From the Mouth of Bulldogs

My mom has been known to yell at the television.  She has a strong distaste for the Kardashians, Republicans and, "What else? There's so many things I hate." She loves boring British television, this one cooking show where the lady is Canadian but pretends to be a Guido, and HGTV. Tonight, while watching the news, my mother told me she could sum up every major GOP politician quite simply, here's what she said:

- Sarah Palin - "Twit."
- John McCain - "Liar [re: the "renegade"]"
- Dick Cheney - "Fascist."
- George H.W. Bush - "Didn't do a damn thing in four years."
- Mitt Romney - "Idiot."
- John Boehner -  "OH! Asshole!"
- Mitch McConnell - "Words cannot even express, I just look at him and cringe."
- Rick Santorum - "What is he online? That oozing discharge after anal sex? That's about what he is."
- George W. Bush - "Oh, God. I think that's all I can say."

Even if you fall on the other side of the aisle from my mother, admit that there's nothing better than your own mother yelling at the T.V. and making herself laugh while thinking about all the things she hates.

After Walk Endorphins

Tonight I went on a lovely walk through a park here in Issaquah with my Mom after I got off of a long day at the daycare.  Ichiro was traded to the Yankees (one more reason to hate the Yankees?), and the plans for the road trip are finalized.  I have finished reading the book "How to Be a Woman" by Caitlin Moran - a funny (and frank) read about being a woman and being a feminist today.  Think, British Tina Fey combo with a bit about hating patriarchy.  It was a fast and comfortable read.   In a similar vein, I also finished reading Gloria Steinem's book "Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions," seems as though I am on a bit of a feminist kick (as per usual), and Steinem was more inspiring while Moran was more like a gossip columnist.  Both of them were great, but for different reasons.

Since I have just finished two books, I have to say that I am continuing to read Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine."  Of the three people who read this blog, if any of you possess an interest in economics, you should check it out.  Mind you, I feel as though when I usually read about economics I am drowning in quicksand, this book is fairly easy to read and mighty convincing.  Essentially, she builds a case that the Chicago School of Economics has been essentially destroying human rights through a forceful global conversion to their "scientific methods."  There's way more in a 500 page book than I can dare to even attempt to explain in a paragraph, but check it out.

Now, other than rambling about what I am reading, here is some interesting stuff I have found in my daily ritual of reading far too many news stories.

Could it be, my two favorite men in an interview?  Now, I know this interview is not brand, spanking new - but Louis CK brings it back, making women swoon by not only acknowledging the fear of rape, but telling us to essentially, shut the fuck up.  Love it.

Is a Computer Worm Causing Iranian Nuclear Facilities to Blast AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ At Night? by Adrian Chen  - basically just hilarious because I pictured an aging frat boy choosing to make Iranians listen to "Thunderstruck" while he relives his days of yore as a beer chugging, golf playing, national security specialist.

The Lethal Presidency by Tom Junod - I also know that this article is a few weeks old, but it is brilliant.  Addressing the "Lethal Presidency" of President Obama, the Esquire piece describes the story of the Al-Awlaki family and the death of their son (famed Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula), and his son - two American citizens targeted with drones.  The article, while long discusses how even though the author believes that Obama is a man of principle who is not misusing his power, that perhaps his predecessor will not be as moral.  Now, I don't know how I feel about drone attacks - especially on American citizens, morally they seem quite questionable.  Basically, this article talks about these combatants and ends with a bang.  Enjoy!

Have a good night y'all, and I will now retreat to documentaries and bed.
xoxo
Berts

Jam of the Day

Saturday Morning Coffee Binges

I love Saturday mornings.  It might just be my favorite time of the week because I can load up on caffeine and instead of using that energy to manically run around with children, I can use it to do whatever the heck I please.  Well, this morning I decided to drink two cups of the world's strongest coffee (brewed by yours truly) and jam out to some calypso with my Mom.  Below is a quick playlist that I drafted up on Grooveshark with a bunch of classics by the main man, the Mighty Sparrow.

Last night, I headed to a Mariners game with Kevin and the fam and had a good time, and ate my share of garlic fries and hardly paid attention to the game while enjoying a nice cold beer.  Also yesterday was my first foray into water Zumba.  I have been going to the water aerobics class, but I figured I would try something a little different with some zesty music.  Well, the only thing of note (other than my burning arm muscles) is a moment in which a man who my mom said was, "oh gosh, at least in his mid-seventies" did a nice little booty shake for the class of mainly women in their mid-seventies.  Hilarious, cute, telling and awkward all in one moment.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday, and I am about to kick some productive ass by reorganizing the record collection, cleaning, doing laundry and attempting to become a "big girl" with a real credit card.  Wish me luck, and have a great weekend!

Naptime: Kids hate it, Adults wish it happened

For a person who works at a daycare, all of the children being awake during nap time can be a disaster.  In reality, we want the children to be able to relax their bodies (to prepare for rigorous afternoon play) and we need a break.  Today, during nap time however, I was glad the kids weren't sleeping.  Only because I think they were trying to butter me up so they could get off of their mats earlier.

Child 1: Roberta, did you know I love you?
Me: Oh, that's so sweet.  I love you too.
Child 1: I also really love your dress.  It has butterflies on it.
Me: Thank you, but you really do have to nap.
Child 2: Roberta, did you know that I love you and your dress more than "Child 1"?
Me: Well, I love you too and I'm sure that both of you love me the same, now go to sleep for a bit.

In moments of stress, and insanity working with a ton of children, it is hard to remember that moments like this happen.  It's moments where the kids tell you that you hugging them was their favorite part of their day, to a kid coming to you every day to get braids in her hair, to two little boys telling you that they love you that make this job worth it.

Links, Links and More Links (and maybe a paragraph about my life)

Above: Street Art in Poland

This morning, after leaving my house sitting assignment, I was able to have a few hours to myself and go to my favorite coffee shop in West Seattle, Freshy's.  I have been coming here for almost six years, and always love a cup of coffee with a piping hot bowl of soup.  Today's selection includes a vanilla latte and braised pork stew with hominy and chipotle!  Delicious.  Tonight I go back home, which I thought I would not look forward to but surprisingly, I miss my room and am excited to reunite with my record collection.  I am excited for my triumphant return to the Active Older Adults Water Aerobics class I have been attending (bahaha) and excited to hang out with my mom on the couch downstairs and ridicule her taste in dowdy British comedies that aren't really that funny.

Like always, here are a few things that have caught my attention recently in the news and the interwebs:

- What Color Are You? A Pantone Driven Art Project - Here is a link to a project by the color company Pantone which in case you are not familiar are the people behind the "colors of the year" (or whatever they call it).  This project shows that variety in skin color doesn't get broken down into just "white" or "black."

- We Need Progressive Religion by Sara Robinson - Pretty self-explanatory title. Check it out for an interesting perspective on progressive religion and social change.

- Is Local Food Bad for the Economy? by Tamsin McMahon - Ever since I was in Chicago and studied Food Justice and the connection between access to healthy foods and poverty (among many other things), I have been fascinated and inspired to attempt to make a difference in my local food economy.  While I occasionally crave cheetos or another corn-based gnarly snack, I have been making more of an effort to eat locally grown produce.  This article, from the Canadian publication Maclean's talks about the debate between locovores (the term for people who only eat locally produced food) and the backers of the corporation-based economy.  When I came back from Chicago, I was hoping to start gardening - something that hasn't quite happened yet as we moved to a place without a yard, but I am hoping soon to start on the path to self-sustainability.

- Thinking Kink: Does Female Submission Mean Oppression? by Catherine Scott - A reaction to many feminist thinkers feeling that the BDSM community promotes female oppression.  As an avid reader of Dan Savage for many years, I have always felt like the sexuality of an individual is their own prerogative and that people should go for what makes them happiest.  Also, as a "card carrying" feminist, I don't really know where the line begins (or ends) on female submission in sexual relationships.  

- "I Suck": How Guys Use Self-Deprecation Against You by Hugo Schwyzer  - An article from Jezebel which argues that the "I'm so sorry, I'm an asshole. An ungrateful asshole." speech (which I am sure most women have heard a million times, as I sure have) is only a piece in the cycle of abuse.  Fascinating, and honestly - this article kind of made me ill.

- Race, Class, and the Stigma of Riding the Bus in America by Amanda Hess - This piece is an article talking about the "types" of people who choose to ride public transportation, and how to encourage people of different income levels to use public transportation.  Most interesting is the usage of the phrase "gentrifying" the bus system, this leads me to ask the question, "If there are changes to public transportation systems nationwide, who are those changes for and who will it leave behind?"

Hope the five people who read this enjoy my ramblings, and link obsession.  Today is gearing up to be a beautiful day, and I hope everyone gets out an enjoys the sunshine (wherever they are)!

xoxo

berts

The Original (And Arguably Better) Portlandia

Okay, one last thing that needs to go on here for today.  Last night, I found myself up really late talking to Holly on the phone.  I loved catching up with her and it was so awesome to laugh with someone about the past and decide not to think of the future (because there's no point speculating on things we don't know about).  After our conversation, my favorite Seattle TV show happened to come on air, Almost Live.  I got really excited about it, and ended up staying up until the last second of the episodes had aired for the night.  It aired during the nineties as a sketch comedy show starring some hilarious comedians (including Bill Nye - when the "Science Guy" was still a joke).  Last night, they aired the sketch "The LAST Northwesterner"  Unfortunately for me, they don't let you embed their videos, but here's a link to the funniest sketch of the night ... The LAST Northwesterner.

Summer has finally begun in Seattle!

The last few days around here have been gorgeous! I have been housesitting in West Seattle, and really enjoying the view from the deck which has a great view of the Sound, and is within close proximity of everything I grew up around - the beach, the junction, and my friends! My week of vacation is almost over, and next week I return to work only to leave again in a few weeks to go to Wisconsin! I am really excited, it's going to feel so good to head back there (even if I've only been gone for two months).

Not that what I find interesting is particularly unique, or fabulous - but posting it here helps me keep track of things that I would want someone to show me, or things that I should remember for the future. So, as per usual - here's a few links that are very different in their content, but equally fascinating.

Here is a video starring and written by Emma Koenig in which she explains dating in your twenties. Or maybe that's not what she really explains, but watch anyway - it's good for a nice laugh.

"Leaving Abuse Behind" is a photo essay by Donna Ferreto featured in the New York Times Magazine this week. I think I might have put some of her photographs on this blog already, but it's always good to see something so powerful twice, so I figured that there was no harm in sharing it again. These photographs are compelling, devastating, beautiful, and really speak to the experiences of many women who survive partner abuse during their lifetimes. Somewhere in the last few days, I read that more women die annually from partner abuse than service people who die in Afghanistan or Iraq. Now, I know it's pointless to compare death and violence to different death and violence, but perhaps this figure I read casually somewhere reflects the fact that the issues of partner violence and domestic abuse are not discussed openly in American society. End the silence, stop the violence!

Last on my list of things to talk about today is a quote that I read today in the Gloria Steinem book, "Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions." A collection of beautifully written essays by Steinem herself makes you cry, laugh and realize the ways in which male patriarchy (and privilege and inequality) really affect all people. Below is an excerpt from the essay she writes about writer Alice Walker:

It doesn't matter if you love the people society says you shouldn't love, or do or don't have children with more than one of them. It doesn't matter if you have money, go to church, or obey the law. What matters is that you are not cruel or wasteful, that you don't keep the truth from those who need it, suppress someone's will or talent, take more than you need from nature, or fail to use your own talent and will.It's an organic morality of dignity, autonomy, nurturing and balance. What also matters is the acknowledgment that everybody, no matter how mean or passive they may seem on the outside, has redemptive possibilities on the inside.

I hope everyone (the three people that read this) is enjoying the summer heat where ever they may be, and that everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy my new favorite drink - a Cucumber Jalapeno margarita from the Matador in the Junction.

xoxo

berts

Jam of the Day - "Let Me Know" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

"How I Feel About Love"

For the past two years, especially when at school I have been keeping a journal in which everyone was allowed to write. People drew pictures, wrote poems (haikus, specifically), and assessments of celebration from a friend's 21st birthday to bid day. Some of my favorite things that have been written over the years have been nicknames for friends, how we feel about people we don't always jive with, and reactions to intense feelings - especially after large events, like the Packers winning the Super Bowl.

Something that often got written about was love - mostly love between sorority sisters and supremely close friends. But every now and again, the topic of the good ol' romantic love comes up. Now, being the cynical people who wrote in my journal, love wasn't always held up in the best light. Like the beginning of the Chuck Klosterman novel Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, Lloyd Dobler (if you don't know him, google it) is the greatest man for every quirky, smart girl. Unfortunately for us, Lloyd Dobler does not exist in real life. The gap in societal expectation (see, Lloyd Dobler) and humans is pretty high. The gap goes both ways, and makes it impossible for Chuck Klosterman (and many others) to believe they are in love.

I couldn't be happier to have this journal, as it holds some of my favorite memories. Today, I found myself listening to corny, romantic music. But like always, I can't take myself seriously when listening to these songs. This prompted me to remember a lovely journal entry by a really close friend of mine where she says, "I do not believe in love. It is a fake thing that people make up in their heads because they need a reason to be with someone....being romantic is dumb because no one ever does it. Its not like the movies people." Hilarious.

In honor of the greatest journal of all time (that I've ever seen) and its quirky ideas about love, check out these three beautifully corny love songs.

Sham-A-Ling-Dong by Jesse Winchester - this is perhaps the most beautiful rendition of a love song that I have ever heard. Love it. This video comes from Elvis Costello's Canadian television show (it's true, look it up!) and makes Neko Case cry! But in reality, I don't blame her because this song is for sure tear-worthy. Don't get depressed now though, because it makes you cry because it's so beautiful.

That Teenage Feeling - Neko Case - Because the last song made her cry, here's an incredible love song from her 2006 record Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.

...and the best love song of all time, You Go To My Head - Louis Armstong and Oscar Peterson - seriously, almost no song is better.

Please Forgive Me

...for all of my grammar mistakes. And also for being curious as to why no one argues that life begins at ejaculation.

Today is Father's Day, you know what that means...

...we're gonna have a special day. Oh, good ol' Dads.

Life around these parts has been pretty good the last few weeks, just working at the daycare and trying to get my life together. I have been out of college now for a month, and I am already thinking that I should do something new. We'll see, I am looking at different grad programs but I don't know if I necessarily think that grad school is for me. No real life updates here, to report of.

The other day, during a four hour lunch break (the only one I will probably ever have), I headed over to Barnes and Nobles to see if I could pick up some nice fiction to read. As any other former college student can attest to, I haven't read almost any fiction since I left high school - which goes without saying unless you were an English major. So, with the intention of buying a novel to read (and rejecting the 50 Shades of Grey craze), I was going to search. Well, I walked out of the store with the book "Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein - a book about Disaster Capitalism. Someone has to have an intervention with me about reading depressing books that make me hate the Bush era that much more.

In lieu of sweet life updates (which are rare anyways), here are a few things that I have read recently which struck my fancy:

"Did Republicans Deliberately Crash the US economy?" from the Guardian, by Michael Cohen. Interesting read, especially after reading the first few chapters of Naomi Klein's book which talks a lot about how Milton Friedman's followers (see Neoliberalism and the US economy) promote chaos as being the best way to bring about change. Creepy when you really think about it, take a look!

"A Message to Girls About Religious Men That Fear You" from Huff-Po by Soraya Chemaly. Really, a rather chilling piece about how women should be inspired by their own power in light of many religious men worldwide who create policies and believe in discriminating against women, Chemaly argues it is because of our power.

...and for the last one, something actually more "fun." It's for the sociology major in all of us, "The Overthinking Person's Drinking Game" from the Thought Catalog. Hilarious.

Okay, after watching a whole season of the Louis C.K. fictionalized autobiographical t.v. show where he talks about his life after being divorced, and his two children (also his crisis to get laid), I really started thinking about Seattle in the same way. He says that getting divorced is mostly shocking because everything has changed since you were married, especially the dating scene. Bear with me, I know this analogy probably doesn't make too much sense.

Conversation I Had Today with a Four Year Old

Me: I really like your shirt!
Little boy: You like the Packers?
Me: Yes, I lived in Wisconsin once.
Little boy: I like Aaron Rodgers and my mommy likes watching football.

What. An. Angel.

That's GROSS!

- bananas
- the consistency of baby food
- when said baby food ends up on your clothes
- ketchup-y, wet dishes

Aurora just gets me

Today Aurora posted something on my Facebook which just made sense. The image said, "I wanted to text you but I remembered we don't talk anymore." Above it, she asked me if it reminded me of anyone specifically. I laughed for two reasons, mostly because I say that shit all the time (especially after I get a case of the giggles from a few beers) and because she is referencing a few specific people.

Without going into specific detail of who she was talking about, or why - let me just say that when someone is no longer in my life for one reason or another, I don't stop thinking about what they would find funny. Even if I really, passionately dislike someone I can't help myself from thinking about people that are that "somebody that I used to know" and things we had in common, or laughed about together.

When I thought about it again while showering before bed tonight, I realized that it is because I never hesitate to tell people I know that I am thinking of them. It is just unfortunate to know that sometimes, it is way more appropriate to keep those thoughts to yourself.

So in honor of those people, I really enjoy baseball games (with two dollar brats and beers) in small town Wisconsin. I also have a really great time watching Louis, the new sitcom starring Louis C.K. and graduation seating arrangements sometimes leave more of an impression than Dean Seaman talking about Tolkien.

In honor of this narcissistic blog post about (almost) nothing, look up Elliott Smith's "Somebody That I Used to Know" and also just for kicks, check out Jeff Buckley's cover of "I Shall Be Released."

Location:Where else but Cougar Mountain, WA

Let the Wild Rumpus Start!

Tomorrow is my last day of work at the archives for the rest of my life, and I will miss it a lot! I just will miss thumbing through all of the old documents, and putting together a "complete" history of Ripon College in my head. Funny that I made it this far working here, especially since I felt like I would likely be fired about a million times. Well, good riddance Pearl Dopp and Spencer Tracy! I will have to catch you later.

Now, starting tomorrow the crazy senior week festivities begin, and I don't have any money. But, what's new? Wish me luck that I don't drown while trying to drink cheap, Wisconsin beer. Also, let's hope for only fun times ahead until my parents arrive on Friday.

Here's a link to listen (in entirety) to Best Coast's new album:

http://www.npr.org/2012/05/06/151778646/first-listen-best-coast-the-only-place?sc=tw&cc=twmp

If you don't know who they are, think surfy, tape hiss-y music combined with the adorableness of Belle and Sebastian. Love it.

Have a good week, y'all! :)

xoxo

berts

So, about three posts in one day...

Okay.  I have to get back into this blog thing.  It's kind of hard, especially when you fall off the bandwagon - but I think that it's necessary to start putting things I like to read, life stories, and fun things all in one place again.

Life recently in the Rip-rap has been excellent.  I have been enjoying long car rides with Emily Kijek, Sophia, Alex and Sara Norden recently, and the weather has been crazy (proved for some awesome car viewing)!  I heard the loudest thunder storms that I have EVER heard the night before last and since then it's been a humid mess.  Anytime it's humid like this, I can't help but think of the episode of Friends where all of them go to Barbados, and Monica's hair looks like the messiest shit ever. Let's hope it takes the summer for my hair to get that long. haha.

I graduate in a week and a few days, and boy does that feel crazy!  I have one exam coming between me and the end of my senior year in college.  For now, I am moving back to Washington where I will go back to working at the daycare for a bit while I save money and perhaps figure out what the next step is.  I have three options, stay at the daycare and move back to Metropolitan Seattle (instead of suburbia Bellevue, YUCK), go back to school in Olympia or in Portland, OR move back to the Midwest.

I know that eventually I will have to come back to the Midwest, because I don't think I can live anywhere else in the world more permanently than Wisconsin, but for the mean time I am going to spend a while in Washington trying to create a new life.

Here's to new adventures and happy times ahead!
Roberta

Stanley Kubrick's Images of the New York Subway (1946)

damn!

Dealbreakers

...because it's Valentine's Day:

1. Thinking Ronald Reagan is a good person (kudos to Katie Rose Brosnan on this one...)
2. Likes Lady Gaga
3. Has long fingernails
4. Sleeps in jeans

throwback jam of the day

...the last month

Chicago was incredible.  It was so nice to be able to spend a few days in the city, and I loved every second of it.  Emily and I spent a day on Paseo Boricua - eating good food, and checking out grocery stores.  If I could do something every day, it would have to be checking out all of the neighborhoods in Chicago and figuring out how their complicated history gave it the great character  that all neighborhoods have.  I know that doesn't make much sense, but I really had a great time for my weekend in Chicago.

Then, I came back to Ripon and Formal Recruitment started.  I think it was the best recruitment yet, and I really enjoyed bid day.  It was great to see alumni and to party our faces off to celebrate our new sisters.

Today, I found out that my mom is putting my childhood home on the market.  No matter how old I get, or how many years I have lived in the midwest - I will always love that red house and wish that I could be there.

Also today is 100 days until college graduation.  So, I have only 100 more times to wake up in my comfy bed in Johnson hall.  Here's to embracing the next few months and having as much fun as I possibly can have!

xoxo
berts

Chi-city, I'm coming home again

Things I am excited for:
 - Emily Jones
 - Pretzels
 - the "El"
 - The guy in the Lake station who plays Sam Cooke all day long
 - Tacos?
 - Cocktails with E. Youngin
 - FUN
 - Relaxation
 - Being empowered? Or desperate? Or either way - having it not really matter.  (This one's for you, Holly Doyle)

....and then, RIPON on Saturday night!  Move in Sunday morning.
XO
berts

Hello my name is Roberta

...and I am an emoticon addict.  I freely use :) all the time, and even sometimes use ;).  I am responsible for my own usage of emoticons, and I admit that I was powerless against this, until today.  Today, I pledge not to use them unless there is an exceptionally appropriate circumstance, like when I think I am sounding bitchy in a text message.

You know that phrase, "..learn something new every day?"  Today I learned that my cat, Mabel likes to eat whole chili peppers from my Chinese food when I'm not looking.

Oh yeah, it's the New Year?

Okay, I never have a resolution for the new year - even though I could probably stand to make a few of the traditional ones (I won't ever accomplish any of those), i.e. spend less money at the bar on beers.  BUT! I decided that I was going to do my own take on what I should focus on for 2012 and they are:

- graduate from college (keep your fingers crossed, guys!)
- eat more kale - it's delicious!
- wear makeup everyday - not because I need to look more "beautiful," but because I want to stop being such a hot mess every minute of every day.
- stop apologizing for myself when I've done nothing wrong
...and embrace every moment.

Okay, now that's over. We can focus on things I like more, like articles from the New York Times.  Here are two opinion pieces written by former prisoners at Gitmo. Pretty cool.   here and here

On Thursday, I fly out for a weekend in Chicago before I head back to Ripon for the semester.  My plans involve eating as many tacos as possible, and doing only fun things.  I move back to the good ol' sorority floor come Sunday, and I am excited for our first night back - where Ashley and Holly are hopefully going to sit in my room while we drink and I organize.  Everyone who reads this probably knows how important this initial organization is for me, because if I don't do it right away...this is what happens:

above: freshman year dorm room, awful outfit and awful room. gross.

Anyways, wish me luck on the next few weeks, I am going to try to only have so much fun!

xoxo
berts