HollyBabble

2010-11-15T15:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, I guess after my previous essay on my kidney situation I should probably do an update.

I went to the Mayo Clinic last week and wow what a difference from UCLA. The information I received, the care and professionalism and organization made UCLA look like a 10th rate clinic.

The best part is my wait is not 10 years, but 3-5. That I can deal with.

I have not heard back as to whether they will accept me as a candidate, but no one mentioned the possibility that I might not be.

I also may have a live donor. But that is all I will say for now on that. I don't want to jinx this. Some of my closest friends know, but it isn't a done deal until the kidney is in me.

So, my life goes on. Up beat and positive and up for anything that comes my way.

Just keep all your digits crossed, say a few novenas, do whatever you think might help : )

Great Books

2010-11-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

I go through periods where I read everything I can and then I won't read even the comics for a month or more. Lately I have been on such a reading jag that I think I am making up for all those times I couldn't or didn't want to loose myself in a great story.

What follows is just a listing of my latest readings with a bit of a blurb about each. I will assume the reader of this knows I must have liked the books or would not have mentioned them.

1. The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, David Grann
One man's desire to find El Dorado in the Amazon and the author's desire to find the man.

2. Lacuna, Barbara Kingsolver
Socialism, Diego, Frida, Leon and how the past can catch up with you and be misinterpreted.

3. The Kite Runner & A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khalid Hosseini
Both of these books are about Afghanistan before, during and after the Taliban

4. Over the Edge of the World, Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe, Laurence Bergreen
I think the title says it all.

5. Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone, Martin Dugard
The story of Livingstone's life in and out of Africa and Stanely's search.

6. 1916 and 1921, Morgan Llywelyn
Two books about the Irish Uprising

7. The Skeleton Coast, Clive Cussler
Secret Ops in Africa

Right now I am trying to get through Baltasar and Blimunda, by Jose Saramago. He is a Portuguese writer who won the Noble Prize for Literature in 1984. All I can say at this point is that he does not believe in punctuation. He uses a period now and again but his major punctuation usage is of the comma. Lots and lots of commas. No colons or semi-colons, no question marks or exclamation points and nary a quote mark to be found.
The story take place during Portugal's Inquisition and it is interesting, if one can get past the lack of punctuation.

Trying to Decide a Direction

2010-11-14T15:13:00.001-08:00

So far this blog has been a mish mash of family stories, complaints on various topics or political commentary (of sorts). I have found that the last few posts were negative rants on trivial topics...cupcakes?
I want this blog to have some sort of direction but am befuddled as to which way to go.
1. Family stories and memories: there are some doozies, but I am not sure I wish to alienate certain members of my family, yet. Maybe in my 70s I won't care so much.
2. Travel: this is a possiblity. I have had some great times and some great adventures.
3. My upcoming textbook: Putting my friends to sleep, not a great idea. Maybe writing about the writing process??? A possiblity.
4. Food: ohhh, Mario, and Eric and Ina and all you fabulous chefs. Still, living in Bakersfield does limit one. But, another possiblitiy.
5. My kidney: a good opportunity to educate, but there are a load of sites that educate, and I think about my kidney enough every day. I am not sure I want to write about it.
Oh hell, I guess I will continue on my rambling babbling. Just keep it positive as much as possible for now is a good goal. Besides, all of this writing will help me with my book : )

I Rest My Case

2010-09-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

What you see is a cupcake made of scallion cake topped with smoked salmon and cream cheese. I have also found recipes that include bacon, chicken AND waffles, Budweiser beer and crispy onions, and the BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato.)

We have become a society that constantly has to have something new and different. Candy companies keep changing their standard candies...M&Ms now has a coconut version. Liquor is no longer what it used to be, now it has FLAVORS. Raspberry Vodka? I don't think so.

I am not a fuddy duddy. I like to experiment with recipes and enjoy trying new things, but this is too much. Give me a great Old Fashioned and a meal at Mozza or Babbo and I am content.

Cupcakes...do we really need them??

2010-09-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Cupcakes are all the rage these days. On TV we have the Cupcake Wars, Cupcake Divas, Cupcake This and Cupcake That. Antonio Ballatore, on HGTV, even took up an hour of my time redoing a cupcake shop.

What is all this with cupcakes? Is it because they are cute, or a diversion from cakes? Is it the individuality of them? What is it?

I can tell you one thing it isn't ....it isn't the ease with which one can eat a cupcake. With other desserts you have a plate and a fork. It's neat and easy to handle.

With a cupcake you have to decide how to approach that first bite. And, more importantly, how to do it without looking foolish. Also there is so much to deal with. First that little fluted cup they come in. Why fluted?? It's just more space to hold crumbs that will fall onto the ground when you try to release the cake. If you decide to leave it on, then you have to try to bite into the little beast without eating the paper. One could always pull part of the paper down off the trunk of the cake but then there's that crumb situation again, plus you have to deal with making sure you bite off enough to get the frosting into your mouth and not on your chin and still enjoy the cake portion.

If I were to bake cupcakes, and I say IF, I would use parchment to line the tins instead of those crumb saver flutes. A cupcake should come to the party dressed for the party, not looking like some shy little tart. It isn't a strip show, it's a cupcake.

Another thing, why aren't people provided with at least a small plate and fork. Who decided that cupcakes are to be handheld?? Did no one consider the crumb factor? Or the plan of attack one must take in order to eat one?

I think more thought needs to be given to this whole cupcake situation. Maybe there should be a show on Cupcake Problems Solved, or Cupcake Etiquette. As for me, I am going to take all these great cupcake recipes and make small loaves. Then people can have a plate and fork and no crumby mess!

In case you're wondering what brought all this cup rage on, it is the photo at the top of this rant.

It's a pumpkin cupcake with maple frosting by Ina Garten. This is going to be a cake. It's too glorious to loose crumbs to the floor.

Life As I Know It

2010-09-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

It has been six months since my kidney diagnosis and I have been on an interesting journey...at least it was interesting to me.

My first inclination was to go home and sleep. I did that for most of May and June. It was actually beneficial as it gave me plenty of alone time to reflect and consider my options.

In late June my neighbor who was getting ready to get a transplant died. She had a heart attack. It was a real shock to have someone going through what I was going through die, and it had a major impact on my hope for the future. But I had to finally realize that we all go when it is our time and not to compare my life to hers. I do miss Linda though. She was a kind woman who knitted me a scarf for Christmas and who was always upbeat and positive. I will keep her in my heart always.

In July I went to UCLA to see their transplant team. It's a 10 year waiting period folks...way too long for me. So in late October I am off to Phoenix and the Mayo Clinic. They have a 19 month waiting list...that I can do.

During my sleep time I decided to stop looking for a live kidney donor. It's really difficult to ask people and not feel slighted when no one jumps up and says, "Pick Me..I'd love to give you my kidney!" I get a lot of well wishers and loads of platitudes, but after a while they just seem so vacuous. I decided that this was not a way I want to go. So, I wait for someone to die.

It's not a happy thought that my life depends on where I am on a list and having to depend on some one's death to survive, but I won't know them, so for me, it will be easier. There is something about being beholden to a person for saving your life. The whole thing makes me uncomfortable.

As for what I choose to do while I wait for said Death...I intend to have a good time. I will go onto peritoneal dialysis that is done at night while I sleep. I will still be able to travel and I can eat what I want. Two things I love most....food and travel, go figure!!

I am in a great place now. I can accept whatever comes my way. I have looked the negative possibilities in the face and I am not afraid. I have a good life ahead of me and I intend to take full advantage of the time I am given.

My Neighbor

2010-03-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

My neighbor just came over. She has been on dialysis for over a year. At first she was active and out and about all the time. Lately I haven't seen her. Well, I did today. She looked like a wraith. She was gaunt and shaking badly. She wanted some 7up to settle her nausea.
She is such a positive woman, always smiling and upbeat. This was a major shock.
I can't do dialysis. I'd rather take my chances with a kidney transplant.

Kidney Information

2010-03-27T16:13:00.000-07:00

Please go to the following page http://www.kidney.org/ There is all sorts of information on kidney disease, and transplant donation.
I urge anyone who reads this page to do what you can to help those in need of kidneys. If you can't help me, then help someone. Get the word out for the need for live donors.
The pool of donors has not grown as people are living longer. The wait for a dead kidney can be up to 6 years.
To donate is a huge responsibility, but you will be allowing a fellow citizen to live and active healthy life.
Please, go to http://www.kidney.org/ today.
Thank you

How To Deal With Really Bad News

2010-03-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

I am freaking out right now. I have been in Kidney failure for 15 years. I have known it , yet the reality just hit. I am on the cusp of dialysis or kidney transplant.
Neither is a perfect solution to this problem. The big deal is that there is no solution except that one hopes to be healthy enough to endure either.
A lot of people live for decades on dialysis. A lot of people live decades on transplant.
A lot of people do neither.
I am pretty sure I want a transplant, but how do I go and ask someone for their kidney. How does one approach a person and ask them for a whole body part.
Yes they can live with one kidney and yes, Medicare pays ALL their expenses, still, it is not something that most people want to do.
A live kidney is better than a dead one. Getting it before dialysis is better than getting it after.
Hell, I don't even know my blood type.
There is so much out there to deal with. Do I have the strength to see this through?
I have always been a fighter, yet for some reason I have not been so with my kidney. I never wanted to get tested, I never wanted to know my numbers. I always tried to pretend it didn't exist, yet it was on my mind all the time.
My mother was on dialysis. She lasted three years. She died because of heart complications. Yet it stays on my mind.
I have to get through this freak out stage. I have to start fighting for my life.
I am so afraid no one I ask will want to help me. Please God, help me.

A 5 Month Hiatus

2010-01-27T14:48:00.001-08:00

I had completely forgotten I had a blog. I am not sure why I stopped, probably nothing exciting going on. But here it is and it isn't bad if I do say so myself. I dumped some Posts as I felt they didn't fit the tone of whatever it was I was trying to do.
I was amazed to see that 91 people had looked at my Profile. I was sure there were only three or four people who had even looked at it. Two left comments now and again.
I am not looking to become famous, but improving my writing would be beneficial. My best friend and I are embarking on a rather scary journey...writing a text for college level. It is art related, but that is all I will say for now. I am sure that any scribblings I do can't hurt and might even do some good.
So, the journey begins again. For those of you who actually read this, I hope you find my erratic topics of interest.
Cio for now.

Grace Slick is 70

2009-08-26T02:16:00.000-07:00

I don't mind age. I was raised not to worry about things I have no control over. I find when I start to worry it's because I am not doing anything with my life. Yet, there are those moments when I have to pause and say "YIKES"!

The first time I felt age creeping up on me was when Paul McCartney turned 60. SIXTY!! A Beatle turned SIXTY!!! That really hit as I was in high school when they first appeared on the scene. After that age didn't bother me so much. I was in a great group of people and was thrilled to find Merle Streep and Bette Midler were my age. That was cool.

Yesterday I got another Yikes moment...Grace Slick is 70. The White Rabbit lady is SEVENTY. It seems like yesterday that my friends and I were tuning in and dropping out to the Jefferson Airplane and now their lead singer is a major senior citizen. Hippies do grow old don't they.

I can't decide whether I am more upset that my idols are getting old, or that time is slipping away and I am no where near ready to go anywhere. Paul McCartney 67? Grace Slick 70?

"One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small..."

Jellyfish

2009-08-18T23:43:00.000-07:00

Growing up on Vashon Island in the summers had its joys and adventures. I could wax eternally on island living and the water, the mountains, the great weather, but the one thing I think back to the most is the jellyfish.

The ones on near the island were predominantly orange and yellow. The jellyfish were my own personal demon. I feared yet was fascinated by them. They would lurk in the depths of the Sound and float up to sting an unwary swimmer. Some floated on top of the water, some were mid way down. You could see them working their way to the surface. Certain species can kill you with their sting, but ours were quite benign. One of my brothers accidentally dove through one. It stung the heck out of him. He was loaded down with calamine lotion for days but he survived.

I was never stung by one because I devoted the whole of my water time avoiding them. I never really swam as much as did a modified breast stroke while searching out my nemesis'.

On days when I would take the ferry into Seattle, I would go up to the outer deck and count the jellyfish as we passed them by. Some days there would be around 50 of varying sizes and color variations but during the "season" one could count as many as 250 to 300 of the little darlings.

As much as I feared them, I also loved them and to this day I keep a safe spot in my heart for God's little stingers. If you were to ask me why I honestly couldn't tell you.

A Memory of My Dad

2009-08-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

When my father's boss, Leo Black died, I took him to the funeral. We got there about a half hour early. As it was a graveside service, I got to looking around at the graves and reading the names. When I looked up, I couldn't see my father.

As I scanned the crowd, I noticed a line of about 20 gentlemen. I followed it visually to the beginning and there, under a tree, was my Dad, flanked by two gentlemen. He was receiving the friendship and respect of these 20 or so men. No one was saying anything to the Blacks, they all wanted to talk to my father. Each man waited his turn in the heat, and when they came up to Dad they shook his hand and spoke with him for a few minutes. It was like watching something out of the "Godfather".

I had always been proud of him, and knew he was respected in the business community, but the image of him and all those men waiting to speak with him, was so magnificent to witness. I shall never forget that moment.

When the service finally got started the pastor said "We are here today to remember Leo Black, owner of Leo Black Electric at 3909 Pierce Road in Bakersfield, California", and then gave the phone number. Dear Dad, in his best sotto voce, exclaimed, "Is this an advertisement or a funeral?" Loved it, and so did the people standing around him.

Writer Wears Burka For One Week: "It Felt Like A Prison"

2009-08-12T02:10:00.000-07:00

I read the following article by Liz Jones at the Huffington Post. My comments follow

"Squatting next to me is my burka. It looks so innocuous: just a few yards of black fabric. But, my goodness, how oppressive it is, how suffocating, how transforming.
Moved by the plight of Lubna Hussein, a Sudanese woman who faces 40 lashes for wearing trousers in public, I decided to spend a week enveloped in what she should have been wearing.
Out shopping one day, I caught sight of myself in a Knightsbridge store window. Instead of me staring back, I saw a dark, depressed alien. A smudge.
A nothing.
On my first day, I was unaccountably afraid to put on my burka. When I did pluck up courage, I felt suffocated.
Driving to my local station, I felt blinkered, like a racehorse. Walking to the platform, I could hardly breathe: I kept getting my nose out from beneath its shroud for fresh air. I felt weak, and faint and itchy.
I walked to the kiosk to buy coffee, staring at my feet to avoid catching anyone’s eye.
‘Mumble mumble,’ I said to the young man serving.
To his credit – the station is in Somerset, so I’m pretty sure this was the first time he’d encountered the full burka – he didn’t bat an eyelid.
I automatically lifted the cup to my lips. Ah. How on earth do women eat or drink? Later that day, at a coffee shop in Fulham, I sat outside at a table, faced with an insurmountable sandwich.
An Arab man shouted abuse. I have no idea what he was saying – perhaps I shouldn’t have been out on my own, or perhaps eating is a sin – but the interesting point is that during my week in a burka, he was the only person who gave me any abuse whatsoever.
In fact, throughout my lonely journey, I was met with only helping hands and sympathy.
‘I have had so much abuse on the train,’ a British Muslim called Um Abdullah complained on Woman’s Hour. Well, she has obviously never travelled with First Great Western.
On one journey home, after a particularly hot day spent steaming like a suet pudding in Regent’s Park, trying to lick a 99, I wobbled to the buffet carriage and mumbled for a stiff gin and tonic.
‘Would you like ice with that?’ the young woman asked, deadpan. In a cab in West London, I was still called ‘darling’ by the driver.
Getting out of said cab, a passing decorator opened the door and grabbed my shopping – a burka makes you clumsy, slow, fearful because you can’t hear, and helpless; I spent most of the week feeling like a disabled person.
The only odd glances I attracted were from small children and my border collie, who barked like a maniac.
One day, I had lunch with a friend in Primrose Hill. She walked past my table three times. I waved: I seemed to have been struck dumb.
‘How fantastic,’ she said, when she had got over the shock.
‘You don’t have to bother to put on make-up, or wash your hair. How liberating and at least you won’t catch swine flu or be leered at.’
This was a common response from my liberated, much groomed, often scantily clad female friends.
I admit, too, this had been my attitude in the past. Aren’t we equally imprisoned by the pressure to be perpetually exposed? But, having worn my burka, I find that attitude crashingly disrespectful of women such as Lubna Hussein.
In Afghanistan, the burka is known as the ‘chadri’; it became common only when the Taliban came to power.
When I think of the young men who have died fighting the Taliban and the calls to end a war that has ‘nothing to do with us’, I think of how I felt in my mobile prison and remember that, for all those women forced to hide their faces and their bodies, their fight is our fight, too.
The night I finally took off my burka, I wanted to put on make-up, spaghetti straps and the highest shoes I own. All week I’d been wearing scent, so compelling was the need to be feminine.
I was supposed, during my week in purdah, not to expose any offensive ‘toe cleavage’, but I got so hot that I resorted to flipflops – the steam had to escape somehow.
On yet another perfect summer’s day in Hyde Park during my week covered up, I saw a crocodile of schoolchildren. Only the pale moon of the faces of the Muslim girls was exposed.
I know now exactly how they feel: marginalised, objectified, kept box-fresh for the eyes of male relatives.
I find it disgusting that we allow British schoolgirls to be treated in this way. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1205208/Liz-Jones-My-week-wearing-burka--Just-yards-black-fabric-felt-like-prison.html#ixzz0NxSTzXKy "

MY RESPONSE
"The Koran does not mention women covering their faces, just their hair. The face covering is strictly within the family. The more backward and illliterate in many cases, the more faces are covered.
I would however, refrain from criticizing that which you do not know. To wear Burka for one week is not the reality.
Women need to not worry about the hair and the face...you need to help educate. As long a there are pockets of ignorace, things will never change. Support organizations like Women for Women or CARE that work to educate women. As Queen Raina said, 'If you educate the woman, you educate the family.' It's ok to wear a Burka for a week but in the end, what have you really done to help women? Not much."

Norvell Morrisseau

2009-08-09T00:18:00.001-07:00

About thirty years ago (YIKES!) I was living in Seattle. I used to take my free time off just to wander my favorite city and cruise the art galleries. It was while on one of my wanderings I came upon Norvell Morrisseau's art. At the time I had no idea who he was. I bought two of his works, took them home and hung them on my walls.

It was some 10 years ago while teaching art that I found information on Norvell on the Internet. I was stunned and thrilled to finally learn something about the art works I have treasured for so very long.

Wikipedia:
Morrisseau was a self-taught artist. He developed his own techniques and artistic vocabulary which captured ancient legends and images that came to him in visions or dreams. He was originally criticized by the native community because his images disclosed traditional spiritual knowledge. Initially he painted on any material that he could find, especially birchbark, and also moose hide. Dewdney encouraged him to use earth-tone colors and traditional material, which he thought were appropriate to Morrisseau's native style.
The subjects of his art in the early period were myths and traditions of the Anishnaabe people. He is acknowledged to have initiated the Woodland School of native art, where images similar to the petroglyphs of the Great Lakes region were now captured in paintings and prints.
His later style changed: he used more standard material and the colors became progressively brighter, eventually obtaining a neon-like brilliance. The themes also moved from traditional myth to depicting his own personal struggles. He also produced art depicting Christian subjects: during his incarceration, he attended a local church where he was struck by the beauty of the images on stained-glass windows. Some of his paintings, like Indian Jesus Christ, imitate that style and represent characters from the Bible with native features.

The Joys of Spray Paint

2009-08-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

I have about 16 cans of spray paint: silver, purple, two shades of pink, two shades of blue, clear, and pearlized . I am having the best time painting everything not nailed down.

You have seen the results below of my first venture. Now I have painted some pots for outside; an old iron cat a friend gave me; the fireplace mantle and surrounding bricks.

It has become such fun and a real change to my home. The problem lies in the fact that I keep looking for things to paint. My cats are getting a little nervous and Bailey doesn't come out from under the bed until after dark.

I think they would look great painted. I mean there is a book out called the "Painted Cat", of course they use pet friendly bleaches and dyes, but they are on to something interesting.

Oh Bailey .....

Holly the Bat

2009-08-03T01:27:00.000-07:00

It's 11:30 pm, I have just had my dose of the Daily Show and am feeling quite content. I turn off the lights and snuggle down.

It's 12:30 and I am watching Craig Ferguson. He's really quite funny and I have come to enjoy his show.

It's 2 am and I am sweeping the front porch, tidying up the dining room and painting a figurine with spray paint...shocking purple.

It's 3 am and I am watching Morning Joe and trying not to strangle the TV while wishing Mika would grow a pair.

It is 5 am and the sky is lightening. I check into Facebook to see how my bat buddies are doing. It's nice to know I am not alone.

It is 5:30 am and I am feeling a bit tired, yawn...zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Bailey, Lucille & Eddie

2009-08-02T00:37:00.000-07:00

When you live with three cats in a one bedroom condo, life gets really cramped. All three are indoor cats, which, I am going to remedy by building them their own outdoor enclosure.

Just thought you might enjoy seeing the life of a three cat household.

1) Upper left is Lucille and Eddie. Eddie is pretty good about sleeping behind the puter screen but Lucille has to rest her head on the keyboard. What ensues is a series of beeps and blinks and sometimes, if she is really good, she can either shut the computer down or simultaneously open ten to fifteen pages on MSN.

2) Finding seating can be a challenge when I have visitors. As you can see Eddie and Bailey have taken over my good chair. I have had to put down a towel to collect hair. If company shows up unannounced they get a sheet thrown over the chair.

3) Sleeping, now that is an Olympic event. Eddie doesn't always sleep on the bed, which gives me a bit more room. But Lucille likes to sleep at my feet. If I don't sleep at an angle I have to do the fetal position.

Now I can hear some of you saying to yourself that I must be nuts. Well, as a matter of fact I am.

But I adore my furry beasts. Each is a complete individual with their own phobias and quirks. There is never a dull moment at my house.

The Necessity of Brilliance

2009-08-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

I purchased the fabulous tin mirror on the left. When it arrived it was bent and the mirror was broken. Well, when you are dealing with tin that is approximately 5'x3', sending it back is not an easy option. So I struck a deal with the seller and kept the mirror.

I was going to replace the mirror but as it had been aged I knew the price would be to high. Then I remembered a photo my cousins and I had taken of us wearing turn of the century clothing. I pulled out the photo and scanned it into the puter. I enlarged my face and found that it would fit into the mirror space. I will need to enlarge the photo a bit more, and work to deepen the color, but all in all I think this will look great once it is matted and placed in the mirror area.

I will keep you posted.

The Best Motivational Poster EVER

2009-08-01T04:23:00.001-07:00

Homer is Right

2009-08-01T04:01:00.000-07:00

Pink Chandalier

2009-08-01T00:33:00.001-07:00

When I first did this I left the natural bronze patina on and just threw ornaments on the darn thing. It was OK, but I have to admit that when one PLANS things out, the end result is usually much, much better.

I first painted it silver but that was too gaudy so I settled on a watermelon pink (that's what the can said). It isn't exactly the pink one sees inside a watermelon, but it is bright enough to be noticeable and yet does not get in the way of the ornaments.

I was very selective on which ornaments to put on and where they went. I decided to use the ones that had to do with either cats ( I have three) or ornaments that harked back to my days on Vashon. I am well pleased with the end result.

My Facebook "friends" and Iran

2009-06-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

As has been stated on many blogs, news and web sites, Facebook and Twitter are instrumental in getting information out of Iran. I have regularly logged onto Twitter and the Iranelection Twit(?) and gotten updates and read the reactions of people around the world as well as in Iran. I have been a constant reader of Huffington Post's up to date information and have sat up many nights watching the news.

What really bothers me is when I log onto my personal Facebook account and ad links and information. None of it is acknowledged by any of the people who are my Facebook friends. Admittedly most are former students, but they are so disinterested, it is really depressing. They complain about being bored or take those insipid quizzes. This is supposed to be the best and the brightest and I am beginning to wonder.

Could this generation of students be so disinterested in what is happening? Could I have been so wrong about them? It saddens me that they just don't seem to care. It saddens me that my entreaties as a teacher came to naught. I wanted to create responsible world citizens who would be a part of the solution. Instead, it seems most are more concerned about what to do this summer.

Sad, very sad.

Allah Akbar

2009-06-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching a video out of Iran. It was taken at night so all that could be seen were a few lights. But what I heard was beautiful...the sound of Iranians chanting Allah Akbar (God is Great) into the night.

The chant is one of defiance to the ruling government, but it can not be construed as such as it is also a prayer to God. This is one of the tactics they are using. They also wear the color green as it is the color of the Islamic flags.

I pray to Allah that these citizens will find the reform they seek.

Allah Akbar

Iran and Technology

2009-06-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

It has been absolutely amazing to watch what is going on in Iran. The government can't keep information from being sent out of the country. They have told the news agencys to stay in their offices, they have tried to cut services but none of it is working.

Why? Because the government is not technology savvy and the opposition is. The youth of Iran which comprises almost 60% of the country is Tweeting like mad. They are managing to get web sites built, and even get calls out.

There is a guy on Huffigton Post that has been running a 24 hour blog posting photos from Iranians, blogs and tweets that get through as well as information from other news sources. His name is Nico Piteny and he has gotten people around the US who speak Farsi to help translate items. He also has a group of volunteers that vett the information as it comes in. If he is unsure of it's accuracy he says so.

This is what real time reporting is and we have never had a situation like this before. News and events are being reported and I think a more present and accurate way. Also, we are getting the feelings of the people as history occurs.

This is what technology is for. This is good. The Ayatollahs are meeting right now. They are scared becuase they know theri way of life is changing. There is no going back for Iran.

Now, if we can just get the Republicans to shut up and quit their sabre rattling. We do not need to give the Iranian government and excuse to blame the USA. Also, as one Iranian commentator said..."Has anyone asked Mousavi if he wants American help? No. America needs to learn to not shove their way into events without asking."

So John McCain...SHUT UP!!! You are NOT the President...for a good reason.

Iran Elections

2009-06-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

I knew it would be to much to hope for a positive outcome in Iran's elections yesterday, still one hopes. I have the same feeling I had when the troops moved in on the students of Tiananmen, real sorrow. For one brief moment as the world held its collective breath, it looked as if maybe, just maybe this time something good would come.

Sadly it was not going to happen. As one woman wrote on a BBC site, "It's as Stalin said, 'It's not who votes, but who counts the votes.' " There is no doubt that the victor did the counting and he counted himself a huge win. No one believes for a minute that he got 62% of the vote. I am surprised he thought he could fool the people with that large of a margin.

I think the government and the mullahs will find they have made a major error. The youth of Iran do not want a repressive dictatorship. Unlike the students of China, the Iranians have more access to the outside. I don't think they will let the mullahs have an easy time of it.

Allah, grant these people some freedom.

Ants

2009-06-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

The Onion heard my call for an ant......

Help for the Grasshopper

2009-06-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

Well, it never fails. Everytime I think I am at debts door I get a rescue from some odd place. This time it is the dear State of California and the STRS program which funds my retirement. In the last two days I have gotten two letters. One stated that I was going to get a check for approximately $300 for undeclared defined benifits. The second one is to tell me I am getting an additional $633.

God I love STRS!!!

If you speak Swedish Chef this is a translation of the statement above: Vell, it nefer feeels. Um gesh dee bork, bork! Iferyteeme-a I theenk I em et debts duur I get a rescooe-a frum sume-a oodd plece-a. Thees teeme-a it is zee deer Stete-a ooff Celeeffurnia und zee STRS prugrem vheech foonds my returement. Um de hur de hur de hur. In zee lest tvu deys I hefe-a guttee tvu letters. Um gesh dee bork, bork! Oone-a steted thet I ves gueeng tu get a check fur eppruxeemetely $300 fur undeclered deffeened beneeffits. Um gesh dee bork, bork! Zee secund oone-a is tu tell me-a I em getteeng un eddeeshunel $633.

Uighars to the South Pacific

2009-06-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

Note: Not thrilled with this entry. Going to do more research and revisit it later.

Well golly gee, Palau is going to take the Uighars. Isn't that terrific? Not really, as the U.S. should be taking them in, as these people were screwed over by our government in the first place. How you ask?

Well, we needed China to support us with out Iraqi debacle and in order to do so we had to agree to take Uighar "terrorists" and put them in Guantanamo. The problem is these Uighars are not and never were terrorists. They are in conflict with the Chinese government as the Chinese have been persecuting this Muslim minority in Western China for decades. The Uighars want autonomy, and the Chinese have been cracking down on them as a result. Think Tibet!

So, in order to get rid of some of the leaders they arrested them, and then ran a deal with the Bush government. So for 8 years these men have been imprisoned for doing...nothing!! Finally our government agreed and wanted to bring them to the US where there would be fellow Uighars who could help them with their new life. But, no says the Congress, they don't want terrorists in our country. But they are not terrorists....

Obama has backed down and once again these people are being dumped just anywhere...Palau. That is a smart choice. No one there who will know their culture or language. No one who will really understand what they have been through. No one will care enough. This kind of treatment is what makes terrorists.

We have done an excellent job of creating a new terrorism, and now we can include the Uighars on our list. Frankly, I don't blame them.

Oh Crap

2009-06-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

I am supposed to write something every day. I wrote two on Thursday which gave me Friday off and I ignored Saturday, now it's Sunday...what to do, what to do.

Ok...Facebook. I have been on it since March. At first it was fun. Students I used to have were finding me and wanting to be my friend. They were all a part of my best and brightest and it was flattering. Now months have gone by and I still think Facebook is good. Just don't go to the home page....GOD what an amalgamation of stupid quizzes and bored statements. I had to delete about 20 kids and I hope I don't offend them, but how many times can you read that the Lakers are tight, or that you are bored or Fuck whoever they are mad at.

It is one thing to visit with them on occasion, but a daily dose from kids who are supposed to be the best and the brightest and acting like the dumbest can be demoralizing.

I do have many students who are not on all the time and when they are, do contribute enormously to the conversation, but those times are rare. So, in the mean time, I will bide my time reading the news on Al Jazeera and the Huffington Post and enjoying the Tweets I get from Dean and Deluca, Mario Batalli and other foodie places.

There, I wrote.

Obama in Cairo

2009-06-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

The Middle East is a very special place to me. I have always been fascinated with the cultures and with the geography of the region. In the early 80s my brother moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and I have been able to visit him there. I have also traveled to other Muslim lands like Morocco, Egypt, and Sudan and over the years have made many dear friends in the Islamic community here in the United States. I converted to Islam 10 years ago and have never regretted my decision. Because of all this, and more, I was very pleased to watch President Obama's speech in Cairo. Unlike most, I watched it live. He did all the things he set out to do. He did not plan to lay out a sweeping addenda of what will be done, he simply wanted to let the Muslim world know where he and most Americans stand. He opened the door. Now I just hope extremists in the Arab world and in the West don't slam it shut.

It amazed me how many people did not listen to what he said. They just heard what they wanted. Limbaugh did his usual. Hasselback didn't hear the whole speech or she would not have said that Obama didn't mention democracy when he did just that. Osama bin Laden is freaking out and sending audio tapes out one after another telling the world not to listen to the infidel.

I am like Obama. I believe that things can be accomplished if people will look at the similarities and not the differences. I am tired of all the negativity from people in the West who do not have any understanding of Islam, do not know anyone who follows the religion and what is worse, do not want to even try to understand.

Prejudice is fostered by ignorance. The less you know about someone, the more distrustful you tend to be. The religious community needs to do more to bring people of ALL faiths together...and I don't mean just Muslims, Christians and Jews. The world needs to understand Skih, Hindu, Buddhist, Jane, Taoist and all other religions. It is not them against us, it is all of us together.

We also need to turn our backs on the radicals who would have us all live in fear. Cheney, Limbaugh, O'Riley and their ilk get enough press, we don't need to give them more. They have a right to their opinions, yes, but we don't need to give them more press by airing their hate on other channels and then commenting on how wrong they are. It is like preaching to the choir.
Shut them out of mainstream media. Don't air their rants on other stations. Ignore them. You won't change their minds, so why try.

Obama is going to get ripped by those not in power. Let them rant, but let us not be fooled by their deceptive rhetoric. Let us keep our eyes on trying to make this a better world, inshallah.

Remembering Tiananmen

2009-06-04T00:26:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that 20 years have passed since those few exhilarating weeks when it looked as if China might make a shift towards more freedoms. When the students began to gather at Tiananmen Square and ask for more democratic reforms the world watched in hopes of a postitive outcome.

I was one of those who was glued to my television every moment. I was amazed at the audacity and bravery of these "kids". They were organized better than any demonstration I had ever witnessed in the 60's.

I knew Gorbachov was due to arrive in Beijing and didn't think that would set well with the old hardliners. I also know that Premier Zhou Zhang favored the students and President Deng was leaning a little bit their way. But, fate and old attitudes prevailed. Zhou had to go to North Korea and while out of town, the old hardliners got to Deng. Not only did the democracy movement die, but Zhou was kicked out of the party and kept in virtual confinement until his death a few years ago.

Times have changed in China, there is more openness economically, but today's students don't know about what happened unless they have a relative who will tell them. I taught in China in 2001 and the students I had, who were seniors in high school, did not know about Tiananmen.

When I was in Beijing the first place I visited was Tiananmen. I had to be in that place to, in my own way, remember. Now, if you are in China and Google Tiananmen, all you get are pictures of the square. I showed my students the iconic picture of the tanks, but they had never seen it and did not know what it meant.

Now that the anniversary is upon China and rather than be open and discuss what happened, they have blocked all social network sites so the young can't learn about it from the outside. I can not even email my former students with whom I am in constant contact.

China has come a very long way in the last 20 years. She is an economic power in the world. Tourism is a huge industry and they are encouraging people from the West to come and teach. It is only a matter of time before democracy or at least a better form openness finds its way to China. I just hope I will be around to see it.

To all those who died in Tiananmen may your ancestors be proud of you. You gave your lives for something very precious.

Learning to Be an Ant

2009-06-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

Most people who are younger than I don't remember the story of the Grasshopper and the Ants, so I am going to ignore them for this blog. Sorry, but look it up if you want to know the story.

For all of my life I have lived for today, finance wise. My father, bless his dear departed heart, would buy me anything I wanted. I pretty much always got what I wanted. It was interesting that after he died I found a box with cancelled checks he had written to me over a 15 year period. I know he left it for me to find. Money was how he showed love and he wanted me to know he loved me. I didn't add up the checks, I didn't need to. I knew quite well that he had been more than generous to me. What I don't think he really understood is that I would have loved him without all the checks. He just made it very easy.

My Dad has been gone for over 21 years now. I am 61 and have long been an adult who is aware of how I was raised to spend. I used to joke that I was a grasshopper in search of an ant to take care of me. Well, that hasn't happened and may never happen, which is fine.

Trying to learn to be an ant at this age is not easy. I want what I want and don't want to have to "save" for it. Well, today I got hit and big. BACK TAXES!!! WOW!! There went my meger savings account and I now have approximately $45 to last until the end of the month.

A dear friend has offered to loan me some money, but that doesn't solve the problem. So, I said no, I was going to make it on $45 and a quarter tank of gas. THANK GOD, school is out and I don't have to drive anywhere.

I am not touching the small amount I have in my Suze Ormand generated Ameritrade account and will see just how creative I can get. I do know I have a ton of junk that is going into a yard sale.....

Stay tuned. If you have any ideas of how to raise funds, send em to me.

Tin Obsession

2009-06-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

It all started simply enough....a small photograph in a design magazine. It was a gloriously huge tin headboard and it screamed ME!!! A few emails and in a few weeks a 72 lb package arrived from Mexico. I hung it and it is gorgeous. (see photo)

Satisfied that I had found the direction my bedroom was going, design wise, I began looking for other furniture. One day while wandering a local cheap store I ran across two identical tin lamps from India. My, wouldn't they look great in the living room. Now they are the lights behind the sofa. A little more tin...OK, not to much.

A month later it was a tin mirror in a catalogue...really cool too. It has cactus, armadillo, foxes, birds and other wildlife around the outside. It hangs in my entry. Then came the galvanized steel table and benches for the dining room (not tin, but silver in color) They're from Vietnam. But as it would have a snazzy table cloth on it when guests come for dinner I decided to paint my rust colored chandelier silver...I think you can probably guess where this is going.

The living room needed a bit more bling so I am painting the brick and mantle on the fireplace silver. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances so it is off the hook...for now. The hallway...what to do with the hallway. And outside...maybe I could paint some of the grass silver....and the rocks in the entry way...silver toooooo. And the bathroom..do they make tin toilets???

Tin tin...isn't that a French comic hero? Maybe I could get some of those and paper the walls.

Maria Amelia Lopez & Growing Old

2009-05-30T18:11:00.001-07:00

What an inspiration Maria Ameilia is to a whole generation of us "older" types. I did not follow her blog as I am so new to it myself. In fact I just learned about her after her death. But what she teaches me is the importance of being a part of this world, and not to be shut out or to shut yourself out just because you no longer work.

I am not a total retiree but I am a single over 60 and as such, alone more than I am used to. I find myself having important conversations in the shower, or while driving, or even at the grocery store. I don't mind any of this except the thoughts go out into the thin air never to return and sometimes I have great thoughts. I'd like to remember them.

The blog that Maria Amelia's grandson started for her was I am sure a godsend. It gave her access to the world. She was able to express herself on any subject she wanted. I don't think it really mattered if anyone read them. The thoughts were for her. The fact that people enjoyed them I think was just a bonus.

It's important that we all express how we feel. It doesn't make any difference if it is on topics as complex as the nuclear capability of North Korea (well, that's not complex..NO!!!) or as simple as a paragraph on my cat Eddie who is sleeping quietly behind the computer. This blog has given me a voice to the world....or at least to my world.

If anyone reads this and is inspired enough to respond, that is wonderful, if not, I will go on blogging (are there one or 2 g'?) I have found my voice for my new life. I hope other Maria Amelia's are out there and find their voices or have a grandchild who will show them the way.

This is the opening line of Amelia's blog: My friends in Internet, today I am 95 years old. My name is Amelia and I was born in Muxía (A Coruña - Spain) on December the 23rd of 1911. Today it's my birthday and my grandson, who is very stingy, gave me a blog.)

Write Something Everyday

2009-05-27T02:39:00.000-07:00

I just read an article by Gretchin Rubin. She writes that one should write everyday, and not to worry about creativity. Well, here I am, brain dead and writing.

I have a lot of things going through my head right now: Sotomayor and the idiot excuses as to why she is not qualified; the level of stupidity that seems to be getting way to much attention on the 24 hour networks; why it looks so neat outside...cloudy, but the minute you go out it's HOT; why every time I get on my computer to actually write something, my cat decides to play with me and the key board (she doesn't do this when I play solitaire); why I am spending $50 on a gift card for a kid I hardly know just because she actually managed to graduate high school; why even though Albertson's lowered all those prices my grocery bill is always around $80; when oh when are they going to let those poor Uighurs go at Guantanamo; why the Uighurs were sent there to begin with was a travesty of justice; do I want hardwood throughout my condo or not; why the price of gum is so high and the pieces keep getting smaller.....

Technodummy and the Blog

2009-05-25T10:46:00.001-07:00

There is a large amount of frustration that goes along with my creative urges, but those urges are stifled by a lack of techno knowledge. This is made all the more daunting as I used to be webmaster for my former employer.

I can cut and paste with the best of them. I can find relevant clip art. My photographic skills are above average. I can do a swell web page if left to my own devises.

Where the shit hits the fan is when I am given a template and told I can customize it, but in reality that's a big NO.

It's a simple change really. Just put the title of my blog at the top of the photo and the sub header about half way down. Now if site would allowed me to make a simple change like this I would be in heaven.....but it doesn't.

A million years ago, when the world was young I used to teach a class in web design. The kids had to learn to use tags as Frontpage did not exist. Now if I could only remember how to do those tags I could do my own page.

Beulah and the Sewing Machine

2009-05-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

My mother was a very talented woman. She had great color sense and she could cook and create wonderful meals that were restaurant quality...well, except for the Cornish game hens, but that's another story.

In spite of all that talent, she felt incomplete because, somewhere in her life, no one taught her to sew. Two of her sisters were fabulous with the needle and could do amazing tailoring. This I think was what bothered Mom. They could and she couldn't. There was always a competition with those ladies.

In her need to fulfill this gaping yaw in her life, she searched for something to sustain her and get her over this hurdle. She found it in 1947. It wasn't perfect, but considering the circumstances it was the best she was going to get. The solution to her life altering problem was...me.

I came along, an adorable, unsuspecting baby. How was I to know that one of my duties was to make up for my mother's flaws. Had I known in advance, I might have asked for some contractual agreement. You know, the usual clause in sewing: I, the undersigned agree to take one (1) sewing class and produce two (2) items of apparel.

But, I wasn't told of any of this until I reached the tender age of 12 and was given a sewing machine for my birthday. Oh joy!! A sewing machine? I never expressed a desire to sew, but there it was. and, to make things even more stupendous it came with LESSONS.

OK, this might be good. I took the lessons at the local Singer Sewing store. I made some nice friends with other girls and produced a garment. I am sad to say I don't remember what it was, but I do recall our having to make a garment.

Obligation done! Class taken! Clothing made! On to other things...no, not so fast! She was not done, I was not done... I still needed to learn tailoring! Oh crap, there go my summers. There was no one Mom felt suitable to teach tailoring at home, so I had to take lessons while on our vacation. This led to two summers being shuttled into Seattle for classes. Six weeks, two times each week. I would like to say I remember all those wonderful classes and that it was a life altering experience. But, I was a teenager, and hauling myself to classes in Seattle when I could be back home on the island (Vashon), with my pals, was not a pleasant experience.

The first summer I made a plaid jumper, which I am pleased to say came out really well. The second summer I made a jacket. Well, almost a jacket...enough said about that.

Finally at the age of 17 I was released from Mother's sewing trauma and given my freedom. I could say all sorts of things like: I never picked up needle and thread again; or don't do this to your child. But in reality, this turned out to be a good thing.

I love to sew and have made some stylish apparel. I have actually purchased a newer sewing machine. I am more aware of what to look for in a quality item when I shop. All in all, the old gal didn't do so badly. I filled the gap in her life, and even better, my cousins don't sew.