Discrimination, stupidity, and embracing differences June 19, 2009

Well this weekend is my 10th High School Reunion…and I am gladly half way around the world from where the events are taking place. Im sure Ill hear all kinds of news soon enough, but Im not sure that Im all that upset about missing it. Im actually rather glad to be where I am and working on my MA. Cause that means I will soon be elsewhere…preferably back in Africa!  But too all those Burg Alum out there…have fun and harrass Stella for me! I hear Ryan already has!

I think its sad that when running for office or being nominated and appointed to an office…someone is forced to give up things that are no apparent hinderance on performance all because someone makes a big deal out of it. In case you havent pieced together where this little rant is going…im talking about Sotomayer quiting the womans club that she belongs too because the GOP says that it practices discrimination. Um…how many all male cigar clubs are there out there? And Im going to go out on a limb that some clubs that GOP officials are members in discriminate more then an all womens club.  Justice Kennedy also faced similar pressures about being a member of an all male Olympic Club when he was confirmed and he too resigned from it because of his nomination. For a country that is diverse, we place too much emphasis on discrimination and those differences…when will we move past this stupidity and let people be who they are for what they are, whether you agree with them or not. If this was a case where being a member would impact job performance then I could understand, but as far as Im aware…hanging out with other women and organizing events doesnt mean you cant rule on legal issues…it just means you have a social life. Heck I wonder if there are any lawyers who attend Pampered Chef parties and whether the local courts would question their ability to serve.  My advice ….Get over it!

Has anyone else watched Whale Wars on Animal Planet?! I cant decide if I enjoy the show or if Im actually just hooked while I watch some crazy, unplanning, uncoorinated efforts to intervene fail miserably or decisions lead them into stupid situations (ice anyone?!) While I agree that Japan is manipulating the Whaling laws to their advantage…I dont agree that these environmental crazies are the equivalent to Al-Queda which is how many Japanese see them. I actually couldnt help but laugh at their direct action tactics involving stink bombs. Im not sure how stink bombs will stop whaling but Im sure it smells to high heaven on that one Japanese ship now.  The thing I find the most disturbing about it is the environmentalists lack of compassion for human life.  Several are almost cold at the news of death.  Yes whales are creatures worth saving, but how are you going to save them if everyone is dead? Theres a fine line that needs to be walked between hating and respecting your enemy and they are failing to do so.

Ok Im done with my rants for the night…

Later!

Golden vending machines, the DUI barstool, and some North Korean charm June 18, 2009

Well the tradewinds have arrived and along with those blessed heat relieving winds came the rain…which I will gladly take right now because it too is giving my sweat glands a break from the 90 degree weather! Its been a relaxing past day or two. Ive been surfing the web…but not only for leisure…ive been pumping away at a paper due Sunday on NGO websites…and ive discovered that its kinda hard to analye websites becuase they always put theire best foot forward and hide their flaws. Oh well…its a good thing that im good at digging through good to find the bad!

In case you missed it, the military out here in HI has been put on alert due to North Korea. With a shipping vessel leaving North Korean ports carrying unknown things and them test firing a missile aiming it at HI…mortality has risen on my radar. At first when I heard the news I thought…ahh just another Kim Jong Il stunt…then I remembered that I live in HI now..not only that but I live on Oahu with all those military bases…somehow I dont think the missile is aimed at all the cows on Molokai! Oh well…Im not really afraid of death…if it happens it happens…and if it happens to be by nuke then so be it! At least its not death by fish!

In more news about crazy people…a man in Delaware decided it was going to be a good idea to set off fireworks in a local Arbys bathroom…and no one knows why because the man evaded the police…but if his goal was to sink a toilet then he succeeded!

A few months back I blogged about the DUI bar stool event in Ohio…well the man was contemplating selling the stool after he got alot of interest in it…until the Licking County Child Support Agency got wind of it and told him that if he sold it the money would have to go to the $37000 back owed child support he owes…so instead he offfered them the barstool and told them to sell it themselves.

Hmmm…it looks like someone forgot that the economy was bad.  Some German company decided to create a vending machine that will despense gold in ornamental boxes for $42. However, the creator argues that he came up with the idea of gold dispensers just before Lehman Brothers collapsed in September and was further convinced by a heightened interest in the precious metal as a hedge against inflation as the financial crisis rippled around the globe.  Yes…let me pump $42 of my hard earned money (ok..well my financial aid money anyways) into a vending machine so I can get a box of gold that cn sit on a shelf. Yes..it may be gold and worth more then the cash in my wallet…but that cash can buy me food..so ill keep my cash…its called survival.

Later!

A mothers plea, random google searches, and a long Boehner rant April 20, 2009

Well…i guess regardless of where you live, being a mother to a rebellious teenager sucks!  The mother of the Somali pirate who was captured by the US for holding a US boat captain hostage has been pleading for Obama to relase her son.  Um, yea, like he listened so well to you before…besides…if Obama did fall for the sympathy card(which he wont) it would be stting a dangerous precedent for both foreign and domestic policies redarding hotage taking, piracy, and well just sheer stupidity that leads to violence. Sorry lady, but everyone is someones kid…

Oh man, you just gotta love Jon Boehner…as if the fact that the House Minority leader is from Ohio isnt bad enough, he seems to forget quite often that good diplomacy and good US foreign policy actually involves being cordial to people you may not like!  Like for example that he is chiding Obama for not ignoring Hugo Chavez…yes lets ignore world leadrers in a public diplomatic Summit which is meant to unite and not divide those leaders…what a smart move that would be for public diplomacy!  What an idiot…Im glad hes not in charge of our foregin policy, diplomatic efforts beyond his powers within the House!  He was quoted as saying “I just think it makes America look weak when we acknowledge this nutcase,” Boehner said on Monday, April 20. “I wish that hadn’t happened.”  Oh yes…cause acknowledging Hugo was a sign of weakness.  Hmm…guess you are wanting the good ole Bush approach back of ignoring world leaders and acting like other countries dont exist…cause that worked so well for us!  Every election, Im left wondering how the people down in West Chester keep electing this fool, and then begin to get really scared when he gains even the slightest bit of power and recognition beyond the southern Ohio area…Oh Boehner…when will you stop chiming in on topics you know little to nothing about?   Oh can I add one more thing….during this interview he brought up Dayton school districts and the need to better educate the youth there…while hell may have frozen over for a moment cause I agree with that comment…he went on to continuously chide Dayton businesses for their lack of participation in the area and local schools…hmm…has he forgotten that hes closer to the Over the Rhein area in Cincinnati?! I wonder what his feelings are about daily drive bys and overall security issues in that area? Cause im betting local businesses there are so involved! oh wait…what businesses! Hmm…maybe he should be focusing even closer to home…cause the Hamilton school teacher who took she took her students to a strip club is the best educator in the world!

Oh you gotta love peoples dreams sometimes!  A florida lotto winner is wanting to open a nude dude ranch! Well with one exception..you must wear pants and boots to ride the horses…cause god knows they will be so offended by seeing naked people…hmm…maybe its more hygiene related..either way its funny..More power to you guy!

Gotta love the Google searches that lead to my blog sometimes…such as..there were 5 different people who searched for “photos of the menehunes” yesterday…um cant say Ive ever used the word menehunes in my blog til now, but its nice to know that somehow it connected here…and then of course there is the old standbys like “Waikiki hookers” and “cool surfer dudes”…at least these are more explainable!

Sorry for the Boehner rant tonight…he just drives me nuts sometimes!

Later!

Playboy penalized, OCD cleaner, and dueling a tornado April 5, 2009

Well there may have been alot going on in the news, from the G20 Summit to North Korea launching a rocket and it failing miserably…but nothing that screams..blog about me! So I have gone in search of those weird news stories that leave you wondering if people are really that stupid or strange…so lets start!

Apparently a German woman divorced her husband because after 15 years of living with him doing the household chores it became too much. Apprently he is obsessed with cleaning…and in my views from the news a little OCD…but heck, if I had a guy to do my cleaning…id put up with it!  Although him knocking down a wall and rebuilding it because it was dirty may have been the last straw for me too…oh well, whos to judge!

I personally think its funny that a British media regulator fined the Playboy channel for airing sexually explicit images…hmm…its the PLAYBOY Channel!  Im betting its not a common channel, probably one that is special order (I could be wrong) but reagrdless, the name kinda indicates what ill be aired!   Apparently they believe that the Channel failed to ensure adequate protection for viewers from “potentially harmful or offensive material.” Hahahaha…seriously?!  And while there were those who complained, Im betting there were more who were happy….Seriosuly…these regulators need to back off of stuff, especially if it is a channel like Playboy…You dont wanna watch, then dont turn it on!

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that a March meeting of the Medina, Ohio, City Council required a recess when all members engaged in serial giggling over one person’s flatulence. I wonder if it was all recorded in the minutes?!  Can I get a copy of it please!

Well who thought that dueling was still around….at least here in the US…I give you one guess where it is still being legislated…Kentucky. In addition to addressing the usual state homeland-security concerns, Kentucky’s statute requires anyone licensed as a first responder to disasters to take an oath against dueling (“I, being a citizen of this state, have not fought a duel with deadly weapons … nor have I sent or accepted a challenge (to duel), nor have I acted as second in carrying a challenge (to duel), so help me God”). Seriously?!  Seriously?!  Yes if Im a first responder to a disaster…the first thing I would be thinking about is dueling..can you just picture me outside with a pistol challenging a tornado?! What does dueling have to do with disasters anyway?!?!  I give up…

Google search of the day…”Stella in Handcuffs”…hahahaha…sorry Stella…it just made me laugh that my blog somehow brought up a kinky search for you!

Later!

Motorized Bar Stool, Baptism with coke, and a disturbing visit to Guantanamo March 31, 2009

Well its been days since I blogged and I have really wanted to but alas, my life has been very boring!  Ive been wrapped up in a series of books…and read the 3000 pages in 2.5 days over the weekend…(yes thats how I spent my spring break…reading…how pathetic am I!?) and figured you wouldnt want a play by play on the events in the book…If you do, let me know! (J/k) However, I started back to class yesterday…and the semester has one more month!  But its going to be a hella month thats for sure.  Im still not sure what Im doing for the project I have due next week.  Im a little stressed about it, but Ill get it done.  Just give me a B Bates thats all I ask!  Somehow miraculously, I got another A in COIN theory…not really sure how that worked…especially since this last paper I thought was more a work for Diplomacy then COIN, but whatever. He liked it. And Ill take an A!

I thought Id seen all the wackiness that could happen…well at least in Ohio…but I have to admit this story made me laugh, cause only in Ohio would you find such a thing! A Man got arrested for a DUI while sitting on a Bar Stool….the catch is that the man had motorized his bar stool..and thus proceeded to crash it and hurt himself. Only in Ohio would someone motorize a bar stool!!! The funniest thing about it, is that he has plead Not Guilty to DUI and is requesting a jury trial!

Jessie…this story is for you! A Norwegian church used lemon-flavored cola instead of water in a baptism ceremony after its taps were temporarily turned off because of freezing temperatures. Wanna be baptized with coke?

And the #1 in Beers is no longer Budweiser/Bud Light…Chinese beer Snow has lept in front as the most sold beer in the world…and thus China has become the next superpower…j/k.

Ive always thought beauty pageants were full of women who, while pretty, werent the most observant or brightest in the bunch (I know there are exceptions and Im not stating this as a universal application to all contestants). Especially now with Ms Universe stating that Guantanamo Bay is a “relaxing, calm, beautiful place”.  Hmmm….I wonder if she was converted to Islam just like a majority of the troops who are stationed there did?  Wait…she did?  “We visited the Detainees camps and we saw the jails, where they shower, how the(y) recreate themselves with movies, classes of art, books. It was very interesting.” Ahhhh that explains it…she got the publicity tour and not the dirty behind the scenes tour…got it!

Well Im off to read…but not for fun anymore…well not for awhile anyways..

Later!

Tropical Christmas, wedding disasters, and more craziness from around the world October 14, 2008

Well apparently my sisters wedding could have been worse (it actually was  a lot of fun, don’t get me wrong).  Over 100 guests at a wedding were rushed to the hospital, ill, due to accidentally ingesting rust remover.  Apparently, the caterer decided the soup needed more salt, but it wasn’t salt…Not sure how you confuse salt with rust remover, but apparently the outcome isn’t good!

More stupid people news: apparently a man tried to pay for fast food with pot…i guess when you have the munchies its all good!  Thieves in Germany stole a sack of hazelnuts, and then a PSA was issued warning them not to eat them…apparently they were full of poisonous hydrogen phosphate gas…Knowledge for the day is that apparently all hazelnuts are filled with the gas, and have to be properly treated before consumption.  Im not really sure I can call this a stupid move since I didn’t know about the gas either, but I will since they stole nuts!  A Chinese man decided to become a monk because his favorite Chinese football team withdrew from a competition…now thats taking “for the love of god” to a whole new level!

Invasion of the rabbits…apparently they are overrunning Nelson Mandela’s former cell, and have shut down the museum as a result…So if you were planning a trip to South Africa, you may want to beware of the bunnies!

Finally, onto my friends, or rather friend.  My Ohio peeps should be forewarned that a tropical Christmas is planned, and it will involve crazy Hawaiian shirts and sledding (if there snow), and yes beer is always welcome!  Sorry Stella Im taking your plan to a whole new level!  Forget Hawaiian Santa, I want Hawaiian snowboarding!

Later!

One fun night…and the day after October 5, 2008

Me and My Girls!

Trying to teach Aaron the Cha Cha Slide

‘Chelle, me, and Jessie

Bottles are better then glasses

Hang Loose…Me and Nick

All in the family…

 

Well Its my last night back in Ohio for at least 2.5 months.  Im flying back to Hawaii tomorrow, and returning to normal life of reading and writing papers.  And my plan to be ahead, has fallen apart, and Im behind in my reading schedule…looks like Ill be writing the paper the day of class when I return home. 

The wedding went off with minor hitches, but for the most part, it was fun!  It was great to see my friends and family again, and of course dancing up a storm!  My feet hurt this morning though…stupid heels!  I do have to say that all that stair climbing I have been doing has begun to pay off, cause my calfs are awesome!  I miss all the exercise I get in Hawaii.

Spent most of today with Jess and Michael as they opened gifts.  Hopefully they find room for everything in their apt!  Hope they have fun on their honeymoon too!

Well Im off to read, pack, and run errands…oh yeah and watching the Jags/Steelers game!  My Pack lost again today…Im losing hope, but will always be a fan!!!! Nothing can change that!

Later!

Sinking Heels, crazy dancing, and alcohol of course! October 4, 2008

Jess passed out in my lap!

Do you think she’s tired?!?!

 

So today was Jess’s wedding, and it started out with a trip to zumba this morning.  Not sure that was the brightest move, because it is not almost 3am and my body is exhausted!  But the dancing was fun, and there was some semi-drunken zumba occuring at the reception.

I HATE heels…ok…there!  I left some nice divits in Library Park thanks to those evil, sexist contaptions!  Why can’t men wear heels?!?!?  Come of TJ…you should totally try them some day! 

I love my friends, they saved my life and my sanity tonight!  And to top it off, they supplied me with alcohol!  I was writing my speech, as TJ gave his, and it turned out okay I guess…Any chance to embarrass my sister I will take…you adopted alien offspring! 

And by the end of the night, we looked like the pictures above…Enjoy!

Later!

Frustration, disappointment, and the hurricane continues October 3, 2008

The cleaning of 200 champaign flutes continues…

A few of those friends of mine enjoying a fire…

Smores anyone?

 

 

Frustration has set in, and to my dismay, I am channeling a friend from Hawaii…I am losing my faith in humanity.  Lets just say that disappointment is rife, and I now realize that I am definately where I need to be in life, and that is away! 

Tomorrow is my sisters wedding and it will be interesting.  I hope stress levels will reduce, and that my dad holds it together!  I don’t stress out easily, and Im not about to begin now…but if things don’t chill soon, I may begin to pray for a quick end to this week ( I know…me praying…hell has frozen over).   (Ps the wedding industry is evil!)

I am hoping that I get some reading done tomorrow, and that my frustration subsides, and that come Tuesday, i am not stressing as Im writing my paper that morning! 

All I will say for now is that I have the greatest friends in the world, and I love them dearly!  I dont ask much of them, but when I need a shoulder to lean on they are always there, and for that I am grateftul. 

Im off for now, its 2:30 am here,  and I am off to try and read some Carnage and Culture! 

Pictures are from last nights all night wedding prep, and from tonights family gathering.

Later!

Cookies, crazy hair, and good ole’ miseryburg October 2, 2008

Well it is weird to be driving again!!!! Im so use to the bus and walking everywhere… So the cookie store was happy to see me, I think.  I have officially decorated 200 cookies for the wedding…my hands are tired!  Now I am up late trying to wrap all of them…its gonna be a long night!

On the plus side, I got to see Em and get my hair did!  I was a little worried that Jess would hate my hair, and freak out about it for the wedding, but she was cool.  My hair is now violet with bright red streaks in it!  I love it!  You all know I need something wierd in my life…or in the very least to express my creativity!

For anyone in Hawaii, checking out tonights post…it is in the 30s at night here in good ole’ miseryburg.  I missed the cold weather!  Too bad I wont have time to go ice skating while Im home!

I didnt get to watch the VP debate, but I plan on youtubing it soon.  Im a little disappointed with the talking head reviews, and it appears that Biden took it safe.  I wonder if Russia was brought up?!?  I love the fact that apparently Palin brought up the success of the “surge” in Iraq, and then turned it on Obama some how. Not really sure it was the Surge of troops Palin, probably more to do with the presence of Patreaus and his new tactics that helped turn things around, but okay, argue whatever you want.  Ill listen more when you can name me a supreme court case that isn’t Roe v Wade!  Heck, what about Brown v Board of Education?  Or heck, what about a case related to our current conflict with Rumsfeld v Padilla!  Oh well, I guess I know them because I am all about the civil liberties! 

Well Im off to finish wrapping the cookies…again…

Later!