aka Mr. Mom day "something-or-other"
What a day! It was raining a bit this morning just as we were supposed to be heading for soccer, and with the kids still snuffling and coughing a bit we decided to pass. I asked Weston repeatedly if he was sure, but he kept saying he'd rather rest.
Ever do this? Meet up at a book store and just start playing a reading each other books? Another reason why little kids rock.
I got an email today from a friend referencing a block from Eugene Kane, a columnist for the Journal Sentinel. Sometimes he's polarizing, sometimes he's insightful, overall I find him a really interesting read. He opened a discussion about a blog called Stuff White People Like, and and wanted people to respond whether or not they found this blog offensive.
Here's Elly and a few of her friends stuffing their birthday bears.
An old friend texted me tonight while watching MSNBC coverage of the Wisconsin primary declaring my celebrity twin as Kelly O'Donnell, a reporter for NBC and MSNBC. I had never even heard of her so of course I had to look her up. I'm pretty generic: round face, brown eyes and brown hair, but apparently generic isn't unsuccessful. I've also gotten Mariah Carey, Rachel Ray and even...once upon a time, Alyssa Milano. I like that I get lumped in with some hot Italians (albeit rather annoying) despite my incredibly German/Native American background. I'd have to say, our brunnette lineup (despite Mariah's bleaching and the aforementioned annoying personalities) isn't so bad...
Scott Lilly of the Center for American Progress, who spent years on the Appropriations staff, agrees. He is directing journalists to a report the Congressional Research Service released two days before Bush’s address. It’s called “Earmarks in Appropriations Acts: FY 1994 . . . FY 2005″, and it documents Bush’s indifference to the earmarked items tacked onto bills by individual legislators.
• The VA, HUD, and other agencies’ appropriations bills included 469 individual earmarks in 2000. The number had gone up to 2,080 by 2005.
• Defense Department earmarks increased from 997 in 2000 to 2,506 in 2005.
• Labor, Health and Human Services and Education earmarks soared from 491 in 2000 to 3,014 in 2005.
• At Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary, earmarks went from 361 in 2000 to 1,722 in 2005.
In my newsreader today I rolled across a hilarious article: Shark Attack Deaths Hit 20-Year Low from WebMD.com. Sure there's some scientific facts about the research and whatnot, but look at their list of ways to prevent shark attacks:
• Stay in groups.
• Stay close to shore.
• Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours, when sharks are most active.
• Don't go into the water if you're bleeding or menstruating.
• Don't wear shiny jewelry in the water. The reflected light resembles the sheen of fish scales.
• Use extra caution in murky waters and avoid uneven tanning and bright-colored clothing. Sharks see contrast particularly well.
• Refrain from excess splashing and don't allow pets in the water.
• Be careful in areas between sandbars or near steep drop-offs in the shore's floor. Those are favorite shark hangouts.
• Don't get in the water if sharks are known to be present.
• Get out of the water if sharks are seen there.
• Don't harass a shark if you see one.
As someone about to spend a lot of time in the ocean, this article is HILARIOUS. I totally plan on harassing the sharks I see!
I support gay rights. I'm all about the nontraditional families and civil unions and whatnot. Doesn't mean I'm batting for the other team. In fact, I really like dudes. However, just as I've always suspected, my sister finally busted out what I've been anticipating for a while during one of her, "You need to meet someone!" speeches. The conversation went like this:
My sister: are you avoiding guys?
Me: well I'm going on vacation with one...so clearly no, I'm not avoiding guys
My sister: no, i mean are you purposely avoiding dating guys?
My sister: i guess i mean as a lifestyle
My sister: maybe playing for the other team?
Me: hahaha, no
My sister: it's ok
Me: LOL
Me: oh my god I'm laughing so hard right now, no I am not attracted to women
My sister: just wondering if maybe that's why you're putting up such a strong resistance
My sister: you have a million excuses
My sister: and that's what mom's friend's daughter did
My sister: before she introduced her girlfriend
Me: that's cause in case you forgot, guys are jerks
Me: hahahaha, no I do not find myself attracted to women
My sister: ok
My entire family doesn't know about anyone I've dated/fooled around/whatever since I was 16 years old, so in their brains I haven't dated in almost 10 years. I mentioned one of my college boyfriend's names about a month before we broke up, and to the best of their knowledge he was just a friend. They never asked about the dude (said boyfriend) who brought my home after having my wisdom teeth taken out. They don't bother remembering names and people's roles in my life, so why bother letting them know? Then EVERY time you go out on a date they start badgering you about this other person. Every time you get dumped they ask about how you're doing. If you're in a relationship they ask where it's going. It's always SOMETHING and nothing's been that important enough to want to deal with all of those details.
I don't want to peruse the personal ads. I don't want to put a profile up on Match.com or eHarmony or wherever. I'm not going to date anyone I work with and probably not any of their friends. If something happens it happens. I just don't feel the need to pro actively be seeking it out. That's when your force yourself into not so great situations. You start hallucinating chemistry when there's nothing there because you're "supposed" to find someone. If I hear "You need to put yourself out there!" one more time I might punch that person in the face. Where exactly is "out there" and why do I have to leave perfectly comfortable and content "right here" to get something I don't really want to work for at the moment anyway? I don't need a significant other to fill up some perceived lonely existence, male attention stopped a long time ago and I've learned to be happy without it, I'm not going to prance around in skimpy outfits hoping someone notices me. I don't want to meet strangers in dark seedy bars and make out on street corners. I'm over that phase. I just wish the married folks and people who think that being "open" means all that would stop projecting on me.
