If you are a citizen, it is your duty to vote. No matter how "big" or "small" of an election, you have a responsiblity to travel to the polling place and register your vote.
If you choose not to vote, then you are choosing to ignore democracy. You have no right to complain about anything the government officals do if you don't vote. The vote needs to be from your opinion, you should not sell, trade or be intimidated to vote for or against any candidate or question on the ballot. A free and open election is essential for democracy.
I voted today. Did you? (If you reside where an election is occuring.)
(c) 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
DESPERATELY SEEKING INVESTIGATORS
Web 2.0+ is grand in many ways. I applaud citizen journalists that diligently report what is occurring in their neighborhood. It is wonderful to read stories that may have been ignored by mainstream media a few years ago. However, sometimes I wonder if all the stories are based in fact because some state opinion and hearsay. Opinion and hearsay, also known as slander, is akin to bullying. The only exception are opinion columns or video blogs. This blog is based upon my opinion, however I choose not to spread rumors.
The damage to people and institutions can be horrific because of a false rumor. Slanderous statements purporting that a politician isn’t a citizen or is a different faith than where the elected official attends services, such hokum. My silly sibling likes to send me emails that spread hatred against a specific faith. The information isn’t based in fact, just opinion or an extrapolation of one radical’s words, which is hooey. One extremist, like the idiot who wanted to burn holy books in Florida, doesn’t represent the majority of the faith, just a few fools.
I miss investigative journalists who were keen on integrity. Not too long ago the mainstream media sponsored curious people to seek out corruption and expose it to the public, like Watergate. With the decrease in funding, these investigations have ground to a halt. Greedy evil people will do their deeds unchecked because it is unlikely that a citizen journalist will have the resources to expose the corruption. A few nonprofit journalistic organizations have started but their funding is limited.
I also miss human-interest stories. Local news has become a police blotter; they mostly report crime, which is depressing and doesn’t represent what is really occurring in the community. I hate it when the “local” news eats up time with irrelevant stories that aren’t even local. Since they don’t have time to check facts, they will repeat the slanderous stories and cause harm.
Too many crime, murder and blood shows (Law & Order, CSI franchises, cops & criminals, etc) are on tv. Why don’t the media companies dedicate an hour every week to feel-good stories about real people who help their community? One hour without blood. Instead, we are lucky if they have one feel-good story on the news each week. I can’t afford cable so I watch PBS or read a book. No DVD player and my computer is dial-up so I can’t watch anything there.
Journalists, where are you???
© 2010
The damage to people and institutions can be horrific because of a false rumor. Slanderous statements purporting that a politician isn’t a citizen or is a different faith than where the elected official attends services, such hokum. My silly sibling likes to send me emails that spread hatred against a specific faith. The information isn’t based in fact, just opinion or an extrapolation of one radical’s words, which is hooey. One extremist, like the idiot who wanted to burn holy books in Florida, doesn’t represent the majority of the faith, just a few fools.
I miss investigative journalists who were keen on integrity. Not too long ago the mainstream media sponsored curious people to seek out corruption and expose it to the public, like Watergate. With the decrease in funding, these investigations have ground to a halt. Greedy evil people will do their deeds unchecked because it is unlikely that a citizen journalist will have the resources to expose the corruption. A few nonprofit journalistic organizations have started but their funding is limited.
I also miss human-interest stories. Local news has become a police blotter; they mostly report crime, which is depressing and doesn’t represent what is really occurring in the community. I hate it when the “local” news eats up time with irrelevant stories that aren’t even local. Since they don’t have time to check facts, they will repeat the slanderous stories and cause harm.
Too many crime, murder and blood shows (Law & Order, CSI franchises, cops & criminals, etc) are on tv. Why don’t the media companies dedicate an hour every week to feel-good stories about real people who help their community? One hour without blood. Instead, we are lucky if they have one feel-good story on the news each week. I can’t afford cable so I watch PBS or read a book. No DVD player and my computer is dial-up so I can’t watch anything there.
Journalists, where are you???
© 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
IT GETS BETTER, REALLY
He was bigger than me. I was rather scared but I punched him in the stomach. He cried and I was sent to the corner. I was about four years old and fought a bully, but I was punished. Granted, I shouldn’t have hit him. The teacher should have made the preschool a safe place and protected the “square pegs” like myself.
Bullies have harassed me since I was small. I loved learning but I hated to go to grammar school. I never fit in; I was the “odd duck.” My father told me it was my fault, my mother talked to the teacher and I was sent to see the Principal. All he did was tell the other kids to leave me alone. The result was social isolation. In 4th grade I came very close to committing suicide.
Middle school created the opportunity for older students to harangue me on the way to school. They taunted me even when I sat right behind the bus driver. He never did anything to stop them. One day they got off the bus to beat me up. Fortunately, I had my musical instrument case with me and used it to defend myself. The instrument wasn’t damaged but I was terrified. I refused to go to school for a week and came close to suicide again.
High school provided for bullies from the entire city to verbally abuse me. Upper class members protected me when I was with them. When they graduated, I became vulnerable. Thankfully, I had developed some friendships and found ways to meet people outside of my little town school. I joined a statewide group and learned that there were weirder kids than me in the world. Oddly enough, that was a relief because when a bully would say that I was strange I knew that I wasn’t as odd as a kid that I knew from a different town.
My biological family is not supportive; my eldest sibling is a bully. I have encountered bullies at work. I guess that I have a target on my soul; bullies seem to gravitate towards me. I wish that I could have told my little four-year old self to be a proud duck. Let the taunts of bullies slide off, like water slides off a duck. Swim or fly away. There are better ponds without bullies.
Bullies are cowards. They use words and actions to intimidate. They pick on others because their own self-esteem is crap. I have learned to ignore the bully, forgive and pity them. I have to avoid my family and hang out with nicer people. I choose to be with a family-of-choice, supportive people with whom have no biological connection. They are the best bully deflectors.
Life gets better, really.
Join www.itgetsbetterproject.com to be supportive of gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered-crossdressing-intrasex-questioning-queer and all kids who don't quite fit in.
© 2010
Bullies have harassed me since I was small. I loved learning but I hated to go to grammar school. I never fit in; I was the “odd duck.” My father told me it was my fault, my mother talked to the teacher and I was sent to see the Principal. All he did was tell the other kids to leave me alone. The result was social isolation. In 4th grade I came very close to committing suicide.
Middle school created the opportunity for older students to harangue me on the way to school. They taunted me even when I sat right behind the bus driver. He never did anything to stop them. One day they got off the bus to beat me up. Fortunately, I had my musical instrument case with me and used it to defend myself. The instrument wasn’t damaged but I was terrified. I refused to go to school for a week and came close to suicide again.
High school provided for bullies from the entire city to verbally abuse me. Upper class members protected me when I was with them. When they graduated, I became vulnerable. Thankfully, I had developed some friendships and found ways to meet people outside of my little town school. I joined a statewide group and learned that there were weirder kids than me in the world. Oddly enough, that was a relief because when a bully would say that I was strange I knew that I wasn’t as odd as a kid that I knew from a different town.
My biological family is not supportive; my eldest sibling is a bully. I have encountered bullies at work. I guess that I have a target on my soul; bullies seem to gravitate towards me. I wish that I could have told my little four-year old self to be a proud duck. Let the taunts of bullies slide off, like water slides off a duck. Swim or fly away. There are better ponds without bullies.
Bullies are cowards. They use words and actions to intimidate. They pick on others because their own self-esteem is crap. I have learned to ignore the bully, forgive and pity them. I have to avoid my family and hang out with nicer people. I choose to be with a family-of-choice, supportive people with whom have no biological connection. They are the best bully deflectors.
Life gets better, really.
Join www.itgetsbetterproject.com to be supportive of gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered-crossdressing-intrasex-questioning-queer and all kids who don't quite fit in.
© 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
FALLING INTO FALL
Sorry for the belated posting. I have been so blasted busy during the past couple weeks and my schedule is fairly full for the remainder of October. I even have dates filled for November.
My schedule is more hectic while unemployed than when I was working. I do job search (unfortunately, I don't always locate positions to send in an application), physical activity (walk, clean or yardwork), tangible chore everyday (empty the dishwasher, do a load of clothes, sweep the floor, etc), and do something fun weekly (lots of free and cheap activities or else read a library book). All of a sudden the day is done and I'm too tired to accomplish anything more.
I have a lot that I want to do before I get another full-time job. Yardwork (get it cleaned up before the snow falls) and indoor chores (finish sorting some boxes, plus, cleaning and organizing closets and drawers). I need to paint but that can wait until spring.
Run, run, rush, rush, is there any time to enjoy life???
(c)2010
My schedule is more hectic while unemployed than when I was working. I do job search (unfortunately, I don't always locate positions to send in an application), physical activity (walk, clean or yardwork), tangible chore everyday (empty the dishwasher, do a load of clothes, sweep the floor, etc), and do something fun weekly (lots of free and cheap activities or else read a library book). All of a sudden the day is done and I'm too tired to accomplish anything more.
I have a lot that I want to do before I get another full-time job. Yardwork (get it cleaned up before the snow falls) and indoor chores (finish sorting some boxes, plus, cleaning and organizing closets and drawers). I need to paint but that can wait until spring.
Run, run, rush, rush, is there any time to enjoy life???
(c)2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
BOOKWORM REVIEW
I read a lot. I find it relaxing to “fall into” a good story and forget about all the stress in my life. Occasionally, a great movie will have the same effect. Commercials during television programs prove to be distracting and I start to fret again. Thus, I am a regular patron at the local library.
Since unlocking the mystery of letters strung together and their meaning, I have enjoyed reading. It was difficult because I have mild dyslexia which turns and jumbles letters. Plus, learning was hindered by the application of the ITA Reading System instituted in first grade. It relied on phonetics, so I memorize the phonetic spelling and it still trips me up all these years later. After one year of abysmal test results, our school district dropped this confusing system. My mom dedicated numerous hours of flashcards with me until my brain was able to understand. I can read very well but it is difficult to spell at times. Thank goodness for spelling and grammar checking computer programs. I usually think about ten words ahead of what I can articulate, which is bad for speaking too.
Here are a few of the books that I have read this year. Their ranking is behind the name.
“Water for Elephants” four and half stars; written by Sara Gruen
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” four stars; created by Zora Hurston
“Half Life” four stars; authored by Roopa Farooki
“The Help” three and a half stars; composed by Kathryn Stockett (I hope she writes an autobiography.)
“Baking Cakes in Kigali” three stars; developed by Gaile Parkin
“Aloha Quilt Camp” two stars; quite predictable
“Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch” one star; profoundly predictable
Five stars is the highest ranking. I recommend reading those books that are three stars and more.
One of the perks of unemployment is the time to read. There are several other books that I started but did not hold my attention (less than one star). I can usually finish reading a book in a day or two. I sit on the porch with the new kitten, Tillie, and keep her from chewing on its pages.
I heard that the movie of Elephants is in production. I was disappointed that the stars are much older than the characters in the book. The youth of the characters is a key element of how well the story works. It is better when the movie echoes the brilliance of the book, like “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
© 2010
Since unlocking the mystery of letters strung together and their meaning, I have enjoyed reading. It was difficult because I have mild dyslexia which turns and jumbles letters. Plus, learning was hindered by the application of the ITA Reading System instituted in first grade. It relied on phonetics, so I memorize the phonetic spelling and it still trips me up all these years later. After one year of abysmal test results, our school district dropped this confusing system. My mom dedicated numerous hours of flashcards with me until my brain was able to understand. I can read very well but it is difficult to spell at times. Thank goodness for spelling and grammar checking computer programs. I usually think about ten words ahead of what I can articulate, which is bad for speaking too.
Here are a few of the books that I have read this year. Their ranking is behind the name.
“Water for Elephants” four and half stars; written by Sara Gruen
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” four stars; created by Zora Hurston
“Half Life” four stars; authored by Roopa Farooki
“The Help” three and a half stars; composed by Kathryn Stockett (I hope she writes an autobiography.)
“Baking Cakes in Kigali” three stars; developed by Gaile Parkin
“Aloha Quilt Camp” two stars; quite predictable
“Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch” one star; profoundly predictable
Five stars is the highest ranking. I recommend reading those books that are three stars and more.
One of the perks of unemployment is the time to read. There are several other books that I started but did not hold my attention (less than one star). I can usually finish reading a book in a day or two. I sit on the porch with the new kitten, Tillie, and keep her from chewing on its pages.
I heard that the movie of Elephants is in production. I was disappointed that the stars are much older than the characters in the book. The youth of the characters is a key element of how well the story works. It is better when the movie echoes the brilliance of the book, like “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
© 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
BUY A KORAN/QUARAN TODAY
Show that you support in the First Amendment of the United States of America and purchase a Koran, which can also be spelled Quaran. Read it. Learn about the Islamic faith, which has the same roots as Judaism and Christianity. Take classes. You don’t have to convert. Just open your mind and heart that other religions have a right to exist. Learn about other organized faiths, shamanism, agnosticism, and atheistic views.
People who sought religious freedom founded America. Freedom for all. I personally find some specific practices and philosophies of various faiths not meshing with my personal viewpoint. I don’t think that any specific religion is evil or should be eradicated because it doesn’t agree with my ideas. Faith is a personal choice. You can practice whatever you want as long as the basic tenet of “Do no harm” is followed. Per example, perhaps you worship a special rock. Go ahead. Just don’t use the rock to hit any person, animal, harm nature or yourself. Repression is a form of harm, as is burning holy text (though symbolic).
If you are Muslim, celebrate the First Amendment by purchasing a holy book from another religion and learn about other faiths. As you gain knowledge about other religions, you see that they are profoundly similar. We are human beings, first, before we learn any religious philosophies. Humans celebrate each other’s freedom to practice religion.
© 2010
People who sought religious freedom founded America. Freedom for all. I personally find some specific practices and philosophies of various faiths not meshing with my personal viewpoint. I don’t think that any specific religion is evil or should be eradicated because it doesn’t agree with my ideas. Faith is a personal choice. You can practice whatever you want as long as the basic tenet of “Do no harm” is followed. Per example, perhaps you worship a special rock. Go ahead. Just don’t use the rock to hit any person, animal, harm nature or yourself. Repression is a form of harm, as is burning holy text (though symbolic).
If you are Muslim, celebrate the First Amendment by purchasing a holy book from another religion and learn about other faiths. As you gain knowledge about other religions, you see that they are profoundly similar. We are human beings, first, before we learn any religious philosophies. Humans celebrate each other’s freedom to practice religion.
© 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
CAT TAILS
The cats are not allowed upstairs. The have freedom to roam the basement and first floor but not the second level. Houseplants are upstairs during the cool season and could cause problems for the feline gastro-intestinal track. Plus, the office is upstairs and was off-limits to Mo due to her OCD. Yes, Mo was obsessive-compulsive. She was compelled to eat paper, especially newspaper.
She had always occasionally nibbled on the edge of newspapers and paperwork since she entered my home. A couple years ago Mo ate half a newspaper while I was gone on holiday. I called the veterinarian and he assured me that she would be okay as long as the newspaper was digesting. She drank a lot of water but it all came out in the end. Into the litter box.
As a result, paperwork ended up in my office. Otherwise, it had to be placed inside a plastic bag (usually the clear bag from the newspaper) to ensure Mo would not eat it. Sometimes she managed to open the bag and eat the paper anyway. Since she died in May I don’t have to do this anymore. Zozo doesn’t seem to care about newspaper but she will eat plants. I suppose it is a good habit for me to keep paperwork in the office. I would be tempted to leave it lying about the house and paperwork tends to reproduce itself when left unattended. I don’t know if the new kitten, Tillie, will have the urge to chew newspaper or plants. She’s only 10 weeks old and likes to chew on a cardboard box and her tail.
© 2010
She had always occasionally nibbled on the edge of newspapers and paperwork since she entered my home. A couple years ago Mo ate half a newspaper while I was gone on holiday. I called the veterinarian and he assured me that she would be okay as long as the newspaper was digesting. She drank a lot of water but it all came out in the end. Into the litter box.
As a result, paperwork ended up in my office. Otherwise, it had to be placed inside a plastic bag (usually the clear bag from the newspaper) to ensure Mo would not eat it. Sometimes she managed to open the bag and eat the paper anyway. Since she died in May I don’t have to do this anymore. Zozo doesn’t seem to care about newspaper but she will eat plants. I suppose it is a good habit for me to keep paperwork in the office. I would be tempted to leave it lying about the house and paperwork tends to reproduce itself when left unattended. I don’t know if the new kitten, Tillie, will have the urge to chew newspaper or plants. She’s only 10 weeks old and likes to chew on a cardboard box and her tail.
© 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
GOTTA HAVE GOALS
GOAL #1 JOB SEARCH: Conduct job-search related activities at least five times per week.
GOAL #2 PHYSICAL: Engage in physical movement at least five times per week.
GOAL #3 CHORE: Accomplish a chore at least five times per week.
GOAL #4 SOCIAL: Socialize at least once per week.
Obtain a full-time job before December 1st, 2010. The sooner the better! I do need enough income to pay the bills since the cats won’t work. I need benefits, such as health insurance. Most importantly, the job will occur in a positive work atmosphere where I am truly appreciated.
More details about the goals: Job searching is abstract. I send out my resume and wonder if a human ever reads it. Physical movement includes yard-work, house cleaning, or walking. I need to sweat at least a little. I admit to being rather out of shape so it will take me a while before I am ready for heavy-duty cardio-stuff. Chores are something tangible such as organizing a closet. If the chore is physically active enough it will also count as physical movement. Socializing will focus on no or low cost activity with at least one other person who I know.
I am posting these goals to help keep me accountable. However, I don’t know if anyone is reading this blog. If you are, please follow it. Thanks!
© 2010
GOAL #2 PHYSICAL: Engage in physical movement at least five times per week.
GOAL #3 CHORE: Accomplish a chore at least five times per week.
GOAL #4 SOCIAL: Socialize at least once per week.
Obtain a full-time job before December 1st, 2010. The sooner the better! I do need enough income to pay the bills since the cats won’t work. I need benefits, such as health insurance. Most importantly, the job will occur in a positive work atmosphere where I am truly appreciated.
More details about the goals: Job searching is abstract. I send out my resume and wonder if a human ever reads it. Physical movement includes yard-work, house cleaning, or walking. I need to sweat at least a little. I admit to being rather out of shape so it will take me a while before I am ready for heavy-duty cardio-stuff. Chores are something tangible such as organizing a closet. If the chore is physically active enough it will also count as physical movement. Socializing will focus on no or low cost activity with at least one other person who I know.
I am posting these goals to help keep me accountable. However, I don’t know if anyone is reading this blog. If you are, please follow it. Thanks!
© 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
ADRIFT AT SEA
Grief is not enjoyable. As mentioned in the previous blog, my cat of 7 years, Momo died of cancer in May. The vet suggested that she lose weight so I procured a low-calorie food and I just thought that she didn’t like it. I put her back onto regular food but she didn’t gain back weight so I took her to the vet. Ten days later I had to euthanize her because she was having trouble walking and started to smell sweet. The sweet smell is called ketones a gas given off by mammals as our organs shut down. It was profoundly difficult.
I resigned in April from a job where I liked most of my co-workers (didn’t like the hours being cut to part-time with no benefits) and took another job that I had been warned by two previous employees to avoid. I did not heed their advice because I wanted full time work. I had quickly realized that it was not a good fit and was already seeking another position but the transition occurred faster than I anticipated. Fired in July. I now am filled with anxiety and a touch of depression. Not a good combination.
Another stressor is family. My parents have both had health issues and my mom may have Alzheimer’s. Losing her personality before her body dies and the obvious stress on my dad. I am not close with my family because they are not nice to me. It is best for me to avoid them. I crave closeness but accept that it will never happen.
I have good friends but my two closest friends are busy raising children so I try not to burden them with my sorrows. No romantic partner to lean on. I was injured in May and still dealing with the healing process. The injury hurt so much today that I couldn’t do chores.
I still cry on occasion about Momo. I’m not a freak about animals (too much time spent on a farm) but she was a good companion. She wanted me around. The kitten is sweet, she does like to cuddle. Perhaps I can’t choose a name because I’m afraid of losing her, too.
I’m feeling a bit adrift at sea.
© 2010
I resigned in April from a job where I liked most of my co-workers (didn’t like the hours being cut to part-time with no benefits) and took another job that I had been warned by two previous employees to avoid. I did not heed their advice because I wanted full time work. I had quickly realized that it was not a good fit and was already seeking another position but the transition occurred faster than I anticipated. Fired in July. I now am filled with anxiety and a touch of depression. Not a good combination.
Another stressor is family. My parents have both had health issues and my mom may have Alzheimer’s. Losing her personality before her body dies and the obvious stress on my dad. I am not close with my family because they are not nice to me. It is best for me to avoid them. I crave closeness but accept that it will never happen.
I have good friends but my two closest friends are busy raising children so I try not to burden them with my sorrows. No romantic partner to lean on. I was injured in May and still dealing with the healing process. The injury hurt so much today that I couldn’t do chores.
I still cry on occasion about Momo. I’m not a freak about animals (too much time spent on a farm) but she was a good companion. She wanted me around. The kitten is sweet, she does like to cuddle. Perhaps I can’t choose a name because I’m afraid of losing her, too.
I’m feeling a bit adrift at sea.
© 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
INTO THE FIRE
Unemployment sucks. I left a part-time job that I didn't like anymore (after it had been cut from a full-time job with no fewer expectations of work accomplished) and took a full-time job, which has now ended. I am now fully unemployed. I guess it is the proverbial jumping from the frying pan into the fire. I've walked over these coals before so I plan to survive with very few burns.
Unemployment rates are astoundingly high so there is a huge amount of competition for the jobs that are available. I shall attempt to re-design myself as a consultant. I did consulting about 15 years ago and didn't like the loneliness of the work. I just need to make enough money to survive.
I hope that Congress extends Unemployment Benefits and the COBRA subsidy soon. I need both to keep my house. I had obtained a kitten a week before my job ended and she is not showing signs of employability. Momo died in May and Zozo was sad. They are getting along well, thankfully.
© 2010
Unemployment rates are astoundingly high so there is a huge amount of competition for the jobs that are available. I shall attempt to re-design myself as a consultant. I did consulting about 15 years ago and didn't like the loneliness of the work. I just need to make enough money to survive.
I hope that Congress extends Unemployment Benefits and the COBRA subsidy soon. I need both to keep my house. I had obtained a kitten a week before my job ended and she is not showing signs of employability. Momo died in May and Zozo was sad. They are getting along well, thankfully.
© 2010
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