Happily Hungover

:) Enough said.

Okay, well I'm not hungover, and realistically it's not that fun to be clammy, sick... etc.

Although if I had to summarize how I feel about Puerto Rico - that about sums it up. I mean that in the most figurative sense of the word. The territory - common wealth - what-have-you - reeks of life. So why compare the place with being hungover? Well, I think it's because when you're hungover you realize you are still alive and kicking - and your body makes you know it every breath you exhale. I found PR to be very similar - full of life. Living life to the fullest capacity possible.



Naturally, this is something that we do not practice in the north. No, instead of partying all day and night before elections - we're working our butts off, putting in the extra hours so we can stand in a poll line for 1+ hours and not have to take vacation for it.

Did I mention that election day is a holiday? Brilliant. That way there is no excuse for not voting. I was also extremely impressed on how crazy, but respectful folks are about non-supporters of their party.

Here you see a photo of what people do to express their support of candidates. Yes, hang out the window with flags and yell. The best, however, is they may be from different political parties. Together - making noise and being ridiculous. Wouldn't it be great if Dems and Reps did the same thing here?

Anyway.... stuff to do and places to go. I am going to try to write again sooner than later.

paz.

Shame on me

Yes, shame on me. It has been nearly 4 long months without me writing a damn thing on my blog. What a shame. I have thought of many of thing to write in all this time. The only problem has been my lack of time and then energy.

Since June what has happened...
1) the in-laws came to visit.
2) we went camping
3) peds graduated
4) my work got absolutely crazy!
5) we made a few trips to mke and shytown
6) we started home brewing. (on our third, of which we bottled today. it's a cider!)
7) we've met more and more friends
8) we've drunk more (see why in #7)
9) i have no free time because work is crazy!

Yeah. I guess most of the posts I have wanted to write about more recently have been more political. Therefore I have resisted the urge. I am not one to offend. In fact, all the yard signs, bumper stickers are getting on my nerves. When can this thing just be over? My ballot goes in tomorrow. I can't take it anymore - there are more important newsy things to cover versus the election crap.

Yeah.... smiling widely that I do not have a 401K at the moment to even had lost. :)

I am still alive and breathing. This post was to confirm that.

I will try to write again soon. Promise!

Gas. Gas. Bad gas...

Yeah, it's all the rage - if you can't talk about the elections, then why not complain about gas prices. Yes, they are out of the roof. It happens. Get over it.

I say this, of course, because now I have the ability to walk, bus and bike everywhere. In fact, I have not been in a car since Saturday morning :). Even so, I think we get so used to our comfortable lives, that once something goes up in price, we freak out. How about learning how to make the most of the situation. Buy better, more fuel efficient cars; carpool... etc. Bigger is not always better, and having personal space isn't what always makes the most sense.

[Note: After my 700 miles trip ahead of me this weekend, I may be singing to another tune come Sunday night. Until that happens, I still do want to complain about people complaining].

So food costs more. Well, then stop buying crap, grow a garden or give up alcohol. (The latter should only be done in the most severe instances ;)).

I don't know - I understand the panic, but things to get more expensive over time. It happens.

There is no point to this post, other than sharing this link. Thought it was hilarious ;).

http://www.theonion.com/content/infograph/soaring_oil_prices_alter

The life of a young professional

Maybe it's just me, but I'd like to not be a 'young' professional anymore. I'd like to be young still, goodness yes, but not in the professional realm of the world.

Allow me to explain myself as to why not:

1) We live in a college town. On the street I look like everyone else. In fact, some of these students come from money and most certainly look more 'professionally' dressed than me. I guess I should just break down and start wearing high heels more often. I just so much more prefer my Spanish flats. (More comfortable and better for walking).

2) I am the youngest, by a good 10 years in the office. On good days, I give it 10 years. More comfortably it is almost 20. Since people don't seem to be able to establish the difference between "young professional" and intern, you can understand my frustration.

3) I bunk with the interns. Not literally, but we cohab in the same office. So yes, hence forth I feel like I am looked at the same way. (P.S. I have total respect for the students that are doing the internship, but I've been there, done that. My coffee duties are over..........or not........)

4) Being on the brink of what is considered "entry level" and "mid level." The crap of being stuck in a 3-5 years of experience, when all the good jobs ask for 7-10. Not that I am actively looking for an escape, but I do find this quite frustrating.

5) Being asked 'tech questions' just because I am from Gen Y. (I think I am at least? :)). Just because I look young and no wrinkles are visible yet, I am have been around in my professional career. I can play with the big boys and can handle constructive criticism. At the beginning of my career, this was most certainly not the case.

Yeah... so there are more things too, but lately I have really found it frustrating to be a younger professional. Professionally I want to be in my 30s already, and get respected and recognized for work that I do. Physically, I'm fine being the age I am ;). No wrinkles, sore joints... etc.

Couldn't resist...

I wanted to wait before I posted about this topic again, but the blast from the past topic is really just too good. While this may not be what initially prompted this post, this is a perfect detour.

Love it or hate it? I have my theories on the whole Web 2.0, social networking platforms that exist in today technological world. Being of the generation who has grown up with this technological gizmos, I admit, I should be more tech savvy. Especially after living in Europe and still not mastering the text message. I am embarrassed on how long it takes me to type 2 sentences. ;)

Anyway, I resisted myspace when it first came out. In fact, I had thought I had resisted it completely, until I got some email about my account being inactive for too long. I must have created an account, never used the thing and gave up during my european tour thinking it would be a way to stay in touch with the homelanders. I tried to resist facebook, but it just seemed more professional and clean than myspace. It wasn't screaming stalker / sex scandal.

I've heard the notion of computer natives and immigrants. Okay, so I am a native, but often I feel like an immigrant. I often wonder what is so damn important about all of this social networking stuff. Yes, it is a great way to reach younger audiences, but does it cheapen the way conversations and social interactions are made between people?

The answer to that question, according to moi is YES! How many of us really have over 250 friends? Friends who we let see our bar crawl photos, relationship status and personal wall messages. Frankly, I'm glad I don't have 250, or 150 for that matter - I wouldn't remember all their names, birthdays and my cell phone surely could not store all those numbers (It would take me a year to just type their names into my address book ;) - I kid, I kid, I'm not that bad).

So one thing that irks me is this sense of false social being. I block the person who isn't my friend but I accidentally accepted. You block one of my contacts because they kissed your boyfriend once in high school. He says he's in an open relationship when you think you are being exclusive. What is this bull shit anyway? Last time I checked - I wasn't in middle school anymore. I don't thrive off of drama how I once used to (or maybe used to).

On the up side, I really do enjoy being reconnected with long-lost friends. It's nice to know you can find people online, send them an email or just know where they are and what they are doing. That aspect is cool. What takes it over the edge is when a crazy ex finds you through the platform and all of sudden wants to know you again. Hello, when it's over it's over. You don't try to find ex's over the internet just to "catch up." (Well, at least not in my opinion. Doesn't matter if you never got closure, had a 'nice break up', ya de ya da...).

I just sometimes do not buy getting back in touch with some people from our yesteryears. So you sat behind me in middle school algebra. Want a cookie? By the way, my grade on that quiz would still be better than yours, even if you cheated off mine. You were a friend of a friend of a friend at some summer camp. Yipee!

Am I cynical? Yes and no. I do enjoy walking down memory-lane. I love surprise letters, emails and phone calls from friends who I haven't heard from in awhile. What I don't enjoy is having to filter through layers of memories trying to remember where I know someone from. And, I especially don't like the drama of online social sites.

This post has been a tangent, and to think it all started because someone I know was freaking out about a picture she saw of a future grad classmate on Facebook. Yes, there are people who wear mini shirts and high, high heels out there. And, yes some of those people post those pictures to the internet. Do normal people do that? Well, maybe. Does it give you a memorable first impression with a headful of ideas of how the person will be in real-life? Hell yeah. I'll be curious to see how this one works out...

P.D. Alvito, me alegro k eres mi amigo por facebook ;)

Blast from the past

Every so often it's nice to be reconnected with the past. Whether it be from a friend from yesteryears, an old photograph from your youth or getting a waft of grandma's cooking. It's always nice to look back at the happy times.

I have a selective memory. Somehow or another, I push all the not so happy moments of my life completely out of mind. This, of course is not something I am going to complain about. Once I finally do get around to burning all my old journals, then it will really be all out of mind. The sad thing is that my selective memory is flawed. Not only have I pushed out all the not so pleasant moments, I seem to do that with the monumental times of my life. That means graduations, baptisms, details of family trips... (Note to reader: I do remember my wedding day, thank you very much!). It is a very odd thing. I can remember the small, mundane details of things, but not the "big picture" moments. Thank god we invented cameras, it sure helps jog the memory.

Who knows. It's like the "outlier" happy and bad moments get lost in the shuffle. *Sigh*

There was something in particular I really had wanted to write about, but I don't quite think the timing is right. It will come soon enough - and has to do with reconnecting. Until then...

Caramba!

Ole ole - hace demasiado tiempo sin escribir por aqui. No me ha dado tiempo, y si he tenido bastantes cosas para contaros. (O contarte Alvito ;)).

1. He ido a Florida el finde pasado. Que maravilla. He ido para visitar a mi amiga y era la fiesta de soltera. Hemos pasado genial. (Y tambien nos hemos portado muy bien)
2. Estaba de viaje con mi empresa. Siempre es divertido estar con un grupo de gente que puede ser mis padres. Ojala que muy pronto encuentro gente de mi edad en el trabajo...
3. Estamos de mudanza! No puedo esperar para estar mas cerca del centro y estar en un lugar que es mas seguro. Ahora os cuento (en ingles) ;)

I never thought I could be scared to live somewhere; and truthfully I am not scared to this day, just much more aware. On Monday, after coming back from the sunny south from a weekend trip and forcing myself out of bed - I walked to the bus stop.

In route, I noticed that the apartment complex by ours was "caution taped" and surrounded by cop cars. There were three I saw as I passed, and another 2 in route. I had no idea as to what would have happened. I guess having that many cars around was abnormal, but I walked on.

Turns out -- there was a martial dispute in one of the apartments and someone was murdered! Yes, murdered. (Or as the note we got from the complex says "a domestic dispute that resulted in a homicide". SCARY! It is scary to live somewhere where someone got killed.

We are not in a bad area, and I guess these things happen often. I just never thought it would happen by us. So yeah... interesting times.

Needless to say - I'm happy we are moving :)!

Not too much else is going on. (That is the biggest lie imaginable. There is a TON going on. I am crazy busy, as usual. Not only am I knee deep in work, but I'm over my head with consulting work! Oh well, our rent goes up and we need the extra moolah.)

Peace & love :)

Nothing personal

I strive to not let this blog of mine get to personal and too in depth about my personal life. Whether I do this because I'm worried some ghost of my past will find out about this blog and read all the inner workings of my now "quasi adult" brain or I just don't want anyone to know (whether I know you or not) what's going on upstairs.

What can I say - I think us americanos are rather private about our more 'human' qualities. (i.e. defeat, short comings...etc). Once we do something good we're all about showing it off. It is the more human traits that we tend not to share. Anyway, not only is this a very random start to this post, but it really has absolutely nothing to do with what I wanted to talk about. Of which, I have entirely forgotten.

I suppose there are a few things I recently learned:
1) Life is way too short for second guessing. And way too short to be able to predict. Sadly, it should not take a family emergency to have to actually have that point validated. (Everything is a-ok, no worries).

2) Spring really does happen overnight. Last night there were buds on the trees and this morning there was greenery! Amazing. I swear it literary happened overnight.

3) Earthquakes really do wake you up. **Yes, there was an earthquake that hit these parts. I couldn't figure out why Pedro and I were both up at around 4'35a.m. I later found out I must have grabbed the heck out of him in my sleep when the ground shook. This would probably also explain why it took me FOREVER to get back to sleep; the earth quake must have shook me enough to scare the crap out of me without my even knowing what had hit until reading the news.

4) People are stupid. Not all people, but many. No need to go in details. but let's just say I've been hit by my share of stupids lately. (And I am walking away unbruised ;)).

Wish I could say that I have learned more recently.... I'll get right back on it.

Exciting ;)

Thought I would share the excitement. Peds and I both will have photos in an exhibition at a local coffee house. (Two of mine got in ;)). And there they are. They are kind of crazy, not Peds style, but I think they are interesting. Plus, my blog needed some images. :o)

To begin, you begin

That exact quote I heard just a day ago. And it kind of stuck.

I was responsible for making some call backs and who would have known I would have had a 73 year old woman on the other line asking me about my life goals and aspirations. It was almost a free therapy session ;).

She asked me point blank if I would consider myself an artist. Hmmm.

The short answer is maybe. I love art. I love culture. I love filling my life with both and trying (and pretending) like I am decent at what fits into its definition, which by the way is personal to each and every human being. I started telling her about how I'd like to write a book. I've started, but just don't seem to have enough hours in the day to continue working on it.

She wouldn't buy that - saying we make time for everything we do. The things we really want to do we will find time to do. She then said the most important thing she got out of therapy (and probably one of the few things she remembers) is that in order "to begin, you begin."

I like that. It's easy enough to think about all the things we want to do in life; all the things we need to do in life. Where is there the time to do all of that? Quoting an old coach "You gotta want it to win it." Another true-ism. ;)

So does this mean I've gotten back into writing my book. Well.... no. Does it mean that I am thinking about it... well maybe. I do know though that at some point soon I will do it.
Even if no one else ever sees it or reads it - I will do it. For me.

So the creative juices have been flowing. It is a curious thing - creativity.

The million dollar question - What is an artist? The million dollar answer: Depends on who is defining it. So I guess if I want to call myself an artist - then I can. Although, I still would opt to say maybe.

Hmm.... gears turning. More to come soon. *I'm certain*

El trabajo que es para buscar trabajo

Como os suena? Es la verdad.

Es un trabajo completo buscar trabajo. (Y encima de esto es un conazo :)).

Me alegro un monton que (por fin) no tengo que buscarlo yo. Tal vez, me siento culpable. Es que ya estoy acustumbrada tener que buscar un curro nuevo cada 9 meses. Pero, quien se sabe - a lo mejor tendre que hacerlo otra vez. Ya veremos.

Estaba pensando (y si es una novedad si pienso en cosas que no tienen que ver con arte y cultura ;)) que ya es el momento cuando hay mas gente buscando trabajo que cualquier otra temperada. Por que? Pues porque todo el mundo de la universidad que estan en sus ultimas semanas estan buscando curro como locos. (O por lo menos, lo deberian estar haciendo ya!).

Me acuerdo cuando el mercado era mejor y no era tan dificil para buscar y encontrar trabajo. A lo mejor todavia esta asi y nuestra maldita prensa nos quiere mentir. Se que en 5-10 anitos vamos a tener muchos puestos mas - es que ya nos toca que la gente mayor se jubilan. Aunque lo deberian empeziar ya, espero que por lo menos en 5 anos se van.

Es tiempo ya para pasar el poder a gente mas joven. :o)

Ay, no se. Y tampoco tengo mas para escribir. He visto un tipo en el autobus el otro dia "buscando oro" (si digais eso en espanol). [Y si no - el tipo estaba cojiendo moscos enfrente de todos los pasajeros]. Piense escribir algo sobre esto - pero no hay mucho para contar. Siempre me da risa de la gente que hacen cosas en publicos que no deberian hacer a solos!

:)

Mean people *suck*

Yes, they do. I want to know are people born with "mean streaks" or does it just happens spur the moment.

I will admit I am a sensitive person and my feelings get trampled on quite easily. I am working though on building a much thicker shell. I seem to have done so professionally, but personally I am still way lacking.

Two instances happened in the last week.

1) In NYC this weekend (yes, we finally took the plunge and went - it rocked - and I think my Peds has fallen in love all over again *s*) we were walking around through one of the nearby parks (Prospect Park I believe). Anyway, so we're walking around, Peds, GG and I. We were basically walking like we owned the sidewalk. But, whatever - there was plenty of room for everyone to get around us. Low and behold some biker as he speeds at us decided to yell and tell us we had the whole other half of the sidewalk to use - "so use it." As he yells the "so use it" bit he frickin' HIT ME. Hello -- we live in a world where you cannot touch a stranger, let alone hit a stranger. The whole yelling and touching me thing really threw me off course.

*Naturally I got over it. And, more importantly, I realized and accepted that not everyone is as nice as us Midwesterners ;). New Yorkers may not be the most friendly people, but then again their minute is half of ours. Anywho....

2) Picture this: It's raining, sleeting and snowing. I have two big bags strapped around my shoulders, as I am trying to balance an umbrella and find my bus pass. Mind you, one of these bags contains some very important paperwork, of which cannot get wet. I get my bus pass in order and then get to the stop and wait for my autobus. I knew I had a good 15 minutes to wait. No biggie. Well - one bus passes. I can't see if it is my number so I get closer to the road. It's not my bus, I step back. Bus #2 comes by, I repeat same step. Once I realize it is not my bus I look away and mind my own buz-nass. OR SO I THOUGHT. So the flipping bus driver decides that she'd pull the bus over and scold me on my bus catching etiquette. "Ma'am, when you don't want the bus to stop you should stand further back." (No one got on that bus, as it was just me at the stop. To top that off - no one got off because there was NO ONE on her bus). She made the point of having a stick up her ass my problem. Must be a huge inconvenience when you have to take an extra 10 seconds to stop the bus. Not to mention that you would have had to stop anyway since the traffic light was red.

#2 put me over the edge today. Do people try to make other people's lives miserable? Both these instances were totally uncalled for - not needed. It's like a peacock ruffling their feathers to show they are better and bigger that you. Disgusting.

Now - I know I have my bad days. I just really hope I have never set someone off, or ruined their day as much as some of these mean spirited people have the capability of doing.

It all goes back to that golden rule:
"Treat others as you want to be treated"

Momma had something right. Those are words to live by. Hope these two people find better ways to get their points across in the future... along with all the other meanies out there.

Oh to be Irish!

So says everyone on March 17th, aka Saint Patrick's Day (SPD).

It's funny actually because on SPD everyone is Irish. It doesn't matter if you even have an ounce of Irish blood in your body - as long as you have an irish brew in hand (on in-vitro) you're all good.

As I head to work this morning I was already amazed by the amount of people walking around, obviously not working, on a Monday morning. There was a street closed even, coned off and completed covered by an overhanging tent.

So here's my dilemma with SPD. Not everyone is Irish. And, more importantly, just because you are Irish doesn't mean you celebrate your heritage, or for that matter even know why you are celebrating your heritage on March 17. Most participate in the day solely to drink. I often wonder if the true Irishmen would shake their heads at the commodity it has become here. Then, again maybe they'd lift up their glasses and drink right along with you.

From my experience in the homelands, I'm pretty sure they would do they latter. They seems to be happy and very welcoming drunks. (At least they sure are during bachelor parties ;))

It's not that I frown upon those who use SPD as an excuse to get drunk, wear green and get drunk. I just have never understood why it matters so much. I'm 50% Irish. Proud of it. Then again, I'm just as proud of the other 50% mutt I am, it's just those days don't have a day to celebrate. It would be nice that amongst the madness of SPD if people cared about their heritage the other 364 days of the year. If you are so proud of being Irish, the why don't you plan a trip over there? Taste Guinness how it was meant to taste. Regardless, you can be 100% Irish, but it doesn't make you 100% Irish because when it all comes down to it - we're Irish AMERICAN here folks! We live in America, not Ireland.

Anyway - I do plan on enjoying a black&tan or something to that nature today. While doing it I'll reflect on the awesome time I had over there... :)

Maestra, maestra

I forget what movie I heard this in, or more importantly, what famous person said this, but I could not at times agree more.

"Those you can - do.
Those who can't - teach."

Now please allow me to disclaim this statement before we go into any further discussion.
I have all the compassion and respect for teachers that one could possibly have. I admire those who throw themselves into classrooms -of children and young adults of all ages- to inspire them to learn. This truly is a commendable act, and one that should not go unnoticed. Especially considered they are always facing cuts, lay offs, criticism and, not the mention, the hyper active/I want it now/ADHD/ selfish brats that comprise at least 20% of their classroom.

I for one could never (even if I started college with the mind-set I would be a K-12 teacher) ever teach. I have my swing at the most bratty, spoiled, self-centered (and might I add STUPID) young whippersnappers when I was in Spain. It was obvious these children did not want to learn English. It was also obvious that their parents didn't want them around - shopping, eating and socializing was much more important than *gasp* parenting. To make a long story short - I hated it.

Although -- I have always thought about teaching in a college setting. Something about having students in your class that actually want to be there has some real sex appeal. It also seems like it would much more rewarding, and that you could build a much stronger bond. Hell, maybe even make a difference in one of their lives. Oh my!

So here's where the going gets rough.

In order to teach at an university level should you first be a professional. Can a law professor teach law students without ever having worked? Should a med student be taught by someone who was only ever a student? Should an English professor teach without ever having had been published?

At first my inclination would be to say - why yes! By golly, if they are trained and skilled (and take continuing ed courses) then yes, yes they should. Well --- turns out I don't feel that way anymore.

Bless the hearts of my teachers in college for all they did. Truly, I mean that. But, there may have been some instances that what I am doing now in my career have absolutely nothing to do with my college education. In fact, some skills I learned in college weren't taught to me how it would be effective in the real world. Let's take PR for example. How to Write a Press Release 101. If the teacher has never actually done this in the real-world, pitched it in the real-world and done the nasty job of making the damn clip book in the real-world then I don't think they should be accessing a student's work. (*Please note this is only an example*)

You don't know how green the grass is on the other side until you get there. So friggin' get there! For the benefit of the feeble minds of your students - get there! (okay, that was over the top, but still....).

I've secretly always wanted to teach college (or at least H.S) Spanish classes. Well, may the truth be told, until the day comes when maybe I actually consider doing it - I am going to be a master in my field. I am going to know the inner working of every irregular verb, the meaning of "old Spanish" and even have the accent down. That is what is fair to students - what they deserve. Especially at the university level. Students pay for expert knowledge.

If they wanted to hear what the textbook said (even if it was updated yearly in this ever-changing world of ours) they could get that on their own. Teachers should be the ones who offer personal insights and "real-world' examples. Because in the end, most students don't become professors - they go out and do. They don't go out and teach (in a classroom that is).

This would have been way too advanced for my limited Spanish to write. Maybe I'll try though and post it to Pedro's blog... ;)

Political distress?

This post is for Alvaro - the political blogger ;)
A ver si escribo un poquito en espanol, pq la verdad es que creo saber lo que piensan en el otro lado del mar de lo que esta pasando aqui de momento con las elecciones.

I am going to disclaim this post. I am not interested, neither uninterested in politics. I just never have found the time to get involved or really find a reason to care to get involved. Es que realmente no me importa mucho. Dicen que cada persona tiene la oportunidad de cambiar el mundo con su voto. Pues, va a ser que esto es una mentira enorme. Se llama Florida. (Por lo cual, se llama Sr. W).

Bueno, me parece estupendo que por fin hemos avanzados como pais para poder tener una mujer y un hombre negro que quieren ser el/la presidente/presidenta ;). Pero, pregunto - estamos preparados para esto? Hay muchos machuistas que no creen que una mujer puede hacer un trabajo como un hombre. Tal vez, hay muchas mujeres que no creen que una mujer puede hacer el mismo trabajo que un hombre.

El hecho de que tenemos a un negro en las elecciones es una novedad. Pero me temo que el sur no piensa lo mismo - es que todavia hay mucho racismo. Y por mi experiencia en los EEUU no creo que somos tan cerrados sobre la raza como otros paises.

El problema es este: No me parecce que estemos preparados para este cambio. Y lo peor de esto es que si no ganan los democratas (dems), volveremos otra vez a tener a los republicanos. Tampoco me parece mal, porque ya todo el pais dice que cualquier presidente que tengamos en 2008 va a ser muchisimo mejor de lo que tenemos ahora. Punto.

Tengo mucha curiosidad por saber lo que piensan en el resto del mundo de los politicos de aqui. Se que Sr. W no tiene relaciones buenas con nadie - pero como es visto desde fuera un presidente negro o una mujer como presidente?

Si siempre decimos que somos algunos de los paises mas fuertes y poderosos del mundo (que tampoco es verdad, pero es la imagen) porque la gente aqui no se siente comoda en tener un cambio radical de candidato? Pues yo no lo se.

Dire que me importa lo que pasa, pero la verdad es que en estos momentos me parece una gilipollez que esta gente esta gastando tanto dinero para "ser presidente" en vez de usar este dinero para algo mucho mas importante -- como nuestra puta economia (por ejemplo).

Pues, va a ser que no he escrito casi nada en ingles y se que mi espanol esta hecho una mierda. Perdonadme, pero es que ya apenas escribo espanol, y ya casi no lo hablamos.... :(

Could anything be more repulsive?

One of my "european-minded" friends recently sent me the link to an article called "A small, vocal group of women wants you to toss out your pads, tampons and liners and go -- no joke -- reusable." The article basically talks about reusable tampons and pads. Ones that the female physically has to clean before using again.

The article should have been called, "A small, vocal group of women who have gone mad and don't bleed between their legs monthly, and haven't bleed for many, many years, thus forgetting what bleeding between thine legs is like."

I am all about the green movement, don't get me wrong. BUT, there are certain instances where it is okay NOT to reduce, reuse and recycle. For goodness sakes, who wants to clean up their own blood? It's one thing if it's a scrapped knee, paper cut... and I'm not even going to get into any more details - the thought repulses me... ewww!

I know I don't have a strong readership on my blog, but I imagine if I did this post would get comments. Anyway - here are some "juicy, aka highly disturbing" tidbits" from the article.

The pretext to this is the crazy woman talking about "pad lingerie." There are sexy animal print designs, lacy designs and fancy colors...

"The pads' colorful patterns bring an aspect of fun to her cycle, Eve says. "I went to a bead store and picked some fancy stones to make a bracelet to wear while I was bleeding," she says, explaining that such activities are positive diversions from cramps and fatigue. Other women, according to Eve, water their plants with their menstrual blood (gathered from the soaked pads) and even use their blood to make artwork.

Eve calls these acts "empowering," and says they help women "cope" with menstruation. While there's nothing inherently wrong with these methods of dealing, most women would just call them gross. Although few may find it necessary to do more with their blood than flush it, Kellogg says women do need to get over their stereotypes of female bodily functions."

I don't have much else to say about this -- other than I find it absolutely REPULSIVE! Who in their right mind needs to be empowered by menstruation? It happens, it's a natural thing. There shouldn't be an excuse to "cope." And if there is an excuse it should involve: binge drinking, chocolate, bubble baths, red wine, chocolate, elastic pants, chocolate, martinis and sweats. *This is how most women cope with their menstruation and feel empowered. *

Good night nurse!

Being married is like being SINGLE

Yes, it is true. Being married is like being SINGLE. Instead of looking for a mate, you look for friends who can relate to the situation. And what situation is that all you truly single folks ask yourselves?

Here is the breakdown. Since we have been married here are some trends I have noticed:

1) People don't call as much.
2) New single friends don't always call you.
3) Other married couples don't always call you.
4) Single non-acquaintance individuals of your age group treat you like a lunatic.
5) It's way harder to meet people. (PERIOD).

Now for some clarifications.

1) People don't call as much. This is true, but why I am not sure. Sometimes I think that folks think that if you are married, you must be busy doing "married couple things." Let me tell you - since being married, we do the same "single" things as we do as "married couple things." Nothing has changed! (Except the phone bill is much lower than before...)

2) New single friends are great, don't get me wrong. But, it's strange, different, lo k sea. I think the assumption is that we probably already have plans or would prefer to stay home and whisper sweet nothings to each other. Let me disclaim this explanation: Almost all of our new single friends are males. I think they think that on the weekends we never leave the bedroom. No need to call and interrupt our "couple time." Oh - pleease! We still need to eat, drink, laugh and socialize with others.

3) Other married couples don't call either. Must be because they would prefer "couple time" versus joint "couple time." Props to them - but Peds and I are both social people. We like to see others - especially those who are in the same situation. Wearing a wedding band doesn't mean you are on house arrest once the clock frickin' strikes 8 p.m. Ay!! I think we need to put out a personal ad "Married couple seeks other married couple friends. Must be adventurous and enjoy good wine, beer and movies. Interest in travel and camping is a plus."

4) This is true. I quote (as Peds and I were leaving a party on a Thursday at 11:30 p.m., since I had to work the next morning at 8 a.m.) "I don't worry about them, they are married." Okay idiot - nice come back. I am so insulted, you pegged me good. Saying married like it was calling me a fatso or a slut. Good one. The sad thing is that this kid probably hasn't had the company of someone in his bed since he was 10 and climbed into his parents' bed after having night terrors. It is strange though - when people hear you are married they look at you differently. (Males mostly, as secretly almost any female desires to married off). I am sure in 5 years this will change, but being in the student crowd does yield many crazy looks.

5) Yes, enough said. Being married, in a new city makes it near impossible to meet new people.
Where do you go out to meet good friends? Just like you don't want to meet a sig other at a bar - is a bar the best place to meet friends? The grocery store hasn't worked. I think we need to try the library ;).

Anyway - that is the reflection. Is there a simple answer? No. I talked to my mother about this recently and she said my dad and her didn't really meet people until they had kids. Well... looks like Peds and I have some time to wait - because that is definitely not in the cards anytime soon.

:)

~Me encantaria poder escribir todo de esto en espanol, pero es k esta demasiado chungo.~

Censored

You hear the bleeepppp and assume it was one of the overly used four letter wonders of the English language. Half the time I hear the bleep I already find myself saying or at least thinking the word in my head. No biggie.

What I find repulsive is that things much much worse than a f-bomb are not censored. I think the feeble minds of Americans can handle the cuss words - we all use them from time to time. What we should not have to handle is uncensored verbal violence.

I've been thinking about this theme a lot lately - and more this weekend than most because I had total system overload of Spaniards (god love them, but my brain is still mush!). We were all at a bar and it was the WWF wrestling finals.

I've never liked this type of "sport." I remember my brothers being really into "The Rock" and running around the house pretending (thank god) to imitate the wrestlers. It's besides the point how I feel about the sport. That it is a stupid waste of time, energy and brain power. (Oh - nevermind to qualify to be competing you basically already have to be brain dead and from the Bible Belt -- do you smell irony?).

Anyway, I was particularly disgusted by the intro before fight. Each "fighter" spoke in great extend about how their wishes to maul / gore / induce ungodly pains on the opponent. It was really graphic. If I could have covered my ears I would have. *Note: I do cover my eyes frequently when I don't want to see what will happen*.

What most irked me about these intros was the fact they fricking bleeped out the cuss words. Since when was 'fudge' and any other cuss word worse than listening to someone talk about how they wanted to pummel a human being to the ground and 'have them taste their own blood in the back of their throat."

Isn't that what should be censored?

Regardless - it's not the type of program that any child should be watching. But, if they do -- I think the f-bombs are the least of the problems. Nothing like watching two protein'ed-out meatheads beat the living shit out of each other. Why censor that when you can throw in a few bleeping bleeps instead of addressing the real mother bleeping issue at hand!

Anyway - that's my two cents on the subject. Put another quarter in if you want to hear more.

Americano beauty

I admit instead of doing something more productive with my Saturday night - we stayed in and I watched (and Peds half-did-half didn't) the Miss American Pageant. Miss Michigan won; and let's just say she looked smoking in a bikini, her evening gown and with the vocal practice sang well.

It's not that there was nothing else on TV, because there wasn't; but I watched this to reminisce of my yesteryears. I remember slumber parties of dressing up and casting our votes. This year was yet another disappoint, however; on a much more mature level. When I was 8 I was said that Miss Minnesota/Wisconsin/Illinois did not win. This year I was more disappointed that as hard as the organization tries to do good - they lack the key elements to do so. *It's called brains* And yes, I do not doubt the contestants are all smart and educated women. They are also all size 0 and wearing push-up bras. That is fine. What is not fine is that over 80% of the pageant is based on sheer looks.

The final 10 contestants get 20 seconds to answer a rhetorical questions I swear 6 of the 10 questions either had Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and her lil' sis and Lindsay Lohan. Are these individuals even worth getting more national publicity? Is it necessary to have questions about this? How about our country's political system, health care, repression, unemployment rate (*hello - you're from Michigan and you didn't mention it?), war, pollution... etc. etc. etc. I think these are much more current and, dare I say, important questions.

Should Lil' Spears still have a job on Nik since she's preggie?
How it is that Paris does nothing, but gets so much publicity?
What would you do about binge drinking - like that of L. Lohan?

Come on America. Who gives a shit! Are these really the important issues? The best questions was ... 75% of America don't think the country is heading in the right way - what would you do about this? What the H - E double toothpicks do you say to that? Well the brainster starting talking about rolemodels and then proceeded to waste her remaining 15 secs gabbering on about the infamous names of above (of the Spears, Lohan and Paris variety). **ARRRGG!!!

Frustrating - very frustrating. But, alas, there is mainstream media for ya'll.

Put a pretty face, not to mention skinny, in front of the young audience that is watching the program. (And us closet watchers who had nothing better to do - I know you're out there too!). And what do they see? Young women prancing around in bikinis, revealing and highly impractical evening gowns and singing. The perfect ingredients for a true role model.

Where is my barf bag anyway?

All right, so I am resentful. I always wanted to be in the pageant business. I had my shiny moment once at the 'Sconie State Fair. As I was the summer intern and helping out the chef - we had a guest appearance from Miss Wisconsin. Well, when they announced her name - I oblivious to the announcement, walked out on stage to deliver some things for the chef. Everyone clapped, as I stood there is a baseball cap and over-sized apron. I think the crowd quickly realized that I was not Miss Wisconsin, just the summer intern. Not made-up enough to be the real things. And sure enough, the "real one" walked out moments after this wearing her little skirt and heels. So close... so close.

And the newspaper says..." Usually tame by modern TV standards, the swimwear competition kicked it up a notch. Most contestants wore black bikinis, and some struck provocative poses and twirled as the audience howled."

Enough said. I digress...

Plu-empleada

Seguro que no he escrito el titulo bien -- ni esa frase. Es que a penas uso mi espanol. Me case con un espanol para hablar ingles - o mejor dicho - para hablar spanglish. aycaramba ;o)

So back to the native tongues we go.

Well as of this week I will be employed at three different locations. Call me crazy. Call me an overachiever. Or call me 'working in the non-profit world' and trying to make a living. *s* No, but really I am extremely happy. It finally seems like all my lucky stars are in line. Now we just have to stay here so I can make it all happen - I have a vision - and I know I can make it happen. (Peds si estas leyendo esto - ya sabes ;)).

I have had the same sound byte from our faithless leader in my head ever since it happened that I accumulated so many jobs. (By the way there are at least two others in the pipeline, but I have laid off the overzealous idea that I have 80 hours in a day. I conform with 3). Anyway - there is some clip during the campaign or something or another where he *literally* commends the woman for having two jobs and working 60 hours a week. "Now that is America. The american dream" No - ass wipe that is called making a living! Some of us aren't are fortunate to have one, rock star job that we can punch in a 9, punch out at 5 and drive a sexy sports car. Some people actually have to sweat and get dirty to make ends meet and pay rent at the end of the month. So I laugh at that "the american dream" bullshit. Who dreams about working their life away?

*Please note -- I am very happily employed at multiple locations.* I've just been thinking about all the people who don't have a choice to have just one job. They have to work days and nights. They sacrifice time with their family, friends, sig others, lovers, pets... etc. That is not right. Granted, I too sacrifice that time - but it's because half the time no one is around anyway. I'd prefer to use my brain in so-called "after hours' (Para los espanoles -- es a las 5. No hay siesta y no volvemos a la oficina despues de almuerzo ;) -- como me gustaria tener esto de nuevo...).

I am not sure if this post even makes sense. In a nutshell - I raise my glass (of water, it's Monday) to all those hard-working, crazy Americans out there. Those who work their butts off for the weekend.

~*a

~*Algo bonito*~

Thought I would make a post that is more appealing to the eye... ;).
I haven't had too much time to play with the camera, but when I do I will try to post something.

It is just the beginning of a very eventful week - and I guess that I can deal with beginnings. Life is just full of them. Guess that is what makes it so darn exciting, crazy, interesting, stressful and everything else.

Talk. Talk.. Talk.

Lots in the grey mass right now. I find that every time Peds and I watch documentary films it gets the juices pumping again -- not to mention I am at the turning point of my professional life once again. (For someone my age this isn't normal ;)).

We have recently seen two documentaries -- Who killed the electric car and Jesus Camp.

Each has gotten me thinking. The fact the car companies killed the electric car is moronic. I did not even know such a thing exists. I wonder what other crazy things are going around the street of L.A. these days? (Other than Ms. Spears in her wedding dress). Doesn't seem right to me that only the rich and famous (and communities surrounding those) get to know of these things. Oh well. I guess my life isn't that significant in the Midwest ;).

The other film perhaps got under my skin most. Kids being programmed to live a life without sin. Isn't childhood all about living in sin? Eating more candy than you should, staying outside playing after mom calls you in for dinner, putting your elbows on the table, eating with your mouth open, not brushing your teeth, playing 'make-believe'. I didn't think reading Harry Potter could be the Devil's will. Thought that was childhood. Don't get my wrong religion is great - and something, in my opinion, children should have in their life. However, it should not be force fed - mind-numbing and brain washing. Oh well. Off my pedestal I will go.

The thing that bothers me most about both of these films - is how easy it is for me to believe what I see and be affected by it. I do like documentary films, but it almost makes me crave the other half. It's not the full story - no matter how 'well' they think they do portray both sides. I do not believe everything I hear. But, I guess I do think about the things I see and experience - all too much -- on so many multiple levels.

It's like the Brothers K. -- the layered onion. As you peel away one layer you discover there is another. And another. And another. Etc. Etc. Etc. Sometimes the layers make your cry - blur your vision - pain with hunger.

In a nutshell - I like to think, whether it be relevant to my life or not. I enjoy thinking. :)

Como pasa el tiempo...

Como pasa el tiempo, verdad? Ya estamos en 2008 y ya despedi a mi ultima anno de ser soletera ;).

Nothing exciting to pass along. I had hoped that going back home would trigger some ideas for a post, but it did not. I can say that I successfully did not run into anyone that I did not want to run into while at home. Not that it should be a fear of mine -- but there are just some people from the many walks of my life I don't really care to hear about or see again.

It was pleasant to be home and not have to "pretend" like I wanted to be nice to someone. *Anyway*

It's been a white winter.

Dang - I am boring. I need some more excitement added to life. I don't even have another good gym story (and I have been going).

To my one or two readers -- happy new year. :o)