Odessa

It turns out that the Miss California franchise lets the contestants pick the city they represent. "Miss Beverly Hills", Lauren Ashley, doesn't live in Beverly Hills. She lives in Pasadena. The city council and mayor of Beverly Hills are none to happy that Ms. Ashley selected their city. I fact, they stated that she does not represent Beverly Hills in any capacity.

What does the Miss California franchise have to say? State pageant director Keith Lewis said "I would love for the City of Beverly Hills to have their own preliminary pageant to determine a representative. But until then, this is the way Miss Universe runs it and this is how it is done in other states."

Hmm, that brings a wicked thought to mind. Perhaps Beverly Hills should have its own Miss Beverly Hills pageant. However, rather than just young ladies, open it up to any single female identifying person who wishes to enter. Most drag queens on a bad day look better than me on a good day anyway, so why shouldn't they be able to try out. I wonder how the religious right would like that!

Personally I consider "sue" a dirty word. Once, someone threatened to sue me. I was trying to work things out and they must have seen my willingness to be open to a solution as weakness or they just simply had really bad legal advice from someone who obviously couldn't read a contract. They threatened to sue and I dug in my heals and thrust my middle finger upward. I icily told my lawyer, "We do it my way now or they can shove it where the sun don't shine." We did it my way.

Hopefully, Sheryl Stack has the same resolve.

Valerie Hunter has my sympathy for her loss, but blaming another person who is also a victim solves nothing. Now she just looks like a petty, money grabbing, bitter bitch. Valerie and Sheryl both lost their husbands. Grant, it was Sheryl's husband who went nuts and flew his plane into a building, but holding Sheryl responsible it a stretch for even the most unscrupulous lawyer. Claiming Sheryl had control over her husband is asinine. Just because Sheryl apologized doesn't mean she is responsible.

We don't know why she stayed at a hotel the night before. However, even if she had an inkling of how close to edge her hubby was, I can just hear the phone call now:
Sheryl: "Hello, police? My husband is acting strangely."
Police: "What is he doing right now"
Sheryl: "He's typing on the computer and he won't let me see it." Police: "ah, ma'am, typing on the computer is legal. Let me know if he acts even more strangely."

So, Valerie - Dump the greedy lawyer that convinced you this was a good idea. Drop the lawsuit and heal like most people who have lost a spouse. And if you do pursue it I hope you lose because suing solves very few problems.

The land of fruit and nuts has another Christian beauty queen - Lauren Ashley, Miss Beverly Hills. Before the Miss California competition, Miss Ashley has made her opinion on marriage known - she opposed same sex marriage.

Is she allowed this opinion? Sure she is. Do I agree with it (as a straight woman, I might add)? Nope.

Let's just hope this one ain't as big a bimbo as the former Miss California was. She needs to honor her commitments regarding appearances for the organization. And, if she is so pious, she needs to keep her damn clothes on. She should give at least give a glancing acknowledgment of modesty, unlike trampy Miss Prejean. A shirt was not evident in the picture circulating of Miss Ashley, so that point might be moot. Cest la vie!

Spork is a 17 lb, 10 yr old wiener dog. Some morons in his Mommy and Daddy's home town of Lafayette think he is vicious. I think some morons need to get bit in the ass by a pack of rabid chihuahuas.

Spork bit a vet tech during a dental procedure. Perhaps the vet tech needs to find another job since:

1) She obviously doesn't know how to handle herself around all but the most docile dogs. Oooo, scary old dog hurt you. Some dachshunds might be a bit temperamental and have the attitude of a doberman, but please, he's 17 lbs! What the hell would you do with a 70 lb doberman?

2) She should have been too damn ashamed to admit her stupidity. It would be like me admitting I dropped a stapler on my toe and breaking it. I'd probably limp and smile and try to fake it so I didn't look like a retard (Yes, I used the r-word. Sue me Palin). Of course no one has any shame anymore, so why expect anything different.

To the Walkers (Spork's Mommy and Daddy), I'm sure there will be plenty of people willing to hide Spork to save him from a potential death sentence. Hell, if I lived closer, I'd take him, hide him outside the city limits and give the city official the middle finger right at the city line. Since I can't be there, I will hold my middle finger westward - Here's to you moronic officials in Lafayette, CO. Feel free to join me in my salute.

It's official. We have become a nation of idiots. Idiots that bear no responsibility for our own and our off-spring's well being. It's always "their" fault. "they" designed it poorly. "They" didn't warning us. Regardless of how many times a pre-schooler has successfully eaten a hot dog, grape, candy, baby carrot, etc., they should not be left alone. Some food already has warning labels, but some want food redesigned. With carrots and grapes, good luck convincing Mother Nature she should design them different. Also, would any kid die if they didn't eat hot dogs or hard candies?

Lets look at the statistics - Over 17000 choking incidents of children result in hospital visits each year and about 80% of those are for children 4 or under. About 60% of the child choking incidents involve food, 19% of those are from candy or gum. Less than 100 die.

Compare this to:

About 1700 children die from abuse or neglect.

About 3 million kids under 14 get injured playing sports, and 775,00 go to the hospital. About 21% are brain injuries. Bicycling alone accounted for 320,00 hospital visits and 225 deaths in 1997. (Baseball accounts for 3 or 4 deaths and other sports didn't have enough balls to say).

For more perspective, for every 100,000 children ages 1-4, 10 die from unintentional injuries, 2 die of cancer, 3 die from birth defects, 2 die from homicide, 1 dies from heart disease and 1 dies from respiratory illness. The statistics are the same or lower for kids aged 5-19.

I could dig for some more statistics, but I think these show that other issues take far more children. Losing a child to choking is tragic. Losing 100 per year is tragic. But when compared to other causes of death, it's not a big villain. Don't redesign the dum-dum (that little lollipop) or hot dogs because a few kids died. Parents need to be mindful when their kids eat, especially certain foods. If you can't be there, feed them something else. Besides, I think I'd worry more about what is in the hot dog then whether a kid could choke on it.

In a Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial titled "Pets in airplane cabins: an unnecessary allergic hazard" states:

It’s understandable that owners prefer to keep their small pets close when travelling and that airlines are keen to compete for their business. But about 1 in 10 people have allergies to animals. Many will have an allergic reaction when they’re trapped in an enclosed space, often for hours, close to an animal.

The editorial goes on to compare the "disability" of peanut allergy to the "disability" of pet allergies. As an allergy sufferer, I am not without my sympathies. However, if we are going to talk allergies, I want the airlines hosing down bimbos or old ladies who marinade in perfume or smokers who smell like an ashtray. They give me allergic problems including asthma and headaches. In my book Fluffy can stay. I'd rather sit next to Fido than some smelly person any day of the week. I get a big 'ol "tough shit" for my allergies, so why should I give a shit about anyone else.

The editorial concludes with:

"The preferences of pet owners should not supersede the well-being of their fellow passengers. Pets can be accommodated comfortably and safely in airplane cargo holds, which is where they belong. Airlines must choose to put the needs of their human passengers first, or be forced to do so."

Have these doctors not heard the stories of pets in cargo holds? Although rare, there are stories of animals dying of exposure or being "lost". I don't want my beloved furry, four legged child freezing in the baggage hold in a northern city's winter or baking in sun on some Florida tarmac. I want to travel with my pet. I don't want them treated like "luggage" in some cargo hold, alone and scared. I did it once, and seeing what she was like on the other end, I will never, ever, do it again.

That being said, we need more services like those offered by Pet Airways - were the pets "travel in the main cabin, not in cargo". But these services need to be better. With Pet Airways, my babies would still be separated from me and handled by strangers - Not ideal. I want to have a seat in the cabin with my babies. I don't need a smiling flight attendant. I'll buy my own soda in the airport, thank you very much. I can find the seat, near to my babies of course, buckle myself in, and sit there and shut up. I may need a bathroom, but I can hold it most times.

(I'll admit poetry is not my stong point, but here we go)

How'd she know it if Lower Merion School District didn't do it
If they clicked a pic from the webcam, their agreement was a flim-flam.

Blake Robbins says Lindy Masko dissed him, but we haven't heard from her.

If she did, was she bluffin'? She didn't see him puffin',
she said he might be poppin' somethin that was long, small and thin.

"Mike and Ikes", that's what he likes.
OH NO, watch out, the sugar police might be brought in!

Your husband, Joseph, must have left you dumbfounded. You, your kid, and the people in that office building are victims of your self-centered husband. He left you a homeless. He left you and another woman widows. Even in your time of pain you offer sympathy to the other victims and their families. I offer you my sympathy.

I imagine there is some part of you that thinks you did something wrong or missed some clues. The fact is your husband turned out to be a selfish asshole who decided to take others to his pity party. He was the villain. He blamed the IRS (they are pains in the ass) for the bulk of his problems, but should have reached out to you and asked for help. Just be relieved that he didn't take you and your child in the process. Be glad you still have each other.

To every one else, this is more evidence that you just never know the stranger next to you. Go hug you loved ones and hope they never flip out.

... and you are in big trouble. Actually the Lower Merion School District might be in big trouble. The high school assistant principal, Lindy Matsko, told Blake Robbins that he (according to the NY Times) “was engaged in improper behavior in his home" and claimed that a photograph from the webcam embedded in the personal laptop issued by the School District was evidence. Blake's parents are none too pleased, as anyone can imagine, and they are suing the school district for violating their son's privacy.

The mere fact that the school district has the ability to remotely turn on the webcam and snap a picture is creepy. Yes, it is the school's computer that a student can take home, which in my mind is exceptional in its own right, and that should allow certain "rights" for the school. However, the school may have abused its rights by not using the webcam for the proscribed use of determining the laptops location in the event it is lost or stolen. If the school security are snapping pictures anytime they like, it could be a pedophile's heaven.

There is a possibility that the assistant principal was BSing the kid to get him to fess up for something. If that is the case, that is creepy, too. "I know what you were doing ..."

This is a case were prevention is the best medicine. If your school district is wealthy enough to provide you kid with laptops, take a piece of tape and a piece of paper and put it over the camera. Woo la, no panty pictures of little miss sweet 16. Then, if it has a Microsoft operating system disable the remote access feature. I'm not sure if Apple products have the same ability. School security might have a kitten, but tell them it is your tax money and to screw off. Alternatively, (and this would be more difficult to execute), block their incoming intrusions through the firewall. It is your home and you should be allowed to block the incoming signal of those you find objectionable.

If anyone has any specific technical advice, please share.

The West Hollywood City Council unanimously passed an ordinance banning the sale of animals in stores in the city. The Los Angeles Times states: "The new law, called the Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale of Dogs and Cats in Companion Animal Stores, is aimed at curtailing puppy mills and easing the conditions endured by animals in the puppy-mill industry, which relies heavily on sales through pet stores, officials said in a statement."

This act combined with the two women displaying posters at the Westminster Dog Show that said "Mutt's Rule" and "Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs' Chances" and encouraging the Obamas to get a pound pup are more evidence that pure breed dogs are being looked at with scorn.

While I will always give a home to someone's "inconvenience" before purchasing from a breeder and long before purchasing at a store, there is a place for pure breed dogs. One thing that the West Hollywood law does is force those people that want a pure breed dog to actually look for it. It should cut down on those "aww, isn't it cute moments" that frequently are followed by "bad dog" a few months later because someone didn't do their homework about the breed. Also, if someone is going to get a pure breed dog, go visit where it is born, see the parents, see how the breeder treats their animals. Puppy mills are a scourge that our society could do without. Their atrocities will continue as long as people window shop for a pet and don't inquiry about the origins of pure breed animals.

China is upset that Obama met with the Dali Lama today. A meeting that the president previously postponed (he never said canceled) to allow for him to meet with Chinese officials first. Basically, China got to meet with our president first, even though the Dali Lama had been in town just prior to Obama's meeting with the Chinese. There was never any intention for the president to shun the exiled religious leader, he intended to meet with him like the presidents before him. The Dali Lama is a distinguished Nobel Peace Prize recipient (although the Nobel recipients are increasingly less inspiring) and definitely worthy of an audience with the president or should it be the other way around.

The Dali Lama is a man who the Chinese exiled from his own home. He doesn't command an army. He has no access to weapons of mass destruction. All he has is his words and faithful Buddhists. What are the Chinese afraid of, that a bunch of guys in orange robes are going to cover them selves in kerosene and burn themselves?

And who does the Chinese call friend these days? Iran.

Iran and China have been strengthening their relationship. Doesn't matter that the world thinks Iran's attitude is similar to that of a rabid dog and that the UN actually has sanctions against them. Iran is a little light on friends. China sees economic opportunity. Well, China and Iran do have one thing in common, they beat the snot out of and jail citizens that disagree with the status quo. They also blame other countries for interfering when their own citizens find fault. But that is about all they have in common.

Iran is essentially ruled by religious wing-nuts. China would like to completely eradicate religion from its country. Most Iranians are Muslim. Chinese authorities beat and jail Muslim Chinese (Uighurs) who are displeased about being displaced by Han Chinese.

I just have one word of advice for China - Watch your back. Your friends may not have as large of an army as you do, but they are crazier than you. Iran will have a nuke sooner or later.

Iran has a tendency to not play nice with others. They are a little like a crazy junk yard dog who wags its tail while you are giving it a treat, but it might bite you if you pat it on the head or in the butt the minute your back is turned. All is good right now while you buy their oil and they want your cheap labor and technical capabilities. Your ultimatums won't sit well with them either.

And if that isn't enough for you, remember that nuke? They claim they want to be able to strike Israel. Guess what, it ain't much farther to hit you, especially if they get a good tail wind.

I work in an office building in a so-so neighborhood. There are a few three story apartment buildings nearby. For the past few weeks, every afternoon about 3:30 pm, some bozo sits in his car in the street honking his horn. I presume the horn honking is to beckon someone from their flat. All I know is that I would like to take the horn and shove it up his ass until he can blow through it.

Lazy, inconsiderate asshole.

A co-worker was out a few days. When discussing her absence, the above was said.

As someone who wanted but never had kids, I never quite know how to take this news about someone. I empathize more than anyone can imagine. Although I never had the elation of knowing I was pregnant, only to have the joy cruelly yanked away, I do know the anguish of wanting a baby that never came. I peed on many a stick and got only one line. She's young and will have more opportunities and hopefully she can have as many children as she wants. My opportunities are all but gone. I guess it's best for me to just stay away, because I have nothing left to offer that would be of solace.

Ms. Evans created a Facebook page called "Ms. Sarah Phelps is the worst teacher I’ve ever had". She invited guests to post their comments stating: "To those select students who have had the displeasure of having Ms. Sarah Phelps, or simply knowing her and her insane antics: Here is the place to express your feelings of hatred." Some posters shared their criticism and others offered support of the teacher. After Ms. Evans was criticized for the page by commenters, she removed it. Ms. Evans was suspended for what the school called "cyberbullying" a teacher and the honor student was removed from the advanced placement classes she was in and placed in regular classes.

Ms. Evans is suing the school to have the suspension expunged, something the school's principal wanted dismissed. However, federal judge ruled that Ms. Evans can continue with the lawsuit. This is definitely a win for freedom of speech, and a wake-up call to schools that they have stepped over the line in their dealings with students. However, please note that the judge cited the fact that the Ms. Evans' comments were "not lewd, vulgar, threatening, or advocating illegal or dangerous behavior".

Exelon Nuclear Partners is looking for a technical writer and "someone who is respectful and understands Chinese culture is preferred", but Chinese is not necessary. Please note that: "An arrogant American will not work well in this role."

Where is this job being advertised? In an English language paper in Taiwan? No. Japan? No Somewhere is Europe? Nope. Illinois? Yup!!! Right in our nation's "heartland".

So much for Exelon's promotion of diversity. From Exelon's website: "Exelon operates in a world rich in diversity - in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, experience and thought. Exelon's Diversity Recruitment and Relationships include, but are not limited to, the following organizations:". It is then followed by a substantial list of organizations. Looking at the list, I think there might be an "arrogant American" or two in their membership.

Giving Exelon the benefit of the doubt, maybe they don't mean all Americans are arrogant, and that a meek, mild mannered American is more than welcome to apply. Maybe they just want to weed out the arrogant. Just a little hint though, arrogant people are, well, arrogant. They think they can do it better than anyone else. Arrogant people don't really think they are arrogant, they just think they very capable.

From the Daily Mail:

The apparent lack of obedience of ‘modern women’ was blamed for the high divorce rate. In a sermon entitled ‘Marriage and women’ last Sunday, curate Mark Oden, told the congregation at St Nicholas Church in Sevenoaks, Kent: ‘We know marriage is not working.

. . .

Its vicar is Angus MacLeay, 50, a married father of two who is a leading member of the evangelical group Reform, which is opposed to the appointment of women clergy.

The group has produced a leaflet, called ‘The role of women in the local church’, which uses Biblical quotes to urge them to ‘remain silent’ and telling them ‘wives are to submit to their husbands in everything’.

It is interesting how men will use scripture to blame women for modern day societal ills. There is plenty of blame to be passed around for the high divorce rate. Consider that the Bible also outlines behavior for men and how husbands should treat wives.

Ephesians 5: 28-29 "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church"

Most of the men that want their women to "submit" are unwilling to treat their wives as they would themselves. It is easier to yank a passage out the Bible and blame someone else for their own shortcomings. It is also convenient to cherry pick passages and claim that they apply to modern day. If the whole of the Bible were applicable, then why do the faithful not still make burnt offerings? (See Leviticus)

I never claimed to be one of the faithful, I take the Bible with a grain of salt. The Bible was written by a bunch of men in a time that women were considered property and it was OK to have slaves. Unfortunately, the monotheistic religions of the world are so wrapped up in their own dogma that they move at glacial speed recognizing the need for change, they are so wrapped up in their own worlds that if the Messiah returned (or came for the first time, depending on your perspective) they would likely be blind to it.

"Submit" to my husband? Never. Be his partner and deal with each other with mutual respect? Without hesitation.

The New York Times published an article about an ancient man whose remains were found in Greenland. Through a swatch of his hair they were able to determine that his ancestry was roughly from eastern most Siberia. While discussing some of the physical attributes this man would have had, they noted: "Another gene suggests that he would have had dry earwax, as do Asians and Native Americans, not the wet earwax of other ethnic groups."

As a person of primarily European ancestry (who along with people of African ancestry have "wet earwax") and not in the habit of looking in the ears of Asian people, thought "huh?" and "eww" at the same time.

So I went to wikipedia, that vast well of knowledge, and found that the medical term for earwax is cerumen and that: "Cerumen is produced in the outer third of the cartilaginous portion of the human ear canal. It is a mixture of viscous secretions from sebaceous glands and less-viscous ones from modified apocrine sweat glands." I also discover that dry earwax is recessive and that it is "grey and flaky". Wikipedia also had some, ahem, interesting photos.

Well, I guess its time to have some breakfast. I'm not quite sure I will look at the butter on my pancakes quite the same way this morning . . . Maybe I'll have eggs instead . . . er, never mind.