1. Hates it when people that have as much experience in something as Palin does in Russia speak on issues in which they have no experience.
2. I guess it's supposed to take me 30+ minutes to get gas when I get home
3. I wonder if I should go ahead and refinance my Mortgage
4. Last day of work this week - TGIF
5. Expects that each adult take ownership for their own actions, but understands momentary periods of out of character behavior
6. Cannot wait to go to Spain
7. Surprised by the latest fall out, WaMu
8. Cannot imagine how terrible things are in ATL, really. Somebody fill me in, I am hearing stories, but want the real deal. If you've been hit with an economic woah, holla atcha girl (including waiting for gas for more than 5 minutes).
9. I'm still waiting for a Republican to convince me for non-religious or non-emotional reasons why McCain/Palin makes sense
10. I talked to my mommy last night which made me happy as a well fed baby.
9.26.2008
9.24.2008
How often do you think
Barack Obama gets his hair cut? What if he started growing a Bobby Brown sloped box cut? Or even a solid Scotty Pippen box cut? Or perhaps a Michael Jordon fade.
Thank God, I can watch him from over here. I missed-ed him.
Thank God, I can watch him from over here. I missed-ed him.
9.23.2008
For one of my best friends on her birthday
Love Ya LBoogie.
(It's technically your birthday in Dublin Ireland, you've got another 5 hours before it's officially 9/24 in VA).
Rich v. Middle Class: A state of mind
You ever observe somebody and realize that yo' ass is truly middle class?
Like they casually mention shopping at some high-end store and/or having other luxuries that you always thought 'rich' people had.
Yeah, I'm as middle class as they come. In the same way that 'ghetto' is a mentality, I think being middle class is a mentality.
For example, when I started working and staying at nice hotels, I'd be annoyed by bell men. First of all, I can do it my damn self...hell, that's how I and my family had been doing it for the past 20+ years AND I don't want to tip you. Same concept with Valet. There is nothing that drives me more bat-shit crazy than when the valet walks 10 feet in front of me to get my car. If I valet, I want the attendant to have to run to some unknown location and bring my car which is nowhere in my sight. Or with cleaning. There was often a 2-3 hour block dedicated to the family cleaning the house during the weekend. To deep clean, my dad got some kinda industrial carpet cleaner or would purchase Amway cleaning materials. We didn't have help.
Is this middle class, or down right poor? Perhaps I was poor growing up, and didn't know it.
I guess my concept of the difference between 'rich' and middle class is the ability/ willingness to hire and/or employ help. I suppose I have the ability to hire help; however, I don't have the willingness.
Like they casually mention shopping at some high-end store and/or having other luxuries that you always thought 'rich' people had.
Yeah, I'm as middle class as they come. In the same way that 'ghetto' is a mentality, I think being middle class is a mentality.
For example, when I started working and staying at nice hotels, I'd be annoyed by bell men. First of all, I can do it my damn self...hell, that's how I and my family had been doing it for the past 20+ years AND I don't want to tip you. Same concept with Valet. There is nothing that drives me more bat-shit crazy than when the valet walks 10 feet in front of me to get my car. If I valet, I want the attendant to have to run to some unknown location and bring my car which is nowhere in my sight. Or with cleaning. There was often a 2-3 hour block dedicated to the family cleaning the house during the weekend. To deep clean, my dad got some kinda industrial carpet cleaner or would purchase Amway cleaning materials. We didn't have help.
Is this middle class, or down right poor? Perhaps I was poor growing up, and didn't know it.
I guess my concept of the difference between 'rich' and middle class is the ability/ willingness to hire and/or employ help. I suppose I have the ability to hire help; however, I don't have the willingness.
Repression breeds narcissism
My travel mate this phrase out. I think our topic of conversation was republicans and/or conservatism. Below I use the term republican and conservative interchangeably; however, I'd consider black people conservative in regards to sex, as evidenced by their general inability to simply talk about it candidly and comfortably. However, most black folks are democrats.
The problem with conservatives, in my humble opinion, is that they assume the best in human nature and ignore the capital vices. When capital vices are present (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth wrath, envy and pride), all humans will self-correct by following the word of the Lord (aka the Bible). Based on these assumptions, Republicans like to write law. So for example, nobody has premarital sex; therefore, abortion is not necessary. Or greed never seeps into capitalism; therefore, regulation is not necessary. I believe Democrats recognize the capital vices and instead govern via regulations and/or oversight to moderate the flourishing of the capital vices.
The most tangible example of 'Repression breeds narcissism' is America’s underground obsession with sex. I recognize that sex is as natural as eating and breathing. It is necessary for survival; thus it is amongst one of the most natural urges. However, in America we suppress a healthy appetite for sex and attach negative stigmas to it. Through religion we are taught to feel shame in our sexual selves. However, we are absolutely obsessed with sex as evidenced by (lol) the porn industry and high rates of unwed pregnancies and STDs.
I can also demonstrate this via a tale of one of my college hall mates. She started her freshman year as a virgin. She went to a catholic school and all that jazz. She would proudly claim her virginity. About 6 months into the school year, she was having anal sex...and the night she lost her virginity she got with two men. Had she been taught healthy concepts of her sexual self; perhaps, she would've at least engaged in sex with a man/boy that cared for more than her bedroom prowess. If that story was too graphic for you...take this example: Bristol Palin.
Make it make sense to me. My open-mindedness fails to extend to what I presume to be ignorant positions; thus I come off as condescending and judgemental. I'd try to change, but I kinda like me :-)
The problem with conservatives, in my humble opinion, is that they assume the best in human nature and ignore the capital vices. When capital vices are present (lust, gluttony, greed, sloth wrath, envy and pride), all humans will self-correct by following the word of the Lord (aka the Bible). Based on these assumptions, Republicans like to write law. So for example, nobody has premarital sex; therefore, abortion is not necessary. Or greed never seeps into capitalism; therefore, regulation is not necessary. I believe Democrats recognize the capital vices and instead govern via regulations and/or oversight to moderate the flourishing of the capital vices.
The most tangible example of 'Repression breeds narcissism' is America’s underground obsession with sex. I recognize that sex is as natural as eating and breathing. It is necessary for survival; thus it is amongst one of the most natural urges. However, in America we suppress a healthy appetite for sex and attach negative stigmas to it. Through religion we are taught to feel shame in our sexual selves. However, we are absolutely obsessed with sex as evidenced by (lol) the porn industry and high rates of unwed pregnancies and STDs.
I can also demonstrate this via a tale of one of my college hall mates. She started her freshman year as a virgin. She went to a catholic school and all that jazz. She would proudly claim her virginity. About 6 months into the school year, she was having anal sex...and the night she lost her virginity she got with two men. Had she been taught healthy concepts of her sexual self; perhaps, she would've at least engaged in sex with a man/boy that cared for more than her bedroom prowess. If that story was too graphic for you...take this example: Bristol Palin.
Make it make sense to me. My open-mindedness fails to extend to what I presume to be ignorant positions; thus I come off as condescending and judgemental. I'd try to change, but I kinda like me :-)
Overseas
Have you ever been overseas? Did it change your perception of the world, the USA?
I've been watching SKYNEWs which is akin to CNN or MSNBC. I believe that the British operate this station. I also enjoy the BBC, another publication owned by the UK. The one thing you notice about it most is the fact that it reports on global news as a part of its daily news.
I'm growing a distaste for the American mind. We are so narrow-minded. I just watched Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister, give a speech at the Labour Party Conference. I have chosen to stay ignorant about other countries and I don't believe that I'm alone in that. We turn our nose up at other countries and our arrogance has isolated and ruined our global image. Back to Gordon Brown...I learned that UK is going to offer free prescription drugs to all Cancer patients next year. Yes, you read that right. Under the Labour Government, UK prescribes to a slightly socialistic economy/government. Public service is paramount to the individual.
Most notably, in his speech Gordon Brown said a word that I haven't yet heard from either candidate: Global. I've cried several times that we are no living in a Global Economy. I'm also learning that the collapse of the US economy had a ripple effect worldwide. I'm sure we all heard that the stock markets in other countries were faltering; however, what I heard from a mother was that child care is growing unreasonably expensive because the overall cost of living is growing at a pace faster than her salary increases. For example, the cost of milk is up...milk compounded with other groceries have caused the day cares to charge more. It's not just the USA that is struggling to stay afloat, it's several other solid countries.
Again, I am a firm believer that we need a president that is diplomatic.
I've been watching SKYNEWs which is akin to CNN or MSNBC. I believe that the British operate this station. I also enjoy the BBC, another publication owned by the UK. The one thing you notice about it most is the fact that it reports on global news as a part of its daily news.
I'm growing a distaste for the American mind. We are so narrow-minded. I just watched Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister, give a speech at the Labour Party Conference. I have chosen to stay ignorant about other countries and I don't believe that I'm alone in that. We turn our nose up at other countries and our arrogance has isolated and ruined our global image. Back to Gordon Brown...I learned that UK is going to offer free prescription drugs to all Cancer patients next year. Yes, you read that right. Under the Labour Government, UK prescribes to a slightly socialistic economy/government. Public service is paramount to the individual.
Most notably, in his speech Gordon Brown said a word that I haven't yet heard from either candidate: Global. I've cried several times that we are no living in a Global Economy. I'm also learning that the collapse of the US economy had a ripple effect worldwide. I'm sure we all heard that the stock markets in other countries were faltering; however, what I heard from a mother was that child care is growing unreasonably expensive because the overall cost of living is growing at a pace faster than her salary increases. For example, the cost of milk is up...milk compounded with other groceries have caused the day cares to charge more. It's not just the USA that is struggling to stay afloat, it's several other solid countries.
Again, I am a firm believer that we need a president that is diplomatic.
9.21.2008
Greetings from Dublin, Ireland
It’s absolutely beautiful and wonderful over here.
We arrived yesterday at 9:50 am local time…Ireland is 5 ahead of eastern time. The plane ride was 8 hours. Basically I went 24 hours with maybe 3 hours of sleep. So when we arrived, to say I was tired is a gross understatement. However, all was not lost on the plane ride. I had an absolutely delightful time sitting in first class. My co-worker and I made it pretty obvious that it was our first time in an overseas first class seat. We over ate, but I’m proud to announce that we didn’t over drink. One major take away - I listened to the Madonna CD, “Hard Candy,” on the plane and I give it two thumbs up. Timberland and Pharell produced the majority of the songs, and it’s a high energy dance CD. I purchased the CD at a HMV here in Dublin.
Okay, so we get off the plane…the first thing we do is drop our bags off at our hotel. Unfortunately we couldn’t check in. We decided to stay at “The Modern,” in Temple Bar. Temple Bar is an area South of the Luffie River that is equivalent to Buckhead/Pharr Street bar scene circa 2001, (the year that I got way too intoxicated and had to take it back to the house by 11:00 pm). After we dropped our bags off, we went to an information/tour plaza where I exchanged my $180 in exchange forNO 120 Euros. Yeah, that kinda hurt. We also bough city tour bus tickets. Before boarding the bus, we found a cafe in Temple Bar where I sat down and had a delicious coffee. I requested milk and sugar to decorate my coffee. They brought out milk and what I thought were rocks…however, it was simply sugar. lol. I can be so simple at times.
After we finished the coffee, I had enough energy to do the bus ride. The bus tour took us around the major streets of Dublin. I saw the Guiness Compound - the place is HUGE. Other things of note that we saw: Pheonix Park (2 times as big as Central Park), Trinity College, and some other stuff. lol…I must say stuff because at one point on the bus ride, I fell the hell asleep. KNOCKED OUT.
After the bus ride we headed back to our hotel; however, we were not quite starving, yet a tid bit hungry. There was an open food market in Temple Bar and we walked around. Initially we were going to pass it up, because nothing tickled our fancy. However, I spotted the largest oyster shells that I’ve ever seen. Knowing that Dublin is a hop skip and a jump from water, I figured that the oysters would be amazing. Well, I sure was right. They were HUGE and tasted just like the ocean smells. Perfect…they even had Tobacco sauce! Delicious!
From there we went back to the hotel and checked in. At this point it was about 4:30 local time. I took a much needed shower and then we slept until about 7:00. We woke up ready to take the world on. Temple Bar at this time was packed to the brim with crazy Irish Folks.
As an aside. I’m not sure what I expected Irish people to look like. Some over generalizations, they are of course pale. Dark hair. And a handful of them have beautifully blue or green piercing eyes. There really aren’t black people as I know them to be in America. I saw people of direct African decent; however, most black people in America are muts that don’t truly resemble Africans.
We found an Italian place to eat. Interesting, Italian food is supposed to be some of the best. So anywho, we did Italian food. After that, we stepped inside of one of the rowdy bars in Temple Bar. It was packed to the brim with people drinking beer. I walked in and became somewhat of a wonder. People did look at me. A handful of men tried to speak to me. Between the drunk slur and Irish accent, and loud music, I could not make out much of what they were saying. We made our way to the bar, and some short Irish man was being facetious with me. I ordered a red bull and vodka - safety drink, plus I needed a boost of energy. We chatted a bit with the older Irish lads. Random other Irish lads would stop and talk to me. We found a corner to stand in and some guy from Poland tried his best attempt at flirting with me. However, after seeing his scarey tattoo, which he said, “it’s a tattoo of my monster,” my coworker and I made a fresh exit when he went to the bar for his next drink.
We walked away from Temple Bar, as it seemed like it was full of the Fighting Irish. We ventured slightly away and came upon a lovely wine bar. My coworker and I have a very casual relationship; however, traveling iwth a person for two weeks forces a relationship upon you. I’m pleasantly surprised. We shared a bottle of a lovely, deep oaky and spicey red-wine and talked about men, politics, and work gossip. For the most part we are on the same page. We’re twenty-something women who have come thus far successfully and have trouble being comfortable being vulnerable in a relationship. All is well in the world.
After we finished our bottle of wine, we merrily walked down the street. We made our way back to the rowdy Temple Bar area and continued walking up the cobble stone street. We were quite amazed with the women wearing barely nothing and stillettos. First of all, it was like 55 degrees outside, second of all, cobble stones + stillettos = disaster. We stopped to listen to a band playing on the side of the street that gained a pretty large audience.
We continued walking and along come two drunk Irish men. Mind you, a guy here or there would stop to look at me as if he’d never seen a black woman before. They’re prety complimentary…and eyyy - who am I to deny a compliment. So anywho these two come along and want to go dancing. Well by golly, we followed them to a half way decent dance club. They were playing familiar music (losts of songs produced by Timberland and then older 80s American hits). The only thing of note that happened was that I tasted my first taste of Guiness. I like it. I wouldn’t buy a pack and bring it home or anything, but I was pleasantly surprised. Especially given that my first drink of beer was Natty Lite. So anything above and beyond that is a step in the right direction. We all danced a bit, and then they got a bit creepy. So my coworker and I decided to call it a night.
And that was my first 24 hours in Dublin, Ireland.
We arrived yesterday at 9:50 am local time…Ireland is 5 ahead of eastern time. The plane ride was 8 hours. Basically I went 24 hours with maybe 3 hours of sleep. So when we arrived, to say I was tired is a gross understatement. However, all was not lost on the plane ride. I had an absolutely delightful time sitting in first class. My co-worker and I made it pretty obvious that it was our first time in an overseas first class seat. We over ate, but I’m proud to announce that we didn’t over drink. One major take away - I listened to the Madonna CD, “Hard Candy,” on the plane and I give it two thumbs up. Timberland and Pharell produced the majority of the songs, and it’s a high energy dance CD. I purchased the CD at a HMV here in Dublin.
Okay, so we get off the plane…the first thing we do is drop our bags off at our hotel. Unfortunately we couldn’t check in. We decided to stay at “The Modern,” in Temple Bar. Temple Bar is an area South of the Luffie River that is equivalent to Buckhead/Pharr Street bar scene circa 2001, (the year that I got way too intoxicated and had to take it back to the house by 11:00 pm). After we dropped our bags off, we went to an information/tour plaza where I exchanged my $180 in exchange for
After we finished the coffee, I had enough energy to do the bus ride. The bus tour took us around the major streets of Dublin. I saw the Guiness Compound - the place is HUGE. Other things of note that we saw: Pheonix Park (2 times as big as Central Park), Trinity College, and some other stuff. lol…I must say stuff because at one point on the bus ride, I fell the hell asleep. KNOCKED OUT.
After the bus ride we headed back to our hotel; however, we were not quite starving, yet a tid bit hungry. There was an open food market in Temple Bar and we walked around. Initially we were going to pass it up, because nothing tickled our fancy. However, I spotted the largest oyster shells that I’ve ever seen. Knowing that Dublin is a hop skip and a jump from water, I figured that the oysters would be amazing. Well, I sure was right. They were HUGE and tasted just like the ocean smells. Perfect…they even had Tobacco sauce! Delicious!
From there we went back to the hotel and checked in. At this point it was about 4:30 local time. I took a much needed shower and then we slept until about 7:00. We woke up ready to take the world on. Temple Bar at this time was packed to the brim with crazy Irish Folks.
As an aside. I’m not sure what I expected Irish people to look like. Some over generalizations, they are of course pale. Dark hair. And a handful of them have beautifully blue or green piercing eyes. There really aren’t black people as I know them to be in America. I saw people of direct African decent; however, most black people in America are muts that don’t truly resemble Africans.
We found an Italian place to eat. Interesting, Italian food is supposed to be some of the best. So anywho, we did Italian food. After that, we stepped inside of one of the rowdy bars in Temple Bar. It was packed to the brim with people drinking beer. I walked in and became somewhat of a wonder. People did look at me. A handful of men tried to speak to me. Between the drunk slur and Irish accent, and loud music, I could not make out much of what they were saying. We made our way to the bar, and some short Irish man was being facetious with me. I ordered a red bull and vodka - safety drink, plus I needed a boost of energy. We chatted a bit with the older Irish lads. Random other Irish lads would stop and talk to me. We found a corner to stand in and some guy from Poland tried his best attempt at flirting with me. However, after seeing his scarey tattoo, which he said, “it’s a tattoo of my monster,” my coworker and I made a fresh exit when he went to the bar for his next drink.
We walked away from Temple Bar, as it seemed like it was full of the Fighting Irish. We ventured slightly away and came upon a lovely wine bar. My coworker and I have a very casual relationship; however, traveling iwth a person for two weeks forces a relationship upon you. I’m pleasantly surprised. We shared a bottle of a lovely, deep oaky and spicey red-wine and talked about men, politics, and work gossip. For the most part we are on the same page. We’re twenty-something women who have come thus far successfully and have trouble being comfortable being vulnerable in a relationship. All is well in the world.
After we finished our bottle of wine, we merrily walked down the street. We made our way back to the rowdy Temple Bar area and continued walking up the cobble stone street. We were quite amazed with the women wearing barely nothing and stillettos. First of all, it was like 55 degrees outside, second of all, cobble stones + stillettos = disaster. We stopped to listen to a band playing on the side of the street that gained a pretty large audience.
We continued walking and along come two drunk Irish men. Mind you, a guy here or there would stop to look at me as if he’d never seen a black woman before. They’re prety complimentary…and eyyy - who am I to deny a compliment. So anywho these two come along and want to go dancing. Well by golly, we followed them to a half way decent dance club. They were playing familiar music (losts of songs produced by Timberland and then older 80s American hits). The only thing of note that happened was that I tasted my first taste of Guiness. I like it. I wouldn’t buy a pack and bring it home or anything, but I was pleasantly surprised. Especially given that my first drink of beer was Natty Lite. So anything above and beyond that is a step in the right direction. We all danced a bit, and then they got a bit creepy. So my coworker and I decided to call it a night.
And that was my first 24 hours in Dublin, Ireland.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)