Allow me to preface this with a warning - this is a rant. I will do my best to be somewhat fair, but bear in mind this is a topic that I feel strongly about.
Today is Mother's Day. I am lucky enough to have my mother, and be close enough to spend the day with her. That said, I am childless and sterilized, and I am both completely comfortable with and proud of these facts. These are life decisions I made, and I believe it was the right choice for me and those around me. There are reasons, obviously, and if anyone cares to read them, I will share them, but that's another blog.
Today, while at work, I was greeted with "Happy Mother's Day!" from many a customer. Now, I realize that they are just being nice, but I was irritated. I do not appreciate the assumption that a woman is a mother. I also hate that just because a woman has squeezed out another baby she is a "mother" - I have seen some serious failures become "mothers" and it is tragic. Fathers are another topic entirely, and I am not going to broach the issue right now, but we all know some real failures there too.
When do I get a day in honor of my responsible life choices? When is the "Responsible Birth Control Day?" And no, I am not asking for that day literally - political correctness, in this instance, can go fuck itself.
For all of the honest to goodness mothers out there, I hope your kid(s) are honoring you properly for all that you do. Mothers that do their jobs well are a gem, and impact their children in ways they may never even know. My mother means so much to me, and has taught me both by guiding me and by the way she conducts herself. I hold everyone else to the standard she set, and I know many other kids that do the same.
For those of you that go around wishing every woman you see a Happy Mother's Day - stop. It's presumptuous and, while you have the best intentions, it doesn't change the fact that it isn't even any of your damn business if the woman is a mother. If she mentions her kids, go for it. If not, keep your greetings out of my ovaries.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Soooooooooon.
Soon the end of the semester will be upon me, and I can actually post some things here that I've been stewing over.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dennis Hong: My seven species of robot | Video on TED.com
Dennis Hong: My seven species of robot | Video on TED.com
This is seriously, really, very, very VERY cool.
Just don't tell anybody, and it'll all be okay.
Yesterday, on Twitter, a group of #tweeps got into a very interesting (albeit infuriating) discussion about Constance McMillen. This discussion, which quickly degenerated, simply reminded me of how narrow minded people can really be. I have never thought of myself as any more open minded than the guy next to me, but apparently, that is not the case. Here are my thoughts on Constance McMillen's case...
As I understand it, she wanted to take a girl to prom and she intended to dress in a tux. She has been openly gay since the eighth grade.
If we were talking about any other attribute to discriminate against this girl, everyone would be outraged. But, because we are talking about her sexual preference (terminology I loathe) it somehow is not only okay, but discussed at great length. Perhaps it is because some people believe that her orientation is a decision, while others believe it is genetic/scientific. Personally, I fail to see the relevence of the cause of her homosexuality - the fact is, she likes girls.
The school eventually decided to cancel prom as opposed to allowing these two girls to go together. As we know, alternate proms were made available to both groups, and exclusions were made. The point was raised that if she had just kept the aspect of being gay to herself, there would not have been an issue, but I fail to see that as a solution. Isn't that the exact policy in the military? You know, the one they are trying to get rid of?
High school is supposed to be a try out for the real world. As I recall my high school experience, I recall being picked on for being different, but not to excess, and it did prepare me for the reality of adulthood (in that way). What is the lesson we are teaching these students? Sure, everyone needs to learn that everyone isn't going to be nice to you, but this is above and beyond.
In my mind, the school should have treated it the same as a male female relationship - you know, stopping inappropriate touching during slow dances, making sure no one's getting felt up, and so on. I don't understand how the sex nor sexual orientation of these two students required any action from the school at all. But then again, I happen to believe that gay people are entitled to equal rights. What do I know?
As I understand it, she wanted to take a girl to prom and she intended to dress in a tux. She has been openly gay since the eighth grade.
If we were talking about any other attribute to discriminate against this girl, everyone would be outraged. But, because we are talking about her sexual preference (terminology I loathe) it somehow is not only okay, but discussed at great length. Perhaps it is because some people believe that her orientation is a decision, while others believe it is genetic/scientific. Personally, I fail to see the relevence of the cause of her homosexuality - the fact is, she likes girls.
The school eventually decided to cancel prom as opposed to allowing these two girls to go together. As we know, alternate proms were made available to both groups, and exclusions were made. The point was raised that if she had just kept the aspect of being gay to herself, there would not have been an issue, but I fail to see that as a solution. Isn't that the exact policy in the military? You know, the one they are trying to get rid of?
High school is supposed to be a try out for the real world. As I recall my high school experience, I recall being picked on for being different, but not to excess, and it did prepare me for the reality of adulthood (in that way). What is the lesson we are teaching these students? Sure, everyone needs to learn that everyone isn't going to be nice to you, but this is above and beyond.
In my mind, the school should have treated it the same as a male female relationship - you know, stopping inappropriate touching during slow dances, making sure no one's getting felt up, and so on. I don't understand how the sex nor sexual orientation of these two students required any action from the school at all. But then again, I happen to believe that gay people are entitled to equal rights. What do I know?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
He'll never give you more than you can handle.
I have found myself in a very trying place over the last week or so. There have been a lot of really upsetting issues and very little I can do to rectify them. It is all putting an enormous strain on me, and I have very friends at this point to vent to - as of late, I feel I am overloading them with my despair, so I am trying to just shut up about it already.
Last night, while sitting at a bar with a friend, she told me, "Whatever you believe, God, The Universe, Balance, whatever - it never gives you more than you can handle." I was furious. I kept my anger and dismay to myself, but the fact is, even today this statement makes me red.
Allow me to indulge myself, and delve into exactly what it was that made me angry. First of all, I do not believe in "God" - but she did try to make that part as inoccuous as possible. But as a "non believer" or whatever, I find it insulting to believe that there is some being that is completely fucking with my life, pushing me, but not too worry! He/She/It will stop amusing itself when I reach (but do not exceed) my breaking point! And I should be thankful to have been tested in this way! Is that honestly some kind of consolation? Do people take comfort in that?
I have no explanation for the bad things that happen to people. But I sure as hell don't tell them the tooth fairy will make it all better. Sometimes, bad shit just happens. And you weather the storm, as best as you can. That's all you can do. I'm hoping that this one is losing steam, and the calm will come soon.
Last night, while sitting at a bar with a friend, she told me, "Whatever you believe, God, The Universe, Balance, whatever - it never gives you more than you can handle." I was furious. I kept my anger and dismay to myself, but the fact is, even today this statement makes me red.
Allow me to indulge myself, and delve into exactly what it was that made me angry. First of all, I do not believe in "God" - but she did try to make that part as inoccuous as possible. But as a "non believer" or whatever, I find it insulting to believe that there is some being that is completely fucking with my life, pushing me, but not too worry! He/She/It will stop amusing itself when I reach (but do not exceed) my breaking point! And I should be thankful to have been tested in this way! Is that honestly some kind of consolation? Do people take comfort in that?
I have no explanation for the bad things that happen to people. But I sure as hell don't tell them the tooth fairy will make it all better. Sometimes, bad shit just happens. And you weather the storm, as best as you can. That's all you can do. I'm hoping that this one is losing steam, and the calm will come soon.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions | Video on TED.com
Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions | Video on TED.com
I have never claimed to be a smart girl. In most cases, I am extremely ignorant of a lot of things around me, and I have lived most of my life contained in a little bubble, a condition of most of the romantic relationships I have been in. I used to think I was developing into a pretty interesting person, and since then, that growth has been stunted. Life happens - what the fuck can you do? You look around at all the pieces laying around, gather up the good ones, and sweep the rest of that nonsense the hell out of the way.
I am trying to be a more informed person. I am trying to shut the fuck up and listen. To see what I have missed. Because for years I have hidden and dulled my brain. And I do not like it.
I am trying to embrace a more analytical, thoughtful, and poised thought process as of late. I used to be a passionate, bleeding heart; I always went by how things felt. While my opinions haven't really changed, my approach to them is. I once felt an obligation to be very PC, and lately, well.... I haven't. I just want to know the facts, and I'll make up my own mind, thank you. I have found myself shifting very much to listening to others, without necessarily offering an opinion.
Now then, getting to the fucking point. The video above was one of those things I listened to, and took in. As a person without religion, I am always interested in the subject. I found his viewpoint to be based too much in observation, I suppose, since it was a lot of "Isn't it apparent this is wrong?" but I also enjoyed it in its simplicity - really, isn't it, most of the time at least, readily apparent that something is morally wrong?
A friend of mine suggested I take an ethics class. I just need to read some good books this summer, and use this brain in my head for the first time in years.
I have never claimed to be a smart girl. In most cases, I am extremely ignorant of a lot of things around me, and I have lived most of my life contained in a little bubble, a condition of most of the romantic relationships I have been in. I used to think I was developing into a pretty interesting person, and since then, that growth has been stunted. Life happens - what the fuck can you do? You look around at all the pieces laying around, gather up the good ones, and sweep the rest of that nonsense the hell out of the way.
I am trying to be a more informed person. I am trying to shut the fuck up and listen. To see what I have missed. Because for years I have hidden and dulled my brain. And I do not like it.
I am trying to embrace a more analytical, thoughtful, and poised thought process as of late. I used to be a passionate, bleeding heart; I always went by how things felt. While my opinions haven't really changed, my approach to them is. I once felt an obligation to be very PC, and lately, well.... I haven't. I just want to know the facts, and I'll make up my own mind, thank you. I have found myself shifting very much to listening to others, without necessarily offering an opinion.
Now then, getting to the fucking point. The video above was one of those things I listened to, and took in. As a person without religion, I am always interested in the subject. I found his viewpoint to be based too much in observation, I suppose, since it was a lot of "Isn't it apparent this is wrong?" but I also enjoyed it in its simplicity - really, isn't it, most of the time at least, readily apparent that something is morally wrong?
A friend of mine suggested I take an ethics class. I just need to read some good books this summer, and use this brain in my head for the first time in years.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Try try again.
Since my stepdad has been denied disability for his COPD, he has now decided to take the path of Worker's Compensation, and his hearing is coming soon. He has gained 4lbs of fluid weight in the last seven days, and he has been sleeping more - the weight is draining him, and putting pressure on the walls of his heart.
All I can do is hope that his case is presented well by the attorney.
All I can do is hope that his case is presented well by the attorney.
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