Claiming my Inner Bitch

I Guess It's Time

2007-04-21T21:06:00.000-04:00

Well, as much as I wanted to get things cleaned up a little better, I'm not doing enough blogging lately to warrant keeping any stragglers who might read this blog coming back here. I transferred all my blog posts from Claiming my Inner Bitch on Blogger to a Wordpress blog of the same name some time ago. The two don't exactly support each other, though, so there are posts on the new Claiming my

Memory of Winter

2007-03-14T01:42:00.000-04:00

I live on the bank of a creek. During the month of February, the northeast of the United States was hit with a period of particularly frigid weather. As I walked outside at night, especially in the cold, wee hours, I bore witness to a strange phenomenon, one I’d never encountered in a lifetime growing up and living in the woods. I heard cracks and pops in the treetops, sometimes followed by

Too Good to Pass By

2007-03-01T23:51:00.000-05:00

Well, obviously I’ve fallen into some sort of hibernation period. Sorry about the hasty drop, folks. Neurological disorders are unpredictable. I happened to find this gem through, believe it or not, AOL’s entertainment news. Yes, I’m a slut. Anyway, I happened to find this beauty too irresistible not to stash here for future reference. Video: Our Swayze Reception. Here is the YouTube video

Philly Fog | Indilgences

2007-01-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

There's fog in the city of brotherly love and its immediate environs tonight. I walked outside with Sadie on leash into a soup of near-London proportions. Okay, maybe not London but I certainly thought, "This is what New Orleans must be like in 'winter.' " Funny, but when I was down there in November one year I liked to have froze my bloody arse off, but that's another story.So, the fog here

2007-01-15T23:38:00.000-05:00

The BBC is reporting, courtesy of NPR in this here part of these United States, that the United States Embassy in Athens has been hit by a bomb. It has been broadcast that the embassy was struck with a bomb from a rocket or grenade launcher. The apparent target was the emblem of the United States, our great eagle, on the building's facade. The errant projectile, however, entered the building

Sorry I Missed Out

2006-12-31T03:02:00.000-05:00

So sorry I had to miss out on National Drunk Blogging Day. I've been preoccupied ever since Global Orgasm Day. Maybe next year... Peace.

Friday Random Number Post / Better Late than Never (Today translates to, "Fuck you, it's the fricking holiday season!" (Four)

2006-12-17T19:02:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah. A day and a half late and a dollar short, that’s me. Actually, several dollars shorter than I was yesterday since I spent the day out Christmas shopping with my mother. (We actually didn’t do too bad, considering, but that’s another post, another blog, another day.) Four Things I Bloody Well Hate About the Christmas Season 1) Rude Drivers: Why is it necessary to place your

Favorite Cartoon Characters?

2006-12-14T13:50:00.000-05:00

I stopped by Shakespeare's Sister last night and, among other interesting things, I found this little gem. It was so much fun, I decided to do it here.Who/what was your favorite cartoon characters when you were growing up?Here are the ones I cited at Shakes':Foghorn LeghornEver the Southern gentleman, swooned over by all the hens in the henhouse, he's got his sights set on the widow, Miss

Tipping Point

2006-12-12T12:38:00.000-05:00

The group of scientists and scientific organizations meeting in San Fransisco this week at the American Geophysical Union's Fall Meeting. The latest data presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting suggests the ice is no longer showing a robust recovery from the summer melt. Last month, the sea that was frozen covered an area that was two million sq km less than the historical

Sssssssexy!

2006-12-11T02:06:00.000-05:00

Wikipedia didn't know if any other uses of this photo constitutes a copyright infringment and neither do I. I hope it doesn't because I'd hate to receive a cease and desist order for posting this little beauty: Is that not one of the sexiest cars you've ever seen? God damn, I was meant to be a muscle car owner! That's the first Ford Falcon Cobra to roll off the production line in 1979. I do

Project Implicit

2006-12-10T00:38:00.000-05:00

I added a category to my links today and revisited Project Implicit as a result. This post at Bitch | Lab got me to thinking about race and research. That's when I realized I didn't have a link to Project Implicit in my lil' corner of the blogosphere. Project Implicit is a Harvard study collecting data and analyzing people's implicit associations. I find it fascinating. I amended my link omission

Repubs Bow Out with Meaningless Politics as Usual

2006-12-06T13:51:00.000-05:00

I read this in my Philadelphia Inquirer this morning but had read it earlier on Sexuality and Religion. Turns out the article being referenced was originally from yesterday's Washington Post. Here is the article, in its entirety:House to Consider Abortion Anesthesia BillConservatives Vow More Tests for Democrats on Social Issues When Congress ReturnsBy Jonathan WeismanWashington Post Staff

Friday Random Number Post

2006-12-01T13:37:00.000-05:00

I might as well get into the game here with the Friday number posts. I've decided that my number will not be set but will vary from week to week depending on my mood and the theme.So, without further ado, today's Friday Random Number Post:8 Sexy Movies1) Desert Hearts: what can I say...I'm an old dyke and this was my first lesbian movie. Plus...Patricia Charbonneau.2) Mrs. Soffel: "Mel Gibson

Al Gore is Right

2006-12-01T02:24:00.000-05:00

There are crickets chirping in the balmy, 62 degree breeze in suburban Philadelphia at 2 AM on December 1st. Only 23 shopping days left, peeps...tags: Draft Gore 2008 / global climate change / world justice

A Convoluted Path to Glory

2006-11-29T01:14:00.000-05:00

It all started out, as it so often does, at AlterNet. That's where I found this terrific article about a Baptist pastor musing, "What if we're wrong about homosexuality?" Given the ever-rising mountain of scientific evidence suggesting that being gay is no more a choice than being blond or left-handed. (I am neither of these but I do happen to be gay.)Anyway, I noticed the article was written

Family Affairs and Chocolate Chunk Cookies

2006-11-26T18:55:00.000-05:00

Well, we celebrated Thanksgiving at my mother's house yesterday. When you have a nurse in the family, you get used to accepting alternative holidays...Christmas on the 26th, Thanksgiving on the fourth Saturday in November. I'd been imagining all manner of horrors, this being the first major holiday we'd be celebrating since Dad died. In some ways, the weekend lived up to those expectations.

Contrary to popular opinion...

2006-11-26T18:50:00.000-05:00

...money really can buy happiness.Thought you might want to know.tags: culture / ephemera / happiness / money

Well, What a Surprise!

2006-11-20T13:54:00.000-05:00

Well, Jean was the one who led me there. Of course after I found out that she tested as a Random, Brutal, Sex Master or Genghis Khunt, for short.I simply had to find out what my cool name might be and what do I get?...Take the Test The Nurse Random Gentle Sex Dreamer (

Ewwwww!

2006-11-19T17:48:00.000-05:00

700 victims. Can you imagine what this ship must smell like? You couldn't pay me enough to go clean it up!Cruise ship stricken with virus docks in FloridaI heard it first on the weekend edition of All Things Considered.tags: diarrhea / emesis / ephemera

Way to Party, Dude!

2006-11-19T16:33:00.000-05:00

From today's Philadelphia Inquirer, this touching story via the LA Times:Last goodbye, Vegas-style Pa. Green Beret who died in Iraq had set aside money for bash. By Bob Sipchen Los Angeles Times LAS VEGAS - Shortly after Jeffrey "Toz" Toczylowski's last mission in Iraq a year ago this month, friends received a message. "If you are getting this e-mail, it

Here's an Idea

2006-11-18T16:52:00.000-05:00

I read in my Philadelphia Inquirer today that the FDA is lifting the ban on the use of silicone breast implants for breast reconstruction and augmentation surgery. Fourteen years after being pulled from the market amid fears of debilitating physical ailments caused by leakage from or rupture of the devices, the purported medical "watchdog" in the US has agreed to give women what they are

How Cool is This?

2006-11-17T09:33:00.000-05:00

I read this in yesterday's Philly Inquirer and am totally psyched about it. It seems scientists have been able to withdraw amniotic fluid, extract the stem cells and use them to grow heart valves in vitro. The idea is to use a fetus's own cells to create these valves so they are ready (they grow in 4-6 weeks) for use in a newborn with congenital heart valve anomolies.Here is the whole story:

Einstein, Dead, Still Rules

2006-11-17T09:20:00.000-05:00

I imagine a skeletal fist being pumped in the air over this one:Einstein's "dark energy" exists.No, I'm not talking about the Republican party.One more good reason to keep Hubble going!tags: astronomy / physics / science / Space, the Final Frontier

Meet Me There at 10PM

2006-11-17T00:11:00.000-05:00

Jean turned me onto it and I'm so in (to coin a phrase)!Global Orgasm Day The goal being to have a massive surge in energy on the day of the Winter Solstice. Okay, you can keep the Wiccans and the Paul Winter Consort and their howling at the moon that night and just let me howl at my bedroom ceiling. I think all lesbians should join in for one fantastic smack off at 10 PM and see if we can

Wild Day in the Mid-Atlantic

2006-11-16T23:24:00.000-05:00

What a day today! I awoke to rushing sounds to discover the winds were high. It doesnt matter what day the Mexicans (I know they're Mexican...I've asked) come to blow and vacuum and dispose of the leaves. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday invariably the winds and/or rain will come the following day. They were here yesterday. I don't mind, though, because I love crunching through things...leaves,

Shakespeare Says it Best

2006-11-14T01:09:00.000-05:00

You starvelling, you eel-skin, you dried neat's-tongue, you bull's-pizzle, you stock-fish--O for breath to utter what is like thee!-you tailor's-yard, you sheath, you bow-case, you vile standing tuck!Taken from: Henry IV, part I I agree with Kevin at Slant Truth. Shakespeare can insult someone better than anybody else. I think, when I'm feeling particularly peeved at some idiocy the "president

Damn

2006-11-12T23:06:00.000-05:00

Well, the beer didn't work...I chickened out after just one. Either I've been in a continual hot flash since 4PM or my thermostat is acting up again. No, I don't believe it's flushing from the beer. On top of all that, Hoyle Klondike solitaire is kicking my rosy ass.Think I'll switch to backgammon, take a couple Lunesta and have some ice cream.Sure hope I don't puke.It'd be an awful waste of

Imagine

2006-11-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

I thank Debra Haffner and Sexuality and Religion for the inspiration for this post. Rev Haffner referenced the WaPo (AP) article which I have included, in full, in the text box below. Fired Evangelist Asks for ForgivenessBy COLLEEN SLEVINThe Associated PressMonday, November 6, 2006; 11:49 AMCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Members of the New Life Church were stunned and

Loss and Life

2006-11-12T20:23:00.000-05:00

I drove over to Jersey today to visit my mom. I fixed her computer again...the second time I've had to replace the wireless card...and watched the Eagles' football game with her. The "Birds" won, routing the Redskins 27 to 3. I have to wonder if Washington would do better if they changed their name. It's either bad karma for continuing to usurp and make caricatures of Native American icons

Californians, Envy Me

2006-11-11T11:18:00.000-05:00

The fall is beautiful around here this year. I don't recall ever seeing colors so varied and brilliant. Opening my apartment door is like lifting the lid on a pirate's treasure chest, gold sparkling above and glistening below. I traveled to Jersey the other day for a haircut and drove through tunnels of orange so rich it was like driving through an old Hallowe'en Jack o' Lantern.Sun and

From Today's Philadelphia Inquirer:

2006-11-10T14:02:00.000-05:00

Voters in Niota, Tenn, elected James Wayne Cagle to the city commission, apparently unaware he was on the sheriff's most-wanted list in a neighboring county for two outstanding misdemeanor charges.Ahhh, America!tags: America / ephemera

The Hidden Toll in Iraq

2006-11-08T23:44:00.000-05:00

I listened to This American Life this evening. If you've never tuned in, give it a try. Each week, they choose a theme and present several stories related to that theme. Sometimes it's funny. Sometimes it's thought-provoking. It's always interesting. The host is Ira Glass. This is where I first heard David Sedaris, the hilarious openly-gay contributor and storyteller.Tonight's program was

I love...

2006-11-08T21:27:00.000-05:00

...how Sadie, my dog, will fart then twist herself around to sniff vigorously at it.tags: dogs / life / stuff

Supreme Court Hears Gonzales v. Carhart

2006-11-08T17:51:00.000-05:00

I just heard a news item on NPR's All Things Considered containing excerpts of the arguments being presented before the US Supreme Court regarding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 and Gonzales vs. Carhart which resulted from Nebraska's ban on partial birth abortion.When partial birth abortion first came to national prominence, in the mid-1990's, I was still working in a high-risk

It's All Good

2006-11-08T17:12:00.000-05:00

Wow!Who really believed two months ago that things would end up this way on November 8th?The House of Representaticves has gone handily to the Democrats. The Senate hangs on the almost certain recount in Virginia. As for the Virginia race, may I refer you back to my post of one week ago...As much as I want to see that racist anti-semite in Virginia defeated, I would still consider a 50-50 split

What Abortion Bans Really Mean

2006-11-07T00:51:00.000-05:00

I've been out canvassing for my local congressional candidate recently. It's been a very positive experience; something I've never done before; so I haven't had much time online lately. Even when I've been online, I haven't felt much like talking or even reading much. My apologies to anyone who reads me here if I haven't made it to your place in a while. I imagine it's another slump and hope

If An Evangelical Falls in the Woods...

2006-11-03T23:12:00.000-05:00

...does anyone hear? Apparently they do if the evangelical in question is pastor of a 14,000 member megachurch in the megachurch Mecca of Colorado Springs, CO.I'm sure you've heard by now about Ted Haggard's recent woes. The Senior Pastor of the New Life Church and president of the National Association of Evangelicals was accused on Thursday by a gay man who works as a male escort in Denver of

Democracy in America Today: US Senate Incumbent George Allen (R-VA)

2006-11-01T12:15:00.000-05:00

This is an example of how democracy works in some parts of America in 2006. I'm sure we all remember stories about carefully selected audiences for Bush's stumps in the presidential race in 2000 and 2004. Has Allen learned from Bush or did our president learn from this apparent racist?(Story via CNN, USA Today, AP. Mike Stark responds via the Richmond Times-Dispatch.)You'll note the protester

Back with Baby Pics!

2006-10-31T10:55:00.000-05:00

I got to spend the weekend in Pittsburgh with my son and his family this weekend. The baby is beautiful and learning so much. Six months old, sitting up, smiling and laughing, eating some solids and soaking it all in! And did I mention he's beautiful?tags: family / grandboy / life

I Am So Proud

2006-10-26T01:36:00.000-04:00

...of my home state of New Jersey! They did the right thing on Wednesday!"New Jersey Court Recognizes Same-Sex Unions"::tears up::tags: civil rights / gay marriage / glbt / life / marriage / New Jersey / sexual orientation / social justice

God, I Wish this Woman was Still Around!

2006-10-26T01:19:00.000-04:00

Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas9-1-1933 to 9-13-2006

Olbermann Special Comment: Bush on Terror

2006-10-25T02:37:00.000-04:00

Is it any wonder I love this man? He says everything I have spent the last several hours / days / weeks thinking, and in a much more succinct manner. And, oh, that enunciation!The real terrorists here, people are our current president and his crew. If, legally, we cannot remove the incompetent megalomaniac from office for over two more years, our only alternative is to create a roadblock for

Slayer Reviewed by Paulist

2006-10-22T00:25:00.000-04:00

Yes, you read right. There is a review of Slayer's latest album, their first in five years, Christ Illusion on a website run by the Missionary Society of Saint Paul the Apostle.Hunh?The site is called Busted Halo and is geared to attract "spiritual seekers in their 20's and 30's. Well, hrumph! Do I feel left out?! The review can be found here. It's interesting. It exhorts Christians to

I Want

2006-10-20T03:32:00.000-04:00

I want...Despite the fact that The Manolo calls them a horror.tags: clogs / earth shoes / life / shoes / shopping

The Madness of George II

2006-10-19T14:00:00.000-04:00

Three minutes until shower time.I stayed at work until 3 AM last night. I don't know what possessed me...they were short because someone called out but, still...I don't usually do overtime. So it's been coffee for brunch (Green Mountain French Roast decaf and BloggersFuel Blogs of Bravery...very tasty) and off to work in a moment.I discovered I can have more than one blogroll at Blogrolling so

A Quickie

2006-10-16T14:22:00.000-04:00

Work is calling so I must be brief. Luckily, I've showered already so I have 15-20 minutes to spare before I have to hike to THAC*.In reading my Philly Inquirer this morning, two artlcles particularly caught my eye. One, you will have to wait until I get home from work to read. The other is about alternative nursing home care, which I'll post here:A healthier take on the nursing home "Green

These are Priceless!

2006-10-14T20:42:00.000-04:00

Check out the lineup at Accoutrements. What fun! <--- You can get your Jesus Regular or Deluxe --->I found it through Vonnegut's Asshole, which I found by way of Kristin at go, go, bimbo!tags: blogging / humor / Teh Internets

Lonely

2006-10-14T20:22:00.000-04:00

I am lonely, a state which I perpetuate. Why is that, exactly?Are there others out there like me? Are the Internets really populated with lone isolationists? Are we all becoming a people who only really communicate via machinery? It's like some fierce Bradbury tale, made all the more frightening by its reality.I spring from a deep well os social isolationists. We are, none of us, successfully

Too Good not to Share

2006-10-14T19:37:00.000-04:00

I was just rummaging through MadMom and Mutt for an old post about me and my friend, Tam when I came across this joke I posted there in April:The CIA had an opening for an assassin. After all the backgroundchecks, interviews and tests were done, there were 3 finalists... 2 men and a womanFor the final test, the CIA agents took one of the men to a largemetal door and handed him a gun. "We must

The Witch Hunt Begins

2006-10-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

And so close to Hallowe'en. How convenient!I got the article you found/would have found if you are/were smart enough to click on the title, above, via AlterNet.tags: bitchy / Foley / GLBT / "religious right" / sexual orientation / social conservatism / US politics

TGW Does it Again

2006-10-13T14:10:00.000-04:00

The picture is what did it:I've labeled it "Liberty Loves Justice," though it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, no?The pic is part of a post about the rise in same-sex households documented in the latest census data (2005). The article Egalia referenced is from ABC News.I have no idea where the picture came from but it might just have to become my new profile pic!Go read the article and

2006-10-13T01:02:00.000-04:00

Playing with my template and twiddling my sidebar is fun!

George W. Bush

2006-10-12T02:59:00.000-04:00

Hear this, Mr. President!This is what the American people **don't want** and what we **do want**:The American people **don't want** to be led into a war with Iran.The American people **do want** the rhetoric with Iran to stop.The American people **do want** our diplomats and State Department officials to commit to bilateral talks with North Korea.The American people **do want** negotiations with

Decency in America

2006-10-11T11:50:00.000-04:00

Good interview today on AlterNet with Frederick S. Lane, author of The Decency Wars: The Campaign to Cleanse American Culture. Fascinating stuff, really.It can't be denied that America in the last 30-40 years, and particularly in the last 20, has shifted dramatically to a much more fundamental and puritanical view of "decency," read: anything having to do with sex, sexual choices, sexual freedom

The Amish

2006-10-09T22:39:00.000-04:00

I've been reading a lot about the Amish lately. It's no wonder. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is, in a stretch, within the Greater Philadelphia area. Some of the land of the "Pennsylvania Dutch," more properly called Pennsylvania Germans, is well within the sphere of influence of the Philly metropolis.My father was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania in 1932. His father was a coal

Terry Gross on Ex-Gays

2006-10-09T20:08:00.000-04:00

Philly's own Terry Gross (Isn't she cute???) aired an episode of Fresh Air today featuring pros and cons of Christian ex-gay ministries in the US. "Pro" on the program was Alan Chambers, president of the ex-gay ministry, Exodus. (Link to the Alan Chambers interview.) (An interesting side note is that Alan Chambers' blog has primarily been active only during the months of September and October

I Am Sick and Fucking Tired

2006-10-06T20:54:00.000-04:00

I'm moving to Canada. Really. Or some little sliver of land in a vast ocean somewhere. Anybody got an island up for sale in the $250,000 US range? The cause of my rage tonight? Wal Mart.I went to the grocery store this evening. The rain was stopping and the sun had just set when I came out, $130 US poorer but rich in cheese, crackers, fruits and veggies, cereal, TP. You know, the staples

In Which Cheryl Thanks GOD (again) She's not a Texan!

2006-10-05T11:44:00.000-04:00

I love Molly Ivins! I used to read her semi-religiously when I lived in South Jersey and she was in the Courier-Post. Well, now she's doin' video!In my AlterNet Peek this morning, I found a snippet about the Texas dildo ban. Seems that if you own "six or more obscene devices" you are "presumed to possess them with intent to promote the same." And sex toy stores are not allowed to sell their

Foley is "Gay"

2006-10-05T01:34:00.000-04:00

Egalia has a great post up over on Tennessee Guerilla Women about the significance of Mark Foley and his attorney claiming Foley is "a gay man." For me, a real "gay man" is not someone who is primarily interested in peripubescent boys, but, whatever. Great post, great site. Go check out TGW!Well, didn't we all know it was going to happen? Here's what I had to say to Egalia: Oh, you knew darn

Busy, Busy, Busy

2006-10-04T12:29:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let everyone know I'm still around. Working five days a week sucks and it's hard to keep up with everyone I'd like. I've also, given the recent news, been more interested in blogging about the political than the personal, which I have been doing at No Ordinary Princess. Never fear. Friday's coming and I'm off. I'm sure to be back pestering you folks here then.Happy week.tags:

Confessions

2006-10-01T22:55:00.000-04:00

One: When I was in high school, I always wanted to be an AV kid but they were all boys. Besides, AV wasn't "cool." But I still always wished I was one of them and played with gadgets and levers and buttons and dials and such. I guess I really am a geek and always have been.Two: I stole my brother's slide rule when he went off to college. I am still sorry I eventually lost it.tags:

"New" Musical Discoveries

2006-10-01T17:25:00.000-04:00

Have I found something related to music that even Jean doesn't know about? Damn, I hope so because that would be such a coup!This stuff has been on my Google scratch pad for a couple of weeks. I can't say I even remember how I came across them though I believe it was from taking a side trip down a long, winding and tree-covered path which featured You Are Here as its starting point.

Mmmm, Yeah.

2006-10-01T03:20:00.000-04:00

Pleasure = good.Yes, I opted to dip into the toy chest before showering. Mmh, yes...it was scrumptious. Now I'm hungrier than I've been in weeks with virtually no edible food in the house so I'm chowing down on colby jack and crackers and am soon to tiptoe through the Heluva Good dip with same. What a time to be caught without chips of any sort.The bathroom is being warmed up by my little

I napped on the couch this afternoon.

2006-10-01T02:07:00.000-04:00

I fell asleep around six when A Prairie Home Companion came on and after I'd heard All Things Considered and Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me! I woke up at almost nine so I'm not at all tired right now.Today was a good day. It was drizzly, cool and overcast all day so it was perfect napping weather. I bundled up in my white flannel PJ bottoms with the kitty cat heads and red hearts, a long sleeve

Cheryl Grapples Depression to a 2-2 Tie

2006-09-30T16:06:00.000-04:00

We've come to a truce, at least temporarily, my depression and me. "Impasse" might actually be the better term. Neither one of us is strong enough right now to obliterate the other so we retreat to our respective corners and plot strategy.At least this weekend is better than the last one. Today is a perfect day...for doing the bare minimum of laundry, recycling, cleaning out the fridge and

For Jean

2006-09-30T15:39:00.000-04:00

It may be a little late for her black hole fetish...she's now moved on to career choices. But still, how could I resist this?: What did the astronaut say just before her mission to a black hole? "I have a date with density." Random bad joke courtesy of Simian Farmer.tags: astronomy / black holes / humor / life

Former US Representative from Florida, Mark Foley

2006-09-30T01:19:00.000-04:00

Also here, from the New York Times. Somebody'd better lock up the guns.Oh, and I found out about it thanks to Debra Haffner's blog. I hope the Rev. Haffner can forgive my unChristian act of casting a stone, though it wasn't the first one. And for hoping Ken Mehlman doesn't get one uninterrupted hour's sleep between now and Nov. 7th.tags: abuse / pederasty / pedophilia / Republican Congress /

I feel a post about my life coming on.

2006-09-30T00:33:00.000-04:00

Be afraid.

You Know it's Bad When I'm not Even Interested in Sex

2006-09-24T15:41:00.000-04:00

Yep, this is a tough one, this slump.I remember wondering, when I first started to sink into this black hole last winter, if it wasn't partly Seasonal Affective Disorder. I sure hope not because fall is here (historically, my favorite time of year though there's been no joy in the season for me so far) and I'm so low already I hate to think of how bad I'll feel when I'm sunlight deprived on top

The Strange Way my Mind Works

2006-09-24T02:17:00.000-04:00

In the future, when the face of the average American is one of a person of color, a bi- or miltiracial person, how will we represent historical figures? With whiteface? Or will we alter the impression of history to fit our present-day biases? Will we prefer to see only those people who look like ourselves? Or will we then, finally, be able to open ourselves to one another?tags: race / racism

New Slump

2006-09-24T01:47:00.000-04:00

Well, it's happened again. Another slump is upon me.My cervical mucus tells me I'm not quite midway through my cycle. Gotta keep track of these things now that we're counting down. I'm also curious to see if my slumps occur in a cyclical manner. Consider it a science experiment.I haven't felt much like writing or even reading others' words. I blew off kayaking today and vegged in front of the

Still Alive

2006-09-22T09:22:00.000-04:00

It's been a very busy week. I've spent a lot of time at THAC*, orienting to my new work environment. Although this is a new job at a new place for me, I'm already done with my orientation. The hospital is within the same health system as my last employer and policies and procedures are very similar, many of them used system-wide. My preceptor has been extremely bored this week and claims I'm

Intimacies

2006-09-19T23:40:00.000-04:00

I'm sharing two very intimate things with you tonight. Don't be shocked and I hope you'll still like me after you see them.Look right, in the sidebar just below my blogroll. You'll see two new buttons. You may click them but only if you promise to be gentle with me.I found a wonderful site tonight courtesy of Kristin at go, go, bimbo! It's called LibraryThing. It's down right now and thank

Aye, Maties!

2006-09-19T10:07:00.000-04:00

Yarrrrh!Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, all!Fer sure, there's a party goin' on aboard the mighty Cap'n Dyke's ship t'day! Join in, me hearties! But if ye go, be prepar'd to fling the lingo or ye might be walkin' th'plank, Matey!tags: fun / humor / Maureen O'Hara / talk like a pirate

More Reflection on Race in America (along with a smattering of garden-variety ephemera)

2006-09-17T18:33:00.000-04:00

Apologies in advance, this is going to be long. It's crystalized a bunch of different themes which have been scampering around my brain over the last few days. Sorry.Wow, life's been busy with the new job and all. I'm also stumping for a local congressional candidate and haven't had a day fully to myself since Tuesday, with another one not expected until Friday. This working five days a week

New Job, Blue Job

2006-09-14T19:55:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm officially a member of the nursing team at THAC*. I started nursing orientation yesterday and have spent the past two days largely glued to a less-than-ideally-comfortable chair struggling to keep awake. I had wondered whether taking the 3-11 position was the right choice but after getting in to orientation at 8 AM for two days, I think I realize I am not a day shift person. Too

How I Spent my 9-11

2006-09-12T22:36:00.000-04:00

I went to the beach. I was at my mom's shore place. I made sure the flag got hung (and made sure it was down and stowed properly before I headed home today.I got up about 9, having fallen asleep by 12:30 or 1:00 instead of the 4 or 5 AM is my usual of late at home. I did the dog thing, covered the couch (yes, the bitch has claimed it already...so glad I thought of covering it!), packed my

Another Sensuous Evening

2006-09-09T01:26:00.000-04:00

The pills are kicking in and I'm getting to bed at a more reasonable hour these days. Gone the days of staying up until 5, 6 or 7AM. Nope...in bed by 2, asleep in 30 minutes, that's my new motto! But I couldn't hit the sack before I regaled you all with the tale of my evening, so you can eat your hearts out. I'm in a second story apartment which means it gets hot up here. I've finally been

Friday Night Crawl and The Cult of the Penis

2006-09-08T20:22:00.000-04:00

(Left: Nude Lesbians Making Coffee Following Orgasms c. 1955 Please note handy phallic hairdo.)Well, I've managed to once again do what I do best which is put off until tomorrow what I could have done today. Looks like I'll be thinking about setting an alarm to get up and get my ass down to the shore at some reasonable hour tomorrow and maybe actually get out in my kayak or go to the beach! At

The Clitorati

2006-09-08T12:16:00.000-04:00

Jean started something over at You Are Here. She's put out a call for recipes for orgasm and showed us her own boat, floating on a sea of hot sauce. Sage responded beautifully with a tried and true, step-by-step kitchen table post about what rocks her world in a big "O" way. (Yeah, it's porn. Yeah, it's great!) Kristin offered her place up as the test kitchen, though I question her

Tennessee Guerilla Women

2006-09-07T21:04:00.000-04:00

Tennessee Guerilla Women has a plea up on their site. I don't know if things are going badly there or if they've just been depleting resources in a very busy election season but they could use a little help there.The button to your left is linked to TGW's Paypal site, or you can wander on over there, enjoy the fabulous George Carlin video (which is, as usual, hilarious and dead-on) and click the

Exploring Race and Racism, III

2006-09-07T19:02:00.000-04:00

Okay, there was this interesting post and comment thread over at I Shame the Matriarchy in which the Antiprincess begins the process of dissecting some racial issues. This is something that's been on my mind a lot in recent years. I mean, as one comes to know herself better, how is it possible to avoid the privilege to which she has always been entitled solely due to the light pigmentation of

Advice Needed

2006-09-07T15:19:00.000-04:00

Now that I'm starting a new work schedule next week, I've come to realize that my life is going to change drastically with a 5-day workweek, 3pm to 11pm. I will never hear Fresh Air again!All Things Considered.Talk of the Nation will be interrupted with showering and dog-walking.I can't live without my NPR!So, I think it's time to break down and get one of those iPod or mp3 player thingies so I

I Hate that I Love these Things!

2006-09-07T13:59:00.000-04:00

Amber was the catalyst this time, though it doesn't take much. I just love taking rhetorical quizzes. I can waste time with the best of 'em, I tell ya!Your 'Do You Want the Terrorists to Win' Score: 100% You are a terrorist-loving, Bush-bashing, "blame America first"-crowd traitor. You are in league with evil-doers who hate our freedoms. By all counts you are a liberal, and as such cleary

Belated, Dreaded Book Meme

2006-09-07T00:11:00.000-04:00

Wherein Cheryl shows just how shallow she is:1. One book that changed your life? I, too, can't choose just one.the Bible taught me to love poetry, ritual and values.Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex..., because it showed me that this could be mine even if, apparently, nobody else in my family had it. Mine! All Mine!Ecotopia, by Ernest Callenbach, because it taught me about options

Blogging Meme

2006-09-06T22:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, I guess I can't avoid it any more and have to respond to a meme. Otherwise Jean will just keep tagging me until I do one. At least this one is a little less intimidating than the book meme I've so far successfully put off. I mean, she jumps to the conclusion that I've actually read ten books?... Why do you blog? It started out as online journaling a year ago on MSN Spaces. It was a

Don't Ask

2006-09-06T02:29:00.000-04:00

While wending my way across the internet tonight researching a post on No Ordinary Princess about the ABC Crockumentary Path to 9/11, I checked my technorati tag for "graft." I like to make sure my tags actually lead people to something, except on occasion of the "guess which is the fake tag" contests challenges.Well, 'graft' led me, somehow, to this net neutrality site, It's a Series of Tubes!!

For the Record

2006-09-03T23:58:00.000-04:00

This is me:My Bloginality is INTP.And. boy, is this me!Well, except for those areas about feeling and sensitivity to others' feelings. I actually am pretty tuned in to others.I got there through Below the Eight, a local blogger I just discovered stored in my computer. She seems marvelous so I'm off to find out more.Ta ta!tags: blogging / personality

Choices

2006-09-03T23:10:00.000-04:00

Does anyone out there have any firm opinions about or recommendations for a decent digital camera? I may be in the market for one.When I went to Jersey to watch my son run a few weeks ago, I passed what I thought was an MG Midget on the roadside. I love little convertibles and would like nothing more than to have a slightly tumble-down but still functional vintage deuce coupe! I decided that

Tidbits

2006-09-02T09:34:00.000-04:00

Last day of work at the hell hole today! The shift manager (a very minor goddess, believe me) made sure I spent most of my pentultimate day at work in the area I like least, Trauma. It was a grizzly day, which I won't recount fully here. I might make graphically disgusting comments and trade gross banter with my co-workers but I won't subject you to that. You think nurses don't have macabre

Oh, the places I've been...

2006-09-01T02:21:00.000-04:00

In looking through my site stats tonight, I found some lusciously patriarchetypical [(c) 2006 CmIB Enterprises], deliciously sensuous websites and offer them for your consideration:Dirty Thirties:The Blurb: "Happily married, mid-thirties couple timidly going out on the web..."Dirty and Thirty are a very attractive and lucky heterosexual couple who enjoy the more sensuous side of connubial bliss.

Middle-Aged HNT Continues

2006-08-31T09:51:00.000-04:00

In my continuing theme of addressing what real, middle-aged women look like, I offer my latest installment of the Inner Bitch occasional HNT. I guess this is claiming my outer bitch, huh? Since I don't have a fabo camera, I've played around a bit with my Picasa editor effects to tone down, or up, the skin tones. Interesting effect...where does skin end and clothing begin?Collarbone, a little

She's Here!

2006-08-30T19:02:00.000-04:00

My watercolor arrived today, safe and sound and dry all the way from the other side of the country. Isn't she beautiful? Her colors are much more vibrant in person than the gallery photo would indicate. It only just occurred to me yesterday that I'll have to get her framed. Any suggestions would be most welcome, as I've never done that before though I have selected frames for my cross stitch

Evil Skulker

2006-08-30T15:12:00.000-04:00

Jean made me do it! How could I resist previewing what my obit would have to say about me? I'm such a sucker for these things: 'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com"Evilly skulking" makes it sound like I've been spending too much time with pirates and such...And, for the record, I always hated the Lollipop Kids!tags: blogging / fun

I've Found It!

2006-08-30T04:23:00.000-04:00

I've been searching for it all my life and I've finally found it!I need...a disambiguation page!Think I can get wikied?tags: blogging / disambiguation / humor / internet

New Profile Pic

2006-08-29T23:37:00.001-04:00

The image to the left, which I have selected as my new profile picture, is of a watercolor I purchased, and am anxiously awaiting delivery of, from a California artist named Mara McWilliams. Here is the link to her gallery. Check out her stuff.I haven't read everything about Mara on the site yet, so you may learn more about her than me if you go there now. I'm waiting until I have the painting

Bananahole and Then Some

2006-08-28T18:48:00.000-04:00

If you, like Jean, enjoyed Bananahole, you're likely to love this as well.In responding to a comment, I returned to the scene of...to Bananahole to dig a little deeper. One of my favorite pictures from Bananahole was this one, the heart-rending tale of the sperm babies gone to waste. Oh, the fetology!I went back today to have a look at the site which gave birth to this photo, so to speak. I

Talk of the Nation, Tuesday, August 29, 2006

2006-08-28T15:06:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow's broadcast of Talk of the Nation is going to focus on race and Hurricane Katrina. It's on at 2PM on my local NPR station. I plan to be there, should be interesting. You can check out when it's being broadcast in your area at the Talk of the Nation site.tags: Hurricane Katrina / life / NPR / racism

Exploring Racism, Vol. 2

2006-08-28T13:56:00.000-04:00

Maxjulian stopped by today and left a comment. He got me to thinking about the "rich kid," who happened to be black, who resided in the "ritzy" section of the small city I grew up in. I can't even remember the kid's name. He was nice enough, I suppose, but I thought he was "snooty," a common perception of the residents of the seeming-mansions in Cramer Hill. I never thought of him as feeling

Exploring Racism, Vol. 1

2006-08-27T14:17:00.000-04:00

I guess it's time to just jump in this cannonball style. I've been hanging out on some blogs of people of color recently, primarily Blac(k)ademic, {Nappy as I want to be} and thefreeslave. (Thanks to Nurse Pam for turning me on to Blac(k)ademic, who led to Pam's House Blend and AngryBlackBitch and {Nappy} and to GrannyVibe, who led me to Maxjulian at thefreeslave. I think it was Bitch | Lab