Wednesday, November 30, 2005

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!




It's official - it's Christmas time! The tree has gone up and is decorated. Isn't it beautiful? It took us almost all day Sunday to decide on and find decorations for our new tree.




Phoebe loves the tree. When it's lit up, she sits under
it like she's a cute little present. But, of course, it's all for her...

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

List 'O Doom

So, Bill O'Reilly's blacklist of "Media Operations that Traffic in Defamation" is up. And, well... I've gotta say that I'm really very disappointed. I was really hoping for some new reading materials, but the list is... uninspiring. So far, only the New York Times, The St. Petersburg Times, and MSNBC have made the list. Come on, O'Reilly! You can do better than that! I mean, one of them is a rival TV station for crying out loud! And did you really have to stretch to list the Times? Was that one a suprise to anyone? Have a little imagination!

Apparently these are the "worst offenders" of the "media operations [that] have regularly helped distribute defamation and false information supplied by far left websites." But have no fear, "In the months to come, we expect to add more names to this list." Bill also recommends "that you do not patronize these operations and that advertisers do the same. They are dishonest and not worth your time and money."

(Don't worry, I've linked to all of them above in case you do believe that they are worth your time and money.)

Monday, November 28, 2005

It's Much Worse Than We Thought, Folks

How do you tell someone that they are truly making the worst mistakes of their lives? How do you convince them of this when the only person that they listen to is saying completely the opposite?

You know it's bad when a die-hard feminist as myself wants to grab this person by the shirt and yell "Grow a pair!! Learn to think for yourself!!"

Out of respect for this person's family, who I love and care for dearly, this is all I will say on the matter. However, I can only bite my tongue for so much longer before I taste blood.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Here's To You, Mr. President



Esquire Magazine has named former President Bill Clinton as the world's most influential man. They have designated him as "the most powerful agent of change in the world" and highlights his accomplishments in the December issue. According to the Reuters article:


Since leaving office, Clinton has been so active that his post-presidency amounts to "a third term" for the Democrat who held the White House from 1992 to 2000, the magazine said. He has tackled global issues from AIDS, poverty and global warming to the recovery from last December's Indian Ocean tsunami.
I saw someone reading it on the plane flying to Arkansas. I'll probably write more about it after I read it.


Glorious


There are no words.

Thanks to A Socialite's Life for this.

Ugg, Just... Ugg

Welcome back to the dark ages, folks. According to The Guardian Unlimited (emphasis mine):
The lord chancellor and the director of public prosecutions are to be asked to look into a rape case which collapsed yesterday after the alleged victim told the jury she was unconscious from too much drink and could not remember what happened.

The prosecution dropped the case after the woman's cross-examination, saying "drunken consent is still consent". The judge directed the jury to find the defendant not guilty "even if you don't agree".

So, to recap - the judge in this case told the jury to find the defendant not guilty because the victim was drunk and couldn't remember what happened. This is blaming the victim to the nth degree. She was drunk so it's alright. This is one of the most disgusting arguements I've ever heard - "personal responsibility" which basically states if the victim is drunk, it's his/her fault but if the defendant is drunk, s/he didn't know what s/he was doing. How does that work? How does that make any sense?!?

One giant leap backwards for humankind.

Clash of the Titans


Oprah and David Letterman's long standing feud is about to be history! Oprah has accepted Letterman's long-standing invitation to be a guest on the show. The date has been set as December 1st and will probably not be as exciting as all of us Letterman fans are hoping, but I plan on watching it anyway.

Micheal Brown: Disaster Consultant

No, this is no joke. Former FEMA director Micheal Brown is starting a disaster preparedness consulting firm. So, let me get this straight - he's starting a consulting firm to help prepare firms for disasters.
Brown said officials need to "take inventory" of what's going on in a disaster to be able to answer questions to avoid appearing unaware of how serious a situation is.
Really? Hmmm...
"Hurricane Katrina showed how bad disasters can be, and there's an incredible need for individuals and businesses to understand how important preparedness is," he said.
Yes, yes it did. But... wait... weren't you the one who weren't prepared? Wasn't it you, Mr. Brown, who had no idea what to do during the worst natural disaster to affect the United States? And now you think you're qualified to get paid to tell people how to prepare for disasters?


Yes, yes, I'm sure you'll have loads of clients.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Shout it Loud, Sister Friend

Shakespear's Sister has such an amazing post about US Weekly's cover on Angelina Jolie that I must share it. To quote:

... I truly cannot believe that a magazine had the audacity to suggest on its cover that a woman who is a successful, intelligent, self-sufficient single mother to two children (pictured, by the way, taking her son to a museum), not to mention one of the most highly paid people in her field and a UN good will ambassador, who can fly an airplane, has multiple citizenships, and has won top awards in her profession, ought to get married for any reason.

A marriage certificate is no guarantee that people will stay together forever, anyway, nor that married parents automatically make better parents—two points to which anyone with two brain cells knocking together can surely acquiesce. So what bloody reason is there to imply Angelina should get married, aside from the lingering puritanism that likes to pretend only healthy children are raised in “traditional families” and the indelible sexism that still regards an unmarried woman as incomplete, no matter how successful and fulfilled she is?

Perhaps the only thing at which Angelina hasn’t been successful is marriage. So maybe she’s gun-shy; maybe she’s decided marriage isn’t for her; maybe she just doesn’t give a rat’s ass about convention, considering she will likely never have to be concerned with the financial protections marriage provides to most mothers and children; maybe they’re already secretly married. Whatever her reason, it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference, because none of it has any bearing on her ability to be a good mother, which, by all accounts, she is.

Can I get an Amen?!

See it all here.

Domestic Violence (Finally) in the News

The WHO (the World Health Organization, not the band) has just released the results of a huge domestic violence study. The findings are, apparently, huge and one of the first of it's kind.

The first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) study on domestic violence reveals that intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence in womenÂ’s lives - much more so than assault or rape by strangers or acquaintances. The study reports on the enormous toll physical and sexual violence by husbands and partners has on the health and well-being of women around the world and the extent to which partner violence is still largely hidden.
While I'm incrediblygratefull and thankful that worldwide attention is being paid to the issue of domestic violence, it makes me think "duh." Domestic violence is a horrifically widespread problem and has been for way too long. That people are astonished by the rates this report gives astonishes me. How do people not realize how many women are abused by their partners? It just makes me sad how people turn a blind eye to the more important issues.

On that note, it makes me want to shoot myself that on Google News, this story has 114 related stories while Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey's divorce has 413 related stories.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Indie Chick

The Movie Of Your Life Is An Indie Flick
You do things your own way - and it's made for colorful times.Your life hasn't turned out how anyone expected, thank goodness!
Your best movie matches: Clerks, Garden State, Napoleon Dynamite

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Sweet! Where's the Cash?


My blog is worth $564.54.
much is your blog worth?

Cold...Grumble Grumble Grumble...

I hate cold weather. In fact, I loathe being cold. I try desperately to deny that winter exists by warding it off by wearing flip-flops 9 out of the 12 months of the year. I hate having to dress like that kid from A Christmas Story to go outside only to have to strip to my skivvies because it's so hot once I get inside (since someone has turned the heat up to 'Bake' because no one can stand the cold.)

Now, before you Northern-types get all huffy with "Cold? You call that cold?!?" let me just say yes. Yes I do call this cold. I am from the South, I live in the South, I like Southern temperatures. (Can a sister get an amen?) Keep your near freezing wind chills - I'd rather have suffocating humidity. And don't give me that "you can put more clothes on if you're cold but you can't take more clothes off if you're hot" crap. Yes you can. And you can also have iced drinks, swimming pools, and other fun cool down activities when it's hot. During winter what do you have? Huddling in front of the fire trying to ward off hypothermia. Fun.

I'm like a tropical plant. Once it gets around 50 degrees, I've gotta stay inside with a blanket wrapped around me.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go gather nuts for my hibernation. I'll see you in Spring.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

30 Glorious Facts

How have I never seen this site before yesterday?? How is this possible? The hours I spend wading through crap site after crap site and I never came across this gem? Simply atrocious.

Without further adieu, I give you The Top 30 Facts About Chuck Norris. Some of my favorites:

Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

Chuck Norris was the fourth Wiseman. He brought baby Jesus the gift of "beard". Jesus wore it proudly to his dying day. The other Wisemen, jealous of Jesus' obvious gift favoritism, used their combined influence to have Chuck omitted from the Bible. Shortly after all three died of roundhouse kick related deaths.

Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.

There is also The Top 30 Vin Diesel Facts (When Vin Diesel goes to donate blood, he declines the syringe, and instead requests a hand gun and a bucket.) and The Top 30 Mr. T Facts (23. That's the number of people Mr. T has pitied in the time it has taken you to read this sentence.)

You can vote for random Chuck Norris, Vin Diesel, and Mr. T facts or submit your own.

I promise that you will spend no less than one hour on this site. It's more addicting than meth.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Only In My Dreams

I have crazy dreams. Let me just start by saying that. Most of the time I wake up, tell Sam about them, then forget all about it by lunch. Not today. Today I feel I must tell the world my dream.

Last night MacGyver was in my dream.

And he saved me.

This is all Sam's fault. I had never watched MacGyver until the king of corny TV shows (no kidding - I had to just get off the phone with him because he's watching Boy Meets World) came along.

So, my dream is a little fuzzy now, but I'll give you the overview: I was in high school and for some reason there was a guy who was after me. So MacGyver was there to be my bodyguard. Well, the guy grabs me and takes me to his shack where he freaks out and starts screaming and pointing a gun at me. I start crying and freaking out (like you do) and MacGyver comes in and tries to talk the guy down. That doesn't work. The guy shoots at me, but misses (which is weird because he was at point-blank range) and MacGyver takes him out. After that, MacGyver and I are friends for life.


I hate myself.

None of This Really Goes Together...

...but I'm putting it all in the same post anyway.

John Cusack - not just a pretty face and excellent actor. Mr. Cusack has written quite a post on The Huffington Post.

Bill O'Reilly is a dick. But what else is new? He's started a "smear site/anti-military internet crowd" list on his website. One question - How do I get on?

If Fox News had been around throughout history... *shudder* Oh, the humanity!

I swear, later I'll have a non-political posting, I promise.

Saying Goodbye to a Dear Old Friend

Tonight we, here in the Jackson-Browning household, suffered the loss of a friend who has been with us (well, me) for over four years.

Tonight, my green flip-flops - the first flip-flops I ever bought - broke.

The tragedy happened as we were walking into Wal-Mart. Sam was walking behind me and acccidentally stepped on the back of my flip-flops. I kept walking and stepped through the flip-flop breaking the top part of it. I was devistated. Sam was devistated. We were both devistated - and we still had to go about our Wal-Mart shopping trip. It was awful.

Now we have both faced the facts that my flip-flop cannot be saved and thus must be "let go." I must say, however, that I am taking this loss MUCH better than Sam is. I think he has issues with death.

The Daily Show Glory

Today I discovered a couple of sites I hadn't seen before. Wonderful sites full of - could it be? - The Daily Show clips. *Blissful sigh* And now, I share them with you.

Some of the Best:

The one with Bill O'Reilly





The one after the inaguration
The one, of many, about Pat Robertson









The links to the pages I've been scrolling through all day: Google Video, OneGoodMove, and YouTube. Have fun.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Nothing Like a Little Snark in the Morning

Thanks to The Daily Kos for these images. There are more, you should check it out.







Friday, November 11, 2005

Why I Want to Bring Back Public Floggings

1. Pat Robertson - "I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city... And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there."

2. Micheal Brown - still on the federal payroll at his $148,000 annual salary; asked "Can we use these people?" when told that medical equipment people have a 42-foot trailer full of beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, etc. and were waiting for his direction to go into hurricane ravaged areas.

3. Bill O'Reilly - "If Al Qaeda comes in here and blows you [San Franciscoo] up, we're not going to do anything about it," he continued. "We're going to say, 'look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead.'"

4. Bill O'Reilly (Again? Imagine that...) - "I don't believe most people who aren't Christian are offended by the words 'Merry Christmas.' I think those people are nuts." When guest Philip Nulman, an advertising and marketing executive, said that using the phrases "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Holidays" does not offend Christians, O'Reilly disagreed. "It absolutely does," he said. "And I know that for a fact."

That's enough for now. I'm starting to twitch.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Oh No! It's the Heat!

Sam offically got hired by the Columbus Police Department yesterday. (Better watch out Sipowicz, there's a new face of law enforcment.) However, I didn't show the appropriate amount of excitement when he told me his news. (It's true. I didn't.) So, to make up for that, I'm dedicating an entire post to Sam's budding law enforcement career and my excitement about it.

Congratulations sweetie. I'm proud of you.

Here's to many years of "*Bang bang bang* Open up!", "Do you know why I pulled you over?" and let's not forget "Ok, sonny Jim, what do you think you're doing, eh?"

:-)

This is Funny Stuff!

Thanks to BIll-in-Portland of The Daily Kos for this:

"Last month, the Senate voted for a ban on torture 90-9. You heard me correctly: Nine United States Senators refused to vote against torture. Those senators included Illinois Democrat Thumbscrews McGee, Iowa's Cattleprod von Analpair and, of course, Ted Stevens [of] Alaska."---Jon Stewart
-
"What's the next best thing to simply hiring ethical people [in the White House]? Explain to the crooks and liars you hired instead how ethical people would act."---Randi Rhodes
-
"It was reported this week that when he was in college, Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito supported gay rights. Apparently, his exact words were, `Let's get Jenn and Stacy drunk and see if they make out.'" ---Conan O'Brien
-
"The [rioting] immigrants, mainly North African Muslims, are upset that they're being shunned by French society. They feel alienated, scorned, looked down upon. Apparently, they're unaware this is a common situation known as Being French."---Rob Corddry
-
"New Rule: I'm not impressed by what college your kid is going to. George Bush went to Yale. The End."---Bill Maher

David Shuster, You're My Hero...

You need to watch this Hardball clip and then come back to finish reading my post. Do it.

...

Ok, I'm going to trust that you've watched the clip. A few thoughts I had about it:

1. Seeing it all laid out like this is jaw dropping. It's such a masterfully evil plan. As Shakespeare's Sister said "seeing it all again, all at once, is enough to make you want to drive to the White House and just start punching people randomly." I totally agree.

2. So, everyone in the White House has the same speech writer. "we don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud." At least rephrase it, people, come on!

3. How are there still people who believe anything that this administration says?? This is insanity. I swear, a democratic President who pulled this shit wouldn'tve made it to his second term.

4. How much does Chris Matthews resemble the SNL sketch? It's sick. I love it.

This is just one more reason, Sam, you shouldn't read/watch the news...

By the way, how much do you love this picture:

It's saved on my computer as "tiny cheney globe"

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

What I Do When I'm at Work: Part IV

Bobby Brown + Mike Tyson + The Monster Mash = Damn good television.
Halo + Tommy Boy = weird, but funny
Now this kid's got some moves!
"Illegal photographing?" Wow, I really think this lady is schitzo...
Great Daily Show segment about gay marriage. This guy actually asks Ed Helms if he's going to ask him serious questions.
Clocky - no, this is not a piece of poop on wheels; it's an actual product! Watch the video clips.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

More of What I Do When I'm at Work

Guy totally rockin out at Best Buy (This is one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time)
Car chase - Sam you'll appreciate this one
This is a great ad. Kudos to whoever came up with this one.
Live on-the spot news + drunk people = great video.

Now for some awesome lip syncing!
Almost as good as System of a Down...
Asian Backstreet Boys
The best of the best

How to Make Sweet Tea

1. Put water in the pot.
2. Put pot on stove; turn burner on.
3. Put tea bag in pot.
4. Put 1/3 cup Splenda in pot.
5. Put lid on pot.

Do you see "fire" anywhere in these instructions? Me neither. Apparently Sam did, though. (Check out his post about it.)

I was reading in the living room while calling tea making instructions to Sam (he's never made sweet tea before... bless his heart). There was a lot of clanging, him asking questions I'd already answered, and me calling the answers in the tone of "Are you freaking kidding me? How complicated can this be?!?" It was sweet.

And then I hear softly "I think I have a problem..."

So I look over expecting to see him trying to fit the wrong lid on the pot. But no, I see fire. The tag on the end of the tea bag has stayed too long on the burner and caught fire. Sam blows it out. It goes out - and promptly relights. Bigger. He blows it out - it promtly relights again - bigger still. He blows it out again and it stays out this time. The whole time he's been muttering, exclaiming, and swearing under his breath. When it finally goes out, he stares at it for a second and then turns around to see if I've noticed.

I'd noticed.

I'm also laughing so hard I'm crying. Which makes him start laughing harder than I've ever seen him laugh. After Sam starts choaking from laughing too hard and the small amount of smoke the fire produced, I say "A problem? You think you have a problem? Your tea bag is on fire, Ace. I'd say that's a problem." Which promptly sets us both off again.

Step 4.5 - Put out fire.

Friday, November 04, 2005

I Got a Hug Today

From someone I don't know. It was odd and sweet at the same time. This girl in the class I TA for needed some help studying for the next test. I told her about a study guide booklet and we talked about it for a few mintues. Then she thanked me and gave me a hug.

More people should give out hugs as thank yous. I believe the world would be a nicer place if we had more physical contact with other people. Everyone is always in their own world concentrating on themselves - if we hugged more, we might, at least, realize that there are other people around.

If You Can't Be An Artist...

...support them.

Great art blogs I've found. (I'm open for more suggestions.)

J.I. Fine
ghettonomad
I love this picture of Memphis
CameraToss - Pictures taken while the camera is being tossed, thrown, dropped, or otherwise moving.

A different kind of art: Poetry

I love art.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Ok, Technically Now It's More Than 300 Words

I feel I didn't sufficiently explain why I'm torn about the situation. So I'll try:

1. MFT is harder. There's waaay more work involved in the MFT track plus I'm two classes behind already because I didn't take some of the classes this semester.

2. If I do MFT, I'm not sure I'll be able to do the research that I've become interested in. I'd be doing more clinical work than research and I'd probably be using clinical work for my thesis. I'm really into my topic (adolescent sexuality) so I'd rather do work on it.

3. I don't know if I want to even do clinical work anymore. I'm not so good with whiny people.

There's other reasons. I'll add to the list as I think of them.

My Major Career Decision in Under 300 Words

A little background: I am at Auburn getting my masters in the HDFS program (Human Development and Family Studies). Within this program there is a MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) track - basically what you study to be a marriage and family therapist. Applying to Auburn, this is what I wanted to do. They only take 6 students to be in this track and I was picked as number 7. So, I come anyway and do the HDFS program because there's a strong possibility that I can reapply next year and get into the MFT program. I get to Auburn and I'm a TA for an undergrad class. I've gotten to teach several classes and I love it. I absolutely love it. Now I want to be a professor. I've found research that I want to do and I'm lovin that, so I think I've got down my track here, I know what I'm doing.

Today, the professor that I TA for tells me that there's an opening in the MFT group and I can start now if I want - I wouldn't have to wait a year. I tell him that I think I want to be a professor because I really liked teaching. He says, that's cool and all, but I could get my masters in MFT and my PhD in HDFS (what he's done) and be a professor.

Now what?

I like what I'm doing, but who knows if I'd like MFT more? (I tend to change my mind a bit.) I need to let them know soon because they're going to offer the spot to someone else.

Just when I think I know what I'm doing...

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong

You've probably seen this before, but what the hell. It's still good.

01) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

02) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

03) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

04) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

05) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

06) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

07) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

08) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

09) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

Yes, This Is What It Seems



Let me just say, I am my father's daughter.

Obligatory Halloween Post

What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't post some Halloween pictures? I know you're dying to see them.




Scuba Sam











Scuba Sam in the pool. Yes, it was cold. Yes, he had so much fun. I mean, just look at that face!







Me, the Gypsy Queen, doing something odd with my hands.





I took this one all by myself.

...it looks a little distorted...