Those cute little Smart Gadgets

There is so much to catch up on! Where do I begin? I will tell you…..with this article that was in USA Today Everyday Gadgets Go ‘Smarting’ Off

Are we really attempting to make our lives much easier? Or is it simpler? Are these the right words to describe it? Yes, the workload is taken off of us. However, when something goes wrong, for example, there is a crash of the electronics, this creates more frustration. More frustration leads to higher stress levels. And where do most people feel they are today?

I was once a proud owner of a Palm Pilot. I don’t remember the model number. I could look it up but you get the point: it was a while ago. I loved the thing. It was perfect for me to decipher what the fuck I was doing between work, school, and having a life. Then I just stopped using it one day. I had this horrible feeing that I was becoming too tech savvy (yes, me, I know). I was forgetting my roots and therefore, without a decent farewell, I said good-bye to the Palm Pilot.

Now keep in mind, my initial interaction with it, as with most cool things, occurs with friends. And Diana has helped me become an up-and-coming gal with all my gadgets and gizmos that I never would have discovered normally by my lonesome.

Between the Palm Pilot and the Treo there is a decent gap of a few good years of pen and penciling it. I’ve had pocket calendars, a Filofax, and huge calendars. All being carted all over the place with me.

Not too mention cell phones and the service carriers that I have had.

So during these gaps, Diana was still very much in-tuned to the Tech World of Gadgets, while I just sort of slinked back a bit and laid low in the shadows of the literal page-by-page calendars.

And then the Treo arrived in the world. And Diana told me about it.

She raved and gushed, pushing buttons, tapping here and there, even had me call myself. Just to show me all the awesome things that this new device did. And my reaction? I fell in love. I wanted one. No doubt. This was truly made for me. I could easily combine what the fuck I was doing with work, school (yes, still in school), a life, and my Man’s schedule (a new thing to keep track of). But there was more! It was also my phone!! How amazing is that? But there was more!! I could access my email!! It just gets better….it’s an MP3 player too!

Holy shit they weren’t fucking around when they made this thing.

And I was lost from my World of Shadows. I became Tech-Oriented once again. I love the Tech section of USA Today (be prepared to see it some more).

But does it really make us to live simple? I want to. I know there is less to carry….but when something is not right, how the fuck do I fix it? I mean, there’s always 1-800-TECH-SUPPORT for every gadget out there. But the quality of service is gone. Is that an oxymoron then?

So, I’m still hung on this Simple Thing. My goals in life always appear to be simple: bike to work one day, hike more, exercise more, eat more healthy foods, blah, blah, blah….. But do they really mean that my life will be simple?

And to get further off the topic….the more we become tech-oriented as a country, that is the more Smart electronics we have, the less growth of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These things are not measurable by the GDP. But that’s for another topic……

Little Alito……

Now I have to write on Judge Alito.

Oh shit. We are going to hell in a hand basket. And might quick.

I subscribe to a bunch of little e-zines. And I have to share this one with you.

I have bitched about Alito in the past regarding his goal to change the ruling on Roe v. Wade (okay….you get the point).

Earthjustice is about preserving the earth. Simple enough. What I was made aware of by this little zine that I received was all about Alito. Turns out our Nominee-turned-Judge has a thing for destroying land.

Let me interject with some personal feelings for a moment…..

Does NumbNuts have any fucking clue how to do his job? Yeah, I am going to Monday-morning quarterback and Barbershop this one to death that I can do his job. In reality, I cannot. However, I am a person that does tend to observe the whole enchilada before making a decision. Apparently our good buddy here is not a fan of Mexican food.

Does he not know that there are certain precedents set for a reason? That his job involves preserving the human rights that have already been established? This does not necessarily mean to go backwards with his decisions to get us back to the old school. Back to the Good Ole Boys Club. What the fuck?

Then again, we can point fingers at Bush for just being an incompetent prick for picking this guy. Funny thing…when there was a woman up for nomination, the world made her life a living hell. But now that there’s a man that insists on bringing us backwards, that’s okay. But hell…..who am I but a single, female taxpayer.

Okay, enough of the soapbox. I wanted to post this letter so you all know what the fuck is going on in the real world. I received this on January 31. Also, feel free to check out their site: Earthjustice

_____________________________
Okay, here’s the letter:

Today, after heated debate, Judge Samuel Alito Jr. was confirmed by the Senate to a seat on the Supreme Court. Forty Democrats, one Republican, and one Independent voted against Judge Alito’s nomination. We are deeply disappointed in the outcome of this vote.

Earthjustice and more than 60 other conservation groups urged the Senate to oppose the confirmation of Judge Alito, due to concerns that he would roll back protections for public health and the environment. This was the first Supreme Court nomination opposed by Earthjustice and other environmental groups since Robert Bork nomination in 1987.

We knew going in that this was an uphill battle. But the stakes are too high for us to stay out of the fight. The American public needs to know about Judge Alito’s record of siding with polluters over communities. We made a difference. In the end, Judge Alito received more “no” votes than any other confirmed Supreme Court nominee in the last 100 years except Justice Clarence Thomas.

Our heartfelt thanks to the almost 15,000 friends and supporters who took action to write, email, and call their senators, asking them to carefully consider Judge Alito’s alarming record. From the committee hearings to the Senate’s floor debate, to editorials and media coverage across the country, Judge Alito’s extreme record on Congress’ authority to pass laws protecting the environment and on citizens’ access to courts were major points of contention. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) stressed environmental issues in her statements about Alito, citing the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act, and concluded, “Our ability to legislate in these areas is very much at stake with this judge.”

Many senators, including more than a dozen who had voted to confirm Chief Justice John Roberts, cited issues that had been raised by Earthjustice and other environmental groups in explaining their decision to oppose Judge Alito. Without the attention of the environmental community and the actions of concerned citizens like you, Judge Alito’s extreme legal opinions limiting the ability of government to protect communities from pollution could have avoided scrutiny.

We remain extremely concerned that Justice Alito may reverse decades of progress in protecting public health and the environment as part of our nation’s highest court. Alito replaces Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who was a swing vote on the Supreme Court, casting decisive votes in favor of protecting environmental safeguards enjoyed by all Americans. But with your help and support, we remain more committed than ever to fighting for judges at every level of our federal court system who will uphold and enforce the environmental safeguards on which we all depend.

As always, thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,

Vawter “Buck” Parker
Executive Director
Earthjustice

_______________________________

That said….I leave you with this:

“Judge Alito was confirmed today as the nation’s 110th Supreme Court
justice. President Bush congratulated Alito and said he hopes he gets along
with the other 109 judges.” –Conan O’Brien

It’s ALL about me.

So, it was my birthday the other day.

And as usual, I expected things to just happen.

I think that this is a concept that occurred when I was little and my mom told me it was my birthday. This occurred when I had no jobs, no Treo, no bills, no concept of time, and basically, zero responsibilities. I was eight.

I remember my mom waking me up one morning singing ‘Happy Birthday.’ I was confused. “What’s a birthday?” It was quite a revelation at the tender and impressionable age of eight.

“You’re turning one year older today. Today you are not eight years old.”

“But for how long?” as I was harshly removing eye boogers and attempting to focus on my mom standing above me.

“Just for one year. Next year you will be one year older from where you are now: nine.”

Did I want to be one year older? What if I didn’t? I wasn’t informed of this ‘year older thing.’ I needed to be asked about it. It can’t ‘just happen.’

But it does. It did. And it keeps on happening.

Now, almost twenty years later (I said ALMOST), here I am: turning yet another year older.

Only this time, I wake up to my Man singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. And I rub the eye boogers from my eyes and smile and say “thanks.”

As I’m taking my shower, I am contemplating what should be happening in the world right now: everyone should be waking up and saying to themselves: ‘oh, it’s Ranting Knitter’s birthday today.’ I should be seen in the world with balloons, flowers, and the occasional cake. I should have the ‘Happy Birthday’ halo. Everyone will say ‘oh hey, look…it’s her birthday today. Hey ‘Knitter! Happy Birthday!’ And of course I will have this awesome smile on my face the entire day saying my thank-yous and you-shouldn’t-haves.

I’m still in the shower (it is my birthday after all) and I’m thinking that everything should be perfect. That is, it should do it on it’s own because it is my birthday. I won’t cut myself shaving my legs because the razor KNOWS that it’s my birthday today. When I am doing my hair, it will be flawless because it KNOWS it’s my birthday. My zits will disappear on their own. My makeup will be perfect. My contacts will just fall into my eyes. My breath will not stink. My outfit will assemble itself. I will not look fat in anything I am wearing. My period will go away.

The house will be cleaned. The dishes will be put away. My breakfast will make itself. And work will say: “Take the day off, we won’t charge you a day. After all, it’s your birthday.” All food that I consume will not consist of calories or fat. I don’t have to workout. XM will have a station dedicated just to me, playing all my favorite music in the order I prefer.

I should have a smile on my face the ENTIRE day! I should not be sad or pissed off. It’s MY day. Fuck everyone else today….they each get their own day, anyways, and the same things or what they want should happen on their day. This is how birthdays should be. The world SHOULD stop for us when it is our birthday.

Obviously, that does not happen and it’s one of my Fantasy World things. But, I’ll be damned if I don’t try to make it happen. : ) And all with a positive image.

I heard that it was good to turn a year older because the more candles that are on your cake the better. The purpose of the candles on the birthday cake was to ward off evil spirits for the coming year. Well, shit if that didn’t work last year. Hopefully the extra candle this year will make a difference. I am convincing myself that it will.

Be patient!

I know…I know! I have not writtent in quite some time! It’s horrible! And more so since SO much is going on in the world.

But, be patient. I am still writing. I am just in the middle of midterms.

C’est la vie!

A little Love….

I have a fondness for cafepress. There are so many awesome items on there that I just love! In the past I once managed to buy every member of my family something from them. I haven’t attempted that again, it was a freaky ordeal.

No less, they are awesome. So, when I randomly came across this the other day, I had to be informative to others. We should all check it out and give our support:

Free to Stitch Free to Bitch

It was MY fuckin’ lunch!!!

How can you throw someone’s fuckin’ food away???!!!

I work in large building. However, there are not that many people in the building at any given time. Basically, it is easy to tell whom everyone is and what, if anything, they brought for lunch. People are easy to spot by the small bag they carry in when walking into work. Simple enough.

Apparently, it’s a real complex issue.

I’m relatively small in size compared to those that work in this building. Therefore, it is quick to assume that I do not eat much. And the assumption is a good one.

I bring in the same food to eat every day: yogurt, soymilk, protein powder, a fruit, and either instant oatmeal, a multi-grain English muffin, or a snack bar. Pretty much everyone knows what I eat and what I bring in to eat.

For a while I was putting my food in the fridge upstairs. Now, it’s an industrial size, Sub-zero fridge. Nothing household about it. So, when there’s some food, randomly tucked in the back corner, of one of the drawers, you would think that you would have to go out of your way to throw something like that away. And yes, it has happened. Numerous times.

Then I found a little fridge downstairs tucked away in the corner for the girls that work in that office. I got permission to stash my food (yet again, in a very small and compact bag) there. They never had a problem with it. I’ve even forgot some food for a few days and it was there when I went back to it. Awesome. This was my new food home.

Or so I thought.

Then, one of the guys started using that fridge to house his monstrous container of wings. And they stunk so badly. Okay, not a big deal, we’ve got room for it.

So, this morning, mind you it’s the third consecutive day of putting stuff in the fridge, I see a very large, fat guy down stairs eating a yogurt that oddly enough looks just like mine. I didn’t say anything – hell, maybe he was now into the fat free gig, who am I to question it?

A few hours later, I decide to eat the English muffin that I brought in that’s hanging in the fridge with the rest of my food. Then I see my bag in the garbage. But, oddly enough, my yogurt is gone and so is my soymilk (who the fuck else likes soy milk in the place, I’d like to know). I am so fuckin’ pissed!!!! Where the FUCK does he get off, I’d like to know. He never so much as used that fridge for anything before. And now all-of-a-sudden it’s his. I stormed upstairs stewing about what I would do:

1) I could get a nice size fridge and put it in my bunk. Why not? It’s only fair that I get the same love as everyone else, even if I have to make my own.

2) I could go down there and just annihilate the man by calling him every-fuckin’-word that I could possibly conjure up at the moment.

3) I could ignore the whole fuckin’ thing and see what happens. I mean, really, what else could go wrong from here?

I have elected to do # 3. And my poor morale for this place has just taken a new rooting. I now have more ammo than I know what to do with. Of course I did document this, as I am convinced it was done on purpose, that is, with intent.

I do not undermine these men that I work with; every gesture they make, every statement they make, anything they do is done for a reason. They are a brutal bunch and just too goddamned annoying. I sit in my cube all day and just wait for the 5 o’clock buzzer. Thank God it’s Friday.

Slide, Crash, Cry

Not the greatest morning….I crashed my car. And in a bizarre way.

I was about to pull onto my road; I had slowed down at the same time signaling to take the left. More than enough time was given to the guy behind me in the Suburban (mind you I drive a Tahoe). Well, he was not paying attention and drove up on the right side of me, on the grass/woods. I was wondering what the hell he was doing and then it dawned on me that he was not paying attention and damn near rammed into me.

I would have preferred that as to what was going to take place in a matter of minutes.

I pulled into the driveway and did notice the extreme amount of water runoff from the yards of the neighbors. That had all frozen.

Not a big deal…. but it was…

I pulled into the driveway and I was not happy where I thought I should park – it looked like too much ice. So, I went to park next to my Man’s truck and skidded on the ice and slammed right into it. Unreal.

So right now, the Tahoe is attached to the Truck. I will wait for the ice to melt and then move it. But, the Tahoe is smashed.

Now, for just once, I would love not to have any Drama in my life. For one year. Is that hard to ask for? I don’t bring it on myself; this shit just always seems to happen to me on a regular basis, that doesn’t normally happen to others. My friends tell me that I live a Soap Opera Life. While I would like to think that we all live a life that may easily be reproduced by Hollywood, I am told numerous times that my life is just so obvious.

Not to get off the topic, but you’re getting the point.

So, when I request no drama….I mean NO DRAMA. I would not consider my life boring; I would see it as a year-long vacation. A nice break. I would love to just kick back and watch the world go by. Don’t get me wrong; I will be an active participant, but just without the drama.

Other people can have drama in their lives and that will more than suffice for me. But, I just don’t need these little hang-ups all the time. What are they telling me? To calm down? To do mental check? To do a status check of my life, love, etc.? To sell the Tahoe because I’ve had nothing but bad luck with it? But wait, I was IN MY DRIVEWAY. This shit should just not happen at home. But about 80% of motor vehicle accidents occur within two miles of the home. Yeah, no shit. I am so living up to that standard.

To fully understand, one must know the History of the Tahoe. I have owned this vehicle for just over one year. I have had nothing but engine trouble (check engine light was on for the entire year; they finally fixed it, maybe). I have had a quarter panel redone due to someone scratching the hell out of it, down to the metal, about the size of a half-dollar size. That was after owning it for about six months.

So now, every six months, something will happen with the Tahoe that affects its body, thus creating a need for money to cover the cost of it. Why go through insurance and give them a chance to make an excuse to raise my rates?

I think I am going to have to sell the Tahoe. Honest. I am starting to think it’s bad luck.

Which brings me to another thing….is there such a thing as bad luck?

Oh for the Love of Happiness!

So, I’m watching ‘Mona Lisa Smile’ at 2am the other morning. And as I’m watching it and the events are unfolding in the movie (towards the end, obviously). I find myself crying. And I then I realized why I was crying.

For as long as I have been watching movies, I have found myself quite emotional (either crying or very much near it) during movies that do not require any type of emotional response, simple movies, really. And for the longest time (up until the other day) I always found myself crying for True Love.

I have questioned the concept of True Love for almost as long as I’ve been watching these movies. That is, since I’ve been exposed to watching movies, I discovered the concept of True Love. There was a belief that there was a person out there that would love me and we would grow old and have fun together. As I grew older, I discovered sex would be an issue…in the positive, of course.

So, when I met my man, it dawned on me that things were different this time around. That there was something significant going on with this new man. Now that we’ve been together for a long time, I realize that this is True Love. Now, there were no angels singing in the backround, nor was there any new-age music nor any up-and-coming singer/songwriter performing next to me.

Now, fast-forward to now, 2am in the morning, watching ‘Mona Lisa Smile.’ As I started crying, for what I thought was finding True Love. I realized that wasn’t it. I was not crying for True Love. I was crying for Happiness. It was a matter of finding Happiness and being Happy with it. There are moments when the Happiness lasts for a little while…but not forever. And that’s what we are all looking for – forever happiness. And I realized this and of course started to cry some more. It was amazing how after all these years (since I started getting serious about watching movies, about the age of 12), that I always cried because I didn’t have a True Love. And now, YEARS later, I discover this entire time I’ve been crying because of Happiness. And how disillusioning it can be.

And the reason I’m crying about this? Because I have never known Happiness until I was older, in my early twenties. And even then, it was a struggle. My upbringing was not the greatest, though it was better than most. I had a fucked-up biological father that caused a lot of havoc in my life until I was in my early twenties when I came to terms with it (rather than just ignoring it). So for me to have Happiness, it is a big thing.

And of course I began to evaluate my current situation. But I realize that I am VERY happy. I LOVE the man I’m with, the house I’m in, the stuff I’m doing (aside from going to school, which I have had enough, but have to endure 3 more months to complete).

I have issues with my job. I love my job, just not the people I work with. Is this an issue or is this normal? I have yet to decide. I KNOW that I am going through unnecessary bullshit and that it is not the same every where else. So, the contemplation concerns on what to do, however, I am not seriously thinking about that until I have finished school.

(At this point, I am not going to get into the unhappiness that exists within the world, perhaps another day).

Then Diana emails me the other day with this book she wants to get “The Art of Happiness at Work” by The Dalai Lama. Who better to write on this subject than him? Then I get to thinking that I should read this book, as well. Nevermind that I should also read “The Art of Happiness.” No less, both are now on my Wish List.

In the end, it IS about being happy and having Happiness in your life. Perhaps not in all aspects, but in as many as can be possible. So, I toast you all to Happiness in 2006.

Straight Jacket, anyone?

Now I must share with you the Straight Jacket Pattern.

This pattern comes out of “Better Homes and Gardens: Learn to Knit: A Beginners Guide to Knitting.” They title it ‘Short Poncho.’

I was thrilled to use the Lion Brand Jiffy Thick and Quick yarn. I thought the yarn was pretty neat. It is a bit difficult to work with, compared to the stringy fun stuff that I’ve always used.

The pattern called for size 15 circular needles. I love knitting on circular needles.

I have all my materials, so, I set out to knit this project. I had it done within two weeks, and that was based on knitting when I had the time to fit it in. This is a quick project, thus one of the reasons that I chose it.

I just finished this one as a UFO in that I only had to knit the last two rows, then weave in the tails. Simple enough. That said, it was finished. Yea…..oh no……wait a minute….I have to try this thing on! So, I put on what I think I would be wearing when using this – a turtleneck. And no lie – I look like I am in a straight jacket. I cannot wear it in public. There is no room for me to move my arms about. This is a perfect compliment to any outfit if you wish to be immobile. When you walk, you look like a person in a straight jacket walking. It is just so insane.

If anyone does make this piece, PLEASE let me know how yours came about! I would like to know how someone else made out with this project.

I wanted to post a picture of the compledted project, however, I was unable to figure that out…..

Yes, Vagina, there is such a thing as abortion….

“If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament.”
~Florynce R. Kennedy, 1973

So, here I am. On the couch, desperately searching for a good movie to watch; preferably one that I have not seen before. In between commercials (or adjustments on the couch) I evaluate my illness: still sick, heavy-head syndrome, and noticed the increase in pressure in the right ear. I already think I have some hearing loss in that ear, but I think this cold is just not helping things any….

Then I get my mail……..

I love Planned Parenthood. Now that that’s out of the way. I received a notice from Planned Parenthood on the Supreme Court Nominee Samuel Alito, whom is against abortion. Or we shouldn’t say that, he has not come directly out to state that he is against it, he does not feel that there is anything in the Constitution that pertains to it. Umm….hello? Anyone home? But, there is a good picture of Alito talking with Bush looking on with a smirk. Do not attempt to get me going on Bush. (I’ll do that on my own at some other point when he embarrasses himself – thus the Nation – in a bizarre statement about something very menial or important, it’s hard to tell with him).

So, check out SaveROE to read more about this huge issue that one would think should have ended more than 30 years ago when the decision was made. Oh wait….my bad…this was a right given to WOMEN. That’s why there is an issue. Duh…what’s wrong with me sometimes? If this were an issue pertaining to men, then there would be no more discussing it. Thirty years later, it would be a natural thing, like insurance covering medicines for erectile dysfunction. And there still exists insurances that will not cover the Pill. Then again, erectile dysfunction is mentioned in the DSM-IV…..

So, do what you can to NOT support this Nominee!

Here is another link to check out:
NAF

And a blog: Blogging Alito

Bear with me…I am simple yet opinionated.

“George W. Bush will protect your unborn fetus, then send your grown child to die in war.” ~Rick Claro