socio-political discourse.

 

A couple days ago I mentioned to a friend that I was growing tired of blogging. Honestly, several times during the week I have considered “pausing” my blog until I get out of grad school. (I have to get in first, but that’s another story entirely.)

It’s not that I don’t enjoy blogging, but that I simply don’t enjoy what I blog about.
I have done everything I can to try to hide the real me on this blog, because the real me
is a rabid socio-politico with strong opinions about anything falling under the categories of politics, economics or society. (I won’t even get into religion- my grudges run too deep.)

Frankly, I struggle with this because like most people, I want people to like me. (Fine, I want you to adore me.)

I’m neither left nor right on issues, I’m either all the way left, or all the way right depending on what
I’m talking about.

You could say I have no friends from either side,
or you could say that I have friends on both sides, so long as either side doesn’t
find out that I’m pals with the other.

So I don’t write.

I like to debate issues, but most people feel like they are being attacked, so I leave off debating for those few friends who love debating as well. Ya know, because sometimes it is an attack. Sometimes the person I’m debating with is so stupid that common sense is an attack on their logic, but not their character.
And sometimes I’m so stupid that people have to attack mine too.

I love people who can digest the opposing view while they debate, and who will admit defeat when their logic doesn’t pass muster. I’ve learned to admit defeat as well. I’ve been like this since I was a kid, so I’ve said a lot of embarrassing and immature things while debating, but often you learn how to debate first by learning how not to debate.

(My husband would say that I never admit defeat to anything, which is wrong. =) I only refuse to admit defeat when debating on how to remove sod, build a wooden box or anything else that men generally do. You know, things I know everything about. The stakes are higher, so I prove my knowledge of construction by never backing down. Ahem. I’m learning.)

All this being said, I never talk to most people about politics because I get too irritated at adults who can’t debate without getting emotionally involved. Or who can’t see logic.

Maybe I should be a lawyer instead of a pharmacist. I like elaborate word wars way too much.

Anyway, this is why posting recipes, fuzzy photographs, or even travel content gets so boring to me.
None of it matters to me. Maybe the recipes. I do like food.

So what should I do?

Do you want to read the occasionally charged blog post?

Will you hate me for my views?

Do you even care whether I care about whether you care or not?
(let me know when you figure that one out.)

Before I end, let me say one thing:

These ignorant things that we call “debates” in presidential primaries are about the most ridiculous thing ever. Stating and restating scripted ideas does not qualify as debating.

p1: “I believe marriage is between one man and one woman.”

p2: “I believe that marriage should be defined by the individual states.”

I say: “Good for both of you, now why not try actually using your noodle and discussing the issue like intelligent human beings.”

p1 & p2: “Why the crap would we do that?”

I say: “IDK, since apparently IQ has no weight in US presidential races.”

I mean really? Did Herman Cain really think that no-one would dig through his past?

App test

I decided to download the blogger app to try blogging on the go more, instead of just twittering all the time.

Let's see what this looks like.

Hypocrisy.

 

I glanced through the news a minute ago and read an encouraging story about the Chinese Prime Minister’s thoughts after his recent visit to Auschwitz, in Poland.

In the Reuters article on Yahoo, Minister Wen Jiabo says things like “This is an unforgettable, dark page in the history of humankind and cannot be forgotten.”

You can read the article by clicking here.

Then, less than a minute later, I saw the front page article on BBC:

Blind Chinese dissident 'flees arrest'

In this article, a blind political prisoner, Chen Guangcheng, has escaped his
house arrest and has posted a Youtube video addressed to the Prime Minister.

Yup, to Mr. Jiabo.

In the video, he has several requests for the Prime Minister, including asking that his family would be kept safe.

It really makes you wonder about whether or not Jiabo is the humanitarian leader that he has tried to portray himself as. How can you criticize the Nazi’s while you beat up the people you disagree with?

On the same hand, maybe Jiabo really is trying to change things in China, perhaps that’s why Guangcheng specifically made the video to him.

What do you think? Should we give people like Jiabo the benefit of the doubt??

She’s still country.

I grew up out in the country.

…sometimes its hard to remember that I have neighbors.

I often catch myself singing at the top of my lungs, yelling at insects,
or talking about something completely inappropriate, only to realize
that the windows are open and my neighbors can hear everything I say.

So no Alan, I haven’t “gone country”, I still am.

56 Episodes of Star Trek at once.

Youtube genius twilight1138 has created the ultimate Trek fan tribute…

…Prepare to lose a few brain cells.

The Dishwasher Chronicles

 

First, You must always pronounce Dishwasher in your best Polish/Russian/German accent.
It’s a Deesh-vaater. or Deesh-vasha. Whichever you prefer.

It’s going to feel like Christmas around here in a couple weeks. We finally bit the bullet and bought a dishwasher.Our kitchen is too small for a regular size (24”) and the 18” is about double the price. It kind of makes me sick to think about how much money I am spending on something that will only wash like 4 plates at a time.

But after 3 years of school, I can’t take it anymore.

My husband picks up all the slack while I’m in school, and it’s quite sweet and everything, but I’m left feeling worthless at the end of the day. I work my butt off at school only to get yelled at by professors, and then come home to a sparkling clean home that makes me feel like a big loser.

I know that these years of cramming my brain will pay off in the end, and then I’ll be able to wash dishes and iron clothes and mop floors to my heart’s content. But for now, I really need to keep control of at least one part of my housewifely duties: the kitchen.

I’m proud to say that I’ve stuck with my decision to keep us healthy while I’m in school. No TV dinners for us.
I don’t even cook dinners and freeze them. (I hate freezers.) In fact, I try new recipes every week. But dishes, that’s another story. Once I’ve put my hour in the kitchen every day, I’m outa there.

So the poor hubs is left with mounds of dishes in the sink.

I can’t take it.

I finally convinced him that we needed a dishwasher for my peace of mind. At least I can load the dishwasher and make myself feel useful around here.

So here she is.

Meet my new slave.

In their footsteps…

 

I recently found out that the the National WWII Museum in New Orleans (www.nationalww2museum.org) is now offering WWII-based travel tours in Europe.

And guess what?

Robert Edsel is leading a tour!!

In September, Mr. Edsel is going to lead In The Footsteps of The Monuments Men which begins in Paris, runs through Benelux and Germany, and ends in Salzburg, Austria.

I would give my right arm to take this tour. Edsel is the director of the Monuments Men, an organization that began at the end of WWII to find missing art and history that the Nazi’s had either stolen or destroyed.

I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet, but I have The Rape of Europa, which is an excellent film on the subject. It’s one of the most fascinating stories from WWII.

Sadly, I don’t have an extra $9k hanging around, so I’ll have to make do by envying the lucky few who will get to spend quality time with such an interesting guy.

Talk about trip of a lifetime.

The Boxing Day Tsunami

 

Every once in awhile I try to remember the tragedies that have taken place during my lifetime. I don’t want to forget these things. I know it sounds morbid, but I feel like the least I can do is try to bear the sadness for the people whose lives were cut short. I often feel guilty for my charmed existence.

I think the Indian Ocean Tsunami will go down as one of the most deadly events in the past few decades, and hopefully we’ll never see anything like it again.

It kind of makes me sick to realize how little we know about tragedy in America. 9/11 was bad, I get that. But for most of us, we know nothing of personal tragedy. The worst natural disaster to hit America in the last century was in 1918 when a hurricane hit Galveston Texas. Around 10,000 people died.

We are so blessed, but I hope our blessings don’t keep us from having a real understanding of the pain that the world goes through…

…Maybe someday they’ll do a documentary featuring more locals.

Americans

If you can forgive the language, you may find the truths in this as hilarious as I did:

 

I blog. Like once a month.

Ok, so I exaggerate as well.

I’ve had so many fabulous ideas twirling through my head lately, but every time I sit to write, I’m overcome with the desire to sleep. So I go to bed and sleep. or watch Masterpiece and then sleep.

So forget Dear Friday, here comes Dear March/April.

1 My new favorite dish is this Cream of Asparagus Soup from Skinnytaste.
2 I’ve made new friends in my Calculus class. We spend every break sharing juicy gossip about the science department.
3 I feel like I’ve been sick without symptoms for about a month. Like my body is doing its best to keep up, but I may get the flu any day.
4 I’m officially tired of storms.
5 I ate a Klondike bar today.
6 North Korea is a bad place. They make Nazi’s look like friendly grandmothers.
7 I think it would be awesome to be at Mt. Etna when she erupts.
8 I bought tickets to get out of Dodge.
9 I dressed in winter clothes the other day just to avoid having to shave my body.
10 I feel guilty to sit here blogging while people in the midwest are hiding in fear right now. There’ve  been some humdinger tornados today.
11 I started reading HG 2. Man these books are amazing.
12 I don’t know the muffin man.
13 I finally bought sunglasses. My friends will be thankful that this two-year hunt is over.
14 I’m going to go lay in the yard on Monday until my entire body is a toasty shade of red.
15 My husband asked me if the Mockingjay on the front of the HG 2 was hungry. Afterall, it is the Hunger Games.
16 All my friends are running a race and are making me feel like a loser. I guess I’ll be a water girl.
17 I count down the days until I can sleep-in unhindered.
18 I had an Orange Blossom Muffin from this place that would make your tongue slap your brain silly.
20 I’m growing tired.
21 Zzzzz…

Missing.

 

Am I the only one who finds Ashley Judd particularly stunning in the new show, Missing?

I think her hair looks great in the show too, sets off her face perfectly.
So 1930ish.

I’m so jealous of the shade.

Bureaucracies exist to waste your money.

I think we all know this. Human nature is to waste. So when you are working for the Feds, you might assume that your employer has unlimited funds.

The TSA has never really bothered me. I would walk through a scanner naked if that’s what stood between me and that jet…

…but the numbers scare me.

Prepare yourself.

Thanks for posting this Jenni.

TN bill on k-12 Science

 

 

This post has the capacity to be controversial, so I will try to depart from my normal ranting’s and talk about it in a concise manner.

There is currently a bill on our governor’s desk that discusses the rules for how science should be taught in k-12 public schools.

I have not personally read the bill in its entirety, but the general point is that educators would be allowed to discuss alternatives to say…Evolution in science classes. As of right now, the general consensus of the scientific community is what is taught in schools. However, in any science, errors do occur. There are many scientists who will admit that Evolution has a few weaknesses. Creationists view these errors as good reason to begin teaching different ideologies about the beginning of the universe.

But let me ask a question, does an idea based on (these are just imaginary numbers) say 90% fact become obsolete because 10% is theory?

Secondly, Let’s say that Evolution is 100% wrong, does that make Creationism 100% right?

Because if Evolution being wrong makes Creationism right, then doesn’t evolution being wrong make the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Wiccan, Voodoo, Satanist, Scientologist, Native American, Neopagan, and Confucian views on the creation of the universe correct? What about the Church of the Flying Spaghetti monster?

What’s our logic here?

Do you want teachers to have the freedom to tell your kids that a giant plate of spaghetti rules the universe?

Do you want teachers to have the freedom to tell your kids that there was a giant egg floating somewhere out in space that suddenly hatched and all life flowed from it’s juices?

Do you want teachers to have the freedom to tell your kids that the mother goddess had sex with the sun and suddenly the earth appeared?

The possibilities are endless.

All that would be required is that if an idea gained enough popularity to challenge the norm, then it could be given consideration in the classroom.

If I had children, I would not want a teacher to have the option to discuss issues outside the curriculum. At least with a curriculum, if I disagree, I will have the ability to challenge the things I disagree with.

I believe that Evolution/Creationism should be batting on the same side on this issue.

I thought I might go on to explain my beliefs on creationism vs. evolution, but I think what I’ve written is enough.

The point is that in the Christian’s crusade against Evolution, they need to think about the path that they are carving for every asenine belief that exists in the world.

This is not an argument about which is right or wrong, it’s an argument about where do we draw the line.

"Homemade from scratch Blackberry Cake with Cream Cheese icing! Absolutely. Unbelievable. Best. Cake. Ever!"

This was my husband’s FB post last Easter.

I had every intention of posting the special recipe this morning…

But…then I realized that sometimes it is better to keep great things to yourself.

So Happy Easter, and if you’re lucky, I may share a bite one day.

(And mega thanks for my Mother-in-law for being less selfish than I.)

So, there’s this guy.

 

It’s been awhile since I notified the public about how great my husband is.

 

(He’ll probably hate this picture, but I love it.)

There are lots of things considered important to a marriage, but it’s always boring stuff.
Yeah, I suppose mutual religious and child-discipline styles are important, but here is what’s
important to me:

1. I don’t think I could be married to someone who wears color.

We are kind of legendary for our shades of gray:

Sometimes he even gets crazy and wears blue:

Shocking, right?

2. I must be married to a man with a square jaw.
Refer back to above photos.

3. I could never be married to anyone who says they are bored.
There are about 197 million square miles of world to be discovered.
I’d murder a husband who sat on his butt and said he was bored.

4. I had to marry a guy who challenged my passion for WWII.
Andraé is the first person under 50 that I’ve ever met
who can rival me for WWII factoids. The dude can rattle off
Pacific battles like he was there.

5. Perfectionist.
I’ve been a slightly OCD perfectionist for a very long time. As a teenager, I labeled the bottom of
my shoes with the date/store where I bought them. No-one knew this until now. Not even my mother.
I don’t like making other people uncomfortable, so I tried to hide it.
Then I met a very OCD perfectionist and a love match was made. What’s great is that we are OCD about completely different things. So it all gets cleaned at our house.

6. Reader
Books have been my main source of nutrition since I was like 5, so I had to marry a guy who appreciated
the sight, scent, and touch of paper. I think he read more books than I did last year.
I’m very proud.

7. A veggie guy.
I eat meat, and I love meat. But then I hate it too.
I really need a husband who is totally cool with going vegetarian for a week or so.
I got a one who actually asks for “light” meals.
He basically pleads for me to buy more vegetables. I love it.

8. A man who eats hard bread.
Ahem.
I wasn’t always sure whether or not I’d get this. I married a man
who likes soft, square bread. But, he’s open
to trying the many variations that I bring to the table.
…and he made a video of us eating baguettes.
So I’m pretty content.
(I think he’s a closet crusty-bread-lover.)

Ok, as much as I want to go on to #9, I have to stop and explain my love affair with bread.
Bread is my favorite food. Apparently Jesus had never had a baguette when he said that “…man
cannot live by bread alone...”
My fascination with this golden goodness goes back as far as I can remember.
I have lots of bread stories, but my most famous one is the biscuit story.
I was about 10.
My grandmother fixed a can of Grands Biscuits.
She told me to take them back home to Mom to serve with dinner.
Instead, I hid them in my backpack and ate them in my closet that night.
All eight of them.
The next morning, upon seeing my swollen face, my Mom
figured it out.
Because, the other part of this life story is that I am actually slightly allergic
to gluten. Normally only whole wheat causes a reaction.
But eight biscuits did a darn good job.

Back to my list.

9. A fashionista.
Or would it be a fashionister?
I like the fact that my husband spends 10 minutes in front of the mirror
wrapping a scarf around his neck until it’s perfect.
I like the fact that he was impressed by Matthew Bomer.
I like the fact that he was the one begging to go into the Ralph Lauren
store in Paris.
I like these things. A lot.

10. A healthy guy.
If my husband ate a cheeto, I would probably serve him with divorce papers.
The good thing is that he abhors that kind of food as much as I do.
He thinks iced-coffee is splurging.

So what’s the moral of the story here? Marriage is more than compatibility on the big issues.
A great relationship is based on the nitpicky stuff.

My husband is a fantastic guy, and it’s all these little things that
make him great to me.

 

Gardening Spring 2012

If you remember, we installed raised garden beds last spring. (We, being my husband and FIL.)

You can see it here and here.

The compost that we used to fill the beds was a little too fresh, so we ended up with huge, gorgeous looking plants, but little fruit. There was jus too much nitrogen.

I wish I could show you the sweet potato plants! They were about 3 feet tall, with the biggest leaves I’ve ever seen, but hardly a potato in sight. Bleh.

It was too late in the year before I found out that you can remedy too much nitrogen, so I didn’t worry about it. In February Andraé put black plastic over the beds, and I plan on leaving it on until we get back from Europe in June. It’s a bit late to start the planting season, but I am more interested in making sure that everything is completely decomposed inside.

Here are some pics from February:

I plan on filling the crosstie bed with Russian Sage, maybe some alliums here and there.

I’m beginning to really love succulents. My Mom and I went to gardening class a few years ago, and the lady did the entire class on potting succulents, but her designs were super ugly so I ignored everything. Now I wish I had paid more attention to how to grow/care for them. There are so many cute ideas for them on Pinterest!

I can’t wait to spend more time outside in my little jardin. :)