I've gotten feedback that this format makes my blog hard to read. Did you have that problem? I've bolded my posts, maybe that will help, but I can't yet bold the rest. A friend who's been doing this for awhile is supposed to come over and help me, but this blog site is pretty easy...I've gotten THIS far on my own. And it's free!
So, it's Sunday morning and MyMan is HOME! So what am I doing in front of the computer? Hey, we all still need alone time, and we both have stuff that needs to be done. Anyway, this evening, we are going to a Ducks game. Believe it or not, I really enjoy these games, even though the last time, he got bonked on the head with a foul ball! It's so close, very clean, and way cheaper than the majors. It will be like a double date. We're meeting my good old friend Deb and her fiance, Christopher, who is a computer genius. It sure is handy to have a computer genius as a friend when you are plagued by 'puter problems. He's a very generous genius, too. Anyway, they are our Ducks buddies. Debbie and I eat one of everything they sell...hot dogs, crackerjacks, ice cream...it's an important part of the whole live baseball game experience, dontcha know.
I bet you were wondering what ducks and technology had in common! What do you think of the Ducks (if you think of them at all), and about friends sharing their expertise.
Earlier, I was listening to an old favorite that I very nearly forgot - Al Stewart! Remember "Year of the Cat?" That isn't anywhere near his best song. It's really bringing back memories...mostly of my sister when she was a teenager. She turned me on to him. Now I'm listening to Low Millions. The lead singer is Adam Cohen, Leonard Cohen's son! His voice is his own, though at times reminiscent of his dad's. Now I need to get crackin' on those things that need to be done.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Mommy Wars?
I just received my Long Island Women's Agenda newsletter, and there is an interesting article. I am quoting the article below. Apparently, the media has been using the term "mommy wars" when describing issues relating to mothers and work.
"The MOTHERS Initiative of the National Association of Mothers' Centers (NAMC) launched its Ceasefire in the "Mommy Wars" Campaign...This effort is focused on the media...
"This isn't a playground and we don't have to choose sides...At issue is the perceived battle between mothers who work and mothers who stay home. In reality, women aren't just one or the other. Many women are in one category for a time, transition to the other, and perhaps transition back again at another stage in their family's development. The real issue is the lack of societal supports for the caregiving work that still falls most heavily on women's shoulders. This work can be the care of children, of elderly parents, of a partner who has taken ill, or of oneself.
"Framing the conversation with this devisive rhetoric promotes the notion that women are against each other when the opposite is true. The same policies, practices, customs, and laws that would benefit at-home moms would also benefit at work moms and all those in between who cobble together some kind of schedule to make a living and care for their families and themselves. Of course this would include fathers and non-parents, too!
"Join the campaign! Respond to those who try to divide women unnecessarily."
The campaign materials can be found at www.MothersOughtToHaveEqualRights.org.
Thanks, LIWA, for this interesting and informative article. I have been out of the Mommy loop, with my chicks out of the nest for some time now. But I have friends who are dealing with this issue, an important one, I think. While this could certainly be called the Age of Communication, and the media can definitely be an asset, it also can really add unnecessary fuel to the flames of just about any issue. Off my soapbox now. What do you think?
"The MOTHERS Initiative of the National Association of Mothers' Centers (NAMC) launched its Ceasefire in the "Mommy Wars" Campaign...This effort is focused on the media...
"This isn't a playground and we don't have to choose sides...At issue is the perceived battle between mothers who work and mothers who stay home. In reality, women aren't just one or the other. Many women are in one category for a time, transition to the other, and perhaps transition back again at another stage in their family's development. The real issue is the lack of societal supports for the caregiving work that still falls most heavily on women's shoulders. This work can be the care of children, of elderly parents, of a partner who has taken ill, or of oneself.
"Framing the conversation with this devisive rhetoric promotes the notion that women are against each other when the opposite is true. The same policies, practices, customs, and laws that would benefit at-home moms would also benefit at work moms and all those in between who cobble together some kind of schedule to make a living and care for their families and themselves. Of course this would include fathers and non-parents, too!
"Join the campaign! Respond to those who try to divide women unnecessarily."
The campaign materials can be found at www.MothersOughtToHaveEqualRights.org.
Thanks, LIWA, for this interesting and informative article. I have been out of the Mommy loop, with my chicks out of the nest for some time now. But I have friends who are dealing with this issue, an important one, I think. While this could certainly be called the Age of Communication, and the media can definitely be an asset, it also can really add unnecessary fuel to the flames of just about any issue. Off my soapbox now. What do you think?
Books and Music
I got up early with My Man...who went to work. I fed King (his dog) and Jack (my kitty...see photo), made myself an Herbalife shake (still one of the best breakfasts ever), went through my morning ritual of checking all four email addresses I have, playing my ongoing scrabble games, and then played a few rounds of internet hearts. I am so addicted to card games online. And I found a good game of poker online, too - the kind you that you play with fake money.
Last night, I watched one of the two episodes of Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes. It was the third of four sets of two one-hour shows a week. I think it's on TNT. I think he's been slipping lately. His stories are still pretty fresh, but I've been thoroughly dissapointed by his endings lately. His last book, "Cell," was great. Suspenseful, excellently fleshed out characters (as always), but it just ended. It was a cliffhanger ending and it was very frustrating. I don't have to have every book or story tied up neatly in the end for me, but I do need some sort of explanation of why everyone got zapped by their cell phones and became something else. Grrr.
I read (or I should say listened to) another book by Dean Koontz, "The Taking." Many people thought it was too heavy handed, but I enjoyed it. It was an alien invasion story, but with a twist. Maybe it had a stronger impact because I listened to it on a road trip taken at night, but I thought it was clever. I like his other books very much, although I remember not reading him for awhile because his books started seeming the same. I guess that can happen when you read the only one author for too long.
ANYWAY, here I am sitting at my computer and listening to music. I get Yahoo music, so I can listen to whatever I want on my computer. I listened to Nellie McKay, and they always suggest some similar artists, so I explored Neko Case, Ivy, and now I'm listening to St. Etienne. There was one song by each that I've heard on the radio, and was happily surprised. Before that, I listened to My Morning Jacket. They are so good...sort of early NeilYoung-ish. One song, in particular, "Golden," is so beautiful. They have a sort of nostalgic sound that brings you back (if you're old enough) to the early 70s mellow rock. Like I said, early NY.
Music has so much power to affect our thoughts, emotions, and spirit. I love so many different types, but I guess mostly what they call adult alternative. Although I like groups like Sublime and Gorillaz.
Well, I should get away from this desk for awhile and get something done. Tell me what music you're listening to. :)
Last night, I watched one of the two episodes of Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes. It was the third of four sets of two one-hour shows a week. I think it's on TNT. I think he's been slipping lately. His stories are still pretty fresh, but I've been thoroughly dissapointed by his endings lately. His last book, "Cell," was great. Suspenseful, excellently fleshed out characters (as always), but it just ended. It was a cliffhanger ending and it was very frustrating. I don't have to have every book or story tied up neatly in the end for me, but I do need some sort of explanation of why everyone got zapped by their cell phones and became something else. Grrr.
I read (or I should say listened to) another book by Dean Koontz, "The Taking." Many people thought it was too heavy handed, but I enjoyed it. It was an alien invasion story, but with a twist. Maybe it had a stronger impact because I listened to it on a road trip taken at night, but I thought it was clever. I like his other books very much, although I remember not reading him for awhile because his books started seeming the same. I guess that can happen when you read the only one author for too long.
ANYWAY, here I am sitting at my computer and listening to music. I get Yahoo music, so I can listen to whatever I want on my computer. I listened to Nellie McKay, and they always suggest some similar artists, so I explored Neko Case, Ivy, and now I'm listening to St. Etienne. There was one song by each that I've heard on the radio, and was happily surprised. Before that, I listened to My Morning Jacket. They are so good...sort of early NeilYoung-ish. One song, in particular, "Golden," is so beautiful. They have a sort of nostalgic sound that brings you back (if you're old enough) to the early 70s mellow rock. Like I said, early NY.
Music has so much power to affect our thoughts, emotions, and spirit. I love so many different types, but I guess mostly what they call adult alternative. Although I like groups like Sublime and Gorillaz.
Well, I should get away from this desk for awhile and get something done. Tell me what music you're listening to. :)
Friday, July 28, 2006
I Caved
My friend, Nancy, has been hounding me to start a blog. I've resisted. I mean, why do I want what is essentially a diary made public? Yesterday, when I gave her my usual excuses, she shot back, "It can be whatever you want! Write about movies and books." Hmmm. Now she had my interest. So, I finally caved. It's 11pm on a Friday night, my honey is sound asleep after working a long hard day in this heat, and I can't sleep. Nothin' on TV and even computer games have me bored.
And here I sit trying to think of something to write. I haven't seen many films lately. Some fun stuff on TV. I am about 2/3 finished with Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I think I like it better that DaVinci Code. A student of mine (I teach acting) is going to lend me her copy of Sean Astin's bio. She's nearly finished and she says it's really interesting. Titled something like "And Actor's Tale. Half the book is about his experiences working on Lord of the Rings. Gotta tell my friend, Bonnie, about that one. She is a hardcore Rings fan.
I did see an interesting film a while back called "Thumbsucker." Odd, but pretty interesting. And "History of Violence" with Viggo Mortenson and Maria Bello. When the film finally explodes into the inevitable, it's kind of hard to watch. But the acting was amazing...everyone.
You see, that's the trick about these things. You start writing about stuff, and it starts to turn into sharing very personal things you wouldn't share with strangers. But the solitary act of writing on your computer can make your forget that what you are writing will go to a place where anyone in the world can stumble upon it. Don't you think that's kind of scary?
Well, before I start philosophizin', I'll end this now. Next time I post, maybe I'll have more "kulchuh" to write about. :)
And here I sit trying to think of something to write. I haven't seen many films lately. Some fun stuff on TV. I am about 2/3 finished with Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I think I like it better that DaVinci Code. A student of mine (I teach acting) is going to lend me her copy of Sean Astin's bio. She's nearly finished and she says it's really interesting. Titled something like "And Actor's Tale. Half the book is about his experiences working on Lord of the Rings. Gotta tell my friend, Bonnie, about that one. She is a hardcore Rings fan.
I did see an interesting film a while back called "Thumbsucker." Odd, but pretty interesting. And "History of Violence" with Viggo Mortenson and Maria Bello. When the film finally explodes into the inevitable, it's kind of hard to watch. But the acting was amazing...everyone.
You see, that's the trick about these things. You start writing about stuff, and it starts to turn into sharing very personal things you wouldn't share with strangers. But the solitary act of writing on your computer can make your forget that what you are writing will go to a place where anyone in the world can stumble upon it. Don't you think that's kind of scary?
Well, before I start philosophizin', I'll end this now. Next time I post, maybe I'll have more "kulchuh" to write about. :)
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