Sunday, October 29, 2006
Yes, I promised nor more stuff but I needed it
This is what our bookshelves look like relative to the rest of the foyer-living room.
This is my new mirror. I have wanted a cheval mirror for the longest time. I haven't been able to find one I liked within our price range. But, I saw this at Target and loved it.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
How low can you go?
Would you go as low as suggesting that somebody was pretending to suffer the effects of your life threatening, debilitating disease, in order to support your political views?
That's what Rush Limbaugh did when he accused Michael J. Fox of shaking too much when he appeared in ads supporting Democratic incumbents, showing his support also for stem cell research. Limbauh apparently suggested that Fox had not taken his pills or was acting. As my husband said. this comes from a guy who believes in over medicating.
A number of Bloggers out there have commented that if "Fox wants to enter the political arena, he shouldn't be above criticism."
I don't think this is a matter of being above or below criticism. This is a debate on whether Limbaugh was a donkey (my mother reads this) when he made fun of Fox's disease. I think it is abhorrent no matter what Fox was saying or standing for when Rush made the comments about his condition. The fact that Fox was in a political ad should definitely lead to discusisons and debates on the content of that ad and what he's standing for and whether we aree with it or not. It shouldn't be a debate on whether Fox really is that sick or not. Even if they prove that Fox did not take his medications that day, so what? He did that before in 2002 and he said he did it to show the public what this disease does to people. Sometimes, we need to be shocked into action. Maybe the right wing wuold just like to take all the diseased and suffering and put them in a dark underground dungeon so we can pretend nothing's wrong in the world and everything's hunky dory in the world ruled by them.
That's what Rush Limbaugh did when he accused Michael J. Fox of shaking too much when he appeared in ads supporting Democratic incumbents, showing his support also for stem cell research. Limbauh apparently suggested that Fox had not taken his pills or was acting. As my husband said. this comes from a guy who believes in over medicating.
A number of Bloggers out there have commented that if "Fox wants to enter the political arena, he shouldn't be above criticism."
I don't think this is a matter of being above or below criticism. This is a debate on whether Limbaugh was a donkey (my mother reads this) when he made fun of Fox's disease. I think it is abhorrent no matter what Fox was saying or standing for when Rush made the comments about his condition. The fact that Fox was in a political ad should definitely lead to discusisons and debates on the content of that ad and what he's standing for and whether we aree with it or not. It shouldn't be a debate on whether Fox really is that sick or not. Even if they prove that Fox did not take his medications that day, so what? He did that before in 2002 and he said he did it to show the public what this disease does to people. Sometimes, we need to be shocked into action. Maybe the right wing wuold just like to take all the diseased and suffering and put them in a dark underground dungeon so we can pretend nothing's wrong in the world and everything's hunky dory in the world ruled by them.
Friday, October 20, 2006
SI Reunion: Lack of planning or lack of caring?
So, I went to the SI Alumni Reunion last Saturday. Let me talk about the highlights of my visit back to the Midwest and then I'll talk about the letdowns. But, here are the photos before I forget about them: Reunion weekend .
Highlights:
- Friday night, Jeff and I got in around 6 and drove into Ann Arbor. Everything looked the same as 6 months ago. We checked into the Lamppost Inn and they informed us that because they were fully booked, we were being upgraded. We had a room with a kitchen, full sized fridge, king sized bed, real wood furniture, a hallway and a nice bathroom with a high pressure shower head. Surprises cannot get any better than that specially since we paid $50 a night.
- That evening, we had dinner at Chili's with Madelyn and Autumn. $3 margaritas and friends I haven't seen in a while.
- Then, we went to Leopold's for a few hours where we had drinks with Amy A , Autumn, Amy G , Madelyn, and Sarah W.
- Saturday morning, we had brunch with Amy A, Autumn, Sarah W and Olga at Cafe Zola . It was really good. I am surprised I never went there in the 2 years I was there.
- After dropping Jeff off at the hotel for a power nap, Amy A, Autumn and I went shopping at our old hunting grounds - The Briarwood Mall .
- At 5:30ish, we headed back, picked up Jeff and met up with Jon B at Buffalo Wild Wings for some spicy chow and the Tigers game.
- Then we went to the SI Reunion, where we all got a nice fleece blankie.
- After the Reunion, we went to Ashley's for an hour or so, where we watched Michigan win against somebody else (I was playing games on Jeff's phone the whole time, as the photos will show).
- Sunday morning, Jeff and I drove down to Sylvania, OH to visit family friends and stayed there overnight.
Now, for my frustrations with the whole trip:
- I wanted to get an oven mitt with the MI map on it and could not find one. The store that carries it for sure was closed.
- The Reunion was a hmm how do I put it gently - failure? let down? People who had RSVPed yes didn't show up. People just didn't show up. There were 2 faculty members and 3 staff members who probably had to be there because they planned it. JB and I had a nice long discussion on what this lack of interest implies.
One, it implies that the School was probably more involved with the iConference than with the Reunion. Well, they could have separated the events.
Two, the notices to alumni didn't go out early enough. People who have just started jobs maybe 6 months ago need more than a few week's notice to plan flights, time off, etc. I booked my ticket way in advance because I saw the information online as I was updating my alumni profile.
Three, there's a lack of a feeling of belonging. Is it a thought that you've paid your dues, you got your degree, there's nothing left to take or give from the School anymore? If that's true, it's really sad. SI is a small school and I'd have thought that would lead to a more cohesive bond between the students which would stick even after we graduate and between the students and the school.
I am sure there were more things we discussed and points we came up with but I'll have to come back and update when I remember more.
Highlights:
- Friday night, Jeff and I got in around 6 and drove into Ann Arbor. Everything looked the same as 6 months ago. We checked into the Lamppost Inn and they informed us that because they were fully booked, we were being upgraded. We had a room with a kitchen, full sized fridge, king sized bed, real wood furniture, a hallway and a nice bathroom with a high pressure shower head. Surprises cannot get any better than that specially since we paid $50 a night.
- That evening, we had dinner at Chili's with Madelyn and Autumn. $3 margaritas and friends I haven't seen in a while.
- Then, we went to Leopold's for a few hours where we had drinks with Amy A , Autumn, Amy G , Madelyn, and Sarah W.
- Saturday morning, we had brunch with Amy A, Autumn, Sarah W and Olga at Cafe Zola . It was really good. I am surprised I never went there in the 2 years I was there.
- After dropping Jeff off at the hotel for a power nap, Amy A, Autumn and I went shopping at our old hunting grounds - The Briarwood Mall .
- At 5:30ish, we headed back, picked up Jeff and met up with Jon B at Buffalo Wild Wings for some spicy chow and the Tigers game.
- Then we went to the SI Reunion, where we all got a nice fleece blankie.
- After the Reunion, we went to Ashley's for an hour or so, where we watched Michigan win against somebody else (I was playing games on Jeff's phone the whole time, as the photos will show).
- Sunday morning, Jeff and I drove down to Sylvania, OH to visit family friends and stayed there overnight.
Now, for my frustrations with the whole trip:
- I wanted to get an oven mitt with the MI map on it and could not find one. The store that carries it for sure was closed.
- The Reunion was a hmm how do I put it gently - failure? let down? People who had RSVPed yes didn't show up. People just didn't show up. There were 2 faculty members and 3 staff members who probably had to be there because they planned it. JB and I had a nice long discussion on what this lack of interest implies.
One, it implies that the School was probably more involved with the iConference than with the Reunion. Well, they could have separated the events.
Two, the notices to alumni didn't go out early enough. People who have just started jobs maybe 6 months ago need more than a few week's notice to plan flights, time off, etc. I booked my ticket way in advance because I saw the information online as I was updating my alumni profile.
Three, there's a lack of a feeling of belonging. Is it a thought that you've paid your dues, you got your degree, there's nothing left to take or give from the School anymore? If that's true, it's really sad. SI is a small school and I'd have thought that would lead to a more cohesive bond between the students which would stick even after we graduate and between the students and the school.
I am sure there were more things we discussed and points we came up with but I'll have to come back and update when I remember more.
Finally on Flickr
Ok, so I followed Noor's advice and started putting photos on Flickr. After 4 days and many hours of frustration, I have figured it out and have posted many photos of Bandit here: Bandit goes online!
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