Snarky Bitches

Size Matters

2009-08-03T08:40:00.004-05:00

Yes, this is very well going where you think it is going, so consider this your opportunity to opt out. :)

The year was 1991. It was an interesting year for me because for as long as I had been legally on my own, this was my very first "real" free living situation. I had a roommate who wasn't related to me or the mother of a friend. I had an apartment and utilities with my name on them. There were nights where I had the apartment completely to myself.

It was also the year when I was so desparately trying to find a relationship that might not be with Chuck.

I had been out on a couple of dates with a couple of guys, but they went no where – mentally or physically. Nice guys, there was just no chemistry. That may have been my fault because again, I was trying to get over Chuck. And I was a little unsure of the whole physical rules anyway. Up until this point in my life, sex had been something initiated by the guy, and something I had just pretty much gone along with. And yes, while I had certainly had an emotional connection before, there had never been any big O fireworks for me. Part of that was inexperience; another part was that it had always been something you had to do kind of quickly based on your location, timing, etc.

Then along came Ingo. Ingo is short for part of his last name. He was a friend of a friend, and he was in some sort of relationship, where they were “on a break,” a la Ross & Rachel so apparently only one of them was on a break. Ingo’s nickname was “Ingotit,” and as you will soon find out, yes, yes he did have it.

We hung out a few times. There was flirting. There was kissing. And I do recall that he was a good kisser. One night, he and Mack were at my place. My roommate was gone for the night. Then Mack left us. All alone. I let him lead, I was more aggressive than ever before. And it was like it is in the soaps. You start in one room, move back to the bedroom. Clothes are flying, covers are flying, hands are all over each other. Then wham! Everything comes to a halt because it. doesn’t. fit. No matter what we do, it’s just not working. And then I freeze mentally, which just made it worse. He ended up still spending the night, but we never got on course. I was somewhat humiliated, and this was made worse when my roommate came bouncing in to talk – not expecting a man in my bed.

More humiliation. Then he told Mack, who told me that he was just going back to his girlfriend. Ugh. I saw them out together a few weeks later. More ugh. She wasn’t even pretty. That was the last time I saw him. Not the last time I had thought about him, especially now that I am almost 20 years older, wiser, and certainly more experienced. *grin*

Until yesterday. My husband had taken my kid to the movies. I had a bazillion things to do, including running errands. I didn’t have on makeup, but I still looked summery cute. Healthy color in my face, still have a nice tan, haven’t completely lost all of my muscle tone. I have on shorts and a tank – sleeveless is my look these days due to my injury. So I had one of those tanks with the bra built in. I’m walking through Target pulling a cart since I can’t really push one. And I’m in my usual “busy” state of mind. I had already bumped into two neighbors, distracting me even more. I’m focused, looking straight ahead when all of a sudden who comes into my sight face to face. Ingo. With her. I don’t really think she noticed, but he did. And we’re walking toward each other both trying to look straight ahead while both maintaining complete eye contact. I know he knows who I am, and he knows that I know. I don’t say a word because really, what am I going to going to say, “Hey, I’d know what to do with it now?”

I keep the partial stare down, trying hard to keep myself from smirking and telling myself repeatedly, “Don’t look back.” It’s suddenly 2000 degrees in the store, but to look at me, you’d think it was 30. When I can longer stand it, I peer back and find that he has as well – at least he has reached the check-out line. I dart into the nearest aisle, which of course is the aisle with the condoms. Hello Magnums! I burst into the biggest fit of laughter, so much so that I have to take about five minutes before I can go up to the pharmacy counter. Even then, it takes a few moments to speak.

I wanted to tell someone, but I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t call anyone because how am I going to even begin that story to anyone who knows me. And I certainly can’t talk about it with my husband.

I totally facebooked him today, but he’s not there.

My new boyfriend

2008-11-16T10:11:00.003-06:00

I don't know if anyone is even still here. But I am spreading the word. I am a gay woman and I am on love with a man. Keith Olberman.
I have never been an activist nor a flag waver and have always been passive in living my life as a gay woman. But since the passage of Prop 8 in California, that has all changed. I have decided to become involved.
As a start, Michelle and I attended our first Rally/Protest this weekend and we aren't stopping there. I really am mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. This is now my most important social issue (selfish as it may be) and I plan on fighting until the bitter end.
After watching the people at the SF rally yesterday, I was moved to tears more than once. Gay-Straight-Black or White, marriage is a Civil right.
Anyhow, Keith says it best in this video. I think anyone who supported Prop 8 should watch this video and maybe take a second look at what they did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUXK7As-yl0

Your Favorite Halloween Costume

2008-10-23T22:38:00.002-05:00

Mine? The year I dressed up like a killer bee. I made the costume myself, but there really wasn't much to it. I wore a vest that I had striped with yellow tape, and a headband with springs attached, that had balls at the end, like antennae. I made that headband up myself, and a year later they sold those things in the stores. This was back in 1981. I'd post the picture, but I don't have it handy. I hit some poor guy in the head with the bouncing antennae, as we danced.

I also dressed like Princess Leah the following year. That was fun. I wore a long white dress, and had my hair in 2 side buns.

So what's been your favorite costume over the year?

The Character Issue

2008-10-12T06:34:00.002-05:00

Just curious how you're reacting to the recent turns in politicking. I am disgusted and rather disillusioned.

Back in the primary season, John McCain was the only Republican that I would have even contemplated voting for in November. I, obviously somewhat foolishly, believed that he held himself to a higher standard than Politics As Usual. Now I'm feeling slightly duped, but my feelings must pale in comparison to those of someone who DID vote for him in the past--either in the 2000 race or the 2008 primaries. I mean, talk about a total personality collapse. Oy.

I don't expect politicians to be 100 percent truthful. The need for spin is determined by our news cycles as well as our often ignorant electorate. I can forgive a candidate some fudging on the numbers or a carefully phrased presentation of only half the story. What I can't forgive, though, is the dirty political tactics that pander to racist idiots who wouldn't vote for a minority if he was the only name on the ticket. McCain says that Obama is a decent man, let's make this about the issues in one breath and then tries to make him out to be a terrorist sympathizer in the next. I can't even discuss Palin at the moment for fear that Blogger would explode into flames, but I've read some commentaries from those who knew her in Alaska that say her change in style is equally distressing.

How is this playing out in your area? I'm sad to say that racism is still a powerful motivator around here. Any gains made through this election will be small, but they will, at least, be gains. I'm still fuming over the Harold Ford race in 2006. I don't think Obama has a chance to carry Tennessee, but I do hope he makes progress over Kerry (surely he will). How about in your neck of the woods? Does character count for anything anymore?

Beautiful Fall

2008-10-07T10:38:00.001-05:00

Enjoy!

Breaking News!!!!!

2008-09-26T21:34:00.002-05:00

South Koreans are 3" shorter than North Koreans. Carry On.
Oh crap, maybe it was the other way around. Well there goes my bid for the Presidency since I don't know the difference.

Are we still here?

2008-09-25T16:51:00.002-05:00

So what's your take on the McCain pullout? (if that were anybody but McCain that might have dirty connotations *shudder*)
I have yet to hear from anybody who is thinks it is a positive thing. Anybody here?
And while on that topic, is anybody in favor of the $700 billion bailout?

Sarah Who?

2008-09-04T09:03:00.002-05:00

Now that Ms. Palin made her debut at the RNC, what are your thoughts?

I thought her speech was full of snark. I didn't hear any substance to what she and McCain would do if elected. It was more about dissing Obama.

Playing the family uniter, hockey mom, "breaking the glass ceiling" (oh, pulease) is a bit tiresome and does not equate to being qualified for Veep.

And for the record, as many of us dems are being unfairly accused, I have NO issue with Bristol's pregnancy. Whether she was taught abstinence or handed birth control, pregnancy happens. It is part of life. I do question Palin's judgment as a mother (not a candidate) to put her daughter on the national and international stage like that. Seems a bit self-serving.

Bring it on gals....

Mid-life Crisis Part 2: John Edwards

2008-08-12T14:54:00.002-05:00

You would have to be living under a rock to not know the latest event that makes the media giddy - John had an affair.

And I don't really care. I don't care that he is a public official, wanted to be president, has designs on being VP, whatever. His personal life, as long as it is not illegal, does not matter.

Many think it is a character issue. I do not. I have no idea what the state of his marriage to Elizabeth was at that time. Just like Bill's folly with Monica, it doesn't make a difference in how he does his job.

Agree? Disagree? Let's discuss....

The Midlife Crisis

2008-07-31T11:44:00.003-05:00

Have any men in your life went through an obvious midlife crisis? The women? You?

I think increasing numbers of women are going through them, but I think men still take the cake. What are some of the ways you've seen it manifest?

One Fish, Two Fish

2008-07-24T09:49:00.002-05:00

...Red Fish, Pedi-Fish.

Fish pedicures: Carp rid human feet of scaly skin
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Ready for the latest in spa pampering? Prepare to dunk your tootsies in a tank of water and let tiny carp nibble away.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hzJgRAaYCJMvjh98hAk45as3DPgwD9226PM80

You've all probably seen this on the news lately. Would you do it? THIS snarky bitch says "HELL NO!" This is seriously disgusting.

Walk Much?

2008-07-21T07:34:00.003-05:00

With all the concern over gas prices, more people are turning to walking, biking, public transport, carpooling, etc. A cool website will let you rank the walkability of your neighborhood. My house? Gets a 38, which I think is very generous. We have almost no sidewalks and the places that I could technically walk to, such as Walgreens, Taco Bell, Kroger, all require walking on a busy un-sidewalked highway or through yards, parking lots and business landscaping to get there. I'm a little pissed about this. There is no direct access to anywhere for a pedestrian and almost no crosswalks or walking signals. I definitely live in a car-centric city.

When I'm in London, I walk miles each day. Need a bottle of water? Go to the market. Want to get to the Tube? Walk a few blocks or more. Need to get from Tragalgar Square to Buckingham Palace? Walk. Want to get something to eat? Walk to an Eat or a Pret. Checking out Leister Square? Gotta walk.

Same for NYC. I adore visiting there and it never crosses my mind NOT to walk from my hotel to Times Square or Central Park. I generally stay in a fairly tourist friendly hotel--the Hilton Towers or Sheraton Tower (or whatever the name of that one is) so that I can walk to get a bite to eat, do some sightseeing, go to a play or grab a cab or the subway easily. The one time I didn't stay in the area, it seemed like I had to hike for days to find anything (I had a really bum knee at the time, so that probably jaded me a bit). When I take a group on a trip, I warn them to get some walking in before we go because we will walk a lot. Miles. Tens of miles, even.

At home, though, in my lovely smallish city in the heart of Tennessee, I never walk anywhere. Mr. Kim works at the hospital which is less than a mile--probably half a mile or less--and I drive over to pick him up from work. He walks when I'm not around, but for some reason I feel compelled to go pick him up or take him so that he doesn't have to walk. In a larger city, though, I'd walk further than that for breakfast.

I think there are a lot of reasons that we have become so ridiculously car dependent in the less urban areas of the U.S. A pathetic system of public transportation is one. Even in bumblefuck England you can grab a train to get from your city to London or Brighton. In the South, there is no such option. A few cities have a subway or train system to service their metro areas, but there certainly isn't a system to get from Nashville to Atlanta or Charlotte. Want to go there? Drive or fly or take an interminable ride on a Greyhound if you can get to a station--our has been closed for years.

There is also not much emphasis on walking in towns and cities--the lack of sidewalks is really appalling when you start to think about it. When did we become so cheap that sidewalks became a luxury? I can just imagine the uproar that would happen here if our city council announced they were going to undertake a sidewalk project. People would be howling about the cost, the lack of need, the council catering to the PC-crowd or the rich folks and on and on and on. In small cities you can forget about public transportation. I don't even know where to call to get a cab here and most of the ones I've seen look like something Fred Sanford would consider crappy heaps. There is nothing resembling a city bus or shuttle. The only options are to drive or risk your life walking along busy roads where drivers think nothing of passing on the shoulder of the road (at full driving speed of 35-40 MPH)if the car in front of them is stopped to make a left turn in traffic. I've been nearly rear-ended more times than I can count--no way in Hell I'd walk in those areas.

So when did we become a lazy nation? Was it all because of suburbian dwelling? How much does our general need for creature comforts such as air conditioning or comfy seats influence our reluctance to walk? Is it peer pressure? A lack of understanding or concern?

I freely admit that three years ago I was a likely to walk to Walgreens as I was to fly there. I was far too fat and out of shape and downright lazy to even consider it. I've been on something of a health kick and weight-loss kick in recent years, though, and I suppose that has changed my outlook somewhat. I've decided to challenge myself to walk to Walgreens this week just to try it. It's not far, but it will be something of an obstacle course to do, but my oldest kid has done it, so I suppose I can. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? Maybe I shouldn't let my brain go there...........

Friday Funny-Other Bloggers

2008-07-18T12:44:00.002-05:00

I work in Madison, WI. I love the city. We are quirky and have an odd mix of progressives and conservatives. Guess that's what you get when you plop a liberal university in the middle of Wisconsin.

Our mayor is now blogging. Our mayor's name is Dave Cieslewicz, but he goes by Mayor Dave. He has a spot on our local adult alternative radio station where he reviews new music each week. That radio station recently invited him to start a blog. His entries include one titled, "A Sexy Bike and a Band Called Dumpstaphunk." He even uses the word "nimrod." Check him out for a fun laugh:

http://1055triplem.com/pages/2574749.php?

I love Mayor Dave.

Do you have any blogs you visit that always make you laugh?

Belated fridayish funny - PANCAKES.

2008-07-08T18:41:00.002-05:00

I know, I know, I know. Many, if not all, of you have read this before. But I consider it the crowning achievement of my body of work in "talking about amusing things which are hilari-awful". So I give you this, a vintage work of J Slice's finest:

The Pancake Movie

Disclaimer: appologies to all of you that have read this before, but I've been informed that this is a classic OT story, one that shall remain in Slice-infamy for many years; It needs a third retelling. To those of you who are lucky enough to have never heard this tale, I hope you're sitting down, and have no real emotional attachment to breakfast food. I'm going to ruin it for you.

Ahh, the Pancake movie. Where should I begin?

Well, it was sixth grade, and Rye Country Day decided that this was the year to roll out the "WTF is happening to my body" videos; you know, the frequently crappy movies with a terrifically low budget that explain the apparent joy of pubic hair and monthly bleeding... but I digress.

The garbage that the lucky 11-year-old girls would watch was a cinematic masterpiece entitled "I Got IT!" For all of you lucky enough to have experienced your periods, doesn't this emotional outburst just totally sum up the joy you get when you cramp and bleed and wanna tear off peoples' limbs?

Me neither. But I digress.

Anyway, the plot centers on a girl, who we'll call Suzie. Suzie is going to a slumber party at her friend Becky's house, along with some other girl who says approximately 3 words, I'm certain which involve the word "period." Long story short, (too late! - brief side note: who else loves the movie Clue?) Suzie gets her period in the middle of the night.

Frantic to find something to stop her new... emm... womanhood from leaking all over the place, Suzie roots through Becky's bathroom, digging like a rabid badger to find some kind of feminine device.

Cue entrance of Becky's psycho mom

Becky's Psycho Mom, who we'll just call Mom, finds Suzie uprooting the bathroom, and asks insightfully, "Are you looking for something, Suzie?" Suzie states, loud n' proud, that she's looking for where Becky keeps her pads...

Mom ecstatically replies, "SUZIE?!? DID YOU GET YOUR PERIOD?"

Suzie politely nods, with an unenthusiastic yes. Clearly, she has noticed Mom's insanity. This will probably be the last time Suzie sleeps over at this house... Mom goes to prepare hot chocolate, and the two sit at the kitched table, presumably post Suzie's pad-putting-on, clinking mugs together in a celebratory fashion.

The next morning, Suzie tells Becky and no-speaky-girl about her period. No-speaky mumbles something about not getting her period yet and being jealous; Becky merely tells Suzie that she's lucky it didn't start while she was in class... How embarrassing! The girls then head to the kitchen for breakfast...

Warning: this is where it gets really grody. You've been given a heads up... I hope you don't like pancakes too much, because you'll never want them again...

Mom's hunched over the griddle making... something... she then calls the girls over; innocently, they think, oh good! Mom's made pancakes for breakfast. Well, they were right about that... except...

The effing pancake is shaped like the female reproductive system oh my god my eyes

As if this weren't bad enough, Mom then uses the pancakuterus to explain to the three now-traumatized girls how their period works. Frankly, if I were Becky, the only thing that could embarrass me more than this is if dad strolled in with a plate of sausages and eggs, ready to explain how penises work.

Then, in an ultimate moment of ecch-ness, the girls EAT THE UTERUS-CAKE

Now. I hope that delve into my emotional pain helped explain everything. This is the pancake movie, accept no substitutes.

Military recruiting tool

2008-07-02T10:53:00.004-05:00

Sorry to be a post hog, but I thought this topic was good for the Snarky Bitches.

A military recruiting booth is utilizing a role playing video game that has people shooting lifesize people in an Iraq setting. Appropriate or not? Under what circumstances would you support use of this simulator/game as a recruiting tool (age of player, not people but planes and tanks ok, etc.)?
http://www.channel3000.com/news/16764764/detail.html

Death Becomes You?

2008-06-25T15:28:00.002-05:00

We've talked about certain points in your life and where your beliefs come from. What about death?

How do you feel about the prospect of death?

Does living til 100 sound appealing to you? How ill would you have to be to WANT to die in your golden years?

What do you believe happens to you when you die? Where does that belief come from?

Now go get out the pictures of your grandparents and laugh at grandma's bad housecoats and hairdos. That'll be you someday. Just remember to put your teeth in before you smile for the camera.

Oprah, Martha & Tyra

2008-06-20T08:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! (I know it's early. Buggy asked me to post this for her but I know that since I (Carey) am on the west coast, most of you will be up before me on Friday. So it is going up now)

By the time you read this, I hope to be on my way , road tripping to Laughlin Nevada , with 6 of my very best girlfriends from High School, after spending all day Thursday getting to So Calif.( Southwest Airlines takes six hours to get to Burbank from Dallas, a 2 1/2 hr trip. Crazy!

Hello! I could practically drive it in 12! But figure in the gas and it would probably cost the same.)
I will be reclaiming my youth, in the sunshine and casinos of the desert southwest.
(It's really just a reunion with only the people we liked, because they have already had several class reunions, and why invite everybody at this point.)

Wish me luck! I've never gambled before!

I'm asking Carey to post this for me.

I'd like to talk about Daytime TV Talkshow Divas!

I've been home all day for months , and want to share a little of my thoughts on these 3.

First off, Tyra wants to be Oprah so bad she could cry, and she sometimes does, Martha knows that we aren't like her, ( she's good with that) but Oprah likes to think she is just like us ( and she is so not).

Now I don't mind Tyra on America's Next Top Model, when I catch a marathon on VH1, but her daytime show is horrible.

That sucked in model posed tilted face works on ANTM, but not so much on the daytime show.

Tyra's whole schitck on the daytime gig is that " looks don't matter", it's all about the " inner beauty".

MY ASS!

Her every show is about looks, even when she is saying looks don't matter, the topics are Women whose men are better looking then them, or, I hate my sister because she is cuter than me.

I saw Tyra actually have a guest on her show that was the girl that Tyra was jealous of in High School. Poor Ty, that girl was still hotter than her.

Now to be fair, I've only watched her show about 3 times in the last 6 months ( ever) , but mostly I can't watch it, even when I try , because I am embarressed for Tyra everytime I try to watch it. Everytime I check the cable guide, Tyra's show is about looks.

I did recently see a preview of her Giveaway ( ala Oprah) Show, and I changed the channel really quick, because it was so scary.

I occasionally watch the O.

Only on the days that she has something I really want to see, never on Giveaway Day, ( seriously, that shit is too crazy hysterical screaming even for me).

But I check the guide, everyday to see if Oprah has something I want to watch. I even record it, depending on what is going to be on.

Oprah is a wonderful woman, really, she does many things for people who truely have need.

( And picking East of Eden, one of my favorite books EVER for her bookclub, I am there!)

But dear Oprah lives under the delusion that because she grew up poor many many years ago, that she understands the rest of us. Oprah thinks she gets it!

Oprah has no CLUE about how the rest of us live. None. She thinks she is "just folks", but no way.

Oprah has people who drive her, and shop for her, and cook for her, and plan her meals for her, and excercise for her, and walk her dogs for her, and clean for her, and set her appointments for her, she is NOT like us. She doesn't shop in the same stores we do, she doesn't live in the same America as we do, we doesn't know what things really cost, or what the average person makes.

I don't have any problem with how she lives, good on her, and I believe she gives in big ways, but she needs to stop thinking she understands us common folk.

The woman wears $600 shoes, she spends more than your annual salary on her dog's babysitter, she isn't like us.

She can't tell us how to relax, we can't afford a spa and a vacation home.

Bless her heart though, because she tries.

I think Oprah really wants to help everyone, but she doesn't understand , not at all.

Which brings us to my favorite Daytime Diva.

Martha Stewart!

Martha knows she isn't like us, and she doesn't pretend she thinks she is, she knows she isn't all downhomey.

She has chickens, but each are worth more than my car. She has a garden, but her heirloom tomatoes date back to 16th century royalty.

Martha was in prison, Bitch!

She knows about the real world, she knows it isn't her world.

Sure she has regular people on her show to present their crafts, but Martha always has that , aren't you so cute little person, look on her face.

Martha knows she isn't like the rest of us.

The only time I change the channel on Martha, is Dog Show Day, Yikes! (Watching Martha gush over dogs is too much for me. I am sure those are $6000 puppies, sheleter dogs, my butt!)

To Martha we are customers, and she treats us like that, it isn't exactly warm, but it's honest.

Martha never pretends that she is, just folks; she doesn't want to be one of us.

She is above us, she knows it, she's okay with that.

She is going to show us a recipe for cookies that costs $500 in exotic ingrediants, and take a staff of 12 to prepare, and she isn't embarressed at all about it.

Martha smiles, that satisfied smile of the ultra wealthy, and tells us it's a " Good Thing".

I like that.

Lvoe you All!

Wish you Well!

See you Tuesday!

~Buggy

Just Do It?

2008-06-17T08:28:00.002-05:00

I realize that there may be some people who will shy away from this topic, but I'd like to venture away from the political for just a bit.

I saw an interesting story on the Today Show website this morning about a couple who decided to have sex for 101 days straight. Here is the link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25073531/.

I haven't watched the segment yet, I think it was on on Monday, and I have that recorded because of Tim Russert's son speaking.

Personally, I don't think I could fathom the idea of having sex for 101 days straight. Honestly I don't think I could fathom 10 days straight. It doesn't mean anything negative about my husband, but I just feel like that would be absolutely too much work. I think I can think of one or two people here who's ears would perk up at that thought, but I wonder if even those two could actually enjoy it for that long.

Funny Friday

2008-06-13T08:56:00.003-05:00

It's almost 10 a.m., the pressure is on. I got nuttin in terms of funny on my own, so I'm just posting this forwarded email in honor of all of my "getting old" doctors' visits I have planned.

I recently picked a new primary care doctor. After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, he said I was doing "fairly well" for my age. A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking:

Me: "Do you think I'll live to be 80?"

Doc: "Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer or wine?"

Me: "Oh no. I'm not doing drugs, either!"

Him: "Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?"

Me: "No, my former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy."

Him: "Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking,
or bicycling?"

Me: "No, I don't."

Him: "Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?"

Me: "No."

Him: "Then, why do you even give a shit?"

The Future

2008-06-10T17:35:00.003-05:00

Since this isn't Friday and I don't have to be funny I figured I would ask this now.

How worried are you about your future? Financially, emotionally, mentally. And how do you cope?

Do you worry about the cost of gas, food and utilities the most? Or does the war and what other countries may be doing you worry you more than that? Does the day in and outs occupy most of your emotional energy?

Most importantly, how are you dealing with the stress of finding a balance? Of keeping healthy, financially, emotionally and mentally.

I find myself worrying alot lately and have started to ponder things that might help. But, I'd like to hear what you all are actively doing to stay balanced on these things.

Need a Funny Gal!

2008-06-08T20:26:00.003-05:00

I need some writers for the Friday Funny.
I have been meaning to do one, but haven't felt funny lately, and then it's Friday all of a sudden and I feel shamed because I didn't write anything, and I didn't get someone.
Thanksto Silver for starting us off with an awesome post, and Boo for posting some funny pics.

We need volunteers for the next couple weeks.

Who wants to be our Erma?
Anyone?

And by the way, if I haven't said it lately, you all are a wonderful group of women!

Did You Vote in Your Primary?

2008-06-03T21:13:00.003-05:00

More votes were cast this time since the primaries went on longer than usual.
I know the candidates for president were always decided way before it ever got to me.
So did you cast a vote in your State's primary?

You don't have to say who you voted for, but you can if you'd like.

I was thrilled to be able to be a part of the process, I was thrilled for all the States that had a voice in a way they didn't have before.

I hope that come November our Country has record voter turnouts, by both parties.
I want everyone to vote!
I have high hopes for this Country, and I believe our next President will too.
No matter which party is in office, I hope the Bush years are behind us.

Did you vote? Will you vote? Did you participate in the process?

Educate me, please.

2008-05-28T09:10:00.002-05:00

I won't even pretend to understand the politics of this so I turn to you all to help me...
Drilling off Alaska. Why not? *head tilt*
From what I understand, or more accurately, have been told, there is enough oil off the Alaskan coast to supply our country with oil for up to 100 years. So why aren't we drilling there?
It always seemed too complicated for me so I never put much thought into it. But now that the cheapest gas that I can find in my area is $4.15/gallon, I want to know why we aren't drilling here.
Educate me, you smart women.

I couldn't do it either...

2008-05-23T17:57:00.003-05:00

So this is me, having a grand old time doing one of my favorite things - making a fire!

Bonus picture! Bikini what what!

2008-05-23T11:57:00.001-05:00

Boo, I didn't know how to add this to your post. This was taken on the bow of a ship...intense wind.

Hold Your Nose

2008-05-23T11:42:00.002-05:00

It's Fun Friday, right? It's time for summer to officially begin, right? It's snorkel time!
Post your favorite fun picture here.

This is me at the costume party that we went to last year for my Birthday. Oh, it ended up NOT being a costume party. Nothing embarassing about being a 6 foot banana in a restaurant where there is no costume party. oops. :)

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

2008-05-19T12:55:00.003-05:00

Bravie and then I touched briefly on this in the Food Stamp thread, and I think it's a subject that could stand alone. And I remember Weltek posting on her blog a long time ago about how she came to be where she is now politically.

1. How were you raised? Meaning, what was it like to be you growing up? Do you feel you were priviledged? Poor? What?

2. Are you different now? This can include child rearing. How do you approach that differently than your parents did with you?

3. What do you see for later down the road? Later can include tomorrow. *grin*

If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I Doing in the Tar Pits?

2008-05-16T14:44:00.005-05:00

My fascination with makeup probably started when I was about 5 years old with the first time I can remember using my mother's lipstick with her permission. It was no doubt a bright red color, because this was back in 1957. Me and my friends would sit out in front of the Baltimore rowhouse I lived in and think we looked really cute. People walking by would ask, "Who died?", or "Are you going to a funeral?"

We alway just giggled. Makeup was fun, and our mothers were letting us play with it.

In Junior High School I started using lipstick on a more regular basis. Fortunately my mother kept me well supplied with sample sized tubes of lipstick from Avon. I remember one color in particular - Mocha Rose. I pronounced it Moncha Rose, though, because back then hardly anyone knew what that word mocha meant, let alone how to pronounce it.

It was also about this time my mother told me I could use foundation. She said her skin broke out a lot when she was a teen and Covergirl with noxema helped her complexion a great deal. Mom was right. I used it and my skin looked better. As a matter of fact, I was a Covergirl foundation user for many years after that.

At about age 13, I started playing around with eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow. All of these were "borrowed" from Mom's makeup box. The first mascara I ever used was a cake mascara, and I think it was made by Maybelline. It was a little red case with a cake of black mascara and a little black bristoled brush made for applying to your lashes. Wand mascara was available for purchase, but my mother was still old school at the time. She still had rouge, for heaven's sake. I don't think anyone calls it rouge today. It's either blush or cheek stain.

As the years progressed, I felt comfortable in my makeup. I didn't leave the house without it. I liked the way it looked on me.

Then, after getting married, having a child, having less time, I slacked off on the application of makeup. It wasn't that I was lazy about my appearance. I didn't work outside the home, and saved the makeup for special occasions. As life went on, I wore it less and less. My DH didn't mention it, mainly because he doesn't really like makeup, but my parents thought I looked tired. I told them it was because I wasn't wearing any makeup. When I did show up at their home wearing makeup, my father interpreted the glow from the makeup to mean that I was pregnant. Nope. I was just wearing makeup.

As time when on, I got out of practice with the application of makeup. I didn't know which kind of foundation to use anymore, as the liquid ones would make my skin look dryer than ever, and to me, they didn't do what they used to do - that is the foundations I tried no longer make my skin look nice.

So, as a woman in her early 50's just a few years ago, I was thinking about what kind of makeup to buy to help me look better in my golden years. I had seen and heard about the wonders of Bare Minerals, and I was thinking about buying some. I did pick up an off brand of mineral makeup from Ebay and it was okay. Nowadays I have some Bare Minerals and some Everyday Minerals, and they both work for me on occasion.

But, a few years ago I was enticed to buy this other kind of makeup. A makeup especially formulated for dinosaurs - you know, older ladies with dryer skin like myself. I was excited as I listened to this famous model dinosaur explain how she had come up with the perfect makeup for older skin. She was older. She understood me. She had a gap in her teeth. Okay, that last thing has nothing to do with her makeup, but she is beautiful, and older than me. I thought, "Gee, she must really know what she is talking about. I must buy her dinosaur makeup system. I can afford the $33 for 3 months plus shipping for this special dinosaur makeup kit. My life will be better than ever. My skin will look fabulous. I'll impress the heck out of all the other dinosaurs. etc, etc..."

So I order, and I wait. A couple of weeks later I receive this box with a makeup compact, which must have arrived via dinosaur mail, containing all the makeup I will need to look like a beautiful dinosaur. The application secrets to using this makeup are on a VHS tape. That's right - a VHS tape! The model dinosaur apparently never heard of a DVD before. It would have been easier to produce, I think, but what do I know? I just invested about $100 in makeup that was supposed to make me look better than ever. On hindsight, I should have bought a share of Google stock instead.

The compact idea is probably a good one. The model dinosaur explained that each compartment could be removed to replace it with a new one when you ran out. The compartments are each marked, in case you forgot what they were supposed to be used for. It's helpful, really, because dinosaurs' memories aren't as sharp as they used to be. As a matter of fact, the compact has a handy paper overlay inside with a picture of a face, and all the color points where the various forms of makeup are to be applied. It's called a "Makeup Placement Quick Guide".

Well, after watching the video, I used the makeup in the compact. Suffice it to say, it did not make me look better. As a matter of fact, after applying it on the way to a family party, it left me with puddles of concealer around the corners of my mouth. I felt embarrassed after viewing myself in the bathroom mirror.

Within this compact, called a "face disc", there are 11 circles of makeup. Four of the circles are about 1 1/2 inches across and include concealer, brown shadow, blush, and balm - as in lip balm. There are 7 smaller circles, about 3/4 of an inch in diameter. They include 4 spot concealers of different shade, a light brown brow makeup (my brows are black), a dark brown liner, and a compartment marked simply "nose". The nose makeup is a shade darker than the brow makeup, and it's intended to shade your nose along the sides.

One of the so called tricks she shares with you on her video tape (again, why not on dvd?) is to apply the clear lip balm with your finger (a full set of brushes, and you wind up using your finger to apply lip balm) and then, being careful to use another finger, apply some of the blush powder over the balm. Well, if you get confused and use the same finger, then you've just ruined your blush. I tried this, and it seemed okay the first time, but not so much on subsequent attempts. The powder had a tendency to dry your lips. With all the great lipsticks out there, why bother with this kind of application?

I guess the best thing about this makeup set is the full set of brushes that can be used with other makeup. It has 8 nice brushes with color bands that correlate to the colors on the makeup chart. If you are a confused dinosaur who forgot which brush goes with which application, you can refer to the colors to keep you straightened out.

The set also came with a mascara wand that I found totally useless. The model dinosaur said she wanted a more natural look, but this is one of those old style mascaras, not as old as the cake mascara from the 50's I mentioned previously, but it does not have a brush on it. Then she also gave me a sample size of her moisterizer foundation - which was not good as a moisterizer or as a foundation, and a set of blotter papers - ones that are used to blot excess oil. The blotter papers have been around for a long time, because I remember seeing them in the 60's.

This is no kind of review for this product, thus I haven't mentioned it by name. I'm just saying that sometimes we just have to be leary of beautiful gap toothed dinosaurs trying to sell us beauty products. Maybe this makeup works for some other people. The dinosaur is still selling it as of this date, but I'm no longer a customer. No worries for her, though. There will be other dinosaurs who will buy into the promise of younger, better looking skin.

So, until I'm ready to retire to the tar pits, no more makeup kits for me. I have enough makeup to last me until then, even if I ever decide to wear it on a regular basis.

The title of this blog post is to honor the late great Erma Bombeck, may she be resting in peace. Thanks for the many laughs over the years, Erma.

Ladies, I do hope you've gotten a little chuckle out of my Friday Funny post. Have a great weekend. *lipstick smooch* I've used large print for this post, because I'm old.

Call Me Hard Hearted, I Guess..

2008-05-15T20:04:00.002-05:00

Does anyone else get the slightest bit pissed when you see someone who is using an EBT card (aka food stamps) to buy something totally non-nutritional like chewing gum? And not cheap Wrigley's, but the $1.19 a pack Orbit?

Is it a big deal in the scheme of things? No, of course not, but the two dollars and change that the lady in front of me spent on gum is indicative, IMO, of the problem with public assitance. We give these cards with nearly unfettered use in the grocery and expect people to make good choices when they're not spending "real" money.

I guarandamntee you that if this woman had needed cigarettes or a lottery ticket that she could have scraped together the change from her car floor and the bottom of her purse to cover the expense, but her freaking chewing gum is covered by Uncle Sam, so why bother?

Fridays and Fun

2008-05-09T22:55:00.003-05:00

Hi All!
So glad to have you with us, readers and contributors.
There will be some exciting changes happening here in the next few months, and I am sure you will all be as excited as I am to be a part of this site.
I think we are going to be something special, and your voices and opinions are going to make this a fun place to be.

But today, I want to talk about humor.
I want to talk about being Erma Bombeck.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erma_Bombeck

The women who was a journalist, who became a housewife, who became a journalist about her family life , who made her everyday existence funny and shared it in print. Shared her life with millions of women, everyday.

My Mother didn't have internet friends to lighten her day, she couldn't read blogs to know that we all shared the same stuff, no matter where we live. She had Erma.
They all had Erma.
My Mom, my Grandma, my Aunts, their friends, they read her columns in newspapers, they clipped them out, and mailed them to each other. I've found old yellowed newspaper clippings of Erma's column's in recipe boxes, in books, amongst family photos.
They adored her, because she made their everyday funny.

She spoke to them, those women whose only friends were their neighbors, or the wives of their husband's business partners. Erma was the one who got it, who understood, and made the frustrating funny, who made the load lighter with humor.
They didn't have email jokes, they couldn't link a quote. They cut her out of the paper, and shared her.

A few years ago I read to my Mom as essay Kim wrote for a Story competition on a website many of us share. Our Kimmah can write! She can take an ordinary day and make it entertaining.
After laughing til she cried my Mom said to me, " She's like a modern Erma Bombeck!"
And that? is high praise, my friends.

Lately I have been thinking about that, and about how we all are each others Erma.
We share , and we make each other laugh, we are some smart funny chicks, Babies!
We lighten each other's load.
We can connect like no women before us, we can choose our friends , not by geography, but by common interests.
We can be friends with women who live completely different lives from ours, who live thousands of miles away, worlds away , who make us laugh, and cry, and understand who they are.
And through them we can understand ourselves better.
We get to connect in a way our mother's never dreamed of, in a way Erma would have loved.

Let's be each others Erma, let's connect through humor.

So one of the fun things we plan to do with this place is a humor column every Friday.
Something fun, something funny.
You can write about something currently humorous in your own life, you can write about a funny story from your past, you can write a commentary about a funny situation in the news.

Every Friday one of us contributors will get the spot, and it's all about what you want to share.
If you are interested let us know. We aren't so organized yet, so don't expect a date right away, but we'd love to get started on a Friday Funny Day. Would love to know who wants write one, so we can plan.
Ideas are in the works for other theme columns, info forthcoming.

Remember , your voices can make this place unlike anything else on the web.
Together we can be a special voice.
Posting a column, or commenting on one, all voices are making this work.
They won't be clipping our columns, but maybe, they'll be linking our posts.

Be my Erma, I'll be yours.

Reverend , Religion and Race

2008-04-30T07:53:00.003-05:00

I'm not a particularly religious person. I'm officially a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was baptized in order to join. This was back in 1999. We wanted to officially become members of the church that we had attended for a couple of years and we realized that I had never been baptized.

I'd never been an official member on the rolls of any church although I'd attended a Methodist church from the time I was in 5th grade through college. I taught Bible School, sang in the choir, attended church camp, did all the social gatherings and such. My parents didn't attend regularly--they would take me before I could drive and then I drove myself.

Fast forward to my marriage to a Southern Baptist-raised boy who was even less religious than I was. We attended church with his mother a few times and weren't really hooked. She took our son to church with her and we basically played church hooky. We eventually started attending the CP church because hubby's boss was a member and he was very much a father figure to him. We liked the church, the preacher and the people and eventually joined. We were regular attendees for awhile, but pregnancy took me out for a short time-the pews were absolutely miserable for me--and then once I had two tiny children (we had no nursery) it became harder and harder, especially as they got older. MIL started taking all three to her church at some point (great children's ministry there) and hubby and I attended less and less.

I promise, this is all on point.

Throughout my churchy experiences and a series of pastors in three different faiths, I have always maintained my own independent thought. I would listen to sermons (not as intently as I should have all the time) and I would take from them what I needed. I have never been a Biblical scholar--I've only read portions of books. I took a Bible lit class in college and I admit that it rather skewed my view of the Bible and its divinity; however, I firmly believe in many of the lessons of Christianity, mainly be a good person and help those in need and we are all equal in the eyes of God and should be in the eyes of man. Never at any time did I feel that I had to agree with everything I heard, nor did I use my pastor as a compass for my personal behavior (which, if you know me, is the understatement of the year).

So this ruckus over Wright has confused me a bit. See, for me, it's not a stretch at all to see how Obama could go to a church and hear sermons that he didn't agree with 100 percent. I can respect and admire and turn to people that I am not in total agreement with, even when it comes to very serious matters. Frankly, if I had to agree with everything my personal advisors believed in, I wouldn't be able to turn to my parents or my mother-in-law or most of the people I work with (all but one of whom are Church of Christ).

Now I know the importance that some place on the relationship between people and their pastors. I've known those who turn to pastors in time of crisis. I've encountered those who consider their pastor the most influential person in his or her life, too. I respect that. Admire it in a way, even. What I don't get, though, is why so many people are so hellbent on assuming that Obama shares the beliefs that his pastor does just because they want him to.

And let's talk about Wright for a moment. He is, without a doubt, divisive. I don't agree with much of anything I've heard in the snippets of his sermons that I've seen. I also think his most recent rantings were ill-timed and hurtful. I am by no means a supporter of him. Honestly, I don't know enough about his beliefs to make a judgement on them. I know what most people know--what I've seen in the news.

As a 30-something white, college-educated female from a solidly middle-to-upper class up bringing who has a job and a comfortable life, it is really impossible for me to begin to understand what it would be like to be a black woman (or man) in an urban setting who experienced life before Equal Rights. Let's be quite honest here--I've had the easier life. I've never really known prejudice. I've never had reason to distrust those in law enforcement or government (okay, I have, but not on a personal level). I have always been allowed to come and go as I pleased. It never even entered my mind that I might not be welcome in a neighborhood when shopping for a house. I never had to struggle to get hired in a company that had no one else of my race. So I am hesitant to put myself into a position to pass judgement on someone's beliefs or refelections on their experiences in America.

There are those who have denounced Wright and his church and by association Obama for the discussion of politics from the pulpit. Having sat through a few sermons at a couple of churches when Tennessee had gay marriage on the ballot, I would respectfully submit that many white church goers might want to think twice before insisting that political pulpits need to be investigated. As for politicians, well...two words: Justice Sunday.

For twenty years, Obama was a member of Wright's church. He has considered him a close personal friend and advisor. No where, though, have I seen evidence that Obama has embraced each and every one of Wright's beliefs. Nor have I seen anything that indicated that Obama was in attendance when Wright made his inflammatory comments that have been played over and over again on YouTube. I find it hard to believe that Wright was discussing hot button issues every week from the pulpit--I'm sure we'd have seen it if he had. As for his blasphemous comment: "God bless America... No!... God Damn America...for killing innocent people...for treating her citizens as less than human," well, I must be a bad person, too, because I agree with him to a point. I find it beyond hypocritical for some people to sit in church,wearing their flag pins on their lapels ad calling themselves followers of Jesus only to go vote against letting gays marry and call blacks "niggers" in daily conversation (do not think for one minute that this doesn't happen every day, probably every hour, in towns and cities across the South. Racisim is alive and well in 2008). I find it amazing that Bush and Co. can justify the murder of thousands of Iraqis as casualties of war and still sleep at night. And then, of course, we have decades of subhuman treatment of blacks to be proud of...those who supported that behavior have not all died, nor have they all changed their opinions. If you haven't been touched by the newest class on the bottom of the barrel, Hispanics, Indians, and Middle Easterners, consider yourself lucky. I am stunned into speechlessness on a very regular basis to hear the most hateful, racist, unChristian comments toward anyone who didn't get his or her dark skin tone from a tanning bed. So before we all puff up with righteous idignation over someone daring to suggest that everyone in America isn't treated in the manner God taught, let us be honest with ourselves. Perhaps there are those who live in a world where they are proud of everything their country does. I'm not. And I am not unAmerican for thinking that, nor am I speaking for everyone who might have every agreed with me, turned to me for advice, or asked for my opinion on things.

I don't think many Christians would be accused of harboring anti-Jewish feelings just because they were followers of Rev. Billy Graham, yet Graham was captured on tape making disparaging remarks about Jewish control of the media. He apologized when the tapes were made public--the comments were made during the Nixon administration, but do his comments reflect on those who have supported him or who did at the time? Of course not. Had those comments been made public at the time, I'm sure that there would have been many of his flock who would have been in total disagreement with him. Just because they turn to him for spiritual guidance, it doesn't mean that they agree with him 100 percent.

Would I have used Wright's phrasing? No. Do I agree with Wright? No. I don't. And do I think Obama agrees with Wright? No. I don't. Do I think that Wright has used the spotlight to focus attention on himself? Yes. I do. Do I think that Republican talking heads and Clintonites are fanning the Wright flames? Absostinkinglutely.

Step Up, Step Up, Introduce Yourself!

2008-04-27T16:10:00.004-05:00

That stupid Pop Warner cheer is still imbedded in my brain more than a year after I've been to a football game.

Anywho...Introduce yourself. But not in the ordinary way. Do tell us your real name (if you are comfortable) so that everyone will know which screenname goes with which real name. Then tell Us:

1. Where you live--general region, state or city. Your call. But as you do, tell us what the bigest problem facing your city is right now.

2. What are your top three hot button issues i.e. breastfeeding, gun control, etc.

3. What is your strongest personality trait?

4. Who is your biggest influence in real life.

Gay Marriage

2008-04-24T08:07:00.002-05:00

Sort of but not really. It's at least an attention grabber, yes?

So, I have been hanging around the computer world for about 5 years. I have learned a LOT in those 5 years about other people, other people's views, politics, religion, etc. etc. etc.
But even though my eyes have been opened to many different things, I'm not sure that too many of my views have changed. (I wish that more of my stubborn views had changed over the years, I'm working on some of those)
One that HAS changed has been my view on hate crime laws. I still am not a huge fan of them but thanks to Syren I do understand them a little better and can understand the need for them.

So since your time around the computer social networking stuff, have any of your views about anything changed? Anything at all?

Grrrrrr. Pee on the toilet seat.

2008-04-22T17:28:00.001-05:00

And not from a man either. Nope. It's from my assistant. Another female. The same person who is a water fountain snob. The same person who constantly talks about things being dirty, etc. *boggle*

Granted, our bathroom is public, but there are not a whole heck of a lot of women using it - she and I being the main ones. There is an occasional female student or an occasional female client. But for the most part, it's the two of us.

It's cleaned once a week by a janitor. I also have Clorox wipes in there, as well as baby wipes. I can understand not wanting to sit on the toilet. So I can see squatting. Yes, I get that. But how can someone pee on the seat and not wipe it off? How can you turn around to flush it and not see pee on the seat.

Grrrrr. Thank Cod I've seen it. I think I'd probably throw a major tantrum if I sat in it.

Rob Lowe - Battle of the He Said/She Said

2008-04-15T09:58:00.002-05:00

Here is a link from the Today Show's site:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24123531/

I saw some, but not all of this this morning. I have to tell you that I don't completely believe Rob Lowe, but I also don't believe a word this girl has said. There was something about her demeanor on the show this morning. It was more of an "I'll show you" kind of response to what he did. She was pretty much smiling the entire time.

He does have that whole history thing, which is why I don't completely believe him. But for this girl to say she was sexually harassed and assaulted on more than one occasion IMO is complete BS.

At this point, I am more apt to believe him.

Guidelines

2008-04-13T08:30:00.002-05:00

This post is to discuss what, if any, boundaries we want. Like I don't want a bunch of rules--we're grown ups and this is a blog, for heaven's sake. To keep us all on the same page, though:

Respect blog members. Even if you don't agree, discuss things with respect. You can call me a bitch or a dumbass, but do so in a respectful manner and for a reason, not just because you feel like it.
Cite sources for quoted material. Provide links if the material is more than a paragraph or so. Please don't post articles in full here.
Provide links to relevant stories in discussion. Some people (like me) aren't always up on the news.
Don't delete or edit your content in an attempt to manipulate the conversation.

That's all I got. Anyone else have a suggestion?

Just A Note or Two

2008-04-13T08:19:00.002-05:00

I'm behind in emailing invites. If you have commented and want to be able to post, please put your name in the comment section for this entry and we'll get you added.
Can boys play, too, or do we want to just be girls?
I'm too mentally overwhlemed to deal with the name thing at the moment, so that will come soon. I would like to see us be sort of like The View with their Hot Topics only with better opinions and I would like to see us become a site where people can come in for different opinions--not just us reading us, kwim? I think we have such a great grop with such a broad set of interests and life experiences that we can really contribute something to the blogworld instead of just being a talking points site for one group or another. So, I'm not sure about the name. I'm thinking.
Everyone here is not going to like everyone else. I think that's just a given considering that we're adult women (at the moment) with vastly different personalities and styles. With that in mind, I want to ask that everyone feel free to contribute and participate, but leave any personal snips or past history at the door. Me, I'm Pollyanna--I like everyone (except attention-seeking liars), so I can play along with just about anyone. I would hate for someone NOT to post here just because she doesn't like someone else. Does that make sense? I think a good discussion group/bitchfest really needs a variety of opinions in order to be interesting. We can all learn from each other (unless we're passive aggressive lying mental cases--then no one wants to learn what you have) and I look forward to having a place to mix all sorts of folks from all sorts of places.
I'm going to post a "RULES" post. I don't want a bunch of rules, FTR, I deal with rules at school and I'm done with rules.

The Pregnant Man

2008-04-10T08:30:00.003-05:00

I'd like to discuss the pregnant man who has been in the news lately.

I don't like to be judgmental about things I don't understand, and I admit to not really understanding the transgendered. I do feel that people should be themselves, whatever they feel is their most honest self, and that is how they should be able to live, without reproach or judgement from anyone else.
I do not question in any way this persons need to be whatever gender is most honest for him, no matter what style of body he was born wearing.

My questions are about what makes him a pregnant Man.
He has body hair and facial hair, I don't doubt that emotionally he is a man, he told Oprah in his interview.
But he has a vagina, and he has a uterus, and he has ovaries (at last count, I only had one of those three), the only actual surgery he had was to remove his breasts, but breasts don't make you male or female , do they?
His legal status is Male, but I don't understand the specifics of how gender is classified legally.
He has taken hormones that have changed his physical appearance, and some of those changes were permanent, he is no longer on those hormones. His clitoris has grown into what he describes as a "small penis" , but is it actually a penis? He conceived naturally, with a sperm donation, so he ovulates and menstruates as a female.

Maybe I have answered my own questions, that being mentally and emotionally male is what makes him male, but the parts of his body that conceived and are gestating and will soon give birth, are female.
And by that definition, he can hardly be the first. I am sure there have been others who were emotionally male, yet physically female who've had children, who've given birth.
Maybe it's just the labels I'm hung up on, but since he went public with his story, and attached those labels to himself, I don't feel it's wrong to question them.

I wonder about their need to go public, he and his wife, but I don't judge them for that, I just find it odd, and am not sure how that changes their experience or societies views on gender identity.

So is his experience somehow special, or is this just another pregnant couple bringing a child into their family?

I'm interested to hear thoughts.

Because Arkie said so

2008-04-09T20:19:00.003-05:00

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am most obedient.<--that's part of that sarcasm thing.

Arkie wants a new post. I am going to start us off with an all important poll to hold us over until someone posts something a bit more intelligent.

Here is my poll.

Chinese Food: Do we have to boycott Chinese food if we boycott China?
(Is this considered to be a poll? Or a question?)

Carry on. I'm going to plant my ass on the couch now. Between a developing cold and my period, I'm ready for this day to be D-U-N, done.

Manifesto

2008-04-04T23:17:00.001-05:00

Doesn't that sound impressive?

The purpose of this blog:

1. To provide a common forum for like-minded women to share their thoughts on life, politics, television, stupid people, sport, whatever.

2. To elevate the intelligence level of the blogging world with every word we write.

3. To make ourselves laugh.

4. To debate or discuss things in a respectful, intelligent manner.

I've invited a few people that I had addresses for--Tech, Sami, Buggy, Willow, Catt and Bravie. Please feel free to suggest others that would fit here. I also posted an invite on my blog and would feel bad if anyone wanted to join, but didn't.

It will NOT be a private blog and it is NOT intended to be some OT-bashfest, either. Just a place to share opinions and witty banter without interruption. Make sense?

If anyone is offended by the name, speak up.