Bleh

Oct. 6th, 2012 12:42 pm
averygoodun42: (Help me Obi-Wan)
An article about a teacher who needs to be fired. Any teacher who bullies, humiliates or otherwise picks on a student, especially for a (relatively benign) political view, needs to not be in a position of power.


In other bleh news, the car came back from the "check engine light" class, and... there were three codes with $700 of parts (PARTS, not labor) required to fix it.

Soooooo... I guess we'll be test driving cars this winter. I think. What with that, the alignment/axle issues and how the body is getting to be in pretty bad condition, so I really don't think the car is worth that kind of money (especially because I'd have to add in the cost of renting a car to get around while the car's being repaired).

*sigh* On the one hand, it will be nice to have a car that has four working windows again (and isn't dropping interior parts every other week), but on the other, it means we won't be getting out of debt in the near future like I hoped we would be.

Ach well. It is a 13-year-old car. Possibly even 14-year-old, depending on its issuing date.
That's pretty darn old for a car. Especially in an area that salts the roads. No matter what the mileage.


In good news, I'm feeling way better. Still don't know what's up, though I've been staying away from chilies, bananas and almond butter just in case any of them are the culprit. I tried staying away from tea, but... well... yeah. I'm an addict. So sue me.

Also in good news, the house smells wonderful from the pumpkin muffins I just made. Now I need to go finish baking the rest of the batter, put everything away, pack up a bunch of food for us and clean up before we leave for Boston. (Oh yeah, that's another good thing: we're going to see some friends, and M and I will be going to Ikea this evening! Page's big birthday present is waiting there...)

So, hope everyone's having a good weekend!

Well, hum.

Sep. 25th, 2012 08:03 pm
averygoodun42: (fairytale)
The next door neighbors are moving. Really truly. They've offered to sell us their shed. Their very nice, professional-quality, 10'x10' shed. For $800. Which is a steal.

Except... It's almost twice as big as I want my shed to be. I was just about reconciled to a 6'x8' shed (next year or 2014, after the yard is leveled off).

And also, well, we don't actually have the $800 right now. We will soon, but I don't know exactly when, and I'd rather not pay interest on those unhatched chicks. It would have to be bought pretty quick, as they're being foreclosed upon (or it's a short-sale, but really, same difference). But it's half the price of the shed I want. And already built, to boot...

*sigh* First world problems, I know (complete with the debt issue), but...

Something to sleep on, I guess.

(I hope the new neighbors, whenever we get them, aren't smokers. And don't yell at each other quite so much.)

Also on the hum front, we just came back from an organizational meeting of spiral scouts (a more inclusive Boy Scouts alternative). Um... While the idea of Spiral Scouts is fabulous, way better than Boy Scouts, I'm not sure any of our family is going to be able to cope with these meetings. The majority of the people leading and attending are ADHD. There was little sign of adult-led respect (i.e. be quiet while others speak) from either kids OR adults. And when the kids were released from the table, they went completely ape-shit on the noise and rambunctiousness, considering we were inside. And inside the church. And when finally called on it, didn't show any signs of listening.

I'm not sure I want Page in that kind of group. Even if he didn't participate in most of the rowdiness. (It was really quite amusing: all the kids except Page were circled around the box of finger puppets, making as much noise as possible, while Page sat himself down at a table and started drawing. Only he and the leader's autistic kid refrained from the self-led group activity.)

On the other hand, this was the very first meeting, and it's possible that as things progress, it'll get better and saner. I'm resolved to give it three months (till year end). If it hasn't improved, I think we might go back to cub scouts. As oppressive as that organization is. Or else just rely on karate for a group activity.
averygoodun42: (Help me Obi-Wan)
Saw a protester with a sign basically saying that the war in Afghanistan is Obama's war.

Um...

At least my memory isn't THAT bad.

*

Geoff is getting better, but the kid and I aren't doing quite so well. Hopefully I'll be able to kick the boys out of the house (to church) tomorrow, but I suspect I will not be getting any alone time this weekend. *shrug* At least I picked up some good movies at the library for us to spend our time (and little energy) on. ("The Adventures of Tin Tin" and "Harvey")

Unfortunately, I will have to spend a fair amount of time today and tomorrow (should my brain ever return my calls) studying. First test coming up next week, and I have a fair amount to review.

Speaking of class, I got into a noisy debate yesterday during break with one of my classmates who thinks Social Security is only for those who didn't plan well. I wasn't the only one who said that was bullshit, but I was, perhaps the most ardent. He still insisted that he didn't think he should have to pay into SS, since he can invest his money better. And he really, really didn't seem to get the fact that society and economy are tied very closely together, and the economy suffers when the society does. At least in the current paradigm. His "good" investments wouldn't be worth shit should society either collapse or revolt, and that's what would happen should the safety nets go away (which is, in turn, what would happen should SS be an optional program).

He's a young thing, but his current job is also as a financial planner. Makes me feel scared and sorry for his clients. And our economy.

And it was kinda funny... My professor displayed a bit of his own personal cognitive dissonance shortly after the debate by saying in an aside that he wished Bush were still president, and then going on to complain about how high-paid execs get instant raises since FICA currently caps out at $110,100. I mean, I agree with him about the outrageousness of that cap (it doesn't even go up to the top earners of "the middle class!"), but Bush's record isn't exactly known for increasing the tax load of the wealthy.

Ach well.

I think I'm gonna go watch "Tin Tin" now. I hope it's as good as everyone said it was.
averygoodun42: (About to Blow up)
In talking about the budget cuts the military is facing, the cited impacts will be: "less training for warfighters heading to Afghanistan, fewer ships and aircraft and possible furloughs for the military's civilian employees."

Not, oh, say, cutting back on R&D (which is where most of the money goes, i.e. into $75K+ base salaries for engineers and such, not to mention the pockets of the wealthy who invest in weapons production (which is where the real money is made)), but on the people who make a pittance. On things that will endanger lives. On things that will actually INCREASE the government's financial woes in the long run.

*holds breath in rage*

This is (yet one more reason) why I am NOT proud to be an American. When more than 50% of the discretionary budget* (50 FUCKING PERCENT!!!!) goes to defense spending, and still our military personnel are underpaid, overworked and will be the ones penalized if/when budgets get cut.

It is SHAMEFUL!

(And this is leaving aside the fact that we spend more on the military than the rest of the world's countries combined...)

* The discretionary budget leaves out medicare and social security funding which are actually TRUSTS that we pay into, and, supposedly, the government can't use in any other way. Except they do. *razzum frazzums some more*
averygoodun42: (paintbrushes)
Art students at one college are required to buy an art history book with no pictures. For $180.

Nice extreme example of how screwed up (and corrupt) the system has become. Too bad it's also become so necessary to have a college education to be able to support oneself. (Which is, of course, part of the problem... Captive audience and all that.)

Bah. *looks at calendar* ARRRRRR!


Ach well. I need to get ready for class. And prepare myself to ask my teacher to completely disregard the question I asked on the quiz yesterday before I got the correct answer drilled into my head during class. *blushes* Details, details. Accounting is all in the details. (Am I really sure this is the best way for me to earn my living?) Ah well. Better to make mistakes when it doesn't matter (i.e. class). At least I do tend to learn from my mistakes. Well... except for the parsing details bits. ("On" is very different from "in"! Oops.)

*sigh*
averygoodun42: (snape)
There's this bit of snarky wonderfulness.
averygoodun42: (ooh!  dinner!)
My wallet was stolen yesterday. More accurately, it was taken from where I stupidly left it at the store, but seeing as it wasn't turned in to lost and found several hours after the fact, I think I can say it's been stolen.

Read more... )

Bah.

Bwahaha!

May. 15th, 2012 01:46 pm
averygoodun42: (snape)
This is the fucked up State I live in!

http://concord-nh.patch.com/articles/chaos-at-the-statehouse-as-rep-is-ejected-for-giving-nazi-salute-to-speaker-o-brien

Scroll down through the tweets. It's hilarious! (In a very, very sad way.)

Bwahahaha!

May. 10th, 2012 10:16 am
averygoodun42: (snape)
The lucrative, starry affair is bringing attention to Obama's show business ties just as his campaign is fending off criticism that he's more pop culture hotshot than effective statesman. A recent ad from the pro-GOP super PAC American Crossroads mocked Obama as a "celebrity president" (link)

But Ronald Reagan, the hero of Republicans everywhere, wasn't?

Granted, it has been said lately that Reagan wouldn't get elected nowadays as his positions (socially and fiscally) were far too moderate. Which is just... horrible.

*sigh*

On the plus side, Romney is a fairly moderate Republican for today's standards (according to his governing record), so the country won't be completely fucked if he wins. Only a little more so than if Obama wins, really.

Except, of course, for the LBGT community. They'll be completely screwed. (Not to mention women...) :-/
averygoodun42: (About to Blow up)
Or: Why the masses get what they deserve...

"Only 46 percent of voters realized that the amendment would ban civil unions for gay couples as well as marriage, according to a Public Policy Polling poll. A majority of North Carolina voters support civil unions."
averygoodun42: (Default)
I am going to post without commenting on any of your posts. I've read them, though. I rejoiced/commiserated/whatnoted with you, too. But, um... yeah.

An anecdote on that "um"...

Page went just a tad too long without eating, so by the time he was at the table with his plate of cold eggs and cheese (his choice, btw) in front of him, trying to cut it up to eat, he lost his cool.

So, I thought it a perfect opportunity to tell him how much I sympathized with his inability to communicate with words, but the importance of trying anyway, before getting so angry. It went something like this:

Me: You know, I completely sympathize about... [painfully long pause as I tried to find simpler words] the, um...
Geoff: [laughs quietly]
Page: [thinks Geoff is laughing at him; scowls ferociously]
Me: [sighs] the... inability to... um... to communicate. [start chuckling myself]
Page: IT'S NOT FUNNY!
Me: I'm not laughing at you, darling! I'm laughing at myself!
[whole long conversation where Geoff and I try to explain the irony and humor of the situation until Page covers his ears against us]

So... yeah. For fear of saying everything wrong in that special way I have, I'm going to refrain from commenting. More than I have already done, that is.

Just remember my heart is in the right place, even if the words seem to be coming from a not-so-nice place.

*sighs*

I think I've spent too long at the books. On the plus side, I got all but one of the multiple choice accounting questions (from the previous tests) correct without reviewing first. On the downside, I completely muffed the inventory problem. On the plus side, there won't be an inventory problem on the final. And I did remember how to do all the depreciation methods; yay, as that will be on the final.

But, well, I've spent a solid 9 hours either at school or thinking about school or doing schoolwork. I'm tired. I think I'm going to watch the Daily Show and be done with the day.

*nods*

On another plus side? We're heading into a weekend, and the house isn't a complete pit. The kitchen table and counters are even visible. And the throw pillows are still on the couches, even. *scrunches brow in thought* What the hell happened this week to have the throw pillows still on the couches? And the blanket only slightly mussed? What sorcery is this?

*shrugs* Here's hoping for whatever sorcery to continue.

Cheers.
averygoodun42: (Default)
This reporter doesn't quite understand the definition of rape. At least a couple of the commenters noticed that fact, however. And I really, REALLY like this solution to the whole debate (except for the whole mother's/women's rights oppression it would entail, of course):

Solution: Women who change their mind must turn over the child to be adopted by legislators that voted for this. Rotate legislators so everyone of these turkeys get to raise that child and college is mandatory.

Or, more clearly said: If life is so precious that women can't control their own bodies, then you, oh-moral-ones, get to pay for the results. Individually. Because God knows we don't want to burden the tax-payers with that responsibility. That would be anti-American.
averygoodun42: (Default)
Worst headline ever? I mean, it's like a bad translation from Chinese (a google translation, to boot), except that it's not. It's a bad summary of the first sentence/paragraph:

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's weekend reform of its currency regime nails shut the coffin on the last remains of doubt about whether the world's second biggest economy has successfully steered a course past a hard economic landing.


For some reason, I expected better of you, Reuters. *tsks*
averygoodun42: (Help me Obi-Wan)
This disturbs me.

What's that line? A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular?

Yes, there are social norms we all should adhere to, and amongst those social norms are filtering out what we say to whom we say it, but... The fact that there was a serious question of whether to punish him for making a statement of (unpopular) opinion was worrisome. The fact he was punished (after apologizing) is scary.

This is the same reason that I'm glad Rush Limbaugh's show was not cancelled by whoever it is that airs it after the Fluke debacle. He is execrable, and I sure as hell wish no one listened to him, but he does have the right to spew that trash into the airwaves as long as the station cares to support him. (Which is why petitioning the advertisers was rather ingenious. Yes, it's only a degree of separation from what the Marlins have done, but it's a rather important degree.)
averygoodun42: (About to Blow up)
So... I got a call from Page's school's behavioral specialist today. Seems Page hit another student because he was having a bad day.

From the call, I assumed that Page actually attacked the kid(s), but upon hearing the story from Page's side after Page came home, it seems what happened was that he tripped over T's foot, fell, got up and whacked T with his empty coat sleeve. T then went and told on Page.

Now, I ask you, do you think that warrants a SUSPENSION?!?!?!?! It didn't even get him on red, for fuck's sake!!!

(No, Page is not suspended, but that was brought up as, basically, a threat for us to do something or else.)

*growls great big badgery growls*

Read more... )

(And, if it were needed, the circumstances behind Page's bad day are: Cranky mom who snapped at him because he was dawdling and doing everything except what she asked of him in the morning and trying other power plays that drove her into a minor tantrum taken out on a container of pork, shoes that hurt (because he couldn't find his proper shoes - another cause of friction between mother and child), another loose tooth, and a dad who's out of town for the second time in as many weeks and passed on the news last night that he'll be delayed coming home. And HE'S A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY!!! FFS, people!!! Sheesh!)
averygoodun42: (ooh!  dinner!)
Two headlines to highlight this:

Nic Cage pays the IRS $6 million of what he owes This would imply that he owes more than $6M, and is really, really negligent. However, when reading the first line of the article, they say that the $6M is all he owed, and stands free and clear for the next year. I suppose this isn't really a preposition issue as a structural issue, but the "of," to my mind, puts the emphasis on the implication of more, rather than the amount he already paid.

Michelle Obama appears 'Biggest Loser' to fight obesity: This implies that Mrs. Obama is the biggest loser, rather than appearing on that show. There's a huge, enormous difference, and no pun is intended.


It's simple enough. There really is no excuse for these misuses. Sure, we're American and Americans play fast and loose with prepositions all of the time. But, usually that's only when they don't affect the MEANING OF THE SENTENCE!

Ahem.


Sorry. Bad day refuses to get better. (You'd think a behavior specialist would know how to actually communicate (hint: repeating the same phrases in exactly the same way three times is not a good example of how to do so)? Or at least know how to listen? OMFG, people! Maybe Bigger City isn't too far to go for Page's schooling...)

Anyway. Need to go be a parent. Joyousness will ensue, I'm sure.

Varia

Mar. 30th, 2012 03:22 pm
averygoodun42: (Default)
First, another amusing comment stream on yahoo, this one about, wait for it, education. Aw yeah!

I especially like this one: QUESTION: What are the schools expensis besides utilities and employees. Why are costs going up so much and so quickly?

*blinks*

But pretty much all of them are amusing for one reason or another.

*

Test today was much easier than expected. I probably could have foregone half of the cramming I did in the last three days. Half of the test (almost exactly) was about stuff I learned in accounting last semester, so I better have gotten that right. And another quarter was on content we covered in class, so... I think I did well, even if I probably didn't get 100%.

*

My garden is growing. It's supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow, but I'm not too worried, as it's not supposed to get cold enough for anything to accumulate.

Meanwhile, I'm plotting and planning what to do with the front garden. I have approval to plant a red twig dogwood shrub and a star magnolia, though I'm wondering if perhaps I should go with a pink dogwood tree. And, of course, crabapples really are very lovely...

Whatever tree I choose has to be fairly small or it will interfere with the power lines and suffer odd pruning. (And I've decided against birches because they're shallow-rooted).
I've also determined that the poor eunonymus that's clinging to life in the shadowy corner out front (and will need to be moved anyway, as we're getting an arborvitae there) will go beside the power pole. which will, in turn, be more or less next to the red twig, and on the other side of the red twig, I'm thinking of putting a mop cypress. Main thing I'm looking for, of course, is winter color.

I don't know. I'm going to have fun going to all the nurseries, though!
averygoodun42: (About to Blow up)
So, GBT is taking on the sonogram/ultrasound legislation that's suddenly become popular in the more conservative states that want to ban abortion. And, of course, he's doing it to enormous flak and discontinuation from papers and all that jazz. So, SNAFU.

Anyway, I loved this "blowback" on his site:

TEN YEARS AGO

Ten years ago I got pregnant by my future ex-husband. He didn’t want children, and we argued for two days before I decided to examine the possibility of termination. I had to travel 150 miles out of state to get out from under a 24-hour waiting period, a decision I made after the receptionist at the local Planned Parenthood looked at me like I was dung when I told her I was there for an abortion consultation. In New York, I asked for and got an intravaginal ultrasound. I’d told the doctor of my great discomfort with what I was considering. We were able to see that what I was carrying was an embryo, that the neural tube had not yet closed, and that there would not be a beating heart for another five to seven days. The ultrasound gave me great peace of mind with respect to my decision not to continue the pregnancy. The proponents of mandatory ultrasound need to consider that it works both ways.


Ranty rant rant rant )

Anti-abortion laws assume that women can't make their own moral choices, and you know what? That's insulting.

Not to mention, if abortion becomes illegal, this country needs to have a hard look at its values about the rearing of children. If every baby in utero is a miracle, then that supposes that every child is a miracle. If a child is a miracle, then why are there so damned many hungry ones in this country? Why don't we have simpler adoption laws? Why are we constantly cutting education spending? Why do we ask mothers to pay others to raise their kids instead of paying mothers (or fathers) to do so themselves? If children were really as important as these bill makers say, they would be fighting to make this a socialist country, damn it!

*breathes*

But really, what it comes down to is that a woman's body is her own. Period. Let her make the choice, whether it be for or against termination. She's the one who has to deal with it, after all, since society isn't going to.

Oh, and Shiv, here's some hope for you. There is a push against the insanity that's swirling around this country. There is. And not just from flaming liberals like me.
averygoodun42: (Default)
Does accepting the American Opportunity Credit automatically reduce the Pell grant?

I don't understand why FAFSA said I'm eligible for up to a $4400 Pell grant (knowing my income tax info), and the school says I only get $1800 (I got $3600, last year). And am I not eligible for any loans? I was last year!

Well, they also have this listed under the 2011-12 year, so I'm hoping it's another case of adventures in stooopid Financial Aid Officers (and their computers).

In other oddities, the aid sheet says I'm getting a $1000 scholarship in the Spring semester (of 2012...)

Maybe that accounts for the $100 refund check I got from the school the other day?

*iz confuzzled*

LOL

Mar. 1st, 2012 01:20 pm
averygoodun42: (Default)
But Democrats said the amendment would limit access to contraception and infringe on women's rights at a time when Congress needs to focus on the economy and employment. "These aren't the issues we should be debating right now," Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet said on the Senate floor.

Following Thursday's vote, Blunt accused Democrats of playing politics with the issue.



Playing politics with the issue? Seriously? And who started this whole brouhaha in the first place? At least most senators realized that with Obama's compromise, it's a non-issue now. (Not to mention they know where most of their constituents stand on this issue.)

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!

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