For good behavior

 

OK, a star for good behavior but then   2 raised eyebrows for recent bad behavior or lies.  

 

Oh no! Another raised eyebrow for more bad behavior  You sure do know how to make the most out of a situation. Exploitation.... Oh and I almost forgot, another  for trying to teach a kid to lie or hide stuff. Not good.

Strong wind blows dog away....

Gone with the wind: Chihuahua blown away

Report: Six-pound puppy found a mile away from where gust sent her flying

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30448774/?Gt1=43001
This news story made me laugh. I hope I am not heartless for thinking it is funny.   Can't you just picture the dog flying through the air? Was it raining cats and dogs?  Wah Waah.  I am sure the people and the poor dog were scared when it happened. I am glad it ends happily.

All about sex....

I love this article about sex. I might have to buy the book. I like what the author has to say about the "earthy reality of sex"....

 

The joys (and hilarious fumbles) of sex

Essays from new book offer a peek beneath the sheets

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28801295//

More about that book.....

My not-so-kinky sex life

Essays from new book offer a peek beneath the sheets

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29041046/

SlideShow about sex stats. Interesting....I didn't know that people had so many sexual partners!! and that people lost their virginity at such a young age.

 

10 surprising sex statistics

Are you within the sexual mean — or off the charts?

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30140814/

 

 

Wow, is it all about pushing boundaries?? Sometimes that can be fun...

 

‘I did what I thought I'd never do’

7 women reveal how they dared to step outside their sexual boundaries

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29284080/

Interesting article about some early sex myths/thinking. Thank God for sex researchers Kinsey, Masters and Johnson and the whole sexual revolution!!

Vaginas with teeth — and other sexual myths

A romp through history reveals a host of absurd beliefs once held as truth

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30332998/

Talking about Concentration Is the Key - MSN Encarta

Great article about concentration, which I sorely need to work on. I have noticed that over the last 10 years my concentratio, focus, or attention span has really gone down hill. I blame the computer (gaming and spending time on the internet), love and sex.  Haha  No, really I am going ot work on building my concentration this summer, as well as some other study skills.

Quote

Talking about Concentration Is the Key - MSN Encarta
can't concentrate when you're groggy, so don't sleep too much.

Studying community psych....

I have my community psych exam on Tuesday. I like this quote from my text:

 

"Our personal values about relationships, accountability, social change priorities, and our personal politcal world view all shape our priorities and agenda for community work." Bond, 1989 as quoted in Community Psychology: Linking Individuals and Communities (Dalton, Elias, Wandersam, 2006)

Finally - relaxed...

 

 

 

 

 

 

"only doing it for the money."

OMG, OMG, This is hilarious. OK, read this article. It had me and my husband laughing our asses off.

http://cartooncat.newsvine.com/_news/2009/04/21/2712464-man-hires-impotent-neighbour-to-impregnate-his-wifethen-sues

and here is the source

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/blog/editors_corner/article/26357/

Hahahaha - you'd think the couple would have had the neighbor tested BEFORE they let him do the deed (and paid him). And the the kicker is .....  the neighbor finds out that his own kids are not his biologically. OMG!!!

I just love this quote....

"The writer, when he is also an artist, is someone who admits what others don't dare reveal."

 -

Elia Kazan

 

 

Psychopaths

Why Do Some People Become Psychopaths?

 

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/mental-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100233968

 

Wow, see my ideas aren't so crazy after all. Here is an article about psychopaths and how they are not all criminals - that there are psychopaths that can function in society without committinig a 'crime' (as defined by laws, rules and norms). I have held that belief for many, many years now. I have run across a few psycho's in my time and I think there's even more psychopaths around than even researchers realize yet. I would like to see some research done specifically on women psychopaths.

WOW! Liars never cease to amaze me...

Some people lie about anything and everything. It is really childish -definitely shows a lack of maturity and conscience. That's scary! I often wonder how people that get by in life by lying live with themselves but then they don't even think about their actions, do they? Except to wonder why people call them psycho, or unreasonable - but of course it is all everybody elses fault and lack of understanding. Aw. It makes life easier to go around without any personal ethics or integrity, doesn't it?

This guy sucks....

BIGTIME. I am posting an article about a guy who owes half a million dollars in child supprt on 14 kids. It is guys like him that give fathers a bad name. What an ass. He is full of excuses and BS. Why do people mess around and have kids they don't want? Or can't take care of? The woman are almost as bad - how you gonna' mess around with an idiot like this. C'mon, there had to be some indication this guy is bad news. At least use some birth control. I am glad they put his pic in with the article too - maybe women will recognize him next time.

 

Thomas Frazier, father of 14 children, jailed for owing more than half-million in child support

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/04/thomas_frazier_father_of_14_ch.html

Love this website - good for when you need a laugh...

Check out this website - http://www.fmylife.com/

 

It is just people posting their embarrassing or messed up moments on the web. Funny stuff for the most part although some of them are unbelievable. Good for when you need a quick laugh or pick me up.

 

This one (among many) cracked me up...

Today, I saw a dime on the ground. When I bent down to pick it up, my $80 dollar pants ripped. FML

Amazing story - "Dog eats baby goats, survives on remote island"

 

"A pet Australian cattle dog swam to shore after going overboard"

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30088069?GT1=43001

 

Wow, what a tough dog! The most interesting part for me was the personality change from pet to wild dog and back again. It is too bad the dog can't tell it's story.

Just a few more weeks....

Just a few more weeks until this very sucky winter semester is over. I can't wait. Then I will get to write what I want to write for a change! wahoo!! I can't even write what I want in this blog because I have so much crap to do, so I will have to blog later. 

 

My energy has been so low this semester that I am not able to keep up with everything and I miss my blogging. It helps me with my writing all the way around and I haven't even been able to get to it. I have been so frustrated with my school work and academic writing this semester. And my attention span and memory is not there either. The causes - a tough, long cold winter in Michigan, my stinkin' Chronic Fatigue acting up (possibly with some Seasonal Affective Disorder), that damn depression chasing me again, and not being able to keep a BLOG like I would like to. I will have to try harder this spring and summer and definitely nest semester.  

 

Just a few more weeks, and a few more difficult tasks and tests and I will be free.  Also, my husband and I are taking a trip the first week in May so I wil be off work for a few days and I will be able to rest up pool side. I so need a break!

 

 

 

I don't feel sorry for these people...

Somehow I don't feel sorry for these people. They are not on the edge of disaster like many, they have options. GRRR, sometimes articles like this irritate me - it's an article about how the recession affects even well off and rich people. OK, yeah but it doesn't hit them as hard as a middle class or poor person.

 

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/StockInvestingTrading/getting-by-on-400,000-MSNMoney.aspx?gt1=33009

City hit hard by the recession...

This is a great article about Elkhart, Indiana - a city hit hard by the recession. They lost a lot of their RV factories which left many, many people jobless.

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30066873//

Roger and Me

Watching "Roger and Me" - Wow! Still the same problems but magnified 10 times and spreading throughout the U.S. It is scary... I am thinking why wasn't something done way back then or has everything that was done failed that miserably?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3622789144304528932&q=roger+and+me

Contrast Quote

"Contrast is what makes photography interesting."

 -

Conrad Hall

 

I feel that! I often try to capture contrast in my nature photography and the results are usually stunning.

Classic!

Ok, yes I am very juvenile at times but whenever I need a good laugh I put on the "Farting Preacher" This never gets old!

 

Ok this one is even worse, hahaha - there are a lot of these videos

 

Here you go...

Maybe someone can tell me ......

What is going through a mother's head when she buys her teenage son a cell phone with unlimited texting after the kid flunked a class last trimester (and the trimester before that) and has had less that stellar (way less than) grades - basically rewarding bad grades? On top of the that, the kid professes to have ADD although he has never been diagnosed (well not that is known of - that info may have been kept from us; some people just are not good at communicating unless they have their hand out), what in the heck is having unlimited texting going to do to the kids attention span? This kid (who is a good kid just does not have his priorities straight and has some issues he needs to work on) does have trouble following directions, paying attention, completing tasks and completing them well, is forgetful, and has problems with organization. Yeah, what parent in their right mind would think giving a kid a new phone with unlimited texting is a good idea? What does that reinforce? Won't it make the kid's attention problems worse?
 
I wonder what excuses there will be when the poor kid has to repeat a bunch of classes and cannot take the classes (such as band) he wants. How about the ultimate bad situation - he gets so behind in school and ends up quitting or cannot graduate with his class? I wonder who will be to blame? 
 
Please, anyone with kids (especially teens) share your feelings on this situation or even teens or young adults.

Report Card Time: Too Many Acitivities=Bad Grades?

I don't know - you tell me. What are you thinking?

Also, why do some parents think that teenagers are grown and can be left to their own devices? Sometimes I think that some parents want to think their teen is grown up so they don't have to deal with issues or can spend more time on what they, the parent, want to do (or just be involved in the fun stuff their child is doing - COP OUT). That is lax parenting.

My thoughts are that teens are not grown up yet and still need guidance (this may be the time they need the most parenting), and yes sometimes they have to be told they cannot do stuff. Especially when they are getting bad grades (bad grades in my book is anything below a C-). There is no excuse! Especially when their grades have been less than stellar for years and nothing (or very little has been done about it). Academics need to be made (need to be seen as important by the teen, by both words and example) a priority. This means schoolwork, in class work, comes before all other extracurricular activities (whether they are school sanctioned or other activities). Talking to a teen about grades is all very well and good, letting them know your displeasure, and you can talk to you're blue in the face and they will say they understand and will do better yet the bottom line is you need to follow up all the talk with some action - either the kid has to do better in school, like he has been saying he had been or wants to do or some of his activities have to go until he does better in school. A teen needs to know parents mean business and the only way to get through to them sometimes is to take something away that they dearly want to do or make them work to get in the first place.

Of course it is better to make them work to get something they want before they actually get the privilege rather than take something away but sometimes, as in the case of lax parenting, parents have already given their teen what they wanted - independence, the ability to participate in any or all activities they want to. Then when the teen gets bad grades they (both parent and teen) want to make excuses and not do what needs to be done to correct the issue. What do you think is going to happen in the future? The teen is just going to miraculously improve his grades without guidance from anybody? Well wouldn't that be wonderful but unlikely to happen. No, most likely, if nothing is done about the bad grades, the teen will continue to flunk classes and get further and further behind, especially if he is allowed to participate in numerous extracurriculars. That is why the teen should be getting decent grades before he is allowed to participate in extracurricular activities - make him earn it so he knows what it takes to keep it.

Does this make sense? Or is it better just to let your teen do what he wants and hope and pray for the best? Hope that he has the wisdom to make hard choices, to show some restraint, put academics first, and have the time management skills of an adult. Well you know my thoughts on the matter.

I learned this the hard way. Truth to tell, I still struggle with managing my time and activities. I was given all the independence I wanted as a teen. I was able to participate in any extracurriculars I wanted to, which really wasn't that much. I did drama and choir outside of school hours. I was also in band but I was not in Marching or Jazz bands, so there was very little outside of school work. I had a job. I got bad grades, got behind and eventually quit high school. Truthfully, it wasn't just participating in the extracurriculars that led to me getting bad grades but that was part of it. I only participated in 3 extra activities - not 4 to 5 or more. It would have helped if someone would have stepped in and did something to make me see I had to make academics (no matter how boring or tedious, no matter how stupid and irrelevant I thought some subjects were) a priority. That I had to put some importance on things that had to be done to get by (this I hate - who doesn't hate jumping through hoops just to get a diploma? Or doing things they could care less about? But it is a part of life) rather that just placing importance on the things I really wanted to do. So if my parents had made me earn the right to participate in the activities or taken them away when I started failing high school, I might have learned to prioritize, and that there were things I had to do first before I got to do the things I really wanted. I have seen this work with other kids. A firm and guiding hand from the parents usually results in better academic performance and a kid who knows how to manage his time and activities. If that has been lacking then the kid will not learn and will be like me - he will end up learning the hard way or may never learn it. Is that what parents want?

So it might be time for me to find a new doctor....

Yeah, I have been wanting to find a new doctor but I have been putting it off. That is one of those things that is kind of annoying, and little time consuming if you don't have another doctor in mind. Well something happened yesterday that may spur my search.

 

Yesterday I had an appointment with my doctor - nothing major, just a sinus infection and I wanted to consult with him about my ever present fatigue. So I made an early appointment and actually got there on time.  A patient comes out of the inner office and informs me "They're moving pretty fast today." I was happy to hear that because I had been there many times when I had to wait for hours, part of the reason I want to find a new doctor. I thought. "Cool, maybe I will get in and out of here today." Well I did kind of get in and out...

 

I was sitting in the waiting room, looking over some books the office staff or some patients left, when in walks some guy carrying a box followed quickly by about 4 or 5 other guys. I didn't really pay them any attention right away - didn't really look at them other than in my field of vision I had noticed the box. I though it was strange but whatever - thought it might be a drug rep. They are always in and out of doctors offices. Well this guy greets the receptionist, I look up and see that these guys are cops and then the first guy says, "We're here to execute a search warrant." What? Huh? WTF!! So what doyou do when your doctor's office is being raided?

 

The cops put all the office staff in seperate rooms. One cop took down my information, and asked why I was seeing the doctor today (also asked if I was there to get prescription refills - Two thoughts, hasn't he heard of HIPPA, patient privacy  and AHA! maybe a clue??) and then I was free to go - after he checked with his superior officer. I didn't hear why the office was being searched, and I didn't ask. I figured that they probably wouldn't tell me and I didn't want to get in the way. So I was in and out of there, but I didn't get to see the doctor. I left puzzled, shocked, pissed and sick.  What a wasted trip.

 

 

Local Medical Clinics Raided By Police

http://www.wnem.com/news/18959579/detail.html

Today a professor reminded me...

of these wise words from a John Lennon song:

 

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." ~John Lennon

 

So true.

A couple of interesting articles for today...

Pretty cool to see how far the web has come. I didn't even know some of the sites were around that long. Jeez, I didn't even get on the interenet until the middle of 1999.

 

http://www.slate.com/id/2212108/?gt1=38002

 

Cable fees are getting outrageous. Here is an interesting article about how to combat that by just cutting out cable altogether. My husband and I are toying with the idea. We don't get a chance to watch much TV.

 

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2009/02/23/how-i-cut-my-television-bill-in-half.aspx

Talking about Gross Couple Habits to Avoid, Starting Now

  Hahaha, This article is ridiculous. The line "Til death do us fart." is hilarious though. I just think they are a little unreal in their expectations, although I find the popping the zits thing extremely gross (that I cannot do) and I definitely shut the door to the bathroom. As for burps and farts - well a person has to either burp or fart or explode and I prefer farts.  hehehe No really, burping reminds me of puking and then makes me want to puke.

Quote

Talking about Gross Couple Habits to Avoid, Starting Now
What's okay for couples to do in front of each other, and which behaviors should be outlawed? Read on to help determine the nasty, too-much-information activities you've been sharing that should really be solo pursuits.

Gotta' love the knot/nest/bump and that whole franchise

Interesting Story

Filmmaker to tell extraordinary "human story" of former slave remembered in historical marker at Genesee County Courthouse

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/02/filmmaker_to_tell_extraordinar.html

 

This is a cool story - interesting bit of local color (I live near Flint and go to school there) I never knew about. I hope a full length feature is made. I wish historians knew more of the particulars concerning this story.

I wish I worked for this guy...

Miami banker lavishes $60M on his employees

 

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&date=20090225&id=9644683&gt1=33009

 

That guy, Leonard Abess Jr,  is amazing. All bankers should be like him.

Do you know what he did?

 This kid is so damn cute! I love his dimple. Love this...

   

Rotten People

"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart."  Anne Frank

 

There are some truly wonderful people out there. I know this. I also know that there are more good people than bad but lately I have been wondering why there are so many rotten (murderers, molesters, and rapists aside - I am talking your everyday rotten people such as liars, manipulators, hypocrites and greedy thieves) people? How do they get away with their rottenness - why? ARGH! It is so frustrating and disheartening. Like Anne Frank, I want to believe that people are really good at heart but rotten people put this theory to the test. And these rotten people get away with being truly rotten. This is demoralizing to society at large. People see these bad people getting away with whatever bad thing is their specialty and they think 'why am I the dope that is honest, or works so hard, prizes honesty and doesn't play games with people?' Rotten people need to get their due. Faith is needed.

 

Don't get me wrong, I understand people make mistakes or get conflicted but these people usually try to change and/or make amends. I also know that there is seldom a person who is totally good - heck we all have our faults. There are people that are rotten and just don't care. That is what is truly unforgiveable about a rotton person, and it is what make them rotton. They always make sure they get theirs above all else, no what they have to do, how many lies they have to tell, and no matter who they step on. They may try to disguise their rottenness but they never do anything to change it. Underneath it all they are the same person they always have been and they like it. Oh, they also try to justify their behavior and do a pretty good job of it. They are good at deluding themselves and people close to them. They have learned to disguise their rottenness - in fact that is one of the talents a rotten person possesses, the innate ability to believe in themselves and make others believe in them too. They have little conscience and cultivate relationships with people that are similar to them or who may be too simple or easy to dupe (not stupid just too trusting). It is scary. I never used to believe people like this existed - I was naive and lived a sheltered life. Now I see otherwise. Rotten people do exist no matter what people may try to tell you, or laugh off that some people are just rotten. I have a theory that there are borderline psychopaths and sociopaths running around in society - they don't kill but they are still rotten. These are the people like Madoff and such - the everyday psychopath.

 

Not to knock Anne Frank but perhaps she should have put a qualifier on her belief - "Despite everything, I believe that most people are really good at heart." or perhaps "In spite of everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." It is wonderful to believe this but just be wary. It is wonderful to have an open heart but it just shows how good of a heart that one lovely, trusting person has. Please learn to protect yourselves people.

 

 

My Excitement : All About Work

Wow. I am so excited! I got a call a couple of nights ago about a job interview for a really excellent job I applied for back in May. I am surprised they called me – I had given up hope and was about to re-apply even though I didn’t think they would be hiring any time soon. I am not going to say what it is because I don’t want to jinx it but if I get this job I will be super happy. It will kind of be in the field of psychology (more like social work but that is pretty close) and is a great opportunity. The only down side is that I probably won’t be able to go to school full time.

Even if I don’t get this job things are looking up at my McDonald’s job. I got a raise and promotion to crew trainer (I get to help train people). All of us at the restaurant got nice sweaters (with the golden arches embroidered on it of course and dorky me was pretty excited about it) for winning some kind of contest. I got a great compliment from my manager about my order taking - it is nice to know you are appreciated.

As much as I would like another job (more money is the key factor in this), there are things I really like about working at McDonalds. It works for a full-time student – the schedule is flexible and only as demanding as you want it to be. It is usually fast paced and I get to keep moving. I work with some awesome, hardworking people (young and old) and for the most part I really like waiting on people (it is a fun, safe and not so sad way of helping people as opposed to being a paramedic, nurse or doctor), especially when they are super nice. I have gotten many compliments on my eyes, my smile, my voice, and my service. One lady was just blown away by how nice I was to her – she told me repeatedly “You seem like a really nice person – warm. You have lovely, warm eyes. Yes, you really are a nice person.” Haha I was going to be a smart aleck and tell her “It is called ACTING!” but I refrained. All teasing aside, it is lovely people like that lady that make my day.

A downside to working at McDonalds is the way some people treat you or try to insult you because you work in fast food - like you are dumb or worthless for working at such a place. Yeah, it is not brain surgery but how would these snobs get their cheap, ass expanding, fast food if everyone was as stuck up as them? No one could get a .99 cent burger or a cup of coffee for less than $4 if we were all as snobbish.

A couple of months ago someone tried to insult me, in a roundabout way, for working at McDonalds – I assumed this person would try to do this at some point or another because they are rotten like that. I felt like telling this person “I’m Lovin’ It!” hahaha, but I didn’t think this person would get it. I think that this person identifies too strongly with their work/job (or maybe it is how much money a person makes? Yes it could be all about money for this person) and thinks it defines them as a person. People like that do not realize that where somebody works (their job title or how much money they make) is only a small part of who that person is. I guess it is all about prestige, money and ego for some people. It is not about that for me and never has been. Sure work is just a way to get money but also I like to be able to have fun at work, and feel I am helping people in some way. People need to eat, right? I guess what I am trying to say is that some people shouldn’t take things so seriously (is that the right word - maybe people shouldn’t be so ‘pompous’ all the time.) You can lose a job in a heartbeat (especially in this economy) and then what do you have to fall back on? You have only yourself (and of course your friends and family). I guess that is a blog for another day.

Recently a customer insulted a co-worker to her face, said she was just a stupid McDonald’s employee (or something along those lines – little do some people appreciate the fact that if they have a job with benefits and pays more than the minimum, they're just plain lucky - we have people with degrees working at McD’s). This co-worker let our manager deal with this mean person but she summed it up the situation nicely. Besides stating the fact that she is a mother and as a mother her kids come first she said “It is just a job, most everybody has to work. They may insult me for working at McDonalds but that just shows what kind of person they are- an asshole. They might be here tomorrow looking for a job or worse -then how are they gonna’ feel.” As my Dad used to tell me – Somebody has to be the ditch digger.

Disheartened - need inspiration to come out of hibernation...

Yet again I find myself needing inspiration. Argh! Winter semesters are so challenging for me. All I’ve wanted to do is hibernate. I have been feeling awful the last few months (physically and emotionally – last semester really took a lot out of me and Christmas break was not nearly long enough) so I haven’t really been blogging. No inspiration, no creativity - or what little bit of inspiration and creativity I have is so scattered; I feel like I am ADD. I don’t want to talk to people, go anywhere or do much of anything but read and watch TV. It is so frustrating. I hate feeling like this.

 

I am starting to come out of hibernation a little this past week – maybe because the weather was a little better. I feel more like writing but I am still scattered. I feel a little spark of creativity but there is so much I want to do and so much I have to do that I get overwhelmed. I don’t feel up to writing academically right now. I just figure though, that if I start writing some things will come into focus. Keeping a blog seemed to help a bit last winter and also in the fall so I am trying to just write, write, write to get my creative juices flowing. It is like it snowballs once I just start writing. I only hope it works this time around. I hate to waste time on my blog right now because I have 3 papers to write (among other things) and the pressure is on.

 

Why can’t just completing something be inspiration enough? Why can’t graduating? I don’t know. Well I think part of it is that my professors/classes are not very inspiring this time around. The classes could be good if only the professors were a little more ‘alive’ or something. I am not bored with school or the subject matter but in 2 of my classes (Community Psychology and Sociology of Race and Ethnicity) the profs are slow and boring. Not stimulating in the least. Heck I could just stay home and read the text. I also took an English class that is not proving very interesting (I miss literary analysis). It is all writing but it is not very structured and the prof (he is nice enough and flexible) likes to focus on pop culture in regards to each student’s major. I like pop culture but I find it difficult (too broad and complex) to write about. I just want to concentrate on conventional academics right now! My last class is an Algebra class (hopefully my last math class) and this is not my fave subject although at least this prof is livelier than any of the others.

 

Bottom line is I need inspiration and as much as I hate to say it I am not getting it from school at present. I just want to stay home and concentrate on other things like my husband, my family, my job, my health, and all my little liberal arts interests. But I can’t give up – have to keep on keeping on with school. Oh, yeah another thing that discourages me is the economy. I keep thinking, “Am I going to school for nothing? Is there going to be a decent job around when I graduate?” Eventually I would like something better than a McDonalds (or food service job, as much as I like it) job. I am working with a guy who just graduated – he has a bachelor’s degree and he is working at McD’s! That is sad. And it discourages me, bigtime. This guy that I work with still has hope though and he has gone on some interviews for some good jobs. A lot of people tell me not to give up home, that there will be something. My husband tells me he feels I am on the right path in school and I should stay on it. I am not tempted to quit but just disheartened. I hope everybody is right. I hope an education pays off even in a crappy economy (or the economy gets better). Plus the baby boomers have to retire sometimes, right?

 

 

Booty Shakin' Silliness

 

I usually don't pay much attention to commercials but this one made me  nearly spit my dinner across the room it is so funny. Love it!

I need to follow this advice...

Regular

Art

Funny

Love

Nature

• "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."
  -
  Vincent Van Gogh

Yes! This is what I need to learn this semester! I always want to get stuff done in one big lump instead of breaking things down into more manageable jobs. I need to start breaking tasks down - I need to force myself. I have been so overwhelmed lately that this may be the only thing that helps. I just need to force myself to do it.

Octuplet Mom gets on my nerves ...

So she had a litter of babies ... how in the hell in she going to support them? On America's tax dollars and donations? Yuck. She seems like a very vain and selfish person.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1144715/Angelina-Jolie-creeped-octuplets-mother-receiving-letters--hearing-rumours-plastic-surgery.html?ITO=1490#

 

Secret to a happy marriage...

I love this advice from Kevin Bacon about having a long, happy marriage...

 

"You've got to keep the fights clean and the sex dirty." 

 

http://movies.msn.com/wonderwall/long-haul-celebrity-couples/?photoidx=11

 

Death Sucks

Had to repost these poems. A former co-worker died in an accident and I am having trouble with her death - she was so young, only 20.  She had her whole life in front of her and now it is all gone, over. Unbelievable and hard to deal with.

Here area couple of poems I find comforting.

Shakespeare Sonnet LXXI.
 
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Then you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell:
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot
If thinking on me then should make you woe.
O, if, I say, you look upon this verse
When I perhaps compounded am with clay,
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse.
But let your love even with my life decay,
  Lest the wise world should look into your moan
  And mock you with me after I am gone.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

- Mary Frye

Can you afford to have a kid?

Here is an interesting article about being able to afford to have a baby:

 

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/8-smart-tips-for-affording-a-baby.aspx

 

I just found it interesting because I would like to have a child but I am afraid of all the expenses. I also think a lot of people should think about finances before they have kids. I know sometimes things just happen but people really need to start thinking before they mess around. With this in mind here is another article about a family close to where I live (Flint, MI). The article kind of sucks but the comments after the article are entertaining and thought provoking. Sadly, it is a good illustration of what is going on in America today - the choices people have to make or just ignore. I don't know who is trashier in regards to the article though - the newspaper (The Flint Journal) for running the story, the Mom and Dad that the article is about, or some of the people's attitudes/responses.

 

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/01/gary_johnson.html

 

 

 http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/01/states_offer_to_forgive_costs.html

Parakeet Porn

OK, call me sick, crazy, or perverted but I had to take the video and I had to post it. There is something you don't see everyday....hahaha, well I do but maybe not the rest of you.  

My parakeet, BB, has laid a total of about 11 to 13 eggs. I am getting a little concerned - I don't think she is supposed to lay that many. It can be a drain on the little birdies system. I bought the birds a nesting box and right now there are 8 eggs in there!. Both keets have been sitting on them. They actually fight over who gets the box and who gets to sit on the eggs. I am not sure if any of the eggs will hatch but it is interesting. A few of the first eggs broke and a couple of them are laying at the bottom of the bird cage - BB and Sprite are not interested in those. I just don't know what else to do for my birds and vets around where I live don't know hardly anything about parakeets.

 

 

Parakeet Love
http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=50541551,t=1,mt=video,searchID=,primarycolor=,secondarycolor=

So true

"I don't try to defend the truth, it defends itself."
Paul Mooney

 

Ain't that the truth? I love the comedian Paul Mooney. Not only is he hilarious, he also has a lot of insight.

Ethics

Silly Birds

I have two very silly parakeets. I leave their cage open and let them fly around my home office. They stay in the office and that is a good thing. The bad thing is they are very messy and love to chew on stuff. They have taken to chewing on the wood trim around the window. This cannot be healthy for them and it is not heathy for the trim and appearance of the office but the birds love to fly around and explore. I hate to keep them shut up.

 

I originally thought my blue parakeet, BB, was a girl but then thought it was a boy because it developed color on it's cere (the spot above their beak), an indicator that the bird is male. It is hard to tell the sex of birds. They do not have sex organs that are identifiable (not that I  know of) and anyway my birds will not let me hold them. I know my green parakeet, Sprite, is a boy birdie. Recently my husband and I have observed Sprite getting on top of BB (and also the other way around). I actually watched Sprite going to town on BB yesterday. I was embarrassed but fascinated.   I just thought, you know, they are together all the time, they have no other birds, that is just the way it is. Well, I have made a discovery. BB has been playing around in a fooseball table that we have - going in and out of the launch and goal holes. I thought it was just something fun for the bird but it seems that SHE is trying to nest. I discovered an EGG in the goal hole. I am so suprised. It is a tiny little egg. I don't think it will make it but I am not going to touch it and will watch and see what happens. I will have to buy some nesting materials for the poor birdies. YIKES!

Weight Loss Inspiration

Cool. Here is a great slideshow I seen on MSN today about people that lost a lot of weight. This is exactly what I need to give me inspiration for my own weight loss.

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25708021/

 

My New Years Resolution for 2009 is to lose weight and get healthy. This is my husband's resolution too. I hope we will be sucessful, we want to be in shape for the cruise we tentatively plan to take in 2010 (maybe even in 2009 if everything falls into place). We actually made a little mantra to help us - looking fine in 2009. Hahaha  We made this up earlier this year and wanted to be looking fine BY 2009 but due to my illness we were not able to get to the gym or work out like we would have liked. I am hoping that I will be healthy and hearty in 2009 and able to accomplish what I want.

 

We checked out the gym at my university last Saturday and intend to start going on a regular basis. The gym is free for me while I am enrolled at the university and inexpensive for my husband so we really need to take advantage of it. The gym has everything we should need or want and it is co-ed so we can work out together. I am actually thinking about getting a personal trainer for a bit too, just to help me formulate an exercise program. I set up my classes this semester so my husband and I can go in the morning before work and class and also I have time to go in-between classes to get in some extra work out or just sit in the hot tub. So I really have NO excuse.  I am determined!

 

 Some more inspiration. Gotta' love those pecs!

 

 

 

Another Christmas Over

I had a great Christmas but I am glad it is over. Now I can relax. I wrote the same thing last year too! That is the great thing about keeping a blog or diary - I can go back and see what I was thinking last year. Well I feel the same this year as last.

 

I hate to feel glad that Christmas is over but I am. It used to be my favorite time of year but now it is just a lot of work. Some aspects of Christmas are still fun but because of school, it has been harder for me to get all the decorations up (and that is one of my favorite things about the holidays. I love my Christmas ornaments and decor) and shopping done in time for the season. By the time I am out of school for break I just want to take to my bed for a few days and not have to worry about anything. Needless to say my Christmas spirit is out the window.

 

Christmas is bittersweet to say the least. For one thing I always think about my Grandparents, and Aunts and Uncles, who are no longer around to celebrate the season. For anyone who has lost someone special, you know how empty it can feel when someone is missing at Christmas. It just is never the same.

 

Here is another problem - sometimes I feel like such a hypocrite celebrating Christmas. I am not religious (to all my religious friends, I am spiritual, I believe in God and Jesus but I have my own set of beliefs that works for me) and I do not attend church so Christmas does not have a lot of meaning for me. It just seems like it is a very materialistic holiday anymore, you know "Gimme Gimme" or "I got this, this and that.... what did you get" I am just so over it all. Well I guess I should say I am torn; I like to see a lot of presents under the tree (and who doesn't like to get gifts) but at the same time the 'rampant' consumerism around this time of year really bugs me. I am sickened by it. What is the point, really? The whole guy getting trampled by shoppers trying to get into Walmart for the best deal really bothered me this year. It just illustrates how crazy and uncaring people have become. Christmas should not be all about the presents. To me the most important part of Christmas is getting together with friends and family, not getting the best deal or the most crap.

 

I am getting to be like my Dad. Whenever I ask him what he wants for Christmas he says "Nothing" or "Don't get me anything. I don't need anything" That is how I am beginning to feel as I get older. I got some awesome gifts from my husband throughout the year and I felt bad that he should spend a lot more money on me now, just because it is Christmas. My parents too - they have done a lot to help me and my brother over the years that I really don't want them to feel obligated to give me a gift at Christmas. My Mom always goes crazy at Christmas. She too likes to see a lot of presents under the tree. It just gets to be too much. I feel greedy making a list. Specially when all I really want is time - time to spend with family and friends.

 

I was trying to start some new traditions with my husband, friends, and the rest of my family but time has been an issue. I love going to places like Greenfield Village or Crossroads Village (old time places) for Christmas but I didn't have the time or energy this year. That is one of my favorite things to do for the holiday season. Another fun thing to do is to watch the Santa parade. There is one in my town every year. Last year I went, along with my stepson, sisters-in-law and their kids. We all came back to my house for hot chocolate after. That was fun. For some reason it didn't happen this year. I think everyone was just too busy (I know I was still up to my ears in papers to write). These are things I like - the old fashioned, simple ways of celebrating the holiday season. I will have to try harder next Christmas. I think I am going to start planning now so I can do the things that matter to me.

 

http://www.thehenryford.org/village/index.aspx

http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/christmas.htm

 

And every year I want to go check this out but I never get a chance, so maybe if I post the link I will see it for next year...

http://www.mainstreetholly.com/dickens/

 

 

My Christmas Celebrations

 

This year we kicked the holiday season off with my husband's work Christmas party. I felt guilty going because I had a ton of schoolwork to finish and I had to work super early the next morning. I didn't even go to my own work party because of schoolwork but I didn't want to let my husband down and blow off his work party too. After the company party, everyone got together to go bowling. That was fun even though I can't bowl worth a crap. Then we all went to a bar called the "Thrift City Bar" to sing karaoke. I wasn't expecting much from this bar but it ended up being a pretty good hang out and we all had a blast. We got the whole bar singing along to our karaoke songs (one was Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"). They also had some good cosmos at that bar too. I hope we can do that again.

 

Then, a couple of weeks later, my husband and I went to my stepson Jordan's Christmas band concert at his high school. I took my 5 year old nephew, Kenny, along to see my stepson play in the band. My nephew loves his cousin. Well anyway that was an adventure. My nephew, before the concert, kept asking "Where's Jordan?" I had to keep telling him he was getting ready to perform. I walked with him around the school to keep him occupied before the concert and told him to peek in the band room to see if he saw Jordan. He looked in and then shut the door real quick, embarrassed to be caught peeking. Luckily Jordan's band was up first. Kenny sat still for Jordan's performance but it was hard to keep him still through the rest of the concert - the choir's 5-6 songs and another band's 3 songs. He kept asking for Jordan (or is it over yet). I brought him a coloring book and crayons but he wasn't interested in that. Trying to be funny, I told him he should do a pretty ballet dance to the music and he said "That is stupid. Don't say that to me ever again!" Hahaha. He has a lot of attitude for a 5 year old. After the concert Lil' Kenny got to say hi to Jordan but was disappointed that Jordan couldn't come home with him and play. My husband and I took Lil' Kenny to the local restaurant (it has a bar too) where he got quite comfortable. We were talking to the owner, who is a friend of ours, and Lil' Kenny sits up next to the owner at the bar and asks for a beer! Then he was asking the owner about his wildlife and guns decorating the walls of the restaurant. Lil' Kenny wanted him to take the guns down so he could see them. Yikes, I think my little nephew is going to be trouble.

 

The Saturday before Christmas we went to my brother-in-law's house for our family Christmas. We were lucky to have my stepson with us. For a few days my husband and I thought that it might not happen because of a dispute with his ex-wife but stuff worked out for the holidays at least (I will have to write more about that another time - did I ever tell you what a piece of s... work that one is, with her games and shenanigans ). The party was fun and good to see everybody again. It seemed like it had been so long. My husband's family all live close by (except one brother) but we don't seem to get together as much as we used to. We always laugh our butts off when we get together and this Christmas was no exception. There is also always plenty of food. We left that party with our bellies sore from eating and laughing too much.  My sister-in-law made the best fudge and buckeyes ever. I am craving some right now. Luckily she emailed me the recipe and I am thinking about making some for New Years.

 

Then the next day we had to drive down to Toledo to my Uncle Joe's for another family Christmas. This time with my Dad's side of the family. I don't get to see them very often but I was very tired after driving almost 2 hours in the ice and wind. More good food and fun, although we did not stay very long this Christmas because of the drive back. I left with two big projects to work on for 2009: First my Uncle Tim says I have to get in shape to walk the Detroit marathon in October with him, my Dad, and my other Aunts and Uncles. The second project is that my husband and I have to make sure to have our house ready to host Christmas. It is supposed to be my Mom hosting the family in 2009 but she does not want to do it at her house because it is too much work. I am actually looking forward to hosting the family but I know it is going to be a challenge because I always have trouble getting everything ready while I am in school. I am going to have to start planning early and stay on top of things.

 

Christmas eve, my husband, stepson and I stayed home. I made one of our favorite dinners (and easy) - Chicken Parmesan.  My stepson spent Christmas eve watching old Saturday Night Live episodes and killing people.... on his video game. Haha.  I decorated the Christmas tree with a little help from my husband. I love decorating the Christmas tree, and the house to, although I only had time to decorate the tree. I actually have 3 little Christmas trees besides the big one. I have tubs and tubs of decorations but I never have enough time to get everything out. I always mean to start decorating in November but I can't ever seem to make it. I love my ornaments for the tree though. I have a lot and they are all very beautiful. Unwrapping the ornaments every year is like getting presents. Some I just like for their beauty and some have special meanings and memories for me.

 

Christmas morning we unwrapped our presents. My husband was disappointed because some of the presents he ordered for me and his son did not come in time. I felt bad for him but it did not bother me - it is always nice to get presents after Christmas too.  Then he was even more embarrassed because the big gift he had ordered for his son, the game Guitar Hero World Tour for playstation, was actually the wrong kind. It was for the Wii. I told my stepson maybe, if his Dad had any money left , we will have to buy a Wii now. They seem kind of interesting, but Lord knows my husband and I don't have time for any game systems (I waste enough time blogging and playing The Sims 2). I don't think my stepson is really interested in the Wii though. He was not upset about the mix-up either. He is a good kid. Haha, he was happy with his requisite socks and underwear for Christmas. He also went back to his mom's house Christmas morning so he knew he had more presents to open (and maybe a chance of getting that game there too). I got my husband a cool blue Ipod for Christmas. I was excited about that because he has been wanting a new one for a while now. He really likes it. I also made out for Christmas, even though I really didn't want anything in particular. Really the only thing I wanted was to do some book shopping and my husband came through bigtime on that. I also got a cool digital frame. My husband knows I love my pictures.

 

After my stepson left for his mom's, my husband and I went to my parent's house for breakfast and more presents. It is fun to watch my nephews open their gifts. It is a little crazy. Breakfast was really good. My Mom made biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs. Yummy! Then my husband and I went home to spend some quality time together . Then back to my parents for dinner and to watch my nephews bang up their new toys. Boy did my Mom make a lot of food. There was awesome prime rib, sauerkraut and kielbasa, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad, steamed veggie medley, cookies, cheesecake, jello and pecan pie. Yummy! but Yikes! We had to go back the next day to help clean up leftovers.

 

Too much food, too much fun. I am just now starting to recover from Christmas and the fall semester of school. So soon it will be New Years and then back to school time.

>

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

or as my husband says "Merry Chrismahanakwanzika"

 

OMG! Part 2

I am so freakin' happy. I turned in the final draft of my big research paper for my Literary Analysis class on Friday. My prof gave me the best compliment when I let her read the almost finished paper last Monday. She said it was good - she was ready to put an A on it (except I had to make a conclusion and works cited page), that it was graduate quality work, I could use the paper for my graduate thesis, also that I should enter it in a writing contest currently being held and finally that my paper was good enough to be published in an academic journal. WOW. I just had to do a little finishing work on it and make a concluding paragraph.

Well after such a great compliment I kind of got scared to work on my paper - I was afraid I would mess it all up or something. I worked on it though and turned it in thinking that it was not the most brilliant conclusion I could have done but I finished it and could work on it more later. My prof emailed me today and gave me an even more awesome compliment than before. This is what she wrote me:

Brilliant.
Gorgeously constructed argument.
Sophisticated use of the text, other critics, and post-colonial theory.
Wow. Thank you so much for your persistence.
You should take great pride in this essay, put it in your portfolio for graduation, and keep it around if you need a writing sample for graduate school admissions.


I made comments and suggestions, but only because:

1. you really should submit this to one of the university's conferences
   
2. I'd like to use this to show future students how the finished product looks when all of these skills are brought together. (without your name, and only with your permission)
   

---------------------------------------------------------------

 I am so excited. Not only am I getting an A in the class (which was very challenging) but now I feel validated. I love writing, I have always loved writing but writing research papers (academic writing) always scared me. Now I know I can do it and kick ass at it. I was also worried about graduate school - do I have what it takes to make it through?... but this experience has shown me that I can do it.

Creativity

"Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and its ultimate expression."

 -

Isaac Bashevis Singer

Oh man, do I feel that quote. I often feel that when I write, either papers or in my blog. Sometimes words just aren't enough; or you don't have enough time.

Detroit

"We hope for better things; it will arise from the ashes."

 

Motor City's woes extend beyond auto industry

'All of Detroit is not going to hell'; can city avoid drumbeat of doom?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28327490/

This is an interesting article about Detroit, although the title is kind of a 'DUH' statement. The article doesn't have a lot of solutions on how to pull the city out of its downward spiral. The same stuff that is happening in Detroit is happening in Flint (city about 80 miles north of Detroit where I go to school). What can be done to save the cities? A whole lot of jobs would help but also people need to start visiting the downtown areas more. That will not happen until there are more businesses downtown, which won't happen until more people visit, live and work downtown. So where are the jobs going to come from? There are only so many jobs the medical field can offer, what else is there that pays well? Nothing much since our manufacturing is gone. This is a horrible situation that has been building for decades - Michigan (between both Detroit and Flint) is ground zero for this bad economy now. What can be done? What is going to pull Detroit and Flint from turning to rubble, what is going to save the U.S. economy?

Bizarre.....

 

"Bury me with my cell phone"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28182292//wid/11915829?GT1=40006

 

I find this article extremely interesting. My husband thinks that this is stupid - burying people with their cell phones. I think it is wierd but I am not sure that it is a bad idea. I think it may help people with their grief.

So I wonder....

There is this thing I have been wondering for a long time now... this has nothing to do with my friends in person or online so don't pay any mind to this dear friends.

 

So what I wonder is .... who is it that has been checking my msn space at least once, sometimes 3-4 times a day, Monday through Thursday? This has been going on for quite some time, since about last February (possibly before). Someone was checking my msn space like clockwork 3 times a day. So I put an IP tracker on it. I found out it is someone with a State of Michigan IP (Michigan State Governement IP) address. Now I wonder who that could be? Is it the governor of my great state of Michigan? I could only hope. Could it be someone who admires me and my writing? That would be wonderful but, I wish if that were the case, that they would send me a friend request. It could be someone who is just curious about me - that would be fine to, I guess, but 3 to 4 times a day most weekdays and sometimes on the weekend too (yeah, I know the home IP too - that isn't hard to figure out)? Huh?? Could it be someone who dislikes me and wants to use my writings against me? Could be, could be. I don't know, I just don't know. I was hoping this someone would learn some things but unfortunately I see that she has not .... but maybe if she keeps reading she will. She may even be back today, even though I know she has visited twice already today. Maybe around 3:30 or 4 I would bet. Oh yeah, she'll be back becuase she was just over checking my myspace. I wonder too, what is she looking for? I can make assumptions but they are only that...

 

Oh and in case you are wondering what your IP is you can check it here http://www.find-ip-address.org/ And, my special visitor (or stalker?) if you want me to confirm yours just email me.

 

And for my friends I will explain at a later date. 

Wrapping up

I am so excited. I only have one thing (my Lit paper which I am now afraid to work on; silly me I am afraid I am going to ruin it) to wrap up and then I am done with this semester. Then I can move on to wrapping up Christmas gifts, HaHa.

 

This semester was super hard (well it was a challenge for sure) for me. I took on too much (16 credits, 5 classes!) but it is all coming together. Well, accept for my math but you win some and you lose some. That is one major thing a lot of students have reminded me of this semester is that if at first you don't succeed try try again, and it will be alright. I couldn't concentrate on my math because I did about a novels worth of paper writing. When I get the time I am going to put all my papers together and add up the page count.

 

I am proud of myself because I completed my Psych research paper, which I got a 95% on. I have never done a paper for psych before and had barely done a research paper at all. Now I have that under my belt. I also am amazed at my Final test grade in Psych - I got a 96%. Woohoo! I didn't think I did that well on the test. And to top it all off, we had to do a presentation on our research (my group did colors effect on emotions) and me and my group got 5 points extra over and above the top grade because our presentation was so magnificent! I pulled of an A in research Psych so I am so happy.

 

I am getting an A in my Drama as Performance class. There was a ton of writing in that class, but most of it was fun except for our big project where I had to take apart a play and analyze it. I did mine on Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. That is a very complex play and of course I waited until the last minute to do the bulk of the work on it but I pulled it off. I ended up getting an A on the project. I still want to learn more about Williams too, I got really into the project and his work. I felt bad I couldn't give it more time. I can't believe I got an A (25 pts put of 25) on the last test in that class too; I didn't have enough time to study and didn't even study all the plays covered on the test. Wouldn't you know it, the majority of the test was about the play I didn't know but I decided to wing it and I succeeded. I padded my grade with about as much extra credit (extra opinion papers on plays we read and an extra performance critique) I could do but didn't really need it at the end. Oh well, I had fun writing and going to plays.

 

In my English grammar class I am .01% (I kid you not, my grade is an 89.99%) away from an A. I am hoping my prof bumps me up to an A but I am not sure. That class was challenging but the easiest of all my classes - no papers to write. I did really well in it too, except I messed up on one test so that brought my grade down. Dang verbs! hahahaha. I loved the professor for that class too; I am going to miss her. She is from the Netherlands and had really interesting stories. I hope she doesn't forget me because I am going to take another one of her classes.

 

Now I am just waiting to see what my grade for my Literary Analysis class is going to be. I think I did really well on the final although I was mad when I took it. The prof told us there would be no essay questions on the test and there was 2. How is she going to lie like that? haha And the test was a 2 parter. I came in and she hands me the first part and says "Here is part one" I was like "HUH? Part one?" Yeah there was another part. Part one was the essay questions and close reading part. Also she gave us 11 pieces of narrative from the literature we read in class and we had to write both the title of the piece and the author. I aced that, whizzed right on through but those darn essays! I think I did pretty good though. You know by that point I was sick of writing. Then part two was multiple choice. I think I did pretty good there too, although there were a few questions I was iffy on. So now all I have to do is wrap up my research paper. I have one paragraph and a closing to do, and like I said, now I am afraid to work on it. I am afraid I can't wrap it up correctly and I will ruin it. I am so silly.

 

All and all I am proud of myself and I feel like I did good . It was my first semester at a new school and I was worried it was going to be 10 times harder than my old school. It wasn't really harder, I think I just put put a lot more on myself - had higher expectations of what I could accomplish. I pulled almost every thing off I set out to do and I learned a lot. I am not scared (not too much anyway) that I am going to really mess up like I was at the beginning of the semester. I know I can meet the challenges of the next semester.

 

Now if I can only meet the challenges of Christmas.

 

 

Interesting Article

This is a an interesting 'teaser' article. It covers a lot of issues but does not go in depth enough about them so it raises more questions than it answers. It is good that they have an article about how custody is changing in America (albeit ever so slowly) and that touches on the concerns of fathers.

 

Not Your Dad's Divorce

http://www.newsweek.com/id/174790/page/1

OMG!OMG!OMG!

I am so excited, it is like a dream come true. I have been working on a research paper for my Lit class. It is on Waiting for the Barabrians by J.M. Coetzee. So I have been talking to my professor about it because it is a big project, and I have been overwhelmed with it and everything else. I showed her my almost completed paper today. She read it while I waited. I didn't think she liked it because she wasn't saying anything. When she finished reading it she said "This is good. Really good, do you see it?" She just gave me a few pointers but said she is ready to put an A on it. That is not the best part though - she says I should submit to a writing contest that is going on right now, and she also said I should shop it around for publication!!! WOW! It's that good?? She doesn't know what publications are out there for undergraduates but she said it is good and I have something in my paper above the ordinary. I am so exicted. It would be amazing if I could win a prize in a writing contest or get my work published before I even have my bachelors! Even to have a shot, and to have someone say that about my writing makes me feel out of this world.

Demoralizing...

 

from Dictionary.com:

 

de⋅mor⋅al⋅ize

verb

1.	to deprive (a person or persons) of spirit, courage, discipline, etc.; destroy the morale of: The continuous barrage demoralized the infantry.

2.	to throw (a person) into disorder or confusion; bewilder: We were so demoralized by that one wrong turn that we were lost for hours.

3.	to corrupt or undermine the morals of.

 

1.	corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality; "debauch the young people with wine and women"; "Socrates was accused of corrupting young men"; "Do school counselors subvert young children?"; "corrupt the morals"
2.	lower someone's spirits; make downhearted; "These news depressed her"; "The bad state of her child's health demoralizes her" [syn: depress] [ant: elate]
3.	confuse or put into disorder; "the boss's behavior demoralized everyone in the office"

 

The demoralizing example of profligate power and prosperous crime. --Walsh.

 

 

Now I understand what that means.