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[Oct. 11th, 2008|09:13 am] |
I am so sick and tired of this situation:
A friend and I will be talking, and, as is pretty much par for the course this season, the topic of money comes up. The friend will lament about cost or how they aren't able to afford something, which will seem ridiculous.
ASIDE: Normally, these friends make more money that me. I am no slouch in the income department (at all), but these individuals either make about 90k by themselves or 150k through combined income with their partners/boyfriends..
I'll profess being mystified; my philosophy is you make more than me and you cannot affrod x or y...I can afford it. How is it such a problem.
Then the line comes out: "Oh, you don't understand. You don't own a house".
See, that floors me. The idea that simply because I don't own the place where I live makes such a big fiscal decision is stupid. It's what we call in science a "flawed theory", and here's why:
(1) It's not like I live at home with my parents; I actually PAY rent every month. And its a significant amount, because I choose to live in a downtown area. So, I do dish out money every single month for rent. I'm not saving a thou or so a month based on what I don't have (which is the distinction between the "you don't have a car" argument).
(2) Additionally, I have the majority of the costs associated with having a home. I pay for electric. I redecorate. All of these things people associate with "ownership" I do.
(3) You don't live in a McMansion. It's not like you're paying $2000 a month for a mortgage (if you are, you're stupid). My rent and their mortgage only differ on a minor level; prices are pretty consistent.
Just because someone OWNS a place (which technically, they own crap; the bank OWNS the place; it will be theirs after 360 easy payments) doesn't give them free purchase to complain about money and then use home ownership as a reason (because then, it is an excuse). I CHOOSE not to own a home. I CHOOSE to pursue four degrees, and then go after my fifth next year before buying a home. It doesn't set up a scenario of complaining, it's simply a fact.
SD |
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| 8,451.19 |
[Oct. 10th, 2008|09:08 pm] |
lt governor had a speech here yesterday that i attended. he said our next great depression was only a matter of time. thats the first politician ive heard say that. he said "i think you know whats coming."
rip, neo-conservatives. |
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| ... |
[Oct. 7th, 2008|11:03 pm] |
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do the right thing. |
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| Debate |
[Oct. 7th, 2008|09:07 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | politics | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Cruxshadows - Cruelty | Scrobbled by Last.fm | ] |
OMG. McCain is John Kerry. He just said "I HAVE A PLAN." |
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| Historical stuff in Washington Heights |
[Oct. 7th, 2008|08:45 pm] |
Discovery of the weekend: Historical preserved block of carriage houses-turned-residences off St. Nicholas around 160th St. that look like they belong in 19th century London. The street is cobblestone and only accessible from the St. Nick side by stairs. We found it completely by accident walking home from Josh's Smash Brothers tourney late Friday night. On Sunday, I went back during the daytime to take pictures. One of the houses on that street is for sale for $1.2 million. Anyone want to make me a loan?
The rats seem to be settling in a little. Paris isn't nibbling as much and they're fighting a lot less. Maybe it was just the stress of being in a new place.
Monday was a job interview followed by a lot of walking in my not-most-comfortable shoes, which may not have been a fantastic idea. I walked across the Queensboro Bridge, among other things. Without a jacket. (I feel slightly sick today, and maybe that's why.)
I started reading the Sweep series by Cate Tiernan again. I borrowed the next two in the series from the library. Not exactly the best literature, but it's kind of addicting reading. |
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| pee |
[Oct. 6th, 2008|06:30 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | 100 Demons - Time Bomb | Scrobbled by Last.fm | ] |
this election is just getting darker,
and the 700 billion we donated "to the cause" was like throwing a penny in a well.
europe just broke, and iceland is bankrupt.
does anyone have any major or minor plans for what to do in high water situations aka the next big great depression? anyone? |
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| no room for fancies in the world of research |
[Oct. 6th, 2008|02:34 pm] |
insults to his language, diction and syntax are insults to sacred monuments. you may have well been pissing in the rhine or eating in the hagia sofia. shame on you.
she is a (quite) literal translation of the things that are wrong with my world at this present day and age;-- unabashed practicality.
sorry i'm late to the party. ive not stopped thinking about it though. how could she insult any little thing that floated out of your mouth, landing softly onto your paper? she should feel ill and converse with herself in the mirror, confused as to why she should have to mention it. i dont know why i feel so strongly. i guess i am insulted.
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i tried to go out on the playground with mr elliot smith to finish this sartre book, but lo and behold a fleet of 14 angels on riding mowers with weed-eaters descended to ruin the day and spray woodchips in my lap. i wanted sunlight. i spent the rest of it sitting in my car daydreaming about my past, and thinking about how id rather drive the 20 miles home to get sebastian, so we could hold hands and play out on the lake bank. |
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| mooseburger. |
[Oct. 3rd, 2008|07:21 pm] |
THANKS YOU GUYS FOR THAT SWELL LETTER WHERE YOU MISPELLED MY NAME AND TOLD ME WHAT A SHAME IT WAS BUT YOU VOTED FOR IT ANYWAY
GEE I HOPE THE PEOPLE THEY LAID OFF AT WORK TODAY ARE STILL ALL UNDERSTANDING OF THIS WHOLE BIG MISTAKE
AND UNDERSTAND THAT ITS JUST NOT FAIR TO THOSE SWELL HARDWORKING CEOS WHO CANT AFFORD TO KEEP THAT HOUSE IN DUBAI ANYMORE.
FUCK THE ALASKAN ACCENT
SARAH PALIN, YOU CUNT.
------
i need a pumpkin gif |
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[Oct. 3rd, 2008|07:52 am] |
I've made something of a momentous decision.
No to Wisconson.
This wasn't, in any way, an easy choice. Wisconson is the #1 school in the country for Sociology, and I am fairly certain that with my pedigree, I could get in. However, it involves moving, at the ripe old age of 35, and frankly, going across the country when I am "half dead" as my Mom would put it, just ain't in me. Especially to only stay for...I dunno...3 years. That's just way too unsettling.
There are two very good PhD in Soc programs here in Maryland (Hopkins and UMaryland), both of which are very competitive. With both I would be doing some measure of sub-interests (at Hopkins I would be doing Social Inequalities, while at Maryland I would be doing Social Psychology) but I can tie in my hard-on for computer and computer tech, so it's not like it's going to be a hard sell. Additionally, I am pretty certain I can get into either one, or both, so I would have my choice.
It involves taking the GREs NOW, which would be painful, but most assuredly necessary.
------------------------------
I have known, for a while, that I am something of a packrat with "buying stuff". Case in point, I have about 10 USB "Thumb drives". Heck, I onlyy need 2-3 (one for my grad work, one for teaching, one for personal), but on my bookcase I have like...6...that I haven't opened. Why? Can't pass up a good deal, and they were like 5 bucks each.
Speaking of which. I am trying my hardest NOT to buy this:
It is only $399. I really don't need a new laptop. I think I will just by a new funky Phi Delt skin for my laptop and be happy wit' dat.
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| Knowmore.org |
[Oct. 3rd, 2008|04:21 am] |
Very interesting website on what's ethical and not-so-ethical about various corporations.
The American Apparel article was one of the best
----
I found some good trash tonight.
On 145th St, I got a small animal cage with a double-decker platform which I can probably modify for mouse use and a couple of thick mailing tubes the rats can use as either chew toys or tunneling spaces.
On Amsterdam around 72nd St, I found a brand-new heavy duty tote bag with double-stitched straps which I can use for carrying groceries.
On the subway, I found somebody's driver license abandoned. I threw it in a mailbox, which is the same thing I did that time we found a wallet. USPS claims they take care of these things. I wonder sometimes, though. :p |
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| Letter to the State Line Observer |
[Oct. 2nd, 2008|11:19 am] |
To the editor,
In Mary Marsh Gautz's letter (October 1), she invites Michigan citizens to research Proposal 2, which will appear on the November 4 ballot. I fully support her invitation, but I feel that Proposal 2 may be painted unfairly by Gautz and the MiCause.com website that she cites. In fact, the proposal does not allow for unregulated, unrestricted research on human embryos. Rather, the proposal restricts embryo research to the following limits: the embryos are created for fertility purposes, are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs, would be discarded unless used for research, and were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment. In addition, stem cells cannot be taken from embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins and any sale or purchase of embryos is prohibited.
Others against Proposal 2 may claim that embryonic stem cell research is already allowed when it is funded by private funds and may ask, why should we allow state taxpayer money to pay for this research? Stem cell research is not my field of study, but as someone who has been frequently funded by research dollars, I can say that at least in my experience, the overwhelming majority of funds for scientific research comes from federal and state sources funded by taxpayers. Private funds are only a drop in the bucket.
I just want to repeat that the embryos in question here are those intended for, but not used, in fertility purposes. These embryos will simply be discarded. Therefore, no lives whatsoever will be saved by turning down Proposal 2. As stated by Gautz, there are other options available besides using embryonic stem cells, and those options have promise, but if we also utilize these otherwise wasted embryos, we increase our potential that much more of finding treatments for life-threatening conditions. In other words, a vote in favor for Proposal 2, is indeed a vote for life.
-Ryan P. Shadbolt
West Bloomfield, Michigan |
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| Worst. |
[Oct. 1st, 2008|08:28 am] |
I am sure I have said this a million times, but the thing I hate most of all is when someone cancels plans. I normally give people a whole string of "outs" just in case they cannot come, change their minds, etc. And if they take one of those, hey, I am fine. I can deal with that. The problem develops when someone says "I am definitely coming", and then they change the plans. That sucks.
The main problem is that my schedule is TIGHT. It is no mean feat for me to "do" something on a certain day, because I have little/no free time right now. Take last night for example. Yes, my prof cancelled class. But I was called in to work my pt job. And because a buddy specifically said he wanted to hang that night, I bartered with the part time job to get out early. I get out early, take a cab (instead of walking) because I am sure I am going to be late, get there....and he sends a message cancelling.
Flake.
That pisses me off to no end. Oh, and then he sends an mg this morning at 7 am that is constructed like it was sent at 8 last night. When I question the text's honesty, he states that he "thought" he sent it last night and didn't realize until this morning that he did not. His excuse, after that, was downright pathetic. I found a flaw in his excuse, and he got pissed off.
*sigh* oh well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My thesis advisor asked me to consider postponing graduation for a stronger GRE score. Bah. |
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| Rodentiae |
[Oct. 1st, 2008|03:39 am] |
On Saturday, we went to NJ to adopt our new rescued rats. There are three boys - two brown-and-white and one blue. The rescue said they're about seven months old. We named them Achilles, Odysseus, and Paris, respectively. Paris is scared of everything, and I can only imagine how he must have been treated by his last human. He nips sometimes and has been getting in fights with the other two. (I love descriptive naming.) Fortunately, there has already been a noticeable improvement in his behavior over the past few days, and I think eventually we can succeed in getting him socialized. That said, last night I tried to pull him out of the cage to separate him after he had been fighting with the other two and he bit me hard enough to draw blood. It was pretty frustrating at the time, but I've calmed down since. We have a ways to go.
I was worried that Sprout, my last remaining mouse, wouldn't react well to being able to smell them in the same room as him, but he honestly doesn't seem to care. I just never let both rats and mouse out of the cage at the same time.
Sunday was the Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon park. It was really nice even though I didn't get to stay too long and got bitten by a bunch of mosquitoes in the rainy weather. It's a very beautiful park.
I might have a job interview coming up, but the agency is giving me mixed signals right now, so who knows.
Such is life. |
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| aarp |
[Sep. 30th, 2008|01:58 pm] |
i thought this was lol.
i called my reps/senators yesterday. did you? |
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[Sep. 30th, 2008|08:27 am] |
Stolen from ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) kj66
TEN things you wish you could say to TEN different people right now:
Person 1: It isn't you, it's me. No, wait. It's you.
Person 2: If you want to end the relationship, please do. Stop dragging this on. It's hurting our friend
Person 3: You would be the perfect boyfriend, but I totally don't like you like that
Person 4: You'd be the perfect boyfriend, buuuuut you don't like boys.
Person 5: Just because you have a PhD doesn't make you smarter than everyone
Person 6: Respect is earned, not given.
Person 7: I miss you, then I hate you, then I miss you...
Person 8: This is the wrong path, but it's your path
Person 9: There is something you aren't telling me...and I will find out what it is
Person 10: "I don't believe people can change. I think they get better at hiding who they really are"
NINE things about yourself:
1. I am completely enamored with thunderstorms
2. I like travelling, but never being away from home for more than 6 days
3. I have a phobia of mental hospitals
4. I hate manscaped men. Hairy is better
5. I have an underwear fetish. I've bought like 30 pairs of undies from Undergear and haven't opened half of them
6. I love language. I have a rudimentary understanding of 3 languages
7. No matter how brash and loud I seem, I fear rejection most of all
8. I am the reincarnation of my mother, and partly, that scares me.
9. I love autumn.
EIGHT ways to win your heart:
1. Have an opinion about something and stick with it, even if others don't agree.
2. Never bring me flowers
3. Surprise me every once in a while
4. Have a hobby that has absolutely nothing to do with me.
5. At least pretend that you like football.
6. Punch me in the arm (I can't explain it)
7. Wear ankle socks
8. Don't make me breakfast
SEVEN things that cross your mind a lot:
1. My future PhD program
2. My apartment
3. My friends
4. My current classes
5. My upcoming graduation
6. www.menhardatwork.com
7. My finances
SIX things you wish you never did:
1. Go to Washington College
2. Stay in Maryland when I had a chance to live in Texas
3. Have sex with my best friend
4. Yell at Michael
5. Not learn how to play soccer
6. stop college at 21 to start again 7 years later
FIVE turn offs:
1. A loud laugh
2. Manscaping
3. Weak Willed/Lack of an Opinion
4. Preoccupation with money/what you have
5. Bad grammar
FOUR turn ons:
1. Heavy sighs
2. Shaved (but not bald) heads
3. Ankle socks
4. Video game fanatics
THREE smileys that describe your life:
1. :oP
2. :-O
3. :-/
TWO things you want to do before you die:
1. Get tenured as a full professor
2. Take a full month off of work before I retire
ONE confession:
1. I turn my life into one long music video; I associate certain things with certain songs.
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| light lunches |
[Sep. 28th, 2008|07:13 pm] |
sunday has always been just one big fucking lazy, silent party. |
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| umm |
[Sep. 28th, 2008|07:19 am] |
i was handing campaign materials out yesterday at one of the many old car festivals (read: intense "the south with rise again" gatherings) that happen around town the town where i live when i was cornered by a hispanic lady. she scared the living shit out of me.
she got upset with me and told me about how facism in venusuela was brought on by socialism-- how socialism ruined her life. she said she came to america because of chavez's welfare programs-- it made the rich jobs leave the country and made the poor people starve without work, so they had no chance to "rise up" from their conditions.
then she went into a tirade about how democrats are the "pity party" and how she should know adversity and she still does not feel sorry for herself. she said that if we elect obama, he will change the constitution, and change taxes so that jobs will leave america and it will become a poor socialist nation.
she told me about how mccain was their savior-- because he doesnt give a shit about environmental regulations. her peoples cant eat-- the environmental people protect the rainforest and don't allow them to cut it down for shelter/etc. she said that he is a saintly man, with money in charities and a good heart. when i asked about the bill he cosponsored on immigration with lieberman, then refused to vote yes on, she said "i know mccain! he is just doing that for right-wing vote! he cares about us!"
she got insulted that obama was campaigning in spanish-- and said that hispanic people were lazy and needed to be kicked into speaking english "or go back to mexico!" she said that it was an insult to put campaign materials in her mother language when america is the nation of the english.
she asked me why i was a white girl campaigning for a black man-- i told her "im actually native american." she grabbed my hand and said "you are cherokee? i am inca!" and went into a rant about how she came from the land of witchcraft and how we need to rise above our past.
she asked me if i knew history-- i told her yes, i did. she asked me what i knew. i started from the beginnings of america on how christopher columbus was a genocidal maniac that enslaved the native peoples. she got upset. she said it was a marvelous thing that he came here-- if he didn't we'd still be hanging out in the bushes. this is when i stopped feeling sorry for her and started feeling a bit miffed. here was this native american lady, and she said that christopher columbus was a good thing for america. sure native peoples were not without their human sacrifices, but enslaving a whole population to decrease their numbers from 20 million to less than 1 million?
she said that obama was the muslim antichrist with a slick tongue that the bible warned her about. she then grabbed my hand and started praying about how obama was going to hold back the hispanic people.
the only reason she stopped talking to me was because her white, redneck husband came over and grabbed her by the arm and dragged her off and said "lets go."
i felt strange. |
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