I don't really have a topic today. In fact, there's no reason at all for me to write. I just feel like it. It's been a few days since I've posted, so why not.
Spring Break started today. I know that I don't teach full-time, but I'm really looking forward to this week off. I just want to write and work on selling some more articles. I'm determined to make more money as a writer. I just need to get myself going. You know how it is, when there's SO MUCH to do that you just don't know where to start? That's how freelancing has been for me. I've been content with my two little by-lines, but they don't pay the bills...they barely pay for the postage. I need to put some time into it.
I don't have the entire break to myself, though. Tomorrow morning I'm leaving town WAY too early on a Saturday to go to Warsaw, IN for a worship concert. I'm staying the night, going to church Sunday morning, then hiking back up to Michigan.
Monday will be a fun day :) A friend of mine is starting a job as a make-up artist at a local salon. She has to go through some training and needs to bring a model. Ta-da! Karin on Spring Break = available face for make-up training. I can handle sitting around and being made pretty for an afternoon. Just hoping it include a little brow tweezing ;) hee, hee
Other than that, I can't really think of anything that I HAVE to do for the week. That works for me. I'm at the library right now and realizing how much I miss it. I really do accomplish a lot when I'm at the library. Maybe it's the no-food policy, or the shushing librarians. Whatever it is, there aren't a lot of distractions and I usually do well here.
That's pretty much it. Did I forget anything? I don't think so. Oh! Props to the older sis and b-i-l and their new pad. I'm jealous. They spent two days looking, offered, and are now closing on a condo. Matt and I started looking last spring. Oy. We don't agree on much. But that's a long story best saved for another three posts.
Okay folks - enjoy the weekend! (Gotta go pee)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
I couldn't help myself...
As a registered voter and one of the millions of people who elect others to represent me in Washington D.C., I often email my reps to express my opinions on various bills/issues. Because I've done this I also get updates from time to time. I got the email today. I couldn't help it...I sent off a speedy response (posted below):
Dear Mrs. Beery:
I thought you might be interested in the speech I gave in the Senate yesterday regarding the outrageous bonuses given to executives at American International Group (AIG).As has been widely reported, AIG chose to dole out sizeable performance and retention bonuses last week to executives of the very financial services division that was responsible for creating many of the exotic securities that brought the company to its knees.
This tone-deaf decision represents not only an egregious misuse of taxpayer funds, but highlights just one of the many double standards that have been applied to companies receiving federal assistance.
It was only four months ago that our nation’s struggling domestic auto-makers asked for government loans that amount to a small fraction of the money we have given to Wall Street. Hardworking Americans, who put in an honest day’s work building automobiles, were summarily criticized for making a living wage as executives at financial services companies receiving billions of taxpayer dollars rewarded themselves with obscene bonuses.
Unlike the autoworkers, A.I.G.’s executives didn’t step up to the plate. I felt compelled to highlight this shameful double standard when I spoke yesterday on the floor of the United States Senate.You can view my full statement by clicking on the following link: [http://www.levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=310035]
Sincerely,Carl Levin
Thank you for the notice about your opposition to the AIG bonuses. However, I wonder if you read the stimulus bill before you signed it. Sen. Dodd ADMITS that he wrote in a loop hole ALLOWING the execs at AIG to get bonuses.
It leaves me to believe one of two things:
1 - you didn't read the bill and are now trying to cover your butt
2 - you DID read the bill and are now being called on the carpet by the same people who didn't want you to sign the bill in the first place.
Your attempt to destroy consumer confidence in businesses is noted, but so is your irresponsible voting and bill-making.
Dear Mrs. Beery:
I thought you might be interested in the speech I gave in the Senate yesterday regarding the outrageous bonuses given to executives at American International Group (AIG).As has been widely reported, AIG chose to dole out sizeable performance and retention bonuses last week to executives of the very financial services division that was responsible for creating many of the exotic securities that brought the company to its knees.
This tone-deaf decision represents not only an egregious misuse of taxpayer funds, but highlights just one of the many double standards that have been applied to companies receiving federal assistance.
It was only four months ago that our nation’s struggling domestic auto-makers asked for government loans that amount to a small fraction of the money we have given to Wall Street. Hardworking Americans, who put in an honest day’s work building automobiles, were summarily criticized for making a living wage as executives at financial services companies receiving billions of taxpayer dollars rewarded themselves with obscene bonuses.
Unlike the autoworkers, A.I.G.’s executives didn’t step up to the plate. I felt compelled to highlight this shameful double standard when I spoke yesterday on the floor of the United States Senate.You can view my full statement by clicking on the following link: [http://www.levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=310035]
Sincerely,Carl Levin
Thank you for the notice about your opposition to the AIG bonuses. However, I wonder if you read the stimulus bill before you signed it. Sen. Dodd ADMITS that he wrote in a loop hole ALLOWING the execs at AIG to get bonuses.
It leaves me to believe one of two things:
1 - you didn't read the bill and are now trying to cover your butt
2 - you DID read the bill and are now being called on the carpet by the same people who didn't want you to sign the bill in the first place.
Your attempt to destroy consumer confidence in businesses is noted, but so is your irresponsible voting and bill-making.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Let's think about it...
I am truly saddened by the death of Natash Richardson. I enjoyed her work (what I've seen), but that's not what really grieves me. It's her two sons, 12 and 13 yrs. old, who will miss her. It's a sad, sad situation.
What's got me thinking, however, is the responses that I have heard, thus far, about the prevention of her death: Wear a Helmet.
Um...yeah. That might have helped. But let's consider this: You're not a doctor - go see one.
There was apparently an ambulance at the ski lodge waiting to take Richardson to the hospital. She felt fine, so she didn't want to go. Now, if it's a known fact that ski falls can result in head trauma (which is why the use of helmets is encouraged), why wouldn't you go have your head examined? While I don't know this for a fact, I feel confident in the assumption that Richardson could have afforded to go to the hospital.
The reason I bring this up is that two months ago a read an article in a women's magazine about a lady who had been in a car accident. She was sore, but thought she'd be okay. She had the insurance, but didn't want to miss work. Instead, she went about her life.
Two years later she is broke and in constant pain because of the injuries that she couldn't see that she didn't treat. She ended up missing work because she was in pain. She was gone for so many days that she lost her job.
It took her almost six weeks before she went to see her first doctor. By that time the damage was done, and some if it became permenant.
So this is what I'VE been thinking about...if you have the opportunity and the resourses SEE A DOCTOR!! I'm not sure why we as a people think we know more than doctors. Fifteen years of "ER" doesn't make up for years of medical school.
Maybe it would help to understand that by the time we feel sick, something is already wrong. A check-up can never hurt...ESPECIALLY if you have the insurance/money to get help!
That's what's going on in my head today. I'm not one to visit the doctor for every runny nose (I know how to treat that), but when someone serious happens, I have the time and resources to get a second opinion. The worst that can happen is being told you're fine. The best? Living to see another day.
Please folks...wear your helmet. And see a doctor!!
What's got me thinking, however, is the responses that I have heard, thus far, about the prevention of her death: Wear a Helmet.
Um...yeah. That might have helped. But let's consider this: You're not a doctor - go see one.
There was apparently an ambulance at the ski lodge waiting to take Richardson to the hospital. She felt fine, so she didn't want to go. Now, if it's a known fact that ski falls can result in head trauma (which is why the use of helmets is encouraged), why wouldn't you go have your head examined? While I don't know this for a fact, I feel confident in the assumption that Richardson could have afforded to go to the hospital.
The reason I bring this up is that two months ago a read an article in a women's magazine about a lady who had been in a car accident. She was sore, but thought she'd be okay. She had the insurance, but didn't want to miss work. Instead, she went about her life.
Two years later she is broke and in constant pain because of the injuries that she couldn't see that she didn't treat. She ended up missing work because she was in pain. She was gone for so many days that she lost her job.
It took her almost six weeks before she went to see her first doctor. By that time the damage was done, and some if it became permenant.
So this is what I'VE been thinking about...if you have the opportunity and the resourses SEE A DOCTOR!! I'm not sure why we as a people think we know more than doctors. Fifteen years of "ER" doesn't make up for years of medical school.
Maybe it would help to understand that by the time we feel sick, something is already wrong. A check-up can never hurt...ESPECIALLY if you have the insurance/money to get help!
That's what's going on in my head today. I'm not one to visit the doctor for every runny nose (I know how to treat that), but when someone serious happens, I have the time and resources to get a second opinion. The worst that can happen is being told you're fine. The best? Living to see another day.
Please folks...wear your helmet. And see a doctor!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Creative Cooking
As you may know, Matt and I are really getting into cooking these days. We've even made some casseroles together (and they were yummy). Last week we made up some of our own recipes. They're a bit off kilter, but we like 'em!
While suffering uncontrollable cravings (cyclical in nature, not prenatal) I NEEDED something salty...and sweet...and chewy...and hot. I created:
WURSTLOAF (or Bratloaf)
1 lb. brats, remove casings
Oatmeal (I just dumped it in - 1/3-1/2 c. I guess)
1 egg
Brown Sugar (again, I dumped - 1/4 c?)
Mix all ingredients together. Put in a small, greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. HEAVEN!!
Later in the week we wanted popcorn. We LOVE popcorn (the real stuff, not microwave). Matt is very creative with his spices, using anything from the cabinet that suits his fancy. Last week it was taco seasoning. We had emptied a spice jar, so he cleaned it out and dumped in a few packages of taco mix. We sprinkled it on our popcorn and, VIOLA! Yumminess.
I'll let you know if any other fabulous creations leave our kitchen, but I don't guarantee they'll be "normal" :)
While suffering uncontrollable cravings (cyclical in nature, not prenatal) I NEEDED something salty...and sweet...and chewy...and hot. I created:
WURSTLOAF (or Bratloaf)
1 lb. brats, remove casings
Oatmeal (I just dumped it in - 1/3-1/2 c. I guess)
1 egg
Brown Sugar (again, I dumped - 1/4 c?)
Mix all ingredients together. Put in a small, greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. HEAVEN!!
Later in the week we wanted popcorn. We LOVE popcorn (the real stuff, not microwave). Matt is very creative with his spices, using anything from the cabinet that suits his fancy. Last week it was taco seasoning. We had emptied a spice jar, so he cleaned it out and dumped in a few packages of taco mix. We sprinkled it on our popcorn and, VIOLA! Yumminess.
I'll let you know if any other fabulous creations leave our kitchen, but I don't guarantee they'll be "normal" :)
Burial
These things never load the way I want them to, dang it. Oh well.
Below is the video experience of my snow day. The video on the bottom goes first...then the top. (Opposite order from loading pictures, I guess)
It was a fabulous experience. I loved it. It made me tired.
Below is the video experience of my snow day. The video on the bottom goes first...then the top. (Opposite order from loading pictures, I guess)
It was a fabulous experience. I loved it. It made me tired.
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