In my business, one of the major conferences is called VoiceCon, and it's going on this week in Orlando, Florida. For the last couple years, I've helped to prepare my company's response to some of the events, and (of course), we always hope for a good reception.
Like many telecommunications companies, my employer also sometimes chooses to make substantial company announcements during this event, and this year is no exception.
So for the next few days, I'll be "heads down," catching up on all the new shit that's been announced both by my own employer and by the competition.
I like to learn new things, and some of the new technology is tres cool, but by the end of the week my head may be a bit 'splodey. This will probably result in content here at Hot Chicks Dig Smart Men becoming more and more simplistic as the week progresses, with Friday bringing a photograph of me wiping the drool off my chin and the pronouncement that "I like doggies."
Forewarned is forearmed.
Outliers?
Posted by
Janiece
at
10:05 AM
I'm currently listening to Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers. I'm only a fourth of the way into it, but I have to say, this is some fascinating reading (listening?). From Amazon's entry:
Right now I'm listening to the portion of the book that talks about genius, and how after a certain point, additional IQ points do not necessarily translate into more brilliant ideas, or additional achievement - it's only important to be smart enough and educated enough. After that, Gladwell contends you reach the point of diminishing returns.
I'm still listening and thinking about Gladwell's thesis, but so far I would say this is a fascinating read that is giving me lots to think about.
Challenging our cherished belief of the "self-made man," he makes the democratic assertion that superstars don't arise out of nowhere, propelled by genius and talent: "they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot."When Gladwell describes how top Canadian hockey players tend to be born in the first part of the year due to the early advantage of several months of maturity when they play in the pee wee leagues, this made sense to me, and was self-evident. What I didn't realize was that this advantage doesn't disappear as the players age, but becomes a self-sustaining phenomenon. A player gets top coaching because they're physically more mature than their peers, so they become a better player, and play at a higher level, where they get better coaching, etc. He applies the same theory to scholastic programs that categorize children before the advantages of birth month levels out (about age 10).
Right now I'm listening to the portion of the book that talks about genius, and how after a certain point, additional IQ points do not necessarily translate into more brilliant ideas, or additional achievement - it's only important to be smart enough and educated enough. After that, Gladwell contends you reach the point of diminishing returns.
I'm still listening and thinking about Gladwell's thesis, but so far I would say this is a fascinating read that is giving me lots to think about.
Colorado SkeptiCamp 3
It's that time of year again, Colorado skeptics. Time for the 3rd Annual Colorado SkeptiCamp, to be held Saturday May 9th, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at Tivoli Student Union in Denver.
I attended last year's event, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The talks were interesting, the speakers engaging, and folks were just plain friendly. Talks this year promise to be just as interesting - the preliminary schedule includes topics such as "Mindfulness, Meditation, and Skepticism," "Exposing PseudoAstronomy: Top Creationist Claims Examined," "Financial Skepticism- how they Madoff with Your Money" and "Quantum Nonsense, or, How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Mom."
Additionally, my Celebrity Boyfriend™ Dr. Phil Plait, President of the JREF and proprietor of Bad Astronomy will be in attendance giving a JREF update.* Denver benefits by its proximity to Boulder, in this case.
There are still 64 seats available at this event, so sign up quickly to reserve your spot.
*Since this will be my second time meeting him, he may have to graduate from being my Celebrity Boyfriend™ to being my Close Personal Friend™ so that I won't have to cross into some weird alternate dimension where I'm a creepy, creepy stalker.
I attended last year's event, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The talks were interesting, the speakers engaging, and folks were just plain friendly. Talks this year promise to be just as interesting - the preliminary schedule includes topics such as "Mindfulness, Meditation, and Skepticism," "Exposing PseudoAstronomy: Top Creationist Claims Examined," "Financial Skepticism- how they Madoff with Your Money" and "Quantum Nonsense, or, How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Mom."
Additionally, my Celebrity Boyfriend™ Dr. Phil Plait, President of the JREF and proprietor of Bad Astronomy will be in attendance giving a JREF update.* Denver benefits by its proximity to Boulder, in this case.
There are still 64 seats available at this event, so sign up quickly to reserve your spot.
*Since this will be my second time meeting him, he may have to graduate from being my Celebrity Boyfriend™ to being my Close Personal Friend™ so that I won't have to cross into some weird alternate dimension where I'm a creepy, creepy stalker.
Conversations with Karma - G. Richard Wagoner Jr.
Posted by
Janiece
at
8:05 AM
* ring, ring *
Executive Assistant: Chairman Wagoner's office.
Karma: Hello! Is Former Chairman Wagoner available?
EA: I'm sorry, this is Chairman Wagoner's office - may I ask who's calling, and what your business is with the Chairman?
K: This is Karma, and I'm calling with news about the Federal bailout monies General Motors requested.
EA: Oh! I know the Chairman will be interested in hearing about that. Let me see if he's available.
* feelings...nothing more than feelings...trying to forget my....feelings of LOOOVE! *
G. Richard Wagoner Jr: This is Chairman Wagoner. Is this Secretary Geithner?
K: No, this is Karma.
GRW: Karma? I don't recall anyone on the President's staff by that name...
K: Oh, I don't work for President Obama. I don't work for anyone, really. I'm the eastern idea that you will receive your punishment or reward for your deeds. You know...what comes around goes around, people get what they deserve? Karma.
GRW: So you're here to give me the money?
K: Not exactly. I'm actually here to prepare you for what's coming.
GRW: Money?
K: No, not money.
GRW: I don't get it. I asked the Feds for money.
K: Yeah, I know. And I think they'll probably give some to GM. But first, they want a plan that doesn't actually, you know, suck.
GRW: What do you mean? I submitted a SOLID BUSINESS PLAN.
K: A "solid business plan" that bears a striking resemblance to the business plans that ran your company into the ground isn't really what they're looking for. After all, under your watch, GM lost more than $73 billion.
GRW: That wasn't my fault! It's the Union! And the economic downturn!
K: I'm sure. Listen, I don't have time to argue with you about your ability to execute on your plan. I'm afraid you're going to be asked to resign.
GRW: WHAT? Resign? Why should I resign?
K: Because if you don't, the Federal government will not give GM any more bailout money. It's a condition of GM's participation.
GRW: Well, that just sucks. None of this is my fault. At least I'll get my multi-million pension...
K: Not so fast, zippy. You won't actually be leaving the company. You'll stay, for your $1.00 salary, and do nothing. That way, the government doesn't have to outlay your so-called "pension."
GRW: This is so unfair! Where does the government get off telling a private company how to conduct their business? It's unAmerican! Contrary to the idea of free enterprise?
K: But it's not contrary to the idea of free enterprise for a private company to ask the government to bail them out?
GRW: Of course not! We just want what everyone else is getting!
K: Dude, everyone else is getting unemployed. So, really, you are getting what everyone else is getting. Really, it's kind of poetic justice, if you think about it.
GRW: I'm not thinking about it.
K: Clearly.
*click*
Executive Assistant: Chairman Wagoner's office.
Karma: Hello! Is Former Chairman Wagoner available?
EA: I'm sorry, this is Chairman Wagoner's office - may I ask who's calling, and what your business is with the Chairman?
K: This is Karma, and I'm calling with news about the Federal bailout monies General Motors requested.
EA: Oh! I know the Chairman will be interested in hearing about that. Let me see if he's available.
* feelings...nothing more than feelings...trying to forget my....feelings of LOOOVE! *
G. Richard Wagoner Jr: This is Chairman Wagoner. Is this Secretary Geithner?
K: No, this is Karma.
GRW: Karma? I don't recall anyone on the President's staff by that name...
K: Oh, I don't work for President Obama. I don't work for anyone, really. I'm the eastern idea that you will receive your punishment or reward for your deeds. You know...what comes around goes around, people get what they deserve? Karma.
GRW: So you're here to give me the money?
K: Not exactly. I'm actually here to prepare you for what's coming.
GRW: Money?
K: No, not money.
GRW: I don't get it. I asked the Feds for money.
K: Yeah, I know. And I think they'll probably give some to GM. But first, they want a plan that doesn't actually, you know, suck.
GRW: What do you mean? I submitted a SOLID BUSINESS PLAN.
K: A "solid business plan" that bears a striking resemblance to the business plans that ran your company into the ground isn't really what they're looking for. After all, under your watch, GM lost more than $73 billion.
GRW: That wasn't my fault! It's the Union! And the economic downturn!
K: I'm sure. Listen, I don't have time to argue with you about your ability to execute on your plan. I'm afraid you're going to be asked to resign.
GRW: WHAT? Resign? Why should I resign?
K: Because if you don't, the Federal government will not give GM any more bailout money. It's a condition of GM's participation.
GRW: Well, that just sucks. None of this is my fault. At least I'll get my multi-million pension...
K: Not so fast, zippy. You won't actually be leaving the company. You'll stay, for your $1.00 salary, and do nothing. That way, the government doesn't have to outlay your so-called "pension."
GRW: This is so unfair! Where does the government get off telling a private company how to conduct their business? It's unAmerican! Contrary to the idea of free enterprise?
K: But it's not contrary to the idea of free enterprise for a private company to ask the government to bail them out?
GRW: Of course not! We just want what everyone else is getting!
K: Dude, everyone else is getting unemployed. So, really, you are getting what everyone else is getting. Really, it's kind of poetic justice, if you think about it.
GRW: I'm not thinking about it.
K: Clearly.
*click*
My Rambling Brain
Today promises to be a "rambling brain" sort of day - I do have about an hour of homework to complete, but other than that, I'm free to do whatever I want. I see some Age of Empires III, The Asian Dynasties in my future.
We do plan on leaving the house at one point, however, We'll be sharing dinner with the Incomparable Anne™ and some other folks for her birthday. I have a surprise for her birthday. Bwahahaha! There will be pictures, oh, yes.
Have a nice Sunday, y'all.
ETA: Anne will be posting the pictures and telling the story over at her place, since it was her birthday and everything. It was fun, though, and a good time was had by all.
We do plan on leaving the house at one point, however, We'll be sharing dinner with the Incomparable Anne™ and some other folks for her birthday. I have a surprise for her birthday. Bwahahaha! There will be pictures, oh, yes.
Have a nice Sunday, y'all.
ETA: Anne will be posting the pictures and telling the story over at her place, since it was her birthday and everything. It was fun, though, and a good time was had by all.
Priorities
As part of my Social Services in America class this quarter, students are required to select a social problem for long term discussion over the course of the quarter.
Some of the problems selected include universal health care (my own selection), mental health care, childhood obesity, drug addiction treatment availability, homelessness and global warming. Each student is making a case for their own social issue, and discussion ensues as to what society's obligations should be, etc.
However, I seem to be the only person who is bringing up the issue of cost.
Now, the older I get, the more I lean towards a tax-and-spend liberalism,* and I've always been a huge supporter of the PAYGO requirement in the Federal budget. The need to determine how the hell you're going to pay for your bread and circuses before you move forward strikes me as a fundamentally sensible approach. Too bad the requirement was not renewed by President Bush's rubber stamp Congress so they could get their unfunded Medicare Part D bill passed.
Ahem. Got off track there for a moment.
The point is, while I think you can make a case that each of the social issues detailed above is worthy of our attention as an equitable and rich society, how do you determine which of these will receive the funding they need in order to address the problem?
I realize that the answers to such questions have been the subject of debate for many, many years, and one of the points of my education is to help me work through that decision making process in an ethical and defensible way.
So how come I'm the only student who is asking where the money will come from? Surely people don't think that every worthy social issue can be funded on an unlimited and thorough basis - choices have to be made, and the basis of those choices defines us as a society. Defending the issue that fires your imagination and means the most to you should also include an actionable plan on how you're going to fund your initiative.
Or am I just being a wet blanket, with all my talk of "how much, and who pays?"
_______________
*This distinguishes me from the so-called "fiscal conservatives" who have run their budgets with huge deficits since 1980, excepting President Clinton.
Some of the problems selected include universal health care (my own selection), mental health care, childhood obesity, drug addiction treatment availability, homelessness and global warming. Each student is making a case for their own social issue, and discussion ensues as to what society's obligations should be, etc.
However, I seem to be the only person who is bringing up the issue of cost.
Now, the older I get, the more I lean towards a tax-and-spend liberalism,* and I've always been a huge supporter of the PAYGO requirement in the Federal budget. The need to determine how the hell you're going to pay for your bread and circuses before you move forward strikes me as a fundamentally sensible approach. Too bad the requirement was not renewed by President Bush's rubber stamp Congress so they could get their unfunded Medicare Part D bill passed.
Ahem. Got off track there for a moment.
The point is, while I think you can make a case that each of the social issues detailed above is worthy of our attention as an equitable and rich society, how do you determine which of these will receive the funding they need in order to address the problem?
I realize that the answers to such questions have been the subject of debate for many, many years, and one of the points of my education is to help me work through that decision making process in an ethical and defensible way.
So how come I'm the only student who is asking where the money will come from? Surely people don't think that every worthy social issue can be funded on an unlimited and thorough basis - choices have to be made, and the basis of those choices defines us as a society. Defending the issue that fires your imagination and means the most to you should also include an actionable plan on how you're going to fund your initiative.
Or am I just being a wet blanket, with all my talk of "how much, and who pays?"
_______________
*This distinguishes me from the so-called "fiscal conservatives" who have run their budgets with huge deficits since 1980, excepting President Clinton.
Gardasil for Boys?
Posted by
Janiece
at
10:11 AM
As you may or may not be aware, Gardasil is a vaccine that was approved for girls to prevent them from contracting the HPV, which can cause cervical cancer and other undesirable outcomes. Right after its approval, there was the usual brouhaha over whether or not it should be a required vaccination or the decision should be left up to parents. Detractors indicated it sent a message to girls that it was okay to be promiscuous, proponents wanted everyone vaccinated. I won't compromise my Smart Daughter's privacy by telling you what she decided, but in our household, teens get some say in their medical care, and I supported her decision on this issue.
Now it looks like Merck is trying to get the FDA to approve Gardasil for boys, claiming the vaccine lowers their risk not only of transmitting HPV to their sexual partners, but also that it provides some protection against genital warts and precancerous lesions.
The thing I find interesting about this debate is the apparent double standard of those having it. When it was girls who were being vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease, the religious conservatives were all up in arms, claiming that doing so sent a message of promiscuity to the girls in question. But now that the company wants to market the vaccine to boys, the issue suddenly isn't promiscuity, but safety, cost and the cost-benefit analysis.
Now, I don't have the education to determine whether or not the FDA should approve Gardasil for boys from a safety and efficacy perspective. That's why I pay my taxes, so that scientists can help guide me in my decision making process when it comes to health. They hire people like my Hot SIL (an epidemiologist) to determine the risk assessment, and I'll form my opinions based on their findings.
Nor do I think this particular vaccine should be mandatory, since the germs in question aren't exactly "airborne," and I think parents and children should make these decisions together based on each child's needs, lifestyle and age.
But what the fuck is up with the double standard when it comes to sexuality? Aren't we beyond this yet?
How come a girl's virtue is more important than a boy's? And how come a vaccination against a sexually transmitted disease requires a value judgment on the gender of the person being immunized?
Sometimes the culture wars really piss me the hell off.
Now it looks like Merck is trying to get the FDA to approve Gardasil for boys, claiming the vaccine lowers their risk not only of transmitting HPV to their sexual partners, but also that it provides some protection against genital warts and precancerous lesions.
The thing I find interesting about this debate is the apparent double standard of those having it. When it was girls who were being vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease, the religious conservatives were all up in arms, claiming that doing so sent a message of promiscuity to the girls in question. But now that the company wants to market the vaccine to boys, the issue suddenly isn't promiscuity, but safety, cost and the cost-benefit analysis.
Now, I don't have the education to determine whether or not the FDA should approve Gardasil for boys from a safety and efficacy perspective. That's why I pay my taxes, so that scientists can help guide me in my decision making process when it comes to health. They hire people like my Hot SIL (an epidemiologist) to determine the risk assessment, and I'll form my opinions based on their findings.
Nor do I think this particular vaccine should be mandatory, since the germs in question aren't exactly "airborne," and I think parents and children should make these decisions together based on each child's needs, lifestyle and age.
But what the fuck is up with the double standard when it comes to sexuality? Aren't we beyond this yet?
How come a girl's virtue is more important than a boy's? And how come a vaccination against a sexually transmitted disease requires a value judgment on the gender of the person being immunized?
Sometimes the culture wars really piss me the hell off.
Irony
Today my Girl Scout Cookies arrived from the Incomparable Kate™ and her lovely daughter.
Hmm...cookies.
Today also brought my nifty new pedometer, which I bought to take part in a pedometer challenge among my blog-circle, the UCF. We're trying to get our lazy butts up off the couch and increase our health and activity.
Exercise...bummer, dude.
My life is apparently short on irony.
'Tard of the Week - Pope Benedict XVI
Posted by
Janiece
at
8:18 AM
While I fully expect to be bombarded by irate Catholics who will threaten me with the fiery pits of hell for this week's 'tard, I just can't let this go.
The Pope is supposed to be God's spokesperson here on earth. Because he has a Batphone directly to the Big Guy, he's supposed to be infallible or some such.
Right?
Then how come every time ole Benedict opens his mouth lately, he exposes his ideas and opinions to be not only archaic and anachronistic, but just plain dumb?
Consider:
Seriously - how fucked up do you have to be as a Pope before Catholics start to publicly call for your impeachment?
The part I don't get is that Joseph Ratzinger is not an unintelligent man. He was a contemporary of Pope John Paul II, who I greatly admired in spite of our differences of opinion. John Paul thought highly of him, and gave him enormous responsibility. So why does Benedict appear to be so thoroughly disengaged from reality-as-we-know-it?
'Tard.
The Pope is supposed to be God's spokesperson here on earth. Because he has a Batphone directly to the Big Guy, he's supposed to be infallible or some such.
Right?
Then how come every time ole Benedict opens his mouth lately, he exposes his ideas and opinions to be not only archaic and anachronistic, but just plain dumb?
Consider:
- In 2006 he essentially alienated an entire branch of the Abrahamic religions by saying that Muhammad had brought "things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." Way to reach across the aisle, there, Your Holiness, especially in light of those pesky Crusades.
- In 2008 he indicated that the subject of the ordination of women is not even open for discussion and declared that anyone involved with the ordination of women would be automatically excommunicated. Those uppity wimmin just don't know their place.
- But this year he lifted the excommunication of Holocaust-denier Richard Williamson. I guess the word from the Batphone is that fully including women in religious life is a burn-worthy offense, but denying the deaths of millions of innocents is just naughty.
- Then there's his utterly retarded commentary on how the distribution of condoms "increases the problem" of the spread of AIDS on the African continent.
Seriously - how fucked up do you have to be as a Pope before Catholics start to publicly call for your impeachment?
The part I don't get is that Joseph Ratzinger is not an unintelligent man. He was a contemporary of Pope John Paul II, who I greatly admired in spite of our differences of opinion. John Paul thought highly of him, and gave him enormous responsibility. So why does Benedict appear to be so thoroughly disengaged from reality-as-we-know-it?
'Tard.
De-nied
I'm back from Jury Duty, and I've been denied.
It was a criminal case in District Court, and I was preemptively challenged by the defense. The case involved allegations of menacing, recklessly discharging a firearm, disorderly conduct, etc. There was alcohol involved, and two of the prosecution witnesses were Douglas County Sheriff's Deputies.
I think I was dismissed not for being a dirty, dirty liberal, but for one of two other reasons (or both): My father was a Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy before his death; and as a member of the Armed Forces, I've been trained in the safe handling of firearms, including the standard rules about mixing alcohol and firearms.
Hint to Dick Cheney and today's defendant: Not typically considered to be a great idea. It tends to lead to shooting people in the face or being charged with criminal activity.
Of course, I don't know that's why I was dismissed - it could be that the defense attorneys simply didn't want engineers on the jury, or veterans, or Hot Chicks with white hair. That's the nature of the preemptive challenge.
I'm disappointed, though. I was looking forward to the process.
It was a criminal case in District Court, and I was preemptively challenged by the defense. The case involved allegations of menacing, recklessly discharging a firearm, disorderly conduct, etc. There was alcohol involved, and two of the prosecution witnesses were Douglas County Sheriff's Deputies.
I think I was dismissed not for being a dirty, dirty liberal, but for one of two other reasons (or both): My father was a Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy before his death; and as a member of the Armed Forces, I've been trained in the safe handling of firearms, including the standard rules about mixing alcohol and firearms.
Hint to Dick Cheney and today's defendant: Not typically considered to be a great idea. It tends to lead to shooting people in the face or being charged with criminal activity.
Of course, I don't know that's why I was dismissed - it could be that the defense attorneys simply didn't want engineers on the jury, or veterans, or Hot Chicks with white hair. That's the nature of the preemptive challenge.
I'm disappointed, though. I was looking forward to the process.
Jury Duty
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:30 AM
I'm still ridiculously excited, because my Juror number has been selected for today's jury pool.
So I'll be spending the day at the Douglas County jury assembly room, waiting to find out if I will be called upon to sit in judgment of my fellow man, doing my civic duty while my company chugs along without me.
I'm quite sure the waiting part will be boring as shit, and I plan on bringing all my electronic happy fun toys with me for my entertainment pleasure. But I hope I'll be selected - I'm very interested in participating in the process.
Yes, I am a dork, thanks for asking.
I'll try and check in periodically if they have 802.11 at the courthouse, but I doubt that's going to happen. Please don't burn the place down while I'm gone.
So I'll be spending the day at the Douglas County jury assembly room, waiting to find out if I will be called upon to sit in judgment of my fellow man, doing my civic duty while my company chugs along without me.
I'm quite sure the waiting part will be boring as shit, and I plan on bringing all my electronic happy fun toys with me for my entertainment pleasure. But I hope I'll be selected - I'm very interested in participating in the process.
Yes, I am a dork, thanks for asking.
I'll try and check in periodically if they have 802.11 at the courthouse, but I doubt that's going to happen. Please don't burn the place down while I'm gone.
Warning - Whining Follows
I love my job. The work is interesting, my boss is flexible, I'm paid well, and (best of all) I'm still employed.
Employment FTW!
But like every job, there are aspects to it that annoy me.
Today's annoyance is the fact that covering for vacationing engineers on complex long term projects is a huge pain in my ass.
It's not the fact that my team-mates go on vacation and I need to cover for them - I'm a strong, strong proponent of leaving your work behind when you take time off, and my teammates are gracious about covering for me when I'm gone. I don't resent doing the work, because that's just what you do.
But when changes need to be made on a design for a complex long-term project, and the engineer is on vacation, then it takes FOREVER to figure out what the project is about, how the engineer designed it, what changes need to be made, what the customer currently has installed, etc., etc., ad naseum. What makes this particular project even more challenging is that the customer is notorious for wanting dozens of iterations on a project before they finally make up their minds - and then they always choose the least expensive option.
That's all I wanted to complain about. Feel free to call me a whiny-butt and continue on with your day.
Employment FTW!
But like every job, there are aspects to it that annoy me.
Today's annoyance is the fact that covering for vacationing engineers on complex long term projects is a huge pain in my ass.
It's not the fact that my team-mates go on vacation and I need to cover for them - I'm a strong, strong proponent of leaving your work behind when you take time off, and my teammates are gracious about covering for me when I'm gone. I don't resent doing the work, because that's just what you do.
But when changes need to be made on a design for a complex long-term project, and the engineer is on vacation, then it takes FOREVER to figure out what the project is about, how the engineer designed it, what changes need to be made, what the customer currently has installed, etc., etc., ad naseum. What makes this particular project even more challenging is that the customer is notorious for wanting dozens of iterations on a project before they finally make up their minds - and then they always choose the least expensive option.
That's all I wanted to complain about. Feel free to call me a whiny-butt and continue on with your day.
"Fancy-Shmancy Ion Engines"
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:51 AM
I was listening to The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe this morning, and the interview was with my Celebrity Boyfriend Phil Plait.
During the interview, talk turned to ESA's GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer). Dr. Plait was describing the mission, including its challenges, and pointed out that the satellite is using those "fancy-shmancy ion engines."
Hee!
This is why Phil Plait is my celebrity boyfriend. Making science accessible to non-scientists is, in my opinion, as important as continuing to push the limits of our understanding.
Thanks, Phil.
During the interview, talk turned to ESA's GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer). Dr. Plait was describing the mission, including its challenges, and pointed out that the satellite is using those "fancy-shmancy ion engines."
Hee!
This is why Phil Plait is my celebrity boyfriend. Making science accessible to non-scientists is, in my opinion, as important as continuing to push the limits of our understanding.
Thanks, Phil.
Random Sunday Thoughts
I'm going to be making cherry-pineapple jam today. Like most of the jam I make, I don't like it, but my friends, family and the folks at my Gram's assisted living facility like it, so there you go.
The SmartMan and I went to a St. Patrick's Day party last night at the house of some friends. They have this get together every year, and it's always fun. Last night we played The Great Delmudi (a card game), and I laughed so hard my mascara ran and I got a stomach ache. I can do that with this group without worrying about my dignity, which is just one of many reasons I love them. "Laughter is food for the soul."
We were thinking about going to a movie today, but the choices are a bit meh.* Of the ones that I may want to see, I'm thinking Netflix will do just fine, except for the lack of processed-cheese nachos here at the Yellow House. "Hmm...nachos!"
I'm almost done listening to The Omnivore's Dilemma, and I have to say, it is FASCINATING. I've never been that interested in food (except for eating it, I mean), but this book has opened my eyes to some facts about food that definitely deserve further thought.
The SmartMan is making French Toast this morning. Yum.
I know I'm a day late and a dollar short on this, but really, who the hell cares whether or not Michelle Obama prefers styles that bare her arms?
Have a good Sunday, Hot Chicks and Smart Men. And tell those you love how much they mean to you.
*Is it wrong that I want to see Race to Witch Mountain?
The SmartMan and I went to a St. Patrick's Day party last night at the house of some friends. They have this get together every year, and it's always fun. Last night we played The Great Delmudi (a card game), and I laughed so hard my mascara ran and I got a stomach ache. I can do that with this group without worrying about my dignity, which is just one of many reasons I love them. "Laughter is food for the soul."
We were thinking about going to a movie today, but the choices are a bit meh.* Of the ones that I may want to see, I'm thinking Netflix will do just fine, except for the lack of processed-cheese nachos here at the Yellow House. "Hmm...nachos!"
I'm almost done listening to The Omnivore's Dilemma, and I have to say, it is FASCINATING. I've never been that interested in food (except for eating it, I mean), but this book has opened my eyes to some facts about food that definitely deserve further thought.
The SmartMan is making French Toast this morning. Yum.
I know I'm a day late and a dollar short on this, but really, who the hell cares whether or not Michelle Obama prefers styles that bare her arms?
Have a good Sunday, Hot Chicks and Smart Men. And tell those you love how much they mean to you.
*Is it wrong that I want to see Race to Witch Mountain?
Giggling Like a School Girl
I finished today's homework for Social Services in America, and I'm giggling like a school girl (no pun intended).
I am going to LOVE this class, y'all.
Exploring ethical and moral aspects of the social contract! Addressing liberal and conservative concerns as they relate to social services! The historical drivers surrounding race and social services in the U.S.! ACTUAL CONTENT!
NOMnomnomnom.
I am going to LOVE this class, y'all.
Exploring ethical and moral aspects of the social contract! Addressing liberal and conservative concerns as they relate to social services! The historical drivers surrounding race and social services in the U.S.! ACTUAL CONTENT!
NOMnomnomnom.
Back to Work
Posted by
Janiece
at
9:03 AM
Last week was my week off between semesters at DU, but this weekend I'm back to the grindstone.
My course in Social Services in America promises to be challenging and interesting, and I'm really looking forward to it. The professor is extremely organized, and I'm hopeful she will be demanding and focused.
My first paper is a definition of what I consider to be the worst social problem now facing our society. I think I'll choose health care, since I want to learn more about it, and the statistics I'm reading about the economic burden scare the crap out of me. Plus there's the whole moral issue associated with letting people suffer and die because they don't have health insurance.
To quote a parody of a former VP candidate: "Learning's hard!"
My course in Social Services in America promises to be challenging and interesting, and I'm really looking forward to it. The professor is extremely organized, and I'm hopeful she will be demanding and focused.
My first paper is a definition of what I consider to be the worst social problem now facing our society. I think I'll choose health care, since I want to learn more about it, and the statistics I'm reading about the economic burden scare the crap out of me. Plus there's the whole moral issue associated with letting people suffer and die because they don't have health insurance.
To quote a parody of a former VP candidate: "Learning's hard!"
A Moment of Silence
Yesterday, one of our members suffered a terrible personal tragedy. Out of respect for her loss, the UCF member blogs will be offline today. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, and we will return tomorrow.
Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you today, Hot Chicks and Smart Men. They can never hear it enough, and you can't know when you'll have another opportunity.
On the Nature of Service
I come from a family that has a tradition of service.
That service has taken many forms, depending on the individual. Some joined the military. Some served in law enforcement. Some donated time or money to charities. All of us are informed voters, although we vary widely on the political spectrum.
The only commonality is the idea that you really needed to pay for the piece of earth you're sitting on, and take some personal responsibility for the society in which you live. You do that not by accumulating "stuff," but by making your community (however you define it) a better place.
Because I was raised to value service, I have tried to instill the same idea in the Smart Twins. Some days I think the idea has "taken," other days, not so much. Teens can be remarkably inconsistent, and they're really not fully baked until they're about thirty, in my opinion.
I also recognize that not every family has the same tradition, or places the same value in service. And that's okay - it takes all kinds to contribute to a diverse, interesting and free society. It's not up to me to tell others how they should spend their time, money or professional effort.
But if you want to get me fucking wrapped around the axle and encourage me to stab you in the eye with a fork, disrespect the service of someone else.
Whatever type of service someone chooses, their sacrifice is worthy of respect. Even if you think they're a complete and total asswipe in every other aspect of their life, the fact is that they chose to serve others in some capacity. Such a decision and commitment deserves respect, providing the service is honorable. To withhold your respect, or worse, to devalue their contribution to our society out of spite or ignorance, makes you a complete and utter douchebag. Who deserves to be stabbed in the eye with a fork.
That service has taken many forms, depending on the individual. Some joined the military. Some served in law enforcement. Some donated time or money to charities. All of us are informed voters, although we vary widely on the political spectrum.
The only commonality is the idea that you really needed to pay for the piece of earth you're sitting on, and take some personal responsibility for the society in which you live. You do that not by accumulating "stuff," but by making your community (however you define it) a better place.
Because I was raised to value service, I have tried to instill the same idea in the Smart Twins. Some days I think the idea has "taken," other days, not so much. Teens can be remarkably inconsistent, and they're really not fully baked until they're about thirty, in my opinion.
I also recognize that not every family has the same tradition, or places the same value in service. And that's okay - it takes all kinds to contribute to a diverse, interesting and free society. It's not up to me to tell others how they should spend their time, money or professional effort.
But if you want to get me fucking wrapped around the axle and encourage me to stab you in the eye with a fork, disrespect the service of someone else.
Whatever type of service someone chooses, their sacrifice is worthy of respect. Even if you think they're a complete and total asswipe in every other aspect of their life, the fact is that they chose to serve others in some capacity. Such a decision and commitment deserves respect, providing the service is honorable. To withhold your respect, or worse, to devalue their contribution to our society out of spite or ignorance, makes you a complete and utter douchebag. Who deserves to be stabbed in the eye with a fork.
'Tard of the Week - Ari Fleischer
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:24 AM
This week's 'tard is former White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush, Ari Fleischer, who has apparently spent the last six years under a rock somewhere.
During an interview with Chris Matthews on Hardball, Mr. Fleischer made the following comment:
Really, Mr. Fleischer? Really? Where the hell have you been the last six years when it became painfully, excruciatingly obvious that Saddam Hussein and Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks? Oh, that's right - you were writing your tell-all book and apparently eschewing reality.
The Bush administration - the gift that keeps on giving. At least to the blogosphere.
During an interview with Chris Matthews on Hardball, Mr. Fleischer made the following comment:
But after September 11, having been hit once, how could we take a chance that Saddam might not strike again? And that`s the threat that has been removed, and I think we`re all safer with that threat being removed.Am I the only one who interprets this to mean that Mr. Fleischer was suggesting Saddam Hussein had some connection to the 9/11 attacks? I didn't think so.
Really, Mr. Fleischer? Really? Where the hell have you been the last six years when it became painfully, excruciatingly obvious that Saddam Hussein and Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks? Oh, that's right - you were writing your tell-all book and apparently eschewing reality.
The Bush administration - the gift that keeps on giving. At least to the blogosphere.
A Small Smidge of Happy News
I spoke to the owner of the Blue House today, and one of the couples who looked at the house this weekend has made an offer, which the owner has accepted. He's fixing the final items on the repair list so they can close next month.
So we're on the road to having new neighbors, who will (hopefully) love and care for the home.
Yay!
So we're on the road to having new neighbors, who will (hopefully) love and care for the home.
Yay!
Bad Day
Posted by
Janiece
at
9:16 AM
I'm having a Bad Day today, for reasons that I really can't discuss on an open forum such as HCDSM. While nobody in my immediate circle is newly ill, dead or unemployed, the economy continues to have repercussions that make me sad and depressed.
So I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with content that doesn't make me and my readers want to open a vein or take out their own eyes with a fork.
So I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with content that doesn't make me and my readers want to open a vein or take out their own eyes with a fork.
Loot! Loot! Loot for SMARTMAN!
If you'll recall, the SmartMan recently got an LG Voyager as his phone. Well, tonight we returned it for the second time, as the device kept rebooting when he was trying to surf the net. The first time we returned it, he got another Voyager. This time, he traded it in for a Blackberry Storm.
He's liking it so far, as it offers a lot more features, applications and speed than the Voyager, and "appears" stable. I say "appears" because the Voyager was stable for the first week, too.
The gal over at the Verizon Store here in Parker was FABULOUS. She traded in the phone with no trouble, and didn't even charge us the restocking fee, since both phones were defective. Thanks, Michelle - it's people like you who have made us stay Verizon customers for eight years (and counting).
He's liking it so far, as it offers a lot more features, applications and speed than the Voyager, and "appears" stable. I say "appears" because the Voyager was stable for the first week, too.
The gal over at the Verizon Store here in Parker was FABULOUS. She traded in the phone with no trouble, and didn't even charge us the restocking fee, since both phones were defective. Thanks, Michelle - it's people like you who have made us stay Verizon customers for eight years (and counting).
'Tard of the Week - The Abstinence Clowns
Posted by
Janiece
at
8:22 AM
This week's 'tard is an abstinence-only sex education program sponsored by Elizabeth's New Life Center, a Christian organization receiving federal monies to "teach" kids about sex. Their program for doing so is to hire a clown.
No, I'm not making that up, and the title of this post isn't rhetorical.
Derek Dye is billed as "Motivational Speaker" and a "Nationally Certified Abstinence Educator," (a contradiction in terms if I ever heard one), and he's an Abstinence Clown. His gig is to use juggling to teach kids to just SAY NO to their normal biological imperatives, rather than give them actionable, scientifically accurate information about their bodies, emotional state, and risk. Knowledge evidently isn't power when you're an abstinence clown - but fear certainly appears to be.
He tells the kids he "teaches" that having premarital sex is akin to juggling machetes over a prostrate child.
Um, what?
The simile completely escapes me. How, exactly, is juggling machetes over a prostrate child like having informed, consensual, premarital sex?
While both activities involve risk, I think you could make an argument that any adult activity has some level of risk. Assessing that risk and making informed, mature choices about it is part of becoming a functioning, self-sufficient adult. Putting your fingers in your ears and singing "Lalalala - I can't hear you!" isn't risk abatement, and it doesn't work.
And juggling machetes over a prostrate child is just stupid, and anyone choosing to perform such an act would likely need a team of psychiatrists to address their deep-seated issues. I don't think you can say the same about premarital sex. Using the comparison is simply time-honored conservative fear-mongering, and I'm quite sure most of those kids realize they're being shamelessly manipulated.
I don't understand what this clown thinks he's accomplishing with this, and I don't think it's because I'm a 'tard.
Clang of the chastity belt to SciencePunk.
No, I'm not making that up, and the title of this post isn't rhetorical.
Derek Dye is billed as "Motivational Speaker" and a "Nationally Certified Abstinence Educator," (a contradiction in terms if I ever heard one), and he's an Abstinence Clown. His gig is to use juggling to teach kids to just SAY NO to their normal biological imperatives, rather than give them actionable, scientifically accurate information about their bodies, emotional state, and risk. Knowledge evidently isn't power when you're an abstinence clown - but fear certainly appears to be.
He tells the kids he "teaches" that having premarital sex is akin to juggling machetes over a prostrate child.
Um, what?
The simile completely escapes me. How, exactly, is juggling machetes over a prostrate child like having informed, consensual, premarital sex?
While both activities involve risk, I think you could make an argument that any adult activity has some level of risk. Assessing that risk and making informed, mature choices about it is part of becoming a functioning, self-sufficient adult. Putting your fingers in your ears and singing "Lalalala - I can't hear you!" isn't risk abatement, and it doesn't work.
And juggling machetes over a prostrate child is just stupid, and anyone choosing to perform such an act would likely need a team of psychiatrists to address their deep-seated issues. I don't think you can say the same about premarital sex. Using the comparison is simply time-honored conservative fear-mongering, and I'm quite sure most of those kids realize they're being shamelessly manipulated.
I don't understand what this clown thinks he's accomplishing with this, and I don't think it's because I'm a 'tard.
Clang of the chastity belt to SciencePunk.
Springtime, When a Young Girl's Fancy Turns to Pernicious Snit
I was a good little homeowner this weekend. I cleaned out the flower beds and edged the lawn, and prepared my planters for the spring planting.*
While I was out digging around, I made some more progress on cleaning out the flower bed that was the site of the War on the Pernicious Snit. I decided last fall to do something new this year with this particular bed, mostly because I was bored with the bulbs I had planted there seven years ago. So at the end of last season, I pulled out what I could find, added some peat moss, and waited for spring.
Yesterday I noticed leaves poking up through the ground, so I got out there with my spade and dug up as many bulbs as I could find. Those little suckers multiplied in the years since we moved here. I think I dug up hundreds of them.
I'm sure I've missed some, so I'll continue to keep an eye on things until about Mother's Day, which is when we typically plant around here. First we need to restain the fence, then it's decision time.
What do I plant here? I was originally thinking I would plant new annuals each year, so as to have some variety and flowers all summer long. But since I know exactly jack-shit about gardening, I'm not sure what to select. The bed faces directly east, but the house shades it from direct sunlight for part of the morning, and the fence shades it in the afternoon. Whatever ends up there has to be able to stand being watered as often as the grass (every three days or so), as that section of yard is covered by the sprinkler. It should also be hardy enough to withstand the attention of Boogie and Demento Dog, both of whom run through the bed when they're running the fence in conjunction with the neighbor's Australian Shepherd.
I'm open to suggestion, Smart Men and Hot Chicks. But remember - low maintenance is required. Partly because I still don't know jack-shit about gardening, but also because I'm a profoundly lazy git when it comes to this stuff.
*I then went out and spent $100.00 on those honking huge skeins of yarn - on sale at Michael's!
While I was out digging around, I made some more progress on cleaning out the flower bed that was the site of the War on the Pernicious Snit. I decided last fall to do something new this year with this particular bed, mostly because I was bored with the bulbs I had planted there seven years ago. So at the end of last season, I pulled out what I could find, added some peat moss, and waited for spring.
Yesterday I noticed leaves poking up through the ground, so I got out there with my spade and dug up as many bulbs as I could find. Those little suckers multiplied in the years since we moved here. I think I dug up hundreds of them.
I'm sure I've missed some, so I'll continue to keep an eye on things until about Mother's Day, which is when we typically plant around here. First we need to restain the fence, then it's decision time.
What do I plant here? I was originally thinking I would plant new annuals each year, so as to have some variety and flowers all summer long. But since I know exactly jack-shit about gardening, I'm not sure what to select. The bed faces directly east, but the house shades it from direct sunlight for part of the morning, and the fence shades it in the afternoon. Whatever ends up there has to be able to stand being watered as often as the grass (every three days or so), as that section of yard is covered by the sprinkler. It should also be hardy enough to withstand the attention of Boogie and Demento Dog, both of whom run through the bed when they're running the fence in conjunction with the neighbor's Australian Shepherd.
I'm open to suggestion, Smart Men and Hot Chicks. But remember - low maintenance is required. Partly because I still don't know jack-shit about gardening, but also because I'm a profoundly lazy git when it comes to this stuff.
*I then went out and spent $100.00 on those honking huge skeins of yarn - on sale at Michael's!
Won't You Be My Neighbor?*
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:49 AM
When we first moved into the Yellow House, we had neighbors on both sides. On the south side lived a couple with their young son. He was an Army officer, she stayed home and was raising their child. They have since had another son, and he's now a postal inspector. Their boys are the ones who use our basketball hoop now that the SmartBoy has other fish to fry, and they're decent people and good neighbors.
On the north side was another couple. He was an engineer with a defense contractor, and she was a bookkeeper. They subsequently adopted a baby girl from China. They were also decent folks and good neighbors - they were quiet, took good care of their property and were friendly without being invasive.
Then the northern neighbors decided to buy a larger home, as they wanted to adopt another child. I really had no emotional attachment to them, but I was somewhat disappointed when they sold the Blue House because they were good neighbors.
The couple that bought the Blue House was older, whose children were grown. He drove a cement truck, and she worked at Home Depot. They had two dogs, and while they didn't take as good care with their property as our previous neighbors, they were decent people.
Then he was laid off from his driving job. Like a lot of Americans, they didn't have sufficient savings to hold them over, and so they moved out and decided to rent their home in an effort to continue to make the payments.
The first set of renters weren't that bad. In the first six months they had broken the garage door (that was fixed) and the sprinkler system (that wasn't). The grass died, the weeds were out of control, and there were cigarette butts all over the place. Now I really don't give a crap about how these renters maintain the property. But the weeds and the butts have a tendency to spread onto our property, and the entire place was starting to look decidedly ghetto. But at least they were quiet.
After less than a year, these renters had their water turned off and they left in the middle of the night.
The next group to move in was several single guys. They had their kids over on the weekends, and after they had been there for about a week, SmartMan started to call them "2Fast2Furious" because they had souped up Hondas that gave them a great deal of pride. These guys were not quiet.
They washed their Hondas several times each week with their stereos playing rap or other bass-heavy selections turned up so loud that I couldn't go outside without getting heart palpitations. They allowed their kids to run wild in the streets on their bikes and scooters without helmets, without adult supervision, and apparently without instructions on how you should move out of the way when cars attempt to drive down the street. They set bonfires in their backyard. They had loud parties. They and their friends (who also drove Hondas) parked their cars in the middle of the street. they used the side of the Blue House as a dumping ground, leaving couches, televisions and other detritus to gather in the elements.
They also eventually drifted away, after their Hondas were towed away by repossession specialists and the Douglas County Sheriff's department. The water was turned off once again, and the last guy left (you guessed it) in the middle of the night.
Then the poor, Blue House stood empty. For months and months. A landscaping company would come out periodically to weed-whack the yard - the grass had long-since died, and the HOA gets pissy if the weeds get above a certain height.
And we waited for a new neighbor. And waited. We suspected the house was being foreclosed, but we didn't know for sure.
Finally, about six weeks ago, an investor bought the property and started to fix it up. The "For Sale" sign went up last week, and this weekend brought a number of folks to come look at it.
There are three foreclosed homes on the way to the open space where we walk Boogie - less than a block. All are forlorn and empty, and it's thoroughly depressing. For me, each of those homes represents a family whose dreams and aspirations were crushed. I don't know if they were foreclosed due to a job loss (like the Blue House), or because the family overreached. It really doesn't matter - these families lost their homes, and it saddens me to see them.
I'd really like to have good neighbors again. Neighbors who will care for the Blue House and make it their home. Won't some nice person or persons please buy the Blue House? But only if you can afford it.
*That is probably the first and last time you'll see a reference to Mr. Rogers on this blog. While I understand his popularity and admire his service to children, his shows put me in a diabetic coma.
On the north side was another couple. He was an engineer with a defense contractor, and she was a bookkeeper. They subsequently adopted a baby girl from China. They were also decent folks and good neighbors - they were quiet, took good care of their property and were friendly without being invasive.
Then the northern neighbors decided to buy a larger home, as they wanted to adopt another child. I really had no emotional attachment to them, but I was somewhat disappointed when they sold the Blue House because they were good neighbors.
The couple that bought the Blue House was older, whose children were grown. He drove a cement truck, and she worked at Home Depot. They had two dogs, and while they didn't take as good care with their property as our previous neighbors, they were decent people.
Then he was laid off from his driving job. Like a lot of Americans, they didn't have sufficient savings to hold them over, and so they moved out and decided to rent their home in an effort to continue to make the payments.
The first set of renters weren't that bad. In the first six months they had broken the garage door (that was fixed) and the sprinkler system (that wasn't). The grass died, the weeds were out of control, and there were cigarette butts all over the place. Now I really don't give a crap about how these renters maintain the property. But the weeds and the butts have a tendency to spread onto our property, and the entire place was starting to look decidedly ghetto. But at least they were quiet.
After less than a year, these renters had their water turned off and they left in the middle of the night.
The next group to move in was several single guys. They had their kids over on the weekends, and after they had been there for about a week, SmartMan started to call them "2Fast2Furious" because they had souped up Hondas that gave them a great deal of pride. These guys were not quiet.
They washed their Hondas several times each week with their stereos playing rap or other bass-heavy selections turned up so loud that I couldn't go outside without getting heart palpitations. They allowed their kids to run wild in the streets on their bikes and scooters without helmets, without adult supervision, and apparently without instructions on how you should move out of the way when cars attempt to drive down the street. They set bonfires in their backyard. They had loud parties. They and their friends (who also drove Hondas) parked their cars in the middle of the street. they used the side of the Blue House as a dumping ground, leaving couches, televisions and other detritus to gather in the elements.
They also eventually drifted away, after their Hondas were towed away by repossession specialists and the Douglas County Sheriff's department. The water was turned off once again, and the last guy left (you guessed it) in the middle of the night.
Then the poor, Blue House stood empty. For months and months. A landscaping company would come out periodically to weed-whack the yard - the grass had long-since died, and the HOA gets pissy if the weeds get above a certain height.
And we waited for a new neighbor. And waited. We suspected the house was being foreclosed, but we didn't know for sure.
Finally, about six weeks ago, an investor bought the property and started to fix it up. The "For Sale" sign went up last week, and this weekend brought a number of folks to come look at it.
There are three foreclosed homes on the way to the open space where we walk Boogie - less than a block. All are forlorn and empty, and it's thoroughly depressing. For me, each of those homes represents a family whose dreams and aspirations were crushed. I don't know if they were foreclosed due to a job loss (like the Blue House), or because the family overreached. It really doesn't matter - these families lost their homes, and it saddens me to see them.
I'd really like to have good neighbors again. Neighbors who will care for the Blue House and make it their home. Won't some nice person or persons please buy the Blue House? But only if you can afford it.
*That is probably the first and last time you'll see a reference to Mr. Rogers on this blog. While I understand his popularity and admire his service to children, his shows put me in a diabetic coma.
Hmmm...Yarn
Yes, it's another thought provoking and fascinating Sunday blog post. NOT.
Today I had an exciting day planned, including clearing out the flower beds in the back yard and cleaning the fish tank.
Then my Hot Mom sent me a note informing me that Michael's has their one pound skeins of yarn on sale for $5.99. Remember what happened the last time I ended up with those honking skeins of yarn? Mischief will be afoot, y'all. I'm sure the Christian Taliban will be paying me a visit for involving my skeins in all that moral turpitude.
So I'll do my chores first, then reward myself with a trip to Michael's.
Why, yes, my life is one scintillating event after another. Try to contain your excitement, won't you?
Have a happy, productive Sunday, Hot Chicks and Smart Men.
Today I had an exciting day planned, including clearing out the flower beds in the back yard and cleaning the fish tank.
Then my Hot Mom sent me a note informing me that Michael's has their one pound skeins of yarn on sale for $5.99. Remember what happened the last time I ended up with those honking skeins of yarn? Mischief will be afoot, y'all. I'm sure the Christian Taliban will be paying me a visit for involving my skeins in all that moral turpitude.
So I'll do my chores first, then reward myself with a trip to Michael's.
Why, yes, my life is one scintillating event after another. Try to contain your excitement, won't you?
Have a happy, productive Sunday, Hot Chicks and Smart Men.
Talk Like a Physicist Day
In honor of Pi Day (3.14), it's "Talk Like a Physicist" Day! So in the spirit of my science fan-girl status, here I am, talking like a physicist.
This morning I'm putting together a lap robe for the VA Hospital. Empirical Data indicates it's going to be quite warm. My First Order Approximation is that it will be the correct size and shape not to get caught in the wheels of the wheelchairs.You know, this is a lot harder than Talk Like a Pirate Day. Maybe we could combine the two events into one big Talk Like a Pi-rate Day.
The Christian Taliban thinks we are a "Christian Nation." That's Not Even Wrong.
I plan on spending the rest of the day in my Ground State, although there is an Infinitesimal chance that I may do some yard work. Which is better than being trapped in a Potential Well.
"Arrr, Matey! Ye will walk the plank 3.14 times!"Or maybe I should just go back to bed. Arrr?
"Arrr, I am a lustful wench! But the chances of me smoking ye pole are vanishingly small!"
"Arrr, my desire for grog is canonical!"
Arts and Crafts
I'm so happy. My "Leadership" class at DU is almost over. I've turned in my final paper, posted my last commentary to the boards, and now I'm just waiting for my final grade.
I should probably wait to write about this until that grade comes in, but I'm just bursting at the seams on this one.
Our final work product for this course included a written document applying the leadership principles we learned in the course to our daily lives, and determining our leadership goals and aspirations. Just describing it nearly puts me to sleep, so you can imagine how hard it was for me to write that boring piece of crap. ZZzzz...
But that's just normal required class stuff - you do the work so you can achieve your goal.
But 25% of the grade for the final work project included something called "Creative Depiction of your Leadership Development plan and view of leadership." Here's the assignment description:
Yeah. I've never received an assignment like this before, and I had to admit I was a bit taken aback. Should I have broken out the paper mache, or what?
When I was describing this to my family, the SmartBoy responded with: "No shit? You have to do arts and crafts in college?"
I really love that kid.
In any case, I finally decided to do a diorama, mostly because when I was doing it, I kept remembering my kids doing them in primary school, and that made me giggle. Here's my project:
My company paid $1,756.00 for this class. So I could do arts and crafts at the college level.
Go figure.
I should probably wait to write about this until that grade comes in, but I'm just bursting at the seams on this one.
Our final work product for this course included a written document applying the leadership principles we learned in the course to our daily lives, and determining our leadership goals and aspirations. Just describing it nearly puts me to sleep, so you can imagine how hard it was for me to write that boring piece of crap. ZZzzz...
But that's just normal required class stuff - you do the work so you can achieve your goal.
But 25% of the grade for the final work project included something called "Creative Depiction of your Leadership Development plan and view of leadership." Here's the assignment description:
Depict your leadership perspective and development plan in some kind of non-academic hands-on presentation. It can be 3-D, auditory, kinesthetic…just be creative. Make it meaningful to yourself as well as a depiction to others of your hopes regarding your leadership development. The sky is the limit here!
Yeah. I've never received an assignment like this before, and I had to admit I was a bit taken aback. Should I have broken out the paper mache, or what?
When I was describing this to my family, the SmartBoy responded with: "No shit? You have to do arts and crafts in college?"
I really love that kid.
In any case, I finally decided to do a diorama, mostly because when I was doing it, I kept remembering my kids doing them in primary school, and that made me giggle. Here's my project:
My company paid $1,756.00 for this class. So I could do arts and crafts at the college level.
Go figure.
A Little Note from Amazon
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:56 AM
This morning's e:mail brought a little note from Amazon, advising me that I can now get Paranormal Romance Books For Under $10!
Huh?
Since when do I like "paranormal romance books?" The last book related item I bought from Amazon was Death by Black Hole by my celebrity boyfriend Neil deGrasse Tyson. And I bought that for my Kindle, since if a volume I'm interested in is available on Kindle, it's a safe bet I'm going to buy the download rather than the hard copy.
So where did the paranormal romance books come from? The Anita Blake books I bought for my Smart Daughter? Wouldn't that be paranormal erotica?
I think Amazon needs to tweak its algorithms just a bit.
Huh?
Since when do I like "paranormal romance books?" The last book related item I bought from Amazon was Death by Black Hole by my celebrity boyfriend Neil deGrasse Tyson. And I bought that for my Kindle, since if a volume I'm interested in is available on Kindle, it's a safe bet I'm going to buy the download rather than the hard copy.
So where did the paranormal romance books come from? The Anita Blake books I bought for my Smart Daughter? Wouldn't that be paranormal erotica?
I think Amazon needs to tweak its algorithms just a bit.
Congratulations, Professor Barbara Liskov
Yesterday, the 2008 A.M. Turing Award was announced. The winner is Professor Barbara Liskov of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Congratulations, Professor Liskov - truly a remarkable accomplishment.
Do you think Professor Liskov might like to be an honorary Hot Chick? Probably not. She's kind of out of my league...
Congratulations, Professor Liskov - truly a remarkable accomplishment.
Do you think Professor Liskov might like to be an honorary Hot Chick? Probably not. She's kind of out of my league...
'Tard of the Week - Yours Truly, Part II
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:28 AM
For the second time in less than a year, I'm the 'tard this week, y'all.
You want to know why I'm riding the short bus at the moment? I'll tell you. I'm a slow, slow learner. SLLLOOOOWWW.
For over 40 years I've been making the same mistake over and over, and even now, I continue to make it on a regular basis.
I'm not sure what psychologists call this mistake, but for the purposes of this discussion I'll call it "projection."
I project myself onto other people.
If I believe I am rational, or reasonable, or ethical, or accommodating, well, then other people must be the same way, right?
If I care about something deeply, then other people obviously feel the same way.
And I project my negative shit out there, too - if I'm feeling bitchy or antagonistic, well, then other people are clearly bitchy and antagonistic, too.
Clearly.
I know this is a problem. It's been a problem my entire life, and I feel like I've been working on it for that same period of time.
My friends and family (and especially the SmartMan) have been telling me for years to stop pushing my own motivations and attributes onto other people. It's irrational. It's sloppy thinking. It's lazy. It's unfair to the people on whom I'm projecting.
Why can't I learn this lesson? WHY? It brings stress into my life. It makes communication with people I care about more difficult. It makes communication with people I don't care about more difficult. It means I frequently don't see people for who they truly are, which is patently unfair and devaluing.
This is one of those lessons where it appears that a load of bricks dropping on my head simply isn't sufficient for me to GET IT. I will probably go to my death bed making this mistake, given my epic fail at learning this lesson to date.
I'm such a fucking 'tard.
You want to know why I'm riding the short bus at the moment? I'll tell you. I'm a slow, slow learner. SLLLOOOOWWW.
For over 40 years I've been making the same mistake over and over, and even now, I continue to make it on a regular basis.
I'm not sure what psychologists call this mistake, but for the purposes of this discussion I'll call it "projection."
I project myself onto other people.
If I believe I am rational, or reasonable, or ethical, or accommodating, well, then other people must be the same way, right?
If I care about something deeply, then other people obviously feel the same way.
And I project my negative shit out there, too - if I'm feeling bitchy or antagonistic, well, then other people are clearly bitchy and antagonistic, too.
Clearly.
I know this is a problem. It's been a problem my entire life, and I feel like I've been working on it for that same period of time.
My friends and family (and especially the SmartMan) have been telling me for years to stop pushing my own motivations and attributes onto other people. It's irrational. It's sloppy thinking. It's lazy. It's unfair to the people on whom I'm projecting.
Why can't I learn this lesson? WHY? It brings stress into my life. It makes communication with people I care about more difficult. It makes communication with people I don't care about more difficult. It means I frequently don't see people for who they truly are, which is patently unfair and devaluing.
This is one of those lessons where it appears that a load of bricks dropping on my head simply isn't sufficient for me to GET IT. I will probably go to my death bed making this mistake, given my epic fail at learning this lesson to date.
I'm such a fucking 'tard.
Galileoscopes
I love science.
Love, love, love. I want to marry it and have its babies.
And I'm especially excited about the International Year of Astronomy, and all the neat educational events surrounding it.
Via my celebrity boyfriend The Bad Astronomer, I've learned that one of those events is the offering of the Galileoscope, a simple to use, inexpensive telescope designed to allow more humans to gaze into space. They're only $15.00! $15.00! And if you want to buy one to donate to a school or other organization, they're only $12.50!
I'm totally buying one for me and the SmartMan, buying some more charity, and I may just buy one for everyone I know.
Thanks, IYA! This is a great example of introducing science into the daily lives of people in a way that is affordable and fun.
Love, love, love. I want to marry it and have its babies.
And I'm especially excited about the International Year of Astronomy, and all the neat educational events surrounding it.
Via my celebrity boyfriend The Bad Astronomer, I've learned that one of those events is the offering of the Galileoscope, a simple to use, inexpensive telescope designed to allow more humans to gaze into space. They're only $15.00! $15.00! And if you want to buy one to donate to a school or other organization, they're only $12.50!
I'm totally buying one for me and the SmartMan, buying some more charity, and I may just buy one for everyone I know.
Thanks, IYA! This is a great example of introducing science into the daily lives of people in a way that is affordable and fun.
Ta-Da!
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:53 AM
Here's the new template, courtesy of Hot Chick Jeri over at Smug Puppies.
How fabulous is Jeri for doing this form me? Let me tell you - VERY FABULOUS.
UCF powers - ACTIVATE!
How fabulous is Jeri for doing this form me? Let me tell you - VERY FABULOUS.
UCF powers - ACTIVATE!
Change is a' Coming
As you can tell, I'm dinking around with the look and feel of Hot Chicks Dig Smart Men.
After looking around and trying out some custom templates, I'm coming away with a profound sense of "meh." So for the time being, I'll be sticking with a standard Blogger template.
I've removed a lot of the junk on the side bar (although Boogie and Demento Dog have been added back in by popular demand).
Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions, bearing in mind that a Blogger template is not nearly as flexible as a Word Press template.
Of course, preference for changes will be given to my regular visitors such as family, friends, and UCF members, but I'm open to suggestion from anyone who has constructive comments.
Thanks for your thoughts, Hot Chicks and Smart Men.
After looking around and trying out some custom templates, I'm coming away with a profound sense of "meh." So for the time being, I'll be sticking with a standard Blogger template.
I've removed a lot of the junk on the side bar (although Boogie and Demento Dog have been added back in by popular demand).
Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions, bearing in mind that a Blogger template is not nearly as flexible as a Word Press template.
Of course, preference for changes will be given to my regular visitors such as family, friends, and UCF members, but I'm open to suggestion from anyone who has constructive comments.
Thanks for your thoughts, Hot Chicks and Smart Men.
Science and the President
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:51 AM
I'm a happy, happy science fan-girl this morning.
Today, President Obama will lift restrictions on funding for human embryonic stem cell research, ending a situation that researchers have had to deal with for far too long.
This makes me happy.
What makes me ecstatic is that he will also issue a presidential memorandum aimed at insulating scientific decisions across the federal government from political influence.
::cue Snoopy dance::
Based on the Washington Post article, I understand this memorandum to mean that scientific decisions will be made by, you know, scientists. Shocking!
This is not to say that ethical questions about research will not be addressed - but it does appear that they will addressed as ethical issues, rather than religious ones. The distinction is extremely important. People of different faith traditions (or none at all) can often find middle ground in ethical determinations based on the philosophical study of ethics. Once religious belief enters in to the process, however, often no agreement can be reached, as religious faith isn't exactly famous for its ability to compromise.
At a time when it feels like all the news is bad, and the majority of Americans are worried about losing their jobs, it's nice to get some good news for a change.
Go science!
Today, President Obama will lift restrictions on funding for human embryonic stem cell research, ending a situation that researchers have had to deal with for far too long.
This makes me happy.
What makes me ecstatic is that he will also issue a presidential memorandum aimed at insulating scientific decisions across the federal government from political influence.
::cue Snoopy dance::
Based on the Washington Post article, I understand this memorandum to mean that scientific decisions will be made by, you know, scientists. Shocking!
This is not to say that ethical questions about research will not be addressed - but it does appear that they will addressed as ethical issues, rather than religious ones. The distinction is extremely important. People of different faith traditions (or none at all) can often find middle ground in ethical determinations based on the philosophical study of ethics. Once religious belief enters in to the process, however, often no agreement can be reached, as religious faith isn't exactly famous for its ability to compromise.
At a time when it feels like all the news is bad, and the majority of Americans are worried about losing their jobs, it's nice to get some good news for a change.
Go science!
Cognitive Dissonance
I'm suffering from a bit of cognitive dissonance today due to my recent entertainment activities.
Last night the SmartMan and I attended the Longmont Chorale's performance of "A Tribute to Franz Joseph Haydn," including the complete Missa in Angustiis, the Lord Nelson Mass. My Hot Mom sings with the chorale, and also sits on the board of directors and does their graphic design work, so we like to go up and cheer on the home team when they have a performance.
They did a really spectacular job, especially considering that they're a community choir, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Today we went and saw Watchmen. I haven't decided yet if I liked it or not - it was so very strange, and the fact that certain people died and others didn't just pissed me right the hell off. You know what I'm talking about, Alan Moore. Hmph.
Could these two entertainment choices be more diametrically opposed? I think not.
Last night the SmartMan and I attended the Longmont Chorale's performance of "A Tribute to Franz Joseph Haydn," including the complete Missa in Angustiis, the Lord Nelson Mass. My Hot Mom sings with the chorale, and also sits on the board of directors and does their graphic design work, so we like to go up and cheer on the home team when they have a performance.
They did a really spectacular job, especially considering that they're a community choir, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Today we went and saw Watchmen. I haven't decided yet if I liked it or not - it was so very strange, and the fact that certain people died and others didn't just pissed me right the hell off. You know what I'm talking about, Alan Moore. Hmph.
Could these two entertainment choices be more diametrically opposed? I think not.
Conversations with Karma - Walter Wagner
*ring, ring*
Walter Wagner: Hello?
Karma: Yes, I'd like to speak to Walter Wagner, please. This is Karma.
WW: This is Dr. Walter Wagner.
Karma: Dr.? I thought your only advanced degree was from law school.
WW: Yes, I have a Juris doctor. So you can address me as "Dr. Wagner."
Karma: I don't think so, dude. I spend a lot of time with attorneys, and I have no intention of calling them all "Dr." They're self important enough, you know?
WW: What do you want? I have important work to do.
Karma: Oh, you mean that chicken little The-LHC-Will-Destroy-the-World-in-a-Maelstrom-of-Black-Holes stuff? I thought qualified physicists had addressed those concerns, and that you didn't have the qualifications to talk about it.
WW: They have not. I aced a mathematics test twenty years ago, so I am qualified to discuss particle physics, and they are wrong. You are treading into libelous territory.
Karma: Yeah, like you're the first one to threaten me with that one. Whatever. Listen, I don't have all day - I need to pay a visit to that complete asshat Michael Vick this weekend, too, and I'm not here about the LHC, anyway. Remember how your former gig at the World Botanical Garden was turning a little...sticky?
WW: I'm quite sure I will be vindicated in that fiasco. People are just out to get me.
Karma: Um, yeah. About that, the Hilo Circuit Court has ordered you and you your two co-dependents to pay the Gardens more than $2.66 million.
WW: What? That's outrageous! I haven't done anything wrong! There will be an appeal, I can guarantee you that!
Karma: Just like your appeal to stop the LHC?
WW: Don't get smart, you peon. I am a former nuclear safety officer. I have justified concerns.
Karma: Yeah. I'm sure you do. In the meantime, you'll be dealing with this judgment, and I'll be running off to go visit that asshat Vick. At least you don't abuse innocent animals like that piece of crap. I'll give you that.
WW: Why do bad things keep happening to me? I'm only trying to save the world.
Karma: You know, answering that question requires a bit more self-insight than I have time to facilitate right now. Do you want me to come back after I'm done with the asshat and help you out?
WW: NO. You're one of THEM. Those who are OUT TO GET ME and don't APPRECIATE MY GENIUS.
Karma: Whatever, dude. Good luck with that appeal.
*click*
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, based on the concept of satire. I have no actual acquaintance with an entity named "Karma," and I have not spoken to Walter Wagner about the court's decision. This entry is for entertainment purposes only.
Walter Wagner: Hello?
Karma: Yes, I'd like to speak to Walter Wagner, please. This is Karma.
WW: This is Dr. Walter Wagner.
Karma: Dr.? I thought your only advanced degree was from law school.
WW: Yes, I have a Juris doctor. So you can address me as "Dr. Wagner."
Karma: I don't think so, dude. I spend a lot of time with attorneys, and I have no intention of calling them all "Dr." They're self important enough, you know?
WW: What do you want? I have important work to do.
Karma: Oh, you mean that chicken little The-LHC-Will-Destroy-the-World-in-a-Maelstrom-of-Black-Holes stuff? I thought qualified physicists had addressed those concerns, and that you didn't have the qualifications to talk about it.
WW: They have not. I aced a mathematics test twenty years ago, so I am qualified to discuss particle physics, and they are wrong. You are treading into libelous territory.
Karma: Yeah, like you're the first one to threaten me with that one. Whatever. Listen, I don't have all day - I need to pay a visit to that complete asshat Michael Vick this weekend, too, and I'm not here about the LHC, anyway. Remember how your former gig at the World Botanical Garden was turning a little...sticky?
WW: I'm quite sure I will be vindicated in that fiasco. People are just out to get me.
Karma: Um, yeah. About that, the Hilo Circuit Court has ordered you and you your two co-dependents to pay the Gardens more than $2.66 million.
WW: What? That's outrageous! I haven't done anything wrong! There will be an appeal, I can guarantee you that!
Karma: Just like your appeal to stop the LHC?
WW: Don't get smart, you peon. I am a former nuclear safety officer. I have justified concerns.
Karma: Yeah. I'm sure you do. In the meantime, you'll be dealing with this judgment, and I'll be running off to go visit that asshat Vick. At least you don't abuse innocent animals like that piece of crap. I'll give you that.
WW: Why do bad things keep happening to me? I'm only trying to save the world.
Karma: You know, answering that question requires a bit more self-insight than I have time to facilitate right now. Do you want me to come back after I'm done with the asshat and help you out?
WW: NO. You're one of THEM. Those who are OUT TO GET ME and don't APPRECIATE MY GENIUS.
Karma: Whatever, dude. Good luck with that appeal.
*click*
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, based on the concept of satire. I have no actual acquaintance with an entity named "Karma," and I have not spoken to Walter Wagner about the court's decision. This entry is for entertainment purposes only.
Happy Anniversary, LANDsat 5
Posted by
Janiece
at
8:00 AM
It's stories like these that make me proud of American ingenuity and engineering. How cool is it that this device has kept on chugging in such an inimical environment, with such old technology? Pretty damn cool.
Congratulations NASA and USGS, on a remarkable achievement.
On the Nature of Trolls, Part II
The Internet is a strange place, isn't it? It allows us to instantly find information in a way that was unimaginable 20 years ago. It allows us to form communities, regardless of geography. And unfortunately, it allows whackadoos to invade our personal space.
Much has been written on the general nature of trolls, some of it here, but in recent days I've decided that in addition to the 10 points defined by Jim Wright, trolls also come in two distinct varieties.
Type A: The Drive-By Troll. This type of troll can be identified by their drive-by nature. Like the LDSers and Jehovah's Witnesses who insist on knocking on my door in spite of the clearly visible "No Soliciting" sign, they pop into your life, talk some nonsense, and then go away, never to return. These folks, while irritating and usually hateful, don't really give me high blood pressure, as they usually demonstrate the type of self-righteous asshattery that means they won't come back and defend their pet ideas. They simply drop their stupidity in your lap and run away. I can almost visualize them in my mind, cackling maniacally, as they type what they're sure is a blistering comment in response to some knee-jerk topic, all the while missing the scathing rebuttal that is sure to follow. Whatever gets you off, I guess.
Type B: The Black Sheep Troll. I call these folks Black Sheep trolls because they're just like the Black Sheep in some families. They're not contributing members of the community (in this case the on-line community), and they do not appear to have friends that are interested in listening to their ideas or opinions. So they troll the Internet, looking for validation and interaction, and when they find someone's Internet home where they can actually get a response, well, that must mean you want me to stay! So like the deadbeat relative who won't quit coming to dinner, even when they're not invited, they keep hanging around, even when it's made pretty clear that NO ONE LIKES THEM. They just can't understand why their Internet hosts are uninterested in dialogue with them, and they wander from site to related site, hoping for some shred of validation.
Black Sheep are especially prevalent in Bulletin Boards, in my opinion, which is why the only BB I currently participate in is private, and participation is by invitation only.
I find the Black Sheep a bit more irritating than the other variety, mostly because they suck away my Internet life force like some kind of Star Trek creature of the week. If I'm fucking around refuting their whackadoo opinions and asshattery on my site, I don't have the time or the energy to visit the sites of people I respect and admire, not to mention, you know, doing the work for which I'm paid.
I almost feel sorry for this class of whackadoos. Their opinions and commentary apparently aren't interesting or engaging enough to attract an audience of their own - so they attempt to hijack other people's Internet homes in the hope of achieving some level of interaction. Even after being told explicitly to go away, many of them continue to click, click, click away where they're clearly not wanted, evidently waiting for the next opportunity to jump into the fray. They also apparently they think their activities are secret, not being aware that even free traffic monitoring code will pinpoint their activities.
How sad is that? Hanging around web sites where no one cares what they think, where no one wants their opinion, because they can't receive the validation they crave in their own spaces or in other public discussion forums.
Pathetic.
I would almost feel sorry them, if they weren't Internet life force suckers. As it is, I'm tempted to just delete them out of hand once they show me who they are. Sorry, whackadoos - I'm really not interested in letting you stink up my parlor. The smell bothers the dog, and I'm quite sure I like him more than I'll ever like you.
Much has been written on the general nature of trolls, some of it here, but in recent days I've decided that in addition to the 10 points defined by Jim Wright, trolls also come in two distinct varieties.
Type A: The Drive-By Troll. This type of troll can be identified by their drive-by nature. Like the LDSers and Jehovah's Witnesses who insist on knocking on my door in spite of the clearly visible "No Soliciting" sign, they pop into your life, talk some nonsense, and then go away, never to return. These folks, while irritating and usually hateful, don't really give me high blood pressure, as they usually demonstrate the type of self-righteous asshattery that means they won't come back and defend their pet ideas. They simply drop their stupidity in your lap and run away. I can almost visualize them in my mind, cackling maniacally, as they type what they're sure is a blistering comment in response to some knee-jerk topic, all the while missing the scathing rebuttal that is sure to follow. Whatever gets you off, I guess.
Type B: The Black Sheep Troll. I call these folks Black Sheep trolls because they're just like the Black Sheep in some families. They're not contributing members of the community (in this case the on-line community), and they do not appear to have friends that are interested in listening to their ideas or opinions. So they troll the Internet, looking for validation and interaction, and when they find someone's Internet home where they can actually get a response, well, that must mean you want me to stay! So like the deadbeat relative who won't quit coming to dinner, even when they're not invited, they keep hanging around, even when it's made pretty clear that NO ONE LIKES THEM. They just can't understand why their Internet hosts are uninterested in dialogue with them, and they wander from site to related site, hoping for some shred of validation.
Black Sheep are especially prevalent in Bulletin Boards, in my opinion, which is why the only BB I currently participate in is private, and participation is by invitation only.
I find the Black Sheep a bit more irritating than the other variety, mostly because they suck away my Internet life force like some kind of Star Trek creature of the week. If I'm fucking around refuting their whackadoo opinions and asshattery on my site, I don't have the time or the energy to visit the sites of people I respect and admire, not to mention, you know, doing the work for which I'm paid.
I almost feel sorry for this class of whackadoos. Their opinions and commentary apparently aren't interesting or engaging enough to attract an audience of their own - so they attempt to hijack other people's Internet homes in the hope of achieving some level of interaction. Even after being told explicitly to go away, many of them continue to click, click, click away where they're clearly not wanted, evidently waiting for the next opportunity to jump into the fray. They also apparently they think their activities are secret, not being aware that even free traffic monitoring code will pinpoint their activities.
How sad is that? Hanging around web sites where no one cares what they think, where no one wants their opinion, because they can't receive the validation they crave in their own spaces or in other public discussion forums.
Pathetic.
I would almost feel sorry them, if they weren't Internet life force suckers. As it is, I'm tempted to just delete them out of hand once they show me who they are. Sorry, whackadoos - I'm really not interested in letting you stink up my parlor. The smell bothers the dog, and I'm quite sure I like him more than I'll ever like you.
My Shippies
Posted by
Janiece
at
10:48 AM
Three years ago, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Silent Drill Team was invited to compete in an international Tattoo in Norway. They competed against military units from all over NATO, and walked away with the first place prize.
These are my shippies, bitches.
A Nice Surprise
Today's e:mail, instead of bringing more religious ranting from the Christian Taliban, brought a nice note from Rachel Andres, the subject of yesterday's Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History feature.
Rachel writes:
Which is why she's so very ill-behaved.
Thanks, Rachel, and keep up the good work.
Rachel writes:
Hi! Thanks so much for writing this up about the Jewish World Watch’s Solar Cooker Project! I love your site and I appreciate you spreading the word about the project.
Let me know if you want any more information.
Take care!
Rachel
Which is why she's so very ill-behaved.
Thanks, Rachel, and keep up the good work.
Tasty Tuesday (A Day Late and A Dollar Short)
I missed tasty Tuesday yesterday, but today I'm going to share a very interesting recipe that is served by one of our former favorite restaurants, The Chinook Tavern. Sadly, they are now closed, with no reopen date - which means SmartMan is searching for another place that serves authentic Jagerschnitzel.
In any case, this is a dessert they used to serve at the Chinook, and I'll be bringing it to Hot Biker Chick Anne's for dinner tomorrow night.
Rote Gruetze
Serves 6-8
Fruit Mixture:
1/2 pound sour cherries
1/2 pound raspberries
1/2 pound boysenberries (or blackberries)
1/2 pound sweet cherries
4 ounces sugar (or to taste)
4 tablespoons corn starch
1 quart heavy cream
1 vanilla bean (or 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract)
3 ounces sugar
3 egg yolks
In any case, this is a dessert they used to serve at the Chinook, and I'll be bringing it to Hot Biker Chick Anne's for dinner tomorrow night.
Rote Gruetze
Serves 6-8
Fruit Mixture:
1/2 pound sour cherries
1/2 pound raspberries
1/2 pound boysenberries (or blackberries)
1/2 pound sweet cherries
4 ounces sugar (or to taste)
4 tablespoons corn starch
- Place all of the berries into a sauce pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Take a couple tablespoons of the juice out and mix it up with the corn starch
- Mix this back into the berry mixture to thicken it. (Can adjust with more cornstarch if needed).
- Pour into a clean stainless steel container and cool. Place in individual glass bowls.
- Top with some vanilla sauce.
1 quart heavy cream
1 vanilla bean (or 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract)
3 ounces sugar
3 egg yolks
- Mix cream, vanilla and sugar.
- Pour mixture into a sauce pot and heat to 125 degrees.
- Remove about two ounces of the cream from the pan to temper your eggs by pouring a little of the mixture into the eggs, whisking and then pouring that mixture back into the pan.
- Finish cooking and stirring using a wooden spoon. Vanilla sauce is done when it coats the back of the spoon. Pour into a stainless steel bowl and cool.
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History, Volume XIX
Posted by
Janiece
at
9:11 AM
This is Rachel Andres. She's the director of Jewish World Watch's Solar Cooker Project.
The Solar Cooker Project is a charitable organization that brings simple solar cookers to the Darfur refugees.
This is important because in this culture, it is the responsibility of the woman to gather firewood for cooking. When the women leave the camp to complete this chore, they are frequently raped, regardless of their age. But if the men take up the chore, they are killed. The families are then left with an impossible choice - a traumatized (but living) female family member, or a dead male one.
So to help alleviate the risk, the Solar Cooker Project provides cardboard and tin foil solar cookers that will allow families to cook their daily meals without the use of firewood. The women are given the cookers, and trained on how to use them. They can also earn money by assembling the cookers, or by weaving baskets to hold the cooked food.
So how big a difference have these low tech Solar Cookers made? A huge difference. Once a camp has distributed the cookers, trips outside the camp to gather firewood decrease by 86%. That's a lot of risk abatement.
Ms. Andres was recently honored for her contributions by winning The 2008 Charles Bronfman Prize, a Jewish humanitarian award.
Yep. A Jewish woman, winning a Jewish humanitarian award for helping Muslim women to improve their lives and their safety. I'm down with that.
Congratulations, Ms. Andres, and keep fighting the good fight.
H/T to my Hot Mom.
Nooooes!
While walking The Incomparable Boogie™ this morning, I found out that all the Qwest activity in our neighborhood is not due to the deployment of Fiber to the Home.
They're putting in a new cell tower in the utility easement, instead.
Waaah!
February 'Tard of the Month
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:54 AM
February has come and gone, and now it's time to vote on who was the biggest 'tard for February.
Was it Those Crazy Batista Boys, who thought beating up a police officer would end well for them? Or how about Danny Nalliah, whose direct line to GOD has convinced him that Australia's natural disasters are clearly caused by those dirty, dirty abortionists? Don't forget about America Forever, whose idiocy is only surpassed by their bigotry. And last but not least, there's my Colorado Senators, Scott Renfroe and Dave Schultheis, who believe being gay is comparable to being a murderer and that babies of HIV-positive mothers deserve to get AIDS.
It's hard to decide, I know - but we all have difficult decisions to make in this life.
What say you, Hot Chicks and Smart Men?
Was it Those Crazy Batista Boys, who thought beating up a police officer would end well for them? Or how about Danny Nalliah, whose direct line to GOD has convinced him that Australia's natural disasters are clearly caused by those dirty, dirty abortionists? Don't forget about America Forever, whose idiocy is only surpassed by their bigotry. And last but not least, there's my Colorado Senators, Scott Renfroe and Dave Schultheis, who believe being gay is comparable to being a murderer and that babies of HIV-positive mothers deserve to get AIDS.
It's hard to decide, I know - but we all have difficult decisions to make in this life.
What say you, Hot Chicks and Smart Men?
'Tard of the Week - Genine Compton
Posted by
Janiece
at
7:15 AM
You know, some people just should not breed. Especially not repeatedly. The gene pool simply can't recover from the dilution.
Last week, Genine Compton was pulled over by Kettering police because she was driving her car while also breast feeding her daughter and talking on a cell phone.
::blink:blink::
I'm sorry, did that article say that she was breast feeding her baby and talking on a cell phone while DRIVING?
Yes. Yes, it did.
Which is retarded enough, but Ms. Compton has indicated that she will likely do so again, because when her "child is hungry, I'm going to feed it," and that the risks to her baby in case of an accident (such as an airbag deployment) are the same as the risks to her personally. Or as Ms. Compton says, "It's the same difference."
So in addition to needing remedial English classes, Ms. Compton also needs classes in probability and statistics and elementary physics.
Could this woman be any dumber? How can someone be so ignorant of basic safety requirements for transporting children when you actually have some and believe you're all about being a good mother? Seriously, who thinks that breastfeeding your child while driving a car (and talking on a cell phone) carries the same risk to the child as walking down the street?
And she's proud of her utter and complete ignorance, too - clearly he NTSB and the Kettering police don't know any better than her when it comes to transportation safety.
Man, those kids are doomed. Fucking 'tard.
Spin o' the Wheel to Hot Chick Kate.
Last week, Genine Compton was pulled over by Kettering police because she was driving her car while also breast feeding her daughter and talking on a cell phone.
::blink:blink::
I'm sorry, did that article say that she was breast feeding her baby and talking on a cell phone while DRIVING?
Yes. Yes, it did.
Which is retarded enough, but Ms. Compton has indicated that she will likely do so again, because when her "child is hungry, I'm going to feed it," and that the risks to her baby in case of an accident (such as an airbag deployment) are the same as the risks to her personally. Or as Ms. Compton says, "It's the same difference."
So in addition to needing remedial English classes, Ms. Compton also needs classes in probability and statistics and elementary physics.
Could this woman be any dumber? How can someone be so ignorant of basic safety requirements for transporting children when you actually have some and believe you're all about being a good mother? Seriously, who thinks that breastfeeding your child while driving a car (and talking on a cell phone) carries the same risk to the child as walking down the street?
And she's proud of her utter and complete ignorance, too - clearly he NTSB and the Kettering police don't know any better than her when it comes to transportation safety.
Man, those kids are doomed. Fucking 'tard.
Spin o' the Wheel to Hot Chick Kate.
Fuck-Nut Follow-Up
You all know how I loves me my Boogie-Dog. I'm positively soft in the head when it comes to that silly dog, which is why my inaugural edition of What the Fuck is Wrong With These People? was dedicated to dog-fighting.
And it's also why I'm cranky about that utter piece of human crap Michael Vick being released from prison. As far as I'm concerned, he should rot there for eternity for being a complete and irredeemable reprobate. Bastard.
But you know what really pisses me off? That this smug son of a bitch might actually get to return to the NFL and continue his high-paid career. I think he should be forced to pick up dog shit in his local dog park for a living for the rest of his natural life. With his teeth.
NFL? Are you listening?
Do not let this sorry excuse for a contributing member of society back into your game. Because that's all it is - a game. What he did to those poor dogs is criminal.
And it's also why I'm cranky about that utter piece of human crap Michael Vick being released from prison. As far as I'm concerned, he should rot there for eternity for being a complete and irredeemable reprobate. Bastard.
But you know what really pisses me off? That this smug son of a bitch might actually get to return to the NFL and continue his high-paid career. I think he should be forced to pick up dog shit in his local dog park for a living for the rest of his natural life. With his teeth.
NFL? Are you listening?
Do not let this sorry excuse for a contributing member of society back into your game. Because that's all it is - a game. What he did to those poor dogs is criminal.
I Got Nothin.' Nothin' But Speed
Posted by
Janiece
at
9:59 AM
I got nothin' today, y'all. Nothin', nothin', nothin'.
Nothin' other than to say that our local Bell affiliate (Qwest Communications - perhaps you've hung their former CEO in effigy) appears to be laying cable in our neighborhood for their new Fiber Optic Internet Service to the Home offer.
Right now we have a cable modem from our local cable provider, which my company pays for since I work from home.
But once this becomes available, I suspect the SmartMan's need for speed (and employee discount) will mean we'll be switching.
20Mbps. I can live with that.
Nothin' other than to say that our local Bell affiliate (Qwest Communications - perhaps you've hung their former CEO in effigy) appears to be laying cable in our neighborhood for their new Fiber Optic Internet Service to the Home offer.
Right now we have a cable modem from our local cable provider, which my company pays for since I work from home.
But once this becomes available, I suspect the SmartMan's need for speed (and employee discount) will mean we'll be switching.
20Mbps. I can live with that.
Loot! Loot! LOOT for ME! (And SmartMan)
Back from the Verizon store, where SmartMan and I upgraded our phones. Our Razors weren't holding a charge anymore, and we were both interested in getting devices with Qwerty keyboards. Plus we needed to change the plan to take advantage of the SmartMan's employee discount, so now was as good a time as any.
Here's mine:
I'm still dinking around with it, trying to get used to all the bells and whistles.
The SmartMan got this:
He's happy with his purchase, too, since we also got him a data plan so he can access the web from his phone. I didn't think I needed one, since I spend so many of my waking hours at my desk. The last thing I need is more time on-line.
Here's mine:
I'm still dinking around with it, trying to get used to all the bells and whistles.
The SmartMan got this:
He's happy with his purchase, too, since we also got him a data plan so he can access the web from his phone. I didn't think I needed one, since I spend so many of my waking hours at my desk. The last thing I need is more time on-line.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)