist Job Seeker/Poster Nails It!

2010-02-04T20:12:00.000-08:00

Quite the truthful piece...

Dear HR/Hiring Manager,

So you're looking for someone with a Bachelor's degree, and you want to pay them $10 an hour. That's nice. Let's do some math...

$10/hr x 40 hrs/week = $400 week

$400/week x 52 weeks = $20,800.

So, gross pay is $20,800...but after taxes, and let's assume a conservative tax rate of 18%....

=net annual salary of $17,056.

Now, the average rent in Corvallis for a one bedroom apartment is around $600, and the minimum income/rent ratio for most landlords is 2 1/2 : 1. So, that means, to rent a one bedroom apartment at $600/month, you must take home a minimum of $1500. So, even if our landlord is generous and lets us rent anyway, here's what we have:

$1421 take home pay

-$600 rent

= $821

Now eating as cheaply as possible...that's probably $50/week, which is $200 a month right off the top...so now we have $621 left.

Gas is probably $75 at a minimum, allowing for no exorbitant travel, so now we have $546 left.

Car insurance is probably at least $70, and if you're a male, $100. So, to compromise, let's say $85. Now we're down to $461.

Medical insurance, now that's a big one...probably $150 at least, with the largest deductibles, if you're in good health and on an individual plan, since it obviously isn't offered with your wonderful establishment. So now we have $311. [this must be a younger individual as a private plan will cost most adults at least 3-4X that amount]

Phone is probably around $50, for a basic nationwide unlimited plan (and no home line). Now we have $261.

Utilities? Let's be conservative and say $75. Now we have $186. [electric would be $75 MINIMUM w/today's rates and h2o for one individual $35-$40.]

Wow, so we have a whopping $186 month contingency. Assuming of course, that we never get sick, never go out to eat, never rent a movie, never buy postage, never need to buy cleaning supplies, do laundry, get an oil change, have car problems, and generally never leave the house unless going to work. And of course, since our original model figures 52 weeks a year of work, that is NO sick days, NO vacation, and NO time off for any reason. And lastly, it assumes that we have NO credit card debt, NO student loans, NO car payment and NO kids.

Seriously, PULL YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS!!!!!!!!!! [Amen.}

Regards,

Potential Job Candidate

Today's Top Oddball News: Uncle Sam Says "If You Wanna Go From Boy To Girl, We'll Give Ya A Little Tax Advantage!"

2010-02-03T22:46:00.000-08:00

Thinking of having a sex change? On Tuesday, The U.S. Tax Court ruled that a Massachusetts woman can write-off her hormone replacement therapies along with the accompanying surgery given such things are considered medically necessary.

"Rhiannon O'Donnabhain, who was born a man, had sued the Internal Revenue Service in 2007 after the agency denied her $5,000 deduction after deeming the procedures "cosmetic." In an opinion that could have a far-reaching effect on transgender Americans, the Tax Court said it found the IRS' argument "at best a superficial characterization of the circumstances" and one that was "thoroughly rebutted by the medical evidence," ABC News reported. "(Gender identity disorder) is a well-recognized and serious mental disorder," the majority wrote."

Nina's Commentary: To each his own. To feel you are in the "wrong" body must be a terribly lonely experience. That being said, I wonder if the Tax Court would let me write-off a move to another planet for yours truly and family. I often experience the sensation that, while I am in the right body, I am on the "wrong" planet.

Hey Hollywood: How About A Telethon For The Unemployed/Homeless Here In America?

2010-02-01T20:52:00.000-08:00

Nothing disgusts me more than seeing the elite of Hollywood reach out to an economically depressed economy and ask for money.

Nothing digusts me more than seeing these elitists showing so much concern for the suffering in other nations while they completely and utterly ignore the millions of unemployed/underemployed/homeless Americans.

I have an idea. Let's organize a telethon for the millions set to lose their homes, set to lose their unemployment benefits. Over $55 million was raised with the recent telethon for the victims of the Haitian earthquake. Let's put these Hollywood elitists to work and have them amp up the effort with another telethon for the folks here at home. For every dollar that is raised, they combine their capital and add a $20 spot for every dollar. Or a $50 spot. Or $100 spot.

Or better yet, let's have three telethons. One for those set to lose their homes. One for those set to lose their unemployment benefits. And another for the uninsured.

I mean really. Who do these folks think they're impressing? They volunteer to help the suffering in 3rd world nations (while ours slowly turns into one). They adopt babies from other countries (while we continue to see the number of orphans increase). Then they pat themselves on the back (by inviting the paparazzi to document their generosity) and return home, ignoring the growing crumbling and suffering that surrounds them.

I realize human suffering knows no borders or skin color or status. But come on. At least let us see the elite do more work here at home NOW. If I were one of them, that's what I would want to be doing. Given the growing economic distress as faced by millions of americans, the numbers growing with each passing day, I would want to ensure the community around me was financially secure, job secure and shelter secure. That would give me some peace of mind in feeling there wasn't some destitute American living on the streets, looking to take some of what I have.

America's Failing Electrical Grid

2010-02-01T12:11:00.001-08:00

Back in 2005, the ASCE (society of civil engineers) issued this report card, outlining the state of America's infrastructure. The overall grade was a "D". Poor. According to the report, $1.6 Trillion was/is needed to bring our infrastructure up to par. Likely that number is much higher as of 2010. As we all know, throwing a few billion here and there, like previous and the current Administration's have done, ain't gonna cut it. Without a workable infrastructure, you can forget about an economy.

We live in an area that has a very high number of power surges. That is, suddenly the power will go out then go back on again, causing computer's to shut down and digital clocks to reset themselves to "00:00" or flashing mode. I've made it a practice to write down whenever we have one of these surges. I also phone up the power company, report it and demand a truthful explanation.

None are ever forthcoming of course. All we receive are corporate speaking puppets who give us the p/c version. Here are some of the doozies we have received:

"A squirrel jumped onto a line."

"A bird touched a line."

"Oh, we were out in the area repairing an underground line and when it was turned back on, it triggered a surge."

"Weather."

I'm waiting for the day when they blame it on spiders. So far that hasn't happened. Yet...

We had power surge number 6 today (going back 10 days) so we decided to phone up the power company once again and inquire. Or shall I say, find out what b.s. excuse they would be offering up today.

Today's answer?

The weather.

Oh yes, it is quite the wild weather we are having today. Hmm, let me look out my window. Ok, I see a bunch of clouds. Some misting rain. Stand back whilst I grab my chair and brace myself for the next bout of weather madness.

Give me a break.

When presented with that answer, I said "Oh come on, it's cloudy with light rain showers."

Well then there must have been a gust of wind, came the p/c reply.

"Nope, no wind. None at all," sayeth the one who knows the truth (that would be me).

Well, that's what this individual was being told, came the, once again, p/c reply.

"Listen," I said, "Why don't you just tell me the truth for once, will you? Admit it with me now. The grid is failing. Period. There's too much demand on the current system and the current system needs a major overhaul nationwide."

Well, they didn't know about that, came the start of a reply to which I interrupted and informed the individual of the 2005 report card as put forth by the ACSE. You know, the folks who know about stuff like this. Not the employees of the power company. I explained in 2001 the group gave the electric grid a D+. In 2005, a D. Such a drop in a grade would cause a parent to stand up and take notice. Why wasn't the power company doing the same?

Silence.

Of course. Sometimes silence is wonderful. Other times, it's an annoyance, like it was today.

Until these corporate fascists (or at least their working minions) embrace the truth, the innocent squirrels, birds, cats, rodents, wild weather concoction of misty rain and clouds and lord knows what else will be given blame for power issues.

I wonder if the spiders are aware of this and are unionizing...

Update: I spoke with a friend today who knows someone who once was affiliated with the power company. He informed me our particular city and its electric grid was designed for a population of 20,000. Considering our current population is a bit above 50,000, I'd say that indeed my assertion to the power company that our grid is over-burdened is correct.

Top Weird News Story: Giant Condom Erected Over Paris

2010-01-30T22:43:00.000-08:00

Well, if this doesn't increase the condom market, I don't know what will.

"The French have unveiled their latest weapon in the battle against sexually transmitted diseases: a 120-foot condom filled with helium that went on display Tuesday at the Palais de la Decouverte in Paris. The giant inflatable – dubbed "Condomfiere" – will set off on a five-continent tour to promote World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, part of a campaign started by the safe-sex group CondomFly. The dirigible condom carries three passengers plus a pilot. Before starting its international sojourn, the floating behemoth will stop in Vienna for the 18th International AIDS Conference in June, where it will disperse heath information, as it will throughout its travels."

A man's dream. To boldly claim, with truth, I am the owner of a 120 footer.

Actually, this is quite a good idea. Fly it all over the world and perhaps it will make just one person, who is planning on engaging in unprotected sex later in the day with a new partner, decide to use a condom.

Bill and Melinda Gates: "Save The Children. Jab Them With Needles Full Of Toxic Vaccines."

2010-01-30T16:50:00.000-08:00

Bill and Melinda Gates have vowed to donate in excess of $10 billion over the next decade in order to ensure 90% of the world's children are protected from such diseases as pneumonia and (no, I am not making this one up), diarrhea.

If this weren't such a serious issue with such huge ramifications, I would be laughing after reading through the above-referenced article. Here are a few of the tidbits:

"Vaccines are a miracle," said Melinda Gates. "With just a few doses, they can prevent deadly diseases for a lifetime." ...

The Gates statement said the foundation would help to dramatically reduce child mortality in the next 10 years and urged others to pitch in with research funding and other financial support for poor children. ...

Vaccines are usually an effective way to spend money to improve public health, because they can even be delivered in poor countries lacking functioning health systems.

Ad nauseum. Can anyone say "System Puppet Speak?"

Really, if the elitists of the world truly wanted to reduce and eliminate childhood infectious disease, all they would have to do is use their capital and invest it in CLEAN SANITATION SYSTEMS AND HEALTHY DRINKING WATER. It is these two things alone, combined WITH using such systems to keep oneself and ones home properly bathed/cleansed, that has been shown unequivocably to reduce and eliminate infectious disease.

If Bill Gates can build an empire, certainly he can do what this humble little woman has done: Research, research and research some more the wealth of information about vaccines.

I will end this by saying to keep an eye out on these third world nations and their children, who will likely be the main targets of this global campaign. Watch the new diseases and conditions that will begin to pop up amongst these beautiful innocent children, all while the system will slowly yet surely convince the masses that these new diseases are now just the norm.

I guarantee it.

Nina To John Edwards: Be Honest. Own Up.

2010-01-30T16:25:00.000-08:00

And while you're at it, here's a quarter to buy yourself some authentic humility.

You elitist little lying piece of scum. Behind that smarmy smile, behind all of that wealth, behind all of that supposed power you (and far too many like you) believe you claim over our beautiful little planet and its inhabitants, I would say you are nothing more than a measly little rat (to quote George Bailey from It's A Wonderful Life).

You really believed you could use this supposed power to stick your mr. good-time inside another woman, over and over again, all while your wife was undergoing cancer treatment (you know, when she needed your unwaivering support more than ever), then father a child, then say the child wasn't yours (while allowing a "friend" to claim paternity instead) while claiming you didn't have sex with the woman (I'll bet Clinton gave you some pointers with that tricky little situation, eh?), then use people you claimed to care about, attempt to buy people, in order to cover up your lie, all the while lying to the people of America about how honest and decent you were (because boo hoo hoo since you grew up poor/working class that means TODAY you could somehow RELATE TO us which is the joke of the day), how you claimed Washington needed to change its image in order to become more respectful not only here at home but around the world.......you really believed all along you were THAT above it all and would get away with your lies?

And now you are wanting to get possession of that sex tape of you and your mistress? (Who, btw, I cannot say I feel badly for really, considering any woman who knowingly sleeps with another man--certainly more than once--who she knows is married--whom she knows said wife is ill with cancer--any woman of that caliber is about as low on the human decency totem pole as are you.)

It's really a bit too late to redeem yourself, isn't it? Next time around, if you are wishing to run for any sort of political office (which, at this point, a rat in a sewer stands a better chance at holding such a title), try something new: HONESTY. Own your behavior. Yeah, you were a scumbag for what you did. Say it with me now John. Say "I was a scumbag and I messed up." That's all you owe the public. Your debt to your family is the one that runs deep and long.

You know what? I believe I feel sorry for you. Pity, even. For likely you don't have a fucking clue what love is. Likely you lost it along the way in your strive to amass a fortune of wealth and power. You know nothing outside of your "ME ME ME ONLY" bubble of corruption, power and greed. You don't know what it's really like to authentically connect with another. You don't know what it means to be honest. And certainly, the world, including your own family and former friends, will likely never fully trust you again with your word. And that means, in the end, lest you somehow undergo a personal metamorphis, you will likely die a much lonelier, poor-in-spirit person than all of the homeless and impoverished people combined, for all of the money, success and power in the world can never ever make up for emotional disconnect and isolation from the people around you.

All I gotta ask you is this: Were those romps in the sack to service your ego-needs worth it?

Corvallis Housing Market: Ninth Most Overvalued In The Nation

2010-01-30T16:04:00.000-08:00

Joining our elitist little city on that list, also from Oregon, includes Portland, Salem, Eugene and Bend.

So let us break this down. We have one of the highest unemployment rates. One of the highest rates for poverty and hunger. And yet, real estate continues to be grossly inflated, where a quarter of a million dollars may get you a piece-of-crap little shack.

People want to move and live here again why?

I know someone in real estate in this area and when I asked how, given the high unemployment and utter lack of living wage jobs in this community, who on earth is buying the homes in our area? Her answer: "Investors."

Once again, rich, elitist, greedy, self-focused only folks continue to turn this state, this country, into a 3rd World nation. Caring for absolutely no one but themselves, thinking of no time other than the present, with absolutely no care for their actions and the effects on others, most especially the suffering - the victims of their living/buying/spending habits, I believe a revolution is in order. They've been feeding off the poor and vulnerable long enough. Time for them to return to their psycho mothership from whence they cometh and zap them into the universal cosmos where they can play out eternity (or at least 50 years earth time - that should suffice) experiencing the results of their G R E E D.

Helen Mirren's Tatoo. Benign Mark Or Something Darker?

2010-01-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know. Ridiculous isn't it. Controversy over a tatoo one famous actress received in her youth during a drunken moment. Mirren is quoted as saying she is "utterly disgusted" with the small tatoo which appears near her left thumb.

Who hasn't done things we later regret when under the influence of drugs or alcohol?

However, digging deeper, is there perhaps something conspiratorial about the tatoo itself? Some folks on the "Above Top Secret" forum seem to think so. To some, it appears to be a Freemason Symbol.

Nina's Commentary: I almost feel the need to apologize for even posting this, but I cannot pass up the chance to share anything of the conspiratorial realm. My only comment is to question those people who get so blasted as to allow needles to be poked into various parts of their body. Being that completely drunk is uncomfortable and painful in and of itself, so why put yourself through more misery? Sure, go ahead. Put that needle into my body. Over and over again. And why don'tcha inject some toxic ink while you're at it? Make it worth my while. While it has been over 20 years since I was falling down drunk and unable to remember certain portions of my "good" time, I cannot ever imagine being that drunk as to allow someone to poke me with needles. If I were at that level of intoxication, I'd be passed out, unable to consent to a damn thing.

I'll stick to temporary tatoo's, thank you very much. And celebrating life sober. Well, partially sober...

More Controversy for ACORN

2010-01-27T20:06:00.000-08:00

James O'Keefe was arrested with three others this past Monday in a phone scheme.

"NEW ORLEANS — A hero of conservatives who bruised the liberal group ACORN by posing as a pimp on hidden camera is now accused in an attempt to tamper with phone lines at Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu's office inside a federal building. It's not clear what James O'Keefe, 25, and three other young conservatives were trying to accomplish Monday at the New Orleans office of Landrieu, who has been criticized for securing more Medicaid benefits for her state in exchange for her support on health care legislation. State Democrats quickly called the alleged plot a "Louisiana Watergate," but federal officials have not yet said why the men wanted to interfere with Landrieu's phones, whether they were successful, or even if the goal was political espionage."

Nina's Commentary: The act of some young kids looking to be hero's by highlighting corruption? Or simply some big misunderstanding? Who knows...

Tebow Super Bowl Ad Stirs Controversy Amongst Women's Groups

2010-01-27T19:43:00.000-08:00

CBS is set to run a controversial Super Bowl Ad centered around the decision made by Tim Tebow's mother to refuse an abortion when she was pregant with him. Doctors at the time encouraged an abortion due to an illness she experienced while on a mission trip to the Philippines. Tebow later went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007.

Paid for by Focus on the Family, backers say they find nothing offensive or controversial about the ad and insiste they are simply celebrating families.

"Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million. Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, said funds for the Tebow ad were donated by a few "very generous friends" and did not come from the group's general fund. Schneeberger said he and his colleagues "were a little surprised" at the furor over the ad. "There's nothing political and controversial about it," he said. "When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about." The protest letter from the Women's Media Center suggested that CBS should have turned down the ad in part because it was conceived by Focus on the Family."

Nina's Commentary: A couple of things come to mind. One being Freedom of Speech. Two being a person/groups intentions and hidden motivations. While I absolutely support the right of people expressing their personal truths, on platforms both public and private, I also firmly believe there is a hidden agenda behind this ad and it is this hidden agenda that leaves me thinking this ad should be pulled. Focus on the Family is staunchly against such things as abortion and gay marriage. If these folks had their way, abortion would be outlawed and gays and lesbians would never be allowed to marry (much less enter heaven upon their death). Therefore, I am not convinced of the organization's expressed surprise over the controversy being shown, nor am I convinced there is nothing political behind the ads, and nor am I convinced it's an ad created to simply celebrate families. If that were the case, air ads showing players bbq'ing with their families. Air ads showing blended and non-traditional families thriving. But keep what is obviously a controversial and political topic off the airwaves, especially during such highly televised events. If Focus on the Family were to be honest and say behind this ad is an agenda to outlaw abortion, then I would at least feel more comfortable in saying "go ahead and air it".

State of the Union: Or, Let Us All Get Drunk

2010-01-27T19:25:00.002-08:00

With all of the hoopla swirling around tonight's Presidential State of the Union Address, including fans of the popular television show "Lost" expressing their concern that the Address would interrupt the season premier, which prompted White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to announce:
"I don't foresee a scenario in which the millions of people who hope to see a conclusion to 'Lost' are pre-empted by the president," during his daily press briefing, I thought I would reach out to the jaded American Voter who would prefer to find some enjoyment in what is likely going to be a speech crafted to try and convince the masses that all is well on Main Street. I can't take credit for this idea. That belongs to a couple of college kids who came up with this little game back in 2002. The game?

Take a shot of alcohol when certain key phrases are used during the speech.

"Invented in 2002 by Marc Melzer and Howard Deutsch when they were final-year students at Princeton University, the basic rules of the game require players to down a shot or chug a beer when the president says certain words or phrases, or speaks the names of people or countries during the speech. This year, "hope" and "change" both require a swig of something, as do mentions of Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran or Pakistan. "Let me be clear" and "make no mistake" get a shot each, and if Obama references problems that his administration inherited, players drink a shot of something aged -- which is also the drinking requirement if the cameras show a shot of 92-year-old Senator Robert Byrd."

Leave it to the youth of this country to find yet another way to get drunk. I only wish included in the rules was the taking of a shot when a lie is spoken.

That would most certainly guarantee a young person intoxication within a 10 minute period of time.

Pernell Roberts of Trapper John, MD Dies

2010-01-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

Remember that cool medical show of the early 80's, Trapper John, MD? The actor who played Trapper John, Pernell Roberts, died over the weekend of pancreatic cancer.

If memory serves me correctly, this show wasn't as glitzy/pumped up on hollywood drama and steroids as today's medical shows are. If memory also serves me correctly, there was another doctor on the show with thick, curly black hair who, at the time, I thought was very hot. Or "foxy", should I say...

Apple Earnings

2010-01-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Some first quarter news for all of you Apple fans.

Discretionary Spending: Senator Calls For Freeze

2010-01-25T20:31:00.000-08:00

Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), makes an urgent plea to Obama, calling for a freeze on discretionary spending.

'"The president could say in his State of the Union address, I'm going to include in my budget a freeze on discretionary spending, I'm drawing a line in the sand, and I'm going to use my veto pen to enforce that," Bayh said on Bloomberg's "Political Capital."
Pressed by host Al Hunt if Obama would actually make such a statement, Bayh said "I think there's a fighting chance that he will."
Obama is expected to address jobs and the economy in his State of the Union address on Wednesday. A large portion of voter anger over the economy has centered around the $1.4 trillion deficit, a post-war record."

I would say an even larger portion of voter anger over the economy is the dismal job market, declining dollar (while health care and other COL factors continue to climb) and the broken promises of this administration.

Did You Know...

2010-01-23T20:18:00.000-08:00

*Did you know that I am not the only brilliant mind on the planet? Apparently there are other people who are also using the banking industry term "too big to fail" when it comes to the attitude of NBC and Jay Leno.

*Did you know that certain mountains in Cali now have more snow than certain mountains in the Northwest?

*Did you know that miracles can happen, sometimes even after 30 years of waiting?

*Did you know that the body does indeed have some switch that, when overly tired, kicks in and puts you to sleep regardless of where you are and how you are physically situated?

*Did you know that being pregnant is sometimes like being a puppy or a small child in that you eat a lot and play hard all day only to crash and burn by 7pm?

*Did you know that doing the hokie pokie really is what it's all about?

*Did you know that swearing when in pain has now been shown to be effective in reducing the pain?

*Did you know that concentrated hemp oil (not the hemp seed oil found in stores) has been shown to cure cancer?

*Did you know that it is, right now, 8:28pm on a Saturday evening, the skies are clear, the air smells like a mix of cool creek water, moss and wood smoke, my dog is sleeping and my spouse is running the kitchen sink?

Life Happenings Update

2010-01-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed a couple of new things about this blog:

*One, I have some rather large fonts (which as I glance at them are a bit annoying so I will have to make it a point to fix that) off to the right, appearing as ads or ads-to-be. I have signed up with AdSense and I am awaiting authorization to begin the program and begin collecting my millions. It is one of a few things I am doing to bring in money.

*Two, I have added a PayPal donate button. It rather sucks doing that and I feel a bit awkward in sticking out my hand and saying "please may I have some of your money" but being my life is no longer just about me and Mr. Nina but about me, Mr. N and the little one, I'm putting aside all sense of embarassment and pride. Mr. N is without health insurance and is in need of medical procedures if he is to hold down any sort of employment, which given this little baby is due to arrive in a few months, needs to happen soon. At this point, we're just biting the bullet and getting things taken care of, one at a time, in the hopes we receive financial assistance through the hospital, or that his name be drawn in the OHP lottery (so that he may register with the state health plan, which currently there is a waiting list and thus, the state is doing lottery draws every month or so) or that we come into that kind of cash...somehow...someway.

This situation brings to mind the heartfelt, inspiring, and what seemed to be a bit spontaneous of a speech delivered by Keith Olbermann last year about the health care fiasco in this nation. He summed it up brilliantly and eloquently by saying that simply because he (Keith) makes a very good income, which allows him (and anyone in his family) to receive the best medical care around, that such a situation makes him no more worthy than anyone else, regardless of that persons financial status/situation, of having access to health care. In a nutshell, no one should ever ever ever have to put off medical treatment simply because they lack the financial means to pay for it. At the time I applauded him. Today, it has taken on a much more significant meaning.

The little one is 6 months and making herself felt throughout the day. Aside from the financial pressure/concerns, all is well. Thank you, as always, for reading.

Mama-to-be Nina and family

Jay Leno: Too Big To Fail?

2010-01-15T22:52:00.000-08:00

I gotta tell ya, following this whole Jay Leno debacle has me thinking of the term banking executives and government officials were saying about the need to bailout the banks, claiming they were "Too Big To Fail".

Jay Leno (and company) weren't able to maintain his edge during his new show's 10pm line-up, and instead of admitting defeat like legitimate folks in the world of business (yes, including folks in the entertainment business), he's allowing the television execs to make him look like an absolute ass by removing Conan O'Brien (who, in my opinion, is a far more talented comic) from Leno's former spot on The Tonight Show so that Leno can have the former time slot, albeit it at half the running time.

Excuse me, but isn't anybody thinking "Ok, you took a risk. And the whole thing failed. Admit defeat and walk away. And for all that is good, leave O'Brien where he is. He earned it."

You know, BE AN ADULT. BE A MAN. Do what's respectful and responsible.

While Leno's entire persona has been leaving bitter tastes in my mouth for some time, from his blatant sexual/lewd gazes he casts upon some of his sexier (and often quite younger) female guests to his "lookit me mr. 800 million dollar man who is such a humanitarian by giving a homeless guy iIsee on my way into work each day a whole dollar" (while common folks grounded in reality say "oh yes such a wonderful gesture must be sooo difficult to cough up a whole DOLLAR") to his recent displays where he has shown utter disregard and gross detachment from the current economic realities where he has insulted folks (of the male gender) who must work at Walmart and the like, and/or move in/live with their parents, implying who on earth would even think of dating such a "loser"...where was I? Oh yes, while his persona, not to mention his lack of authentic talent as a comedian doesn't put me in his "fan" category, this latest has me thinking even less of him as a person.

His attitude (or certainly his agreeance with studio execs) of "Too Big To Fail" is disgusting. It is every bit as arrogant as those of the banks.

Nope. Sorry Leno, but you are not too big to fail. And I can only hope that enough Americans are fed the farm fuck up with this gross sense of entitlement elitists think they somehow are, well, entitled to. I can only hope even less people will tune in and watch program in that new time slot. I can only hope that as you pass by that homeless man each day, some of that man's humble reality will seep into your heart and soul, give you a good mental ass-kicking and remind you that you are no better than/worthy of/entitled to than anyone else and that, perhaps, the gracious thing to have done would have been to allow Conan O'Brien to continue on with his journey he (and his staff) were creating, to give back to him what you have allowed to be taken so greedily away from him. Yes, the decent thing to do would have been to walk away, quietly. With grace.

That, in and of itself, will earn you oh so many more accolades, the kind that really count, than the extra views your new time slot and show (may) bring you.

Friday Musings

2010-01-15T17:58:00.000-08:00

I have been receiving a very high number of spam in my comments section. I'm glad I decided to do the "verify comment before being allowed to post" option as I would typically forget how to delete posted comments. Oh well. Some leave some very pretty foreign characters. Most though are interested in seeing me have the biggest penis possible, usually growing from my own body.

***
I recently purchased something I never thought I would do: a pregnancy back support belt. Read more about this adventure on my other blog. One term sums it up: AAAHHH.

***
I learned the most I can go without good sleep (which these days for me is at approximately 4-5 hours of uninterrupted sleep) before having a nuclear meltdown is, as of today, 4 weeks, an improvement over my pre-pregnancy days where just 3-5 such nights left me ready to strangle cute little kitties. I had such a meltdown this week and, after crying loudly for about 15 minutes and expressing my worries and concerns with Mr. N., I fell asleep for 2 hours (7pm-9pm). Again, I do believe nature has a way of prepping us for the arrival of baby. Number one on my list will be tending to her needs. Number two, FREQUENT NAPS. For yours truly. As I've already told Mr. N, the house is either gonna go messy and the refrig empty or you will have to take up the cleaning, shopping and the like for the first couple of months. He's more than willing to pick up the slack.

Or so he says now. We may both be needing FREQUENT NAPS and may as such be having local friends/neighbors do our grocery shopping for us. As for the housecleaning, well, our puppy pooch is quite smart and talented...

***
Hey, did you know studies show that children raised by gay couples are no more likely to be harmed or abused than their straight couple counterparts? In what I call "News Of The NO DUH" land, check out this article fmi.

***
In other news, I found this piece interesting. In the first of its kind, a man is suing his neighbor for refusing to turn off her wireless devices when not in use. Why? He says he suffers from Electromagnetic Sensitivity, or EMS. Not surprising one bit. I saw this happening 20 years ago. We are, after all, beings of energy at every level and given the electromagnetic soup we're exposed to every day, it's only to be expected that such over-exposure is going to disrupt our own energy patterns and fields, with some being more sensitive than others.

Makes you want to toss that wi-fi computer, cell phone, blackberries, blah blah blah and the like, doesn't it? I know whenever I see cell phone towers, I want them removed. Not only are they an eyesore, they emit huge EMF fields. And besides, cell phones have made us rude, lazy and completely detached from our surroundings and one another. A CB radio or walkie talkie is often all that's needed if one finds themselves in a vehicle emergency (and the generosity of a passerby). Toss the damn cell phone. WE DO NOT NEED THEM.

***
Life is grand. Love is "all that". Connecting with one another is the best thing around. Always has been, always will be. Little one concurs. She just gave me a little kick to let me know she agrees. Peace to ya all!

Montsanto's GMO Corn Linked To Organ Failure

2010-01-14T17:03:00.000-08:00

Not surprising. When I first heard of these folks back in 2000, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. I knew this was a company intended on taking over the food supply (already happening), who had no regard for the health of the consumer (already been shown) and will be allowed to have their global health destruction monopoly continue on while the FDA et al stand by and let them (that's what's been goin' on). At the time I shared my thoughts with a co-worker, who thought I was completely over-reacting. I wonder what he thinks today...

On the same day I read the above linked piece, I read another article on GMO foods and how to avoid buying them. Since food manufacturer's still aren't required to label their foods as such (which is insane in and of itself), there are things you can do to avoid this crap if you so choose.

1) Buy organic.
2) Buy foods labeled non-gmo.
3) Avoid or at least greatly reduce processed food items.
4) Watch foods that contain corn and soy products. Unless labeled as non-gmo or organic, odds are they have been genetically modified.

(I would also suggest writing food manufacturer's whose products you otherwise want to buy but who either don't label their food items or use GM ingredients and make it clear to them that unless they stop using GM ingredients, you're switching brands.)

The most popular food items that have been genetically modified are corn and soy products. I also read where papaya from Hawaii (non-organic), zucchini and crooked neck squash are also now being grown with genetically modified seeds. You can add potatoes to that list as well.

I read this could be turned around if 14 million people here in the States would stop buying GMO products altogether. I'm not sure if that's nearly enough people, but it's worth a try. I would also suggest people write food manufacturer's whose products they otherwise wish to buy but who either don't label their food items or who use GM ingredients and make it clear that unless they stop using GM ingredients, you will be switching brands. I would also suggest people create Truth In Labeling Legislation in their respective states.

Doesn't the whole thing sound sinister to you? That's because it is. Whenever humanity attempts to mess around with genetics, with the DNA of any life form, whether for benevolent or malevolent purposes, the results are never good.

Guess Baby's Gender

2010-01-09T22:03:00.000-08:00

Anyone care to guess the little one's gender? We don't know if the little one is a boy or a girl and won't until delivery, but our intuition has consistently and strongly said "girl". We already have a name picked out as well as a room theme, which means if "she" turns out to be a "he" we're going to be scrambling for a name and swapping out the elves and fairy theme for, well, something else. Although the fantasy theme can be very beautiful for girls and boys.

Appetite update: I can now eat 2 eggs, 4 links of sausage, a bowl of oatmeal, an 8 oz glass of juice, half an orange and a banana for breakfast. I can eat 3 small lunches, 1 dinner and 1 snack after that. Then I can start all over again in the morning. If I eat light for just one day, the next day I make up for it by essentially eating on the hour every hour. It's rather unreal--and I will admit, very enjoyable. Then when I'm done I plop on the couch, sit like a guy, expose my belly and belch. Mr. N gets a big kick out of all of this.

Movement update: She seems to be active around 10pm (I've felt her several times in the past few minutes) and 6am. I'm likely too busy during the day to feel much, given at this point, her movements feel more like little butterfly strokes against my belly. It's so dang beautiful!

MY movement update: Today I noticed, when bent over to pick out some tissue from a bottom shelf at the local store, I had to struggle a wee bit to stand back up. And make a grunting noise. Sometimes when getting out of bed the past couple of weeks I've noticed I have to push off from the bed. The term "heave ho sailor!" goes through my mind.

I feel great love for this little being already and cannot imagine what the feeling will be like once she's decided to make her way out of my uterus and into my/our arms. Pregnancy has the potential to draw you closer to your partner and let me tell you, this has certainly been our experience. I feel this strong bond, this unity for the threesome we are creating. It's pretty wild how such things can magically create themselves within you, almost through no conscious action on your part.

Bottom line, as Mr. N and I have been saying more and more of lately: Why Did We Wait So Long For This?

Of course most will say the real work has yet to begin. And I agree with that. However, like the line from that awesome movie, How To Make An American Quilt, I am betting on the love we have for one another to see us through the journey.

Frustration.

2010-01-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

Currently we are experiencing unnecessary frustration from well-meaning (sort of) but clueless and, as it turns out, disrespectful relatives who are contently retired and are trying to give us job-seeking advice.

I ask all of my readers who are unemployed and have been for the long-term and know what it's like today to try and create some sort of a consistent, stable income for ourselves, either through traditional means and creative, new means, to come forward, write your story so that I may pass it on to these inconsiderate morons. (I say inconsiderate because I have consistently asked them not to offer up any advice--that if they are truly interested in helping they need to ask us what we need. THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEARD and I am royally fed up at this point and done w/it all.)

That being said the best thing I can do for myself is accept them for who they are (grrrr) and delete all further incoming e-mail from them. They won't end the conversation? I will.

I cannot imagine seeing any of them suffer or struggle in any way while ignoring their stated needs and instead telling them what I *think* they should be doing (even if it is something they are doing/have done). When any of them have shared personal information with me about something they are undertaking, I listen. I ask what they need. And on the occasion where I do offer up advice, I make it clear--just some information--if you can use any of it, great. If not, toss it. (Such things have usually been related to some health issue they or someone they care about are dealing with.)

I recall something one of these folks said to me a few years ago. She was talking about how it was in her day, how oh so much easier it was to afford a home, health insurance and raise a family. I succintly recall her saying "I don't know how young people do it today. Even two adults working isn't often enough. There is no way I would want to be starting out or starting over in today's world."

"There is no way I would want to be starting out or starting over in today's world". And yet this same person today can judge us because we are struggling in a world that is even more uncertain and unstable than it was when she made that comment?

What's even more of a difficult pill to swallow is that, up until we became pregnant, I RARELY HEARD FROM THEM. I usually had to call or e-mail them. There was little, if any, interest shown in our lives. But now suddenly they think they can intrude in our lives with unasked-for advice? What's this really about? Our well-being and the baby's well-being or their hidden guilt for being lousy in the helping department?

I'm fed up with being dismissed. Done with being disrespectfed. Done with being abandoned. Done with being silenced.

This is family???

No. This is what happens when you happen to share a bond through blood and/or marriage with pretentious, selfish folks who have a table full of fillet mignon and freshly squeezed lemonaid and offer you up a piece of day-old bread and some room temperature water.

I'm truly done with them all. Anyone care to claim them?

Measures 66 and 67: Rugged Individualism and "Blame The Victim" Mentality Alive and Well

2010-01-09T12:12:00.001-08:00

On my area's craiglist rants and rave section has been an on-going heated discussion regarding two very important and controversial measures on our ballot - Measures 66 and 67 which, in a nutshell, raise the corporate minimum tax from $10 to $150 as well as raising the personal income tax of individuals making over $125k ($250k for households) by approximately $180.

I'm going to intentionally avoid getting into the politics of these measures. I wanted to address two common social themes in our western culture that I see coming through loud and clear in these arguments: Rugged Individualism and Blame The Victim.

Rugged Individualism (RI) is this sense that ones success is defined solely by the individual. It is this attitude of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps alone" when dealing with difficulties. It is this sort of thinking whereby one assumes his/her success is self-created only.

Along these lines, Blame The Victim (BTV) is a common theme shouted by those who cling to the concept of rugged individualism who seek to blame others solely for problems they may be experiencing. Such BTV attitudes arise when the RI way of life proves itself to be false. Such people blame those who are most struggling without even knowing the individual's story. It is, afterall, much easier to blame someone (which is no different than passing judgment). That way the RI doesn't have to dig deeper to see the many dysfunctions of the economic models and social/political policies and ieals that create many, if not most, of our societal ills.

Not to bypass the idea of personal responsibility, for when it comes down to it, that old saying applies: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make her drink it.

The RI, however, will tell the horse to go find his/her own damn water and if the horses are not successful, they get blamed by the RI for their own misfortune.

Some days as I think about such themes, I shake my head in an appalling manner that such ridiculous viewpoints are still a part of our society. They are utterly contrary to peace, justice, kindness, fairness and equality. Plus, they are false ideals based on short-sighted thinking and illusion.

Those who are against these measures seem to fall into the RI and BTV categories. They offer up the simpleton logic of "work harder" to those who aren't rich. They toss out very short-sighted comments like "you're just jealous" to those who aren't rich and who are (rightfully and justifiably) pissed as hell about the ongoing hoarding of the wealth on this planet. (Kip Schoning, local slumlord extradoinnaire, has been quoted as telling those who have sued him that they are "just jealous" of his wealth. Talk about avoiding the issue!) The RI and BTV folks completely ignore the stats, which clearly show wealth has been funneled to the top, ever-so-slowly for decades, where today the rich have much more wealth and the middle and the bottom, much less. One individual made the comment that "Wealth is capital" yes failed to go into detail beyond that. Yes, wealth IS capital--capital manipulated, controlled and in truth, stolen.

More than anything, I am disgusted with these RI/BTV folks who hold this sense of entitlement, who are blind to the fact that NO ONE makes it on his/her own, who are equally blind to the fact that MANY WORK THEIR ASSES OFF only to find themselves in dire financial situations through no fault of their own. And more than anything, such folks have forgotten what we teach our children about sharing, generosity, helping out our friends and neighbors. Their mentality is a sickness that has plagued this planet along enough. If I had the power, I would give them the opportunity to change, to expand their minds and open up their hearts. If not, I'd ship 'em off this planet in a heartbeat for their limited, judgmental, rigid and blind mentality has ruled this beautiful earth long enough. It is long past time for something new.

Ramblings

2010-01-08T20:20:00.001-08:00

We have a new law here in Oregon that's been in effect for the past week. No longer can one drive and talk on their cell phone at the same time. I am not one for gov't intrusion into our behaviors, but good lord, if I had a dollar for every near-miss I have experienced and witnessed as a result of these idiots who think they are equipped with special talent the rest of us don't have, I would be the owner of a cell phone as well as the most expensive cell phone plan in all the land. Just yesterday, some guy, thinking the law didn't apply to him, was talking and driving in front of us. He failed to see the light change to green. He then proceeded to swerve a few times, tapped the brakes when he didn't need to, then suddenly turned w/o signaling. I also read an article in a local rag (The Alchemist) about some guy, a teacher, who claimed he simply had to drive and text (!!!) and talk at the same time. Why? He was registered w/some service that calls him up when a teaching job becomes available. He must respond immediately.

Apparently he's never thought to PULL OVER. His argument was without any merit. And this guy is teaching our children (not to mention he's on the road regularly)? Yikes...

***
How does a glass jar leave your house completely in tact, placed in a cloth bag, put on the front seat, only to arrive just 3 blocks later down the street shattered? I did a bit of shopping tonight and was very careful with this bag, placing it in the front of my shopping cart. A few minutes into my shopping experience, I reached into the bag to pull out the jar. I was going to use it to refill some yummy maple syrup from the bulk section. Well, I didn't even feel the cut. What caught my attention was that warm liquidy feeling running down my hand. So after a sloppy but quick rummaging through my pockets and purse with the non-bleeding hand (while holding up the bleeding hand) I was able to locate some tissue, which I wrapped tightly around the offended finger and proceeded to do the rest of my shopping left-handed.

I still don't know how that damn jar shattered like that...

***
Local friends had their baby yesterday. He weighed in at...get ready folks...ELEVEN POUNDS.

Eleven. Pounds.

Hearing that made me rub my belly and reaffirm this little one will be, well, not that big!!

***
Our brilliant prez wants to employ more security measures (i.e. continue to kiss our privacy rights buh-bye) at local airports. One of the ideas in the works is mind-reading technology. Anyone thinking "Minority Report"? When I first saw that movie I had some double-speak going on in my mind. One side said "no way" while another said "yep, probably so some day".

Frankly, I'm more concerned about drunk pilots and the "occupied" sign appearing on the bathroom door when I really need it...

***
Lately I want to hug children of all ages - even college students. I find myself calling them "sweetie".

***
Anyone have an unused (running and in good condition) car sitting around they would be willing to donate? I will make you cookies of your choice each month for a year for your generosity!

It's My Belly and I'll Show It If I Want To. Or "I Show, I Glow".

2010-01-06T21:51:00.000-08:00

While taking a walk today, I decided to lift up the lower portion of my shirt, thus exposing my belly. It's been a bit mild here lately. And being one of the side-effects of pregnancy is increased body temperature (to which I can only say thank the cosmos I will not be pregnant during summer), as well as the urge to be naked, I suddenly felt the urge to expose my bulging belly to the elements.

I certainly was not doing this for all to see, however, as Mr. N seemed to imply when he shook his head, smiled and told me others may find offense at such a gesture and I should be prepared for that.

While I may be temporarily losing some of my ability to walk without waddling a bit at times, I still have the full function of my middle fingers, which is what I told him I would be saluting anyone with if they decided to approach me outloud with such a ridiculous judgment.

It isn't like overweight men are criticized when they expose their bulging bellies. While many may cringe, few, if any, would ever think of saying anything. And besides, a pregnant woman's belly is beautiful. An overweight man's belly is simply fat.

(gasp) Alert! Alert! A pregnant female has exposed her belly in public!

Aahh, did it feel good. And in a way, I believe my little growing one was also behind this ever-growing desire. She's already hidden snugly and safely in her little cave. I must believe, I do believe, she feels the effects of the sun and daylight when mama's belly is exposed.

After I made the remark about my middle finger (which brought forth another smile on his face--the kind I know well--the kind that says "that's my lady"), I finished the conversation by saying he best be prepared for more to come, for once springtime hits, I plan on wearing baggy shorts and comfy tank tops, pushed up to just the right location, thus allowing that warm, bountiful, life-giving energy of the sun to shine upon me and the little one.

A more beautiful, meaningful representation of spring, of new life, I cannot imagine.

Sarah Palin Ain't Got A Thing On Me

2010-01-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

So ok. I've now had enough people tell me I look like Sarah Palin to look into this further. As I mentioned on my pregnancy blog, any physical similarities end there. Well ok, unless you don't count for her love of the outdoors and her ability to hunt and gather her own food. Well, again, ok, so I've never shot an animal for food. I've caught a lot of fish though and I have no doubt if hunger were an issue, I wouldn't blink an eye at shooting a wild pig or deer. Well, again, ok I would blink an eye once or twice until the pains of hunger kicked in and took over. Then there's the idea that we've both been pregnant in our, (ahem) more mature years. Only I'm actually showing. Very much so. More each day. Trust me.

I've had people say "Your hair looks like that Sarah Palin's hair" and "Hmm something about you just looks like Sarah Palin." The truth is, she has MY hair and she looks like ME.

Not the other way around.

Aside from that, how different we are.

*I believe in a woman's right to choose at all times, not just when it's convenient.

*I could never ever ever kill a wolf unless it was about to kill my dog, child (mine or any other's), my spouse or someone else I cared for.

*Good lord I could never vote Republican.

*I believe Canada's Health Care System kicks ass over America's.

*Along those lines I don't believe in visiting another country and telling them to adapt some business standard of America's.

*If I wrote a book about my life, it would take a good 2-3 years. I'd also write it myself.

*If I flub up what I'm saying I don't toss out silly phrases like "oh gosh darn golly". I get to the point. "Crap, I'm sorry, let me say that again," is more my style.

*More Oil? Hell no. Hemp is best. Oh how it is best.

*I don't dye my hair. (cheap jab)

*Joe Six-Pack? That's the best example her camp could come up with to best portray America? Some simpleton carrying around a watered-down cheap six-pack of beer? At the very least I would have given him a good micro-brew and perhaps a chaser of good Scotch. And a name like Albert or Jeremiah. Yeah. Jeremiah "Amber Ale". Tokin' on a stogie while reading Aristotle, his partner Andrea "Rogue River Valley Chablis, 1997", with her head slightly tilted, reading glasses resting gently in the neck of her handmade hemp gauzy top, pondering real solutions to end poverty.

Bankrupties Jump 32%

2010-01-04T23:43:00.000-08:00

And this news is surprising?

But, wait. I thought the economy was recovering. Silly me.

Read my lips. We're in a depression. A manufactured god damn depression. Any other POV is worthless and without merit. But as long as there's you and me, there is hope. As long as we have our minds and can use them to create, we can form our own means if self-sufficiency. But good lord it ain't gonna happen as long as we isolate ourselves or continue to hold onto the illusion that things will just fix themselves. Or worse yet, we desire a return of how things were.

As Mr. N says, tear it all down and start over again with new ideas. The old didn't work for all. Never did. Let's only be open to things that work for ALL where ALL benefit.

Or is that all just a POV that is worthless anymore, too?

On This Monday...

2010-01-04T15:09:00.000-08:00

So here's a little more reality to toss out at those who still care to read. It's again directed at the thoughtless fucktards in our life who see the huge and I mean h u g e financial pressure we are under and who aren't offering up a god damn thing but who oh so clearly can. I'm to the point of making it clear: Please help. If not, you won't be seeing us or our child-to-be again. Ever.

Imagine this: Your own parents who say oh how they wish they could offer you more in the way of financial assistance but simply can't. Why? They're on their way down south to their luxury condo's for the winter. And oh yes, wait, that's after the visit to the Rose Bowl game. And yes there's the daily round of golf. Etc. etc. etc. But I do recall my ever-loving papa once telling me he wasn't willing to give up any of his luxuries to help me out regardless of whatever it was I was facing.

Can't offer up any assistance, my lilly white ass. (And to the individual who found my blog, who called to tell me about said find, who tried to convince me a year ago the only people in my life who ever have been there for me financially are these same assholes and that I owed them my presence because they more than earned it--you fucking understand now? You still under that insane, delusion impression? Too little, too late if you do.)

So today...Mr. N goes for another interview at yet another company who offer yet another assembly-line style of job seeking. Fill out an application whereby you're told to wait outside (it was raining, btw) for up to 2.5 hours. What if you took the bus? Too damn bad. All of this for a minimum wage job. And said interview is just a few minutes. So Mr. N goes through the routine along with the other 100 plus individuals who, according to his calculations, ranged from age 18 to 65 or so. He's never seen anything like it. He even drove me by the place. I as well have never seen anything like that. Not even during the intial recession of 2001, which we never recovered from which has lead to today's (intentionally created) Depression. Back then I was competing with approximately 500 people per job. That was the total number of applicants on average. Today it's more like 500 people PER DAY--especially when there's an open-window of just a few days to apply in person.

What's so sad (if not ridiculous) is the very few wonderful people in our lives who HAVE helped in their own way and who have said they really wish they could help more but like us, they're at the bottom of the bucket in the financial department as well. A more humbling, grateful experience I cannot imagine: Someone in need themselves offering you help.

To make this clear: Those who have, those who are comfortably secure, hoard. Those who have live the high life and turn a blind cheek to those they claim to care about. Those who have donate their extra money to their fucking church first and foremost, to god damn dogmatic pretentious church walls. None are stepping up to the plate in the way loving folks are supposed to. And yet those who don't have, WANT to help and have helped out in ways that are oh so much more difficult on their pocketbook than those who have. Call them on any of this and you either receive the silent treatment or defensive diatribe and rage.

I am so utterly completely deeply to my core thoroughly disgusted I can't put it into words, not to mention the deep hole of abandonment I feel, which can only be described as unbearable sadness.

To wrap it up: We need money. Mr. N needs medical attention (which includes surgeries) and unless he receives it, he cannot hold down employment. Unless the hospital agrees to comp the care, we're screwed. He has no insurance and is currently on the reservation list for the state plan. Our car either needs replacing or several hundred dollars in repair. We also need a better place to live, one that isn't infested with mildew and mold. The bedrooms are the worst. I don't want our baby to be breathing that crap but unless we can find a rental that is AFFORDABLE and isn't a run-down slummy little shack, it looks like we don't have much of a choice in this regard. An outside investigation showed a huge dark stain on the side of the house where the mold comes through in what is going to be the babies room. This shit is inside the walls. And lest it is black mold, we have absolutely no recourse to get it fixed. Our computer seems to be on its last legs. If I didn't need it to sell our collectibles and other items (got a small biz idea I'm creating--handcrafted items--and need start-up funds for that), it wouldn't be much of an issue. But it is. We're going in the hole. We're asking for help. Please. I simply don't know what else to do at this point.

A Life Too Real For The Weak

2010-01-01T17:35:00.000-08:00

There's a line from The Sound of Music that I just love. Maria is sharing some of her distress with the Reverend Mother. Paraphrased, she says: "But what's even worse, I can't help saying what I think and believe." Reverend Mother brilliantly replies: "Some would call that being honest."

Mr N and I often fall into that category of saying whatever we are thinking at the moment and it's often gotten us a lot of flack. We've really stepped up the pace given the situation we're living and the huge struggles on our plate. Afterall, it isn't just about he and I anymore. We have a little one on the way so the "well what will they say if we tell them the truth of what's going on and what we need" has been tossed out that proverbial window.

I cannot tell you the number of people who are simply too weak to handle hearing what we're experiencing. It isn't like we're exagerrating. We're simply telling things like it is. I mean come on, when someone you've known for years and/or you consider a friend wants to know how things are going, you tell them the truth, right?

Apparently not. Apparently these weak-minded folks are simply lying when they ask how you're doing and what's new.

Maybe it isn't a matter of weakness. Maybe it's a matter of a lack of empathy. Maybe it's all about lifting the veil of illusion that's been between many of the people in our life (friends and family) so that we can see their TRUE intentions. And in a nutshell, most of these folks have shown us we can't rely on them unless what we're experiencing has happy rainbow sunshine smiles all over the place.

One of my favorite sayings is "Shit Happens". Not because I ENJOY it when such things happen (and especially when the S H I T is not of your own doing but of the system itself), but because it hits the nail on the head about life. Shit happens. We're dealing with some shit. Can you help?

I posted a few weeks ago about life THEN and life TODAY and how we've shared that with certain older individuals. The response has been one of silence. For awhile I thought 'they're just clueless'. But today it hit me. They aren't clueless. They simply don't care. Or perhaps they care MORE about being in denial than they do about our well-being.

Either way, it makes them snakes in a snake pit. And how any of them can claim themselves as members of our family is disturbing and sickening.

I found this card I received when I was 18 from my grandmother. In it she wrote this beautiful letter to me about how the family was always there for me, no matter what, no matter when. That turned out to be utterly false. I remember the first time I really opened up to this same grandmother about a life issue I was struggling with. I made one specific request of her and she agreed to it. Well that agreement lasted that phone call for the next time she spoke, she totally violated my request.

Never trust sweet older women who greet you with cookies and a warm couch. They ain't always so innocent. Often times they're just spinning some mantra or being amicable in the moment. And sometimes an ugly manipulative vindictiveness comes to surface when you call them on their actions. Goodness knows I've encountered that one by my mother.

I know we all have our weaknesses and our issues. I just know that whenever someone, regardless of how much I know the person, shares with me some struggle they are going through I ask if there's anything I can do to help. And it doesn't stop there. Once the conversation is over, I spend time thinking of ways to help, doing research of organizations and the like, and passing along the information. And if there is something concrete I can help out with, whether it's money (even if it's just $20 which for me at times throughout my life is a lot), food, a place to stay for awhile, I DO THAT. That's what love does. And I admit such offerings ain't always easy. I simply do not understand it when someone wants to hear what's going on with you then walks away w/o a word or fails to bring it up again or worse yet, abandons you altogether.

And uglier human trait I simply cannot fathom.

Tough Interview Questions

2010-01-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

These questions aren't your standard fare of questions created by over-paid 20-something writers with atrocious spelling and syntax on those cheesy career websites. I mean come on already. We all know to be prepared for questions such as:

"Tell us a bit about yourself."

"What is your biggest asset."

"What is your biggest weakness?"

Blah blah blah.

Yaaaawwwwwwnnnn.

Here's some tough ones Mr. N has encountered lately:

"You're way over-qualified for this position. Why did you apply?" (I wonder if Walmart asks such a question of the PhD, Master's and Baccalaureate candidates who have had to resort to applying there.)

"Your previous position looks like a good one. Why are you no longer there?" (Is it considered taboo to say "because my boss was an ego-maniacal abusive dictatorial prick"?)

His recent interview consisted of a literal assembly-line of candidates whereby one had 5 minutes of the manager's time (which was interrupted by knocks on the door of potential candidates wanting to apply for the one position so in truth one had maybe 3 minutes total of the manager's time) only to be shuffled off to another location to fill out an application, which allowed candidate number 478 to have his/her 3 minute shot at employment fame. The ad requested that the candidate be willing to talk for awhile about why they wanted to work there. Share their ideas and their values. It was also requested the candidate bring their portfolio (it was for a creative position). Was Mr. N asked why he wanted to work there? Was he given a chance? Was there ANY time offered for him to share his ideas and such? Did they look through his portfolio? The answers to those questions are "no" and "no" and "no" and "for perhaps 10 seconds".

And this was for a reputable employer.

Perhaps there are no reputable employers out there amongst the masses of the insane. Perhaps a life of crime is what this nation is coming to in order to survive. All I can say to those who don't have to work is to thank your lucky stars. And to those who have employment they enjoy and can do, ditto. Folks in both categories are lucky. Nothing more, nothing less. And frankly, none have any business giving advice to another soul in the opposite corner.

The Fall Of America (dot net): Profiting Off The Collapsing Economy

2009-12-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

I've been receiving this series of e-mails, which I am assuming came to me via David Icke's e-mail list. In it is a link to a website, thefallofamerica.net, where I can purchase, for only $79, a DVD compilation of what's really going on behind the curtain, along with a huge list of things I can do right now to ensure my safety and survival during the upcoming chaos that's going to be visiting us soon. (As if it isn't already chaotic and insane enough.)

I must make it clear that I'm on the same page as these dudes. I agree we're being lied to in such a perverse manner, which is to say the government and their corporate media whores are LYING to us daily by saying the economy is improving, which is of course what THE PEOPLE (i.e. the victims) WANT to hear. Hell, we ALL want it to improve. No one (but the mentally deranged) wants to suffer or struggle and certainly no one (again but the mentally deranged) wants to see others suffer or struggle (well a little suffering and struggle for the PTB ain't such a bad idea). But nonetheless, these hopes of ours are being falsely placated in a gross, ugly, vile, evil manner. And that's what the authors of this DVD are doing as well IN THEIR OWN WAY is playing on our fears by essentially saying "BUY OUR DVD AND PROTECT YOURSELF!"

I CAN SAVE YOU. SEND ME MONEY.

WTF?

Know what? If I were privy to such knowledge AND ways to HELP the people--I WOULD GET THIS INFORMATION OUT THERE AT NO FUCKING CHARGE! Or at the VERY least I would give it away for NOTHING TO THOSE IN FINANCIAL NEED! Ask for donations. God--I'd get CREATIVE so that EVERYONE WHO WANTED MY INFORMATION COULD GET IT!

I mean jesus fucking christ already! They essentially say: "We know times are tough. We know millions are homeless. Millions are losing their homes, their savings, their jobs. Millions are without insurance and in need of medical care. The system has CREATED this. But WE CAN HELP!....just give us $79 first."

They even have the GALL to say $79 is AFFORDABLE. Affordable for WHOM?

Fucking bastards. Every last one of them. You don't throw FEAR and URGENCY in someone's face, say "I can help you but FIRST you gotta pay me". I'm so fucking sick of that. I'm sick of idiots (WHO PROFITED OFF THE SYSTEM AND ARE SECURE THEMSELVES) who give advice that is completely NOT DOABLE FOR MANY OF US. I'm sick of these same idiots who are only out for their OWN survival, who are in the POSITION of TRULY offering CONCRETE HELP (money, shelter, food and the like) to those who are in need but instead they're totally unaware of their own brainwashed rugged individualistic conditioning, they sit on their fat asses preaching nothing but obvious dribble (to those of us who are awake) without offering up ANYTHING OF VALUE. Many will though--IF ONLY YOU PAY THEM.

Fuck that. That isn't love. That isn't kindness. It isn't compassion. It's EVIL. It's every bit as evil as those who created this capitalistic system. And I'm fed the farm-fuck up with 'em all.

Such folks need to realize that the growing populace of victims may just begin to hit up THEIR estates first and foremost when they become desperate enough. And of course it doesn't have to be this way if only THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE would UNITE WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT. But that would require REAL authentic connection. REAL compassion. REAL effort. And my experience has been such folks don't want such things. They want their money. Their security. And they want to be left alone. In a way an understandable feeling. But certainly not a very evolved one. Some day...sooner than later most likely...they will see the error of their ways.

Sunday Musings. Or, I Blog Therefore I Am.

2009-12-27T20:38:00.000-08:00

20 weeks is upon me. 21 is around the corner. Mr. N's clothing is now something I take interest in as is anything with a drawstring waistline. I no longer roll out of bed without some sort of help from my arms and/or legs (I tried 5 times tonight just to show Mr. N I could still roll outta bed like everyone else. I did not succeed.) People I know see me from the front and now they smile, sometimes patting my belly. (That being said, most have said I am still quite small. None of course are actually pregnant.) Some days I feel beautiful. Other days, frumpy. I now get why women used to wear those mumu's. Ugly as anything but comfort takes on a totally new meaning when your belly is expanding every week. Some days I feel like I'm carrying a small basketball. Other days, a bowling ball. Doing yoga-often daily-is something that is becoming not just a pleasure but a necessity. Things like constipation and indigestion are to be avoided in the same manner in which I avoid religious fanatics. Gentle belly rubs by daddy-to-be are about the best thing I can imagine right now in terms of calming comfort. I can now look at my body in the mirror, sideways, without gasping. Usually I smile but sometimes I still think "oh my god..." I am very protective of my personal space, in particular my belly. A very primitive, instinctive feeling. Reading stories and singing songs to the little-one-to-be are new activities Mr. N and I are really enjoying. Amazing that just 2.5 months ago we were so resistant to this whole experience. Now it has--this little baby has--become the center of our world. And that makes us smile. When we're not still a bit overwhelmed by both the reality and surrealism that is...

***
Listened to a piece on C-Span earlier in the week. Host was interviewing Steve (puke) Forbes and folks were calling in discussing the economy. One guy was nailing truth after truth, showing the obvious flaws and controls of our "free" market capitalistic system. He was cut off after a few moments which left Mr. N and I saying "Hey, let the guy speak!" Mr. Forbes brilliant response was packaged in a nice little system spin game of verbal puppet speak, praising the results of capitalism, worshipping it for how it has allowed for such great achievements and advancements. Of course he left out it has allowed for such things FOR THE FEW AT THE EXPENSE OF THE REST. And of course, his spewing verbage was presented with that evil smile he is known for along with those tiny little lying, lifeless little slits of flesh known to you and I as "eyes". (A surefire way of really reading someone on television is by covering up the lower portion of their faces and looking only at their eyes. The eyes never lie. And for fun, try it the next time you're at church or listening to some globalist give a speech. Just make sure to ask permission to touch their face.)

***
Listened to another interesting piece on The Research Channel today. A female Climatologist was telling the audience the main driving indicator behind today's current changing climate is the Sun. She explained how the ocean and the tundra are the two largest reserves of CO2 and given the fact that temps have indeed been rising due to natural earth cycles, it is the ocean and the tundra that are releasing the most CO2. Not you and I and our automobile and incondescent lightbulb usage. However, that being said, she also added that humankind is indeed speeding up this process. Her belief is that we will continue to see the warming (although the earth is trying to balance herself out by showing signs of cooling but it isn't enough to balance out the scale) before plunging into an Ice Age. Such a setup is simply following a pattern Earth has gone through before.

Some common sense insight. On television. Finally.

As I've said before - follow the money and positions of power behind those who say global climate change is caused by humans. Watch who they blame. Watch how they sit back and enjoy the unnecessary divisiveness both sides of this issue engage in, letting their emotions get the better of them whilst refusing to find any sort of balance OR common sense OR logic from the opposing side--all the while missing the real agenda behind the curtains. Watch as they tell YOU to change whilst they head off to their next million dollar lecture in their limo's and private jets only to return home to their over-sized mansions and rarely used tennis courts and pools. Follow these folks and the stringent policies and controls they are forcing upon you and I while allowing the MAIN polluters (i.e. big biz) to continue on with their destructive ways. Watch as these same folks dismiss REAL change such as allowing for the worldwide growing of Hemp, which could eliminate the need for such environmentally destructive items such as cotton, coal and oil. Power With Hemp, baby.

CNN to Lou Dobbs: Resign Or You're Fired.

2009-12-16T17:11:00.000-08:00

Well, this is what happens when you don't have cable and don't spend much time watching mainstream media. You miss out on some things. I just received an e-mail stating Lou Dobbs got canned. (In reality, he resigned, albeit it under pressure. According to this story, CNN had been trying to find a way to remove Dobbs because he had become a liability about some of his "controversial" views on Obama and immigration.)

Oh, boo fucking hoo, CNN. Isn't being controversial what authentic journalism is all about? A search for truth? CNN is no better than Fox and the rest of that ilk. Whether you like Dobbs or not, he had the balls to speak of those things unspeakable. I put Dobbs in the same category as I do Beck. While I think some of his views are whacked and while I think his sudden attack on this current administration while essentially dismissing the hell from the previous 8 years, I admire the guy for talking about the collapsing economy and the Big Brother agenda.

Oh Say Can You See...The End Of My Country

2009-12-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

Some stats I've collected to put to rest the pointless arguments of those who still have and the elite (who are still going after the "still haves") who claim if only you just apply yourself you can have the new car, the new house, that fantastic good paying job with benefits. blah blah blah

*Between the years 1997-2007, real wages increased only 75 cents an hour. This, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

*During this 10 year period, cost of living increased 26%. Of this 26%:
Housing increased 29%
Day care/child care increased 52%
Gas increased 134%
Medical insurance increased 43%

(And need I mention that food costs have jumped approximately 25% in the past two years alone.)

*Real value of the minimum wage peaked in 1968, when it was worth $7.73 in today's dollar.

*In 1972 you could buy a 3 bedroom, 2 bath split level home in a nice subarb in Lake Oswego Oregon for $17,000. That same home today sells for well over $300,000.

*Along the lines of the previous, in 1966 the median home price for the country was $21,000. As of 2008 it was $232,000.

*Along the lines of the above housing costs, in 1966 the average income was $7600, more than adaquate to afford a $21,000 home. As of 2008, the average income was $58,000, grossly falling short of affording that $232,000 home.

*There has been a downward trend in real wages since 1974, with only a temporary increase in the late 90's, during Clinton's second administration.

Where's all that wealth going? Well of course most readers of my blog, being the intelligent folks you are, know. But for those who haven't quite figured that one out, here's a little stat to help point you in the right direction:

*In 1978, the average CEO's pay was 78 times that of the typical minimum wage worker. By 2005, that same CEO's pay was 851 times that of the same worker.

Huh?

2009-12-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

I read something spoken by a homeless Vietnam Vet. He said he still believes in "hard work and earning wages" as a means of supporting oneself. And yet, he applied that ethic to his own life and he's now homeless.

And yet he still believes in this ethic? This western capitalistic individualistic ethic that failed him along with millions of others (numbers only growing). And here he still sits clinging to a dying way of life. Awake, yet still somehow asleep.

The Left and The Ostrich Effect

2009-12-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

If this is your first time reading, I don't want the title to cause you to assume I'm a rightie, ok? I'm not. I'm beyond both the right and the left, off in my own little field where seeing behind smoke and mirrors, political double-speak and other bullshit is the norm. Labels only divide and that's exactly what the PTB want amongst the people: Division.

That being said....... I've been watching the left frantically hang on to the last little threads of rope, desperately trying to avoid the inevitable - that their "Mr. Change We Can Believe In" sold them a bag of lies. Gitmo is simply being relocated. Nation invading remains part of U.S. foreign policy. Sucking the wealth from the people and passing it along to the elite continues. The crimes of the previous administration are simply being swept underneath the rug. Jobs continue to leave this country with absolutely no real solid, long-term, permanent jobs policies having been created. Despite his pledge to back off on medical marijuana raids, his DEA buddies have only increased their war (on the people) in Cali.

Need I go on?

To quote Michael Moore (regarding Obama and his Afghanistan policy): "Our president cannot be drinking the same kool-aid as Bush. I refuse to believe it."

And that's the problem. Mr. Moore and his well-meaning ilk are exhibiting the Ostrich Effect, which is the refusal to see the truth when it's as clear as the sun in the sky in the middle of a hot summer day.

Hey, realizing we were fooled is difficult to admit in this individualistic society of ours. And owning our own mistakes, all the more difficult.

While I have sympathy for these folks, there is no time to waste. These folks simply must pull their heads out of the sand and own up to the fact that they were called to vote for this man for the following reasons:

1) He's black. (Own it folks. You know that's a part of it.)
2) He orates beautifully. Well ok, he orates better than Bush and after 8 years of such brutal assaults on the english language, any improvement was going to provide a sense of attraction and relief.
3) He tossed around the "I was against the Iraq war from the start" mantra.
4) He used the word "change" 10,356 times (my stat).

In short, he played on the people's desperation, their sense of hope and faith.

And that should have all of you Obama supporters even more upset than realizing the theft of the 2000 Election by Bush and Co. One is subtle, another more blatantly obvious. I mean come on, Bush himself even stated he would be taking Florida. You could "mark" his word on that.

So what's it gonna be? You ready to remove that head from the sand and join in with the folks who see the light? If so, you will be eagerly welcomed.

Insurance Companies: Constitution Molesters

2009-12-12T16:51:00.001-08:00

As I looked through our latest insurance bill and noticed my car policy has jumped up, I recalled a couple of bills passed by our brilliant legislatures in Salem which increases the property damage liability limits, minimum uninsured motorist property damage limits and the minimum personal injury protection. All of this bullshit is simply another means for the insurance companies to steal more of our money as they hand out dollars to the very legislative twitheads who passed this bogus legislation to begin with. Oh sure, they did it under the guise of "protecting the consumer" (by claiming a family whose one family member was riding in a vehicle involved in an accident did not receive the full benefits of the policy due to family exclusion limits) but we all know such lines are smoke and mirrors, meant to keep us even more regulated and controlled. And besides, since when on earth did the injury of a citizen ever truly effect our legislature? Like they care about the people's well-being?

Give me a break.

Mandated insurance (of any kind) is unconstitutional and these folks know it. (Note to Obama supporters who voted for him while knowing he planned to mandate that all of us carry health insurance: You getting the picture yet?) Knowingly causing such damage to our rights is simply another form of molestation, hence the term "Constitution Molesters".

Orb in Photo?

2009-11-30T16:48:00.000-08:00

Mr. N took this photo of me and baby-to-be last month. We're taking monthly photos to watch our growing baby and my expanding belly (doggie Shilo wants to be in the photos too). After uploading this one onto the computer, I noticed the bright circular object in the upper left-hand corner and immediately felt a chill. The next picture he took showed another circular object of the same size, not nearly as bright (quite faint actually) same height only it had moved a bit more to the right. Was this the spirit of our baby wanting to be in the picture, wanting to appear as something more than just a bump on mama's belly? I'm not totally convinced, but that is my hunch. I e-mailed the photo to a place that investigates orbs and haven't heard back yet.

What do you think?

A Peek Inside Being Pregnant in America

2009-11-27T16:44:00.000-08:00

While I plan on putting this up at my other blog, I decided to post this here as well as it's a subject most aren't aware of unless they go through the experience directly or indirectly. As regular readers know, Mr. N and I are pregnant, expecting our first baby next spring. I thought the early stage symptoms of fatigue and nausea were stressful. Little did I know, dealing with the medical system was going to add its own stress.

From the start, we have been adamant in our decisions to not vaccinate the baby, to bypass genetic testing, to have a natural delivery and unless it is medically warranted, to forgo any medical intervention and very recently, to forgo any additional ultrasounds.

So far, while our decisions have been respected, our choices have not been met without a fight, without fear being put into our faces and with all of these supposed "studies". While they claim it's all about empowering ME, it's really about covering their asses (meaning they won't want me to sue them).

To begin with, these "studies" they cite have not been shown to me, despite my asking to see:
1) The actual results.
2) Who was behind the study.
3) Who performed the study.
4) Who funded the study.

Just this past week, we had a Doppler. For those not familiar with the procedure, it's a little hand held device that looks like a microphone attached to a Walkman. It sends sound waves into the womb, into the amniotic sac, to detect heart rate. Prior to this, we had had two ultrasounds.

With the first ultrasound, the baby was about the size of a pea, so movement was really not noticeable. However, with the second ultrasound, what began with the image of a calm little fetus, gently sucking, suddenly took an interesting change. After a few moments of sending the sound wave signals into my uterus, our calm little baby began to thrash violently. It kicked, punched and even flipped from its back to its side and back again. It caught me off guard.

"Is that normal?" I asked.

The midwife assured me that yes, it was indeed normal as they are quite active.

"Yes," I said, "But she seems to be bothered by the ultrasound."

Oh no need to worry. She hardly feels a thing. She's safe and protected in there.

Hardly feels a thing?

Wrong. I found studies (PLURAL) that claim otherwise. In one study, scientists mimicked the sound alone and determined that when ultrasound waves are passed into the womb, the sound decibel is equal to that of a subway train. That's a very loud sound to an adult. Imagine what that can do to a developing baby.

Not only is the sound terribly loud, but the heat coming from these ultrasound machines raises the heat in the amniotic sac and can damage to developing tissue. The FDA even issued this following warning in 2004: "Ultrasound is a form of energy -- and even at low levels, laboratory studies have found it can produce physical effects in tissue, such as jarring vibrations and a rise in temperature." (This despite their allowance of an 8 FOLD increase in power output, to which so far no tests have been done to test for any long-term adverse effects.)

Unfuckingbelievable. And yet, not really given this is western capitalism at work.

As any pregnant woman will tell you, we are warned by the VERY SAME MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO GIVE US THESE ULTRASOUNDS against exposing ourselves to things that raise body temperature, such as sauna's and hot tubs. Even having a fever over 100 for any extended period of time is supposed to be brought down as soon as possible to avoid potentially harming the growing baby. Again, these very same medical "professionals" use ultrasound technology regularly throughout the pregnancy, particularly in the very critical, early stages of fetal development?

I N S A N E.

With this Doppler we had this past week (which I wasn't aware was along the lines of the same technology as ultrasounds), I noticed the same pattern as we experienced with the previous ultrasound. What began at first as nothing but a strong, solid, precious little heartbeat took a different turn. Again, within moments, we heard this "BAM BAM BAM" sound as though the baby were violently kicking.

"Oh isn't that cute? It sounds like she's hiccuping!" the midwife said.

"Hiccup?!" I said. "That sounded more like a kick to me." (And HELLO!? "CUTE"??? I don't THINK so.)

Well the kicking only continued for the next few moments so I said, "Enough! I don't think she likes this!" and pushed the thing away from me. Daddy to be and I discussed this on the way home and our parental instincts were both on the same page: She doesn't like these ultrasound procedures. We both overwhelmingly, strongly just KNEW and KNOW this.

So..no more ultrasounds or dopplers...

Which I relayed to my doctor's office the next day while also stating we would not be doing the 20 week ultrasound (which checks for abnormalities, not to mention it is an HOUR LONG PROCEDURE).

60 minutes of hell when our baby has made it clear after just a minute or two she does NOT like the crap coming out of these "advances in medical science". NO FUCKING WAY. (FMI see this link and this link on ultrasound technology and its risks. They're powerful articles and I was absolutely horrifed, as was Mr. N, after reading them. I can only pray that we haven't unknowingly harmed our baby through the god damn ignorance of medical "professionals". I am remaining positive that our little miracle is well and thriving. I don't often ask for prayers, but I am now. Any like-minded thoughts sent our baby's way is very much appreciated!)

Well, within an hour, the phone rang. It was the midwife who ordered the test. She just wanted to make sure I was making an "educated" decision. Yes we are. Question is, are you?

After making attempts to somehow "justify" our decision, I finally thought 'I don't need to justify SHIT to these people' so I said: "I'm done discussing this. Our decision is made." I thought the conversation was over. I was wrong.

The conversation quickly turned into me needing to be "open" to such testing if I haven't delivered by week 38 or 40. Apparently my chances of delivering a stillborn rise significantly if I go past this time given my "maternal age" (a term i am SO FUCKING SICK OF HEARING). Again, I asked for the stats and again, she didn't "know them off the top of " her head. So get them and present them to me, I said. She said she will. She did mention it is probably something like a jump from 1 in 1000 births to 3 in 1000 births. So, statistically that is a threefold jump even though the chances are so overwhelmingly significantly low. Yes, she agreed with that.

So then WHY FILL MY HEAD WITH SUCH FEARFUL SHIT?

(I decided to do my OWN research on the subject and found that yes, the jump, while being 2-3 times higher in women over 35, is still overwhelmingly small. In fact, you see the majority of this jump in more "deprived" areas where medical care isn't routine. So statistically, I have about the same chance of delivering a NORMAL HEALTHY baby without having to worry about the stillborn issue as ANY OTHER WOMEN UNDER 35.)

Again, all of this is to "educate" me.

Oh yeah? If you want to EDUCATE me, how about you PROVIDE ME THE PROOF of these studies? How about you PROVIDE ME THE SAME INFORMATION I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING SOME PROOF FROM OUR VERY OWN GOVERNMENT?

Then there's the whole vaccination debate. While we don't have to "worry" about that much with this particular clinic (we've found a pediatrician who is respectful of parent's decision to not vaccinate, which is a growing trend even in our neck of the woods--a relief for certain) in that the baby will only have just the one interaction w/them and that is at birth, we've still had to undergo questioning as well as their "opinions" on the matter. Hospital policy (aka standard procedure) says at birth, newborns will receive (unless parents say otherwise which believe you me we will!) the hepatitis b vaccination, along with an injection of vitamin k as well as an eye treatment of an antibiotic cream. We're saying no to all three, the last two ONLY being allowed if, again, it is medically warranted. (You find yourself saying that term a lot when you're a parent-to-be who thinks like us). The vitamin K injection is given in case (hospital speak for "cover our ass") the baby experiences injury/bleeding. Newborn baby bodies don't clot well during the first hours. I asked the midwife if the hospital provides the oral dosage of vitamin K, which after doing my own research, I learned was the best, most obvious, most effective means of providing this vitamin. Doing so in a shot in muscle tissue doesn't work well and has in fact been linked with newborn jaundice, a benign condition (a ridiculous term considering no babies have ever been asked "did this skin yellowing cause you any pain or discomfort?"). Midwife said "No, the hospital only injects it via a needle."

"Why?" I asked.

"That's just the way it's done."

"Yes," I continued. "But I read where oral injection is the most beneficial and doesn't have the risks or side-effects."

She couldn't disagree with me. FMI on Vitamin K injections, check out this link. I also learned that the first breastmilk provides an ample supply of vitamin K. Since I plan on starting to breasfeed immediately upon delivery, I think she will be ok. Think the midwife offered me this information? Nope. I had to inform her of my awareness of this. She confirmed this fact. Sigh.

Nature knows what she's doing, doesn't she? Miraculous and beautiful.

Then there's the hepatitis B vaccine insanity.

"Why on EARTH would we give our baby this vaccine when it is only caught through the sharing of bodily fluids, usually through sex and sharing of needles?" Mr. N boldly spoke up.

The midwife could only shake her head in agreement, but then went on to say the following rather haunting statement:

"Their idea is that they will catch everyone at birth when they're in the hospital setting and in that way, wipe out hepatitis B altogether."

Holy crap. "Catch" everyone? As though babies are cattle to these "they" folks. Oh wait, you and I are so why not babies, too?

I digress.

"But there has never been any solid evidence to show that vaccines of ANY kind actually work AT reducing or eliminating disease," I pointed out.

As a medical professional, she had nothing to say to that.

As far as the antibiotic eye-ointment, which is used, again "in case" of an eye infection which can happen as baby goes through the womb and comes in contact with my bodily fluid and bacteria. Ok, I thought, I can be open to that possibility occurring and need for such a cream. However, Mr. N and I once again used the magical term (drum roll please): Only if "medically warranted."

I swear to you all, we have spent MORE TIME talking about what COULD go wrong and defending our positions than we have about actually talking about what is going RIGHT. There has been next to no discussion about my health (which at this point is excellent), about my nutrition (very good), about exercise (I'm doing 45 minutes of prenatal yoga 3 days a week, plus walking and dancing, doing some hand weights and modified core training on my yoga ball on occasion). And...Not ONCE has anyone asked how I FEEL emotionally and mentally about being pregnant, delivery and being a mother. And my goodness there are a host of studies that show all of these factors are FAR MORE IMPORTANT than maternal age alone.

Thankfully I had the knowledge to know about doula's. We're interviewing our (potential) doula next week. She's from The Netherlands and gave birth to two of her children at home, without medical intervention. Talking with her over the phone, she said giving birth here in the States is a totally different experience than it is in The Netherlands (although sadly, she said that is changing as things become more corporate/westernized/fear-based). In dutchland, birth is viewed as it should be: A natural event. Fear isn't put into the minds of the birthing mothers as the people over there know this only adds to the stress mothers can experience. That was the one big difference, she said. Over here, pregnancy and delivery is to be feared. In The Netherlands, pregnancy and delivery is not something that is feared. Medical intervention is only used when, again, medically warranted. She sounds just awesome and just what I'm looking for. (And even my midwife said she is wonderful.) She will be my sounding board (along with Mr. N) during my delivery, when I will be completely immersed and absorbed in birthing this beautiful little baby I am carrying.

NY Judge Sticks It To A Bank By Wiping Out Couples Mortgage

2009-11-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

A Judge with balls for sure. Maybe this be the beginning of a trend. May this set a precedent which will grant such dismissal to ALL struggling homeowners. Then once we clean up that mess we can focus on the millions of us who must rent simply due to greed and misguided values.

"Suffolk Judge Jeffrey Spinner erased $525,000 in mortgage payments that OneWest Bank was demanding from the couple. That includes $291,000 in principal and $235,000 in interest and penalties. The decision leaves the couple completely debt-free on their home. The Horoskis were only paying interest on their mortgage after falling behind due to health problems and a change in their interest rate, WABC said...Spinner slammed the bank's "harsh, repugnant, shocking and repulsive" acts and said the bank "must be appropriately sanctioned so as to deter it from imposing further mortifying abuse against [the couple],"..."

Did Ya Hear About...?

2009-11-21T12:02:00.000-08:00

...the 40-something year-old woman from Ontario who died two days after receiving the H1N1 vaccination? And yet the headlines read "Ontario Woman Dies From Swine Flu".

Uh huh.

p.s. Don't forget to check out my new pregnancy blog (and leave a comment too if you want).

Pregnancy Blog Has Moved

2009-11-13T20:42:00.000-08:00

Here's the link to my new/updated pregnancy blog. mamavictoria.wordpress.com The old one is being deleted upon posting this post.

I must say, I like wordpress better than blogger. But I'll still be keeping my musies and obsies up and going, while returning to my original username of Nina (ninja princess warrior).

Potpourri

2009-11-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

Not much blogging lately. Focus has primarily been on this pregnancy deal, researching the normal things an expectant parent does plus seeking out other parents-to-be for support, laughter and the like. (If you haven't done so, check out my new pregnancy blog for exciting updates and humorous commentary. I'm thinking of moving it to another site so I can get this one back to Nina. I'm thinking wordpress and will post if/when I do.)

We had quite the experience with Qwest a couple of weeks ago. In a nutshell, we were lied to by the salesperson. We had signed up for a bundle deal on phone, cable television and high speed internet. It was a very good bargain, less than what we are currently paying. We were told there were absolutely no contracts, that all three services were month-to-month and we could cancel at anytime. When we asked about the cable, Direct TV (which we did not know was satellite--we don't pay attention to such things), we were never told it was Satellite TV. "This is cable television, right? That's what we have with Comcast and that's what I want to keep." I said. Yes, the sales clerk responded. We were assured there were no other fees hidden inside this great deal. After spending about 45 minutes on the phone working everything out, we spent much of the afternoon getting organized...gathering e-mail addresses, internet sites we visit. I composed an e-mail notifying people of our upcoming change of e-mail address.

Around 5pm, I noticed an e-mail from Direct TV. I opened it and read through it. First I was surprised to learn they're a Satellite provider. Next, I was additionally surprised to read of our TWO YEAR contract and $70 MONTHLY FEE (Qwest said it would be $34). There was also a list of extra little fees for equipment rental and the like.

WTF? I thought.

So we called Qwest and were informed that, yes indeedy, we were locked into a 2 year contract with Direct TV and that yes indeedy, their pricing information was correct. When we informed the CSR what we were told, he said "she was wrong".

So just as quickly as we thought we were getting a great deal, we canceled the entire package and thanked the CSR for allowing his company to waste our time.

Still not being totally satisfied, I decided to phone them up again and file a complaint. The gentleman I spoke with was profusely apologetic. He took the report and said it would be passed along to his Supervisor. However, he did nothing to attempt to rectify the situation. He made us no other offers, even after I said we would be going with their competitor.

So there you have it. Qwest sucks. They lie to their customers to get that sale. And when you're screwed over, they make no attempt at resolving the situation like. (And by the way, if you do decide to look into Qwest for one of their bundle packages, run like wild if you get hooked up with Stephanie from Idaho.)

***
We've had several near-misses with bicyclists lately in our town. There's this sense of aloofness (perhaps it's a bit of entitlement) some of these riders have. They don't think the rules of the road apply to them. They've run stop signs, causing us to slam on our brakes. They don't use hand signals (there's battery powered turn signals these folks can buy for a very reasonable price). They dart out in front of cars and they don't get right if they happen to be riding down the middle of the road, under the speed limit and you wish to pass. I'm tired of being flipped off when I point out their error (I'm pregnant and emotionally unpredictable. I may just get out of my vehicle and give one of these folks a good spanking.). Do they not care that, if they continue this behavior, they only increase their chances of getting hit? Is this what they want? Is it what they're looking for? The road belongs to us all and simply because you're on a bike does not mean you don't have to share it or follow the basic laws. These folks are as dangerous to road safety as are the folks who drive and talk on their cell phones. (I've already ranted about them enough on this blog so no need to do that now.)

***
There's a group of folks advocating for an end to homelessness in our community. Next week they're holding a meeting that I am thinking of attending. You see, I have an idea. It's practical and could be simple if only people would think outside of the box on this issue. (Most people in positions of power lack this skill.) My idea is to get the University's Sports Program, in particular the Football Program, to cough up a million dollars (or two) to buy some land and build a large apartment-style shelter. There would be room for garden space, including the space and ability to own some chickens, something the residents would be required to attend to (if physically able). I realize some who are homeless really do choose that life, based on who they are today as a result of their life experiences. But most don't want to have to figure out how to eat and where to sleep on a daily basis. The resources are already there to ensure no one has to ever ask themselves such questions. Instead of ripping up land to put up another unnecessary strip mall or build more of those tacky looking monstrous homes, let's instead use that land to provide for REAL human need, for those MOST in need. We can do it!

**
There is a real lack of authentic humor in today's media outlets. I'm so tired of sarcastic, crude behaviors disguised as humor that only really serve to insult. This is humor? Whenever one insults another in an attempt at being humorous, they lose me and only serve in making themselves look insecure. There is absolutely no humor to be found when someone is feeling ashamed, angry or in pain. Not saying I'm a prude as I enjoy some of the antics of south park-type humor on occasion (and in small doses). But that kind of humor has taken on a life of it's own whereby crude is now cool and authentic humor (along the lines of seinfeld, cosby and the like) is for sissies. Anybody can do crude. It doesn't take much talent. But to truly make someone laugh where no one gets harmed, now that's where real talent lies.

Olbermann and Matthews: One's A Hero. One's A Putz.

2009-10-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

I happened to catch a couple of pieces on MSNBC the past week. I say "happened to" catch because I rarely watch mainstream media of any sort. Sometimes I channel surf just to see what's going on. Last week, during a brief evening surf, I stumbled upon a long, passionate rant by Keith Olbermann where, in a nutshell, he nailed not only what is fucked up about health care/health insurance but what is fucked up about this system: Simply because one makes more money than another does NOT entitle them to the rights of health care, housing, food, clothing, education and the like. As Olbermann so eloquently and truthfully stated (paraphrased): "What kind of a country do we want? This is America. We're supposed to help out and share with those in need. I want my tax dollars going to help out those in need. Just because I happen to have the privilege of making a very good income does not mean I am more deserving of having access to the best health care in the country." He shared a couple of personal stories related to health care. Each point he made was sincere and spot on. I hope he continues on with his mission.

Then there's the flip side. That idiot Chris Matthews. He had on a constitutional lawyer who has organized a group of 2nd Amendment supporters whose purpose is to ensure the government does not impose martial law, enforce concentration camps and to ensure that our freedom's and liberties are not stripped away from us. Matthews accused the guy of creating hysteria while conveniently bypassing the guy's legitimate questions then interrupting and engaging in his typical egotistical bully-speak. Clue to Matthews: This isn't hysteria. This is a group of individuals who know their rights and who care enough about this country and its inhabitants to ensure federalism doesn't further spread it's slimy fingers into our lives. The lawyer had weak arguments. I was even hollering out points of truth for this guy to help him out. It was a classic case of bully vs. wimp. The funniest of all though was when the lawyer pointed out the Patriot Act and how that has ripped apart parts of our Constitution. Matthews response was to stumble for a bit before saying (paraphased): "Well yeah but that is currently being discussed in Congress to see if changes need to be made." Such a brilliant man. Sure. Trust the same idiots who passed this bogus piece of legislation to "discuss" it and make necessary changes. Right. Uh huh. Too many stage lights shinin' on Matthews fryin' his puppet brain.

Not that Olbermann isn't clueless himself in his own way. He doesn't see the real agenda behind the scenes. He thinks pro-gun groups are right wing nuts. He thinks any discussion of concentration or FEMA camps is hysteria. He would read through this blog and similar others and quickly assign the label "right wing" whilst totally bypassing all of my very otherwise "socialistic" ideas. It's really impossible to put a label on me you see, and those still asleep behind the wheel simply cannot stand not being able to label someone. It makes it that much easier for a person to keep stuck in their own mind thought and opinions.

New Blog Link

2009-10-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to my new blog. The title alone tells you what's been going on and why I haven't posted much. It likely won't suit the interests of current blog readers, but if you know of anyone who may be interested, could you please pass it along? I'm looking to expand it and, hopefully, make some sort of an income out of it! I don't know how much I will be posting here at this point given how my focused has changed. So for the interim, political and social musings will likely be on hold. That is lest I find some (social/political) situation that relates to my current "condition" that I decide to muse about... : )

Free From Facebook!!

2009-10-11T12:57:00.001-07:00

After weeks of contemplating, I finally canceled my F/B page. Overall, I found the experience to be a waste of time where I felt I was at some pretentious cocktail party. I'm not into cocktail type talk, certainly not with people who aren't in my real world experiences. I want to know what people THINK and FEEL. I want REAL exchanges, not p/c crap. I was hoping to reconnect with certain people but I found out that was just not going to happen. Sometimes you just can't go home. But that's ok. Home just takes on a new meaning.

In addition, I realized how crazy it was to give out my full name to the world whilst sharing personal beliefs that are contrary to the way things are. May as well walk around with a bullseye on my head saying "Here I am!" F/B is also full of bugs and cookies and other nasty things geared to slowing down your computer. You really want to be monitored? Sign up with F/B. Since signing up, my computer suddenly became quite slow. It also took me 20 minutes to deactivate my account. That's how controlling F/B is. I kept getting a page error warning. Likely they do this to everyone who wishes to cancel, figuring most will simply give up and give in, keeping their account open.

Of course, it is impossible to fully cancel your account. All you do is deactivate it. All I have to do is sign back in and it will all come back up for the world to see. That is so utterly invasive. If I had known this, I never would have signed up to begin with.

I'm on to other things. A new blog is being created, which I will link here shortly. In the meantime, cheers and peace!

TGIF. Not Really.

2009-09-18T16:50:00.000-07:00

In the midst of this hellhole called third dimensional living, the truth is we're all alone.

Not that anyone really cares what I think. (Yeah, I know--passive-aggressive behavior. Today, simply do not care.)

I want to throw in the towel. Give up. I have no close family connections. Given up on that one. I feel old and tired. I have to push myself to even WANT to get out of bed. Most mornings I awaken, only to sigh. Damn planet is still here and I on it. For 20 years I've searched for my purpose. I've done the self-help stuff. Done the affirmations and the visualizations. Made the vision boards. Done the journaling. In short, I've done the work. And this is the result?

Maybe the whole "what is my purpose" concept is nothing more than a distraction. I have some acquaintances. I've learned it's next to impossible to really make friends once you're into your adult years. Most people I know are friends with their siblings or family or friends from their younger years. Or else they aren't really wanting a friendship or don't have the time or energy to expand their current circle. Or else they move.

Yes, I am creating quite the pity party for myself. But as I said above, I simply don't care. It is at it is. I feel as I feel. I don't feel like I own my life. Hell, I don't even know who I am anymore or what I really want. When I think about that, all I get is "I want a million dollars". Seriously. That's what comes to me.

I've searched out avenues for help and support and gotten burned as a result. I know people whose lives have been simple(r) or full of support don't get this. In fact, I can bet any such person would have already stopped reading by now. Who wants to see a person suffering and actually do something?

I need a hole to crawl into.

And an angel would be nice, too.

"Expert" Says To Land A Job One Must Engage In A Massive Campaign Of Massive Effort To Land Massive Interviews In The Hopes Of (Perhaps) Landing A Job

2009-09-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

I could only shake my head as I listened to this dude on television tell the long-term unemployed they aren't doing enough. "You've got to engage in a massive job seeking campaign. You must take massive action in today's market. Massive interviews. Anything less will not suffice."

If that doesn't make you want to smack the blowhard (for at the very least supporting the current system without saying "hey wait a minute this situation is totally fucked..."), then this one will. His second piece of advice was to go into an interview and tell the employer exactly, in explicit detail, what and how you will do for them as the best employee. Not only that, what and how you will do such and such NOW. Today. This second. You must be willing to totally commit yourself 150% to the employer's bottom line.

This is nothing more than "how to continue to sell your soul and continue the work-for-a-living slave system" rhetoric.

The audience, of course, was full of pompous-looking system-blind folks who could only shake their heads in agreement while the unemployed folks cast their eyes downward as though in shame. Yep. Haven't busted my ass enough. Haven't quite yet sold my soul or exhausted myself to the point of hospitalization. Just not doing enough apparently.

What's next? Offering to work for free for 6 months?

(Oh wait, that's already been given as advice.)

More Reasons To Rethink The Monetary System

2009-09-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

For many moons now, as I have watched Relationship "Expert's" (loosely defined term) on television discuss money and how it is notoriously listed as being the number one cause of stress in relationships, I cannot help but think "Why do we continue to teach people how to deal with this stress? Why not just eliminate the stress altogether?"

It isn't as though money is really needed. As it is today, it is. But as I always say: "Things do not need to be this way." That is one quote that truly sums up who I am. Accepting of reality, but when reality sucks, looking for ways to create something different.

Today I've seen all sorts of segments on "Recession-Proof Your Marriage." Give me a fucking break. No one is immune from the current unfolding fiasco taking place. NO ONE. To say one can "recession-proof (not to mention the truth is we're in a depression) their marriage" is every bit as ridiculous as stating:

"How to avoid being laid off"
"How to stop your job from going to India"
"How to ensure your health insurance company doesn't increase your premiums by another 30%"
"How to ensure your health insurance company doesn't decide to drop you because you're considered a high risk customer."
On and on and on.

And of course these pompous windbags typically have on the easy fixes. People who make close to $100,000 a year and up and who live in a 4,000 square foot home they bought for over half a million dollars. They also have 25 credit cards which they have used to buy totally unnecessary things like lavish cars, boats, 25 pairs of designer jeans for their teenage daughter and now they are whining "helllllllllppppppp meeeeeeee". Etc. etc. etc. They're suffering?

Please.

Not once have I seen someone who has lived within their means but simply cannot keep up with the increased cost of living. I have yet to see a family whereby one or both of the adults in the household lost their job(s) and they were already living very modestly and simply. Or what about the family where the health insurance was lost and they are now bankrupt due to a health issue. Such pompous windbags don't really want to deal with people like that. Too difficult. It's much simpler to deal with irresponsible idiots who really do have solutions so blaringingly obvious, the drunk on the corner could counsel them.

But back to my point. The best things in life are free. A nice sentiment. But of course full of shit when you think of the people who aren't ABLE to enjoy these "best things" when their entire life is revolved around making money to ensure basic survival. Yes, money is the biggest source of stress in our lives. We get that, oh holier than thou windbags. So how about this. Instead of tooting your horn of "DUH NO SHIT" level of advice (while you see another cool million pass into your lap for dishing out such obvious stupidity), you really dig deep and put your mind to real use. Get real yourself. Start questioning the very existance of money. Begin to think outside of the box (And oh god have I heard that phrase tossed about by these windbags. "Gotta think outside the box here folks."). Present new ways of living. New ways that would make the lives of your clients much more conducive to mental, emotional and physical health.

You're in a position of power. Start using it wisely lest you wish to be drug through the mud on blogs such as mine. You may be fooling your blind, naive followers. But you aren't fooling me.

Actual Job Advertisement

2009-08-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

I found this on our local job bulletin board. It gave me a good laugh.

***
FEED HORSES AM and PM, and water/clean stalls/paddocks every other day. Interview and then Start Immediately! Have a very, VERY DEPENDABLE VEHICLE, live close by, and be able to feed 2 TIMES per DAY, EVERY DAY, in the morning and again, [about 12 hours later], in the late afternoon/early evening!!! AM feedings are needed to be done sometimes around approximately 6-8 AM, [give or take], and also, again, sometimes at around approximately 5-8 PM. THIS IS A SPLIT SHIFT! Drive there in the AM and then Drive there AGAIN in the PM!!! Averages about 1+ hours of ACTUAL work per day,

[ok, so far sounds fairly kosher, correct? the "hmmm" factor follows]:

but it is hardly worth it when you figure in your TRAVEL TIME and GASOLINE!

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Ok, so explain to me why I should apply?