Boogie Blogging Friday - After the Rain

Friday, July 31, 2009



Smelling the smells, after the rain. Please feel sorry for Boogie, who apparently has a doggie-mom who cannot focus her "point and shoot" camera.

"Beware the Spinal Trap"

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

You all know I'm a fan-girl of science and the Constitution. So when the BCA sued Simon Singh for saying that chiropractic is "bogus," I was all over the bandwagon to support his free speech (yes, I know he's English. Yes, I know "free speech" and "libel" are looked at differently in England than they are here. But I believe that truth should always be an acceptable defense).

So in that spirit, I'm joining blogs all over the Internet in reposting Simon's article that started the hullaballoo. The article below has been cleaned up by lawyers to prevent the BCA from suing a shitload of other bloggers (unlikely, but I've been threatened with lawsuits over less). However, Orac has helpfully posted the entire article and bolded the sentences that were removed by the lawyers.

Stay strong, my brother.

Beware the Spinal Trap

Some practitioners claim it is a cure-all, but the research suggests chiropractic therapy has mixed results – and can even be lethal, says Simon Singh.

You might be surprised to know that the founder of chiropractic therapy, Daniel David Palmer, wrote that “99% of all diseases are caused by displaced vertebrae”. In the 1860s, Palmer began to develop his theory that the spine was involved in almost every illness because the spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body. Therefore any misalignment could cause a problem in distant parts of the body.

In fact, Palmer’s first chiropractic intervention supposedly cured a man who had been profoundly deaf for 17 years. His second treatment was equally strange, because he claimed that he treated a patient with heart trouble by correcting a displaced vertebra.

You might think that modern chiropractors restrict themselves to treating back problems, but in fact some still possess quite wacky ideas. The fundamentalists argue that they can cure anything, including helping treat children with colic, sleeping and feeding problems, frequent ear infections, asthma and prolonged crying – even though there is not a jot of evidence.

I can confidently label these assertions as utter nonsense because I have co-authored a book about alternative medicine with the world’s first professor of complementary medicine, Edzard Ernst. He learned chiropractic techniques himself and used them as a doctor. This is when he began to see the need for some critical evaluation. Among other projects, he examined the evidence from 70 trials exploring the benefits of chiropractic therapy in conditions unrelated to the back. He found no evidence to suggest that chiropractors could treat any such conditions.

But what about chiropractic in the context of treating back problems? Manipulating the spine can cure some problems, but results are mixed. To be fair, conventional approaches, such as physiotherapy, also struggle to treat back problems with any consistency. Nevertheless, conventional therapy is still preferable because of the serious dangers associated with chiropractic.

In 2001, a systematic review of five studies revealed that roughly half of all chiropractic patients experience temporary adverse effects, such as pain, numbness, stiffness, dizziness and headaches. These are relatively minor effects, but the frequency is very high, and this has to be weighed against the limited benefit offered by chiropractors.

More worryingly, the hallmark technique of the chiropractor, known as high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust, carries much more significant risks. This involves pushing joints beyond their natural range of motion by applying a short, sharp force. Although this is a safe procedure for most patients, others can suffer dislocations and fractures.

Worse still, manipulation of the neck can damage the vertebral arteries, which supply blood to the brain. So-called vertebral dissection can ultimately cut off the blood supply, which in turn can lead to a stroke and even death. Because there is usually a delay between the vertebral dissection and the blockage of blood to the brain, the link between chiropractic and strokes went unnoticed for many years. Recently, however, it has been possible to identify cases where spinal manipulation has certainly been the cause of vertebral dissection.

Laurie Mathiason was a 20-year-old Canadian waitress who visited a chiropractor 21 times between 1997 and 1998 to relieve her low-back pain. On her penultimate visit she complained of stiffness in her neck. That evening she began dropping plates at the restaurant, so she returned to the chiropractor. As the chiropractor manipulated her neck, Mathiason began to cry, her eyes started to roll, she foamed at the mouth and her body began to convulse. She was rushed to hospital, slipped into a coma and died three days later. At the inquest, the coroner declared: “Laurie died of a ruptured vertebral artery, which occurred in association with a chiropractic manipulation of the neck.”

This case is not unique. In Canada alone there have been several other women who have died after receiving chiropractic therapy, and Edzard Ernst has identified about 700 cases of serious complications among the medical literature. This should be a major concern for health officials, particularly as under-reporting will mean that the actual number of cases is much higher.

If spinal manipulation were a drug with such serious adverse effects and so little demonstrable benefit, then it would almost certainly have been taken off the market.

Simon Singh is a science writer in London and the co-author, with Edzard Ernst, of Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial. This is an edited version of an article published in The Guardian for which Singh is being personally sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association.


H/T to Skepchick for passing the torch.

Sad Janiece is Sad

Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Trollopalooza is over, and I am now left with the detritus of a fine trollopy weekend that included spa-time, a national park, alcohol, delicious food and better company.

I took Michelle, Michael, Jeri and Anne's friend Jen to the airport this afternoon. Now I'm cleaning up and putting the Smart Man's music room back together, since it doubles as a second guest room in a pinch.

I already miss you guys. Would you consider moving to the greater Denver-Metro area as a favor to me? Just askin'...

Trollopalooza, Part IV - Caption That Photo

Monday, July 27, 2009

What?

Trollopalooza, Part IV - Garden of the Gods

Pikes Peak from a Garden of the Gods Trail.

I prepare to sacrifice my Minion to the Gods, while Acolyte Jeri looks on prayerfully.

The sun through a rock formation.

And finally, our experiences at the Garden of the Gods inspired us to visit someplace special. Someplace that made us think of certain other members of the UCF.


So Jeri, Michelle and I are SAVED. SAVED, I TELL YOU!

Except it wore off on the way to lunch...

Trollopalooza, Part III

Yesterday was spa and Hickory House BBQ (Best BBQ in Colorado!).

The spa was divine, in spite of a packed schedule for the providers - one of the nail technicians was diagnosed with a staph infection and wasn't allowed contact with the public. We gratefully took the compressed schedule sans staph girl rather than a round of Cipro for everyone. Michelle had her first pedicure, and let me announce to the world that she has really cute feet and nice legs (from all that walking). She should wear shorts and sandals more often, although I think I've given up on tarting her up. Michelle's not really the "tart" type, more's the pity.

The food was good at the restaurant - they have onion rings that are out of this world. Our table when through two orders of the "mother lode" size. Restraint really isn't our forte, is it?

Today is a visit to The Garden of the Gods this morning while The Incomparable Anne has to work (boo!). This afternoon Michelle will be making home-made Oreos (with lots of help from the peanut gallery), and home-made pizza for dinner. In fact, I think I hear her upstairs preparing the dough. That's right, Hot Chicks and Smart Men - you come to my house to visit, and you get to cook for me. Yes, I realize that's kind of wrong, but she insisted, and she's a stubborn non-tart. Plus...home-made Oreos. Like I'm going to say "no" to that.

Hmm....Oreos.

Trollopalooza, Part II

Sunday, July 26, 2009
Last night we ate at the Smart Man's and my favorite restaurant here in Parker, Junz. They're a Japanese/French fusion place that also has a pretty amazing sushi bar. I'm not a big fan of sushi myself, but the Smart Man, Jeri and Anne enjoyed it, while me, Michelle, Michael and the Smart Boy ordered off the cooked menu. Behold the Sushi!


And behold the best rice risotto ON THE PLANET.


The Trollops await their bounty!


The Trollops ENJOY their bounty! (And their martinis!)


We wish the rest of you were here, although having more than four UCFers in the same building might be illegal...

Today is our Spa Day, while the Smart Man and the Fabulous Michael amuse themselves here at the Big Yellow House. Tonight: Hickory House Ribs, the best BBQ in Colorado!

Trollopalooza, Part I

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Here we are at the airport with our all-important "Drunken Trollop" signs. We carry these so that we might recognize one another among the seething masses.

Here we are texting the rest of the UCF, complete with alliteration. Then we went shoe shopping. What?

Off to the Airport

Anne and I are off to the airport this morning! Squee!

2009 UCF Trollopalooza II*

Friday, July 24, 2009
This weekend I will be participating in the 2009 UCF Trollopalooza II, this time taking place in the Rocky Mountain Region. You'll recall that 2009 UCF Trollopalooza I took place in June, and included me, The Incomparable Anne and Ordinary Goddess Carol Elaine, with frequent commenter The Mechanicky Gal acting as the hostess with the mostest.

Trollopalooza II will include me, The Incomparable Anne, Random Michelle (who is bringing the Fabulous Michael with her), and Smug Chick Jeri. Jeri will be staying here at the Big Yellow House, and Michael and Michelle will be staying with Anne at the Little Yellow House.

We will of course being blogging exciting events as they unfold - we wouldn't want the rest of the UCF to feel we were keeping secrets. Because we're not. Unless telling those secrets would result in law enforcement professionals needing to speak to us. Then we'll have to adopt a "what happens at Trollopalooza, stays at Trollopalooza" type attitude. I'm sure you understand.

Squee!


*"Trollopalooza" is defined as any event where three UCF Trollops are in the same meat space. As opposed to two Trollops, which can be defined as a "visit." I suspect that four Trollops must be defined as either WorldCon or an opportunity to get arrested with extreme prejudice.

Boogie Blogging Friday


The neighbors are getting their roof replaced this week. Boogie is Not Amused.

Because Nathan is Made of WIN

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Another Addition to my Celebrity Seraglio - Dara O’Briain



Surely you don't need me to explain why.


H/T to Skepchick.

Loot! Loot! LOOT for ME!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Today's mail brought not only a new Spock's Beard CD from Amazon, but my new necklace from Surly-Ramics!

I selected the "Ode to Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life" in cracked gray, pictured at right. Amy's the new Skepchick, and her pieces are interesting and thoughtful, and very affordable.

Squee!

I <3 Jimmy Carter

I've long been an admirer of former President Jimmy Carter. While I think he was singularly ineffective as the leader of the free world, I believe him to be the best former president we've ever had.

He's had a few missteps, but his reputation as a man of impeccable integrity, intelligence and generosity has led to his participation in events that have changed the course of communities and nations. He's made a real difference to many, many people, and stands in my mind as one of the true moral leaders of our country.

He's also a member of a group called The Elders. The brainchild of Nelson Mandela, their ranks include Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Brundtland, Fernando H. Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Garca Machel, Mary Robinson, Desmond Tutu and Muhammad Yunus. Their mission:
The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity.
As part of their mission, The Elders have recently called for an end to discrimination against women on the basis of religion. As part of that call to action, Jimmy Carter wrote an article for The Guardian. In it, he severed his ties with the Southern Baptist Convention because his continued support of the organization would indicate an approval of gender discrimination on the basis of religion.

To me, this is simply stunning. Jimmy Carter is a man of profound faith, one who has spent his entire life self-identifying as an obedient Christian. Yet here he is, severing his relationship with the earthly organization he's identified with for 60 years because he feels their interpretation of the scripture is immoral.

I know there are many feminists out there who view Mr. Carter's announcement with rolled eyes and a proclamation of "duh!" The revelation that religion oppresses women is not new, they say - you're only just now coming to this conclusion?

To them I say - quit being bitchy, because it's preventing you from getting the point.

This man has spent his entire life in service - to his God, to his country, to his fellow man. During that time, he has seen the fall of Jim Crow, the spread of Democracy, the evolution of human rights. He's contributed to those events in a positive way, and now, in the last part of his life, he's discovered something new - that religion doesn't have to be a yoke around your neck, forcing you to passively condone immoral policies on the basis of some institution's interpretation of the Bible. He's learned you can retain your faith and your integrity, and he's not afraid to publicly share his new learning with the world in a way that may lead to change.

Jimmy Carter is demonstrating leadership. He's proving that individuals don't have to be "products of their generation," they can learn, and grow, and recognize that part of being a well-rounded and moral individual is examining your assumptions and your values for hypocrisy. He's hitting this ideal out of the park, and gives me something to aspire to.

Thank you, Mr. Carter.

Oh! Oh! Oh! It's Finally Here!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
That's right, folks - it's finally here.

My Galileoscope, delivered today via Fedex. I bought one for the Smart Man and I, one to donate through the the IYA2009 Donation Program, and one more, whose purpose shall be revealed in due time. Bwahaha.

These are nifty little devices, only $15.00, and sport a 50-mm (2-inch) diameter, and a 25- to 50-power achromatic refractor. They were sponsored by a variety of corporate contributors and government sponsored agencies, and their manufacture is a cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy.

You can still order them either for yourself, as gifts or to donate.

I feel like a kid...

Tasty Tuesday - Banana Nut Butter

I've got nothing today, y'all. NOTHING.* My empty brain, let me show you it.

So here's the recipe for what I made on Saturday - Banana Nut Butter. I use a food processor on the bananas to ensure an even texture, since the pectin stiffens the bananas to the correct firmness after processing. This recipe will work with either the water bath or inverted jar method of sealing, and I usually let the rolling boil continue for about 1.5 minutes before pouring the butter into the jars.

Enjoy!

Banana Nut Butter

3 Cups Mashed Bananas (about 9)
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 1/4 Cup Toasted Walnuts (pulverized in food processor or chopped to desired size)
1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
4 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Box Sure-Jell Pectin

Yield: 7 Cups



*Except an unrequited crush on Matt Taibbi, that is, and hearing about my imaginary celebrity Seraglio is old news.

'Tard of the Week - FoxNews.com and CNET News

Monday, July 20, 2009
When Power Cyclone Technologies and Robotic Technology Inc. announced that they had created a robot that was powered through a biomass engine system, they thought they had achieved a real milestone for their DARPA funded project. After all, they are on the road to creating "an autonomous robotic platform able to perform long-range, long-endurance missions without the need for manual or conventional re-fueling."

Until Fox News and CNET News got a hold of it, that is.

According to them, the biomass fueled robot is refueled by...wait for it...human bodies. Because nothing says compliance with the Geneva Convention like desecrating the dead and using their parts as fuel for your autonomous Zombie robot.*

The story finally prompted the creators to issue a press release claiming the robot is fueled only with vegetable matter.

Ah, Real Journalism, how I mourn your death and yearn for the days when you had value.


*I, for one, welcome our new Autonomous Zombie Robot Overlords.

_________

Corrected 7/20/2009 at 3:05 p.m.. Turns out FastCompany.com was not part of the Zombie Robot Brigade, and in fact called out FoxNews.com on their sensationalism. My apologies to FastCompany. I took the Wired story at face value. That'll learn me.

Birthday Goodies

Sunday, July 19, 2009
As I mentioned yesterday, my Amazon account runneth over from my birthday, and The Smart Man gave me my gift some time ago. What more could a Hot Chick want?

How about an afternoon with a personal shopper, along with some money to spend once I reach my goal weight? I had mentioned to the Incomparable Anne that my sense of style is somewhat retarded by years of wearing uniforms, years of being an exactly average-sized American woman, and years of wearing my jammies and bunny slippers to work each day. So she and the rest of the UCF got together and paid for a half day shopping experience with Stacey, the proprietress of G2 Solutions.

Squee!

And if that wasn't enough, I received an 8 1/2 x 11 "card" from the UCF. It's more like a book, really, including photos, signatures, stories, and cartoons. The well-wishes were spelled out on Farmtown plots, in semaphore, in poem form. And there's a whole section from the mysterious "Evan," who couldn't really write his own well-wishes due to an accident that left him somewhat incapacitated.

Thanks, you guys. You are the BEST!

Celebrate!

Saturday, July 18, 2009
I'll be celebrating the anniversary of my 35th birthday today. The Smart Man, the Incomparable Anne™ and I will be going to the Bonefish Grill for dinner this evening, and my Amazon account runneth over with gift certificates. Hmm...reading.

On the day that I celebrate my entrance into this world, I want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for the people that make my life so fulfilling and worthwhile.

The Smart Man, who makes me laugh.

The Smart Twins, who continue to grow into fine, caring adults.

My birth family, who (as my Hot Sister says), installed all my buttons, and then take pleasure in pushing them. My life is richer for their support and love.

My extended family, who make me happy that I'm not a member of a small, reserved, boring type of family.

My friends, both meat and virtual, who always, always have my back.

Happy birthday to me. I love my life!

So Long, Walter Cronkite

Friday, July 17, 2009

You set a standard that few have met. Thank you for your service - a life truly well-lived.

Boogie Blogging Friday


Surveying his domain.

Happy Anniversary, Apollo 11

Thursday, July 16, 2009

You inspired us.

You defined us.

You showed us what we could do.

You made us understand that our limits are self-imposed.

To the scientists, engineers, technicians and astronauts whose work allowed our race to step foot on another world: Thank you. You humble me. You make me proud.

'Tard of the Week - Major Stefan Frederick Cook, USA

Wednesday, July 15, 2009
You know, I've spent more than half my adult life in service to this country. During that time, I've had to do some things I didn't like, and I've had to serve under some people I didn't respect. That's the nature of the commitment - you don't solemnly swear to protect the Constitution of the United States unless the American people elect a Commander in Chief you think is a big putz. Otherwise, there would have been a massive defection from 2000 to 2008.

Which brings me to U.S. Army Major Stefan Frederick Cook, this week's 'tard.

Major Cook, an active reservist, received orders on June 9th mobilizing him to active duty. He's supposed to report today to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and subsequently shipped to Afghanistan. He doesn't want to go, so he and his attorney have filed a motion in Federal court to excuse him from his duty on the basis that President Barack Obama isn't a natural born citizen of the United States, is thus ineligible for the Presidency, and can't tell him what to do.

Really, Major Cook? Really? President Obama has been in office for six months, and you decide to wait until you're deployed to a combat zone to address the legality of his election? Really? I'm sorry, do you think you could be more obvious in your attempts to wiggle out of your duty? Perhaps by claiming status as a "conscientious objector?" Oh, that's right. You're claiming that, too. If I understand the filings correctly, you're making this claim based purely on the basis of the President's "illegal status" because by following his orders, you'll become a "war criminal."

As opposed to all those folks who followed our last legal president, George W. Bush, whose dedication to the law is so LEGENDARY.

Now, I know nothing about Major Cook's service record. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he is a stupid, sniveling pussy. Abandoning the oath on a manufactured pretext in order to get out of the duty you volunteered for is completely dishonorable and beneath contempt.

Way to represent the Army, there Major Cook. No wonder the rest of the services consider you guys the bottom of the barrel.

I Have Questions - Burning Questions

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Am I the only one who thinks Garth Brooks' song Standing Outside the Fire is one of the best songs ever written? And why exactly is that? The lyrics are a bit banal, the hook is predictable, but still - LOVE THIS SONG.

How come eating healthy foods is so fucking difficult? You'd think eating whole foods wouldn't require a strategy that rivals D-Day planning. But even finding foods that don't require a chemistry degree to interpret is challenging in urban environments. I know, I know - the answers to these types of questions is almost always "money." That doesn't make it right.

Why are people so shocked and surprised when it's revealed that health care insurance companies are amoral, profit driven and completely uninterested in serving mankind? This is not news, people. These folks are not interested in how your family member will die without a procedure recommended by their doctor - they're interested in how denying that procedure will increase their profit margin. The right can wax philosophic all they want about how nationalized health care will put health care decisions in the hands of "government bureaucrats." The real answer is that those decisions are already in the hands of bureaucrats, they just don't happen to report to the government. Health care for profit is really kind of immoral, you know?

Why are we still talking about the death of Michael Jackson? Yes, yes, talented guy and all that. But how come his memorial was a three ring circus when we barely noticed when "Shifty" Powers passed? I realize the answer to that question is probably "because we're fucked up," but it still saddens me.

I guess I'm just a sentimental sap, but the song Down'easter Alexis chokes me up. I'm glad Billy Joel's midlife crisis hit after he hit this one out of the park. I realize there's no question there - I just really like that song.

On the Nature of Accountability

Monday, July 13, 2009
The cover story for this week's Newsweek is an article about U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

The reporter details the precarious tightrope A.G's have to walk, between loyalty to the President that appoints them and the law. Some A.G's are good at this, but most are not (think Alberto Gonzalez).

The verdict on Mr. Holder is still out, of course, and the event that precipitated the discussion in the first place may turn out to define his term. I'm speaking, of course, of the decision to investigate the enhanced interrogation techniques used during the Bush administration's Global War on Terror. Although the President has indicated that he would prefer to leave the past where it is and look towards the future, the fact of the matter is that the decision isn't his to make - it's the Attorney General's. Mr. Holder has been exploring his options in this arena for some time, and he may end up appointing a special investigator* to look into it.

I have no idea what Mr. Holder will decide, but I'm of two minds on this topic. On the one hand, such an investigation will surely lead to partisan back-biting and recrimination. While this is par for the course for American politics, now is the not the time to distract our so-called lawmakers from serious issues that require their immediate attention (*cough*health care reform*cough*). I am so not interested in all torture, all the time coverage from news outlets, and the mere thought of hearing (even peripherally) Pat or Rush talk about such an investigation makes me want to take out my own eye with a fork. We have issues and problems that MUST be addressed during Obama's first term, and I suspect an investigation would derail those issues.

And yet...

Accountability matters. It matters a lot. No one is above the law, most especially those whose power is so vast compared to those whom they control.

Allowing Bush's insane clown posse to essentially do whatever the hell they want with no repercussions, accountability or consequences simply isn't an acceptable outcome to me. There's not much doubt in my mind that Bush, along with Cheney, Ashcroft, Rumsfield and the rest of the cronies knew exactly what was happening in those CIA interrogations, and in fact approved heartily of such tactics. Such moral bankruptcy must be addressed if we are to remain a nation of laws. All must be accountable, regardless of their position, how much money they have, or what their former position was.

However, I'm not interested in a pro forma investigation. Performing an investigation and "finding" that the CIA operatives were bad, bad boys and should be punished would be a big heaping pile of poo. I'm not interested in another Abu Ghraib type investigation, where some E-Nothing who's been in the service for 10 minutes is court martialed for their bad behavior and the folks who are actually responsible for such poor order and discipline, not to mention the policies behind it, slither away without even a slap on the wrist. No, if the operatives were acting in good faith, i.e., they had a reasonable assumption that their activities were condoned (even ordered) by their superiors, they should not be prosecuted. Please note that I'm not saying such individuals aren't morally bankrupt in their own right - I'm saying that the buck doesn't stop with them.

No, the folks who ordered such atrocities should be the ones held accountable for their war crimes (no, I don't think that's too strong a word). I don't care how far up it goes, and who the responsible parties are.

And yet...health care needs to be addressed now, not brushed under the carpet again due to a partisan distraction.

I don't envy Eric Holder. Not one little bit.


*May I recommend a certain Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald?

The Hangover...and Jam

Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Smart Man and I will be going to see The Hangover this morning. It's gotten pretty good reviews, and I've heard both men and women have enjoyed it, so we're going to give it a go.

And even though I love movie theater nachos, I will not be partaking - I'm quite sure the 1,100 calories and 59 grams of fat (!) are not in keeping with my Weight Watchers plan for this week.

Other than that, I'll be putting up a batch of strawberry jam this afternoon. My entire stock of jams went up to my Gram's assisted living facility on Friday, and I need to restock.

Have a good Sunday Hot Chicks and Smart Men!

Not the Best Week

Saturday, July 11, 2009
I had my Weight Watchers meeting this morning, where the Evil Scale of Doom revealed that I had gained .4 pounds this week.

Usually I can schedule things so that I only have to deal with high calorie events once a week. This week, however, I had the Smart Man's birthday, my trip to Phoenix and my monthly family get-together.

So this result, while disappointing, isn't exactly a surprise.

One of the reasons I chose to use Weight Watchers as my weight control mechanism this time is that I understand I need to fundamentally change my relationship with food. In the past, I've never really had trouble losing weight once I made the decision to do so - my trouble has always been maintaining a healthy weight. I understand that yo-yo dieting is not good for my health, and quite frankly, I'm getting tired of thinking about it. I'm tired of wondering if a suit, dress or pair of jeans will fit from week to week. I'm tired of wondering what my weight is doing to my joints and cardiovascular health. It's boring, and I want to spend my time and energy on things that don't make me sick of being around myself, so to speak.

So I chose Weight Watchers, and I chose to actually attend meetings and develop a relationship with my Weight Watchers leader in an effort to change the way I think of and look at food. (Ironically, I met my leader for the first time today, because she's been on vacation since I joined the program.) I'm hoping the accountability of going to meetings, weighing in and providing status reports here on my sidebar will help me make a fundamental shift in my attitude about food.

Part of that attitude change needs to include the fact that food is a crucial aspect of my life. In my family and circle of friends, food has always been a focal point in terms of our social life and celebrations. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but I need to learn to enjoy the social and celebratory aspects of food without losing my mind and eating a bunch of crap that doesn't lead to a healthy weight.

I also need to accept the idea that I occasionally will have setbacks in my journey towards achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. It doesn't make me a bad person, but it does mean I need to make sure I redouble my efforts to manage my plan in a way that allows me to enjoy a high calorie event without losing any progress.

So I'm trying to look at today's small setback in a healthy way. I'll be back on track for next week's weigh-in, and I'm still ahead of pace to achieve my goal of losing 60 pounds in one year.

Of course, I still have to manage my own birthday next week, as well as a UCF meat-up at the end of the month. Progress not perfection, right?

Boogie Blogging Friday

Friday, July 10, 2009


Here is the Incomparable Boogie™ enjoying his daily rawhide bone in the basement.

He's kind of a cranky dog today, as the roofers are here replacing our hail-ravaged shingles, and he finds the noise bothersome. Not even begging strawberries from his soft, soft Grandma has settled his nerves, but the entire job is taking less than 6 hours, so he really doesn't have much to bitch about.

Boogie, however, does not agree. I've been getting the hairy eyeball since they arrived, and I expect it will continue until his peace and quiet is restored.

Jesus Was the First Zombie, You Know

He was. Just ask my buddy Jim over at Stonekettle Station.

Just don't try to drink anything while you're reading.

Loot! Loot! LOOT for ME! (And SmartMan)

Thursday, July 9, 2009
Turns out the Incomparable Anne has an equally Incomparable Cousin named Susan, whom I've met on a couple of occasions over at Anne's.

Aside from being an all-around nice gal, Susan also owns an establishment called The Black Cup Coffee Roaster, where they roast their own blends.

Susan very kindly sent the Smart Man and I a bag of "Uganda Bugisu AA, a wonderful African coffee. Thick and syrupy with hints of figs and dried apple."

We will now pause so you can turn green with envy. GREEN, I say.*

I can't wait to try it. I'm sure it will spoil my Navy blunted taste in coffee forevermore. Thanks, Susan!


*You can purchase your very own The Black Cup Coffee Roaster coffee by following the link. So you really don't have to be envious unless you enjoy that sort of thing.

This Just In - Phoenix is HOT

Phoenix is hot in July. Please send my "Captain Obvious" certificate to the e:mail address at right.

I left for the airport yesterday morning at 5:00 a.m., and I got home yesterday evening at about 9:45 p.m.. Why, yes, I was quite tired, thank you for asking.

My meeting went reasonably well given the circumstances, but in keeping with my policy of keeping my business life out of my personal blog, that's all I'm going to say about that.

One thing I am going to talk about is the topic of women's shoes.

When I was getting dressed yesterday morning, I initially put on the 3 inch heels that matched the suit I had selected. After about 2 minutes in those, I made a command decision to put the pumps in my backpack and wear my Danskos for the trip.



I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY WITH A DECISION IN MY LIFE.

By the time I got home, my feet were a bit swollen, and just imagining wearing those pumps for eighteen hours made me want to cry, although that might have been exhaustion. The three hours I did actually wear them was more than sufficient, thank you very much.

I really like high heels, actually. I like the way they look, I like the way they extend the line of my leg, and if I'm wearing a skirt, I like the way they make my legs look. But for traveling? I'm sticking my high heels in my backpack and going with the frump shoes from now on. And there's a bonus - they're perfect for airport security.

Thanks, Dansko.

Off to Phoenix

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Yes, I'm actually leaving my house and wearing something other than shorts and flip-flops to work. Shut up, it does happen.

I'm off to Phoenix this morning for a business day trip. I'm leaving at oh-dark-thirty, and won't be returning until later this evening, so it's going to be a long, long day.* It's a good thing, though, as I'm doing the work for which I'm paid, and it may lead to better opportunities. Go, me.


*I'll be leaving the 95 lb Boogie-Dog on duty, though, so don't even think about paying an unscheduled visit to the Yellow House. He's not necessarily friendly to strangers, which means he should be just delighted when the roofers arrive to load the new shingles on the roof.

What the Fuck is Wrong With These People? - Margery Tannenbaum

Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Margery Tannenbaum is a Long Island social worker. When her young daughter had an argument with a classmate, Ms. Tannenbaum is alleged to have decided she knew just the thing to fix that girl's wagon - she placed a personal ad on Craigslist with contact information for the 9 year old, publishing the line, "I need a little affection... I'm blond, I'm cute and I'll be waiting."

Christ on a crutch. Who does this?

While I know from personal experience that girls can be mean as hell, that doesn't excuse this kind of bullshit. What kind of person places a sexually suggestive ad for a 9 year old, regardless of their behavior? A disturbed douche bag, that's who.

What the fuck is wrong with these people?

Adventures in Parenting

Monday, July 6, 2009
The Smart Boy is technically an adult. He's had his 18th birthday and he's graduated from High School. But he still lives here at the Yellow House, and he's still a full time student, and thus covered under my benefit plan. We split some of his expenses (like car insurance and vehicle maintenance), I pay for some by myself (health care) and he pays for some by himself (gasoline and cell phone). He doesn't have a curfew, although he is required to let me know if he's not going to be home for dinner (or home at all). He's digging his new-found freedom, and has basically been adhering to our agreement regarding adult children who still live at home due to full time student status.

And yet, when his vehicle wouldn't start yesterday while he was working, his first call was to me, with the expectation that I get a tow truck out there so we could "take care of it right away." In this case, I think "we" can safely be assumed to mean "Mom."

Um, not so much.

I explained that I would not be paying for a premium tow on a Sunday when the soonest a mechanic could look at it was this morning. I'd make sure he got to and from work so he wouldn't lose his job, but his social life was not my concern, and I was not going to drop my Sunday plans so I could spend yet more money his second Hooptie car.*

I think he was actually shocked.

What both of us are learning is that having your mommy swoop in to solve your problems is not typically a characteristic of young adulthood, even if you do still live at home and go to school. I don't know how he's adjusting to this new fact of life, but I can say that it's a bit strange for me. I'm so used to "fixing" things, not only for my kids but in every aspect of my life, that learning to wait and see how he's going to fix things is hard for me. I know it's the right thing to do - I want him to be a self-sufficient, contributing member of society, and this is the way to achieve that goal. I know this. Yet I'm in the habit of putting on my Mom Cape and saving the day. It's my first impulse, even though I know I'm not doing him any favors by doing so.

So both of us are learning this lesson, and it's hard. The latest? He's managed to infect his PC yet again, and neither the Smart Man nor I are taking any action. We've told him there's something going on with it, and that he needs to investigate. Then we disconnected it from the network, and we'll wait to see what he does. I'm itching to see what's going on, but I will resist. Because my duty to him as my child is to let him learn how to be an adult in an environment that is safe, not to protect him from all of life's unpleasantness.


*The Hooptie ended up starting at the end of his work day, but was 4 quarts low on oil. Yes, we had explained that older cars go through oil more quickly. No, he had not been checking his oil. Yes, we explained that if the engine seizes up due to his negligence, he'll be walking. Sometimes that boy stands on my last damn nerve.

2009 Flower Pr0n, Part VIII

Sunday, July 5, 2009
These are the only flowers that are left after the hailstorms of the last month. The rose was protected by the house, and the blue flowers were protected by the fence.

I guess I'm going to have to find something else to blog about on Sundays...


Happy Birthday

Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Birthday, America.

Today you're 233 years old, based on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

I've only been a part of your existence for 43 years. Seventeen of those years were spent in your service, and I was proud to do it, happy to do it. Because I think the ideas you stand for, and the ideal you strive for, is worth defending, including and up to the sacrifice of my life if required.

Here lately it seems like you've been getting a few black eyes. Your elected leaders have lied, they've behaved in an immoral and stupid fashion. They've betrayed the ideals you've come to represent.

This certainly isn't the first time your leaders have disgraced your ideals. Hopefully this time, like in the past, subsequent generations will see the folly of their forebears and work to do better, and commit to living up to your promise.

It's the very least we can do.

Happy Birthday, America - many happy returns of the day.

Boogie Blogging Friday

Friday, July 3, 2009
Here's the Incomparable Boogie™, watching the Smart Man mow the lawn through the basement door.

Boogie has a love/hate relationship with the lawn mower. On the one hand, if it's out, then the Smart Man will be outside! That's exciting! On the other, it makes a big, growly, mechanical noise not unlike the airplane he flew on to join our family. That places it firmly in The Big Scary territory.

So he'll watch out the window, whining periodically at his conundrum.

He really is a simple creature.

Perpetuum Jazzile and The Real Group

Thursday, July 2, 2009
For those of you who are a fan of choral music, take a moment to view this video. It's a Slovenian Jazz Choir called Perpetuum Jazzile and The Real Group performing Toto's "Africa" a Capella.



And for those of you who think Steve Lukather should never be covered, here's the original video:



H/T to my Hot Mom.

June 'Tard of the Month

Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Many enter, but only one leaves.

It's time for the June 'Tard of the Month voting, and this month's contestants include Pat Buchanan, whose sense of entitlement is excelled only by his dumbassery; Elaine Martha Valasquez, whose child flew out of her car when she was busy behaving like trailer trash; Willie Brooks, who thinks that gasoline is a fabulous accelerant for a family BBQ; and sneaking in just under the wire, Sally Kerns, whose bigotry and hypocrisy set a new standard for Republican windbags everywhere.

What say you, Hot Chicks and Smart Men?