cash for clunkers

You've, no doubt, heard of the Cash for Clunkers program that was to encourage the economy by enticing consumers to trade in their gas-guzzlers for a new fuel-efficient vehicle. You may have even heard about trading in your old refrigerator. But there is a new twist on this concept that you've probably not heard of and probably would never even think about.

Last week on a local radio program there was a commercial for a new "Cash for Clunkers" program. It, surprisingly enough, was a commercial for the convenience store. That's right. They are offering a 25% discount on a new . . . um . . . appliance when you bring in your "old worn out one." Can I just say that is gross!!

First, why would anyone bring in their old . . . appliance?? Second, and more importantly, what in the world would the store do with them? Again, that's just gross!!

today in history

Events

1886: Statue of Liberty dedicated by Pres Grover Cleveland, it is celebrated by 1st confetti (ticker tape) parade in NYC.

1929: Dow Jones plummets 38.33 pts (13%) to 260.64

1954: Nobel prize for literature awarded to Ernest Hemingway

1962: Khrushchev orders withdrawal of missiles from Cuba, ending crisis

1965: Gateway Arch (630' high) completed in St Louis, Missouri

1971: John & Yoko record "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" in NYC

1974: Luna 23 launched (landing on Moon)

Births

1914: Jonas Salk, NYC, medical reseacher (polio vaccine)

1925: Leonard Starr, comic strip cartoonist (Little Orphan Annie)

1936: Charlie Daniels, Wilmington NC, singer (Devil Went Down to Georgia)

1943: Randy Newman, rock vocalitst (Short People)

1962: A baby girl was born in a pink hospital

1967: Julia Roberts, actress

annual mammograms

Mamm-o-grams!
Annual mammograms!
What kind of boobs like annual mammograms?
Big ones, little ones, ones that swing left and right.
Firm ones, floppy ones, even ones like mosquito bites
love mammograms!
Annual Mammograms --
The test could save your life!

This message is brought to you by October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

can we talk?

Early on in our marriage (and for a long time into it), RL and I encountered some communication problems. (Naaaa . . . really?) Something would happen, I would get upset, I would try talk to RL, but for whatever reason we would end up intensely discussing our lack of communication. As a result of this, we never got to the actual problem and never resolved anything. Ok, we've resolved a lot of things since then, but at the time we never resolved anything. Anyway, my point is the problem-solving was shut down because we weren't addressing the real issues.

Today I keep hearing about how people are complaining about the Obama administration's policies because they are racists. His opponents apparently have no legitimate reason for disagreeing with him except that he is black. But what these accusations encourage is the wrong discussion. We're no longer debating but defending ourselves against being racists.

Sure, I think there is still a problem in the U.S. with racism -- but not a lot. In fact, there is so little racism in the U.S. that we were able to elect our very first black President. When are we going to have a post-racial America and start debating the issues?

i will never forget

I pledge

ALLEGIANCE

to the FLAG

of the

UNITED STATES

of

AMERICA

and to the

REPUBLIC

for which it

STANDS

one

NATION

UNDER GOD

INDIVISIBLE

with

LIBERTY

and

JUSTICE

for

ALL

breathe

A few weeks ago I was having coffee with a friend and she was telling me about how stressed she'd been lately, how it seemed every little thing was an annoyance. My advice: breathe. But a funny thing about advice: eventually, you've got to practice what you preach. The hard part is breathing.

From time to time -- ok, I'll be honest, it's more like day to day -- this stupid sadness comes over me. I know what it's about, I know why it's there, but there's just nothing I can do about it. Sure, I can distract myself with school and home projects and maybe -- maybe -- some housework. But the distractions aren't good enough. My mind wanders, my chest tightens, and I realize I need to breathe!

Writing this I hear the voices (not *those* voices) of my friends. My real friends, who would say, "Call me." I won't call, though -- and please don't call me. That sounds horrible, but I know myself well enough. I'm not in the mood to talk (Ha! I'm not in the mood to do anything) and really the only way through this is time. I hate time!! I'm too impatient. But by tomorrow it will be ok. Maybe. And RL will say, "I'll be home Thursday and we have a long weekend together. You'll be sick of me by Monday!" Well, I'd rather be sick of him than be missing him any day of the week.

You've got to see the whole video!

i have a stalker

Today there are more and more creepy people with unhealthy fascinations with others. Usually we hear about celebrities who are stalked by fanatics. But, let me tell you, celebrities aren't the only victims.

Now first, I need to clarify that I'm not being stalked by a person who scares me. I'm merely being stalked by a person who is obsessed with when I get to work, what I'm doing, and when I leave. No, he's not my boss. Just a co-worker. No, what I do has no bearing on him whatsoever. So why is he so obsessed? Good question.

For the past couple of years this person has ranted on and on to other co-workers about my tardiness or if I leave early. No, he's never said anything to me, but why should he? He's not my boss. My boss knows when I'm going to be late and why. My boss knows if I have to leave early. My boss is the only person that needs to know.

The great thing about the guys I work with, though, is that they all know how absurd this man's obsessions are. He isn't doing or saying anything that hurts me, but rather it just makes him look like a fool to everyone else.