I'm in 'em. Nothing particularly set it off. But I'm having trouble filling time. I don't really want to see people if I don't have to. And I just feel bored, bored, bored.
Any recommendations? Rewatching all four seasons of "House, MD," though reinvigorating my love for Greg House, didn't do the trick this time.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
I was fired. Well, sorta.
About 8 months ago, I took on a new client. It really was a stupid move on my part. They required too much time at specific hours, lots of edits and the pay sucked donkey butt.
So why did I take the job? Everyone's talk about a sucky economy made me think that a long-term prospect that would offer me a specific number of hours per month and direct deposit was a good thing. Friends, I thought I had found myself that mythical cushion, which is nearly impossible to find in the freelancing world.
And there's a good reason why. It doesn't really exist. Turns out small companies, no matter how many hours they may promise you, aren't immune to the economy either. So facing their own business woes, they offered me an ultimatum this week. Up my hours significantly -- basically becoming a full-time employee without actually becoming one -- or go away.
I chose to go away. And it's amazing. I don't think I realized how much I was letting the economy, or more precisely the rumors about said economy, bully me until that moment. But when I was shown a door, I took it gladly.
And you know what? I found something else to replace it the next day. Something that had I chosen not to pick up this client, I would have had time to pitch months ago.
It pays not to let yourself be too scared.
So why did I take the job? Everyone's talk about a sucky economy made me think that a long-term prospect that would offer me a specific number of hours per month and direct deposit was a good thing. Friends, I thought I had found myself that mythical cushion, which is nearly impossible to find in the freelancing world.
And there's a good reason why. It doesn't really exist. Turns out small companies, no matter how many hours they may promise you, aren't immune to the economy either. So facing their own business woes, they offered me an ultimatum this week. Up my hours significantly -- basically becoming a full-time employee without actually becoming one -- or go away.
I chose to go away. And it's amazing. I don't think I realized how much I was letting the economy, or more precisely the rumors about said economy, bully me until that moment. But when I was shown a door, I took it gladly.
And you know what? I found something else to replace it the next day. Something that had I chosen not to pick up this client, I would have had time to pitch months ago.
It pays not to let yourself be too scared.
Apparently, I'm a sexist.
Like many, I was very surprised by the Sarah Palin pick. But the more that I read about her, the more she seems like the kind of maverick that would complement McCain. Plus, it would also revitalize the campaign, which can't hurt.
But here's the thing. And I have a very hard time admitting it. But here goes.
Palin has a four-month-old Down's Syndrome child. The right is positioning this as a sign that Palin can put her money where her mouth is when it comes to pro-life policy (never mind that it was a *choice* that could equally stand up in a pro-choice context). They are saying this is a good thing. And while I applaud Palin for opting to keep a special needs child, I can't help but wonder how it will affect her duties as VP.
If I think the best of Palin, then I know that when her child needs her, that child will come first. And a child with Down's Syndrome is going to need her often. There are going to be doctor's appointments, tests, all manner of complications that could happen at any time. And given her son's young age, it is very unclear what those needs may be and how much time they will require. And of course, whether they will occur when it is convenient for the country.
At some point, I think that Palin will be put in a position where she has to choose between her child and the American people. Not only it is an unfair choice to put upon her but also unfair to that child and the people she was chosen to represent.
Of course, any pundit out there will say, "Would you say the same about a father who had a special needs child?" And I will tell you honestly -- a child with Down's Syndrome at 4 months of age? Yes. Yes, I would have concerns. I see it the same way I would a VP with severe health issues. (And in fact, after Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with cancer, I almost got slapped for telling someone that I thought that perhaps it would prove too much of a distraction for a leader of the free world).
Frankly, I just think it is just too hard to stay focused when there are so many unknowns, so many potential problems that take the VP's head away from where it needs to be -- on our country.
So, apparently I'm sexist. And since it's out there now, don't be surprised if I slap you on the ass and tell you to get me a beer.
(P.S. Now they are speculating that the baby isn't even Palin's. Oh vey).
But here's the thing. And I have a very hard time admitting it. But here goes.
Palin has a four-month-old Down's Syndrome child. The right is positioning this as a sign that Palin can put her money where her mouth is when it comes to pro-life policy (never mind that it was a *choice* that could equally stand up in a pro-choice context). They are saying this is a good thing. And while I applaud Palin for opting to keep a special needs child, I can't help but wonder how it will affect her duties as VP.
If I think the best of Palin, then I know that when her child needs her, that child will come first. And a child with Down's Syndrome is going to need her often. There are going to be doctor's appointments, tests, all manner of complications that could happen at any time. And given her son's young age, it is very unclear what those needs may be and how much time they will require. And of course, whether they will occur when it is convenient for the country.
At some point, I think that Palin will be put in a position where she has to choose between her child and the American people. Not only it is an unfair choice to put upon her but also unfair to that child and the people she was chosen to represent.
Of course, any pundit out there will say, "Would you say the same about a father who had a special needs child?" And I will tell you honestly -- a child with Down's Syndrome at 4 months of age? Yes. Yes, I would have concerns. I see it the same way I would a VP with severe health issues. (And in fact, after Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with cancer, I almost got slapped for telling someone that I thought that perhaps it would prove too much of a distraction for a leader of the free world).
Frankly, I just think it is just too hard to stay focused when there are so many unknowns, so many potential problems that take the VP's head away from where it needs to be -- on our country.
So, apparently I'm sexist. And since it's out there now, don't be surprised if I slap you on the ass and tell you to get me a beer.
(P.S. Now they are speculating that the baby isn't even Palin's. Oh vey).
Friday, August 29, 2008
In case you've forgotten...
...I still have a mad crush on Dr. Greg House. Who cares if he's fictional? He's still dreamy.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
What? There's a convention going on?
Forgive me, friends. I took yet *another* vacation. And for a week I was without Internet. I'm only now getting over the DTs.
My family came to town and simultaneously destroyed my house and goodwill. But we're now back to regularly scheduled programming. What have you all been up to?
My family came to town and simultaneously destroyed my house and goodwill. But we're now back to regularly scheduled programming. What have you all been up to?
If Madonna jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge...
"I just don't understand why any gathering of more than four females immediately turns into a discussion of what kind of plastic surgery everyone plans to get."
"C'mon, you can't tell me you never considered having something done."
"Actually, no. We do enough to make ourselves feel bad about our bodies. Talking about bigger boobs and tucked tummies in front of our daughters, for Crissakes, is just wrong. We are a total disgrace to our gender and, frankly, it's boring."
"Madonna's had work done."
"Madonna has also posed in Playboy, published her own sex book and still likes to flash her crotch at people at 50. I don't see everyone lining up to do that."
"You never know. They might if they actually get the plastic surgery."
"C'mon, you can't tell me you never considered having something done."
"Actually, no. We do enough to make ourselves feel bad about our bodies. Talking about bigger boobs and tucked tummies in front of our daughters, for Crissakes, is just wrong. We are a total disgrace to our gender and, frankly, it's boring."
"Madonna's had work done."
"Madonna has also posed in Playboy, published her own sex book and still likes to flash her crotch at people at 50. I don't see everyone lining up to do that."
"You never know. They might if they actually get the plastic surgery."
Sunday, August 10, 2008
John Edwards.
After the Edwards admission story broke, I wrote to a friend that I found myself surprised. She immediately emailed back and said, "Why?"
Perhaps I should clarify.
I'm not surprised that he's guilty of an affair. I'm surprised that he admitted it. I'm surprised that, in today's age of 24/7 coverage and citizen/paparazzi journalism, political candidates think they won't get caught. I'm surprised that Edwards would have the audacity to mention that he is "stripped bare" in his statement.
But most of all, I'm surprised that we give a shit. Because, really, why should we? When did fidelity become a benchmark for ability?
Perhaps I should clarify.
I'm not surprised that he's guilty of an affair. I'm surprised that he admitted it. I'm surprised that, in today's age of 24/7 coverage and citizen/paparazzi journalism, political candidates think they won't get caught. I'm surprised that Edwards would have the audacity to mention that he is "stripped bare" in his statement.
But most of all, I'm surprised that we give a shit. Because, really, why should we? When did fidelity become a benchmark for ability?
It's lonely at the top.
When you are an officer's wife, one thing is bound to happen at some certain point: A higher ranking officer's wife will remind you to be careful what you say and follow it up with the ol' cliche, "It's lonely at the top."
It's actually very annoying. Mostly because it's so frickin' true.
And I got a real-world lesson in that this week. And what sucks is that I really did think it was someone I could trust.
Bleh.
It's actually very annoying. Mostly because it's so frickin' true.
And I got a real-world lesson in that this week. And what sucks is that I really did think it was someone I could trust.
Bleh.
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