PurrKitten's Furballs

American Idol?

2010-03-09T20:26:00Z

One of my dirty little secrets is that I watch American Idol. Okay, truth be told, it isn't the only reality show I watch. This year is fun with Ellen on it even though I'm not a big fan of hers. Another long story that makes me look petty, but I digress.

I've noticed this year that several of the contestants having a praying habit that they like to talk about as part of the performance ritual. Others talk about their god in the course of their interviews. Honestly? I wish they would button it. I'm so tired of hearing how god did this, and god did that. And they wish god would do this, or not do that. God-lovers out there, here is my message: it's a free country. You can do or say whatever you want about god. But stop talking about it in public. I really don't care about your personal relationship with it. Shouldn't that be private? I don't want to hear about any of your personal relationships, really. Why do I care about your god relationship?

Let's talk about all of the dumb things that humans have done in the name of their gods:

the holocaust in Germany
the Christian Crusades
attack on 9/11/2001
Salem witch trials
passage of prop 8 in California and similar laws in other states
creation museum in Kentucky - are you serious??

I mean really, why do some people discard common sense and scientific knowledge in the name of some mysterious god? I think I'll start a religion that believes in food as a supreme being. Food gives us life, comfort, and energy. Why not? I'm passing the offering basket now. Any donors to the church of food? We'll have weekly meetings at restaurants in your area. I'm liking this a lot!

When To Shut Up

2010-01-22T22:00:00Z

I have a dilemma. It seems that some people I know have different opinions than I do. How can that be? I know my opinions are well thought out and logical. How can someone think differently?

Unfortunately, too many people think that way these days. And no one seems to care about the opposing opinions, except to have an opportunity to argue with one another. I like having discussions that involve rational thought and consideration for new information and other's opinions. But that simply doesn't seem to happen that much anymore.

So I am learning to shut up. It's not an easy task for me. For years, I didn't think my opinion counted (this is not therapy by blog, so let's not explore why I felt that way). So now that I have an opinion, I want everyone to know about it and enjoy it's wonderfulness. Whether it's gay marriage, abortion, religion, politics, gun control - I can say something about it.

Facebook is a forum for everyone to share their opinions in small textual bites. And sometimes the things I see make me cringe. I made the mistake of responding to a friend's opinion, and I got a rather curt response. I'm thinking a face to face discussion would have been a better idea. So now I'm just plain shutting up. This person has some opinions which obviously don't agree with mine, so I'm just not going to go there. Does it shade my view of this person? I would lying if I said it didn't. But I think my reaction is more to the curtness, not the actual opinion expressed.

We seem to be a country invested in doing small things rapidly without fully exploring all sides. This is true in politics, religion, and living life in general. Multi-tasking is practically worshiped even though it has been proven that the brain can't really do two things at once. We are a nation of distraction, not involvement.

Excuse me now, I have to go distract myself with some mindless television.

Pet Peeves

2009-12-21T19:03:00Z

During this time of year, most folks are feeling mellow and sweet just because the holidays can be so wonderful. I usually am, but this year I'm feeling a bit grouchy. So I decided to list my pet peeves - at least the ones that I currently have. Maybe that will put me in a different frame of mind before Christmas gets here. So here goes:

I detest "mood lighting" in public bathrooms. What's up with that? When I'm using the bathroom, I prefer to be able to see really well what I am getting into. Sometimes I think that they design the low lights to hide dirt. And who goes to the bathroom to get into the mood anyway? Turn up the lights please!
I get really cranky when I am following someone who is driving slow when I'm in the mood to go fast. And I get equally cranky when someone is tailgating me when I'm in the mood to drive slow.
I really don't like to talking to people who only talk about themselves. I'm pretty interesting, I think. Ask me what I'm up to. I'll try to entertain.
My dog irritates me. He needs to eat, go outside, and he barks and whines. His biggest crime? He's not a cat.
Sales people who talk incessantly bother me. Give me some information, then give me time to think. If you bombard me, I am more inclined to walk away. Even if it is a good deal. And please laugh at my jokes. I'm spending money, so that should buy at least a giggle.
I get irritated by people who don't answer the question that is asked of them. We've all met these folks. You ask them what color the sky is, and they will tell you that the grass is green. Most politicians fall into this category.
Why do doctors think they know more about me than I know? Okay, yes, they are highly trained in the medical field. But I am highly trained in living inside my body. I know what I know, regardless of what a doctor's education tells him.
I really don't like people who are not appreciative. However, I'm beginning to sound like one.

That's it for now. Happy Holidays!

Simple Pleasures

2009-12-07T20:13:00Z

Despite the odds, our solar array is officially installed. I'm sure some of the HOA board members still aren't happy, but I really don't care. My spouse is constantly teasing me because I like to watch the electric meter run backwards during the day. And today is our first rain since the installation, and NO LEAKS! It's the simple pleasures in life, don'tcha think? So the water-wise landscaping is done, solar is in - now on to the big project. Ripping out the walls downstairs. We are still working on getting the final plans drawn and through an engineering review. But it seems under control at this point.

Our holidays will be spent packing everything on our first floor to be sent to storage for the duration of the project. I do mean everything: furniture, dishes, pictures, decorations. It's like moving, but we are only going to the master bedroom for a few months. We are literally going to be stuffed in three rooms, cooking in a microwave in the bathroom. I think the cats may be okay, but we may kill the dog during the process. Me and the wife? Hopefully we will still like each other after this is all over.

The fun thing (at least it seems like it right now) is the shopping list we need to complete for the project. Cabinets, appliances, hardware, flooring, paint, fabrics, lighting - you name it, we have to select and purchase it. Even down to the baseboards and toilet seat. It's funny the things we already know we want (I have the toilet seat already selected) and the things we aren't sure about (maple or cherry cabinets?). I keep telling myself: it's a process, it's supposed to have a lot of unknowns at this point. The holidays seem like a distraction right now. But I'm getting some cool stuff, I think, so opening some presents between now and demolition day is something I think I can handle.

Free Country?

2009-11-12T16:12:00Z

As most of you know, I tend to be a bit on the liberal side of the political line. I got shoved there by the right wing crazies out there. But some of my notions tend to go down the other side of the fence. For instance...

We are doing a bunch of remodeling to our single family home. No big deal, right? Absolutely, as long as we get all the right signatures from folks who can really tell us whether what we are doing is okay. Big Brother, alive and well.

First, there is our homeowner's association. We got them to sign off on our new landscaping, but now that we have finished it, a few of them aren't so sure about our "no sod" look. We like it: no more "mow & blow" expenses (you know what I'm talking about), and our water usage is going way down because our yard only has drought resistant plants. No, it doesn't look like desert terrain. But it does look strikingly different from the rest of the neighborhood, yet it is tasteful and attractive. In drought ridden California, you would think everyone would jump on board. Then we had to get their approval to put solar panels on our roof. The laws in California basically say they can't stop us, but one board member tried to throw enough stones in our path so that we might just go away. He was worried that the glare off the panels might blind someone on the street and cause an accident. In spite of assurances that the panels have an anti-glare coating, and the physics of light waves simply didn't support that problem. They finally signed off, but the hoops were silly to say the least.

Then there are the building codes and the permits that have to be obtained from the city. Like anything they say is going to prevent us from hiring and implementing crappy work from a bad contractor. Okay, so maybe they will keep us from doing anything that infringes on our neighbors. But even that is a tad overboard. They are telling us how far from our property line we can build - even when we have NO neighbors in back of us. It's a wide open greenbelt. Why should they care???

So as we continue to pursue putting money into our ailing economy, we will keep up the good fight to get those who need to bless us to wave their hands over us in affirmation. Where is a priest when you need one?

"Marriage" Redefined - Orange County Style

2009-09-10T14:54:00Z

In November of last year, I blogged about my Assemblyman Michael Duvall and and an email message I received from him about the "undemocratic" protests of the those of us who were against the passage of proposition 8. Mr. Duvall has been an avid supporter of denying the GLBT community marriage equality, to the point that he put the existing same sex marriages in quotes.

Apparently same sex marriage has not been the downfall of Mr. Duvall's political career, or put him in bed with other women outside his marriage. Or as he is now known in the blogosphere "Spanky Duvall" (watch the video). He was able to get into bed with these women, presumably without any gay people pushing him there. Caught in a sex scandal where he admits on an open mike to sleeping with a lobbyist, he resigns in less than 24 hours. Besides the obvious hypocritical nature of this family values champion, I am amazed that he doesn't see the obvious conflict of interest in sleeping with a lobbyist who has interest in front of a committee on which he serves!

This is what it is like to live behind the Orange Curtain. Me and my wife are living quietly, paying our taxes, keeping up our property, and being good neighbors. And this guy is sleeping around and being unethical, while trying to deny rights to my GLBT community. My daddy told me life ain't fair, but really. This is just ridiculous.

Aging gracefully?

2009-08-30T18:19:00Z

I've talked a bit about the effects that I think that Topamax has had on my cognitive functioning. I've also had a chance to consult with an expert in the field of neuropsychology about how the brain and mind works during the aging process. Here is a surprise (no joke here) - the brain starts slowing down as early as our 30's! That simply sucks. I mean really - isn't that kind of a cruel joke? Just when I get smart enough and have enough experience, my mind can no longer keep up with it all? I've always said that about physical energy. It always seemed like energy was wasted on 2 and 3 year-olds. Think of what a 50-year-old could do with that energy. The world would be a different place. So now I have to face the reality that my mind works slower than it did 20 years ago. Just plain sucks.

This is so obvious to me being in a college environment. These kids are physically and cognitively agile. Some of them choose to use it to the fullest extent. Others are a tad lazy. Then I see us middle-agers, trying harder to keep up. As my father (who now has dementia) has said to me "life simply is not fair".

So in my world, I lean back and reflect on what I have that the whipper-snappers don't have. My car runs and is paid off. I have a beautiful home and a small mortgage. I am financially secure. I know who I am in so many ways that I didn't know when I was 25. I don't have to worry about getting pregnant. Or not getting pregnant (take your pick). I can afford to go out to eat just about anywhere I choose. I am secure enough in myself that I don't need to shop to make myself look, feel, act, or in anyway seem better. I'm not afraid to change my mind about my opinions on important issues. I know my flaws, and although I don't like them, I've learned to live with most of them.

The moral of this story is that there is some parts of being in my 20's that I would like back. But what I have achieved in knowledge and experience in my life, I would never trade in. But damn, I wish I could still go through my day without wanting a nap!

Facebook Phishing - Part Deux

2009-08-02T23:14:00Z

And the plot thickens...

The day after my wife's Facebook account got hacked (see previous entry), we scrambled to protect ourselves on all of our other accounts across the virtual world. And being the good internet citizen, I reported the problem to Facebook security.

What is the thanks I get for this? They disable MY Facebook account with no explanation. I received an email that said my account had been compromised and that I should change the password. Oh, and I should reply to their email with my security word in the email. Now that is just plain wrong. I have NEVER heard of entering a security word into an email. This looks like an email from the hacker.

So again, I sent a copy of this to Facebook security.

No reply. The big Facebook wall. Now I know why they call it a "wall" on Facebook. Because it is just a big computer. There are no people there to take care of actual problems. I'm not sure I should be into this anymore, but I'm kind of addicted at this point. I keep up with a lot of my friends this way. It's a conundrum.

Facebook Phishing

2009-07-30T18:54:00Z

This is from the bizarro file. This morning I was wasting my usual amount of time on Facebook when the chat window popped up from my spousal unit. This is interesting for a number of reasons: she rarely gets on Facebook, she is currently out of town playing golf, and she never calls me by my first name (which "she" did in the chat window). I simply couldn't imagine her standing on a tee box at the 10th tee musing "I wonder what my PK is doing at home? I'll use Facebook to find out!" Like I said, she doesn't use Facebook at home, much less on her Blackberry. So I called the bluff of the phisher:

Spouse:
Hey PK
8:28amPK
hi
what are you doing on FB?
8:29amSpouse
we are in need of help that why came on here for help
not good at the moment
8:30amPK
call me
8:30amSpouse
ouch all cell phone as being stolen away from us by the robbers
8:31amSpouse
we have being in big shit in London by the robbers

Would have been funny if it wasn't scary. So this morning has been about shutting down the Facebook account and protecting ourselves in other ways. So if you are on Facebook, beware. The phishers are lurking.

Read Between the Lines

2009-07-27T21:56:00Z

We recently started a remodeling job on our house. I didn't know this at first, but we started on the outside for a reason - to get used to the noise and dust gradually before we move it indoors. I'm learning a whole new way of speaking and listening that requires subtitles and translation. Don't get me wrong, I've done some projects in the past, so I have some notion how contractors work. But I've never done a project this large. When a contractor says, or doesn't say something, I'm beginning to learn that it speaks volumes. Here are some examples:

"It's a family owned business." - This means that one person in the family is the only one left in the business - generally the meanest, biggest pain in the butt that none of the other family members could deal with anymore so they all got out and are now working at the local grocery store.
"Please check our references." - They give you a cherry-picked list of people to call who are probably relatives that were never part of the business (why do they all have the same last name?). These are relatives that the contractor has yet to piss off. They built the relative/reference a new closet for free, and now they are qualified to over-exaggerate their praises.
"That isn't a service we offer, but we can refer you to someone." - Translation: "Don't you know who we are? We wouldn't touch that kind of work with a 10-foot pole. We know a schmoe who will do it for almost nothing, but you get what you pay for."
"We supervise all of our subcontractors." - I worked with an interior designer once that "supervised" by calling the subcontractors but never showed up at the jobsite. So she had no idea what kind of mess was created or left behind each night when they left. She got a LOT of crabby phone calls from me. I particularly like the tile guy she sent with his pit bull tied to the front door. Charming.
"We are pet friendly." - I think this means they won't nail gun the cats to a wall if they get in the way, but after that, all bets are off.

Okay, this makes me sound a bit pessimistic, and we are just barely getting started on the project. Let's just say that I've had some interesting experiences in the past (I once criticized a painter for painting over dust & dirt, and he suddenly left the job site for a "painting emergency"). This time around, I am spending quite a bit of time on "due diligence" - checking the Better Business Bureau, verifying licenses, bonding, insurance, and we joined Angie's LIst to make sure we aren't getting any real duds.

So wish us luck. I've got my noise cancelling earphones. And my sedatives and Aleve. I'm ready.

Understanding Dad

2009-07-05T22:15:00Z

I have written a little about my father having health issues. His problems stem from a syndrome in which is his involuntary nervous system slowly stops functioning which causes all kinds of problems, including shrinkage of the brain and dementia that results from that. Because of his high level of intelligence, he was able to "fake" his sanity for quite a while whenever he talked to health and emergency professionals. This includes the police which he occasionally called to the house when he was delusional. He is now in full-time skilled nursing care because his physical and mental functioning has deteriorated to the point that my mother cannot care for him. He still insists nothing is wrong with him, but is no longer able to convince anyone of this.

I have recently had some experiences that have helped me to understand my father's mindset. I feel very fortunate to have inherited both of my parents' intelligence. I've done well in school over the years, and understanding abstract concepts has normally been a skill I have excelled at accomplishing. Math, spelling, and grammar never gave me much problems. Until the last few years.

I took several standardized tests that required me to brush up on my math skills back in 2002 and another one around 2003, and breezed through all of them - no problems. Recently, I tried to brush up on my math skills to take the GMAT, and nothing was working correctly in my head. The simplest arithmetic concepts not only were no longer in my head, but I couldn't refresh them and make them "stick". I had been noticing in the past few years that remembering things - simple things - like my zip code, or how to spell words, or even a word I wanted to use in a sentence - would often elude me. Sometimes I thought I was going nuts. The amount of study effort that it required for me to succeed in my college classes was much higher than it used to be. Plus, I was listening much slower than I used to. But I chalked it up to menopausal brain fog. And the fact that technology was simply speeding up people around me. But I worried that I was getting early dementia like my father!

One of the classes I recently completed was Anatomy & Physiology. We studied how neurotransmitters work inside the brain. That made me wonder if any medication could cause this change in cognitive function that I was experiencing. Low and behold, I discovered that a medication that I started taking several years ago, Topamax, indeed has a known set of side effects of impairing memory and cognitive function (like spelling and word recall). Unfortunately, part of the problem is I can't remember when the symptoms started and I can't remember when I started taking the medication to know if the two absolutely correlate with one another.

I can honestly say that I have not had any severe migraines since I started taking the medication, but if the cost is that I can no longer function at my peak intelligence, then the cost is too high. I'll take a few headaches and mood swings for the ability to solve a polynomial, thank you.

GMAT Frustration

2009-06-20T16:50:00Z

I haven't blogged in so long it's simply pathetic. But I'm still alive. Barely. I finished the spring semester of classes with my poor, aching menopause-soaked brain intact. Well, sort of. I'm now in summer school, but it's relatively low key. I'm a teaching assistant for the very class I just finished taking, and it is very humbling because it shows me how quickly I have forgotten everything I just learned. Very sad indeed. And still the vast majority of the students in the class are far younger than me and grew up with games and computers, so their minds work at warp speed. I feel like they are circling me like sharks. It's unnerving. They can quickly ask me questions at the same time point out the mistakes I make at answering them. Damn.

Which brings me to my point of frustration. I have had an interest in teaching at the community college level for several years, but knew that I needed a masters degree to do it. Since I am now on the waiting list for my allied health program, I thought this would be a good time to start an MBA, right? The only thing standing in my way is a little thing called the GMAT since my undergrad GPA was high enough. No big deal, just brush up on a few things and take a test. I was always decent in math and verbal skills, so it should be easy enough. Or so I thought.

Wrong again, addle-brained one. I got this prep book and took some of the "diagnostic" and practice tests, and pretty much failed every one of them. It's like those computer games invented for 12 year-olds - those with brains that can function at warp speed do the best. Those of us who take our time and think things through - well, is there a polite way of saying "you are toast, you suck". In my day of game playing (this will "date" me), it would have been a "tilt" and the game would have been over (remember pinball?).

So here is my version of some of the GMAT practice questions:

If the sky in a Van Gogh painting is red and the building is green, what is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle with one leg having a length of (X * blue)?
- bribe a contractor to calculate the length for you
- Y * pink
- who cares? no one in business cares about the arts except as a tax write off.
- red & green are Christmas colors, so the length of any piece of garland strung by elves across the hypotenuse
- not enough data to guess an answer
A scientist is studying the correlation of global warming to the increase of methane between the layers of suburban insulation. In order to study this, he has imbedded sensors in walls of homes to "sniff" and measure the amount of methane gas that was produced by the insulation in the walls. At the same time, lab assistants were installed in the homes to count the number of farts produced by the occupants in order to subtract these from the calculation. What statement below is an assumption in the scientist's study?
- farts are propelling the rotation of the earth, and lab assistants need to be in every home in suburbia to ensure that people continue to fart
- the government should fund this study in order to make sure that real science is not lost to theology
- Al Gore is a major farter
- Van Gogh never farted. That's why he saw things in different colors.
- all of the above
If Y = T, and X + 7 = F, W * 2 = 49/7, then WTF = ?
- T = tarantula
- can we please use calculators, I mean seriously!
- W = what
- I think we know where this is going
- let's not get vulgar
If a crowd is standing before a long field yelling loudly but speaking in soft whispers, a speech is not given to be plausible in the long term technologically due to the fence of transmission. Prevention of softness is possible, but not a speed trap set up to determine how to implement in the long term. If the permeability is a flag of a bridge of toilet paper, then what option is the best contradiction?
- jump from a bungee cord with general ledger software
- step forward under a flying rug with pierced lemon drops
- eat pizza through your nose with asparagus into cactus flowers
- throw rocks at tomatoes when the clock strikes 27 o'clock
- none of the above

Okay, I think you get the idea. I mean really, what do these questions on this test measure except that you have figured out how to play the game. I guess that is what business is all about - how to play the game. But it is frustrating for a menopause brain, I'm telling you.

Purrkitten - CENSORED

2009-04-29T19:43:00Z

For years I have used the moniker "Purrkitten" for various reasons: login ID, passwords (don't even try it), computer node names, etc. When I set up this website for my blog, I started getting some "interest" from, how shall I say this, people who thought this might be a more "risqué" venture. Needless to say, this was not my intent. Sorry, folks, no porn here. No need to censor out any pornography from Purrkitten.

However, I have been watching, reading, and listening to reports that colleges and employers now go out into the virtual world and see what kind of material folks post about their lives. So you won't find any shots of me drinking heavily (FYI - I don't drink), or partying (oh yeah, I don't do drugs either) - but they may find out my political views and that I have a bit of a biting, cynical outlook on life. And I tend to be very analytical and speak my mind. I like to think those are qualities that an employer or college would like to have in an employee or student. And if the occasional curse word slips out - excuse me. I'm also a human being.

So if big brother is lurking - howdy! I hope you enjoy my rantings and they help you get to know me better. Hope it doesn't hurt my chances of getting into your school or getting a job with your organization. If it does - well, I guess that's just karma. Call me and I'll explain that one to you.

Rare Day

2009-04-04T20:58:00Z

It's a rare day these days that I post two entries, but I got this email from a friend that had a letter written by a woman named Wendi Aarons. A quick Google found her blog, and I had to share it. Now I have to tell you that I've had surgical alteration where this is no longer an issue, but there was a day where I could TOTALLY relate to every word she writes. Enjoy!

Wendi Aarons - An Open Letter to P&G

Dirty Little Secrets - Still More

2009-04-04T13:47:00Z

When I get home from school, I'm usually rolling in just about in time to tune into the repeats of "Two and Half Men" on one of the local TV stations. This is something I absolutely live for these days. I will forego using the bathroom on the way home just to make it home in time to watch these shows (they have back to back episodes) for the comedic relief. I think I am completely addicted to "Two and Half Men". Even if I have seen the shows before, I will watch them again, and laugh AGAIN. The benefits of short term memory loss during menopause I guess.

Chuck Lorre is some kind of strange and evil comedy genius. I think I knew it from watching the show, but I am really sure of it from reading his vanity cards at the end of the show. I have a DVR, so I can pause the frame and read them in detail. I need to have a blog #111 like his vanity card #111 that says "I don't have anything to say today, so I'm repeating this blog". But that assumes that I have the same writing talent that he does, which I don't. Sometimes I laugh as hard at the vanity cards as I do at the show. If you haven't seen them, please check them out. They are a riot. He says things in these cards that I have been thinking, but haven't said. Like why poetry and song is so non-linear and difficult to understand. He commented on Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind":

When Bob Dylan sang, quite assertively, that "the answer was blowin' in the wind," I knew it was not. The only thing blowin' in the wind was wind, dirt, leaves and miscellaneous crap light enough to become temporarily airborne. Not that I could share this with anyone. It was not for me to question the voice of my generation. But privately I always thought it would have been a better song if he simply told us what the 'answer' was. ("How many roads must a man walk down, before they could call him a man?" Nine. Six if he jogs.)

Exactly. How much more simple could it be? This is why I don't know the words to so many songs of my youth. They just don't make any sense. But they have nice rhythms and guitar solos.

A - Blog - ia

2009-03-29T20:39:00Z

It's spring break - at least at one of the school campuses that I'm currently attending. I'm exhausted, and I've been napping every chance I get. The title of this entry deserves an explanation. I'm taking a class in medical terminology which breaks everything down into word parts. "A" means "without", "blog" is a blog (duh), and "ia" means "condition". So the new word I have created "ablogia", means "condition without blog" which is what is happening during this semester while I am studying so damn much. I just haven't had time to write my thoughts here as much as I would like. I'm nearly brain dead from all this studying, and the semester is only half over as of spring break. Medical terminology and anatomy & physiology is not for the feint of heart.

But just two more months, then I can put it all behind me and say "I accomplished this!". Then maybe I'll go back to being an accountant when it's all said and done. How sad is that?

Republicans on the Run

2009-03-05T15:25:00Z

I've been watching and reading some news (when I have time, school is keeping me very busy) and I'm fascinated by the state of the Republican party right now. There was recently a conservative conference where one of the keynote speaker was, of all people, Rush Limbaugh - he is now the voice of the conservative movement??? The Republicans are really in trouble.

I listen to what they have to say and try to find something to agree with, and I think I found something that I like. The stimulus package could have been broken down into smaller pieces and looked at as individual components. It would have made it more transparent and easier to understand. Also, it would have given Republicans an opportunity to support parts of it (not that they would have) and not other parts.

As for the complaints about having the legislative leaders (Pelosi et al) write the stimulus bill: isn't that what legislators are supposed to do, write and introduce laws to the legislature? Basic civics 101 folks.

I'm just as worried as the next guy that the stimulus plan is going to work, but the Republicans tried trickle down economics for years and it has failed us. Now it's time to try "stimulation" economics: let the little guy buy stuff to stimulate the companies to hire people to support the demand, thus making money increasing stock value for investors who happen to be retirement and college savers. What a concept.

Rubber Gloves

2009-02-22T23:50:00Z

Have you ever met someone that makes you think "Geez, I'm freakin' Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm compared to this poor guy!"? Well, I recently have met such a person. And he wears rubber gloves. Actually, I think they may be latex - I'm not quite sure, and I'm certainly not sure why he was wearing them.

This guy's name is Reggie and he runs the multimedia lab at the community college where I am currently attending. I vacillate between wanting to strangle him, feeling sorry for him, and having empathy for him. Don't get me wrong, I don't spend a lot of time thinking about him, but he does come up in conversation a lot among the Anatomy & Physiology students because we have to deal with him if we want to use the multimedia lab for extra credit.

The other day, I requested a CD to use for my assignment, and before he would give it to me, he put on a pair of latex gloves to take my student ID, retrieve the CD, and hand the CD to me. Maybe he is afraid of my germs? I've heard of people who have this kind of concern. Maybe he was afraid of giving me his germs? Hmmm.... I simply don't know.

At the beginning of the semester, we all had to go through an "orientation" that was supposed to tell us how to use the lab. It really was more of a "what not to do, or else I'll be pissed as hell". The minutiae of actually using the lab was not included in the discussion, like how to get a user ID if you are new student on campus (I was and couldn't get into the system), or the fact that you needed a print card to print the assignments (he says he mentioned it, no student remembers hearing it). The orientation included a great deal of discussion about pushing in chairs to prevent injury to blind students who might trip over them. Apparently the blind student situation comes up more frequently than, say, printing our assignments, or trying to sign into the system. The lab was actually designed to be a blind person's obstacle course, we just use it as a computer multimedia lab as an auxiliary purpose.

I can easily say that Reggie could have an article written about him titled "My Most Unforgettable Character", but I don't think Reader's Digest would print it.

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words

2009-02-18T19:43:00Z

I got this from my niece. This kind of tells you a lot about my "family of origin". But it does say a lot about a lot of things. Enough said. Enjoy!

I Believe... Part Deux

2009-02-16T16:54:00Z

A while back, I started jotting my thoughts about things that I believe in - or don't believe in, as it were. I had a bit of brain tickle the other day. I keep getting faced with folks and their religious beliefs. Don't get me wrong, this is a free country and everyone has a right to believe whatever they want. I was raised in a household where we went to church every Sunday. But we didn't get into people's faces about it. These days, that seems to be the way some folks want to "do" religion. They knock on doors, they make laws based on their beliefs - we even have "faith based" religious offices within the government!

I am absolutely fascinated by religion. I've actually spent some of my adult time in church, and found it not to my liking for various reasons. I've studied it a bit on my own, and in formal settings. Here is my conclusion: it's not that I don't believe in God or some higher being. This is totally between me and that being, whether it be a he, she, or it. What I don't believe very much in is the people who believe in God. So many bad things have been done in the name of God - but they have been done by people in the name of God. We are such an imperfect species.

So please, keep your religious beliefs to yourself, unless you just want to have a nice polite theoretical discussion. I might find an academic discussion about the history of your religion interesting. But please don't try to convert me. And don't try to legislate your religion. And if you already have (think proposition 8), please reconsider what you have done. Thanks.

Update 3/4/2009:

I found this quote in some of my random reading and it seemed appropriate for this blog entry. This is a quote from Ghandi:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

Amen.