Fifty years should be celebrated. I have outlasted Nixon, the Edsel, the Cold War, and insanity. Okay maybe not so much the insanity. I now will call it, second childhood.

Okay first up, insurgents are killing each other, but they have not yet followed through on Ms. Carroll...thank heavens.  Having said that, here is the problem most of the world has with Islamic nations.  War lords and clerics who lead different factions that kill each other.  I don't think we get that.  Sunni's kill Shi'ites and vice versa.  In the west, Catholics don't kill Mormons and Methodists don't kill Baptists, though having grown up in a family where one parent was each I could see some logical reasons to have this kind of confrontation.  Methodists practice guilt, Baptists nitpick, I nitpick about guilt.  Why put out there that "we are the nations of Islam and we are against the West" then proceed to kill each other and in mosques?  Not on the poitical level, but the basic human, religious level, WHY?

Could we move FEMA from Homeland Security?  This is obviously the biggest mistake of the new system.  Homeland Security is prevention, FEMA is about cleaning up.  I don't wear Wisk for perfume. And Chertoff, doesn't he remind you of one of those street lamps with the small bulbs?  Except they are bright and light up a space, something he will never be accused of.   Maybe we could send the FBI out to check into that suspicious Mother Nature who makes up her own bombs...the kind with winds and rain.  She must be really out to get us.

Locally, in Florida a locked screen porch does not constitute part of the building for entering without a search warrant...so says local Lt.  Of course this is the same guy who insists we have to be careful since Ted Bundy who was what, 25 years and dozens of serial killers ago?  At least if you want to dazzle me with bull @#$% do it intelligently.

They also paved three lanes of highway and now there are problems with the project.  You couldn't have discovered this three lanes and months ago?  This is a case where tthree out of four ain't really "good so far. "   Have you ever gone from a paved lane to an unpaved lane?  New car...hello.

Medicare drug plan is in trouble.  You think?  What the hell were they drinking when they came up with that formula.  I thought Absinthe was illegal, except in a few places.  Medicare drug plan...Picasso painting...yeah I see it.  Gertrude Stein could have done better.

When John Kennedy said," Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," I don't think he meant to turn over port operations to a country that produces and still can't control terrorists.  What next, Federal Reserve operated by the Saudis?  And why is there some surprise at the uprising in Nigeria oil fields?  you make a billion, they make $50...seems like a problem in the making to me.

Why are educational grants and loans considered entitlement?  Especially loans?  Does this mean my mortgage is also an entitlement?

If I get a check and it has to be held for 10 days and yet my check can go through in a day or so, why isn't there a bookkeeping place that accommodates this?  And what takes 10 days?  Computers, where I can pay bills overnight, get my balance anytime, transfer funds, and it takes 10 days to clear a check when mine take about two hours.  BANKS: You really don't need more money.

Sex in South Dakota just became a health risk for women.  So now what do they do in the cold winter months?  Cross country skiing or biathlon?

 

Posted by: ginnygk at 21:01 | link | comments

Have you ever really looked at your favorites?  Mine is quite diverse, from Sporting News fantasy racing to the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.  There are all the sites for schools I have attended and related sites for my program.  I have lots of peace and confict related journals and articles.  I have humanities sites and a construction site for keeping track of progress on houses.  Yes, I am currently sharing my laptop with my husband.  That explains a lot of the gambling, games, and sports sites, though I do have my own fantasy race team and usually a football team as well.  I have several news sites, from LA and NEW YORK Times to Al jazeera.  A couple of weather sites so we can access radar and of course, a site or two with laws or court information.  There is the Tivo site and the county commission site and research sites.  I have added several business related sites since I am teaching such.  One would think I was so diverse, when the truth is, I am just forgetful so when I go to a site that I might need again, I add it.  The really good sites are always in my drop box,, but things like my brother's band site, my brother's drum solo, and the site where pics are stored are in the favorites so I don't have to search for them.

Now on another note, a student emailed and asked me to call her.  I did and she was absolutely unnerved by a contact her daughter has made online.  Everything seemed fine.  The guy presented himself as a kid and even mentioned teachers by name, events at the school, and other things that would lead her to believe he did know her from school.  That is until he asked her about sex and told her to put "free sex" in the google search and tell him what came up.  Then he sent her to one of the sites.  The child is now terrified the person can find he/she since he knows her email address.  I went through the search and was appalled at the pictures and information that comes up from these "free" sites without any real need to buy anything.  I referred my student to the Sheriff's office and told her to talk to her daughter as long as the child wants to .  What I am telling anyone who stumbles on this blog...if you know any kids, this is happening.  Want to know how easy to get access to pics and such, just do what the child was told to do.  If you are over 21, have at it.  If you know someone with kids...tell them...right now.

Posted by: ginnygk at 00:24 | link | comments

There comes a time in one's life when one must accept certain things about themselves.  In my case, this is happening today.  For the past two days I have "played nice" with my husband's ex wife, a fascinating woman who has herself made some accepting realizations and some changes.  To put the two of us, or the two of them for that matter, in the same room would have seemed impossible, even five years ago.  Yet we have been visiting, eating out, and generally spending vast amounts of time together.  Though they have a son in common, he is not our goal.  He is a lost cause at 25, not as a person (well okay mare, yes he is), but as someone for whom we are willing to pick up the pieces.  However our granddaughter is another matter.  I look at the two of them talking and laughing and realize my pushing for civility has actually brought us to this.  I refused to be drawn into constant battles, and I seem to have won the biggest one. 

As I place my conflict books around me to write another assignment, I see that I don't do mediations, I don't facilitate or work with juveniles in the judicial system.  But I have made progress in a way no one else could understand if they had not seen where all this started.  I am a conflict resolutionist, having done all this before I started working to become a doctor in the field.  Dr. Ginny, sounds funny doesn't it?  I was Goffman, making them change their parts and become new characters.  The masks are now different.  I used the narrative model, reconstructing their story over the years, changing the bad to acceptable.  I facilitated meetings on their son.  I solved issues and changed opinions to issues, problems to solutions.  I am sure this is a good thing.

I watched my granddaughter change during the last few days, able to play and be a toddler.  She was allowed to explore anything she wanted, touch the foam on the beach, wade into the water to see the turtles, swing from the high bars, touch the bugs.  She is exhausted, not by dealing with immature adults that shove her to the side or into her room, but by being a child at play.  She is happy, and not combative.  She is two and happily pursuing swings and slides.  I wish Nana could stay forever, or at least until she is ready for school.  Like me, Nana lets her be what she is.  She doesn't coddle her, accept her tantrums, punish her for insignificant things.  I am too strict and I see that.  Mike is too lenient and so the "baby" gets a balance.  But this week she got to be whatever she wanted and Nana was there to watch, renew, and enjoy the experience.  I hope everyone has a week to see the good they do and see a small flower bloom beautifully.

Posted by: ginnygk at 03:03 | link | comments (1)

Yeah me.  I drove 325 miles to school, made it through the week on my own, took a statistics test that I survived, answered a doctoral test question very well (prof's words not mine) and drove all the way back.   And all this by myself.  You would not understand how important this is unless you met me, but trust me, this is really big.  I could not have done as well without my best friend and some very good friends when I arrived down at the school.  The only really bad part, and this is REALLY BAD, is my mom got very ill on Sunday and was rushed to the hospital and almost died.  She is not really better and we are awaiting word on surgery, but I managed to keep in touch and meet my obligations, though I would have preferred to be up home with her.  Okay, I blew off one class, the computer program class for statistics, but I already know how to work the program and manipulate it.  I know the secret of every program that writes, adds, does math, or works in a suite is that there are always at least two ways to do every step.  You just have to know what to look for.  So I stayed by the phone and waited for news.  Toughest day of my life.  But I did not miss any other classes.  And I did really well with my presentation, and didn't murder the instructor, though I certainly wanted to for her treatment of some of my classmates.  She was ridiculously rude and mean spirited to some of them.  Get a grip, your job is to guide not deride.

The weather was nice.  I got to drive an hour each way each day.  South Florida is really nice this time of year.  But the drivers are so scary.  I haven't seen that much weaving since looming class in high school.  Yes, one home ec teacher actually had us doing weaving on looms for a week.  and no, nothing survived...which explains sweat shop sweaters today.  And the campus was pretty.  We were on the main campus for the first time (our school of Humanities and Social Sciences used to have its own campus).  They had a festival on the lake.  Computer labs had computers that actually worked. There was even a lounge (called the fish bowl) where you can go and sit comfortably, listen to music (they provide the stereo) and read or just relax.  Big windows to gaze out of.  I finally got Pearson's r sitting there, though I think the rsquare answer I got would not get yu back to the square root of pearson's r, the b in the yhat equation.  Did you get that?  I did, just long enough to do the test.  I think.  Maybe.  I did get the gamma and the lambda, but the regression is still confusing.  It may be those 9 columns of numbers you have to use to get to the answer...never mind.  Lets just say, it was an okay trip and would have been great and successful without my mom's problems.  After 10 years, that is enough.

Posted by: ginnygk at 04:55 | link | comments (1)

Okay nerves have struck...I am so scared about that long drive and spending a week by myself...I know, I know.  All those people down there are people I talk to on a regular basis, but...................................  I did feel a little silly about it last night when I saw the scar from one of my student's war injury.  He was hit by a rocket that could have taken both legs.  He was in Fallujah I think when it happened.  He was in Baghdad within 4 hours in surgery.  When another guy asked who shot him his offhand comment, "Iraqis" was oddly gut wrenching after seeing the scar.  It is like no big deal anymore.  Siemper Fi!  

Rumsfeld has noticed the middle eastern nations don't like us, especially Iraq?  Gee I guess dementia does have lucid moments.  Cheney seems to be on the oops tour...in Wyoming.  Aren't there mountains and cliffs out there?   woowwww  can you imagine the amazement of the journalists pointing out the Cheney victim scars are still visible?   Why do we listen to these people? 

Do we miss Sinatra, Martin, and company?  Not as much...Buble yeah!  Dog is much better.  Ate four times today.  I hope I can afford his recovery.  Hubby's ex-wife will be here for the week, and I will be gone most of it.  I want pictures...video would be better.

Dancing with the Stars...beating Survivor, Olympics...Don't look now, life may return to some semblance of class.  Lady at the gas station today buying her first tank of gas in two weeks...hybrid car.  Thank heavens, since Greenland or Iceland or one of those places is melting away.  Hole in the atmosphere is not that big a deal to the president...send him to clean bush down in New Zealand for 6 months....be only fair to our friends who are feeling the affects first.

Dog wants to eat again.  Barry Manilow has topped the charts again.  Yeah.  Rod Stewart, too.  Old people unite. 

Basement in a mansion where three different kids fell down the stairs and died.  What does it take for people to fix the stairs?  County commission and city commission still wrangling over fire service.  Still about money.  'That's okay, it's been 2 months since the last boy died while waiting for you guys to make an intelligent professional decision.  I hope the next parent punches someone. 

Big scandal, over 60 elected official takes a lot of prescription medicine, including pain meds.  Oh my.......let's waste time on that story.   500 this weekend.  Don't go near Daytona....traffic is insane. 

Okay, clearer head.  going to finish the wash, and go to bed...early morning drive.

Posted by: ginnygk at 00:33 | link | comments (1)

I really like men who have a certain aura.  It is bear like with strong arms.  Don't necessarily have to be big, but that is good too.  Since I was cute and short (or as Mare puts it when I try to reach cups at her house, vertically challenged), I had many opportunities to spend time with such men.  They seem drawn to small women.  I did date a lot of really good looking men and boys, married one, but while they were pretty to look at, they were either all ego or no brains or usually a combination of both.  I have worked for a few such men as well, arrogant and ego...limited brains.  Give me the guy who is attractive and not the looker in the crowd any day, especially if they have talent and/or brains.  While arrogance has its place, I know, I suffer from it as well, there has to be something else.  A bear hug is a good place to start.

I have also always written.  I wrote short stories, really bad poems, really good song lyrics(and melodies though I find this too tedious for words), books for teens, and lots of essays.  I have to do it.  These people live in my head and insist on being real, even if it is just on a page.  My dogs have been part of a lot of essays and my cats are the featured characters in greeting card writings I have sold.  I write nearly as much as I read.  Which is a lot.  Just ask my mom.  or husband, friends, other family, dogs, ...

Now I  bring this up because of all those pretty boys, not one understood my need for peace and silence.  They didn't like my hibernating for hours, days, or weeks, reading or writing.  And it may be the reason for my current dilemma.  I have several writings I have been putting down, characters who are insistent to be acknowledged.  Instead of doing school work I have been at least introducing them to the world, even if that world is only me.  And my stories for kids, well the protaginists are just dying for a new adventure and I have promised in April that they shall have one.  Again, not the dilemma, but a chance to put it down in writing.  The dilemma comes from the fact that those men I have known or dated have never been a character in my writings.  Never had the urge and I think that may have come from the pretty boys "all about me and my ego" thing.  That is I never have until now.  I have two males who want to be heard.  One is based on a big old teddy bear in my classes.  He is so sweet and kind, kinda like a Michael Landon preacher.  This guy can't be jostled from good humor, no matter what the situation.  It is truly near depressing at 9 am on a Sunday morning.  Or Monday morning for that matter.  The other is a teddy bear friend who is ripe for a story.  He is a writer, in an actual writing profession and it is hard to write using a person I know, let alone a writer.  And worse, both of these guys want a story about romance and guy things.  Happy, funny, and romantic, sort of like what we hope Dr. Shepard will become sooner rather than later.  So what to do, what to do?  I went ahead a got involved with Sam and Lloyd, a long married couple.  I also began the non-fiction gada story.  I will stew over this a while and think.  Of course it isn't like I have a choice.  They will escape.

Posted by: ginnygk at 18:42 | link | comments (2)

did mention I hate panty hose?  I love trains, choo choo and the band.  I'd like to own Pride and Prejudice, the new one and the one from A&E.  Mr. Darcy...Colin Furth, how did Jane know?  Sunny spring days in winter with warm breezes.  A picture on the wall in my office of ribbon and flowers crowns and the painting at home of the beach from my dad.  I have worked hard this week to save one of our children who had stopped eating and seemed destined to leave us.  But last night he ran to the gate when I got home and this morning returned to his practice of  sedately escorting me to the gate to leave.  He was prepared much earlier than I, waiting at the end of the ramp on the sheet I covered him with when he insisted to sit outside in the cold.  Obviously being king is an important job, surveying the kingdom for dangers, even when you are on death's bed.

I just made my second list for a trip, I lost the first one.  I love teaching but dislike the lesson planning.  I don't mind giving grades...power and all that.  I had to voice my displeasure with one friend to another so the "conversation" stopped about the subject.  It was unpleasant.  I almost was glad I can only email the friend.  I realized that lost years are something I want to know more about.  Probably won't but there is consolation in knowing I really want to know.

Dick said he was at fault for the wounding of his friend...duh.  Debbie can't give up her rights to the kids just by saying so...thank heavens.  How many parents would be in serious trouble if saying they didn't want their kids was all it took?  War of the Worlds (and other such large budget nothings) didn't flop, but didn't succeed when compared to penguins on the move...there is hope for humanity.  The US government doesn't like who won the Palestinian elections...what you couldn't rig them like you do in South America?  Ever notice how ignoring Castro didn't make him go away?  Greenspan spoke, people heard, this is surprising?  You thought he would stop talking?  or was it you thought everyone would just stop listening?  The hardest class to get into in college, secular or religious, is the religion class (World Religion).  Takes the whole fascinated and repulsed issue to a new level, doesn't it?  County commissions who decide to make the final decision on books in a library should not refuse to make a decision and turn it over to the county attorney.  Makes them look stupid and petty.  Like they don't have enough problems in that area already.

You can beat the IRS.  Just remember to not call it "beating the IRS" and be polite to the person on the phone or in person.  If you are in a conflict resolution program, don't get into a fight (vocal and/or physical) with a fellow student...kinda looks bad on the reviews.  Statistics class will make you understand the adage...it's not the grade, it's the learning that is important.  Bode is feeling the affects of ego...down down down...speaking of which, the pairs skating has one gold medal and one serious injury per Olympics.  Speed skating has soft walls, ice skating where there are jumps, spins, and throws does not?  Like NASCAR.  must have something to do with the mindlessness of going around and around in a circle.  Is anyone not yet clear on for Tom Cruise it is all and only about him?  Anyone not hoping all the good things about Nicole and Keith are true and she is the happiest person on the planet?  and since we are mentioning classy acts...add Michelle Kwan.  Why do they still give Ray Nagin a microphone?  New Orleans is returning...is Mississippi? 

This is my brain...you are just reading it.  repeat...it is the stress, it is the stress, it is the menopause...do you know how many times I had to edit this thing...brain works, not grammatically correct but works...

Posted by: ginnygk at 17:50 | link | comments (2)

I had my nails done today.  That means nothing to some, but it represents a big change for me.  It has been nearly a year I have done this for myself regularly.  I don't really need them.  I am happy with short fingernails.  I am cutting my hair almost regularly.  I buy make up and hair conditioner and the stuff that keeps me from looking like a teddy bear that has seen too many washings.  Frizz city.  I still drink too much tea and eat things that are not good for me.  But I am getting out more and actually driving myself on a major highway for three hundred miles.  It has been nearly 10 years since I could say this.  I became a recluse to pain, fear, and fatigue.  All those other things lead to a fatigue that is beyond anything imaginable.  Add to that the fatigue of obesity and why I ever bothered to get up is a mystery.  But I did, every day.  And I accomplished a lot of things.  Some people still think I am a life long student, though I only started 9 years ago.  In that 9 years I have acquired education, qualifications and now credentials.  I teach classes of college students.  I didn't die, literally or figuratively, though the literal may still come if I don't get the weight under control.  My heart and lungs demand it.  But the fatigue hasn't left.  You can't exercise with fatigue.  And it is difficult to get out and do things (parties, meetings, events) with fatigue. 

Time is not on my side.  I get older by the day, again, literally and figuratively.  I dread the long drive.  I have taken to sleeping more and a long drive is a recipe for disaster.  But at least I am attempting it.  I flew across country twice last year.  I saw things I never thought I would.  I am better.  I made a nail appointment for two weeks from today.

Posted by: ginnygk at 00:53 | link | comments

Today the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition arrived in the mail and it was the talk of the class.  Someone who is as old and overgrown as I am could easily be depressed or upset by this magazine, but been there, done that.  Yes, I was small, thin, with long flowing hair.  I even have the pictures your children or parents can never see.  But the reality is, I am older and smarter.  To get that way I had to make room, so I am now larger.  Did you believe that?  heeheehee....  It is hard to be thin and beautiful.  I know this because I was thin and cute and it was a pain.  The thought of beautiful is way too much.  Too much work, too much effort, too much pressure.  Being beautiful also means that people think you are stupid.  Why is that?  Like the woman from Atlanta with the Southern accent is considered dumb, so are beautiful women.  Most are not.  Okay, if you watch the Tonight Show it seems like they are, but then anyone on some of those segments seems stupid. 

The one thing I remember about being model perfect were the two swimsuits that almost killed my dad.  One was a one piece, but less than 1/2 yard of piece.  It was all strings, but down to there, up to here, no back and barely covering anything.  And then the yellow crochet bikini...I finally dyed it brown to keep him out of the hospital.  It was fun.  So was the fishnet shirt, which he never saw.  The teeny tiny disco top and other such outfits.  Now I can't do fun and that can be depressing and I miss it.  Fun for me is when Omar comes up with an interesting pattern for the tent.

I do want to say, welcome back elle macpherson.  you and rachel with your kids and over thirty age make me think that someday we will get it.  Of course there is still the blonde thing, but that is another topic for another day.

Posted by: ginnygk at 02:56 | link | comments

I am preparing for my week at RI.  RI is a week of seminars in our specific classes that help us interact and give us the opportunity to have a classroom experience.  There are a couple of events and a few guest speakers in our field, so it is worth the trip.  It is also mandatory.  For me, a poor student with too much outgo and not enough income, this time it is posing a real problem.  First, hotels in the Fort Lauderdale area are very expensive in the winter.  From $35 to 500 more per night.  We have to stay over of course, so they make arrangements for the hotel at a less expensive rate.  If you don't reserve early you are out of luck.  I did, actually, but now find I cannot afford the price.  So my preparation at this point is leaning towards getting lots of rest and stretching exercises in prep for sleeping in the car. 

Sleeping in the car is not something I have never done.  I just did it when I was much younger and more limber.  And when sleep was a commodity I could trade for adventure.  But I have made the decision to succeed at this PhD stuff and to do that, I have to make one more trip to Sunny South Florida.  And attend seminars, present for a class and take a midterm in the most awful class (statistics) I have ever tried to understand.  My professor is excellent and I am sure at this point she is pulling her hair out.  I am not the only one creating her insanity. 

I have prepared a handout and now a powerpoint for a class I have to teach for 15  minutes.  what can you say or do in 15 minutes?  nothing, but thems the rules.  And we are meeting in a group to decide how to pass the massive, no matter how well you did in the program if you don't pass this test you don't go on, test.  We have been working on part one, with 80 theorists.  It is ugly.  Too much I say, too much.  And we haven't gotten to the methods or the practice parts of the test review.  Plus I still have to answer the question that is practice for the theories section of the test and it is confusing to read, let alone answer...do I sound a little insane and panicked here?

So I will move on to the next thing and leave the discussion.  Writing has helped me in examing what is coming.  A long week, and then a longer week.  Hopefully the extreme cold this week will be replaced with warmth next week and I can at least sleep with the sun/moon roof open and the stars shining and having a younger version of me's adventure in education and aleve research.

Posted by: ginnygk at 01:03 | link | comments (1)

It has become improve Ginny week in my life.  You know you are getting and looking older when a parent suggests, not that you are looking older but that you might want to try using product X or having Y done.  Now my parents both have these lovely younger looking faces, though Mom's is tired and Daddy's is dry.  (much like his wit)  And then there was the suggestions for curl enhancing products since my normally frizzy hair was straighter last time I saw them.  I fixed it that way, OKAY?????

My friends suggest more water, sleep, time for myself.  My son suggested I might want to recolor my hair (I just did last week, but not because I old, but because I get bored with a single color look).  I don't look old, I look tired.  I don't look like I need more sleep, I look like I need a major diet.  I tried embracing my obesity for about 3 days and then the pain set in so that is over.  The end of my school on campus seminar week happens to end at the same time as the term I am teaching, so I expect to get more sleep then.  Unless the statistical research gets worse, though at this point one could not imagine how.  I actually like being my age.  Nobody can come close to out authoritating me.  Ask one of my professors who recently tried.  The woman has a betty boop voice, so how much clout would someone like me expect?  Besides if you were running three budgets, two households, a business, a class, another class, taking 3 classes, taking care of two sick animals and whatever else is on the schedule you would look like you needed some help.  However, I don't think Oil of Olay will help at this point.

Posted by: ginnygk at 17:50 | link | comments (1)

Okay after class tonight I have to make a comment on Brokeback Mountain and some male reactions to it.  So many men don't want to see it.  And they are adamant about it.  A lot of women I know want to go and see it.  Women will watch a love story, even if it is controversial.  A few women don't want to see it because of the gross out thing.  But tonight the men were trying to defend their being so adamant about not watching it because of the male relationship.  It was NOT because they are homophobic.  They are Not afraid they will like th movie and then worry about some deeply held attraction to another male.  They are Not any other of the common reasons for not going to see a movie.  And they really don't know why.  They are sure women are insane for wanting to see it.  What, are women looking forward to seeing two men making love? Some may, others not.  Are women less homophobic?  Not really, at least in this class.  When one of the women pointed out to the men that it wasn't different from seeing two women together (which we decided is common in magazines and male fantasies and we are SOOOOOOOOOOOO over it) the men all replied, nearly in unison that yes it was different.  They still didn't know why.  So my question is...Why do men seem afraid of the movie?

Posted by: ginnygk at 02:59 | link | comments (1)

Sitting today with a couple of women, the topic of sex came up...theirs not mine.  They discussed how much they were getting and how great it was.  They are in their 40''s and I am happy for them.  Most of my friends discuss sex lives and doing well with it.  I cannot say the same.  Medications and disabilities and time have robbed my other half of needing sex.  Not that this is beyond his ability, he is limited in needs due to mostly the meds.  HIs doctor actually laughed when he showed concern a few years ago about the lack of drive aksing him what he expected with the meds he takes,  and he never broached the subject again.  My point is that this subject is something I cannot take part in, but find the freedom of others to do so is, well, a lot of things.

Now ten or fifteen years ago, even further back for other reasons, I could have participated completely.  But the limits on my experience at this point make my interest half hearted.  But I do take hope from the fact that the older we get does not mean the less interested we become.  Okay I have become less interested, but that is protection from circumstances.  What is most interesting is the fact that women over 40 and 50 seem to talk about it as freely as the men we used to make fun of in cartoons and locker rooms.  They discuss positions, attempts, ploys for getting into it, signals, and rate the experiences.  They can discuss places, objects, and literal needs openly.  My mother would just die.  I have reached the age where she would rather have cut off her arm than admit to having sex, let alone discussing it openly.  Does this mean we all should?  Hell yes.  How will we know what is good, bad or indifferent if we don't?  One woman, when asked if her male companion was a good kisser answered, "depends on what and where he is kissing."  Southern propriaty says that is just tacky and wrong...the teen who grew up in the late 60's and 70's says, you go girl. 

If we have learned to discuss such things aloud we may actually be able to discuss other uncomfortable subjects aloud such as death, dying, illnesses, mutilation, genocide, politics and religion.  Of course none of them would be nearly as much fun or interesting as knowing how good X is at Y or the G spot.

Posted by: ginnygk at 20:43 | link | comments

Watching a car commercial reminded me of the incredible amount of laziness we are capable of in today's world.  This vehicle not has the keyless entry, something I think is good for security, but keyless opening of doors, sliding open.  You can touch a button and control the speed, the windows, the lights, the wipers, stereo, cd player, and now putting the seats down, up, back.  And those are the back and rear seats.

I push buttons to write, to access information around the world, take pictures immediately and send them around the world, tape or otherwise record my favorite show, pick up the last few scenes on a show I was only partly watching, or nearly anything else I may want to do.  As one friend points out, how lazy are we that now the button for the trunk or gas cap is on the door so we don't even have to bend over to push it?

My stepson is lazy already.  What will his daughter be like with so little effort to put into doing anything.  You don't have to open a book.  You don't have to go past the front door.  We could watch the Superbowl on TV and on the computer along with updates, betting options, and on the radios, and then TIVO it to rehash the whole thing.  Can we get much lazier? Of course the minute I ask there will be new ideas for things that will join the TV, Movies on demand or in the mail, fast microwave food, cars that do everything except drive themselves (which would be nice most mornings if it happens), dry cleaning at home, robot vacuums, and the other thousand things that do for us and make our lives so much less stressed. Unless of course, you read the help manual.

Posted by: ginnygk at 03:29 | link | comments

Ah yes, Superbowl Sunday, the day of football, food, football, too much TV, food, football, and arguments over the TV.  I have lots of female friends who will be at odds with their spouses over the game.  One will be livid that one more time her husband will sit in front of the TV with beer and food and watch a game she thinks is a waste of time.  She has even gone so far as to call it a waist of time. 

Women, get over it.  Where else can you yell at men for being wrong, stupid, and really, really good?  You can sit and wonder what those quarterbacks and receivers can do with those great hands, legally.  And some of them really do wear those pants well. 

They have really funny, or stupid, or weird commercials and half time shows.  And it is a good day to eat really awful food like nachos, sandwiches, wings, fried stuff, whatever beverage of choice is available.  And no one will watch you or assume you do this all the time. And doing this one afternoon and evening will probably guarantee a really good Valentine's gift.  Just mention a play or  one of teams' players by name to seal the deal. 

I know, this sounds so diabolical, but the possibility of a gift is the only way to get some women interested, or to just shut up.  I don't have this problem.  I happen to like football.  I prefer the Broncos, Cowboys, or Jaguars (Buccanneers, Dolphins...) be playing, but if the coach is good, the players good, and the game is played well I can deal with it.  I feel the same about the Orange Bowl game (the old ones were better with halftime shows), Florida Classic, and FL/GA and FL vs FSU.  Did I mention the city I live in now has a state high school champion and my hometown has two others this year.  My old high school is one of the two.  Go Yellow Jackets. 

I can't get into basketball or baseball the same, though some years I have been more interested in baseball.  Football is meaner, the guys tough.  So am I.  And basketball does not have Super anything, heck they don't even have a World anything.  Sorry Shaq.  So give me a Sunday to eat, party, and enjoy the game.  All whiners to the Rag Shop, now!

Posted by: ginnygk at 01:16 | link | comments (2)

I had lunch with my best friend, her husband, and mine today.  I love it when we can sit down and talk, though when the spouses are around, we don't usually deal with or discuss too much that is controversial or intimate.  I also realized how much she attaches to what she sees as safety nets.  My words, not hers.  I know she was extremely uncomfortable letting her wheelchair out of her sight for lunch.  I also know she was more upset than she let on about her husband's eating habits.  I need that, I believe that, I have to have that.  I watched her in the last couple of years deal with her loss of faith in her church, not God, but the physical church and its members.  It is one of the things that fascinate me about her.  I do not deal with things in the way she does.  It may be that I don't have the time, or I refuse to take the time.  I deal with something and move on.  I do not necessarily forget, but I do move.  Sometimes it is lateral.  I do not become perturbed with Michael's habits...I mention it, then move on.  We have discussed them all over the years.  I am aggravated with the situations my son has found himself in, but I do not remain stuck on them.  I do not want to give the impression that she does, she just reacts differently.  She examines decisions.  I make them and go to the next thing.  She often tries to deal with the fact she may have some blame in situations that are really someone else's problem. I gripe, complain, but do not wonder if I am to blame or part of the problem.  Sometimes I think I should be more like her, but I hate to be the guilty party...you have to say I'm sorry, whether you are or not.

Posted by: ginnygk at 01:58 | link | comments (2)

The newspaper is really depressing unless you can take the news for what it is...warning, ranting and disrepect to follow:

Bush calls for more and better math and science teachers...why?  He doesn't believe the mathematicians and scientists we have or worse, dismisses their findings as something he does not "believe in".  Global warming, the environmental problems, nature conservancy, stem cell research, EPA findings.

Alito votes to stay Mo. execution..Hah! take that you conservative yahoos.  Filed that appeal against the stay, so sure you would win?

Anything Brangelina...At least they are out there doing something.  Teens and young adults now know where Chad, Dafur, and Ethiopia are.  And what a refugee is.

New court nominees will overturn Roe v. Wade...Warning, there are women who in the early 70's were without a lot of what they have today, money, clout, power, guns, MENOPAUSE.  Tread very carefully where personal rights are concerned.

Insurgents in Iraq and elsewhere...see previous comment and apply where you are killing our sons and daughters.

Sex offender news...My question is not where did all these sex offenders come from, but who was watching the children?  That much molestation going on and the parents were clueless?  Do you know where your children are and what they are doing?

Homosexuals and Christian conservatives...Hah! Missed that section(s) of the Bible about not judging others.  I believe that job is taken.

Cost of living is relatively steady...Who the hell is coming up with those figures?  Interest rates are rising, prices are up, fuel is up, food is up, housing prices are up, tickets at the theme parks are up...wages haven't changed...buy a new calculator.

Educating people to take part in the future is one of the government's priorities...Student loans and grants are entitlement programs and therefore need to be cut.  There must be an oxymoron here...or just a moron.

More frequent vacuuming may prevent dust carry dustmites that trigger allergies and asthma...Damn, I'm in trouble now!

 

Posted by: ginnygk at 10:53 | link | comments (1)

Would you date your dog?  Seemed like a kinda sick headline as I read it, but then the more I thought about it, I have dated a few dogs (okay a lot, but they were really pretty dogs).  Then I thought, which dog?  Buddy is definitely an alpha male, which might be interesting since the competition would be intense.  But that might become tedious.  Sam would be okay, he is funny and does lots of cute tricks and sits politely, something most dates have a hard time doing.  So he has amusing going for him. Daisy is so predictable.  She hates any variation in routine, pet the same, come home at the same time, go to bed at the same time.  Except for eating and she chooses a different spot for her food nearly every night.  Boring, with occasional flashes of improvisation...nope...I need the improvisation and surprise more often.  Clara is renamed Clarabelle for some obvious reasons.  She is cranky and bossy.  She is near-sighted with really good hearing....wait that is me.  Okay she is out, just what I need to date, me.  Quita would be interesting except she is mean to cats and chicken of everything else.  Can't stand that.  She is sweet, but again, boring.  Cherokee is too smart by a half.  But she is bossy, lazy, and never figured out that she is not a lap size poodle (Lab and rottweiler mix).  She also takes up more than her share of the bed.  So that means she is out.  So we are back to Buddy...even an alpha male would at least be interesting.  Too bad we can't mix Buddy and Sam for the perfect dog to date.  Sort of like searching for the perfect man.

Posted by: ginnygk at 16:31 | link | comments

If you are male and I have known you for a long time, practically my whole life, stop reading now.  It ain't gonna be pretty.  Includes baby brothers. 

I am a person of dreams.  I have minor dreams most nights, I have day dreams, I have dreams realized and some never realized and never going to be.  I also have recurring dreams that I know, and have learned to manipulate, even in my sleep.  There is the one with monkeys, snakes, and a jungle gym that has been around since childhood.  Another couple have to do with embarrassing situations which usually come when stress is high and I cannot make the appropriate decision for any reason.  But my dream is to be able to sit and just listen.  I am a great listener.  I sit back and listen to all sorts of things around me, especially business events and social events.  I hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have developed the art so well that I can teach and lecture and hear the comments made under the breath at the same time.  Really freaks students out... The dream last night has been one of those recurring dreams that happen when I am evaluating my life, or worse, my subconscious thinks I need to.  It is the same, the activity is often different, always something I would like to do, but do not.  The other person is always the same.  It is the same person I fell in love with as a child and it has never changed.  Yes there have been marriages and affairs and boyfriends.  I loved each of them and I still love and care about the current one.  So the dream is startling when it comes because it unsettles me consciously, as I know I am on so many subjects unconsciously. 

It is odd to think of someone who touched your heart, your mind, your soul when you were so young you did not really recognize it, and be so much older and see it so much more clearly.  I actually saw it clearly in my early twenties, too late I thought to pursue the situation.  I hear words, see actions and he comes to mind.  My best friend will be very surprised to see that I have this in my heart.  I know she thought through her own problems I would not understand, but I do.  There is such an importance to the moments of connection when I see or talk to this person.  Things I cannot say or even let on that I feel or think.  But there are those uninhibited moments alone when I discover something that makes me think, "Oh my God."  Today it is a song associated with him.  A couple of weeks ago it was a shirt at a flea market.  Sometimes it is a hat or a joke.  Sometimes it is merely the silence when I can think uninterrupted about what might have been if pride and the beginning of my claim to "worlds' biggest bitch" might not have jumped in.  I then wonder if I would really have been happier, less bitchy.  I wonder if I would still think the perfect marriage includes a husband gone for months. 

I do no know if I crave the idea now only in dreams.  I do know that I would have been less likely to be the responsible one.  I know he is responsible on so many levels.  He would make me remain responsible to myself and all that being an adult entails.  He actually does do that now when he calls me on something I have said or done.  But I would not be the only responsible one.  There would have been two of us.  The worst thought is that I would have gotten my dream and screwed it up like all the other aspects of my life.  Yeah I would have.  So at least one of us escaped.  And the good news is the dream will return and for moments in my sleep, he will care about me and I will be as much in his soul and heart as he is in mine.  It is the one dream I never try to change.

Posted by: ginnygk at 16:51 | link | comments