Just Another Day With Me

The Secrets of the Crystal Crotch

According to Vajazzling.com   Vajazzling: The act of applying glitter and jewels to a woman's nether regions for aesthetic purposes. I ran across this  Great Blog About Vajazzling last night and was further creeped out.  Now, I hadn't thought of Vajazzling much lately, but I had heard of it, hadn't given it much thought.  I was folding laundry and halfway watching one of those "stupid people from New Jersey shows" a couple of weeks ago, and there was a little princess going on a first date and she had to go get "Vajazzled."  I, not being the type to let any stranger with a jar of wax come near my unmentionable region -was a little floored that this is a topic on television, much less that people in any great amount of numbers are doing it.  There must be some cultural obsession among certain circles of ladies about having your hair done, and not the hair on your head.   

 Personally, the thought of a manicurist touching my hands creeps me out, so you know that I would never consider the secret pleasures that await from having my unmentionables glammed up like a bejeweled handbag from 1976.  

Part of me is laughing at these women, who not only will go pay money to have strangers pour hot wax on their private area and strip it off, but then to know they are following it up with crystals slathered in glue.  I hate to be a country hick but it doesn't interest me whatsoever.   *It sounds itchy too.  

In a way this obsession with hairlessness seems childish, and creepy.  It almost has the feel of wanting to look like a child.  It is disturbing.   Not that I'm on the pro-granola crunching team of women saying don't shave your pits  or legs, not at all.  I just feel that women in our society are under so much pressure to be pretty that we have taken it to a whole new level.  What will they find to do next.  

What will culture find to market to women next?  There is already a select group that only feel that they can be happy from carrying around $500 purses and driving the best cars.  Television networks have show after show devoted to telling women they aren't good enough.  Look at the "keeping up with the Joneses" attitudes on the "Real Housewives" shows.  We have shows telling women they are too fat and must lose weight to be pretty.  There are shows about fashion and how not to dress.  So much time, money and energy promoted to  help women tear each other down or making each other look ridiculous .  We are our own worst enemy.  It doesn't help that we also have the "Frenemy" atmosphere.  

I am not sure what this new "trend" says about the males in our society, or whether they like or dislike shiny sparklies glued on their ladies,  I would guess to say they probably don't care as long as they have access to it.  So ladies, if you want to create a new industry of crotch decorators (hey in this economy maybe it IS a good thing) go ahead.  But just maybe you should just take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself is it really that important to look like a discoball down below?  

You probably know more about me than you'd like to know now, especially about the fact that the only thing that sparkles on me is my diamond rings.   So ladies, just say no to the crystal crotch (or at least keep it a secret, I've already found too many pictures on the web).  I hate to tell you this but its not pretty.  Sorry.     

The Big Picture

These are amazing photos.  This is the kind of blog that I like to read.  

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/11/rios_drug_war.html

Housing Market FAIL

The irony is one of the popular sayings in pop culture is "fail" as in Failblog.org.  When we talk about the economy of the last couple of years, it is a "fail." As the President continues his determination to poor money into our crumbling infrastructure to create temporary jobs for people who probably think they are too good to work in jobs like construction.   We will have beautiful restored national parks and he is essentially trying to be Roosevelt with his WPA, but it is such a different society that it will never work the same.   But the question of the night is the housing market.  

Why should the government back up the housing market?  I guess, I don't understand the rationale behind the government allowing people who apparently truly cannot afford to buy the homes they are buying.   There is an article in the NYTimes about letting the market fail.  

Part of me is angry, yes angry at all of those people who bought houses they couldn't afford, who signed the note who thought they could afford living on credit cards and mortgages to look as good as their neighbors.   

I read an article recently about how people not spending were hurting the economy.  Of course, when we are a consumption based society people not consuming will, indeed hurt our economy.  Yet, the government continues to spend.   The rationale is not there.  We may have worked on spending our way out of the Depression in the 30s, however ineffectively.  Like it or not Roosevelt did not bring us out of the depression, it continued until the blatant growth of Fascism shown us that we did, indeed need to begin to think of war.  Of course, why Europe got into such a state post WWI is another story.  

Another question I wonder is the 30 year mortgage an obsolete institution.  When you consider most people are not at their jobs for thirty years now.   I once read an article that said that home ownership hurt our economy because people lost that mobility that they had in the past.   But this new Rome "bread and circuses" for the middle class is a disturbing trend.  While what to our Grandparents who survived  the depression were luxuries are now necessities.   Our society started this trend of social programs to help people, and while helping people is good, it has turned into this vast slippery slope of not being able to say no.   We have also switched from a society where local people helped each other out to depending on the government to prop us up when times are tough.  

Our society is not equipped to deal with vast numbers of middle class homeless.  Our working class is not equipped to deal with the burden of providing for these people. Our children are not equipped to enter the working world.  Two parents working, has essentially helped create a class of kids not equipped to grow up.  Then factor in helicopter parents and the non-parents.  Factor in the parents who depend on the government to provide for them, the "welfare mothers" - stereotype or not they are out there, kids who feel that all they have to do upon reaching 18 is head to human services to begin their cycle of dependence. Blame the teachers for whatever doesn't work, when our technology has far outstripped education's ability to provide for our kids' needs, while standardized tests are blatantly biased towards kids in the urban coasts.  

But back to the housing dilemma; should the government continue bailing out people?  No.  My opinion is no.   Not if they knew what they signed up for. I realized that when I bought my house that if I didn't make the payments, they could take it away.   I realized that as much as I knew we could have qualified for one of those huge loans, that I didn't want to be tied down like that.  Just because you QUALIFY doesn't mean it is the right decision.  People charmed by housing shows..granite countertops and looking better than their neighbor (that they don't have time to socialize with anyways).  

Our society is a mess, one great big mess harmed by consumerism and advertising (and I can just as easily fall victim to those shiny baubles promised to make me happy at the mall).  I quit my job last month.  We decided that our labor wasn't worth the huge amount of taxes going out, while our kids lost out on having at least one full time parent.  Our income dropped substantially but I already feel like our quality of living is going up.  Less is more, and the only reason we can do this, is we did not fall into the "housing trap" of the early bubble years.  We borrowed as little as possible, yes,  you can call me "trailer trash" if you'd like.  But guess what it is my home and it is paid for and we aren't running to President Obama begging him to pick up the payments. 

Cannot Read the News

I can't look at those birds coated in oil.   Boy, that bothers me :(   And the thought of all those animals and fish dying over what humans are doing... I think as long as we can pump oil from the earth and do it safely we should leave the sea alone.  UGH. 

Lets Hope

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/usoilpollutionenvironment  this works, I can't read about it.  Makes my stomach sick to think about what it will do to the gulf.   Really bothers me....  

Saturday Morning Ramblings... or the Tale of Cold Bathwater

Well, not sure if I'm going to head over to the recreation area or not.   Its pretty cool outside (in the 50s) I promised swimming, but the one I promised swimming to is sick.  You know your 12 year old son is sick when he crawls into bed with you in the middle of the night, poor baby.  He's got a cough, sore throat and a runny nose. I medicated him and he is  up playing xbox.   And my xxxxxxxxxx.......key is sticking so every-time I write something with xxx in it,  it looks like a bizarre porno title.  LOL!  So, I'm eating my microwaved S'Mores and reading the news.   Wishing UPS could deliver my remote to my TV.  Stupid UPS.  I may go to the city tonight and pick up my husband at the airport, he's in Williston, ND now and will be flying home this evening.  

I "need" to do something today, I want to work on my project. Hmmm... million things to do :-)  even with minimal web hits, its still fun and I want to have a good base for when I have a new class of freshmen in - in the fall and I teach the geography component of the class.   

I'm up reading the news (yeah, I know I was complaining about the news yesterday) but I'm reading the WSJ this morning,  less idiots on that one it seems, although its kind of linked up to Facebook so its all downhill from there.  But, it seems the WSJ is not exempt from stupid articles... like this one: American Parents Going to the Dogs,.... adults with grown up children taking their dogs to activities.  Because they just couldnt' handle the kids being gone?   Well,  I don't plan on following this trend.  But, as my kids get older the "pet" does hold a bigger roll as the "baby" in the house, I mean, just look at my little Milo, we take tons of pictures of him, because he is the precious one in the house.   Of course, when I click on most read or most popular articles I read them too, and think "this is news, why?"  But Frisbee leagues and dancing with dogs??? I really should get into a new business and cater to this crowd of morons.   But, who am I to talk, I'm going to drive around to state parks and take pictures, just to amuse myself- and to create a resource for my classroom, but really that "sounds" worthy, right?   I guess its that "country" factor.  My dogs live outside and if they want an activity they can go run four miles with me.   My dogs are the unstructured variety and they really don't complain about their lives.   Milo, since we gave Tink away (she had some very bad habits)  is lonely, and I need a new kitten *because kittens are the cutest creatures on this earth!.    

But, laundry is going again...  bathwater is running.... and I'm caffeinated now so I can do something.... Time to get ready.  If I don't go to the recreation area (which I'm thinking I won't with a sick kid), I may run over to the arts festival then take the kids (or at least one kid) with me to meet Dad at the airport.   I think they'll think that is cool.  UGH... update, no hot bath the breaker was blown on the Hot Water Heater...SO its time to wait on hot water.  URGH.  I must have a hot bath to function or I won't even consider leaving the house.   Yes, I'm OCD.  I won't go anywhere without a bath in the morning.   

That is the problem with "making plans" something happens.  But, I got the agenda for my Constitution workshop this summer.  I have to admit it doesn't sound incredibly exxxciting (see the xxxxxxx key is great) ....  I just made a paragraph on a workshop over the constitution sound exxxciting just with those inserted xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx's .... I think i need a new keyboard.   

So, I'm on here still....  you see, I washed the television remote- so no TV for me, not even Glenn, Cavuto or O'Reilly.  My adult companionship is in North Dakota (and I didn't realize how much he amused me until he's been gone all the time) and I had big plans for today...and my water is cold its cold outside (50s or low 60s)

...and my kid is sick and we aren't going swimming...so what to do..I could stay home and do ten more loads of laundry, I suppose, I could keep reading the news...  Obama is going to reclassify the internet..  The stock market dropped and Obama wants to know why...  ummmm....  because people told their brokers or their computer to sell, baby sell?  Perhaps... it is because the stock market is not entirely rational.   I'm wondering when that will get regulated... perhaps they'll limit the amount of stock an individual can sell in a day?  

OK enough of me... What are you doing today?  

Don't Stand.... Don't Stand So.... Don't Stand So...

There weren't strong words in the staff room... the accusations did not fly.... As I pulled this directly from the news.... 

SERIOUSLY???  I would or could say so much more, but I won't.  Disclaimer, I don't know this person, and I think office gossip seriously sucks, because I didn't even know we had an assistant band director.  Disclaimer, most of the teachers I know would NEVER do anything like this....and we have some very good people at our school.    Perhaps thats why the teachers weren't appreciated this week.   Ha....   Its weird, I would never socialize with students...  its wrong on so many levels.    I'm absolutely shocked!  

The proper way to associate with students is  YOU DON'T -  What a DUMBASS.    SIGH.  Really...  I don't know what to say or think about this.   

In honor of that little gem of a news article (I just got on to check the weather)....  I think I must post a song...
Don't Stand So Close To Me- by the Police.  Sting said that it was "Not Autobiographical" at his concert in May of 08 :-)   You know, I do love this song...  I have even read that famous book by Nabakov.   

Thoughts From Oklahoma To The Gulf

BP A Battle to Contain Leaks and an Image Fight Too.

I haven't read any news about the gulf oil spill today, yesterday I was on websites trying to read about what was going on.  That does concern me.   On  a few levels, one I guess I've never thought of that happening, but it makes sense that  blow out could occur, and honestly it bothers me that the big blame game is going on because I'm sure when it all works out there is a lot of support for off shore drilling.   But, while there is oil on land,  I suppose maybe we should hold off on the off shore drilling, or at least drilling  new wells.   I was reading that the "Atlantic" was ready to lay out blame for Halliburton . Huffington Post  also jumped into the blame game.  Which pisses me off, because I'm from "Halliburton" town, the food on my table is courtesy of Halliburton, has contributed a lot to my area and I don't see it as the evil company. Yes, they provide supplies to drillers, they have a niche in a very important industry, while writers play the blame game, they are probably complaining about increasing fuel prices.   Why do we have to see successful companies as evil?  Someone did something right in business to create these large corporations.   I wish I could own an evil company such as that.   I've been reading and learning quite a bit about the petroleum industry in my state and Monday hope to sign up for another work shop so I can continue to increase that knowledge.   I've always been so interested in the Native American aspect of my state, I've neglected to learn about the important driving economic force.  Market Watch Article.  

 
 

Not to say that something did not go wrong with the drilling -obviously, but where is the concern for the families who lost their loved ones on the rig.   I haven't heard much about that, but I haven't kept up with the news lately.  

 
 

But, that being said, I have been going down to the Mississippi gulf for a few years now to visit my Uncle and Cousin's and am absolutely in love with Biloxi Beach and it really does sadden me that this oil catastrophe could ruin the sandy shores.   Ship Island (a barrier island) off of Gulfport is beautiful. I've only experienced the gulf post Katrina and it is just a beautiful place.   The first year I went down the devastation from the storm was obvious but by last summer it was beautiful and businesses were opening.   I hate that the wildlife losses will be great.   So, sad that so many creatures will die because of man's desire for oil, and after-all we know oil and water don't mix.  

 
 

Photo: Biloxi Gulls

Its funny that I am such a ardent supporter of the oil industry, yet, I think that my opinion on off shore drilling is perhaps, we need to hold off on it - especially while we are having such a boom in places like North Dakota and Saskatchewan.   We seem to have the ecological damage from drilling under control at least on land.  As I type this my husband is hauling oil-field equipment for Halliburton to Williston, North Dakota.   But at the moment, this conservative, environmentalist, tea party, libertarian does not support Gulf Drilling at the moment.   I do support drilling.  I believe if we take away petroleum most modern day Americans support the oil industry.  If you are typing on a computer whose components are made from plastic, you support drilling.   If you buy bottled soda you support the petroleum industry.  

 
 All images are from Biloxi Beach.   A place I love.  I'm worried about the gulf right now.    I hope this will be contained and the clean up will be effective.