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