Friday, July 07, 2006
More About Love: A "New" Approach
I'm always interested in new theories that claim to create stronger healthier romantic relationships when implemented, so I was immediately drawn to this article on MSN.com. The basic premise is "The old paradigm is 'Oh, look at our conflicts and what we’re disagreeing about.' With Big Picture Partnering, there’s a totally different mindset: 'We’re in this together. What are we going to do about this?'"
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
More Proof That The Middle Class Is Disappearing
InmanNews published this article saying essentially that the middle class is on it's way out. In summation the article said, "'Suburban middle-income neighborhoods were replaced in roughly equal measure by low-income and very high-income neighborhoods,' the report states. In each of these 12 large metro areas, the share of middle-income neighborhoods shrank faster than the share of middle-income families from 1970 to 2000." Personally, I find this terrifying every time I read it.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Religious Right Republicans Ruining Faith
Finally, someone from the religious world is saying it, "this Religious Right Republican movement I keep hearing about is not very Christian." Without further ado, I introduce the article from NPR.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Suburbia Linked to Obesity
News flash: "Urban sprawl is a major health risk for Oregonians," according to the Daily Journal of Commerce (Portland, OR). People who live in wide spread suburbs are more likely to be overweight and get in car accidents than people who live in compact communities. While this may be simple "common sense" as C says, I think it's about time someone said it outloud. We need exercise. Obesity kills 1500 people in Oregon each year.
I've often marveled at all the traffic that commutes too and from Portland each day. I admit it. I commute 40 minutes one way each day by Max. However, this requires walking to and from my stops and often standing, which I feel is a little bit better for me. I've been wearing a pedometer off and on for a few months now and I find that days that I ride the Max to and from work I easily add 2,000 to my daily total.
If only we could all live in "walkable communities." That's one thing G and I miss from good old Forest Grove, walking everywhere. We used to walk to the bar, walk to school, walk to work, walk to the Laundromat. I weighed 30lbs less then. Go figure.
I've often marveled at all the traffic that commutes too and from Portland each day. I admit it. I commute 40 minutes one way each day by Max. However, this requires walking to and from my stops and often standing, which I feel is a little bit better for me. I've been wearing a pedometer off and on for a few months now and I find that days that I ride the Max to and from work I easily add 2,000 to my daily total.
If only we could all live in "walkable communities." That's one thing G and I miss from good old Forest Grove, walking everywhere. We used to walk to the bar, walk to school, walk to work, walk to the Laundromat. I weighed 30lbs less then. Go figure.
Doggies at Work
Tomorrow is Take Your Dog to Work Day sponsored by Pet Sitters International. Unfortunately, I won't be able to bring either Tater or Bailey because the company that manages our office building won't allow it.
However, a recent article in The Daily Journal of Commerce (Portland, OR) says more and more companies are going pet-friendly. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, the article said, "millions of Americans believe pets on the job lower absenteeism and encourage workers to get along."
Further, many companies are finding that having a pet friendly corporation can be a big bargaining chip in a competitive job market. It referenced a survey Simply Hired and Dogster.com which stated that "a third of dog-owners would take a 5 percent pay cut to take their pets to work, two-thirds would work longer hours and half would switch jobs."
However, a recent article in The Daily Journal of Commerce (Portland, OR) says more and more companies are going pet-friendly. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, the article said, "millions of Americans believe pets on the job lower absenteeism and encourage workers to get along."
Further, many companies are finding that having a pet friendly corporation can be a big bargaining chip in a competitive job market. It referenced a survey Simply Hired and Dogster.com which stated that "a third of dog-owners would take a 5 percent pay cut to take their pets to work, two-thirds would work longer hours and half would switch jobs."
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Sunshine
G started his new job on Monday, which means he is now an office monkey like me and he works 8am to 5pm like the rest of us yahoos! Who ever thought normal would be so exciting?
I have to tell you, waking up with him in the morning and having him home when I get home is absolutely the best thing that's happened to me in a while.
I wanted to be a stronger more independent woman who didn't need a man, not even my husband to make me happy, but having him around is like a sunny day after the long rainy winter here in Oregon. And you know what? I'm ok with my new found co-dependency.
I have to tell you, waking up with him in the morning and having him home when I get home is absolutely the best thing that's happened to me in a while.
I wanted to be a stronger more independent woman who didn't need a man, not even my husband to make me happy, but having him around is like a sunny day after the long rainy winter here in Oregon. And you know what? I'm ok with my new found co-dependency.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
duplicity
noun: acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
noun: a fraudulent or duplicitous representation
noun: a fraudulent or duplicitous representation
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Focus
- noun: maximum clarity or distinctness of an image rendered by an optical system (Example: "In focus")
- noun: maximum clarity or distinctness of an idea (Example: "The controversy brought clearly into focus an important difference of opinion")
- noun: the concentration of attention or energy on something (Example: "The focus of activity shifted to molecular biology")
- noun: a fixed reference point on the concave side of a conic section
- noun: a point of convergence of light (or other radiation) or a point from which it diverges
- noun: a central point or locus of an infection in an organism (Example: "The focus of infection")
- noun: special emphasis attached to something
- verb: cause to converge on or toward a central point (Example: "Focus the light on this image")
- verb: put (an image) into focus (Example: "Please focus the image")
- verb: become focussed or come into focus (Example: "The light focused")
- verb: direct one's attention on something (Example: "Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies")
- verb: bring into focus or alignment; to converge or cause to converge; of ideas or emotions
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Forward Thinking
When G messaged me today to tell me he was selling my golf clubs on Craigslist I felt a deep sense of loss. Albeit, we golfed once last summer. I was still mourning for the summer before when we golfed often. During that time we met some fun people. It was also a fun activity that helped us get to know some of our friends better. Plus they allowed us to drink beer and get exercise two of our favorite activities. What could be better?
However, golfing together was not always fun. Sometimes we get paired up with people we didn't want to know. Other times we were followed by a group of pushers that had no patience for the nine shots it takes for me to get to the green. Sometimes I found myself just plain frustrated because I had no patience for the nine shots it took for me to get to the green. So I declared that I wouldn't go again until I could take lessons. However, lessons never happened and therefore, golfing didn't happen for a long time.
Then I changed my tune. I started asking G to go with me, but he wasn't interested. However, I did finally get him to take me to the driving range where he recently helped me get my swing back. It was fantastic! By that time he had already made up his mind to sell our clubs though.
He's been on a crusade to sell everything in the garage that we don't use. The rock climbing shoes that never got to try their feat at Smith Rock. The tennis racquets that were only used once in the last two years at Gabriel Park. The charcoal BBQ that we used to use all the time until we ran out of charcoal and bought a George Foreman grill instead. All of these remind me of how it used to be or how it could have been. I've been having a hard time letting them go.
I've recently realized that I seem to be either stuck in the past longing for the way it was or floating in the future hoping for "better time." A walk with a good friend helped me realize that I aught to be living in the here and now. As Eoin Finn says in Power Yoga for Happiness "focusing my Gandhi laser there."
However, golfing together was not always fun. Sometimes we get paired up with people we didn't want to know. Other times we were followed by a group of pushers that had no patience for the nine shots it takes for me to get to the green. Sometimes I found myself just plain frustrated because I had no patience for the nine shots it took for me to get to the green. So I declared that I wouldn't go again until I could take lessons. However, lessons never happened and therefore, golfing didn't happen for a long time.
Then I changed my tune. I started asking G to go with me, but he wasn't interested. However, I did finally get him to take me to the driving range where he recently helped me get my swing back. It was fantastic! By that time he had already made up his mind to sell our clubs though.
He's been on a crusade to sell everything in the garage that we don't use. The rock climbing shoes that never got to try their feat at Smith Rock. The tennis racquets that were only used once in the last two years at Gabriel Park. The charcoal BBQ that we used to use all the time until we ran out of charcoal and bought a George Foreman grill instead. All of these remind me of how it used to be or how it could have been. I've been having a hard time letting them go.
I've recently realized that I seem to be either stuck in the past longing for the way it was or floating in the future hoping for "better time." A walk with a good friend helped me realize that I aught to be living in the here and now. As Eoin Finn says in Power Yoga for Happiness "focusing my Gandhi laser there."
Now That's True Love (I Think)
A nice little story about a couple in India that got married over the telephone. No it's not a joke. Click here for more.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Is It Really Stealing?
It's 2:30pm on Wednesday afternoon. My boss is out of the office today and I'm on my third cup of decaf Chai. The requisite International Coffees French Vanilla creamer and the two packets of Splenda in each cup have coated my tongue and my teeth. My eyelids start to droop.
Being on what I refer to as the "undiet", which means you listen to your body and eat what you want when you're hungry until you're satisfied, I decide that rather than eating some sugar laden snack that would only weigh me down more I would like to go for a walk.
Working in a building that is attached to one of the largest malls in the Portland Metro Area has it's advantages. One of which is easy access to Barnes & Noble. Whenever I'm craving creative impetus I head in their direction.
As I walk I promise myself that I will look at the writing journals. I know exactly where they are and walk directly to that section. Unfortunately, there is a waify librarianesque B&N employee with hippie roots lurking in front of the stand scanning all my precious magazines and literary journals.
I reach around her for the newest copy of TinHouse a local "quarterly which publishes fiction, poetry and essays by new and established writers." I browse through it briefly until a copy of Writer's Digest catches my eye. I decide to hold on to this gem as I look for more mental nourishment.
The employee is still scanning the magazines in my section so I decide to move to Current Events. There's a new issue of Utne. It's stories are intriguing, but not enough to spend the $5 it costs to actually buy the magazine and take it home to read it. I've only got $20 in my purse and I'm saving it for something really special.
Knowing Utne relatively well I begin my search for the free online access password. I find it within the first 20 pages and quickly commit it to memory. I put both magazines back and shuffle out of the store before anyone can catch on to what I've done. The sensors don't go off. No one comes running after me. I'm home free.
However, as I take my first step toward Old Navy to look for a new shirt for Tater it dawns on me that Utne is about social consciousness and responsible citizenship. That's what I like about it. I've even thought about trying to work there some day.
I decide not to compromise myself by using the password. Instead, I will try and remember the password until the next issue comes out and tell everyone because I think what they chose is funny, although it won't really be funny then. At least I'll get some use out of it that way.
Being on what I refer to as the "undiet", which means you listen to your body and eat what you want when you're hungry until you're satisfied, I decide that rather than eating some sugar laden snack that would only weigh me down more I would like to go for a walk.
Working in a building that is attached to one of the largest malls in the Portland Metro Area has it's advantages. One of which is easy access to Barnes & Noble. Whenever I'm craving creative impetus I head in their direction.
As I walk I promise myself that I will look at the writing journals. I know exactly where they are and walk directly to that section. Unfortunately, there is a waify librarianesque B&N employee with hippie roots lurking in front of the stand scanning all my precious magazines and literary journals.
I reach around her for the newest copy of TinHouse a local "quarterly which publishes fiction, poetry and essays by new and established writers." I browse through it briefly until a copy of Writer's Digest catches my eye. I decide to hold on to this gem as I look for more mental nourishment.
The employee is still scanning the magazines in my section so I decide to move to Current Events. There's a new issue of Utne. It's stories are intriguing, but not enough to spend the $5 it costs to actually buy the magazine and take it home to read it. I've only got $20 in my purse and I'm saving it for something really special.
Knowing Utne relatively well I begin my search for the free online access password. I find it within the first 20 pages and quickly commit it to memory. I put both magazines back and shuffle out of the store before anyone can catch on to what I've done. The sensors don't go off. No one comes running after me. I'm home free.
However, as I take my first step toward Old Navy to look for a new shirt for Tater it dawns on me that Utne is about social consciousness and responsible citizenship. That's what I like about it. I've even thought about trying to work there some day.
I decide not to compromise myself by using the password. Instead, I will try and remember the password until the next issue comes out and tell everyone because I think what they chose is funny, although it won't really be funny then. At least I'll get some use out of it that way.
Too Cute to Keep to Myself Any Longer
Poor little sick doggies. Hope you feel better soon. We love you.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Shoes
Why is it that the more we become women the smaller our shoes get?
When I was younger I could get away with wearing a chunky heel that was supportive and relatively comfortable.
Why is it so difficult to make a shoe that is comfortable, but looks stylish and professional.
When I was younger I could get away with wearing a chunky heel that was supportive and relatively comfortable.
but as my body begins to fill out and break down fashion no longer supports that. Rather it requests a higher, thinner heel in a narrower shoe with less support.
Even the shoes that look comfortable but professional are secretly uncomfortable. 
And the ones that are comfortable don't look professional.
Why is it so difficult to make a shoe that is comfortable, but looks stylish and professional.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Friends
A quote from Appetites by Geneen Roth:
"We need to build our friendships on truth and wholeness and expansiveness. We need friends who can be with us in our loneliness, not people who will cheer us up so that we don't feel it. We need friends who get furious with us when we are not being real or true to ourselves, not who get angry when we don't do what they wants us to do. We need friends who are not afraid of our pain or our joy. We need friends who are not invested in the way we look, what we do or what we feel, who are willing to see us without reference to themselves. We need friends who are willing to break out of gravity-bound orbits and sin with us into the unknown.
And we need to become those friends ourselves."
To my friends...this is a declaration that I am a work in progress toward being this kind of friend.
"We need to build our friendships on truth and wholeness and expansiveness. We need friends who can be with us in our loneliness, not people who will cheer us up so that we don't feel it. We need friends who get furious with us when we are not being real or true to ourselves, not who get angry when we don't do what they wants us to do. We need friends who are not afraid of our pain or our joy. We need friends who are not invested in the way we look, what we do or what we feel, who are willing to see us without reference to themselves. We need friends who are willing to break out of gravity-bound orbits and sin with us into the unknown.
And we need to become those friends ourselves."
To my friends...this is a declaration that I am a work in progress toward being this kind of friend.
Tobacco=Fast Food
It has long been my humble opinion that grocers, restraunters and other food purveyors have an ethical and moral responsibility to provide products that are "healthy" for their customers. I am inarticulate this morning, but I provide the following like to "Junk Food Jihad" and article I found on MSN.com. Hopefully, they explain my sentiments better. I'm just happy to see that someone else agrees with me and that perhaps some day things will change.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Gaining Ground Farm
I found a flyer for Gaining Ground Farm by the mailbox yesterday. I would really like to be a subscriber. I really think the Mike, Jill, Kamili and Izzie sound like a wonder family and wonderful farmers.
I also really believe that what they are doing is not only better for our bodies, but better for our communities and better for our environment and economy as a whole.
BUT, I can't justify paying $500 for 20 weeks of fresh veggies and eggs up front. What if I don't like it? What if it's too much and it goes to waste? What if I can't arrange to make it to the pick ups on time?
I don't think $25 a week for produce and eggs is unreasonable. I just wish I could pay as I go.
I also really believe that what they are doing is not only better for our bodies, but better for our communities and better for our environment and economy as a whole.
BUT, I can't justify paying $500 for 20 weeks of fresh veggies and eggs up front. What if I don't like it? What if it's too much and it goes to waste? What if I can't arrange to make it to the pick ups on time?
I don't think $25 a week for produce and eggs is unreasonable. I just wish I could pay as I go.
I Am Lame.
I've officially entered the land of Lamedom. Today a bunch of people from work are going to a Thirsty Thursday game at PGE Park. While I appreciate that I was invited, I declined.
Why?
Well, one, I need to go home and let little Tater out to pee. His bladder just can't hold it that long. Two, it's cold and windy outside. Burr! Three, I just don't feel like drinking to get drunk and spending a lot of money to do it. Which is what these kinds of events always turn into for me. Four, I really want to go to the library and pick up my books that are on hold waiting for me. It will be much warmer in there.
Interestingly, I'm not horrified by attaining residency in Lamedom. I'm rather pleased about it actually.
Why?
One, I said no to something I really don't want to do, despite the fact that these people may reject me and never invite me to something again. Two, I won't have a hangover in the morning. Three, I'll still have money in my bank account in the morning. Three, I'll be warm.
The only downfall: missing out on some fun bonding time with my coworkers. Ah hell! I can do that tomorrow at work.
Why?
Well, one, I need to go home and let little Tater out to pee. His bladder just can't hold it that long. Two, it's cold and windy outside. Burr! Three, I just don't feel like drinking to get drunk and spending a lot of money to do it. Which is what these kinds of events always turn into for me. Four, I really want to go to the library and pick up my books that are on hold waiting for me. It will be much warmer in there.
Interestingly, I'm not horrified by attaining residency in Lamedom. I'm rather pleased about it actually.
Why?
One, I said no to something I really don't want to do, despite the fact that these people may reject me and never invite me to something again. Two, I won't have a hangover in the morning. Three, I'll still have money in my bank account in the morning. Three, I'll be warm.
The only downfall: missing out on some fun bonding time with my coworkers. Ah hell! I can do that tomorrow at work.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Cookies
Last night I made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. I told myself I wouldn't eat any of the dough while I was making them...that I would just wait until the cookies were done. Naturally, that didn't happen.
Today on my way to work I realized that I don't like chocolate chip cookies after they are cooked. *laugh* Not even when they are fresh out of the oven. I just like the dough. Ha! Ha! So from now on I guess I will just make the dough. Maybe I'll skip the eggs in the process so as not to risk getting salmonella.
Today on my way to work I realized that I don't like chocolate chip cookies after they are cooked. *laugh* Not even when they are fresh out of the oven. I just like the dough. Ha! Ha! So from now on I guess I will just make the dough. Maybe I'll skip the eggs in the process so as not to risk getting salmonella.
Monday, April 10, 2006
per•spec•tive [ pər spéktiv ] (plural per•spec•tives) (n)
1. particular evaluation of something: a particular evaluation of a situation or facts, especially from one person's point of view (i. e. a different perspective on the matter)
2. measured assessment of situation: a measured or objective assessment of a situation, giving all aspects their comparative importance
He's having trouble keeping things in perspective right now.
3. appearance of distant objects to observer: the appearance of objects to an observer allowing for the effect of their distance from the observer
4. graphic arts allowance for artistic perspective when drawing: the theory or practice of allowing for artistic perspective when drawing or painting
5. vista: a vista or view
[14th century. Via French <>per·spec·tive·ly (adv)
Synonyms: viewpoint, standpoint, outlook, point of view, view, perception, side, angle, take, evaluation, assessment, proportion, scale, ratio, size, depth, range, distance, lookout, vista, prospect, view, scene, outlook, overlook
2. measured assessment of situation: a measured or objective assessment of a situation, giving all aspects their comparative importance
He's having trouble keeping things in perspective right now.
3. appearance of distant objects to observer: the appearance of objects to an observer allowing for the effect of their distance from the observer
4. graphic arts allowance for artistic perspective when drawing: the theory or practice of allowing for artistic perspective when drawing or painting
5. vista: a vista or view
[14th century. Via French <>per·spec·tive·ly (adv)
Synonyms: viewpoint, standpoint, outlook, point of view, view, perception, side, angle, take, evaluation, assessment, proportion, scale, ratio, size, depth, range, distance, lookout, vista, prospect, view, scene, outlook, overlook
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