I’ve had an off/on migraine for like, 2 weeks. Also having psychogenic seizures (i.e. not epilepsy). Going to doctor Wednesday. Luck, please.
(Was it good for you?)
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Thursday nights at 7pm EST! |
-I FINALLY sold that POS Mercedes last night! I got cash for it, the guy drove it away, and I’ve blocked his phone number and email address, so he can’t try to get a refund. :-P (I’m kidding…sort of. The money’s spent on bills, already.) -So I’m babysitting, and this girl is adorable, but she had some HORRIBLE diapers today. She’s teething, and apparently rice milk (a key ingredient in some of her yoghurt-drops that she has for breakfast) bothers her. I call them “poo-splosions,” but a friend of mine in Australia calls them “poonamis.” I just had to share that term, because it made me lol. I’m not a fan of the smell of disposable diapers (they always smell foul, even when the kid just pees…it’s awful), but thank goodness for that extra elastic around the legs, because that would have been UGLY, otherwise. Wow. -And also? This experience (babysitting a toddler), while not unpleasant, has pretty much reinforced my desire to not have kids, because I’ve discovered that while I’m nowhere near a helicopter-level caregiver (i.e. I don’t hover over the kid every second), it drives me nuts to sit down to read a book when the kid’s napping (after cleaning up and getting the next meal/bottle ready), only to have her start screaming the “O GOD MY DIAPER” cry. I know it’s different when it’s yours, but holy crap. It took me a while to get used to her babbling to herself in her crib (which she does pretty much constantly…she rarely actually takes a real nap), but when she needs a diaper changed, SHE NEEDS DIAPER CHANGED, AND YOU WILL KNOW ABOUT IT. I’ll stick to cats, kthx. -I’m kind of freaking out because while I’m not running out of time, per se, on getting applications and whatnot in for grad school, I am kind of running out of time in terms of recommendation letters. Out of six, I have had one sent (to be fair, it’s the only person I requested a letter from, so far, because he doesn’t require a formal request form, just the program’s form, and he jumped the gun by sending it, like, a month before I wanted him to, but he did it, and that’s awesome, so I’ll shut up, now), and I still haven’t written my essays. *kicks self in ass* -Speaking of grad school, I took the Praxis last week (as I mentioned), and I just got my final score report. It turns out that I averaged a 97% on the test, not a 93%, as I’d initially thought. So, uh, my drug-addled brain still would have passed, but just barely. -I GOT A 97% ON THE PRAXIS, BITCHES. I WILL BE EDUCATING TENNESSEE CHILDREN. Okay, I have to go shopping for groceries, now. EXCITING LIFE. I HAZ ONE.
MattG (through Rabbit) posted the following video, with the instructions to just let it play in the background while you did your web-surfing for the next 9 minutes (that’s how long the song is): The first image that comes up with you hit “play” is of the Wall of Death at Auschwitz. It’s an alley that ends in a tall stone wall, and it’s where prisoners were shot, for a multitude of reasons (but, as was the case with Auschwitz and Birkenau, “just because” is all the reason they really had). I’ve been reading about Auschwitz and the events surrounding the Holocaust since I was a little girl. It started with the Maus series of graphic novels by Art Spiegelman. That’s heavy stuff for a 9-year-old girl, but my mom will tell you that I’ve never exactly stuck with “age-appropriate” reading materials. If something looked interesting, I would read it. The comic layout made the story easier to understand, but no less horrifying. From there, I’ve watched documentaries, read survivor’s books, and even took two separate courses in college that were, more or less, focused on the philosophy and religion behind the events and mentality of the Holocaust. It’s fascinating…and I hope to god it never happens, again. Back to the video – I saw that caption for the opening scene, figured that sort of thing would happen throughout, and went ahead to “surf teh intarwebz” with the background music, as suggested. Then I heard the singing. Baaaaack up – I thought it was just orchestral? Nope. Just after the “Wall of Death” photo and notation, there’s a note that the lyrics of the song are words that were etched onto the walls of a Gestapo jail by an 18-year-old girl. Sung by Isabel Bayrakdarian, and accompanied by the Sinfonietta Cracovia (Symphony of the Royal City of Krakow) the lyrics are as follows:
(The lyrics on the video aren’t translated properly – they’re more casually-written). And 18-year-old girl, in the midst of all of that horror, instead of rage, left a message that was, given her surroundings, more accepting and mature than I think many people have the capacity to be under much less daunting circumstances. The song ends with a refrain of the first two lines of “Ave Maria,” in Polish. As you go about your day, your week…hell, your life…remember this. Remember how quickly some kids had to grow up on account of one person’s prejudices and fears carried out through the work of others. It was a lifetime ago, for some, but it’s still in our collective consciousness, the horrors that can be reaped from the seeds of anger and the desire to control others so completely. Protect your freedom, live your life, love as much as you can, and just remember… NEVER AGAIN. I took the practice Praxis I at the beginning of the month, when I was stoned on hydrocodone because of cramps, lounging in bed with a heating pad, listening to music on headphones, and generally just fucking around. I got a combined percentage of 92% on all testable sections. “Good enough,” I thought, considering that the minimum for being eligible to get your license is 87%. I registered for the test that same day (freakin’ expensive, yo), and I took the official version this morning. My combined score on the two areas in which I found out my grade, today? 92.5%. This was in an “ideal” testing condition, with a walled-in cubicle, “noise-canceling” headphones (they didn’t work very well, but they kept the little annoying noises people make to a minimum), sitting at a desk, with scratch paper and all the space I needed, in a well-lit environment, blahblahblah. I find out the Writing score, later (they have to grade my essay, which was an argument as to whether society negatively impacts public schools, or if it’s the other way around…I said they impacted each other, and GET OFF MY LAWN, because I’m professional and SMRT), but I have to assume it’s in the same vein as the Reading and Math scores. I also took the test in 2 hours. They have it blocked (electronically) to 4 hours and 30 minutes. That’s just funny, right there. My brain, when stoned, is just as efficient at processing information when I’m not under the influence of any substances outside of my normal medication. Okay, so long lead-in short, I have to buy at least one new tire, probably two, since I had a flat and a sorta-flat tire yesterday evening. The flat is in the trunk, with a donut in its place, and the sorta-flat has been filled, and we’re assuming it’s due to me parking the car on the street that it’s getting lower on the passenger side, faster (weight and tilt and all that). However, the tires are all old, so they need replacing, anyway, so it’s just going to be done in steps, at this point. Buying two tires would get rid of the one that’s too wide, as well as replace the flat (which is nearly bald, so no shop in their right mind will patch it), and they would both go in front, under the engine. I decided to call the local Sears to find out about tire availability, and see if they’d be able to put the tires on tomorrow morning. First, the price quoted me over the phone was $5 more than the price online, and he couldn’t give me a good reason. Good start, Tire Guy. I told Tire Guy I didn’t want the $25-per-pair 90-day balancing option (I assume, with a name like that, it’s some sort of warrantee, and I don’t care), just for them to put the tires on, asked for the total, and he said, “Well, you can have someone else put them on, then.” Huh…okay… I countered with the question, “So you guys would actually put a set of tires on incorrectly if I don’t pay you that balancing fee?” The answer: “Well, yes. Yep. [backpedaling] Uh, well, we actually can’t put them on at all if you don’t pay that. If we put the tires on, we balance them.” How very…noble of you. Now I’m getting amused: ”So, what you’re telling me is that you won’t put the tires on AT ALL if I don’t pay that balancing fee?” Going into I’m-The-Man mode: ”Well, ma’am, the tires need to be balanced or else they’ll wear incorrectly…” I’m losing patience, so I interrupt: ”I’m not a moron. I’m asking you why you’ve got that listed as a separate line item when it’s what you’re supposed to do when you put the tires on, anyway?” Sheepish, now: ”Well, uh…well…it’s a service charge…” Laughing: ”Why doesn’t it just say, ‘service charge,’ then?” Angrily: ”Ma’am, do you want the tires or not?” Still laughing: ”Not tonight, thanks, have a good one.” I HAVE A CRAZY IDEA: How about, instead of calling a line item something stupid, like a “90-day Tire Balancing (option)”, you call it what it is: a MANDATORY INSTALLATION FEE. Unfortunately, they still have the cheapest tires in my size in town, so I’ll probably make Forrest go with me tomorrow morning to get two put on, because I need them. *grumblegrumble* (h/t Alan) That last line is the kicker. It’s true. All of it. If you don’t think so, you’re not thinking. I just got a (very polite) email stating that due to some issues with numbers and whatnot, I will NOT be working at the range at this time. They’re keeping me in mind for future positions, but they can’t hire anyone new at the moment. Well, at least I have my babysitting and tutoring, right? :-/ …when you don’t feel like taking a shower because your boobs hurt. [I know most of my readers just saw the word "boobs" and tuned the rest out. That's cool, whatevs.] TX Fellowship emailed me to ask me to reblog a post he recently made regarding a Black Widow cosplay fiasco. Here’s a breakdown of the situation: Male-run site (um, hello, the name is “guyism”) posts photos of “sub-par” Black Widow cosplay costumes, making fun of each photo in a demeaning way, either sexually or in a weight-related way. Naturally, the shit hits the fan, as commenters go, “Um, you’re being a dick” to the author. The author posts an apology…while continuing to say nasty things about some of the folks who’ve responded unfavorably to his original post. _____ Now, as a female with a build that’s less-than-ideal for 99% of mainstream media, I wouldn’t go out in public wearing a spandex or vinyl bodysuit, despite the fact that I’m a redhead (…which is pretty much the only characteristic I share with Black Widow, other than big boobs). That’s not to say that women who are curvy shouldn’t feel free to dress up how they’d like for conventions. If you think you look good, by all means – flaunt it, and have fun. If you happen to see a female that you’re not attracted to wearing a tight costume, you don’t have to say anything about it. People put their photos online, and they do so not to be mocked, but, especially in the case of cosplay, because doing so makes them feel powerful in a way that just posting a photo of yourself in jeans and a tee shirt doesn’t. If I were to cosplay as River Tam, obviously I’d be too fat, my hair’s the wrong color, I’m not all that graceful, any more, etc., but the embodiment of the character is grace, wisdom far beyond her years, and the scary ability to kick ass on command. THAT is why I’d be wearing the costume – to put across THOSE aspects, not the fatness or the wrong hair color or whatever other criticisms may come my way. _____ Having said that, this guy was seriously just being a dick seemingly for the sake of being a dick. The captions are unoriginal, irrelevant, sexist, and just…not funny. His non-apology came with the caveat that “Oh, well, I did find some photos I DID like, so I’m hot saying that ALL cosplay is bad…” Um, guy, girls don’t dress up like that just for you to spank it. Most girls, I know, hope that at least SOMEONE will like their costume. Not all of them are doing it for the sex factor. For you to degrade a group of women like that…women who were out to have a good time with their friends, meet new ones, and feel like badasses when they might otherwise lead humdrum lives…is cowardly and a real dick move. That’s pretty much all I have to say about it. Dennis of Dragon Leatherworks spoke with me about reviewing one of his holsters, the so-called “Fugly,” just as soon as I was able to ascertain which carry gun I would be testing with it. I am REALLY looking forward to it, as I’ve had nothing but bad luck with holsters in the 5 years since I began shooting (and the four years I’ve been legally carrying). While I’m going to have a period of time where I’m not going to be allowed to carry (because, in all of the confusion of moving and various other things, my permit renewal expires in 8 days, and the form is…somewhere…in the piles of mail that’s been gathered from three addresses over the past few months; I’ve requested another, it should come soon, and I should be back in the land of the gunnies in the next few weeks), when I AM able to carry, again, I’ll be working at a gun range where, while open carry isn’t discouraged at all by the staff, it will be interesting to see, with my shape, if anyone would be able to tell the difference on a day when I’d be carrying concealed with the Fugly holster. Dennis pointed me toward a review of the holster by a fellow curvaceous female, and I’m heartened to see such a great review. I don’t wear anything like tank tops or tighter clothing – those of you who’ve met me have seen pretty much how I dress all the time – so I’m not worried about the “little” printing…I’m worried about the butt of my gun making it look like I’ve broken a rib. That’s the usual result I get from my Springfield (which you can see here, at the People of the Gun site…I’m in the 16th row, middle photo…that’s also when I was 60 pounds lighter), no matter what size I am. Fat, thin, curvy, round…it doesn’t matter. I always print in a big, bad way. Anyway, this post is serving as both a self-reminder and a harbinger of things to come – I’m actually doing a review. Of a holster. Hot damn. Also, regarding the title of the post…so many women I’ve met are concerned with carrying as far as functionality goes, but they want to “look good” while carrying. I’d be happy with looking normal while carrying. My holster doesn’t have to be emerald-green with intricate imprinting on the leather, as long as it can make my gun virtually disappear in my day-to-day clothing. I know quite a few women (myself included) who purse-carry almost exclusively (which I hate doing) just because they can’t find a holster that fits the female form with the weapons we like to carry. Revolvers are, strangely enough, pretty easy to conceal. My PPK is decently easy to conceal, but I don’t have it, right now. What are my choices? A Makarov 9×18, and a Springfield XD-9. Those aren’t exactly tiny guns, and I won’t carry a revolver because I have no faith in my ability to shoot it well when it counts, and when you’re ill…well, you have to take things like that into consideration. I don’t care if it looks like a dog took a shit, someone stepped in it, and their shoe formed a vaguely gun-shaped mold. If it’s hidden and comfortable, I’ll wear it. On that note…goodnight!
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