Jamie inspired this post with her post on Miley Cyrus...my response got a little long for a comment, and since I haven't posted in a while...
I actually don't think this picture is all that bad. Too provocative for a 15 year old, yes, and my kid wouldn't be doing it. My 7 year old and her whole class are all about Hannah Montana, and THEY were talking about it today. Of course being 7 year olds, and only hearing bits of the story, they thought she was showing her whole front, or fully naked, and I had to explain it was just her back, and that it was a bad choice by Miley and her parents.
Her parents just don't think. We went to see the 3-d movie, and I was pissed that they showed Billy Ray and Miley in the back with no seat belts. He apologized about his poor judgment after the fact, but what happened during "Idol Gives Back?" The same damn thing!!! And no one even batted an eye.
Her music that I've heard is fine, some of it (like Nobody's Perfect and Life's What You Make It) have messages I've been trying to get across to my daughter for a long time. On the tv show and in the movie, the kids aren't wearing low cut shirts or really short skirts (most of the time they had shorts on under them when they were above the knee), the worst I can say is sometimes the clothes are a little tight.
So, we'll continue to watch the shows and listen to the music, I pre-screen it all anyway. But we'll also talk about the bad choices she makes and why those choices are bad.
Hopefully Billy Ray will get his head out of his ass and rein her in, but I kind of doubt it. Which is really sad, but one of life's lessons, I suppose. We really don't need another Britney!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Really, You Should be Required to Have a License to Procreate.
(I'm on a roll, two posts in one day!!)
In my friend's son's class is a boy named Christian. They go to Christian's birthday party, and his dad at one point says, "Atticus, come here please!"
My friend asks, "Who's Atticus?"
The dad says, "Him", indicating the boy they knew as Christian.
My friend says, "Oh, I thought his name was Christian!"
Dad, in kind of a disgusted tone, "Oh that's what his MOTHER calls him. I call him Atticus. But his legal name is Hans."
This was Hans-Christian-Atticus's 6th birthday party. Apparently, they couldn't decide on a name, picked Hans, each used their preferred name. In pre-school, he went by Atticus, in Kindergarten, Christian.
And the kicker? His parents are still married. For now.
In my friend's son's class is a boy named Christian. They go to Christian's birthday party, and his dad at one point says, "Atticus, come here please!"
My friend asks, "Who's Atticus?"
The dad says, "Him", indicating the boy they knew as Christian.
My friend says, "Oh, I thought his name was Christian!"
Dad, in kind of a disgusted tone, "Oh that's what his MOTHER calls him. I call him Atticus. But his legal name is Hans."
This was Hans-Christian-Atticus's 6th birthday party. Apparently, they couldn't decide on a name, picked Hans, each used their preferred name. In pre-school, he went by Atticus, in Kindergarten, Christian.
And the kicker? His parents are still married. For now.
7 Random Things
Jamie at Mom Around the Clock tagged me!
Here's my facts, but I don't have anyone I'd want to tag right now!
1. I don't like drinking directly out of glass glasses. I'm terrified of them breaking in my mouth.
2. I like raw potatoes.
3. I really hate wearing socks.
4. Even though I totally love my dog and wouldn't give him up now, I still kind of wish we'd never got a dog
5. I'm very particular about how the groceries get put away, so I usually insist on doing it.
6. I can't stand nail polish on my fingers, and can't stand not to have it on my toes.
7. I don't think make up is worth the bother 90% of the time, so I don't wear any.
Here's my facts, but I don't have anyone I'd want to tag right now!
1. I don't like drinking directly out of glass glasses. I'm terrified of them breaking in my mouth.
2. I like raw potatoes.
3. I really hate wearing socks.
4. Even though I totally love my dog and wouldn't give him up now, I still kind of wish we'd never got a dog
5. I'm very particular about how the groceries get put away, so I usually insist on doing it.
6. I can't stand nail polish on my fingers, and can't stand not to have it on my toes.
7. I don't think make up is worth the bother 90% of the time, so I don't wear any.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Not quite hell freezing over, but close...
It seems like yesterday (but maybe it was Monday or Tuesday) when I bragged about our great CA weather...
Today, we had a bit of a change.
It all started when I got back from lunch and the cows were looking staring crazily at me.
I knew something was up. This picture isn't nearly as freaky as it was in person, there's about 25 cows about 15 feet away from me. Thankfully, there's also a fence between us.
I thought it was the thunder and lightening, when that started 20 minutes later. Then I thought it was the hail when that started...
For san diego, it was large hail, about pea sized. It started sticking and building up. Then, about 20 minutes later, it started snowing.
Really.
I have pictures!
We had to call out the public works guys with brooms to clear the paths.
Snow does funny things to us San Diegans.
It was snowing in huge flakes. I have lived places where it snows (Utah, Colorado and Michigan), so I'm not just saying that! They let us go at 3:30, about an hour after the hail and snow started.
Today, we had a bit of a change.
It all started when I got back from lunch and the cows were
I knew something was up. This picture isn't nearly as freaky as it was in person, there's about 25 cows about 15 feet away from me. Thankfully, there's also a fence between us.
I thought it was the thunder and lightening, when that started 20 minutes later. Then I thought it was the hail when that started...
For san diego, it was large hail, about pea sized. It started sticking and building up. Then, about 20 minutes later, it started snowing.
Really.
I have pictures!
We had to call out the public works guys with brooms to clear the paths.
Snow does funny things to us San Diegans.
It was snowing in huge flakes. I have lived places where it snows (Utah, Colorado and Michigan), so I'm not just saying that! They let us go at 3:30, about an hour after the hail and snow started.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Save the Greyhounds!!
My Greyhound group is participating in America's Giving Challenge from Parade Magazine. The 8 charities that inspire the most people to give will each get $50,000. Plus, they get all the money donated in the challenge. It only takes $10 to count as a donor! If you have an extra $10, please consider helping us to $50,000!
http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=110200
Right now, one of the groups big projects is renovating a recently purchased kennel to house even more dogs. Greyhound Adoption Center is one of the few groups that will take and heal injured racers. Currently, the shelter is run out of a modular trailer and the dogs live in large cages with turn out 2-3 times a day. The new shelter will have doggy condo modules, where 3-4 dogs that get along will live in a small room until they are adopted, with outside access.
http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?badgeId=110200
Right now, one of the groups big projects is renovating a recently purchased kennel to house even more dogs. Greyhound Adoption Center is one of the few groups that will take and heal injured racers. Currently, the shelter is run out of a modular trailer and the dogs live in large cages with turn out 2-3 times a day. The new shelter will have doggy condo modules, where 3-4 dogs that get along will live in a small room until they are adopted, with outside access.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Smoking
Starting January 1, a new law went into effect here in California, that you may not drive and smoke with a child under 18 in the car.
Personally, I'm all for laws restricting smoking as much as possible. I know, I know smokers have a "right" to smoke, however, of the hundreds, or maybe thousands of smokers I've seen, a bare handful get that their "right" to smoke ends where my right to breathe begins.
I put right in quotation marks in regards to smokers because while that's an argument used by smokers; I don't necessarily believe it's a right. I do however, seem to remember a certain document used to found our country guaranteeing my right to life. Since breathing is absolutely essential for life...well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where I'm going with this...
I have asthma that's induced my environmental factors, such as smoke. One of the reasons I love California is that most public places are non-smoking. I can live a fairly normal life and not have to worry about frequent asthma attacks.
Beyond that, one set of my grandparents smoked for years, and had cancers and heart disease and other health issue which can be attributed to smoking. I do get that it's an addiction, but I don't really get how/why people start in the first place.
Yes, I have tried it. When I was in high school and right out of high school, my asthma wasn't as bad as it is now, and I've probably smoked about a half dozen cigarettes in my life. A part of me wonders if that had some effect on worsening my asthma. But it was gross, and I just fail to see the appeal.
To the few dozen smokers who are courteous about your smoking, I don't get you, but I respect your right to choose to smoke. Unfortunately, the vast majority of dumbasses who think the world is their ashtray, and the rest of us have to deal with their 'right' to smoke make it so we need laws restricting smoking. Since those laws make me able not to live my life as a hermit, damn straight I'm all for them.
Personally, I'm all for laws restricting smoking as much as possible. I know, I know smokers have a "right" to smoke, however, of the hundreds, or maybe thousands of smokers I've seen, a bare handful get that their "right" to smoke ends where my right to breathe begins.
I put right in quotation marks in regards to smokers because while that's an argument used by smokers; I don't necessarily believe it's a right. I do however, seem to remember a certain document used to found our country guaranteeing my right to life. Since breathing is absolutely essential for life...well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where I'm going with this...
I have asthma that's induced my environmental factors, such as smoke. One of the reasons I love California is that most public places are non-smoking. I can live a fairly normal life and not have to worry about frequent asthma attacks.
Beyond that, one set of my grandparents smoked for years, and had cancers and heart disease and other health issue which can be attributed to smoking. I do get that it's an addiction, but I don't really get how/why people start in the first place.
Yes, I have tried it. When I was in high school and right out of high school, my asthma wasn't as bad as it is now, and I've probably smoked about a half dozen cigarettes in my life. A part of me wonders if that had some effect on worsening my asthma. But it was gross, and I just fail to see the appeal.
To the few dozen smokers who are courteous about your smoking, I don't get you, but I respect your right to choose to smoke. Unfortunately, the vast majority of dumbasses who think the world is their ashtray, and the rest of us have to deal with their 'right' to smoke make it so we need laws restricting smoking. Since those laws make me able not to live my life as a hermit, damn straight I'm all for them.
Monday, December 17, 2007
On Healthcare
I read several medical blogs, the world of medicine has always fascinated me, and I'm getting ready to go back to school to get a PharmD, so that I can become a pharmacist. (Unless drugmonkey scares me off!)
Anyway, a hot topic these days is misuse of the ER. Personally, I've been to the ER a few times in my 29 years of life, once for my very first migraine, two or three times for respiratory distress (I have asthma), and once for what I thought was appendicitis and turned out to be a burst ovarian cyst. I've also taken my roommate at the time for kidney stones.
My husband has taken his daughter at least twice, once for some stomach thing that needed surgery (not a hernia), and once for high fever/ear ache/uncontrollable crying.
What do all these visits have in common? First, they all took several hours. Second, there are always a ton of not very sick looking people in there. Even though there are confidentiality rules and such, the ER's not that big of a place, so you overhear a lot. I don't understand why these people come to the ER for minor aches and pains! Sore throat with a cough but no fever? What's the emergency there? You fell 4 days ago and hurt your ankle and it hurts but there's no swelling and your x-rays are normal? Again, why are you here?
The crazy thing is, we have an urgent care facility literally across the driveway from the ER! And the wait there is usually half that of the ER. In fact when I had my abdominal pain, and what I thought was appendicitis, I actually went to urgent care, and they freaked out and put me in a wheelchair and rolled me over to the ER.
But the urgent care makes you pay for services. They're part of the same group as the ER, and do take medi-caid, medi-care and medi-cal, as well as disability, but most people have a small co-pay of $20-$75. The ER will treat you for 'free'.
I wonder if the ER had the same co-pay system, especially for non-emergency issues, would it be as crowded? Or if they could make people go to urgent care or the free clinic a few minutes away...
Until then, if we have to use the ER, we'll use our card when we sign in. If you have insurance, present your card at every opportunity. I know part of the reason I don't have to wait as long as some is because I don't go to the ER for a sore throat. But that insurance card is like a golden ticket sometimes.
In the end, it's much easier and less time consuming to go to a PCP. That whole "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" thing.
Anyway, a hot topic these days is misuse of the ER. Personally, I've been to the ER a few times in my 29 years of life, once for my very first migraine, two or three times for respiratory distress (I have asthma), and once for what I thought was appendicitis and turned out to be a burst ovarian cyst. I've also taken my roommate at the time for kidney stones.
My husband has taken his daughter at least twice, once for some stomach thing that needed surgery (not a hernia), and once for high fever/ear ache/uncontrollable crying.
What do all these visits have in common? First, they all took several hours. Second, there are always a ton of not very sick looking people in there. Even though there are confidentiality rules and such, the ER's not that big of a place, so you overhear a lot. I don't understand why these people come to the ER for minor aches and pains! Sore throat with a cough but no fever? What's the emergency there? You fell 4 days ago and hurt your ankle and it hurts but there's no swelling and your x-rays are normal? Again, why are you here?
The crazy thing is, we have an urgent care facility literally across the driveway from the ER! And the wait there is usually half that of the ER. In fact when I had my abdominal pain, and what I thought was appendicitis, I actually went to urgent care, and they freaked out and put me in a wheelchair and rolled me over to the ER.
But the urgent care makes you pay for services. They're part of the same group as the ER, and do take medi-caid, medi-care and medi-cal, as well as disability, but most people have a small co-pay of $20-$75. The ER will treat you for 'free'.
I wonder if the ER had the same co-pay system, especially for non-emergency issues, would it be as crowded? Or if they could make people go to urgent care or the free clinic a few minutes away...
Until then, if we have to use the ER, we'll use our card when we sign in. If you have insurance, present your card at every opportunity. I know part of the reason I don't have to wait as long as some is because I don't go to the ER for a sore throat. But that insurance card is like a golden ticket sometimes.
In the end, it's much easier and less time consuming to go to a PCP. That whole "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" thing.
Friday, December 7, 2007
In Case You Were Wondering...
Flaky answering machine chick never called back. I sent her a "thanks-but-no-thanks" letter. Too bad for her, she had a pretty decent resume. However, if you're so flaky you can't even return a call for an interview, that does not bode well for your ability to do the job.
We are on second interviews, and I've been writing questions. I'm giving in to the craze and asking an "off the wall" question: If you could be any kind of plant or animal, what would you be and why?
The point is to see how the person thinks on their feet and handles the unexpected. I'm not expecting poetry, I'm expecting something with a fairly logical explanation. Plus, it tells about their personality a bit too. We'll see how it goes on Monday.
Here are my other questions:
We are on second interviews, and I've been writing questions. I'm giving in to the craze and asking an "off the wall" question: If you could be any kind of plant or animal, what would you be and why?
The point is to see how the person thinks on their feet and handles the unexpected. I'm not expecting poetry, I'm expecting something with a fairly logical explanation. Plus, it tells about their personality a bit too. We'll see how it goes on Monday.
Here are my other questions:
- Describe a typical day at your current job.
- Name the 3 most helpful tools in your current job.
- Situational Question: One afternoon, when the entire water staff is out either at training or sick, including the boss, you get a call from his boss saying that there’s a water break at the main office, and to get someone over immediately to fix it. You can’t reach your boss, but leave him a message. The only water worker you can reach says he’s 30 minutes away. What do you do?
- If you could be any kind of plant or animal, what would you be and why?
- Why are you the best candidate for this job?
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Job Applicants, again
Don't give me a number with a machine that says, "Hi, you've reached *name* and *name*. Leave us a message and we may get back to you, because we kinda suck at checking the machine."
Professionalism at it's finest.
**ETA**
Cell phone message for this applicant: "Hi, this is *name*, and I'll get back to you when I feel like it, which may be a while.
Nice.
Professionalism at it's finest.
**ETA**
Cell phone message for this applicant: "Hi, this is *name*, and I'll get back to you when I feel like it, which may be a while.
Nice.
Dear Wrong Numbers,
I'm not lying to you when I tell you it's the wrong number. If you call the same number again, you are going to get me again. Not Bob, or Jill, or Jen or anyone. It's just me. The first time, no biggie, we all make mistakes. The second time, mildly annoying, but I understand, maybe you'd dialed wrong the first time. Anything after that is just excessive. And, I may start to mess with you.
Oh, and frickin' pay attention to the voice mail before leaving a message. It says "This is KATHERINE, I can't answer the phone, please leave a message." Clearly, not Bob, Jill or Jen.
I hate you for wasting my time and cell minutes,
K
Oh, and frickin' pay attention to the voice mail before leaving a message. It says "This is KATHERINE, I can't answer the phone, please leave a message." Clearly, not Bob, Jill or Jen.
I hate you for wasting my time and cell minutes,
K
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