I recently received the news that my friend and long-time fellow blogger, truth seeker and bullshit shiner Nolocontendere, author of the blog piglipstick.blogspot.com, has died. Mr. P died at his home on August 4th due to complications arising from pneumonia.
I met Mr. P through my husband and a friendship was thus begun. He came into my life when I was in full swing of questioning reality. He was a wealth of information, which he readily shared. And while his opinions were very strong, his emotions behind them a times almost fierce, he was at his core a peaceful, kind, tender-hearted soul. A big teddy bear, you could say. He knew planet earth could be a "paradise". And he dedicated the remaining years of his much-too-short life pointing out the factors of our world which kept paradise at bay.
Whether people realize it or not, a beacon of beautiful light has left our planet. And whether Mr. P realizes it or not, he had a big 'ole influence on our planet. He entertained and enlightened many a soul. And for that, I thank him. And will miss him for it.
RIP big dude. Keep on searchin'.
Nina
6.12.2012
Comcast - A Customer's Story
The following is my family's current dilemma with Comcast. I've followed up with 2 e-mails to some of the higher-ups at Comcast. Whether Comcast will come clean and admit their customer service representative's gross error and honor the original agreement remains to be seen. My next step is to post my you tube video I created.
***
On May 8th, 2012, my spouse contacted Comcast to inquire about high-speed internet (HSI) and phone package deals. We had been using Comcast HSI at a 12 month promotional price of $29.99, which was expiring that month and we were hoping for another good HSI bargain. We already had basic TV (for years) and wanted to keep that as well. He reached the Beaverton, ORE office and spoke with a young man named Jay. Jay said we could get HSI and the unlimited phone package for $45 a month, plus the $7 modem rental. Combined with our basic TV service of $12.61 a month, our total monthly cost for HSI, phone and TV would be $64.61 a month for 12 months, minus of course service fees and taxes. When my husband stated that I had spoken with a CSR named Maria a few days prior and she quoted me a price of $59.99 (plus $7 modem rental) for HSI and phone, Jay said this was our lucky day.
I stood by my husband as he reiterated the amounts and terms of the agreement and Jay concurred what my husband relayed to him. My husband also wrote everything down on paper as Jay spoke with him. (We still have that piece of paper. It will be shown on my you tube video.)
We received our first bill. Comcast claims we owe $92.76 – significantly higher than what Jay said our monthly bill would be. Going through the bill, I noticed the only discount we received was for the phone. There was NO discount for the HSI, nor was there any package deal of HSI and phone, again all as stated by Jay would be forthcoming.
So my spouse calls Comcast and talks with CSR billing and gets nowhere. He kept wanting to talk about the discrepancy in what Jay said and what Comcast was now telling us. The CSR kept wanting to only explain the bill. So he is finally connected with a manager who says the only discount we received and were told by Jay we would be receiving was the phone discount of $15 (which in and of itself was false in that the discount shown on our bill was higher than that - $26.95 so where this $15 he kept quoting comes from is unknown - likely something he was pulling out of thin air to cover his a$$). Utterly false. So I got on the phone to talk to the manager. He stuck to his story – in spite of my reading off the piece of paper of notes my husband took that day when he spoke to Jay. The manager said, again, the only discount we would be receiving was $15 and nothing for HSI. (I should also note that Comcast is currently offering that same discount as quoted to me by Maria back in May – but this manager said NOTHING about this. Don’t you think he should have to make SOME attempt at remedying the situation? Don't you think at the very least he should have said "we do have this one HSI and phone promotion...") I even went so far as to ask if they record their phone calls, including the one my husband had with Jay. They do, I was told by the manager. So I told him to find that taped phone call and listen to it.
Think he will?
I doubt it. This manager was truly a bum - a poor poor example of a CSR manager.
I finally hung up, realizing I was going to get nowhere with this manager. This CS experience was horrible. At the very least, Jay gave us misinformation. At the worst, he mislead us, which is completely deceptive. And either way, as I told the manager today, this is Comcast’s problem to deal with, not ours.
I expect them to make good on the original agreement we had with Jay.
UPDATE: Spoke with a woman in "Executive Relations" who did what the original manager should have done: listened to the phone call of May 8th. "You were right," she said. We are receiving the original package as offered and agreed upon. There is some justice afterall in the mega-corporate environment.
***
On May 8th, 2012, my spouse contacted Comcast to inquire about high-speed internet (HSI) and phone package deals. We had been using Comcast HSI at a 12 month promotional price of $29.99, which was expiring that month and we were hoping for another good HSI bargain. We already had basic TV (for years) and wanted to keep that as well. He reached the Beaverton, ORE office and spoke with a young man named Jay. Jay said we could get HSI and the unlimited phone package for $45 a month, plus the $7 modem rental. Combined with our basic TV service of $12.61 a month, our total monthly cost for HSI, phone and TV would be $64.61 a month for 12 months, minus of course service fees and taxes. When my husband stated that I had spoken with a CSR named Maria a few days prior and she quoted me a price of $59.99 (plus $7 modem rental) for HSI and phone, Jay said this was our lucky day.
I stood by my husband as he reiterated the amounts and terms of the agreement and Jay concurred what my husband relayed to him. My husband also wrote everything down on paper as Jay spoke with him. (We still have that piece of paper. It will be shown on my you tube video.)
We received our first bill. Comcast claims we owe $92.76 – significantly higher than what Jay said our monthly bill would be. Going through the bill, I noticed the only discount we received was for the phone. There was NO discount for the HSI, nor was there any package deal of HSI and phone, again all as stated by Jay would be forthcoming.
So my spouse calls Comcast and talks with CSR billing and gets nowhere. He kept wanting to talk about the discrepancy in what Jay said and what Comcast was now telling us. The CSR kept wanting to only explain the bill. So he is finally connected with a manager who says the only discount we received and were told by Jay we would be receiving was the phone discount of $15 (which in and of itself was false in that the discount shown on our bill was higher than that - $26.95 so where this $15 he kept quoting comes from is unknown - likely something he was pulling out of thin air to cover his a$$). Utterly false. So I got on the phone to talk to the manager. He stuck to his story – in spite of my reading off the piece of paper of notes my husband took that day when he spoke to Jay. The manager said, again, the only discount we would be receiving was $15 and nothing for HSI. (I should also note that Comcast is currently offering that same discount as quoted to me by Maria back in May – but this manager said NOTHING about this. Don’t you think he should have to make SOME attempt at remedying the situation? Don't you think at the very least he should have said "we do have this one HSI and phone promotion...") I even went so far as to ask if they record their phone calls, including the one my husband had with Jay. They do, I was told by the manager. So I told him to find that taped phone call and listen to it.
Think he will?
I doubt it. This manager was truly a bum - a poor poor example of a CSR manager.
I finally hung up, realizing I was going to get nowhere with this manager. This CS experience was horrible. At the very least, Jay gave us misinformation. At the worst, he mislead us, which is completely deceptive. And either way, as I told the manager today, this is Comcast’s problem to deal with, not ours.
I expect them to make good on the original agreement we had with Jay.
UPDATE: Spoke with a woman in "Executive Relations" who did what the original manager should have done: listened to the phone call of May 8th. "You were right," she said. We are receiving the original package as offered and agreed upon. There is some justice afterall in the mega-corporate environment.
5.02.2012
The Perfect Mother
So, to begin with, WTH Google?? Changing things again?? I don't have time to learn much less read these days. I'm not interested in change. I'm interested in CONSISTENCY. I'm lucky to get a few moments to write the occasional post (by occasional I mean 1/x every 3 months).
Back to my original subject. The Perfect Mother. She exists. It isn't a myth. The one I hate to hate because she's so darn nice. But hate her, nonetheless I do. She has boundless energy. I see her riding her bike several times a day, all decked out in her professional bike riding attire. Where the hell does she have this energy, especially at 7pm at night? By 7:30pm, I'm lying in the chair in a half-comatose state, my little one snuggled up onto my lap. And who is watching her children during these rides? She obviously has help and plenty of it, whenever she wants. That reason alone is enough for me to resent her. My one activity that I love more than anything, playing the piano, is something I get to do maybe 2-3 times a MONTH - certainly not EVERY DAY.
I see her play with her children throughout the day. I never hear her yell, even when one of her children happen to run out into the street. All I ever hear is positive praise. Good job this, good job that. Come to MY house and you'll watch this over-worked, overly-exhausted mama, hair half up, half down, likely broccoli and spinach in my teeth along w/bad breath because I haven't had time in months to really give my teeth a good brushing. In between the occasional comments of praise you will hear "don't touch that...no leave that alone...come here yes you i said COME HERE put that down before you hurt yourself no we don't touch that". I NEVER hear those words come out of this mom's mouth. Another reason I hate her.
Who is cooking the meals and cleaning the house during all of this excessive outside playtime, I think. And the house. Oh, the house. I walk by and peek inside. Nary a toy do I see. The yard, no toys either. The lawn, PERFECTLY manicured. Flowers? All in tact and watered. Come to MY house and you'll see buckets, little shovels and rakes, turned over pots and a massive smattering of dandelions in our always-needing-to-be-mowed lawn, and the plants sitting there many of whom beg for water in their droopy state. My poor plants, many of whom are half-picked because I have a curious toddler who thinks all things with a pretty petal must be picked.
And there's the nice factor. She always waves, always stops to chat, always with a smile on her face. UGH! DOESN'T SHE EVER LOOK TIRED? ISN'T SHE EVER BITCHY? When I'm having a mama day, I don't always wave. Chatting isn't something I want to do - unless it involves a shoulder to cry on, some good pastries and a babysitter. And smiles? Forget about it!
I would continue but I'm having a mama day. So before I put my foot in my mouth even further, I shall close up.
Back to my original subject. The Perfect Mother. She exists. It isn't a myth. The one I hate to hate because she's so darn nice. But hate her, nonetheless I do. She has boundless energy. I see her riding her bike several times a day, all decked out in her professional bike riding attire. Where the hell does she have this energy, especially at 7pm at night? By 7:30pm, I'm lying in the chair in a half-comatose state, my little one snuggled up onto my lap. And who is watching her children during these rides? She obviously has help and plenty of it, whenever she wants. That reason alone is enough for me to resent her. My one activity that I love more than anything, playing the piano, is something I get to do maybe 2-3 times a MONTH - certainly not EVERY DAY.
I see her play with her children throughout the day. I never hear her yell, even when one of her children happen to run out into the street. All I ever hear is positive praise. Good job this, good job that. Come to MY house and you'll watch this over-worked, overly-exhausted mama, hair half up, half down, likely broccoli and spinach in my teeth along w/bad breath because I haven't had time in months to really give my teeth a good brushing. In between the occasional comments of praise you will hear "don't touch that...no leave that alone...come here yes you i said COME HERE put that down before you hurt yourself no we don't touch that". I NEVER hear those words come out of this mom's mouth. Another reason I hate her.
Who is cooking the meals and cleaning the house during all of this excessive outside playtime, I think. And the house. Oh, the house. I walk by and peek inside. Nary a toy do I see. The yard, no toys either. The lawn, PERFECTLY manicured. Flowers? All in tact and watered. Come to MY house and you'll see buckets, little shovels and rakes, turned over pots and a massive smattering of dandelions in our always-needing-to-be-mowed lawn, and the plants sitting there many of whom beg for water in their droopy state. My poor plants, many of whom are half-picked because I have a curious toddler who thinks all things with a pretty petal must be picked.
And there's the nice factor. She always waves, always stops to chat, always with a smile on her face. UGH! DOESN'T SHE EVER LOOK TIRED? ISN'T SHE EVER BITCHY? When I'm having a mama day, I don't always wave. Chatting isn't something I want to do - unless it involves a shoulder to cry on, some good pastries and a babysitter. And smiles? Forget about it!
I would continue but I'm having a mama day. So before I put my foot in my mouth even further, I shall close up.
4.08.2012
Bullshit Detector on this Easter Sunday
Ok, so now that I'm a parent, I have to admit I'm now celebrating Easter with my little one in the fact that we hid little plastic eggs filled with chocolates around the yard today for her to search for, collect and enjoy. That was, of course, adorable and entertaining to watch. However, beyond that, the celebration ends.
I think of George Carlin on this day who did a hilarious routine about things he said were obviously "bullshit". Religion was one of his favorites to go after. It went something like this...(please forgive as I hack it up w/my own opinions and sarcasm)
"Ok, so you have these folks (the believers) who think there's some Man in the Clouds. And this Man only talks to them. However, to the rest of the world (who are referred to as the non-believers), he pleads the 5th. This Man, some 2000 years ago, sent Himself to Earth in human form and called Himself Jesus. This was done, you see, to free the people from their sins because they were being so wretched and ornary. The Man in the Clouds also did this to grant the believers eternal life in Heaven with Him, in so long as they do some things for Him. Some of these things include:
Following commandments such as not having sex with your neighbors wife or husband, not stealing or lying. Basically, be a good person. That should be enough to get this eternal life in Heavenly Paradise, but the Man in the Clouds doesn't think so. He thinks he should also be Worshipped on top of being Obeyed. [Makes you think the Man in the Clouds has some insecurity issues, huh?] If one refuses or simply isn't able to do such a thing, they are cast into Hell/Lake of Hell Fire for eternity.
Take your pick. It all sounds like a horrible, awful place.
Now, ask the believers why the Man in the Clouds would do such a thing to a Soul, a Being He so, supposedly, carefully and lovingly created. Why, because HE LOVES YOU. Yes, HE LOVES YOU so much, that if you don't satisify his insecure, ego-centric need for unconditional loving attention [sorta sounds like toddler behavior to me], the Man in the Clouds will abandon you forever and send you straight to hell.
If that isn't enough to sound the Bullshit Detector folks, I don't know what is."
Happy Easter/Bunny/Chocolate/Candy/Ham Day to you all - believers and non-believers alike. We may not unite on things such as Religion, but I think we can all admit to liking a good slice of ham and some chocolate.
I think of George Carlin on this day who did a hilarious routine about things he said were obviously "bullshit". Religion was one of his favorites to go after. It went something like this...(please forgive as I hack it up w/my own opinions and sarcasm)
"Ok, so you have these folks (the believers) who think there's some Man in the Clouds. And this Man only talks to them. However, to the rest of the world (who are referred to as the non-believers), he pleads the 5th. This Man, some 2000 years ago, sent Himself to Earth in human form and called Himself Jesus. This was done, you see, to free the people from their sins because they were being so wretched and ornary. The Man in the Clouds also did this to grant the believers eternal life in Heaven with Him, in so long as they do some things for Him. Some of these things include:
Following commandments such as not having sex with your neighbors wife or husband, not stealing or lying. Basically, be a good person. That should be enough to get this eternal life in Heavenly Paradise, but the Man in the Clouds doesn't think so. He thinks he should also be Worshipped on top of being Obeyed. [Makes you think the Man in the Clouds has some insecurity issues, huh?] If one refuses or simply isn't able to do such a thing, they are cast into Hell/Lake of Hell Fire for eternity.
Take your pick. It all sounds like a horrible, awful place.
Now, ask the believers why the Man in the Clouds would do such a thing to a Soul, a Being He so, supposedly, carefully and lovingly created. Why, because HE LOVES YOU. Yes, HE LOVES YOU so much, that if you don't satisify his insecure, ego-centric need for unconditional loving attention [sorta sounds like toddler behavior to me], the Man in the Clouds will abandon you forever and send you straight to hell.
If that isn't enough to sound the Bullshit Detector folks, I don't know what is."
Happy Easter/Bunny/Chocolate/Candy/Ham Day to you all - believers and non-believers alike. We may not unite on things such as Religion, but I think we can all admit to liking a good slice of ham and some chocolate.
12.06.2011
Blame The Victim
An excellent depiction of Rugged Individualism and it's equally deplorable cousin Blame The Victim.
11.05.2011
Who Are The Top 1%?
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
Anyway, click on the link below for the top 1%.
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/toponepercent18oct11.shtml
Occupy This!
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.
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.
8.13.2011
A Message From The Mama
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?
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?
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