I meant to post last night, but a certain pup kept nudging my elbow when I quit paying attention to her, so it was impossible.

I've had thoughts about the conflict in Iran, appreciation to those who are posting info, aghast at the blatant election fraud, inspiration at the silent protests, hesitant to wear green myself because I don't see how I can have a voice in Iran for who should lead, but fully support that each Iranian vote should be counted. If they vote in a crazy conservative Holocaust-denier then so be it, but let it be real. Go Iranian people, you are awesome!

I've been meaning to post on the Golden Rose Tourney, appreciation for all those who took pictures, aghast at my fatness in them, the wonderful spirit of the day, the beauty of the procession and the field, and the fun had by most in attendance, despite the heat.

I've been meaning to post more on UofA, how awesome Crois Brigte folks were, the loveliness of the site, my appreciation for Eldred's job well-done holding the custody of the University, my appreciation for those who took my class, fun company of Thjora, and dinner with folks before departing. Oh, and the deer, but that's been told, more or less. BTW, we got the car back from repairs on Monday, she's just as beautiful as new, and I'm grateful that they handled the claim and repairs in a week. F'ing Ay GEICO!

And I'm not sure if I've really said all I wanted to about our last Plimoth trip. Still need to make a "Real Men don't Sparkle, they Spangle" icon of Ansel working on a frame.

But I am still alive, I have an adorable pup, a loving husband, and a nice house I get to actually share with them this weekend. yay!

I have been having radio rage the past week or so with 94.7's change in format. Eadric expressed it most eloquently in his post. I seriously need to find a new preset for my truck before my head goes 'splodey. Anyone else want to go picket the station for a return to classic rock?

I need to find a happy place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In good news though not new news, there have been some great strides in Marriage Equality lately that have me grinning ear to ear for all those happy families.

First, last Friday the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously decided that the Gay Marriage ban is unconstitutional:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/us/04iowa.html
And it seems as if the Iowa majority in the house wants to let this stand and not attempt to overrule the court. I've already heard of folks planning to make the trek and tie the knot.

Then on Tuesday, Vermont Legislature overrode the Governor's veto on S.115 making Marriage Equality the law: http://greenmountaindaily.com/diary/4315/house-vote-open-thread 
This is notable in that it is the first legislative action in support of same sex marriage, instead of a court ruling.

And lastly, On Wednesday, the District of Columbia Council voted unanimously to recognize same sex marriages:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/07/dc.marriage/
This is excellent news that those married in Mass. Conn. Vermont and Iowa will have their marriage recognized in the District.

After watching the Inauguration, I kept checking in on the CNN live feed for a bit as folks departed and commentators commented. One of the things that struck me hard was the litter left behind. I've seen Kindergartners who knew better to clean up after themselves. If you were on the Mall and bought a program or newspaper or flag or even accepted a flyer from someones hand, it is your responsibility to deal with it.
Here are some images I gacked from various CNN videos. They didn't have any of the pure littered trash heap that was left behind, just these snippets of the clean up. I'm assuming those folks with the blue bags are volunteers picking up trash on the Mall. They could be paid, but then again, the folks who come collect my trash are paid. But they aren't paid to pick it up off my floor, they are paid to collect the bags that responsible adults have dropped their collective garbage in. In this interview over Colin Powell's shoulder you can barely see a corner of land littered with with papers and trash that the wind had blown around.

This makes me very sad. Didn't we learn in the 80's not to toss garbage out our car windows on the side of the road? Aren't there Don't Litter signs all over, sometimes with fines posted? Didn't our parents teach us to clean up our rooms and not leave trash everywhere when we were growing up? This is not a statement on one race or social demographic of people. There was a blessed variety of faces of all colors and ages and backgrounds all over the news in the crowds. The crowds looked happy and exhilarated. Why do we humans have to be pigs when gathered in groups?

I'm going to borrow a few lines from President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address:
....
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.
...
Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
...
We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. ... But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.
...
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
...
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. ... We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
...
What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
--------------------------------

I don't understand how anyone could hear these words, these fine words, and then leave behind their trash on the ground where the winds will sweep the papers all over our streets. He talks of responsibility, service, hard-work, and a cleaner and better world. Start with picking up your trash, and let's move on from there. Besides, if you stuffed your coat with newspapers, it would insulate you from the cold.

This has been brought into sharper relief for me as I now take walks around the neighborhood twice a day. Even the nice neighborhood we live in (not counting the condos across the street) is littered with trash all over. I'm pulling Ladybug away from loose paper, McDonald's wrappers, broken glass bottles, and all manner of trash. Some of it was loosed during trash-day pick-up on Thursday, but some of it simply is. I'm feeling the need to take another baggie on my walk routes just to collect the trash others have left behind.

This isn't about making the place just look nice, it is more. It is removing trash that will go into our sewers, into our watershed, into the Bay, into the tires and shoes and doggie's stomachs. It is collecting the items that won't decompose and placing them in landfills so that nature can take place and breathe.

Everyone, young and old, rich and poor, of all colors, jobs and backgrounds. Pick up your damn trash, please.

Is watching Inauguration of Barack Obama on CNN.com from work. The crowds are amazing, and likely helping each other keep warm. The excitement is a bit infectious.

Had no trouble taking back roads into work, and while it is quiet here, I've been essential to one poor faculty member who had set aside today to work on setting up his class.

Today, on the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, some are standing up for Gay Rights and Same Sex Marriage. Some have called in "sick" for Day without a Gay in order to show the impact of the LGBT community. I am at work, and while I'm not certain this is the best form of protest, it does no harm and if it gets the message across I am for it. As I stated before, I am completely for same sex marriage and equal rights under law.  So, while sometimes I feel there is little I can do, this is one thing I can do:

There have been a few posts on same sex marriage since the passing of Proposition 8 in California, and similar propositions in other states. A friend of a friend posted a comment hoping that the passing of Prop 8 could be a good thing in some ways in that it is stirring up support of its defeat all over the US.

I am another happily married heterosexual person totally and completely in favor of same sex marriage. Honestly, as long as marriage stays between two adults, I could care less what their race or sex is. I've heard comments regarding religion, civil unions, and even the slippery slope to polygamy and the like from those who oppose same sex marriage, but they just don't hold water for me. No law will be made to force your church to marry a same sex couple. While I'm sure some religious gays and lesbians would love acceptance from their church, that is not the issue. The issue is letting states marry those of the same sex. And marry, not civilly unionize, but marry. We've learned from history that separate but equal is far from equal. And I don't see how such a proclamation would affect current marriages. My marriage is not redefined anytime someone has a Vegas marriage that is annulled in a week.

What it really comes down to is, love is love. People should be free to marry the person they love. (Note: the person, not the people) I couldn't imagine telling any of my friends that they couldn't marry who they loved, so long as they were both free to marry. I wish everyone happiness, regardless of creed, race or sexual orientation.

Others have been far more eloquent on the subject, most notably the clip of Keith Olbermann. I don't have any new words to add to the subject, just my unflinching support of love and its triumph.

Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama! Congratulations also to Warner, Hagen and the other new democratic Senators. To say I'm pleased would be an understatement. I'm ecstatic, and tired.

But I also want to thank all the candidates, for their willingness to serve this great country and her citizens. Thank you John McCain for your lifetime of service to this country in war and in peace. Thank you Sarah Palin for being a great cheerleader for the Republican party and trying to keep the focus on the average American, even if we disagree on the particulars. Thank you all for rallying and getting out the vote, and all the first time voters, and long-time voters.

I do find it important to stress that 51% is not a mandate, no matter what President Bush claimed. It is a majority, but honestly a slim one. We need to keep in mind all of America, in her variety and splendor, and do what is best for the country and the world from here on out.

sircorby 's meme, of who would I put in the cabinet.

United States Cabinet - a board to advise the President; members are the secretaries of executive departments; the United States constitution does not provide for the cabinet

US Cabinet
AoD's Bob- Attorney General of the United States
theodorad - Secretary of Agriculture, cause they are of her tribe
kass_rants - Secretary of Commerce
davew1775 - Secretary of Defense
duchesspadr - Education Secretary
nicolosa - Energy Secretary
das_uber - Secretary of Health and Human Services
theblueleader - Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
alesia027 - Labor Secretary
rolanddem - Secretary of State, one of the levelest heads I know
sircorby - Secretary of the Interior
terrshee - Secretary of the Treasury
vom_schwarzwald - Secretary of Transportation, please please flying cars, or transporters
attack_laurel - Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with colin_g  as a minion

hee hee

I decided to vote after my dentist appointment this morning hoping that the lines might have died down. (Alan went at 8am and was still in line when I called him at 9:15am.) I had hoped to go when the polls opened at 7am, but the contractors were scheduled to arrive between 8-9:30am to get started on the hall bath, so afterward it was. I lucked into a close parking spot, because otherwise it would have been better to go home and walk back. I was armed with my sample ballot and Wicked and snaked my way to the back of the extensive line around 10:50am. I was pleased that the lady in front of me in line remarked, after a sigh, that this was a GOOD thing ultimately. I think I heard someone say that the good thing about Bush was that folks were interested in voting again. I chatted some with the ladies around me in line, read some, waved at the little kids tagging along with their parents and seeing democracy in action, smiled at the firefighters and policemen in line as well, marveled at all the neighbors greeting neighbors, and admired the wonderful variety of citizens surrounding me coming to exercise their right to vote. I finally cast my ballot and was on the road to work  by 12:20pm. We all agreed that while the line was a bit tedious, it was worth it to be part of this historical day.

So, the hall bath is being torn apart, I made time to research the congress candidates and actually choose one of the write-ins, went to the dentist for a cleaning (no cavities! need to floss more.), went to vote, had lunch with co-workers that I ran into, and now finally got a new computer so my old box from 5ish years ago that was still running Windows 2000 Pro is gone. It's been a busy day.

I was born and raised in Greensboro, NC. -Yay! Pro-America!
It was in Greensboro that I registered to vote as a Democrat. -not so pro-America, huh?

I've worked as a pharmacy clerk, lifeguard, returns/receiving clerk in a warehouse in High Point, pizza delivery driver and as a fast food cashier. (I was dynamite multi-tasking the drive-thru window.) -That sounds fairly Jane-Six Pack, right?
I currently work in higher education in MD. -I'd be hard-pressed to find a McCain supporter on my hallway.

I drive a big ole' American Ford Truck, gas guzzling Explorer. -So American the oil companies love me.
I recycle like a fiend, use re-usable bags when shopping, in my suburban lifestyle. -Ignored by the political campaigns.

I'm not offended at Greensboro being labeled a pro-America place. I'm just a bit upset at the implication that suburbanites and city-dwellers aren't pro-America. I may be pro-choice, pro-healthcare, pro-reasonable-gun-control, pro-alternative energy, but I am also pro-democracy, pro-freedom, and pro-America.

This is awesome!

I am definitely watching the Project Runway finale tonight instead of the debate. To say that I am tired of the negative ads and bickering would be an understatement. Luckily we only get the crossover ads from NoVA since MD is obviously in the democratic bag we're no where near a swing state, so the impact isn't as strong as others are getting. That and I'm sure I could catch the debate online, but I must know the winning designer tonight. Please not Kenley, Leanne for the win.


So I've been looking for more information on the Tudor stocking with a square heel since finishing the pair of socks and planning to web them for my site. The pattern says it is based off of a pair of stockings in the V&A, but all my searches of their online collection haven't turned up the matching pair. I've also found a reference in Rutt, History of Hand Knitting to another similar pair with a square garter-stitched heel in the Museum of London, and I have a small picture of it with a mitten and vest in the London Bodies book, but again search of the online collection turns up empty. Anybody got any clues on what other search parameters could turn these stockings up? Or have you found pictures of them elsewhere? I'd like to make sure I've exhausted the online search capabilities before bothering someone at the museums.

You preferred McCain's statements 11% of the time You preferred Obama's statements 89% of the time Voting purely on the issues you should vote Obama Who would you vote for if you voted on the issues? Find out now!

Somehow quite comforting...

So far alchemist_9327  is the only guy to comment on my new hair. I'm guessing the rest are either mourning the loss of long hair, or not tuned in this morning. (What is it with guys and long hair?) For the record, Alan has already taken advantage of the exposed neck a time or two. ;)
Oh, and I was fearing some serious bed-head this morning since I've never had hair this short (in my memory) but luckily it fell right back to place when the hair brush looked at it. Sweet! I have my own share of problems, but good well-behaved hair is truly a blessing.

theodorad  came over to work with Alan on their 20' up class notes, so they worked on content for an hour downstairs watching Hogan's Heroes, while I watched Destroyed in Seconds upstairs. I had the veep debate on the background while I then took my turn at reviewing and making minor edits to the class notes and chatting with the marvelous Theo.

( the debate and my take... )

BTW, I loved this bit on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart from Wed night:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/37338/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-wed-oct-1-2008?c=422:738

 Blearghhhhh... Braaaiiinnnssss, Braii-ugh, wha? Ogh. Braaaaiiiinnnzzzzzz...  (translation: iz zombie, still sick)


But I came home and sifted through our recycle paper pile and pulled out all the political propaganda mailings. Alan's usually good about clearing this area out prior to guests, so the longest these could have been sitting there is a month and a half. 
11 for Donna Edwards, 7 for Albert Wynn. 
The best part was the 2 identical mailings from the Sierra Club for Donna Edwards. For Shame! 3 came from a group called Maryland WOMEN VOTE! for her. And 6 fine mailings came from her own group Donna Edwards for Congress. Mr. Wynn only sent 3 from his own campaign, and the other 4 came from Realtors Political Action Committee. I believe all of them will get angry messages back.

I also went pawing through ealdthryth's green posts and found a link for GreenDimes.com that reduces your junk mail and plants trees on your behalf. Now this will be worth the money if they reduce my hassle and stuff to recycle. Reduce does come first in the mantra.

The one good thing about the icky weather this afternoon/evening is that there was no horde waiting outside the polling place to accost you to vote for their guy. I even bought a magazine at CVS this morning (when getting another antibiotic Rx filled) to have reading material for the wait. I didn't even get the chance to crack it open as I had no wait, and walked right in and voted in less than ten minutes.

BTW, the local politicians are pissing me off. For the MD 4th congressional district, I have received so much junk mail from the two (assumed) leading democratic candidates full of negative (and some positive) BS that it makes my hippie heart want to scream for the trees. I literally got 5 in the mail from the two candidates today only. Seriously, five huge multiple page pamphlets, 3 from one and 2 from another. I actually got so pissed off, I sent a note to Donna Edwards' campaign site contact regarding the shame that someone who calls herself an environmentally friendly candidate should feel at the pile of junk mail I have to recycle in her name. And Albert Wynn? Oy vey. 

So I did my research on the democratic candidates, visiting each of their websites and reading up on their stance on the issues, etc. On the whole Jason Jennings really spoke to me, so he got my vote. I was glad that Edwards and Wynn didn't appeal to me on the issue level since they appall me on an advertising level. Sadly, JJ probably won't get the nomination since he didn't advertise and, let's be real, not everyone takes the time to look up everything themselves.

~~~~~~~~

Speaking of being green, I've taken some small steps towards being more environmentally friendly myself where I can. Yes, I still love and drive my SUV. But we have not been heating the house as toasty to save a bit on the energy usage and bills. I've also taken to buying more organic in products, except when the packaging is so outrageous to make it not worth it. (Quaker Oatmeal, what is with you packing the simple harvest stuff in plastic instead of the nice waxed paper packages of your regular oatmeal? Ditto with you free-range egg folks putting eggs in plastic containers vs. the recyclable cardboard ones?) But my biggest step has been to take and use reusable bags to the grocery store and other shopping outages. I've been doing this for months now, and it warms my heart, and I can carry more in each bag. It really costs me so little, just keep the canvas bags in the truck and take them in shopping when I do. I've done this at Giant, CVS, Trader Joe's, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, and even DSW. The noticeably thinner pile of plastic bags that need recycling is what makes me really happy.

So Green is the new Pink, and has been for a little while. Wish more folks would make the small changes.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. 

On this day 66 years ago, around 8am local time, or 1pm Eastern time, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese Empire, ushering the US into the second World War.  It was a ruthless, and brilliant attack, tactically sound but with astounding repercussions. Perspective is very important, and I liked that the video watched before visiting the USS Arizona Memorial tried to give both perspectives, US and Japanese. 


The USS Arizona Memorial was built in place above the wreck of that battleship. They say that the memorial sags in the middle to show our initial shock and defeat, but ultimately rises on each end showing Americans resolve and ultimate triumph. The attack on Pearl Harbor did indeed serve as a rallying point for the US. New battleships were built, more troops were enlisted, a bitter resolve fueled all Americans toward victory over the then Axis of Evil. My grandfather was not able to enlist, so he served in the way he could, by helping to build new battleships up in the Great Lakes. It is rather astonishing to think of the effect that Pearl Harbor had on America and Americans then, that even 9/11/01 hasn't had on Americans now.  Is it the difference between the seen and unseen enemy? There was a war already afoot for us to join instead of starting one. But I'm getting way off topic...

While many cemeteries have headstones for each of the fallen, the USS Arizona Memorial has a single but towering marble listing of those over one thousand Navy seamen and Marines who remain entombed in the USS Arizona. She leaks oil still, as if crying for those trapped within. 


There are many unknowns from many conflicts. The great Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington, Punchbowl Cemetery has an entire large section of unknowns from the Korea War, and unknowns from Pearl Harbor surround Ernie Pyle's headstone, and are also sprinkled about the crater, all over the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.


Please take a short moment today to honor the many, known and unknown, who have given the ultimate sacrifice that we may all live as we do now. Remember the sudden attack and America's ultimate response. Remember that no peace is permanent without vigilance, and thank the vigilant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for a minor whine...

Yesterday I took a sick day and stayed in bed practically all day. I was awake from 10-11am checking email and sending in a sick notice, but I was in bed. I got out of bed to make myself some lunch around 3pm, but ate it in bed, and napped more until about 7:30pm. And I think I could still use a nap. I wish this sickness would cease.