Mickey's Musings

2003-07-03T02:24:00.000-04:00

2003-06-25T15:31:00.000-04:00

My co-worker just found A young Vin Diesel break dancing!

2003-06-06T04:04:00.000-04:00

Mickey's Musings is Moving!

Thanks to Ithy I'm packing up and moving over to Moveable Type and my very own blog home :) at
Mickey's Musings
I'm still unpacking the boxes and putting the pictures up....I hope anyway, 'cause I could never figure pictures out here....it looks very purr-ty right now, Ithy did a great job, but she has lots of practice with her blogs at - A Gaggle of Girls and One Guy and Girls! Girls! Girls! Please be sure and visit them and wish Ithy and Nin her little "sis", a fabu vaca! Have fun girls and remember - pictures! *G*

And everyone please come and say "hey!" over on the new site!

2003-06-05T07:56:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday, isn't it?

*Couldn't get Blogger to work last night at work...no surprise there I guess

*It's another misty, overcast, rainy day here in the Northeast. I don't know how people in the Seattle area do it. The overcast rainy part doesn't really bother me so much, it's the fact that instead of things looking clean, they look soggy and dirty

* Spike Lee thinks they named Spike TV, Spike TV because of him....I can't imagine being that vain. And here I was hoping it was all James Marsters aka Spike, all the time....

* Bought my son another birthday gift yesterday, couldn't get it for his birthday in May, because it didn't come out until June 3rd. The Animatrix It's good, I didn't get to watch it all, because I had to go to work, but it was good.

2003-06-04T16:39:00.000-04:00

Tuesday This or That

Yes, yes, I know it's Wednesday, but I haven't been able to figure out what day it is all week....*G*

1. Cats or dogs?

Oh geez....l was juat about to say that there was no way to decide in this house when one of the dogs just decided that she didn't want one of the cats to eat any dog food and used him as a rag doll.....and she isn't even the one that's food aggressive. She was shocked when I yelled at her, didn't even realize what she was doing was wrong.

2. Butterflies or birds?

Birds, we love feeding the birds in our yard, they are beautiful creatures. Butterflies are too, but I guess they are just such free spirits. The birds return every day, they share our home with us

3. Horses or cows?
Cows, I can't resist saying "moo" when I pass a cow, which only makes the Farside comic of cows commenting on humans even funnier....

4. Turtles or snakes?

Touch decisions.....my first thought was snales, but I'm gonna go with turtles

5. Frogs or grasshoppers?

Frogs

6. Lions or tigers?

Tigers

7. Elephants or mice?

Elephants

8. Porcupines or aardvarks?

Porcupines

9. Unicorns or dragons?

Hmmm....Dragons

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You live in a rather dumpy apartment. A friend offers you a chance to be a roommate at a new place s/he is moving into, but they don't allow pets. You have a pet. Do you find your pet a new home and take the new place, or do you keep your pet and stay put?

Keep the dump that is home with my pet, 'cause the other place won't be home w/o them

2003-05-31T06:32:00.000-04:00

early morning grumblings and ramblings....

About this time every morning, about an hour before I get off work, the poison ivy acts up. I have really, really, tried to be good, but it got the best of me this morning.....and now I think I may have a patch on the back of the other leg, which would mean that the dogs are still finding it out there and it's finding me!

The roof pouches at L.L. Bean are out and wouldn't be available until July. My own bad for not checking sooner. I'm hoping that one of the stores within a few hours of us might have one.

Okay...now how obsessed is this......I went and called the nearest store to the campground and pre-ordered our copy of the new Harry Potter book.

Called the campground to check on our site yesterday and pay the deposit, almost went into a hissy fit when the the nice young woman said that the site was taken at that time by someone else.....luckily that someone else was us! Just under my first name - big sigh of relief.

One of my dogs got mad at me the other day because I took the other dog with me when I went to sleep that morning. Aeryn Sun has laid claim to my room and D'Artaganan never gets to come in there anymore, but I missed him, so I took the D'Ar with me. Aeryn then refused to have anything to do with me for the rest of the day.

Saw the mini chip yesterday morning, he's so cute!

And today's forecast..............rain, rain and some more rain. I wonder if I can get the lawn mowed before it rains? I've wanted to get the front of the house painted, but I think I have to wait until it dries first.

Gonna go see if there are any of those great Entenmann's cakes on my way home *G*

2003-05-30T04:48:00.000-04:00

Profoundly bored - early morning musings

Why is it that things that are "thoughtful" and "deep" are usually incredibly annoying and devoid of humor. Why does serious get more respect than funny does? Why is the scowling person, or the remote person viewed as being "intense" or introspective? I guess, as I've gotten older, the allure of all that has lost it's sheen. I tire of so called deep moving cinema getting all the awards, why doesn't Jim Carrey get to win an award, or Steve Martin? I think, although my acting experience itself is limited, however my experience with watching actors "in action" is larger, that it is far more difficult to be humorous than it is to be sullen or even intense. What's really talented is when you can be both, ala Nicholas Cage in "Moonstruck". It's a fave of mine. Cage's character stands as a symbol of all those that are too deep for themselves. Given a choice, I'd much rather watch the Marx Bros than American Beauty over and over. I wonder sometimes if the people that don't think that comedy deserves the accolades that I do, are devoid of life themselves, do they need to experience another's pain? Or do they need to validate their own pain by seeing others in pain? I like historical movies, historically accurate ones any way, not like the recent Leo DiCaprio farce that twisted history for cinematic drama. Maybe I've had drama in my life and I don't need to watch it. Variety is the spice of life though.

2003-05-28T08:56:00.000-04:00

Poison Ivy

I have poison ivy. Luckily, it's a fairly small patch just above my left knee. Everyone's reaction -"don't come near me!" News Flash - poison ivy *is not* contagious. It's damned annoying and itchy though! I'm already about 7 days into it, they say it takes about 14 days to get rid of it. I went to the doctor yesterday, I thought it was a bit of some kind. I was surprised to find out that I may have gotten it from the dogs. We have a somewhat wooded backyard and if they brushed against it, they can bring it in on their fur and the oil can remain there until they bath. This isn't good.

My Avon order should be in today. I forgot to order my receipt books, so I'll have to type up receipts.

2003-05-26T18:41:00.000-04:00

Back yard Wild Kingdom

The back yard has been filled with birds, ducks, chipmunks, squirrels and the rabbit family, the last few days, I imagine that the rain makes things difficult for them. Its a shame that the squirrels can't share better, one of them was even going after the duck. Last week he was attacking the baby chipmunk. Speaking of the baby, it's hard to tell who is who now, he/she has gotten bigger. The Northern Flicker was back again, I think they're gorgeous, but my favorite is still the cardinals, they're out there now. The birds will come and bang on the back windows of the house when I don't feed them fast enough.

If you haven't taken a look, the Peregrine Falcons over on the Kodak Birdcam are adorable!
Okay...time to go catch the last day of the sale at Payless, buy 2, get 1 free.
Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend!

2003-05-25T02:20:00.000-04:00

Weekly Wrap Up

1. What was your favorite book as a child? Why?

Aesop's Fables. I never seemed to tire of the stories and the lessons within, they just fascinated me

2. How often did you read as a child? Describe your preferred reading area or situation.

Constantly. I'm not sure what's meant by reading area or situation - I read anywhere

3. What children's literature series did you read when you were younger? Why?
The Happy Hollisters. Why? Because I liked them and they arrived in the mail when we were at the lake house, made it extra special

4. Do you still read children's literature? Why or why not?
We already have Harry Potter on order *G*, so yes, I still read children's literature.

5. What children's book would you recommend for a child's library? Why?

Aesop's Fables and Winnie the Pooh

2003-05-21T18:14:00.000-04:00

Wednesday's Musings

The forecast, is for rain, rain, more rain and then more rain for over the next week. I can't believe that I'm considering turning the heat on to take the chill out of the air in the house.

I finally went and got my nails done again. Naturally, I had them done in red. I love red. I've never gone to one of the many, many nail places that we have around here. They don't seen to have names, it just says Nails over the door. I went to a place that two of the other girls I worl with go to and ended up with a nice young guy named John who they are very fond of. My thumbs were just a tad shorter than the rest of my nails and he added this paper strip with this gold design, and then the crystal wrap over it, amazing how it makes a fake tip like that! They look nice, I was really pleased.

There was just Northern Flicker in the back yard, we seen it before, but rarely, I think they're beautiful.

2003-05-20T07:50:00.000-04:00

Buffy

We watched the Buffy finale last night. I'm sure not everyone will think so, but I think they did a nice job. I got a little teary eyed a couple of times, but all in all, they didn't pull at the heart strings. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll wait until others have seen it. I would like to comment on part of what it's meant to me though.

Buffy came on when my son was 11, it was a show that we watched together, it had good looking guys and vamp action for Mom and cute girls and vamp action for my son. The stories were well written and thought provoking, with the exception of the whole Initiative story line, couldn't stand that. There were holes in the plot line sometimes and other times it seemed that Joss Whedon had painted himself into a corner. Many over the years commented on how it was a mother/daughter show, but for us, it was a mother/son show, which is interesting because Joss Whedon was apparently influenced by having a strong Mom. Thanks Joss for many hours of fun, introspection, goofiness, laughter and tears and for giving us something fun to share.

2003-05-20T07:40:00.000-04:00

Monday Musings

Yes, I know it's Tuesday morning, but I haven't gone to bed yet, so I can still write about Monday! (so there! *G*)

The beach was gorgeous today. There weren't too many people there, about 5 surfers and a one fisherman and only two couple who really needed to "get a room". And only about a handful of people who were cruising the sands like us. The water wasn't too awful cold and my feet adjusted, either that or they just went numb....not too many shells, a few nice ones and a couple of pieces of beach glass. Doesn't matter, we had a nice walk.

Stewarts is open! YEAH! Nothing like a Stewarts cheeseburger, great fries and a mug of soda! And the company was pretty darn good too.

2003-05-18T02:53:00.000-04:00

BLUE

You give your love and friendship unconditionaly. You enjoy long, thoughful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive.

Find out your color at Stvlive.com!

2003-05-18T02:06:00.000-04:00

Random Musings late on a Saturday night, or early on a Saturday morning....

It was and continues to be, frellin' cold out.I just ran out with a bag of garbage. All day it was like this, it's May, the middle of May and it's 43 degrees Ok, so that isn't butt freezing, but it's enough that I have to turn the heat on occasionally to take the chill out of the air.

Speaking of garbage, we got a new robocan, actually we added a second robocan. It's really a ripoff. You have to pay $85.00 for a second robocan and it doesn't even belong to you, when you move, it stays with the house, you can't even move it with you, even though you might be moving to another house in the township.

Met the new canine last night, he's beautiful and a real headstrong according to his human partner. Couldn't have asked for a better partnership though, they should be wonderful together.

Bought a new lawn mower the other day. The grass was getting unsightly, I was waiting for the neighbors to come out and cheer. Really, it wasn't all that bad, but we live in one of those manicured areas where most people have a lawn service. I don't really understand why they pay a bunch of people to come mow their lawns as they jog off to the gym......wouldn't it make a lot more sense to just mow the lawn yourself, get the exercise, save the lawn maintenance fee and the gym fee? Oh...what was I thinking....Now I just have to deal with the electric company or actually the fact that the person who comes to allegedly read the meter thinks we're still living in the 80's by the outfit she wears. If you were to put rollerblades on her outfit would fit right into that movie Burt Reynolds did about porno, I can't remember the name, but Heather Graham was running around in little short shorts on skates, this woman, not a young girl, a woman in her 30's was running around in little short shorts and a skimpy T with the sleeves rolled all the way up. I thought that fad was over? Anyway, she had construction boots on with socks, another fashion faux pas that I thought had seen it's day and she complained that she couldn't get to the meter because of the holly bush. And besides, "there might be ticks!" she squealed..err, exclaimed. Funny, the guy who came 2 months ago didn't have a problem, but then he was wearing a uniform and I guess reaching past the few branches wasn't an issue for him. Now I have to wait for a supervisor to assess the situation. If there response time is as good as it is to wires being down, it should be next year some time. Oooh that was bitchy.

Went to Tar-get and bought the new Mickey Mouse alarm clock, it's adorable.

2003-05-17T07:53:00.000-04:00

Friday Five

1. What drinking water do you prefer -- tap, bottle, purifier, etc.?
Bottled

2. What are your favorite flavor of chips?

Lays - especially the All Dressed ones that we can only get in Canada!

3. Of all the things you can cook, what dish do you like the most?

Probably the shells with beef and mozzarella and sauce, I know not terribly adventurous. Toss up between that and the homemade chicken fingers.

4. How do you have your eggs?

Depends on who is making them. If it's my son, then with cheese and olives. At a restaurant, usually over medium.

5. Who was the last person who cooked you a meal? How did it turn out?
My son and it was excellent!

2003-05-15T04:28:00.000-04:00

Things I Found While Blog Surfin’

From Easy Bake Coven -
- Write on Bart Simpson's blackboard

Over at Maura Mind the MSN Buffy article

Stop by and wish Lili a Happy Birthday!

2003-05-13T18:47:00.000-04:00

Women in the Military

Ith sent me this link. They're having a discussion about woman in combat, it's interesting reading all the comments. Thanks Ithy!

2003-05-13T13:44:00.000-04:00

Survivor

So, one of the booby twins has taken the prize. That didn't shock me as much as hearing that Heidi has a higher IQ than Dave! I was pleased that Jenna at least acknowledged that she was a spoiled brat and that she had growing up to do. A million dollars should be a big help. It will afford her the opportunity to choose what she wants. I would rather have seen Matt win, he really did grow on me.

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but whoever did the editing slipped up, my son is the one that caught it here. Prior to the final challenge, they showed Jenna with red in her hair, making it almost look like a henna treatment, but it was the red from her face paints and there was no way that she would be doing one of those interviews if she'd been booted off.

I wonder what the psychological and moral ramifications are from being on Survivor. It must be very difficult for some people, I would say especially the earlier ones voted off, they aren't even given an opportunity, like say Matt, to grow on us or for us to see more of their personality or moral fiber. I think it would make a great thesis for someone, maybe it already is.

Speaking of Matt, wow, did he look different!

2003-05-13T13:34:00.000-04:00

This-or-That Tuesday

1. Packrat or minimalist?

Packrat!

2. Computer: desktop or laptop?

Desktop

3. Seashore or mountains?

That's an easy one, considering I live at the shore. What I really like is Maine, where you can combine both

4. Carpeting or bare floors?

Hmmm....depends on the room. We presently have wall to wall carpeting in the entire house, but just yesterday I was saying how ridiculous it is for us to have it at the front door and by the back slider where the dogs go in and out. We never use the garage to come into the house, always the front door and that gets a lot of sand traffic that needs constant vacuuming. I love to put ceramic tiles down there.

5. Drinking water: bottled or tap?

Bottled and I'm damned picky about brands too, ove Poland Springs, can't stand Dasani or Aquafina

6. Shopping websites: eBay or Amazon?

E-Bay

7. Cute little kitties or big scary tigers?

Tigers

8. Front door or back door?

Front door

9. Lots of jewelry, or little/none?

Really depends on the mood. Sometimes I just remove all my rings and earrings and leave them off for a month or so.

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: At the last minute, you obtain tickets to an event you're dying to attend. However, you have to work that day! Do you ask the boss for the time off, or just call in sick?

Not too much thought really for me, my job allows this type of day off, just take a personal day or a vacation day or whatever type day and it doesn't require boss asking, it's in our contract. I prefer not to abuse my sick time.

2003-05-11T09:19:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

A few years back, my son and I packed the puppy into the truck and off we went on one of our infamous day trips. This time, we chose to head up to see a an old summer house that my family owned when I was a child. It was an adorable house that looked incredibly small from the outside with this wonderful peaked roof and an odd little window that was actually the window in my room. My room was very small, just big enough to fit a twin bed in front of the window and a small dresser. As child and even now, I had a large collection of stuffed animals. My mother would take a stuffed animal a day and put it in the window so it could look out and see what was what with the outside world. Our house was on the lake at Pinecliff Lake, NJ and the road in front our house led to the private beach club. As more and more people passed by, slowly the house gained the nickname of The Doll House and people would look to see what was in the window. The house was very deceiving in size. It had apparently been built by a ship's Captain and had a porthole and many, many antiques, including an incredible organ with the crows feet legs that grasped a clear glass ball. It had three floors, expanding out in the back. You would never believe that the house you saw from the lake was the same one when you passed it on the street. I learned to swim in that lake and spent many hours sitting on the little sandbar playing with crawfish and going out in the boat fishing with my father.
It was memories like this that prompted our destination that day. Like so many others have discovered, you just can't go back. With me, it's not really something I give a great deal of thought to, having moved so many times. But, it was disturbing to see that the present home owners had decided to build up and out and in doing so, destroyed the unique character of the house and replaced it with just another generic big box of a house. To each his own.
All was not lost though as we drove around the lake and admired the numerous log cabins that were still standing and enjoyed the mountain views and winding roads. We wound our way down one particular hill and around a curve and there was a sign for a drive-in movie theater. At first we assumed that it was just another abandoned drive-in, although NJ was the birthplace of the drive-in theater, we no longer have any. When my son was three, I had taken him to the last drive-in that was in our area, just so he could say that he'd been to one. I realized then that I had crossed over the border into NY a few miles back and here was a real blast from the past, this was an operating drive-in! A fully operating theater and only about 2 hours from home. To people like us who like to drive, two hours is nothing. They were playing The Mummy and even though we'd just seen it 2 nights before on opening night, we decided we couldn't miss this. That was four years ago. We've since added another pup, Aeryn Sun and she enjoys going off every other weekend or so from Spring to Fall to watch the people at the drive-in and get pet by lots of little children and adults alike. D'Artagan though, is the true *love me, love, me, love me dog*, hopping about and begging for anyone's attention.

Tonight's double feature at the Warwick Drive In is X-Men 2 (mmmm...Hugh Jackman!) and Daredevil (ok, so the music is good - Evanescence) The weather is threatening to go south but that's what windshield wipers are for.

People ask me why I want to drive that far, but they forget that those two hours in the car are two hours of quality time that I spend talking to my son. We discuss everything from comics to current events and often even have heated arguments of the present state of the world and politics, to say nothing of our religious discussions! *G* The annual Mother's Day trip is always a nice trial run for the puppies too, their preparation for the longer road trips of the summer.

Time to go and see if the Daily News managed to get itself delivered today. I just went and got the NY Times off the drive way, but the News was nowhere to be found, that would be 4 weeks in a row....

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

2003-05-10T08:20:00.000-04:00

Cary Grant

I just adore that man. Even when he's in a movie, like "Indiscreet", where he's playing a character that is absolutely annoying, I still love watching him. The tagline for this movie - "How dare he make love to me - And not be a married man!" Wonderful! *G*

I was reading Ithy's blog where she and some others have been discussing their view of the pres in a flight suit. Working with men in uniform all night and wearing one myself, the whole uniform allure just doesn't blow my skirt up. But, give me a man who can fill out a 3 piece suit and move in it like he's as comfortable as if he were wearing jeans and an old T-shirt, like Cary Grant can, sign me up! *G*

2003-05-10T08:12:00.000-04:00

Random Thoughts about Blogging

Does anyone ever feel like they've walked into the middle of a party, or the middle of a soap opera and you find yourself trying to figure out exactly what's going on and how the blogger got to where they are at the present time? I read a couple of blogs where I really would like to know a few things - like how a couple met, or who it is exactly that they are having a problem with, or what brought them around to certain decisions. I don't think that I'm inherently nosey, but I do know that people fascinate me.

2003-05-09T07:33:00.000-04:00

Buffy

I know that previews are often designed to throw us off, but it disappointed me to see Buffy kissing Angel and Angel kissing Buffy. I thought Angel was all about Cordy now? I know Buffy continues to deny her feelings for Spike, but I wish someone would hit her over the head and make her take a good look at this guy. That monologue he gave last week is the kind of TV fairy tale that is designed to keep women believing that men like that could exist like that *G* Yes, yes, I'm kidding. Men like that do exist...somewhere and they're probably all married too! *G* It really was a beautiful moment, James Marsters is a fine actor and very easy on the eyes.

2003-05-09T07:29:00.000-04:00

Survivor

YES! One half of the booby twins is gone! I wish it had been the whiney, selfish one as opposed to the clueless, selfish one, but that's okay. One of them is gone.

GO MATT! Even though I didn't really care for the car, I'm glad Matt won the car. Matt has really grown on me, his wide eyed intensity bothered me at first, but even that seems toned down now.

Random Survivor Thoughts

Does Rob need a reality check?

What was Butch thinking and what were the rest of them thinking? Why didn't somebody say something about all that wood and why, if it was apparently so easy to get another fire going, was it necessary to leave the fire burning?

How many people wanted to smack Jenna when she was talking about Butch? What a bitch. And just think, she'll get rich off this. Reminds me of Monica Lewinsky and when people call her a victim. No, she's not a victim, she consensually had sex with the president of the United States, a married man and she has profited amazingly for it. Exactly what this boobettes are going to do when they pose for Playboy or Maxim or whoever the high bidder is. These two made Gerri look like a ray of sunshine.

I loved the expressions from the jury last night, they looked like they wanted to ask if Jeff had started handing out drugs to the remaining survivor, because Heidi was clearly delusional.

How many people are rooting for Matt?

2003-05-08T03:49:00.000-04:00

Raed Is Posting Again (yeah!)

Check it out

2003-05-08T03:04:00.000-04:00

You're kidding, right??

Ithy posted a link over on A Gaggle of Girls and One Guy for Spinsters.comwhere this article, from NRO is. It's about child support. I realize that there are two sides to every story, but this article only presents one side and in my opinion, it's a lopsided one.

The article states

Government claims of a child-support problem are almost entirely manufactured. No evidence indicates that large numbers of fathers are abandoning their children; the government has no compiled data to back its claims that they are not paying support; and no study has ever justified the expanding federalization of enforcement since 1975. Two federally funded studies have concluded that nonpayment has never been a serious problem. No public outcry ever demanded that government take action, nor has any public discussion of this alleged problem ever been held. The initiative has been taken throughout by government officials, who in doing so have vastly expanded their power.

Let me tell you about the other side of this coin. From what I've observed, women who are on welfare or some type of assistance have an easier time trying to get their child support paid and the medical bills paid. The Probabtion Dept in NJ, which handles child support, even contacts *them* and offers them assistance in trying to get refunds from their spouses for medical expenses. The same does not apply to those of us that work for a living and make a halfway decent salary. By halfway decent, I should really be saying *able to scrape by without assistance*. These are the people who are left out in the cold. They are required to get a lawyer in order to go into court and fight for the money that they are owed. Many people, male and female, opt to have their child support paid via the probation dept. Why? Because at least that way if the payor falls behind, there is some recourse, not much though. My ex fell behind, they weren't terribly concerned, they even had the nerve to tell me that I had no right trying to find out why payments had stopped. I get a touch over the bare minimum, I haven't received money for medical bills and I couldn't afford an attorney to go back and fight for the money or for a raise. He could though and you really don't stand too much of a chance against a lawyer. The court system is designed for the lawyers and not the public. You're left rying to decide which is worse, paying the bills or adding to them, for what? The principal of it all? The off chance that this will change their ways and they'll suddenly see fit in the future to pay? How lopsided is it when a husband cheats on his wife and she no longer wants to endure that and so she does leave (thereby adding to the statistics in the article about how women leave) and then she would like child support. Child support is supposed to be money that would maintain the same lifestyle for the child had the parents not divorced. But, Dad is off living with his new girlfriend now and they've started a family of their own. I can almost guarantee you that the new child will live in a far more lavish setting than the children left behind. Was this the case with me, are you wondering if I'm bitter? No, this wasn't my scenario, but it is one that I've observed. I've watched many women struggle with the aftermath of divorce. Of these women, I've only seen one that is somewhat successful in her financial dealings with her ex, he was very wealthy. I don't think it's fair to portray women as the ones who leave, most men I know aren't willing to leave because of the financial fallout and the fact that if they can get a way with cheating, they will. So, is this article saying that we should return to a time when women married for convenience and stature and turned a blind eye to the extra-curricular activities of their husbands? Maybe that's what the article is trying to say.

2003-05-07T04:16:00.000-04:00

Roger Maris

Roger Maris *is not* in the Baseball Hall of Fame, I'm amazed by this. There's some people who would like to change that, please visit Elect Roger Maris to the Hall of Fame

2003-05-07T04:02:00.000-04:00

People and Their Blogs

I wonder sometimes why people are so angry in their blogs? And it seems like it's a lot of the popular ones that are angry. Do people really have that much anger that they need to rant about? I wonder sometimes if it's that they don't see how other people's lives are, that there are handships worse than theirs. The long line at the supermarket or who is ranting about who this week seems trivial. But, then aren't I doing the same thing? Partially, yes, but I don't feel angry about it, I feel bewildered but that much anger out there.

2003-05-05T04:56:00.000-04:00

Random musings

The Big Dipper was right outside the back slider tonight when I opened the door to let the puppies out. It was beautiful. I have this thing about the stars, knowing that they are up there no matter where you are, connects us all I guess, for me anyway.

I'm a little apprehensive about the the campground this year, sounds like it's going to be very crowded. There's only 10 sites, but there are overflow sites and tons of kayakers in and out. We're only there for a few nights this year though, not like last year when we stayed 2 weeks. That really got to be a bit much, I'd prefer to travel more, a week in one spot is really good enough. Haven't decided where we want to venture to yet though this year. Now I just hope that they don't schedule my school for that week!

2003-05-05T04:54:00.000-04:00

The Big Dipper was right outside the back slider tonight when I opened the door to let the puppies out. It was beautiful. I have this thing about the stars, knowing that they are up there no matter where you are, connects us all I guess, for me anyway.

I'm a little apprehensive about the

2003-05-03T03:23:00.000-04:00

Weekly Wrapup

1. When is your birthday?

April

2. How accurate is your zodiac sign?

Very

3. What do you typically do to celebrate your birthday?

I get to pick a place for a day trip. I usually pick a fort or a park that I haven't been too before and we go and explore

4. Do you like to receive presents? Why or why not?

Yes, no reason really, tradition I guess and it's fun. My son gave me a one of those new Gameboys this year and a singing Tigger and Roo

5. Describe the best birthday and/or present you ever had.
Anything my son has given me, yeah I know, sappy and very motherly :)

2003-05-02T07:54:00.000-04:00

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

Saturday, May 3 for a second year.

Go to the website to find local retailers participating in the event.

Comic Book company's: Archie Comics, Avatar Press, CrossGen, Dark Horse, DC, Dreamwave, Future Comics, Image Comics, Marvel Comics, Gemstone Publishing A-Bomb, Alternative Comics, Avatar, Broken Tree, Dork Storm Press, Keenspot, Oni Press, Second to Some, Slave Labor Graphics, Angry Dog Press, Colburn Comics, Colonia Press, CPM Manga, Humanoids, Insight Studios, Landwaster Books, Lone Star Press, NBM, Sharkbait Press, Studio Foglio, Terra Major, and Top Shelf.
Media Outlets: Sci-fi Channel, Fox Home Entertainment, Warner Home Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Fox, MGM. Dark Horse Comics, TNT, TBS, NICK, Cartoon Network, Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

2003-05-02T05:25:00.000-04:00

Free Speech

I'm really tired of everyone bitching about the fact that other people are bitching about what other people have had to say. So, Natalie Maines chooses to say what she wants about the President of the US. Ok. So, I choose to call her a coward. Aren't we both entitled to our opinions? Why is it okay for some people to talk about this or that, but the minute someone disagrees with them, it's censorship? Isn't it my right as a consumer to but or not buy what I like? Do we now have to explain why we do or don't buy a certain product? I don't condone what some people were doing the the Chicks, damaging their homes or threatening them, that's ridiculous and uncalled for. But, if I choose not to buy their CD, that choice should be mine. And yes, people should be permitted to exercise their free speech to criticize this, but it's really turning into a vicious cycle. And it's not the criticism that bothers me, it's the whole censorship issue, the accusations of blacklisting that are really the issue for me.

2003-05-02T02:57:00.000-04:00

Survivor

Christy got just a little too full of herself. Too bad she didn't just tell Rob that she would vote with him. The guy is a snake and out for himself only. I really hope that Matt takes it now.

2003-05-01T09:53:00.000-04:00

Beltaine

A joyous Beltaine to everyone!

Interesting reading - Irish Fire Festivals: Beltaine

Historic Beltaine

Tuatha de Brighid - Beltaine

Have fun, pick some flowers, buy yourself a bouquet, better yet, buy one for someone else.

2003-05-01T07:09:00.000-04:00

Astro Boy
From this mornings entertainment news -

He is 52 years old. A superhero of the truest kind. His theme song explains, "He may be small but only in size … He is brave and gentle and wise." Who is he? Astro Boy the robot boy! Yesterday Kids' WB, and producers Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, Tezuka Productions and US distributor Sony Pictures TV announced the return of the diminutive superhero in a new 26 episode animated series, launching as part of the Kids' WB! 2003-04 Saturday morning season. Osamu Tezuka, credited with being the father of Japanese anime and manga, created and published the first Astro Boy comic book in post WWII, 1951 Japan. Tezuka was also a pacifist who armed his young boy superhero not only with super powers but also with bravery, a moral rudder and an actual birth date 50 years in the future on April 7, 2003. In 1963 the first animated version of the story debuted on TV, a second color adaptation of the series ran from 1980-81. Astro Boy has the distinction of being the first cartoon to be imported to the US from Japan.

2003-05-01T07:01:00.000-04:00

Third Watch - TV Guide Interview with Amy Carlson

TV Guide

2003-04-29T02:20:00.000-04:00

Third Watch
TV shows don't usually make me cry, this one did tonight. I didn't expect it to be her. After Bosco and Faith, Taylor was my favorite character.

2003-04-28T02:50:00.000-04:00

Survivior

Before, Jenna and Heidi and were just annoying little twits, but now I think Jenna is not only a spolied little brat, but a horribly selfish one too. She was appalled that Christie would bid against her for a letter from home. Why? Because her (Jenna's) mother has cancer? I'm sorry, but if it were that important, maybe she should have stayed home! She and Heidi haven't even taken the time to get to know Christie, how do they know that her letter wasn't just as vital to her as it apparently was to Jenna. That poor girl is not only a fellow tribe member, but in their own peer group and they can't even be bothered giving her the time of day. I'm glad the tribe nailed Jenna for the selfish, manupulative bitch that she is during their little question challenge. Did anyone else notice that Heidi bid against her for the 2nd letter? Sure, she backed down, but I didn't hear Jenna crying about that. Bravo Christie for hanging in there another week against those selfish twits. I hope neither one of them wins, it really won't matter much though as they'll probably be doing Playboy together and getting their $$'s that way.

2003-04-28T02:37:00.000-04:00

LIGHTS, CAMERA, AUCTION 6!

April 27, 2003

Greetings from MPICA!

We are please to announce that registration is open for Lights, Camera, Auction - Take 6! Sept. 19-21, 2003.

This year, our charities are the Stroke Foundation of Southern California and a Canadian charity TBA shortly.

For details, visit us at:

http://www.mpica.org/LCA6/main.htm

We hope you'll join us! :-)

Regards,

MPICA
http://www.mpica.org

Any questions, please contact me at: LCAMickey@comcast.net

2003-04-26T07:52:00.000-04:00

Saturday Silly Questions

If you'd like to play along, just leave a comment with your blog/web address where you answered the questions so we can all go take a look!

1.What inanimate object do you always seem to be looking for?
(ie: car keys, stapler, rubber band)

I can never find the stapler, we have 3 or 4 of them and I can never find it when I want it!

2.What shows on TV would *you* cancel?

All half hour sitcoms. I'm just tired of them

3.What have you gotten into lately that surprised you?
(Books, actor, movie, genre, mailing list etc)

Third Watch. I don't usually like cop shows, but I've gotten into this one.

4.Where's the first place you go on the computer, after you check your mail? If it's a web site, which one?

Usually my blog and then the Drudge Report

5.Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Hmmmmm.........when I was a kid, it was Mighty Mouse, I still love Mighty Mouse, but Tigger is probably tied

2003-04-25T18:04:00.000-04:00

My Photo Friday entry is up over on my Fotoblog

2003-04-25T07:50:00.000-04:00

Friday Five

1. What was the last TV show you watched?

Third Watch rerun @ 3AM

2. What was the last thing you complained about and what was the problem?
That my trainee is being treated unfairly

3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say?
My trainee, that she was doing a great job

4. What was the last thing you threw away?
A half eaten cupcake

5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited?
Ellsworth Cam

2003-04-23T21:00:00.000-04:00

Tuesday This Or That

1. Yummier: Chocolate ice cream or strawberry cheesecake?

Chocolate Ice Cream!

2. Better to watch on TV: Movies or sports?

Movies

3. A better web browser: MSIE or Netscape (or tell us your own favorite!)

Mozilla

4. A better way to travel: Automobile or bus/train?

Automobile!

5. Your preferred camera: Digital or film?

Hmmm.....Digital, except, I always seem to be misplacing the attachment for the computer

6. A Cooler Vehicle: Motorcycle or sports car?

Sports car - Porsche - Targa - black - yes!

7. More fun: Video games or board games?
Video games with my son, I love those 2 player games

8. Sexier: A perfect body or an intelligent mind?

Intelligent mind

9. A stinkier smell: Skunk or gasoline (petrol)?

Skunk!

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: What is more important to you: making a ton of money and being at the top of your field, or finding your soulmate and living a comfortable but not wealthy life?

Comfortable.

2003-04-23T17:49:00.000-04:00

Excuse Me??"

Now she's sorry - TEARS ON TV: DIXIE CHICKS EXPLAIN BUSH BASHING and she's been sorry all along? What happened to, "The more flak I get for it, the prouder I am," said Maines." This was Maines' original comments from this article that I mentioned in an earlier blog. I don't have a problem with her apologizing, but at least be honest about the whole thing.

2003-04-20T23:42:00.000-04:00

The Friday Five

1. Who is your favorite celebrity?

Hmmmm....probably Cary Grant, he's my favorite actor, I'm not really sure though who my favorite celeb is.

2. Who is your least favorite?

Madonna

3. Have you ever met or seen any celebrities in real life?

Yes

4. Would you want to be famous? Why or why not?

My initial reaction was no, because I wouldn't want to give up my privacy, but I think there are a lot of actors who able to maintain normal lives. The yes part comes from a desire to be able to help people on a wider scale, celeb enables that.

5. If you had to trade places with a celebrity for a day, who would you choose and why?

I think it would be nice to be Angelina Jolie, since she is a UN Ambassador right now and I like the efforts she's been making for children.

2003-04-09T07:34:00.000-04:00

Web Cams

One of my first stops every morning on the web is Ellsworth, Maine, Main St Web Cam from there, I click on over to The City Hall Web Cam and then on to Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound's own Tide Cam! I know that web cams and video equipment are a source of irritation and considered an intrusion by many, as evidenced in
this article, NY Tour Turns Evil Eye on Surveillance Cameras, but I feel a sense of closeness when I view that cam way up there in Maine, where I leave a piece of myself every year.

2003-04-07T06:25:00.000-04:00

My Photoblog!!

I'm very excited, can you tell?! I've finally found a site that seems to be wonderful for photo blogging and I now have my very own Mickey's Photoblog!!

I love taking pictures, I love looking at pictures. I think it was Ithy
She's one of the few that comes and reads my little blog here. I know that other people come here, but they don't comment, I don't know why really, can't be that they're shy, well, I suppose it could be. Could be that I'm quite boring. Frell! No, that couldn't be it! Kidding, I'm kidding!. Doesn't matter really, I enjoy it. I do hope people enjoy the pictures. Back to Ithy though, I think she was the one who called me a picture slut,. It's very true really, I love looking at pictures. I love looking at pictures of friends and of their children and pets and where they've been and all that and I love taking pictures. So please, have a look, I guess I'll try and post a new one every day and I've entered a photo challenge over at Photo Friday

2003-04-04T19:10:00.000-05:00

Easter Egg Roll

The annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House has been canceled this year, according to this artcle They are going to have an event for children of service people, which I think is wonderful, but isn't this cancelation contrary to what everyone keeps telling us? That we should continue to live our lives as normal, but with added vigilance? What message then does this send the children?

2003-04-04T18:44:00.000-05:00

Dixie Chicks, Free Speech and Cowards

The whole brouhaha over what Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks said didn't effect me at all. Im not a fan, don't even know what they sing, oh wait, yes, they had that remake of the old Stevie Nicks tune. I do, respect free speech, but, I feel sorry for the people who just wanted to hear them sing and could care less what Maine's political stand point is. I don't know why people like her or Susan Saradon or Sean Penn seem to think that we care what they have to say. So what if Sarandon is an Oscar winning actress, does this somehow make her more politically savvy? No, it means that she has a mouthpiece, a place to voice her opinion, just like I do, here with my blog, why don't they get a blog, write what they want and let the people who are interested in what they have to say read it? My audience isn't a captive one. The DCs fans could have walked out, but then they'd miss the rest of what they'd come for, the singing. Personally, I think Natalie Maines is a coward. It's easy to stand up and badmouth the president when you aren't even in the country. It will be interesting to see how things go when their tour in the US kicks off. They, (the group), are apparently already receiving threats because of Maines' cowardly remarks. Maines is quoted in this article as stating, "The more flak I get for it, the prouder I am," said Maines." Nice girl, isn't she? Her bandmate's property has been damaged because of her remark about the president, but what the heck, fuel the fire some more! Of course, I think that the people who are perpertrating these acts against them are just as cowardly as she is.

2003-04-04T00:58:00.000-05:00

Another Hero

Iraqi Informer Angered by treatment of POW
I hope they let this man and his family move to America.

2003-04-04T00:54:00.000-05:00

Men and Women in Combat

There's been quite a response to a post over on A Gaggle of Girls and One Guy. The post is entitled "At The Risk Of Getting My Ass Chewed On For This Post".
This post angered me, I wrote a couple of responses to it, finally waited a day and then responded, hopefully, in a more pleasant manner than I had originally composed. The post brought up a couple of other issues that I know have been tossed around lately, one is rape of women in combat and the other is mothers in combat. In my reply post, I stated that women in major cities all over the world are at higher risk of being raped than a woman in a combat situation. Thankfully, because of how our world has changed, the incidents of POWs are much fewer than in the past. So, I don't understand why everyone keeps bringing up rape as, what I see as an excuse for not letting women in combat situations.

Then there's the issue of mothers and fathers in battle. It amazes me in this day and age that people still continue to place the father in a second class role when it comes to their children. Where is it written that men don't care for their children as much as women do? I suppose that it could be argued that there are far more single mothers than there are single fathers, but just because some are dead beats, doesn't mean that they all are. I just keep getting the feeling that were moving backwards here instead of forwards.

2003-03-31T07:02:00.000-05:00

Couldn't get a lot of nonsense off my mind this weekend. Talked to a coworker and it always amazes me when other people are able to just shrug things off. I don't really know why it amazes me, I can usually do the same, 'cept this time I guess I was blindsided by the fact that I was doing something nice for someone and didn't see it coming. Hence, the to "blog or not to blog" post, I wanted to vent, but I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. It was nice getting someone else's perspective, someone who was in a similar situation.

2003-03-31T06:57:00.000-05:00

This morning's entertainment news was jam packed with goodies. Spider Man 2 will begin filming in April, pushing the start date to July 2004. Scooby Doo 2 begins production this month. Peter Jackson of the Rings/Twin Towers will be doing a remake of King Kong. And Spirited Away will be released on the 15th. On a related note, check out the Whedonesque page - link over there on the side, for some Buffy news and spoilers.

2003-03-28T17:05:00.000-05:00

To Blog, Or Not to Blog.......

I think I've come to one of those situations where I've seen other people - I hesitate to write something. Someone might read it that I'd rather didn't.
I don't talk about work here really, abstract thought once in a while, but not much. I saw something happen this week that will probably have some repercussions, a turn of events where I'm sure someone feels that she was ganged up on, when in fact, she wasn't, she was truly a victim of fate and misinformation and the fight that was fought had nothing to do with her, but with fairness. In the end, I think it may all work out. It's a shame that everyone involved just didn't chat it out first and that supposed promises that were made shouldn't have been, because in the scheme of things, not only just now, but in the future, I don't see how they can be kept.

2003-03-28T17:02:00.000-05:00

Gossip

I hate gossip. I really do, I think even more, I hate the fact that I do it myself sometimes. Does it make me any better if I say that I don't gossip viciously? I like cute, happy gossip. They should really make a clarification, come up with a new word! Oh well.

2003-03-26T07:42:00.000-05:00

How Old Were You?

My friend Jayne, passed this link along. It's very interesting, you put in your date of birth and it tells you how old you were when certain historical events occurred.

2003-03-26T07:36:00.000-05:00

More Laughs

A funny take on blogs

2003-03-26T07:32:00.000-05:00
Thanks for the laugh!

I laughed my ass off reading Saddam's Cyber Palace and Osama's Offerings

2003-03-24T17:07:00.000-05:00
My Mother

On this day, 4 years ago, my mother lost her battle with cancer.
I didn't always get along with my mother, but that doesn't really matter now, does it. She actually did some things that were quite mean, I don't know why. But, she did nice things too. When I was a girl I didn't like sandwiches, I still don't care for them very much. I didn't like sandwich meat very much either. But, I did like Ritz crackers with butter and strawberry preserves, I still do. My mother would make these up for my lunch and she would cut the top off the box of crackers and neatly stack these crackers, all made up with the butter and preserves, in the bottom of the box. And she used to play this game with me, it was very silly really, we'd pile our hands on top of one another's, pulling the bottom one out and slapping it on the top. I don't know if there was a purpose, other than it was funny and silly to a small child, that's purpose enough.
She was a dedicated church volunteer, she helped the elderly, she was a Eucharistic Minister, she belonged to the Carmelites and she adored my son.

2003-03-24T16:56:00.000-05:00
Avon4Military, no longer affliated

I am no longer associated with the group Avon4Military. I will still take items to the local base for distribution, so if anyone is interested in donating, please continue to contact Me

I left the group because of a remark made by one of the founders of the organization yesterday in a post to the list. She was commenting on the soldier who was "allegedly" responsible for the grenades being thrown in the tents. He had an ethnic name and she made a comment about how he couldn't be Amerian born. Excuse me?? I was disgusted and extremely disappointed that she was willing to already convict this guy and then was such a bigot about it. Maybe this guy did do it, maybe there is irrefutable evidence against him, we are still a democratic society and he is entitled to his say and defense. I'm sure there are lots of boys and girls over there who may not have been born in the US, but are now citizens fighting for *their* country. I'm sure there are lots of soldiers who were born in the US, but may carry and ethnic name whether by choice, or family tradition. How dare she point fingers like that and yet say that she supports the troops. I guess the packages will only be going to the soldiers born in the US.

I don't care which soldier mine go too.

2003-03-24T16:44:00.000-05:00
It Just Isn't That Simple

I'm sure that some people are well intentioned when they open their mouths, but do they think anything through?

From: The Daily News
"Julianne Moore, who won a Spirit for her star turn in "Far From Heaven," said she and her fiance, Bart Freundlich, "teach our children not to fight. Fighting's not the answer."

I taught my son not to fight too, but lets look at this from another angle, if someone were threatening her children, would she fight then? I know I would, I wouldn't even hesitate for a minute if someone were hurting my child.

I don't think that we can paint this incident black or white, because there is far too much involved. What most people do seem to be saying, much like myself, is that they/I support the troops. They are doing their job, they've been given their orders, I support them. It doesn't mean that I like the war, it doesn't mean that I've resolved myself to the fact that there is a tie between Al Queda and Saddam, I haven't seen proof of this yet, I still don't know. But, I do support the troops. Which brings me to my next rant of the day........see above

2003-03-21T16:14:00.000-05:00
Sadness

I read with great sadness the accounts of Baghdad burning.
I'm struggling to find the right words that will express the deep sorrow and frustration that I feel. 9/11 stripped away any naivete that I might have had about the devastating effect this type of assault has on people. True, the poor people involved in 9/11 weren't given any warning, the people of Baghdad at least knew that the war was upon them, but the horror of this event is no longer just something that is happening around the world to people who *may* look and dress differently than we, no, now we've seem that horror in our own countrymen. I wonder sometimes if the events at the WTC and the Pentagon and aboard those planes, were just as foreign to someone in Kansas as these are? For me, as a person who used to live in NYC and passed those towers on countless occasions, the devastation was all too real. So many of us were directly touched by the loss that occurred there. This type of horror was no longer something that happens in a distant country, it was here on our doorstep. So now, I feel more for these people who are caught in the middle of this, the people like myself who wouldn't have the extra money to fly out of the area, I would be one of those people forced to have to try and flee on foot or via bus or in the endless stream of cars. It is demanded of us now that we consider these consequences, that we have plans for the safety of our families and our pet family members, we are being asked to prepare ourselves to make terrible choices.
There was just a loud noise outside, military plans pass over head quite often here, big ones. I remember visiting in VA many years back and I was struck by the constant sound of the "Top Gun" planes roaring over my head on a constant basis. They were beautiful to watch and so incredibly loud. The roar outside just now wasn't anything really, just thunder, long and rolling thunder. I imagine the people of Baghdad wish that it was just thunder.

2003-03-19T22:06:00.000-05:00
Emotions

So many emotions today. Are we really prepared? I keep hearing all this talk about how everyone (gov't wise) is so prepared. There was a radio show with the governor and his head of homeland security for the state, they talk a good talk, but I don't have a lot of faith in it. We are a nation completely unprepared for this type of emergency. I wonder how many people actually have a contingency plan for themselves beyond where they should all meet up or who will get the children from school. Are their animals beng considered? The Red Cross states that they cannot accept animals in their shelters, yet they aren't to be left behind either. We've seen the long traffic delays that can occur in coastal areas, are there contingency plans in effect? Their standard answer for everything seemed to be to contact your local law enforcement and then what?

As a child, I grew up on the tail end of the whole head under your desk when you hear the sirens go off. I knew as a child what was to be done, not that it didn't cross my mind that the desk above me was relatively useless, but still, I understood that I was to shield myself and I knew what I was to do if I heard that siren. But now, as an adult, I don't have any idea at all. Is it because of the severity of weapons that it creates this atmosphere? One where people seem to have a "kiss yer ass" goodbye air about them? But, we still have to consider events like the WTC, isolated incidents that have widespread ramifications. I'm just not sure that we're prepared for that.

2003-03-17T03:39:00.000-05:00

Ravenclaw! Some might see you as a bit haughty, but
that's just because they lack the intellectual
capacity to be worthy of your presence. You see
little difference between enlightenment and
entertainment; learning experiences are
tremendously enjoyable for you. And remember,
kids: just because you're brilliant doesn't
mean you're studious!

A More Unique Hogwarts Sorting Quiz
brought to you by Quizilla

2003-03-15T09:51:00.000-05:00
Just got information about this Avon Project in my Avon newsletter. Since I'm already an Avon Rep I'm going to find out about starting one of these up, I think it's an excellent idea and no, we don't make a profit, it's all at cost, which is great! If anyone is interested, please send me an E-mail
Thanks!

2003-03-11T07:40:00.000-05:00
Cats

Sebastian - the brave and odd, 'bass man has put on weight and looks quite good, except for the recurring problem with the left side of his face. His face swells and his eye tears. I guess I didn't get to it soon enough and he tried to wipe it himself, this resulted in him cutting something by his eye and him now not only tearing, but bleeding. He could care less. He's very sweet that way. He's still on the 2x a day dose of the insulin, but he has gained weight and looks great!

Max - poor Max. We feed him and feed him and he still doesn't put on weight. I've resorted back to allowing him to have dry food in the crate. Yes, he's still confined and as long as he's allowed to be crated inside the house, as opposed to the garage, he's very happy.

Anyone with a diabetic cat or a cat w/kidney stones I love to hear from you! Thanks

2003-03-11T07:34:00.000-05:00
Candidness

I grew up in an Irish Catholic home where we were told to never discuss our private lives outsde the home. No small wonder that the Irish drink! I'm kidding, but the level of repression is amazing.Particularly if there are problems within the home, like alcoholism, arguing, just general discord. Because of this, I'm always amazed at other people's ability to open up and discuss anything about there lives. Sometimes, I'm even a wee bit jealous, they get some nice TLC, while the reticient set, myself included, go about our day with our woes safely ensconced in our back pockets.

2003-03-09T12:38:00.000-05:00
BRAVO!

These young people want to see things change!

Discrimination Lawsuit
Mass. Students File Lawsuit Over Selective Service Act

2003-03-09T12:28:00.000-05:00
Ith posted a link over on Gaggle of Girls and One Guy, to Kay S. Hymowitz's article

Liberation's Limits - Feminists to Muslim women: Drop dead.

Ith's commentary on this article is well worth the read. It naturally warrants me dusting off my age old arguments about how hypocritical the entire women's right cause is. The article discusses the UN, put them towards the top of my list. An organization that still demands that their female employees wear high heels and skirts to work, while the make guides are attired in comfortable slacks and low shoes. The women's rights movement is against war. I'm not saying that I'm for it, because I'm not for it right now, although I do see where the necessity might arise. Getting off on another track, I'm further annoyed by the fact that everyone seems to demand that we take one side or another, you're either for war or you aren't. What happened to those of us that see the threat, we'd just like to not rush into things, even George H.W. Bush has stated

"...regards Saddam Hussein and his military establishment as far less powerful now than when Desert Storm was launched. But he believes Saddam is surely far wiser about the strength of the U.S. "He had no respect for our military then," says the elder Bush. "He felt that we could not fight. Now he knows."
So again, I'm left asking, what's the rush?? But that, is a whole 'nother post!

And speaking of hypocrites -

"Their concerns were enhanced last year, when the Bush Administration - for the first time in the organization's history - refused to automatically renew DACOWITS' charter."
*
"'The Bush Administration, I believe, is trying to neuter DACOWITS although it has stopped short of dismantling it,' said Robin Gerber, senior scholar at the Academy of Leadership, University of Maryland."

Quotes from ABCNEWS.com - article Girl Power, by Leela Jacinto

How can we say that we are willing to protect the women in another country and offer them equality, when we aren't even willing to offer it to our own women?

As the above article states,

"Canada, South Africa and a number of Scandinavian countries allow women on ground combat missions — the times, they say, will simply catch up with the U.S. armed forces. "

When? How can we condemn another cultures treatment of their women when we aren't much better? I personally remember have a judge tell me that the fact that my young son wasn't being properly cared for by his father during his weekend visits was because "he was a man". "Because he was a man" relieved him of the duties of properly feeding, bathing and changing his dirty clothing. After all (I suppose) only women were capable of seeing how these needs should be met. As a victim of spousal abuse in 1986 or 7, I was sent back to my home, where my abusive husband was, because the police supervisor said that it wouldn't be right to wake him up at this late hour, after all, he had to get up for work in the morning. Damn right! He must have been tired after all that abusing, he'd certainly need his beauty sleep! Yet now, we see the error of our ways, we strive now to protect the females in another country from their husbands. I applaud this, but lets pay attention to the atrocities that still exist here at home and the inequalities that exist in our military.

2003-03-06T04:37:00.000-05:00
I felt a touch of nostalgia today when I saw people in the grocery store with ashes. I realized then that Weight Watchers probably picked today as the great weigh-in day because of the number of people who give things up for Lent. Smart move really. I wish that I was able to find some type of organized religion, it could be that I'm just a creature of habit, that after years of attending, despite the fact that something felt off about it, I still, at times, can't adjust to the lack of attending as a group. Sounds silly really though, because the group was hardly a united one, these were the same people who would damn near run you over in the parking lot.
I wonder if the Pagan Speak ring will boot me for this one, because I still believe in God and Christ, but the Catholic church.....don't even get me started. My image of Christ is of a man who I think would appreciate the Wiccan Rede, who preached a very similar lesson, one I've mentioned here before, do unto others. Wise. A simple man with great respect for his mother and father(s). A man who loved despite who you were or what you did, no prejudice.

2003-03-05T08:28:00.000-05:00
We were watching Third Watch last night, as we always do at 3AM, well, we try. One of the storylines involved a shooting, three guys held up check cashing store, they had Uzis. Two of the cops, unsuspectedly walked in on this, a shootout ensues and then a pursuit, more cops become involved. Another shootout and one of the cops is shot and so is a suspect. Another suspect flees inside a building. Two of the officers are positioned on stairs above the fallen suspect. They look down and as he lays there, he says, "Help me." The officers are in an awkward situation, the suspect is out in the open, attempting to get to him could be risky and tensions are high, these same suspects just shot a cop and they have already shot a civilian. The EMS workers arrive and yell to the cops, asking them if the fallen suspect needs medical attention. The senior officer looks down at the suspect, who again, says "Help me." The officer shouts back to the EMS guy, "No." "Is he dead?" the EMS worker asks. "Yeah, he's dead" replies the officer. He looks at the rookie with him and the rookie doesn't say anything. After the scene is secured, the EMS workers go to the suspect and find that he's alive. They start to work on him, scores of officers are there now, he asks for a back board, no one moves. He shouts now, looking at them, they look back in silence. Finally, the rookie cop goes and gets the back board. The suspect later dies, he'd bled to death. The officer's regular partner, who'd been assisting the fallen officer, later tells him that she feels he'd lowered himself, that the suspects were animals and that's exactly what he'd behaved like.
Makes ya wonder. Would you? Could you?

2003-03-05T06:30:00.000-05:00
Sanity at last?

Advisors warn Bush he faces "humiliating" defeat on UN resolution

2003-03-04T13:59:00.000-05:00

'We were hoping you were Canadian.' Canadian? Since when was it cooler to be Canadian?"

Check out this article about tourists/people working abroad, facing criticism.

2003-03-04T07:29:00.000-05:00
Here's another nice site for writing to the troops. They suggest postcards because of the strict postal restrictions. Makes sense.
Contribute USA

2003-03-04T07:26:00.000-05:00
Wow......got this in my entertainment new this morning -

Spring is near - so they tell us - and that means school science classes, kids, adults, camps etc. are getting ready to build their own rockets and set them off on the local football field. However, purchasing a rocket motor this year may prove somewhat more complicated given the new Homeland Security Act, or at least one of the provisos within the newly ratified law (November 2002). According to the law, those wishing to purchase rocket motors will need to first obtain a permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives (ATF) and they would also be subject to a background check. Having the permit brings on other issues, such as a complete log of information about each motor in the event that the ATF wishes to see them at any time. As of May 24, 2003, the companies that ship the rocket motors must perform background checks on all employees who physically handle the products as well as have them fingerprinted and certified. Additionally according to several published reports various delivery services, the US Postal Service, Federal Express, trains etc. will no longer pick-up and deliver packages with rocket motors. This of course is not good for the model rocket industry or the stores that provide materials to make and set off rockets. Enter, Sen. Michael B. Enzi, Wyoming Republican, who has taken note of the situation and has written to have the legislation re-worded. And this during National Crafts month!

2003-03-04T07:16:00.000-05:00
Tomorrow is the big weigh-in at Weight Watchers. I'd been going to WW, I had good success too. But, when we went off to Canada for the week for

2003-03-04T05:06:00.000-05:00
Found this while surfing - The Ships Project
From their web site

The troops need slippers/socks and hats. With winter finally winding down, our bigger need will be for slippers/socks. Many of them sleep in these. Hats can be sent to the ships year-round, but for the ground troops, the need will soon be for mainly slippers/socks. Please concentrate on these items in MEN'S sizes and colors ONLY. NO pastels or "girlie" colors!! We do not accept earwarmers or scarves. Brighter colors are great for the ships; for most of the ground forces, darker muted colors are necessary. Our goal is to provide a "hug from home" to as many of our deployed forces as possible to let them know we support them! WE DO NOT COLLECT SNACKS OR PERSONAL CARE ITEMS.

If you get a chance, take a peek. I know that it only takes about an hour to crochet a hat and there are tons of patterns on the web.

2003-03-04T00:49:00.000-05:00
Bill Maher, on his new show over on HBO, Real Time With Bill Maher, said what I feel a lot of people have been thinking. I said it myself last week, okay, I was only half serious, but why didn't Dan Rather take out Saddam when he was interviewing him? I wonder sometimes if that isn't part of our problem, that we are too civilized? Osama bin Laden used this ploy and we think he's an animal. I can't help but wonder sometimes if we are going to have to stoop to their level in order to bring an end to terrorism. I hate to think of us stooping that low, but the thought still crosses my mind.

2003-03-02T08:36:00.000-05:00
I'd like to start the Self Challenge, but the Girl Scout cookies are in!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Peter Zuber, where ever you are! Peter was my best friend when we were kids. He's a month and a day older than me, that's a big deal when you're a little kid. He was the older one.

2003-03-01T21:16:00.000-05:00
Found this while blog surfing. It's Defend America U.S. Department of Defense News About the War on Terrorism. While at the site, you can send your thanks to the troops.

Thanks to NJMike.com for the link.

2003-02-28T04:57:00.000-05:00
J-Lo Opts for Fleet of Limos for 100-Yard Trip

"American actress and singer Jennifer Lopez used six limousines to travel from one exclusive London hotel to another equally upscale hotel -- a distance of about 100 yards, British newspapers reported on Friday."

But it's those damned SUVs that we have to watch out for.......

2003-02-28T04:54:00.000-05:00
Iraqi Soldiers Defecting

"Morale is low in the Iraqi army and many soldiers are preparing white flags of surrender, we are told by someone in northern Iraq who recently interviewed two defectors from Saddam Hussein's army."

Reading this article, I'm filled with sadness that these poor kids are nothing but pawns and I have to stop and question the morality of attacking them. Saddam doesn't seem to have any regard for his troops, he only cares about WMD. These kids are just a speed bump as far as he's concerned.

2003-02-28T02:52:00.000-05:00
US scientists have for the first time collected samples of the stuff of songs and dreams - stardust.

2003-02-28T02:35:00.000-05:00
"Russia considering veto on UN resolution
to wage war on Iraq"

"Russia does not support any resolution which could directly or indirectly open the way to an armed resolution of the Iraq problem," Ivanov told a news conference in Beijing.

"Naturally, Russia has the right of veto. If the interest of international stability demands it, Russia, of course will exercise its right," he said.

2003-02-25T02:50:00.000-05:00
I hate people who super sensitive about themselves, but don't have an ounce of sensitivity left over for anyone else. GRRRRR

2003-02-25T00:46:00.000-05:00
Speaking of snow, thanks to The Dragon's Muse for this tidbit - Police field complaint about busty snow woman

2003-02-24T21:00:00.000-05:00
Snow is really pretty until it gets dirty.......I guess that's pretty close to being a "Maggieism" - after all - "mud smells"

My head is still rattling over the fact that people can wish ill on others. That's not to say that I don't wish that a cave would collapse on Osama bin laden, I do wish that it would. But, I don't understand that level of hatred towards people that we don't know or even care that much about, or have never terrorized us, like bin laden.

A long, long time ago, I came to the realization that emotions were reserved for people that you really care about, you wouldn't even hate someone unless they had been an important part of their life, to the rest there was just indifference, because their effect on my life was, indifferent. I don't want to say insignificant, because just about everyone we come in contact with has some effect on us. Even with that, I am still perplexed as why anyone would wish ill on someone.

As a child, I always felt that something was off about the Catholic religion, off for me anyway. But, I respect and still honor the words that I believe that Christ spoke, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." It's a simple premise, it's echoed in the Wiccan Rede, "An it harm none, do as you will." So why, why would anyone wish pain on people that they don't even know? Yes, I'm aware that this is somewhat of a disjointed rant, but it keep rattling and hollering and needed to be recognized. Only a few will know what it's about, but that's okay, I still feel the question is a burning one and I'm sure that many can apply it to other instances.

I have friend who I believe is one of the kindest, sweetest, most sincere, down to earth people I know. I feel privileged to know this woman. She doesn't like someone, she mentioned it the other night, said that if they were laying in the street, she wouldn't help them. I don't believe her. I told her I don't believe her. She might kick herself, but she'd never not help them. I know she wouldn't.

Another person argued and said he could too - I don't believe that either. I don't believe that either one of these people would lower themselves to that level, they're too good for that.

Snow is really pretty, until it gets dirty.

2003-02-23T05:00:00.000-05:00
Thanks to Ith,
for this great link about America.

2003-02-23T04:26:00.000-05:00
Fun - especially the faerie lore - fairies.com

2003-02-21T05:16:00.000-05:00
A statement made by a blogger on another blog, A Gaggle of Girls and One Guy really upset me today, in regard to Jesica Santillan, she said,
"What a total waste for both people who donated ALL these organs. My main complaint about this is that these people are fucking illegals. OUR tax money paid for this. "

I don't necessarily think of myself as a softie, but I don't like suffering and as a parent, I don't like seeing a child suffer. We always want what's best for our children and we always want them to have more than we did. For those reasons, I can't blame Jesica Santillan's parents. In all honesty, I would have done the same thing, what parent wouldn't? True, they broke the law to try and save their child. I ask again, what parent wouldn't?
God rest her soul.

At the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor is this famous poem by Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus."
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightening, and her name
Mother of Exiles...
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

And an interesting web site Immigration Laws

2003-02-15T18:25:00.000-05:00
A month or so ago, this sickly looking squirrel decided to move into the eaves of our houses. On more that one occasion he fell from the roof, which is only about a 7 foot drop, but it's on to stones and brick and into a bush. I had a guy I work with come over to look at the mess he'd made, he said he'd be able to fix the damage, but how was I going to get rid of the squirrel. Good question, I didn't have a clue. We tried boarding the opening up, but he dug his way back in. He took a nasty fall today that he didn't recover from. He was very determined, but then so was mother nature. I know that this is a rodent, a pest who was probably flea and deer tick infested and may even have been suffering from Lymes himself, as he had been slow moving and lacked the agility that the other squirrels did, but I still feel sad. There wasn't very much I could do for him, he was very scrungy looking and like I said, had exhibited signs of sickness. I called a rehab guy, but no one wants to come and get the squirrel, no, they want you, the inexperienced one to scoop him up and then take the looney toon squirrel in a box, in your truck, to them. Never mind the fact that he could eat through the box if so determined. But, he breathed his last out there in the yard. I felt bad that we couldn't bury him out there, but the snow is too deep.

2003-02-14T11:06:00.000-05:00
WOW! I'd love to talk with this young woman!

From
Time magazine

"Take Sally Brown, 22. She's a legal receptionist whose husband of two years shipped out last week to man his gunnery position on top of an amphibious Amtrak vehicle. Now her stomach is a pretzel. He couldn't even tell her where he was going. "I have no idea when I'm going to hear from him again," she says. Like a lot of other military wives, she goes from petrified to patriotic to pissed. "Bush is doing this because of his father," she charges. "That's the only reason. Would Bush be doing this if he were sending his daughters?"

Wow. Yes, I know, the whole discrimination issue gets old when I continue to beat it like this, but it isn't just that I want women to be drafted if (God - enter diety of your choice - forbid), because I don't want anyone to be drafted, I just would like the other half of the species to know what it feels like to have to be counted, to know that the possibility remains because if it didn't, then they wouldn't still be counting. Live with it, know as the time approaches what you will have to do. How can men be expected to treat women as equals when they aren't even seen as equals by their own government? People rant about the atrocities against women in foreign contries and no, I am not insensitive, I realize that registering with the gov't is not on the same level as being treated like cattle, it's just that this too is an injustice.

I went to the United Nations a few years back, probably about 6-7 years ago now. I was appalled by the fact that the female guides had to wear skirts and high heels, while the men were permitted to wear comfortable shoes and slacks. If we continue the charade of treating women differently at what I thought of as a open minded organization, then what hope have we of ever being taken seriously.

2003-02-14T10:51:00.000-05:00
I had to go and download Mozilla again. It's not that I wasn't all that happy with it, but it wasn't letting me play my games over on Pop Cap Games. I am a slight addiction to Dynomite. It's a twisted little game when you top and think about it, which I really hadn't but my son, being the brighter of us two, he did. He pointed out how really twisted it was that I was shooting dinosaur eggs. He's right. Back to the browser, I did keep Opera. Problem is, Opera and Blogger don't seem to like each other. So now I have two browsers to choose from.

2003-02-11T04:49:00.000-05:00
Why is it that I'm seem to be one of the only ones who actually does the speed limit in a school zone? You're only required to lower Why is it that I'm seem to be one of the only ones who actually does the speed limit in a school zone? You're only required to lower your speed during certain times and those are the times when the children are walking to school. So, why is it that the parents of these children and the bus drivers and possibly the teachers are whizzing past me? (so many of the speeding cars seem to be pulling into the school)

Wouldn't you think that the parents of a child attending school there would want all precautions taken when it pertains to their child, or it doesn't matter because their child is in the car with them, so the heck with any of their classmates! Isn't the school bus more likely to cause far greater physical damage than my truck is? Is it because they are transporting children that it makes it acceptable for them to break the law and put the children who walk to school at risk?

2003-02-10T03:42:00.000-05:00
The President states:

``I understand why people don't like to commit the military to action,'' Bush said. ``I can understand that. I'm the person in this country that hugs the mothers and the widows if their son or husband dies. I know people would like to avoid armed conflict, and so would I."

If I recall correctly, the President never served, so he hasn't any clue what type of suffering this would inflict, not did his own mother have to suffer like this, nor will his wife, because they have daughters. How 'bout he does something really radical and insists that 18 year old young girls start signing up too. Lets at least make it a fair playing field. People scream about discrimination every day, why don't I hear more screaming about this? Why in all the blogs and news reports that I've read that are both for and against some type of action, why hasn't anyone mentioned how lopsided this is?

2003-02-10T03:35:00.000-05:00
trying to get the archives unfrelled

2003-02-08T01:59:00.000-05:00
Got these from Ithy over on the Girls blog

Send servicemen E-mail
or a valentine

Thanks Ith!

2003-02-07T12:18:00.000-05:00
I'm sure this is a million places on the web, but I just thought it was very beautiful an wanted to have it here too.

One of Astronaut Laurel Clark's last E-mails

Subject: Hello from 150 NM above the Earth

Hello from above our magnificent planet Earth. The perspective is truly awe-inspiring. This is a terrific mission and we are very busy doing science round the clock. Just getting a moment to type e-mail is precious so this will be short, and distributed to many who I know and love.

I have seen some incredible sights: lightning spreading over the Pacific, the Aurora Australis lighting up the entire visible horizon with the cityglow of Australia below, the crescent moon setting over the limb of the Earth, the vast plains of Africa and the dunes on Cape Horn, rivers breaking through tall mountain passes, the scars of humanity, the continuous line of life extending from North America, through Central America and into South America, a crescent moon setting over the limb of our blue planet. Mount Fuji looks like a small bump from up here, but it does stand out as a very distinct landmark.

Magically, the very first day we flew over Lake Michigan and I saw Wind Point (Racine, WI) clearly. Haven't been so lucky since. Every orbit we go over a slightly different part of the Earth. Of course, much of the time I'm working back in Spacehab and don't see any of it. Whenever I do get to look out , it is glorious. Even the stars have a special brightness. I have seen my "friend" Orion several times.

Taking photos of the earth is a real challenge, but a steep learning curve. I think I have finally gotten some beautiful shots the last 2 days. Keeping my fingers crossed that they're in sharp focus. My near vision has gotten a little worse up here so you may have seen pics/video of me wearing glasses. I feel blessed to be here representing our country and carrying out the research of scientists around the world. All of the experiments have accomplished most of their goals despite the inevitable hiccups that occur when such a complicated undertaking is undertaken. Some experiments have even done extra science. A few are finished and one is just getting started today.

The food is great and I am feeling very comfortable in this new, totally different environment. It still takes a while to eat as gravity doesn't help pull food down your esophagus. It is also a constant challenge to stay adequately hydrated. Since our body fluids are shifted toward our heads our sense of thirst is almost non-existent.

Thanks to many of you who have supported me and my adventures throughout the years. This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you could feel the positive energy that I beamed to the whole planet as we glided over our shared planet.

Love to all,
Laurel

Thanks, Laurel for sharing your dream with us.