I am not anywhere near the first person to talk about this, and I should hope that I will not be the last.
For those who are woefully behind on the news, I am talking about the new procedures in place to "protect" us in the friendly skies. When I say friendly, I mean friendly.
Airports all over the United States have new scanners put into place to detect weapons that the metal detectors miss. We wouldn't want anyone on a plane with a non-metalic weapon. A good idea in theory. Maybe. There are two main problems with these scanners, dubbed by many as naked machines or porno-scanners. Yes, these scanners essentially strip search passengers as they make their way through. Remember when every boy's dream was to be able to see through clothing? We have made it a reality! These machines are capable of capturing every intimate detail of your anatomy. As if that were not enough to make the general public seriously uncomfortable, the way these scanners work is through ionizing radiation.
Now, the TSA insists that the radiation levels are so low, that these scanners are completely safe. I don't know about you but when my cell phone comes with a warning about using a headset when possible to keep radiation away from my head, I have to wonder how a whole body scanner is different. Now, since I am not an expert, I have been doing some reading. My favorite source comes from the blog of a biophysicist who was awesome enough to post the details of how they worked here. It has been pointed out to me that some scientists can be perceived as "wackos" but the information both in the blog posting and the linked letter of concern to the TSA seems on track to me. I will be watching for more thorough studies. In the meantime, you could not pay me enough to get near one. Without even acknowledging the complete invasion of privacy, as a woman with a history of cancer on both sides of her family, I would much rather be safe than sorry. I apologize for the tired cliché but it sums it up beautifully.
The good news is, you can opt out of the scanners. Great! Problem solved! Well. No. Starting November 1 of this year, the TSA began doing what it calls "enhanced pat downs" Now if standard pat downs were not uncomfortable enough, they now reserve the "right" to touch your most private areas. That's right folks. We have given the TSA permission to molest us.
Now in the name of fighting terrorism, a surprising number of people are willing to accept this treatment. Many people feel that if you have nothing to hide, you should not worry about it. Hmmm. Why does this bother me?
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
That, my friends, is the fourth amendment. I am kind of fond of our constitution and our bill of rights. The fourth means that we cannot just be randomly searched without probable cause, or a warrant. So why are we accepting such treatment? What probable cause does the TSA have for these unreasonable searches? Well, you bought the plane ticket didn't you? Apparently, that makes you guilty of terrorism until proven innocent. Not good, people. Not good.
So what happens if you are selected for a pat down and you refuse? Well, you can't. If you enter the screening, you are forced to complete it, or they can put you in jail and charge you $11,000. I don't know about you, but I don't have an extra few thousand to just throw around, I don't want to be exposed to radiation, and I certainly don't want a pat down, that to me, would be akin to molestation. Not happening.
I have written letters, and I have opted not to fly at all. I will let my voice be heard and my dollars will not support such actions. Fortunately, I have the option to do this. As a stay at home mom, with family on one side of the country, it is fairly easy for me to avoid flying. For people who fly for work, this could be problematic.
My husband was supposed to fly to Florida in December for a work function/class/expo/training. It's a big deal and he was really looking forward to going. When the new procedures came through, my husband thought long and hard about how important this is to him. Personal liberties won out. He told the regional manager that he will not fly. Period. He is not afraid of flying. He doesn't so much care about having his danglies felt up. It all comes down to the principle, and one thing about my husband is that he sticks with what he believes is right 100%. I admire that in him. The regional manager? Not so much. He has repeatedly tried to pressure my husband into changing his mind. My husband is willing to take a train, take a bus, or even drive. He wants to attend this function. Just not by air travel so long as these procedures remain in place. It's still up in the air how this is going to go, as the RM has promised to talk about this again later. How sad is it that this should even be a fight?
I urge everyone I can - if you have a choice, opt out. We need to take a stand on this. I didn't agree with the patriot act of the previous administration, and I don't agree with the disgusting trampling of the fourth amendment with this one either. Write your representatives, your congressmen, and the president. Let them know that this is unacceptable. We have to make sure that we are heard.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Will you need a blue sky holiday?
I do. Sigh.
Today was supposed to be the day of younger kid's first swim meet of the season. Supposed to be. We had her best friend over to spend the night so she could go with us. We woke up, grudgingly at 4:45 this morning so that we could be on the road by 5:45. We made it not quite halfway when the little transmission issue we were slightly worried about started turning into a much bigger issue. We discussed it and made the decision to turn around. The swim meet was in Royal Oak which means driving through Detroit. I am not dying to break down in Detroit, especially with three kids with us.
We made it home. Obviously. Thing two was disappointed but has been spending time with her friend. I am disappointed too. Her coach said she has the potential to make it to state this year, and she has matured so much since last season that I really can't wait to see her.
As for the car, I guess we picked wrong. Should have taken the truck. The car is quieter, gets better gas mileage and is more comfortable for longer trips which is why we went with it. Oh well. Back down to one vehicle until we can get it fixed. Joy. We have only had this car for a little over 4 months. It is the replacement for the Malibu I loved that I had the misfortune of blowing the engine of. Hydrolock or some other mechanic head vocabulary nonsense. I guess you take the risk when you buy used.
To make things more fun, mother nature was shaking her dandruff on us last night. I refuse to use the S word, even if it is November. Still too warm to stick but I guess it is time to get out the winter coats.
This weekend had better be awesome from this point forward. We could use it.
Today was supposed to be the day of younger kid's first swim meet of the season. Supposed to be. We had her best friend over to spend the night so she could go with us. We woke up, grudgingly at 4:45 this morning so that we could be on the road by 5:45. We made it not quite halfway when the little transmission issue we were slightly worried about started turning into a much bigger issue. We discussed it and made the decision to turn around. The swim meet was in Royal Oak which means driving through Detroit. I am not dying to break down in Detroit, especially with three kids with us.
We made it home. Obviously. Thing two was disappointed but has been spending time with her friend. I am disappointed too. Her coach said she has the potential to make it to state this year, and she has matured so much since last season that I really can't wait to see her.
As for the car, I guess we picked wrong. Should have taken the truck. The car is quieter, gets better gas mileage and is more comfortable for longer trips which is why we went with it. Oh well. Back down to one vehicle until we can get it fixed. Joy. We have only had this car for a little over 4 months. It is the replacement for the Malibu I loved that I had the misfortune of blowing the engine of. Hydrolock or some other mechanic head vocabulary nonsense. I guess you take the risk when you buy used.
To make things more fun, mother nature was shaking her dandruff on us last night. I refuse to use the S word, even if it is November. Still too warm to stick but I guess it is time to get out the winter coats.
This weekend had better be awesome from this point forward. We could use it.
Friday, November 5, 2010
You are beautiful, in every single way
Words can't bring you down....
My thanks to Christina Aguilera for allowing me to keep up with my lyrics as titles ;)
So I was discussing body image with some very smart ladies and it got me thinking about my kids.
My oldest daughter has been diagnosed with FTT as a 12 year old. This is an uncommon thing for children over 3 and I suspect it was the doctor being unsure why she is falling off her own growth chart. In reality, I have deep suspicions that she is borderline anorexic. It's not a body issue thing. It's an Asperger thing. She has cut her food choices down so much that she simply is not getting enough calories. I have come into the uncomfortable position of making her eat, even if she doesn't like it or claims she isn't hungry. That goes against everything I have ever learned about teaching self regulation. Our society's war against obesity has left me scrambling because when you are dealing with the exact opposite problem, you have to go against everything ever taught.
To complicate matters even further, the same child is sensitive to dairy, which IS something she will eat but we have to limit it or cause a different set of problems. Furthermore, since she now has braces, that knocks out another chunk out of the things she prefers to munch on. Nuts, for example, are a favorite snack and a great source of non-saturated fat, but technically she isn't supposed to eat them as they could cause bracket breaking problems. It's immensely frustrating.
Then add in body image. I have heard the horror stories about women who spent their whole life hearing about how fat they were, even before weight was a problem. Can hearing "You're too skinny!!" over and over again cause the same kind of lingering issues?
Now add in the other kid. Kid 2 is perfectly healthy without an ounce of fat on her. She is also pure muscle and bone mass and outweighs her sister by a good 10 lbs. She is probably always going to be heavier, and by the looks of how things are developing, curvier than her older sister. I have heard her make the comparisons. Right now, it isn't a huge deal but her self esteem is so fragile. It doesn't help when her "friend" last year called her fat. That was actually really bizarre considering this so called friend is actually overweight. Kid 2 is not only nowhere near overweight, but is absolutely ideal. Assuming things continue on the same path, she is going to have the type of body that every woman envies.
I try to keep my personal body image to myself. My husband and I try to make a big deal out of healthy diet and exercise (although admittedly, we could both up our exercise) and my last physical brought to light that I have to be extraordinarily careful because apparently, family cholesterol problems did not skip my generation. It isn't high yet but it's up there. I am fairly thin and my diet isn't horrible, but I get to start being a little more cautious either way.
So the question is, how does one balance out the dietary needs of very different body types, and teach the kids involved to love those bodies, regardless of how different they are? It's an interesting conundrum.
P.S.
To my secret readers, you can relax. As much as I hate the state of Michigan at the moment, my blog is merely an outlet. I plan on staying until all legal issues are settled. Quit getting your panties in a bunch over stupid blog postings. My blog is an outward expression and doesn't mean we are going to run off to Alaska next week. Good grief.
My thanks to Christina Aguilera for allowing me to keep up with my lyrics as titles ;)
So I was discussing body image with some very smart ladies and it got me thinking about my kids.
My oldest daughter has been diagnosed with FTT as a 12 year old. This is an uncommon thing for children over 3 and I suspect it was the doctor being unsure why she is falling off her own growth chart. In reality, I have deep suspicions that she is borderline anorexic. It's not a body issue thing. It's an Asperger thing. She has cut her food choices down so much that she simply is not getting enough calories. I have come into the uncomfortable position of making her eat, even if she doesn't like it or claims she isn't hungry. That goes against everything I have ever learned about teaching self regulation. Our society's war against obesity has left me scrambling because when you are dealing with the exact opposite problem, you have to go against everything ever taught.
To complicate matters even further, the same child is sensitive to dairy, which IS something she will eat but we have to limit it or cause a different set of problems. Furthermore, since she now has braces, that knocks out another chunk out of the things she prefers to munch on. Nuts, for example, are a favorite snack and a great source of non-saturated fat, but technically she isn't supposed to eat them as they could cause bracket breaking problems. It's immensely frustrating.
Then add in body image. I have heard the horror stories about women who spent their whole life hearing about how fat they were, even before weight was a problem. Can hearing "You're too skinny!!" over and over again cause the same kind of lingering issues?
Now add in the other kid. Kid 2 is perfectly healthy without an ounce of fat on her. She is also pure muscle and bone mass and outweighs her sister by a good 10 lbs. She is probably always going to be heavier, and by the looks of how things are developing, curvier than her older sister. I have heard her make the comparisons. Right now, it isn't a huge deal but her self esteem is so fragile. It doesn't help when her "friend" last year called her fat. That was actually really bizarre considering this so called friend is actually overweight. Kid 2 is not only nowhere near overweight, but is absolutely ideal. Assuming things continue on the same path, she is going to have the type of body that every woman envies.
I try to keep my personal body image to myself. My husband and I try to make a big deal out of healthy diet and exercise (although admittedly, we could both up our exercise) and my last physical brought to light that I have to be extraordinarily careful because apparently, family cholesterol problems did not skip my generation. It isn't high yet but it's up there. I am fairly thin and my diet isn't horrible, but I get to start being a little more cautious either way.
So the question is, how does one balance out the dietary needs of very different body types, and teach the kids involved to love those bodies, regardless of how different they are? It's an interesting conundrum.
P.S.
To my secret readers, you can relax. As much as I hate the state of Michigan at the moment, my blog is merely an outlet. I plan on staying until all legal issues are settled. Quit getting your panties in a bunch over stupid blog postings. My blog is an outward expression and doesn't mean we are going to run off to Alaska next week. Good grief.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Doctor, doctor. Give me the news...
Assuming we can ever actually get in to be seen.
So my daughter is having a medical issue. Nothing to seriously worry about right now, but it does need to be addressed in the near future. It has been hell getting her in to be seen.
Last Friday she had an appointment at location B. Her ped. has two offices. Location A is where we used to go and is closer to where we used to live. Location B is closer to where we live now. I have been making her appointments at location B because 25 minutes is better than 40 minutes. So we get there, and the doors are locked. I call the number and apparently there was a mix-up in the location for the appointment. She was supposed to be at location A and nobody filled me in. So I reschedule for today.
This morning, I come home to a message. Apparently the scheduler did not realize I was trying to have her seen by the ped. and made the appt with the nurse practitioner. Now, I have no issues at all with the NP but it was her recommendation that we see the actual doctor this time. They want to reschedule for Friday. I call and ask if there is any way that she can be seen. I set up a 2:15 appt in location A.
At 1:30 we leave because I was pretty sure it would take us 40 minutes to get there. I have only made the drive once before and that was back in March. We get there at 2:20. Oops. No big deal. Surely they can give us a 5 minute leeway right? No. According to their clocks we are 15 minutes late, not 5 and that means too bad for us. Reschedule for Friday at location B. OMG you have got to be kidding me.
Now, I don't know about you but in 99% of medical offices they have no problems at all making you wait well past your scheduled time. I think there was at least one who was almost an hour behind. They can't see her because of 15 minutes? Really?
I realize being late was my fault. I should have left earlier but I still reserve the right to think it absolutely asinine.
So we will try again on Friday. We have been using this doctor for 6 years, and I adore him. If something else goes wrong though, maybe it's a sign I need to find someone a bit closer to home.
So my daughter is having a medical issue. Nothing to seriously worry about right now, but it does need to be addressed in the near future. It has been hell getting her in to be seen.
Last Friday she had an appointment at location B. Her ped. has two offices. Location A is where we used to go and is closer to where we used to live. Location B is closer to where we live now. I have been making her appointments at location B because 25 minutes is better than 40 minutes. So we get there, and the doors are locked. I call the number and apparently there was a mix-up in the location for the appointment. She was supposed to be at location A and nobody filled me in. So I reschedule for today.
This morning, I come home to a message. Apparently the scheduler did not realize I was trying to have her seen by the ped. and made the appt with the nurse practitioner. Now, I have no issues at all with the NP but it was her recommendation that we see the actual doctor this time. They want to reschedule for Friday. I call and ask if there is any way that she can be seen. I set up a 2:15 appt in location A.
At 1:30 we leave because I was pretty sure it would take us 40 minutes to get there. I have only made the drive once before and that was back in March. We get there at 2:20. Oops. No big deal. Surely they can give us a 5 minute leeway right? No. According to their clocks we are 15 minutes late, not 5 and that means too bad for us. Reschedule for Friday at location B. OMG you have got to be kidding me.
Now, I don't know about you but in 99% of medical offices they have no problems at all making you wait well past your scheduled time. I think there was at least one who was almost an hour behind. They can't see her because of 15 minutes? Really?
I realize being late was my fault. I should have left earlier but I still reserve the right to think it absolutely asinine.
So we will try again on Friday. We have been using this doctor for 6 years, and I adore him. If something else goes wrong though, maybe it's a sign I need to find someone a bit closer to home.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Life is an aimless drive that you take alone
Might as well enjoy the ride, take the long way home
Rather profound for a white boy rap group, wouldn't you say?
Where is home? Is it where you live? Where you grew up? I am having a hard time coming to terms where home should be.
I spent most of my life in Michigan. I loved growing up here. This is not where I was born, nor where I spent my early years but from 8-16, my formative years, this is where I lived. Since then I have lived in Arkansas, North Carolina and Ohio but in the end, Michigan is where we ended up. Again.
I would like to say that my love of Michigan lasted throughout the years and I am so happy to be "home" but I am not. For the last 6 years we have lived here and made the best of things. Don't get me wrong. I have made some great friends in my adult life. I also really enjoyed going to college, even if that degree turned into nothing more than an overpriced hobby. The problem is that I don't feel like this is where we belong.
My husband works for a company that has branches all over the country and really, the world. A bunch of positions opened up and we have been mulling over the idea of getting the hell out of here. Michigan is a beautiful state, but frankly, we live in the butthole. My area is not pretty. The cost of living is fairly high and the wages have done nothing but plummet. It definitely does not have the same appeal to me that it did growing up.
Where does one go when one can go anywhere? I miss North Carolina like you wouldn't believe, but will it have the same appeal to me as a civilian? (Ok, I have always been a civilian but since my husband was in the Marine Corps, I count it) I miss the ocean and the mountains. Then there is Iowa which is where we considered before. Nothing but rolling cornfields and it completely appeals to that side of me. Then there is Colorado. Colorado is stunningly beautiful. There are even positions in Alaska which is yet another absolutely gorgeous place.
Would they feel like home? Is it worth uprooting my kids on an ideal? How do we handle the logistics? There are a bazillion questions and no answers. I just know that Michigan no longer does it for me. It's not right. I just don't know what is.
Ponderings for the day...
Rather profound for a white boy rap group, wouldn't you say?
Where is home? Is it where you live? Where you grew up? I am having a hard time coming to terms where home should be.
I spent most of my life in Michigan. I loved growing up here. This is not where I was born, nor where I spent my early years but from 8-16, my formative years, this is where I lived. Since then I have lived in Arkansas, North Carolina and Ohio but in the end, Michigan is where we ended up. Again.
I would like to say that my love of Michigan lasted throughout the years and I am so happy to be "home" but I am not. For the last 6 years we have lived here and made the best of things. Don't get me wrong. I have made some great friends in my adult life. I also really enjoyed going to college, even if that degree turned into nothing more than an overpriced hobby. The problem is that I don't feel like this is where we belong.
My husband works for a company that has branches all over the country and really, the world. A bunch of positions opened up and we have been mulling over the idea of getting the hell out of here. Michigan is a beautiful state, but frankly, we live in the butthole. My area is not pretty. The cost of living is fairly high and the wages have done nothing but plummet. It definitely does not have the same appeal to me that it did growing up.
Where does one go when one can go anywhere? I miss North Carolina like you wouldn't believe, but will it have the same appeal to me as a civilian? (Ok, I have always been a civilian but since my husband was in the Marine Corps, I count it) I miss the ocean and the mountains. Then there is Iowa which is where we considered before. Nothing but rolling cornfields and it completely appeals to that side of me. Then there is Colorado. Colorado is stunningly beautiful. There are even positions in Alaska which is yet another absolutely gorgeous place.
Would they feel like home? Is it worth uprooting my kids on an ideal? How do we handle the logistics? There are a bazillion questions and no answers. I just know that Michigan no longer does it for me. It's not right. I just don't know what is.
Ponderings for the day...
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
School days, school days
Or at least it's time for the firestorm of paperwork days.
I have two middle schoolers this year. On one hand, this means I am pretty much done with crayons, markers, and all the stuff that goes with elementary. On the other hand, the bigger they get, the more they cost me.
School supplies - Approximately $40, but only because I spent $60 already on mostly stuff they can't use. I was loving the sales and the school of course waits until last minute. I guessed, and guessed wrong. I was spot on with last years backpacks (another year out of them! Awesome! Love buying quality) and only had to replace one lunchbox and 2 water bottles.
Then there is the fundraiser to end all fundraisers. That's right folks, write a check to the school and if they raise the money they should, no fundraisers! No cack to sell. No cookies, wrapping paper, popcorn, etc. If other people ruin this for me, I am going to buy a roll of wrapping paper strictly for beating people.
So $50 there.
Then there is school spirit wear. Required? No. Desired? Yes. I hated not having anything like that when I was in school because as much as I would have liked to pretended not to care, I did. Now my kids are not getting $30 hoodies, but I think we can swing a tshirt a piece.
$20
School sports - $100 participation fee. Not applicable for the younger one, but the older one plans on running track. The good news is I can put this off for a bit and let my wallet rest. The bad news is, it is still $100. Now, I am not going to get into full complaint mode for this, and here is why. The school my girls used to go to cut their elementary art and music programs due to budget cuts across the state. This school cut nothing like it. I don't mind paying for sports if it means they keep the money in the schools.
Then of course there was almost $200 worth of school clothes, which with my luck will be outgrown in a month.
You know, as much as I spent on homeschooling, I think it is way more expensive to send your kids to public school. They enjoy it. There are opportunities in the schools that I can't provide for them as they get older, but damn it makes my bank account sore.
I have two middle schoolers this year. On one hand, this means I am pretty much done with crayons, markers, and all the stuff that goes with elementary. On the other hand, the bigger they get, the more they cost me.
School supplies - Approximately $40, but only because I spent $60 already on mostly stuff they can't use. I was loving the sales and the school of course waits until last minute. I guessed, and guessed wrong. I was spot on with last years backpacks (another year out of them! Awesome! Love buying quality) and only had to replace one lunchbox and 2 water bottles.
Then there is the fundraiser to end all fundraisers. That's right folks, write a check to the school and if they raise the money they should, no fundraisers! No cack to sell. No cookies, wrapping paper, popcorn, etc. If other people ruin this for me, I am going to buy a roll of wrapping paper strictly for beating people.
So $50 there.
Then there is school spirit wear. Required? No. Desired? Yes. I hated not having anything like that when I was in school because as much as I would have liked to pretended not to care, I did. Now my kids are not getting $30 hoodies, but I think we can swing a tshirt a piece.
$20
School sports - $100 participation fee. Not applicable for the younger one, but the older one plans on running track. The good news is I can put this off for a bit and let my wallet rest. The bad news is, it is still $100. Now, I am not going to get into full complaint mode for this, and here is why. The school my girls used to go to cut their elementary art and music programs due to budget cuts across the state. This school cut nothing like it. I don't mind paying for sports if it means they keep the money in the schools.
Then of course there was almost $200 worth of school clothes, which with my luck will be outgrown in a month.
You know, as much as I spent on homeschooling, I think it is way more expensive to send your kids to public school. They enjoy it. There are opportunities in the schools that I can't provide for them as they get older, but damn it makes my bank account sore.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I feel pretty! Oh so pretty!
And if it isn't obvious yet, a very soft spot in my heart for music :)
Yesterday, my husband encouraged me to go out, have some me time and get my hair cut (I had been complaining about my hair all week). While I was out, I started thinking about the various ways women torment themselves to look good. I had plenty of time to think because my salon was closed, and so was my backup. However, I was not going back home until someone cut the quasi mullet thing that had established itself out of the cute layered cut it once was. A girl can only go with the ponytail for so long before it begins to look sloppy.
As I sat in the new salon, describing what I wanted, I told the woman I wanted low fuss. Now, years ago, low fuss to me meant brush it while wet and go. Now it means hair product to match my mood (Do I want curly or straight?) and hair accessories to go with it. If I am going all out I drag out the hair dryer or the straightener. Then if I add in hair color, hilights, lowlights, and malibus it starts to get a bit more complex. The salon lady asked me when the last time I had color was and was more than happy to point out my damaged hair. I know my hair has roots I have been growing all summer and my grays are popping back out all over the place. I simply can't keep up sometimes!
But hair is only a small portion of the rituals of women.
I have given up shaving. That sounds a lot more hippy than it actually is, since I replaced it with waxing. Eyebrows, legs, bikini line, pits. Have you ever waxed your armpits? The first time in indescribable. There really is nothing to compare it to except the feeling of skin and hair being ripped off one of the more sensitive parts of your body. The good news is that each successive time there is less hair and they come out a bit more easily. I haven't shaved in well over a month. No more shaving bumps and itchy regrowth. Just a little bit of masochism for the purpose of looking good.
On to skin care. I thought when I grew up, acne would be a thing of the past. It's a teenage problem right? I am nearly 30 years old, and I can't keep my face clear for more than a week for anything. It's the most fun around my time of the month...as if bleeding, cramping, bloating, and raging were not enough. Sure. Throw in a few big zits just for the hell of it!
So I have oil free face wash, oil free face scrub, toner, cold cream, moisturizer, eye cream and night cream. Then to cover up the acne that always shows up anyway (and probably contributing to more) I have concealer and foundation and pressed powder. Add in eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, and lipgloss and my favorite, the eye torture devise or eyelash curler just to add to the "pretty" factor.
I added in the eye cream and the night cream when the effects of aging began to take their toll. I woke up in the morning and about pissed myself when I saw this pale creature with black circles and dry wrinkled skin lumbering in my bathroom....wait a minute. Hey >:(
So I add the eye cream to get rid of the black circles. It's not like I can fix it through sleep (which is a whole other post). I start developing little white bumps under my eyes. Milia. Go ahead and look it up. I had to. Great. Black circles or tiny little cysts? Hmmmm.
Then there is the night cream. I bought the oil of old lady....errrr....Oil of Olay because the moisurizer works well for me. There was a dramatic difference in the morning. I didn't look quite so haggard. Of course, my acne count about tripled. I just can't win this skin care business. Hand over the paper bag ma.
I am not prepared to get into clothing (and the nightmare that is bra shopping) or shoes (how can something so cute be so painful?) in this post. I am not even going to get into manicures and pedicures and dry elbow skin oh my. And diets? That is a whole weeks worth of posts on their own. It amazes me what we women actually put up with in order to look good.
Yesterday, my husband encouraged me to go out, have some me time and get my hair cut (I had been complaining about my hair all week). While I was out, I started thinking about the various ways women torment themselves to look good. I had plenty of time to think because my salon was closed, and so was my backup. However, I was not going back home until someone cut the quasi mullet thing that had established itself out of the cute layered cut it once was. A girl can only go with the ponytail for so long before it begins to look sloppy.
As I sat in the new salon, describing what I wanted, I told the woman I wanted low fuss. Now, years ago, low fuss to me meant brush it while wet and go. Now it means hair product to match my mood (Do I want curly or straight?) and hair accessories to go with it. If I am going all out I drag out the hair dryer or the straightener. Then if I add in hair color, hilights, lowlights, and malibus it starts to get a bit more complex. The salon lady asked me when the last time I had color was and was more than happy to point out my damaged hair. I know my hair has roots I have been growing all summer and my grays are popping back out all over the place. I simply can't keep up sometimes!
But hair is only a small portion of the rituals of women.
I have given up shaving. That sounds a lot more hippy than it actually is, since I replaced it with waxing. Eyebrows, legs, bikini line, pits. Have you ever waxed your armpits? The first time in indescribable. There really is nothing to compare it to except the feeling of skin and hair being ripped off one of the more sensitive parts of your body. The good news is that each successive time there is less hair and they come out a bit more easily. I haven't shaved in well over a month. No more shaving bumps and itchy regrowth. Just a little bit of masochism for the purpose of looking good.
On to skin care. I thought when I grew up, acne would be a thing of the past. It's a teenage problem right? I am nearly 30 years old, and I can't keep my face clear for more than a week for anything. It's the most fun around my time of the month...as if bleeding, cramping, bloating, and raging were not enough. Sure. Throw in a few big zits just for the hell of it!
So I have oil free face wash, oil free face scrub, toner, cold cream, moisturizer, eye cream and night cream. Then to cover up the acne that always shows up anyway (and probably contributing to more) I have concealer and foundation and pressed powder. Add in eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, and lipgloss and my favorite, the eye torture devise or eyelash curler just to add to the "pretty" factor.
I added in the eye cream and the night cream when the effects of aging began to take their toll. I woke up in the morning and about pissed myself when I saw this pale creature with black circles and dry wrinkled skin lumbering in my bathroom....wait a minute. Hey >:(
So I add the eye cream to get rid of the black circles. It's not like I can fix it through sleep (which is a whole other post). I start developing little white bumps under my eyes. Milia. Go ahead and look it up. I had to. Great. Black circles or tiny little cysts? Hmmmm.
Then there is the night cream. I bought the oil of old lady....errrr....Oil of Olay because the moisurizer works well for me. There was a dramatic difference in the morning. I didn't look quite so haggard. Of course, my acne count about tripled. I just can't win this skin care business. Hand over the paper bag ma.
I am not prepared to get into clothing (and the nightmare that is bra shopping) or shoes (how can something so cute be so painful?) in this post. I am not even going to get into manicures and pedicures and dry elbow skin oh my. And diets? That is a whole weeks worth of posts on their own. It amazes me what we women actually put up with in order to look good.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Take me out to the ballgame....
Today I spent a rather lovely evening with my husband, two children and our very good friends and their two children watching a minor league baseball game. I haven't been to a ballgame in almost 20 years and it seemed like a good way to spend a Friday night.
Let me tell you, there is nothing more fascinating than people watching at a sporting event (except, perhaps, people watching at a fair). It is definitely a look into people as a whole. But let's start at the beginning.
First, who on earth picks the team names? Mudhens? Really? That sounds intimidating doesn't it? Of all the animals in the animal kingdom, they have a chicken as a mascot. Oooooh. I am shaking in my boots. Of course, I grew up in a school that has a leaf as a mascot so I guess it does get worse.
Secondly, I am totally convinced at this point that people go to sporting events to eat. They have to. I can honestly say that I missed at least half of the game with people walking by to stuff their faces with deep fried, overpriced crap and crappy, overpriced beer. Now I totally get that beer and ballgames is a total pastime, and who wouldn't mind a ballpark dog with the works? The problem is that it was a steady stream of people. When the beer is gone, they of course go for more beer. Chicken fingers shoved in? Lets go for popcorn. Then ice cream. How about some cotton candy? Seriously people, it is okay to go 2.5 hours without shoving every edible item you see into your gaping piehole. Here is another novel idea, get more than one item at a time! You could even send one designated food person to avoid an entire line of people. OR...OR...there are these nifty vendors that come by hocking the same shit you insist on shoving past me to get yourself that will bring it right to you! Amazing right?
With that said, as the game progressed, the obnoxiousness did begin to slow. At least on a mass scale. Individual annoyance was still in high demand.
Dear woman with the SLR camera you don't know how to use. Your pictures are going to suck. Trust me. Buying a big, fancy camera doesn't mean shit if you don't know how to use it. With that said, get your skinny, bedazzled ass out of the aisle, which happens to be right in my line of sight to the batter. If you can't take pictures from your seat, give it up. Oh, talking on your cell phone while standing in the way is also obnoxious. Take your yuppy, SUV driving tush back to your seat.
Whew. Held that one back the entire game ;)
Another thing I found absolutely fascinating is the volume. During the first three innings, the stands were fairly subdued. There was some clapping, maybe a little stomp stomp clap when the music called, but mostly pretty quiet. You could actually hear the intoxication level of the fans go up. People got louder, happier. There was more participation. My section attempted to start the wave probably about 30 times before it finally caught on enough to make it all the way around. The atmosphere became really fun (but I admit I don't even want to know how half of them got home this evening)
Overall, it was a good time and I can think of worse things to spend money on. Our team lost of course. That is pretty standard that whoever we root for ends up not doing so well, but it was a fairly close game and the fireworks after were some of the best I have seen in years. I could totally do it again.
Oh, and note, no pictures from me. SOMEBODY (me) grabbed the camera and failed to...oh I don't know...put a memory card in it. Strike one for me.
Let me tell you, there is nothing more fascinating than people watching at a sporting event (except, perhaps, people watching at a fair). It is definitely a look into people as a whole. But let's start at the beginning.
First, who on earth picks the team names? Mudhens? Really? That sounds intimidating doesn't it? Of all the animals in the animal kingdom, they have a chicken as a mascot. Oooooh. I am shaking in my boots. Of course, I grew up in a school that has a leaf as a mascot so I guess it does get worse.
Secondly, I am totally convinced at this point that people go to sporting events to eat. They have to. I can honestly say that I missed at least half of the game with people walking by to stuff their faces with deep fried, overpriced crap and crappy, overpriced beer. Now I totally get that beer and ballgames is a total pastime, and who wouldn't mind a ballpark dog with the works? The problem is that it was a steady stream of people. When the beer is gone, they of course go for more beer. Chicken fingers shoved in? Lets go for popcorn. Then ice cream. How about some cotton candy? Seriously people, it is okay to go 2.5 hours without shoving every edible item you see into your gaping piehole. Here is another novel idea, get more than one item at a time! You could even send one designated food person to avoid an entire line of people. OR...OR...there are these nifty vendors that come by hocking the same shit you insist on shoving past me to get yourself that will bring it right to you! Amazing right?
With that said, as the game progressed, the obnoxiousness did begin to slow. At least on a mass scale. Individual annoyance was still in high demand.
Dear woman with the SLR camera you don't know how to use. Your pictures are going to suck. Trust me. Buying a big, fancy camera doesn't mean shit if you don't know how to use it. With that said, get your skinny, bedazzled ass out of the aisle, which happens to be right in my line of sight to the batter. If you can't take pictures from your seat, give it up. Oh, talking on your cell phone while standing in the way is also obnoxious. Take your yuppy, SUV driving tush back to your seat.
Whew. Held that one back the entire game ;)
Another thing I found absolutely fascinating is the volume. During the first three innings, the stands were fairly subdued. There was some clapping, maybe a little stomp stomp clap when the music called, but mostly pretty quiet. You could actually hear the intoxication level of the fans go up. People got louder, happier. There was more participation. My section attempted to start the wave probably about 30 times before it finally caught on enough to make it all the way around. The atmosphere became really fun (but I admit I don't even want to know how half of them got home this evening)
Overall, it was a good time and I can think of worse things to spend money on. Our team lost of course. That is pretty standard that whoever we root for ends up not doing so well, but it was a fairly close game and the fireworks after were some of the best I have seen in years. I could totally do it again.
Oh, and note, no pictures from me. SOMEBODY (me) grabbed the camera and failed to...oh I don't know...put a memory card in it. Strike one for me.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Mean Girls
So when your child and her so called friends are the bullies, the mean girls, then what? I was bullied most of my life. I had a whole plan of action in how to teach my child sarcastic comebacks and the art of the "don't give a shit, why are you still here?" look. I was not prepared to tackle the other side.
So when my child and two of her friends took it upon themselves to decorate the toys of my other child, something had to be done. You see, the bullied child has Asperger's syndrome, and the decorated toys are her current obsession. Twenty-five littlest pet shop pets done up in red and black sharpie. Some were colored completely. Some with artistic swirls, hearts and stripes. A few were not so much colored as fingerprinted permanently.
Toys, I know can be replaced, although some are no longer made or sold in stores, making things a bit more difficult. However, the sheer meanness of the act is astounding.
I have a younger sister and a younger brother. I know sometimes things get ruined but this was ridiculous. To add some sting, to it, the oldest girl involved was thought to be the victim's friend. Who needs enemies right? Knowing how important these little pieces of plastic are, and knowing who they belonged to, they proceeded to decorate every single one. Funny how not one animal from my other kid's collection was touched.
So my daughter will not be playing with these other children for the rest of the summer at least. We haven't dictated yet how the pets will be replaced but first and formost I will not have a mean girl in my house, which means that the friends are no longer. Do I think this will last long term? Well no. I can't dictate who she talks to at school and I can't control her friendships forever. What I can do is control them for now until I drive into her the way we treat people.
It's an interesting ride, this parenting thing. They like to put a spin on it.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Guess who's back, back again
So this is not my first (or second, or third) blog. I did have one before I posted on fairly regularly, however I am in the middle of a legal dispute and since the other party decided to verbally vomit all over my comments, and try to twist my words around, I took it down. Well I miss it. I was going to say screw it and put my old blog back up, but I have no idea how I took it down in the first place so here I go again.
In either case, my lifestyle has changed fairly dramatically in the 6 months I have been MIA. It works well to put up a new blog, as my old one just doesn't really fit me anymore.
I don't know where this blog is going to go. I am not going to bother giving it a theme because really, I just need a therapist, and since I don't really have time for that at the moment, the WWW can be my fill in.
Grab a cup of coffee and get cozy. You were just introduced to a woman who is a little bit coo-coo.
In either case, my lifestyle has changed fairly dramatically in the 6 months I have been MIA. It works well to put up a new blog, as my old one just doesn't really fit me anymore.
I don't know where this blog is going to go. I am not going to bother giving it a theme because really, I just need a therapist, and since I don't really have time for that at the moment, the WWW can be my fill in.
Grab a cup of coffee and get cozy. You were just introduced to a woman who is a little bit coo-coo.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)