That's Something At Least

At the very least, perhaps this Sonya gal won't want to defer to International law when making rulings on the Supreme Court. I'm not that excited about her one way or another to be honest. She's a liberal replacing a liberal. It's not like we didn't all know that Obama would nominate someone who agreed with him. It doesn't surprise me in the least that she's an identity liberal.

I just hope that none of the conservative/libertarian judges retire under Obama's time. Somehow I doubt he'd replace a conservative with a conservative.

I'd be happy with a judge who actually believes the constitution is the law of the land and doesn't feel the need to make up law as they go.

Where the Hell am I?

Last night, as I fumed at hubby for being a poop head, I was watching TV (as per my normal routine) and a commercial came on that caught my eye. It was a catchy tune, but the song playing was not in English. And I'm normally okay with that. Sometimes commercials have foreign language lyrics but are still aimed at English speaking folks.

Oh but not this one. McDonalds has bent over and decided to pander to Spanish speakers so they'll visit McD's and spend their money. I love McD's ... don't get me wrong. I've been craving sausage biscuits with cheese for breakfast almost every day (though I'm not eating them every day...that would be wrong).

I don't live in Texas or some other border state with Mexico. I live in Washington for pity's sake. We border Canada. Give me a commercial in Canadian, eh.

Even the last frame with a little phrase that pops up on the screen under the Golden Arches was in Spanish. WTH?

I have nothing against people who speak other languages. Hell I took four years of Spanish in high school and then 2 more years in college. I can't speak worth a damn, but I can recognize a few words. And one of my coworkers speaks fluent Spanish (and Portuguese) and I love listening to her prattle on in different languages.

But there is a problem with allowing people to get by in society without learning one language. It does not build a cohesive community. It allows people to segregate themselves based on the language they can understand.

When I went to Japan I certainly wasn't catered to language wise. If I hadn't been with my cousins who could speak enough Japanese to get by I'd have been in big rouble trying to make my way around. I think it's pretty much known that if you live in Japan you need to learn to speak Japanese.

Why can't people who live in America learn how to speak English? Why can't we have one national language that is used for all business...no more of this printing twelve different voters ballots to accommodate different languages. It's ridiculous and wasteful.

I'll still go to McD's ... I can't help it. This pregnancy is making me wacky...I hardly ever used to eat there. Maybe when I'm done being pregnant I can think about boycotting ... for now cravings take priority.

But I hope that they rethink their marketing a bit. It would be one thing if they played that commercial on a Spanish language station or even near the Mexico border. It doesn't make a lot of sense on an English language station in Washington State.

Who Cares About Hair?

I've never been great at doing my hair...even when I was a young girl. I can't braid it myself. I can barely style it. And I have an annoying cowlick that makes even a simple pony tail a pain.

So I really don't care if I go gray...and I actually started getting gray hair when I was 20 or so. I haven't dyed my hair since the one and only time I tried - I picked the exact same color that my hair already was! Oops.

I have gotten highlights before but they're expensive and kind of a hassle to maintain.

Gray hair will come for me eventually and I'm just not that worried.

So Close I Can Taste It!

I am such a Harry Potter fanatic. I am SOOOOOOO excited for the next movie. A coworker just sent me a new trailer and I'm pleased to see it has a lot of scenes from the book. I was extremely disappointed with the fifth movie. It just left too much out. I'd rather sit through a three hour movie than have things left out. =)

Check out the new trailer here.

And remember, Severus was framed! =)

Excellent!

Hubby is so anti-social that it takes an act of God to get him to go out among the people. Yesterday I dragged him to lunch - eating IN the restaurant, not just ordering and taking it home - AND to a movie.

It was truly a Memorial Day miracle.

We saw Terminator Salvation and he even admitted that he was glad I forced him to go. It was awesome - in that blow 'em up, chase scenes, awesome graphics, and no girly mush stuff sort of way. I told him how lucky he was that he had a wife forcing him to see Terminator and not some lame chick flick. I think he realizes his luck. :)

I really did love the movie. There were several scenes that I even recognized from other movies - like the terminator in the first movie walking up the grated steps in the warehouse. Similar scene here.

And "the" Terminator made an appearance - though it must have been a computer generated or robotic copy and not the "real" terminator. I thought that was pretty funny though.

There probably will be another sequel and I'm glad. I love mindless action movies that don't require a lot of thought on my part. That's part of the reason I watch movies - it isn't to expand my mind. :)

Harry Potter comes out July 15 so that'll be our next adventure together into the public sphere.

Happy Memorial Day

I never have celebrated most of the holidays that result in a 3 day weekend. I love that we honor our fallen, and in November our Veterans. But for me, it's just a relief to have an extra day off. Tomorrow hubby and I will go help my mom with some gardening stuff and then we'll celebrate at the new Terminator movie. :)

Oops

I gained 7 pounds in the last month.

*sheepish grin*

But that just evens me out from the 9 pounds I lost in the first couple of months right? LOL

I know...I'm bad. I just love food and I hate veggies. Well, not all veggies but most of them. And I'm lazy when it comes to making dinner too. The rest of my meals are okay...but I still need to work harder to eat more veggies and fruits. So that's my homework. I CANNOT gain 7 pounds a month until October. That would be very bad.

The good news is that I think I found a daycare provider!!!!!!! I was driving home and saw that my neighbor put out a sign for enrollment in her daycare...I knew she had one but wasn't sure if she took infants. So I swung in to say hi and check it out and I LOVE it!

It's an in home daycare, just like the one I went to as a kid. And she can have 2 infants at a time, so we may have to start out just part time which is fine with me. And her price is cheaper than the 'institutional' type daycares around here. Even better.

What I like the best though is that she has kids who have been with her for 10+ years...basically since they were babies. Some are now in middle school. It was the same with me - I started at age 8 with my daycare and went there until I was 17. Yes. I know. 17. But by that time I was just checking in to let her know I was home and then I'd go home by myself. Single mom and a little paranoid. You know.

So it was a good and bad morning. :)

Is it too early for ice cream???

Get a Life

I walked up to the farmer's market today during lunch - it's opening day and I wanted a hotdog. :)

As I walked along the booths a girl, maybe in her early 20s, approached me and asked if I had a moment to help Ban Rush Limbaugh?!?!

BWA HA HA HA HA HA

I laughed and said that "I love Rush Limbaugh." Which is mostly true. I haven't been listening to much talk radio lately...just not interested because it's too easy for me to get depressed with all the crap news.

What I wish I would have said..."So you want to ban free speech?" Somehow I think that may have made her head explode.

There were several other useful idiots throughout the market trying to get people to sign petitions for this and that, including "health care reform." Morons.

Get Over It

Apparently college students are a little sad and mopey. They were raised to expect everything - they are wonderful and can do anything in the world. There's nothing stopping them. Their "self esteem" is through the roof.

Reality check.

Looks like only 20% of 2009 grads will land a paying job after graduation. And its affecting their precious self esteem.

Boo Hoo.

I had a job every step of the way through my college experience. At no point did I NOT have a job, except for two weeks between getting "let go" (okay, I got fired) and finding a new job. That's it. The rest of the time I worked. Full time. I paid my way...using a couple of small student loans, tuition reimbursement programs through my jobs, and my own hard earned cash.

I didn't have to go look for a job after I graduated because I already had one. And sure enough I'm still with the same company I was with when I graduated.

College is not the be all and end all of career advancement. It has been hyped up and pounded into our heads that you are a failure if you don't have a college degree. I cannot disagree strongly enough.

I love education. I've always loved school and learning new things. But going to college doesn't necessary equate to learning things that are useful in life. I could have taught myself most of what I was spoon fed in college. Only a few of my courses were actually interesting or useful. But I was programmed to get that degree. Now that I have it...I've done jack with it.

In fact I don't even know where the actual piece of paper is.

Hubby and I have already agreed that if our son doesn't want to go to college we won't try to force him. There are so many other alternatives out there, with paths to success just as available. Trade school. Military. Entrepreneurship. And we're not starting any sort of college savings account or "investing" in a 529. Nope. If he does want to go to college he can get a scholarship or a job and pay for it himself.

I do believe that people can be and do anything ... if they work hard enough. Getting things handed to you all your life does not help you...it hinders. And I think some of these new college graduates are finding that out the hard way.

Thank goodness my little cousin had to work his ass off all through high school and college - he is well prepared for the real world and already has a job lined up for after he graduates. We need more kids like him.

Wordless Wednesday - Vacation Sea Life

Vegas, Baby!

I'm going to Vegas.

Wheeeee!

I haven't been in several years...the last trip was for my little cousins 21st birthday so it must have been at least three years ago.

I am not a huge gambler, but I love Vegas. I enjoy the slots until I spend my allowance (I always go with a set amount of spending money and usually don't go over it). And I just enjoy chilling out in the room, reading a book...and this time I plan to hang out by the pool. If I don't roast. It's Vegas in June. It's going to be hot. :)

Of course, I'll be 24 weeks pregnant, but better to go earlier rather than later. The next time my mom could go would be in September and that's way too close to my due date.

We're staying in one of the newer, fancier hotels so the air quality will be way better than the older places my mom normally stays. She's going again in July and they're staying at Fitzgeralds, which is way too smokey for me. And yes, my mom goes to Vegas a lot. :) She jumped at the chance to go again in June with me.

I cannot wait to get away. It's only for two 1/2 days...we leave on a Saturday morning and are coming back on a Monday morning. But it'll be just the get away that I need. Short and sweet and relaxing.

I Picked Up a Hitchhiker

Yup. I sure did. Sunday morning.

I wasn't even nervous.

Then again, she was about 80, shuffling along the street with her cane, all dressed up for church. I've seen her in the area before...she's constantly in my way as she walks in the middle of the road. Apparently she's half blind.

She waved me down just as I turned out of my development and asked me for a ride to church. I couldn't possibly say no!

I can't believe she was attempting to walk to church at all. She said she does it quite often, which is really scary since her church is a good hours walk away on healthy legs. It's a short drive though and I got her there in 5 minutes.

I'm glad she flagged me down and not some crazy person. It's dangerous to hitch hike no matter where you live.

I sort of enjoyed doing it though...my good deed for the day. Or maybe it was God's hint that I should have been going too! :)

It's A...

BOY!!!

I used to say that I never wanted to have a boy, ever. But in the last 20 weeks I pretty much decided that I didn't care one way or another. And lately all I could think of was boy names and I just felt like I was going to have a boy. I can't believe I was right. :)

It's a Duty

I wish I would be called for Jury Duty. I've always wanted to do it and have only been called once. Since I can't lie, I always admit who my hubby is. And I'm pretty sure that gets me kicked out. :(



My company pays for jury duty days at full pay. Which is great. I know not all places do that.

Absolute Brilliance - Live Free or Die

Mark Stein is not only a genius but he's a hottie. *grin* This write up of a speech given March 9, 2009 is incredible and inspiring. I wish more people understood and embraced this line of thought.

"It's ridiculous for grown men and women to say: I want to be able to choose from hundreds of cereals at the supermarket, thousands of movies from Netflix, millions of songs to play on my iPod—but I want the government to choose for me when it comes to my health care."

We're from the government and we're here to help...scary!

"When the state "gives" you plenty—when it takes care of your health, takes cares of your kids, takes care of your elderly parents, takes care of every primary responsibility of adulthood—it's not surprising that the citizenry cease to function as adults: Life becomes a kind of extended adolescence..."

Mark Stein for President!!!

Thanks Instapundit for linking to this article.

Thursday Thunks -

It's that time again...pretty good questions this week, I think.

1. You are at the store when suddenly 2 men walk in with guns and rob the place. Are you the hero, quiet & follow the rules type, or try to make a run for it?

This really depends. Am I with hubby and is he armed? If so I just duck real low and let him deal. I don't have my conceal carry permit yet so I won't be acting the hero ... plus I'm not so good in emergency situations. I tend to freeze up. Meaning I'd probably follow orders.

2. Do you like Twizzlers?

Oh heck yes. But really, they can't hold a candle to real red licorice.

3. Are you a YouTube watcher?

I don't troll YouTube looking for things to watch. If someone finds something cool and posts it on their blog I'll watch it. Although I do love me some Zonation!

4. When a auto glass store calls you and asks if you have a chip or crack in your windshield, what do you tell them?

I've never had an auto glass store call me.

5. What is the age difference between you and your father?

Um...I think he was 28 when I was born.

6. Have you ever tried to find the end of a rainbow?

Not that I can recall.

7. Camping - recreational vehicle or tent?

5 years ago...tent. Now? RV!

8. Have you ever had to call 9-1-1?

All the time on the freeway. You're supposed to call in stupid, aggressive, or drunk drivers. Always call 911 to report them

.

9. Who is your favorite blog in the Thursday Thunk bloggers to visit?

Speak, Dog, Speak. Then again I visit her nearly every day.

10. How long do you think you could live locked in your house on the food that you have on hand right now?

I was just thinking about this last night...not sure why. I think we could probably live locked in our house (or at least on our property) for three weeks or so. If the water was working. If it wasn't, we only have a few days worth of water for US and that wouldn't hold the dogs over. I need to fill up more jugs of water.

11. Pepper - shaker or grinder?

We have both. But I rarely use pepper except in recipes.

12. What state (or country if you are not in the US) is 2 states west of you?

Um...there are no states to our west. We are as far west as it gets...unless you count Alaska and Hawaii. I suppose then I'd say Hawaii (it's further west than Alaska isn't it? I have no idea).

13. What color do you believe you look best in?

Red.

and once again... next week is Thursday Thunkers Questions... so....

14. What is your question submission for next week?

Why do you think so many "fake" veterans get away with pretending? Why don't people question them more (especially the media who eats up their stories?)

Do you Twitter?

I twitter. Sometimes. Sporadically. I've started following some pretty funny folks so it can definitely be entertaining. My tweets are pretty boring, but you're still welcome to follow me @castocreations.



I do like Twitter though...as much of a waste of time as it is. :)

Do You Tatoo?

I'm not a tatoo fan. My sweet little cousin, a gorgeous girl who could easily have been a model, got a huge one all up and down one of her sides. I hate it. I was so pissed when I found out that I cried and couldn't even talk to her.

I told her it looked like a hussy tatoo, and I think it does. Though she is decidedly NOT a hussy and that's what is most upsetting.

I guess I'm a hypocrite though because there are a few tatoos that I think are hot - and they're all on guys.

When I was younger, under 18, I toyed with the idea of a tatoo, but I am relieved that I never got one. I definitely would have regretted it now. I would have picked something stupid and meaningless like a flower. Or even worse, a boyfriend's name!



Do you have a tatoo? Do you want one? Do your kids have one or want one? I hope I can convince my kid not to get one ... unless its a boy and he joins the military. *grin*

When Men Were Men

Happy V.E. Day!

Whether you celebrate today or tomorrow. We need more brave leadership, unafraid to do the right thing even if it is the difficult thing.

Therapy

I took Timber and Trooper on walks last night (separately, I don't have a death wish). And I'm feeling really good this morning. I think dogs are great therapy, not to mention exercise machines. :) Timber is a handful but he forces me to really get up and move, not just stroll lazily along.

I love my dogs.

Thursday Thunks

Because I don't have much else to say that hasn't already been said by smarter and more articulate folks. :)

1. Why the heck did you come back this week to do this meme?

Well, it's been a couple of weeks and I felt it was time. :) Plus I don't have a lot of other stuff to say right now and I need to post something. lol

2. Ever whiten your teeth?

Sort of ... I got some of those plastic molds from the dentist and tried doing those tray thingys but it was gross and I got tired of doing it. Plus that gel stuff tastes really bad.

3. Do you drive the speed limit?

Most of the time, though not this morning. I try to set my cruise control to 61 mph and while it pisses people off behind me I don't care. I'm all about getting better fuel efficiency and saving me some money.

4. Did the dog eat your homework?

I never had a dog growing up, but the cat hated when I did homework. He'd try to sit on it. My dogs however have eaten just about anything you can think of including soap, wedding candy, peanut butter (out of a jar he opened himself), honey, steaks, sandwiches, and even Unisom. Bad dog!

5. How many bites does it take to get to the center of a watermelon?

I wouldn't know...I can't even stand the smell of watermelon.

6. Did you eat paint chips as a child?

Not that I remember...though I suppose if I did I'd be too screwed up to remember, right?

7. If someone rang your doorbell/knocked on your door at 1am, would you answer it?

Depends...is my hubby on duty? If someone is knocking at 1 am and he's on duty then something is seriously wrong so yes I'd open. If there are two Troopers standing there it means I'm a widow. If there's only one it means hubby is hurt.

If hubby was home he'd grab a gun and go see who the hell it was.

8. "Amazingly Smooth" makes you think of what?

Alcohol.

9. What was the last stupid thing someone said to you? (not counting this meme's questions)

I'm sure it involved my pregnancy...I'm getting very impatient with people's stupid pregnancy comments.

10. Would you eat a stick of butter for $100?

Hell yes!

11. Find the nearest fabric tab, not counting your clothing you are wearing. What does it say the object is made of and where was it made?

That is a lame question and I'm not doing it...I'm already wasting time at work so I'm not going to look through all the crap in my cube to find fabric...

Oh wait...I have a Beanie Baby in front of me ... made in China. Lame.

12. What is the strangest name you've ever heard someone name their child (or a person you met... however you want to answer it)?

Wait...do celebri-tards count? I think Apple is a pretty stupid name. But I also think most ethnic names sound pretty lame. Laquisha and that kind of thing...just lame. Baby names are on my mind a lot lately...for obvious reasons.

13. Why is some toilet paper really soft and others are really hard?

That is a good question. Some are cheap and others are more expensive. We go for the expensive kind but I use coupons.

Thanks for reading!

Without Warning

Imagine a world with no America...or at least with 95% of America gone. I know some lefties and commies and terrorists who may love the idea, but reading the book Without Warning by John Birmingham speculates on this nightmare.

I don't remember where I heard about this author but I am very glad that I expanded my reading list. I'm not always open to reading new authors but this guy is excellent.

Within the first few pages of the book you are drawn into a world that has Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and even some Cubans disappearing off the face of the earth. Gone. While some celebrate, others panic and with good reason. America is the glue that holds this crazy place together.

Without our military might and economic support, thugs and insanity begin to rule.

The book leads us through the story and the lives of several main characters - a pirate (yes, modern day), several military members, a spy, and a Seattle government worker. (Seattle is one of the only corners of the states that survived.)

It's a fascinating look into an alternative future. I couldn't put it down and read it in two days. Birmingham has other books too and I plan to order and read them as soon as I can.

Bill Whittle for President

This guy is a freaking genius. I love WWII history...I've always been fascinated by it. I knew more about WWII when I was in 6th grade than Jon Stewart will ever know. He's obviously got his head up his arse.

Watch all 17 minutes ...it should be played in all history classes. It is BRILLIANT.

I didn't realize that there are people out there who actually believe that the Japanese were about to surrender prior to Little Boy's drop. Seriously!?!? What revisionist history books are those morons reading? Even AFTER the second bomb, Fat Man, the Japanese did not want to surrender.

Hello! They were a stubborn and suicidal bunch. Their leaders preferred extinction to surrender. Surrender was completely dishonorable. Even when Hirohito was ready to surrender his military leaders tried to stop him and continue the blood bath.

Jon Stewart is an ass. A no nothing, embarrassing himself, moron. He should stick to so called comedy.

Stupid Twitter Survey

Who the hell cares what celebrities twitter?



And I still think it is WRONG to consider Bambi a celebrity.

What's the Problem?

Why is swine flu such a big deal? It's less deadly than regular flu, which according to my mom kills over 10,000 people a year (I think she said 30,000 but that could just be my imagination...anyway she knows of what she speaks as she is in the medical field as an RN for 30+ years).

I hate the media...I'm sure I've mentioned it before. They are taking this disease and causing an utter and total panic. Do they close schools when a kid gets the regular flu? Of course not! They'd have to close schools every year all the time.

Am I concerned for my own safety? Not really...perhaps slightly more than I would if I weren't pregnant but only because I don't want to lose my baby due to a stupid flu. If that's possible. I don't know.

But rather than freak out and wear a mask, which wouldn't help anyway, I WASH my flippin' hands and use that gross alcoholic sanitizer stuff.

I hope ya'll are not freaking out about this disease, which is just one of many that float out there to "get" us. If the media keeps crying wolf the public is going to be a lot less inclined to listen when a real and serious pandemic hits.