I've been listening to the Bible in my car in the mornings on my way to work. I really like it. After three days, I'm almost finished with Matthew. When I read the Bible, it's like I'm breathing in truth and Jesus. Like my body filters out the world and I breathe in what is true, the Kingdom of Heaven. Listening to almost an entire gospel, I'm reminded how differently Jesus did things. Reminded of his emphasis on faith and trusting him with miracles and in stormy seas. Reminded of his authority and how he rebuked the religious leaders in making it difficult for people to come to know God. Reminded of Mary Magdalene's extragavant pouring of oil on Jesus, perfume that was probably her dowry and an enormous amount. Reminded of Jesus dying on the cross and how amazing that was, that God came in human form and died, how the curtain in the temple ripped in half and there was an earthquake.
I seek to know You today, Father.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Death on the Nile update, and other thoughts
As I suspected, Linnette has been murdered. I actually think the betrayed friend Jackie and Linnette's husband Simon may have set the whole thing up to steal her money. Though going through with a sham marriage and then murdering the person just for their money does seem cold. Stay tuned...
I set my alarm at 3am the other night to try and see the full lunar eclipse. I did wake up, drag myself out of my bed, stick my head off the balcony but I couldn't see the moon. Usually at night it's been to the east but maybe it moved. I didn't see anything except the clock saying 3:01am. I rack the whole night up to not being fully awake and not knowing exactly where the moon was. But the pictures online taken by other wide-awake people are pretty.
I've been reading a lot of reports about Senator Craig's arrest. First thought - how is this only coming to the public now? He was arrested and pled guilty around June 11th. I'm confused about the delay. Any law ppl want to explain? Second thought - I think sexuality is more confusing than we want it to be. I don't think it's as simple as gay, straight, or bisexual. Could it be true that Craig* is not gay but has sex with men? What qualifies as gay? I'm not saying he's completely straight and these are false accusations (I'm no Republican) because it's clear he's been having sex with men (at least in airport bathrooms) for quite awhile. But I think the news community right now labels Craig as gay and how he's closeted and doesn't want to come out of the closet. And Craig gives a press conference saying five hundred times how he's not gay. I mean, I know he's a lying liar for all the denials he's made about the bathroom sex accusations and how he's still denying anything really happened. But maybe his sexuality and why he felt driven to have sex with men in bathrooms is more complicated. Which by the way, eww on any of those Senate guys. Yucky.
*Does anyone else have a hard time reading his name and not thinking "Craigslist"?
I set my alarm at 3am the other night to try and see the full lunar eclipse. I did wake up, drag myself out of my bed, stick my head off the balcony but I couldn't see the moon. Usually at night it's been to the east but maybe it moved. I didn't see anything except the clock saying 3:01am. I rack the whole night up to not being fully awake and not knowing exactly where the moon was. But the pictures online taken by other wide-awake people are pretty.
I've been reading a lot of reports about Senator Craig's arrest. First thought - how is this only coming to the public now? He was arrested and pled guilty around June 11th. I'm confused about the delay. Any law ppl want to explain? Second thought - I think sexuality is more confusing than we want it to be. I don't think it's as simple as gay, straight, or bisexual. Could it be true that Craig* is not gay but has sex with men? What qualifies as gay? I'm not saying he's completely straight and these are false accusations (I'm no Republican) because it's clear he's been having sex with men (at least in airport bathrooms) for quite awhile. But I think the news community right now labels Craig as gay and how he's closeted and doesn't want to come out of the closet. And Craig gives a press conference saying five hundred times how he's not gay. I mean, I know he's a lying liar for all the denials he's made about the bathroom sex accusations and how he's still denying anything really happened. But maybe his sexuality and why he felt driven to have sex with men in bathrooms is more complicated. Which by the way, eww on any of those Senate guys. Yucky.
*Does anyone else have a hard time reading his name and not thinking "Craigslist"?
Monday, August 27, 2007
Bento Box
After much anticipation, my Bento Box has finally come. It's cute but a lot smaller than I thought. More healthy lunch or 2 person size portions than big group/picnic-for-everyone size.
Plastica Shop did a great job of packaging it with noodles and the note on top was cute. I wish I had checked the size dimensions - I may have still ordered it but not sure.
Plastica Shop did a great job of packaging it with noodles and the note on top was cute. I wish I had checked the size dimensions - I may have still ordered it but not sure.
Agatha Christie
This might one of those days where I write eight posts...
I love these new Agatha Christie books by Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers. I love that they are republishing 24 of her books, love the new colorful designs and simple hardbacks, and love that they are only releasing eight or so to the public at a time. I also love that they are a discounted $9.60 on Amazon. I'm currently reading Death on the Nile.
She's such a good mystery writer. I realized what makes her so good - not just that as you read, you have no idea who the murderer is and have often guessed every character short of Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot by the end of the book. But her writing is so capturing because it's difficult to guess who the victim will be either. I'm around page 137 in Death on the Nile and I don't know who's going to be murdered. I think it will be Linnet (pronounced Lynette?) Doyle, the rich has-everything 20yr old who married the fiancee of her close friend. Linnet and her husband Simon are on their honeymoon in Egypt and the betrayed friend/ex-fiancee of Simon, Jacqueline, has decided to follow them everywhere in her grief. She seems a bit crazy. It seems clear that Jackie will murder Linnet but who knows? There is of course a whole crew of other characters that will somehow fit into everything but for now, I'm lost. Lost in a great book, and loving it.
I love these new Agatha Christie books by Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers. I love that they are republishing 24 of her books, love the new colorful designs and simple hardbacks, and love that they are only releasing eight or so to the public at a time. I also love that they are a discounted $9.60 on Amazon. I'm currently reading Death on the Nile.
She's such a good mystery writer. I realized what makes her so good - not just that as you read, you have no idea who the murderer is and have often guessed every character short of Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot by the end of the book. But her writing is so capturing because it's difficult to guess who the victim will be either. I'm around page 137 in Death on the Nile and I don't know who's going to be murdered. I think it will be Linnet (pronounced Lynette?) Doyle, the rich has-everything 20yr old who married the fiancee of her close friend. Linnet and her husband Simon are on their honeymoon in Egypt and the betrayed friend/ex-fiancee of Simon, Jacqueline, has decided to follow them everywhere in her grief. She seems a bit crazy. It seems clear that Jackie will murder Linnet but who knows? There is of course a whole crew of other characters that will somehow fit into everything but for now, I'm lost. Lost in a great book, and loving it.
Wkend recap
On Sat I went to Six Flags with Delilah and a family from my church Nic, Mo, and childrens. I had a free coupon plus several discount tickets so it was cheap for all. It was fun hanging with Delilah as we haven't seen each other in awhile. She found my tiger-obsession hilarious, fun, and "so (Orangecat)." I spend a good part of one workday last week researching how to become a tiger trainer and what it looks like as a career. I think I now have a realistic outlook on this career path. On the drive up, I filled her in on my info. I kept starting my sentences with "In my research..." and she would then ask questions that began "In your research..." - somehow this was very funny to us that we kept saying that phrase. We could not stop cracking up. I loved being taken seriously and not made fun of, but being able to laugh at myself too. I loved that she was honestly interested and wanted to know more.
It will still be a viable career path for me but for now I will stay where I am. The tiger option is appealing and I really think I would love to do it and it's not a escapism random job for me. But the need to relocate for school/job and the low pay doesn't match what I want in my life right now.
Sunday church was awesome with Xealot from LA coming to guest worship lead. There were a ton of people there too. And yummy Vietnamese sandwiches for lunch.
Sunday aft was Jill and Shyam's Bay Area wedding celebration in the warm backyard of Carl and Celia. I made lemon cupcakes with lemon frosting and sugar cookies decorated with Jill and Shyam phrases and images. That was fun and I'm glad my mom helped me make those last week. Freezing them and taking them out for Sunday made it much easier. Cheryl brought cool Japanese snacks and lanterns for decoration, Carl made ice cream punch which was fun to eat. All fun - congrats again J & S!
That was my first time making frosting from scratch and I had some hiccups while making them but everything turned out ok...
It will still be a viable career path for me but for now I will stay where I am. The tiger option is appealing and I really think I would love to do it and it's not a escapism random job for me. But the need to relocate for school/job and the low pay doesn't match what I want in my life right now.
Sunday church was awesome with Xealot from LA coming to guest worship lead. There were a ton of people there too. And yummy Vietnamese sandwiches for lunch.
Sunday aft was Jill and Shyam's Bay Area wedding celebration in the warm backyard of Carl and Celia. I made lemon cupcakes with lemon frosting and sugar cookies decorated with Jill and Shyam phrases and images. That was fun and I'm glad my mom helped me make those last week. Freezing them and taking them out for Sunday made it much easier. Cheryl brought cool Japanese snacks and lanterns for decoration, Carl made ice cream punch which was fun to eat. All fun - congrats again J & S!
That was my first time making frosting from scratch and I had some hiccups while making them but everything turned out ok...
Friday, August 24, 2007
Wall Street bonuses
Interesting article from December 2005 on how Goldman Sachs divides annual bonuses. I bet things have changed even since then with the rise of hedge funds. Bonuses aren't looking so good this year.
Having worked for both Goldman and a hedge fund (but only as an executive assistant, EA, and Office Coordinator) in the last few years, I'm intrigued by the companies/industry but understand somewhat little of what actually happens. I'm no longer in those jobs and actually in a complete different profession now but I'm glad I got the random chances to work at those companies. I learned a lot professionally and it was definitely a completely different world than IV, a university-based Christian nonprofit. Even driving through downtown SF last night through the financial district, all these memories come back. They were my first "professional" jobs.
Ahh but sometimes I wish I had stayed for those bonuses...
A few thoughts I gathered from working at both places, nothing confidential:
1) A few people control the majority of money in the world. Not that those people are only Goldman or hedge fund analysts or bankers but I personally was schooled on how much power lies in the few. It can make you feel a bit hopeless about changing anything economically bc just one person up there could change a lot if they wanted.
2) Rich businesspeople are smart. Every movie I have ever seen with busy businessmen and women showed sharky, conniving, greedy, and/or liars that only got their money because they cheated or schemed or stole from people below them. There are people like that but there are also a lot of really hard-working, really intelligent people who are driven. I can't quite write "caring" but they're not all jerks.
3) Even the rich, and maybe especially the rich, feel insecure about their finances and their ability to earn.
Having worked for both Goldman and a hedge fund (but only as an executive assistant, EA, and Office Coordinator) in the last few years, I'm intrigued by the companies/industry but understand somewhat little of what actually happens. I'm no longer in those jobs and actually in a complete different profession now but I'm glad I got the random chances to work at those companies. I learned a lot professionally and it was definitely a completely different world than IV, a university-based Christian nonprofit. Even driving through downtown SF last night through the financial district, all these memories come back. They were my first "professional" jobs.
Ahh but sometimes I wish I had stayed for those bonuses...
A few thoughts I gathered from working at both places, nothing confidential:
1) A few people control the majority of money in the world. Not that those people are only Goldman or hedge fund analysts or bankers but I personally was schooled on how much power lies in the few. It can make you feel a bit hopeless about changing anything economically bc just one person up there could change a lot if they wanted.
2) Rich businesspeople are smart. Every movie I have ever seen with busy businessmen and women showed sharky, conniving, greedy, and/or liars that only got their money because they cheated or schemed or stole from people below them. There are people like that but there are also a lot of really hard-working, really intelligent people who are driven. I can't quite write "caring" but they're not all jerks.
3) Even the rich, and maybe especially the rich, feel insecure about their finances and their ability to earn.
Friday
My right eyelid has been twitching this week and it feels weird. I put a fresh contact in but nothing really happened. Today I'm wearing glasses to see if that will help. A little bit but not too much. I looked up "eye twitching" on WebMd and it says it can be from stress or anxiety. Hmmm, I didn't think I was stressed or anxious but maybe I am. Who knows, I always carry around stress anyways.
Jill and I saw D.L. Hughley at Cobb's Comedy Club last night in SF. It was a good show and the opener guy and D.L. were super funny. At parts I was laughing so hard. I've never been to a comedy club before though I love watching stand-up comedians on TV. I remember spending many a junior high hour watching nonstop stand-up on Comedy Central. Crude yes but sometimes too freaking funny. It was also super cool that our tickets were free last night - I got them from Kiss 98.1 bc I called in last wk on my bday and it happened to be Renel's husband's bday too. Free tickets are all good. Thanks Renel and Kiss 98.1!
Jill and I saw D.L. Hughley at Cobb's Comedy Club last night in SF. It was a good show and the opener guy and D.L. were super funny. At parts I was laughing so hard. I've never been to a comedy club before though I love watching stand-up comedians on TV. I remember spending many a junior high hour watching nonstop stand-up on Comedy Central. Crude yes but sometimes too freaking funny. It was also super cool that our tickets were free last night - I got them from Kiss 98.1 bc I called in last wk on my bday and it happened to be Renel's husband's bday too. Free tickets are all good. Thanks Renel and Kiss 98.1!
Excited about new Fastrak lanes on the Bay Bridge
I'm surprised to see how excited I am about the new Fastrak lanes for the Bay Bridge to be reconfigured on Labor Day weekend. I really wanted to copy and paste the visual but it's in a secure Adobe doc so here it is. I can't wait to drive through Tuesday morning Sept. 4th.
It looks like it's going to be so much better with five lanes for Fastrak during peak traffic hours and grouped together instead of separated. And signs for the approach will be farther away hopefully increasing efficiency in Fastrak lanes and encouraging people to get Fastrak. I'm not on their marketing campaign or anything but get it people! They've made it super easy, no deposit, you can buy it at Costco or Safeway and get $10 off. Traffic would be a lot better on the bridges if more ppl had Fastrak. Fun fact, the Richmond bridge has the highest percentage of Fastrak users.
It looks like it's going to be so much better with five lanes for Fastrak during peak traffic hours and grouped together instead of separated. And signs for the approach will be farther away hopefully increasing efficiency in Fastrak lanes and encouraging people to get Fastrak. I'm not on their marketing campaign or anything but get it people! They've made it super easy, no deposit, you can buy it at Costco or Safeway and get $10 off. Traffic would be a lot better on the bridges if more ppl had Fastrak. Fun fact, the Richmond bridge has the highest percentage of Fastrak users.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Rich and poor
How having $3.5 million just feels like middle-class in Silicon Valley here. I do understand but it's also makes me uneasy. People with a lot of wealth in America that feel not at all secure and still "just hanging in there" usually don't think they have "enough" to give to others. "How can I give? I'm not rich." Really? Tell that to the husband who made $13,000 last year with a family. He lives in Silicon Valley too.
How our middle-class is disappearing.
How our middle-class is disappearing.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Beauty and the Geek
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon Beauty and the Geek, a reality show exec produced by Ashton Kusher. VH1 had a marathon of eight or shows, getting our "no she/he did not just say that"-appetite primed for the new season starting. TV marathons, oh how I hate/love you!!
I started watching and it's addicting, as all good reality TV is. But in this show, I couldn't stop laughing at what the geeks (boys) and beauties (girls) say. The premise, for ppl who have not discovered this show, is having beautiful women paired with complete geeks (but likable, able to talk and interact bc believe me, I've known some true geeks that would have a difficult time being on this show and interacting with real humans) and competing to not be kicked off each week and be the last couple left. The girls compete in "boy/geek" games and the guys have to do "girl/beauty queen" tasks. One sample conversation:
Geek: What does RADAR stand for?
Beauty: I don't know. What?
Geek: (Explains. I'm too lazy right now to google it.)
Beauty: But where's the "I"?
Geek: (Pause, tilts head) There's no "I" in RADAR.
Ha ha ha. I may not know what RADAR stands for but I do know how to spell it. Yes, the girls on this show are not the brightest bulbs. But then true to their names, the geeks are often Star Trek devotees or "own 2500 comic books," as the captions below them helpfully point out. Ha ha, it's funny what the show gives them as titles. Besides "owns 2500 comic books," we have "Had a perfect SAT score," "In a Star Wars band," "EECS student at Berkeley" (Hey! Oh yeah ok), and oddly "A MIT grad student." I guess just attending MIT promotes you to geek status. But yeah, this guy didn't break any MIT grad student stereotypes. From the website, another guy's quotes says, "I can recite around five digits of pi and I like strategy board games and Sci-Fi/Fantasy literature." Wow. Have you considered a successful career in Silicon Valley?
The girls are "Playboy cybermodel," "Bikini Model," and "UFC Ring Girl." Yep.
The show is entertaining and on tonight on the CW at 9pm.
All that leads to my actual point which is I feel like there's a new trend in reality shows helping geeky guys build confidence and be cool and be able to talk to hot women. I'm all for these nerdy self-conscious guys getting makeovers and increasing their confidence to relate socially (sometimes we all need help in this area, right?) but why aren't they encouraged to talk to the non-hot women? What about the normal girls?
A new reality which looks really offending (and reading an interview with the main guy didn't help) has this guy called Mystery, some self-titled Pick-up Artist, that says he can pick up any hot women and has, tons of times. He bring in these schlobby geeky guys and teaches them his "art" (gag), and kicks off one guy a week until one guys remains and is his "Apprentice." Part of how he picks up women is he insults/jokes (depending on your view) them to disarm them. Wow, what a winner.
Again, I'm totally pro-becoming a new person but why does is the new and improved Guy only taught/encouraged to pick up the beautiful women? Why isn't part of his training to see past outside beauty and see women not as objects? I'm aware how men in our society/world place value on how pretty their partner is but I wish with the plentiful reality shows out there, at least one could try this more healthy, affirming to women approach. I don't want to see another makeover for women show, another The Swan or whatever crap where they use plastic surgery. I want a show that takes women as they are and helps guys get over their model obsessions and interact for real, with real women. But I guess that would be impossible to come out of Hollywood.
I dare you Ashton. You've done Punked! and Beauty and the Geek. C'mon, you need a new project. This idea's a freebie, I claim no rights. I dare ya!
I started watching and it's addicting, as all good reality TV is. But in this show, I couldn't stop laughing at what the geeks (boys) and beauties (girls) say. The premise, for ppl who have not discovered this show, is having beautiful women paired with complete geeks (but likable, able to talk and interact bc believe me, I've known some true geeks that would have a difficult time being on this show and interacting with real humans) and competing to not be kicked off each week and be the last couple left. The girls compete in "boy/geek" games and the guys have to do "girl/beauty queen" tasks. One sample conversation:
Geek: What does RADAR stand for?
Beauty: I don't know. What?
Geek: (Explains. I'm too lazy right now to google it.)
Beauty: But where's the "I"?
Geek: (Pause, tilts head) There's no "I" in RADAR.
Ha ha ha. I may not know what RADAR stands for but I do know how to spell it. Yes, the girls on this show are not the brightest bulbs. But then true to their names, the geeks are often Star Trek devotees or "own 2500 comic books," as the captions below them helpfully point out. Ha ha, it's funny what the show gives them as titles. Besides "owns 2500 comic books," we have "Had a perfect SAT score," "In a Star Wars band," "EECS student at Berkeley" (Hey! Oh yeah ok), and oddly "A MIT grad student." I guess just attending MIT promotes you to geek status. But yeah, this guy didn't break any MIT grad student stereotypes. From the website, another guy's quotes says, "I can recite around five digits of pi and I like strategy board games and Sci-Fi/Fantasy literature." Wow. Have you considered a successful career in Silicon Valley?
The girls are "Playboy cybermodel," "Bikini Model," and "UFC Ring Girl." Yep.
The show is entertaining and on tonight on the CW at 9pm.
All that leads to my actual point which is I feel like there's a new trend in reality shows helping geeky guys build confidence and be cool and be able to talk to hot women. I'm all for these nerdy self-conscious guys getting makeovers and increasing their confidence to relate socially (sometimes we all need help in this area, right?) but why aren't they encouraged to talk to the non-hot women? What about the normal girls?
A new reality which looks really offending (and reading an interview with the main guy didn't help) has this guy called Mystery, some self-titled Pick-up Artist, that says he can pick up any hot women and has, tons of times. He bring in these schlobby geeky guys and teaches them his "art" (gag), and kicks off one guy a week until one guys remains and is his "Apprentice." Part of how he picks up women is he insults/jokes (depending on your view) them to disarm them. Wow, what a winner.
Again, I'm totally pro-becoming a new person but why does is the new and improved Guy only taught/encouraged to pick up the beautiful women? Why isn't part of his training to see past outside beauty and see women not as objects? I'm aware how men in our society/world place value on how pretty their partner is but I wish with the plentiful reality shows out there, at least one could try this more healthy, affirming to women approach. I don't want to see another makeover for women show, another The Swan or whatever crap where they use plastic surgery. I want a show that takes women as they are and helps guys get over their model obsessions and interact for real, with real women. But I guess that would be impossible to come out of Hollywood.
I dare you Ashton. You've done Punked! and Beauty and the Geek. C'mon, you need a new project. This idea's a freebie, I claim no rights. I dare ya!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Bday wk wrapped up
I'm not exactly sure how to write about this wkend. It was fun - Ringling Brothers circus, Oden and Fedor at Six Flags, dinner at Everett and Jones with the whole family, decorating cookies. It was also hard at times dealing with family who can frustrate and drive me crazzzy. But I think I come away feeling repentant and humbled of being so easily frustrated and impatient and critical. Yes, there seems to be a different set of rules with family where we allow ourselves to feel less bad when we lose our cool or be impatient. But while realizing my family dynamic, I also don't want to give myself a free pass to being grumpy and unapologetic. Apologies were said on both sides. I think my whole family is really moving forward in listening and communicating and changing our patterns. It helps that we're getting older :)
So all in all, I will store "29th Bday week" under "Mental Files/Personal/Happy and Warm Experiences" and recall it when I need to remember a great week. From the beach bday party to once-in-a-lifetime cupcakes to dinner with friends to feeling celebrated to everything small and big in between, it was a good one.
So all in all, I will store "29th Bday week" under "Mental Files/Personal/Happy and Warm Experiences" and recall it when I need to remember a great week. From the beach bday party to once-in-a-lifetime cupcakes to dinner with friends to feeling celebrated to everything small and big in between, it was a good one.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Injustice
I don't usually send on mass emails but I saw this on my friend Ben's blog and think it is very worthy. Please read and click on the website to support the six students. And there is some thoughtful discussion going on in the comments section of Ben's blog, if interested.
Dear friend,
I just learned about a case of segregation-era oppression happening today in Jena, Louisiana. I signed onto ColorOfChange.org's campaign for justice in Jena, and wanted to invite you to do the same.
Click here.
Last fall in Jena, the day after two Black high school students sat beneath the "white tree" on their campus, nooses were hung from the tree. When the superintendent dismissed the nooses as a "prank," more Black students sat under the tree in protest. The District Attorney then came to the school accompanied by the town's police and demanded that the students end their protest, telling them, "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy... I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen."
A series of white-on-black incidents of violence followed, and the DA did nothing. But when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
It's a story that reads like one from the Jim Crow era, when judges, lawyers and all-white juries used the justice system to keep blacks in "their place." But it's happening today. The families of these young men are fighting back, but the story has gotten minimal press. Together, we can make sure their story is told and that the Governor of Louisiana intervenes and provides justice for the Jena 6. It starts now. Please join me:
Click here to protest.
The noose-hanging incident and the DA's visit to the school set the stage for everything that followed. Racial tension escalated over the next couple of months, and on November 30, the main academic building of Jena High School was burned down in an unsolved fire. Later the same weekend, a black student was beaten up by white students at a party. The next day, black students at a convenience store were threatened by a young white man with a shotgun. They wrestled the gun from him and ran away. While no charges were filed against the white man, the students were later arrested for the theft of the gun.
That Monday at school, a white student, who had been a vocal supporter of the students who hung the nooses, taunted the black student who was beaten up at the off-campus party and allegedly called several black students "nigger." After lunch, he was knocked down, punched and kicked by black students. He was taken to the hospital, but was released and was well enough to go to a social event that evening.
Six Black Jena High students, Robert Bailey (17), Theo Shaw (17), Carwin Jones (18), Bryant Purvis (17), Mychal Bell (16) and an unidentified minor, were expelled from school, arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder. The first trial ended last month, and Mychal Bell, who has been in prison since December, was convicted of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery (both felonies) by an all-white jury in a trial where his public defender called no witnesses. During his trial, Mychal's parents were ordered not to speak to the media and the court prohibited protests from taking place near the courtroom or where the judge could see them.
Mychal is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31st, and could go to jail for 22 years. Theo Shaw's trial is next. He will finally make bail this week.
The Jena Six are lucky to have parents and loved ones who are fighting tooth and nail to free them. They have been threatened but they are standing strong. We know that if the families have to go it alone, their sons will be a long time coming home. But if we act now, we can make a difference.
Join me in demanding that Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco get involved to make sure that justice is served for Mychal Bell, and that DA Reed Walters drop the charges against the 5 boys who have not yet gone to trial.
Please click here.
Dear friend,
I just learned about a case of segregation-era oppression happening today in Jena, Louisiana. I signed onto ColorOfChange.org's campaign for justice in Jena, and wanted to invite you to do the same.
Click here.
Last fall in Jena, the day after two Black high school students sat beneath the "white tree" on their campus, nooses were hung from the tree. When the superintendent dismissed the nooses as a "prank," more Black students sat under the tree in protest. The District Attorney then came to the school accompanied by the town's police and demanded that the students end their protest, telling them, "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy... I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen."
A series of white-on-black incidents of violence followed, and the DA did nothing. But when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
It's a story that reads like one from the Jim Crow era, when judges, lawyers and all-white juries used the justice system to keep blacks in "their place." But it's happening today. The families of these young men are fighting back, but the story has gotten minimal press. Together, we can make sure their story is told and that the Governor of Louisiana intervenes and provides justice for the Jena 6. It starts now. Please join me:
Click here to protest.
The noose-hanging incident and the DA's visit to the school set the stage for everything that followed. Racial tension escalated over the next couple of months, and on November 30, the main academic building of Jena High School was burned down in an unsolved fire. Later the same weekend, a black student was beaten up by white students at a party. The next day, black students at a convenience store were threatened by a young white man with a shotgun. They wrestled the gun from him and ran away. While no charges were filed against the white man, the students were later arrested for the theft of the gun.
That Monday at school, a white student, who had been a vocal supporter of the students who hung the nooses, taunted the black student who was beaten up at the off-campus party and allegedly called several black students "nigger." After lunch, he was knocked down, punched and kicked by black students. He was taken to the hospital, but was released and was well enough to go to a social event that evening.
Six Black Jena High students, Robert Bailey (17), Theo Shaw (17), Carwin Jones (18), Bryant Purvis (17), Mychal Bell (16) and an unidentified minor, were expelled from school, arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder. The first trial ended last month, and Mychal Bell, who has been in prison since December, was convicted of aggravated battery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery (both felonies) by an all-white jury in a trial where his public defender called no witnesses. During his trial, Mychal's parents were ordered not to speak to the media and the court prohibited protests from taking place near the courtroom or where the judge could see them.
Mychal is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31st, and could go to jail for 22 years. Theo Shaw's trial is next. He will finally make bail this week.
The Jena Six are lucky to have parents and loved ones who are fighting tooth and nail to free them. They have been threatened but they are standing strong. We know that if the families have to go it alone, their sons will be a long time coming home. But if we act now, we can make a difference.
Join me in demanding that Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco get involved to make sure that justice is served for Mychal Bell, and that DA Reed Walters drop the charges against the 5 boys who have not yet gone to trial.
Please click here.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Misc.
Lots of thoughts on things and life and such.
Cupcakes are so fun. I spontaneously ordered some from Sibby's Cupcakery (local place near my work) yesterday as a birthday treat for myself. I think it's interesting that bakeries only making extragavant delicious cupcakes are emerging. I'll upload pics of the dozen so-cute ones I got later but here's a cupcake pic to tide you over. Lovely Jill invited me over for a chili dinner for my bday last night with her and her husband Shyam, and Esther, Nhuanh, and Sarah came too. I brought 6 of the cupcakes to share and everyone oohed and aahed over the cuteness and yummyness.
The dinner was just what I wanted - chill and easy but not me cooking! ha ha. And close enough that I could walk over with the 6 cupcakes conveniently in a muffin tin - I do so get tired of driving after my work commute. Thanks Jill for initiating and hosting :) I also got some time in with God last night to pray and reflect and be grateful for my life and this past week. I feel spoiled with love from friends and family. As Nhuanh said last night, that's the right kind of spoiled (vs. materially).
I feel full of happiness and love. And it feels like my bday week is only half over as my mom comes tonight (and we go to the circus on Sat night - super excited!).
I think what helps me manage my expectations of people (all the time but esp around my bday) is realizing the difference between what I want and what I want other ppl to give me. Like I realized I wanted to splurge on unique bakery cupcakes for my bday yesterday and I would be ok buying them myself. I didn't need someone to give them to me, my desire/need was just to have them. And it made me really happy just to see them, all cutely decorated dozen in their pink box. As I wrote to a friend yesterday:
They got good reviews on Yelp and I have been wanting to try a cupcake place. A bit expensive and I just had a lemon one which was a bit too sweet for my taste. I'm drinking water and chewing gum to desugar my mouth. But the owner Sibby was super nice. I only called this morning for an afternoon pickup which I guess is last minute notice and she was able to get me an assorted dozen (a dozen is the minimum order). She asked if I had any decoration preferences and when I said it was my birthday, she said she'd make them bday-y, and what was my fave color. I said pink but I didn't want them all pink. They came out really pretty and cute and I just took pics and sent them to you =)
I felt so spoiled that the owner specialized them, kinda last-minute, and really made an effort to coordinate them and with my fave color. That made me feel loved - I love how God works through strangers sometimes.
And lunch with Natalie yesterday at the yummy Japanese place with perfect sushi was so good. It was a good day *happy sigh*.
I think I was going to write about how this concerns me about being tracked by the govt (I know Fastrak does it too but Fastrak is just plain necessary for survival in the Bay Area imho) but maybe I'll just stay in a chilled, happy, content, cupcake-ed place.
Thank you everyone for the Facebook bday shout-outs, the emails, the voicemails, the cards and showing-up.
Thank you God, for everything, for always being there, for a lovely birthday.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Lost connection
And by the way, Lost fans, my birthday is August 15th or 815. Oceanic 815 crashed into the island. Spooky...
And Elvis died around 8/15. But Ben Affleck was also born on 8/15, so all has been redeemed! Right? I mean, Ben Affleck totally takes the celebrity and entertainment place of Elvis, right?! No?
Oh, ok, Elvis died on 8/16. Which is Madonna's birthday, hmmm, does she equal Elvis? ... wow, this circular discussion could go on forever...
And Elvis died around 8/15. But Ben Affleck was also born on 8/15, so all has been redeemed! Right? I mean, Ben Affleck totally takes the celebrity and entertainment place of Elvis, right?! No?
Oh, ok, Elvis died on 8/16. Which is Madonna's birthday, hmmm, does she equal Elvis? ... wow, this circular discussion could go on forever...
Bday Party
My early birthday party on Sat night was super fun. I feel emotionally full and happy after it - having friends come over and celebrate and drink LOTS of margaritas was what I was wanting. It had a beach theme and my roommate Ting decorated the apt with streamers and paper fishies hanging from the ceiling. I hung out beach towels and put sunscreen and sunglasses out on my deck =). I know it was nighttime but it was funny. The dress code was beach wear so ppl just wore normal clothes though some people got into it and wore beach dresses - yey Marjie! And shout-out to Marjie and Patty who came early to hang out with me and simultaneously clean and prep the food - you are lovely people.
(Sorry to Mitch and Nora, who were securely enclosed in my room. Mitch would have hid under the bed anyway but I think little Nora would have an awesome time cruising the party people and rolling around on her back, looking for someone to play with her. Maybe next time Nora.)
My birthday usually creates mixed excitement and disappointment in me. I'm an extroverted person and love friends and a party but it can be hard to throw one in August as people are always on vacation or at a wedding (Aug seems to be crazy wedding month) or if on IV staff, at an area retreat. Growing up, friends were hard to pin down and I felt bad trying to organize anything as it felt so difficult. With college, people were usually still at home, not quite back or if they were around, busy moving in or prepping for the semester. It's just a weird time as I'm sure any August birthday person can tell you. I wish I could just fake it and say my birthday's April 24th.
My friend Jill and I were talking about what's worse - a January or August birthday. She said everyone is sick and poor for her early Jan bday but I said everyone is absentee for mine, and that I'd rather have sick and poor friends than no friends at all :) I do think December wins as worst overall month for a bday. My friend Laura's is Dec 26th, she gets top prize.
So with that, the party on Sat was just what I wanted. Yes, a lot of ppl were out of town or at several weddings but maybe I've just made my peace that that's reality for my Aug 15th bday (yep, it's actually tomorrow). Maybe. But I love all the ppl who came and I know some ppl had just come back from a long intl stint, a long urban project, getting ready for law school, or had to drive home far away and so I deeply appreciate that they came.
My mom is coming up on Thu to spend the wkend with me and celebrate my bday. I'm going to make a list of things I really want to do - I think that will make me happy.
(Sorry to Mitch and Nora, who were securely enclosed in my room. Mitch would have hid under the bed anyway but I think little Nora would have an awesome time cruising the party people and rolling around on her back, looking for someone to play with her. Maybe next time Nora.)
My birthday usually creates mixed excitement and disappointment in me. I'm an extroverted person and love friends and a party but it can be hard to throw one in August as people are always on vacation or at a wedding (Aug seems to be crazy wedding month) or if on IV staff, at an area retreat. Growing up, friends were hard to pin down and I felt bad trying to organize anything as it felt so difficult. With college, people were usually still at home, not quite back or if they were around, busy moving in or prepping for the semester. It's just a weird time as I'm sure any August birthday person can tell you. I wish I could just fake it and say my birthday's April 24th.
My friend Jill and I were talking about what's worse - a January or August birthday. She said everyone is sick and poor for her early Jan bday but I said everyone is absentee for mine, and that I'd rather have sick and poor friends than no friends at all :) I do think December wins as worst overall month for a bday. My friend Laura's is Dec 26th, she gets top prize.
So with that, the party on Sat was just what I wanted. Yes, a lot of ppl were out of town or at several weddings but maybe I've just made my peace that that's reality for my Aug 15th bday (yep, it's actually tomorrow). Maybe. But I love all the ppl who came and I know some ppl had just come back from a long intl stint, a long urban project, getting ready for law school, or had to drive home far away and so I deeply appreciate that they came.
My mom is coming up on Thu to spend the wkend with me and celebrate my bday. I'm going to make a list of things I really want to do - I think that will make me happy.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Important News Flash
There is a ladybug on my desk. I don't know how it got into my office but it is hard to concentrate on my business call when I'm busy staring at the spotted ladybug cruising around my notebook. I let it walk from finger to finger and am distracted but I don't think it is appropriate to say, "I'm sorry, what did you say? You are not as interesting as a ladybug wandering around on my keyboard pad."
Now it's climbing the Mt. Everest hills of the keys on my keyboard. I will not use the character in between the "0" and the "+" keys. That key is currently occupied by a ladybug. Look out number in between 5 and 7, you're next. Look, I just had to pause in typing "e," "s," and "d" because my ladybug took priority. This might take awhile...
Now it's climbing the Mt. Everest hills of the keys on my keyboard. I will not use the character in between the "0" and the "+" keys. That key is currently occupied by a ladybug. Look out number in between 5 and 7, you're next. Look, I just had to pause in typing "e," "s," and "d" because my ladybug took priority. This might take awhile...
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Being ordinary
"There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet."
William Frederick Halsy Jr.
Reading this quote this morning, I thought of last night's Dateline show where two ordinary white Americans went to the Philippines and Malaysia to rescue a niece from human traffickers. They kept going, didn't stop until they brought her back home to the Philippines.
Touching report last night. Later the fifteen other young people with the niece were rescued though it does not appear the traffickers were prosecuted in any way. And they did a follow-up report on IJM's arrest of men using child prostitutes in Cambodia.
The report was very informative - even though I thought I knew about human sex trafficking, I didn't realize how easy it is. The niece had lived in the Philippines and was offered/wanted to go to Malaysia to work as a singer. A Filipina woman recruited her and others, sent them over, but once they got there their passports were taken and they were locked in an apartment. What could they do? How could they escape? False promises and kidnapping is all it is really. She was made to sign an 8yr contract to "repay" for the cost of bringing her to Malaysia and her (nonexistent) singing training. But the group was told if they failed their singing audition, they would be forced to be prostitutes. Men and women.
This came to the uncle's attention because the leader made her call America and say if they gave $1200, she would go free. Ransom.
This happens in America too - Asian women promised good jobs here then smuggled in sometimes via Mexico and forced to be prostitutes in LA and SF. It's here, right under our noses.
It's a huge industry and continues to happen bc countries turn a blind eye and don't prosecute, like the Malaysian guys last night.
God, I pray that you would continue to rescue the young boys and girls, men and women, who have been trapped into lives they didn't ask for. I pray that you would increase funding to orgs like IJM who are on the front lines to save those who have been trafficked and to seek prosecution for those who caused it. I pray that you would be there, right now, with the sex workers that are desperate to get out.
Have mercy on us, O God.
William Frederick Halsy Jr.
Reading this quote this morning, I thought of last night's Dateline show where two ordinary white Americans went to the Philippines and Malaysia to rescue a niece from human traffickers. They kept going, didn't stop until they brought her back home to the Philippines.
Touching report last night. Later the fifteen other young people with the niece were rescued though it does not appear the traffickers were prosecuted in any way. And they did a follow-up report on IJM's arrest of men using child prostitutes in Cambodia.
The report was very informative - even though I thought I knew about human sex trafficking, I didn't realize how easy it is. The niece had lived in the Philippines and was offered/wanted to go to Malaysia to work as a singer. A Filipina woman recruited her and others, sent them over, but once they got there their passports were taken and they were locked in an apartment. What could they do? How could they escape? False promises and kidnapping is all it is really. She was made to sign an 8yr contract to "repay" for the cost of bringing her to Malaysia and her (nonexistent) singing training. But the group was told if they failed their singing audition, they would be forced to be prostitutes. Men and women.
This came to the uncle's attention because the leader made her call America and say if they gave $1200, she would go free. Ransom.
This happens in America too - Asian women promised good jobs here then smuggled in sometimes via Mexico and forced to be prostitutes in LA and SF. It's here, right under our noses.
It's a huge industry and continues to happen bc countries turn a blind eye and don't prosecute, like the Malaysian guys last night.
God, I pray that you would continue to rescue the young boys and girls, men and women, who have been trapped into lives they didn't ask for. I pray that you would increase funding to orgs like IJM who are on the front lines to save those who have been trafficked and to seek prosecution for those who caused it. I pray that you would be there, right now, with the sex workers that are desperate to get out.
Have mercy on us, O God.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Watch this tonight on Dateline
IJM ON “DATELINE” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 at 10 PM EST
Dateline updates IJM role in July conviction of international sexual predator
Last month, U.S. citizen Terry Smith was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a young relative, among other crimes. He was extradited to the U.S. to face trial after IJM investigators discovered him in Cambodia trying to flee capture.
tonight
Dateline updates IJM role in July conviction of international sexual predator
Last month, U.S. citizen Terry Smith was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a young relative, among other crimes. He was extradited to the U.S. to face trial after IJM investigators discovered him in Cambodia trying to flee capture.
tonight
Light traffic
Traffic across the Bay Bridge the past two weeks has been light, only slight backup at the metering lights*. Maybe because it's August and people are on vacation, and possibly because people are staying away from bridges after the MN collapse last week? Not sure but I like soaring through in the morning. Not looking forward to the entire Bridge being slowed on Labor Day wkend (first time since 1989 earthquake) but maybe I'll be in Mexico on vacation with Ms. Esther. What do you think, Esther?? :)
This morning I saw a foot or so of yellow material sticking outside the bottom of a drivers' door, flapping in the wind. As I passed, I looked up and saw the woman wearing a yellow dress. Oopsie! (and that must have been one long dress...)
I grabbed a quick dinner with Carol last night on Lakeshore - yum and good to catch up. But I felt so full after and got my roommate Ting to walk around the neighborhood with me to walk the dinner off. As we walked around, we happened upon this group of people on a street corner gathered with food and drinks. It was a neighborhood party of sorts, gathered to meet and eat and read pamphlets on public safety. I grabbed a chocolate cookie and Ting got a soda, then we walked on. Nice unplanned neighborhood moment - though we wondered who would intentionally come out at 7pm to meet strangers.
*By the way, Baby K on the Renel in the morning show, I like you and all but your traffic reports are really not that good. When you say "backed up at the Bay Bridge" that implies a back-up or cars doing the stop-and-go thing, not driving straight through the Fastrak lane at 15-20mph. I'm going to keep listening but can you improve the accuracy of your Bay Bridge traffic updates? Thanks so much, Orangecat
This morning I saw a foot or so of yellow material sticking outside the bottom of a drivers' door, flapping in the wind. As I passed, I looked up and saw the woman wearing a yellow dress. Oopsie! (and that must have been one long dress...)
I grabbed a quick dinner with Carol last night on Lakeshore - yum and good to catch up. But I felt so full after and got my roommate Ting to walk around the neighborhood with me to walk the dinner off. As we walked around, we happened upon this group of people on a street corner gathered with food and drinks. It was a neighborhood party of sorts, gathered to meet and eat and read pamphlets on public safety. I grabbed a chocolate cookie and Ting got a soda, then we walked on. Nice unplanned neighborhood moment - though we wondered who would intentionally come out at 7pm to meet strangers.
*By the way, Baby K on the Renel in the morning show, I like you and all but your traffic reports are really not that good. When you say "backed up at the Bay Bridge" that implies a back-up or cars doing the stop-and-go thing, not driving straight through the Fastrak lane at 15-20mph. I'm going to keep listening but can you improve the accuracy of your Bay Bridge traffic updates? Thanks so much, Orangecat
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Rich and poor
How having $3.5 million just feels like middle-class in Silicon Valley here. I do understand but it's also makes me uneasy. People with a lot of wealth in America that feel not at all secure and still "just hanging in there" usually don't think they have "enough" to give to others. "How can I give? I'm not rich." Really? Tell that to the husband who made $13,000 last year with a family. He lives in Silicon Valley too.
How our middle-class is disappearing.
How our middle-class is disappearing.
Irked
I get annoyed and angry at things a lot, and I sometimes don't know what to do with it. I feel bad that I get annoyed so easily but then, well, things can just be exasperating sometimes. And people, oh yeah, people.
I'm actually not at this moment annoyed/pissed off at anything or anyone which makes it a nice moment to write about it. And I don't want to offend anyone so I won't write about the things this past week that have frustrated me (though maybe those thoughts will come out in later posts and ramblings.)
So I guess I want to say sorry. I'm sorry I'm get critical and frustrated, and I apologize to anyone who's been hurt by it.
Be gentle and kind to others and self - I'm trying...
I'm actually not at this moment annoyed/pissed off at anything or anyone which makes it a nice moment to write about it. And I don't want to offend anyone so I won't write about the things this past week that have frustrated me (though maybe those thoughts will come out in later posts and ramblings.)
So I guess I want to say sorry. I'm sorry I'm get critical and frustrated, and I apologize to anyone who's been hurt by it.
Be gentle and kind to others and self - I'm trying...
Matt Damon is hot, and funny
I saw Bourne Ultimatum this weekend and it was really good! I love the fast action, the adrenaline-pumping action scenes, and gripping the seat bc I didn't know what was going to come next*. I loved all the Bourne movies and I feel like Netflixing the first one. Because Matt Damon is hot and a good actor. Not necessarily in that order.
I somehow saw this funny clip of Matt Damon on Jimmy Kimmel's show on the web last night and then found more on Youtube. Search "Matt Damon Jimmy Kimmel" on Youtube and especially watch the latest one where Matt spoofs the Bourne movie. I like how he makes fun of himself.
More LOL web moments can be found here where Michael Cera (George Michael from the awesome and canceled Arrested Development) and his friend Clark Duncan made 10 webisodes about nine minutes long each - a web series of the two of them trying to get an imaginary screenplay published. AD fans will love see Tony Hale, Mitchell Hurowitz, and David Cross make appearances. The Bluths Forever!!
* Watching the Bourne Identity, Marjie made fun of me bc I kept making "hmmm" noises like I was contemplating that deep movie line. But she kept gasping, turning to me in shock and going, "Oh no" so I think the making fun is equaled out, hee hee.
I somehow saw this funny clip of Matt Damon on Jimmy Kimmel's show on the web last night and then found more on Youtube. Search "Matt Damon Jimmy Kimmel" on Youtube and especially watch the latest one where Matt spoofs the Bourne movie. I like how he makes fun of himself.
More LOL web moments can be found here where Michael Cera (George Michael from the awesome and canceled Arrested Development) and his friend Clark Duncan made 10 webisodes about nine minutes long each - a web series of the two of them trying to get an imaginary screenplay published. AD fans will love see Tony Hale, Mitchell Hurowitz, and David Cross make appearances. The Bluths Forever!!
* Watching the Bourne Identity, Marjie made fun of me bc I kept making "hmmm" noises like I was contemplating that deep movie line. But she kept gasping, turning to me in shock and going, "Oh no" so I think the making fun is equaled out, hee hee.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Legs... hurt
My new goal is to be able to run around Lake Merrit, which is about 3.5 miles or 5k. I went on Sat and Sun, and ran around halfway each time and walked the rest. I'm so sore! My legs really hurt because I was lazy and didn't stretch before the first run on Sat. I'm kinda limping - very weak sauce. I went again on Sunday with the mentality that if I keep going, it'll get better (inspired by years of playing high school sports with the two weeks in August called Hell Weeks where we got back in shape with hard-core running and drills for hours). Um, I think I'm older now. My body ain't 16 anymore - and it's not like I was that fast or amazingly fit when I was 16 either!
Ah, nothing like a birthday next week to remind me that I'm not young. Not like I'm that old (yet) but turning another year is another yr gone. Don't get me wrong, I like my birthday and I like how my life is going so I'm not bummed I'm turning 29. But I've been thinking about sometimes I wait to do things for certain other things to be "just right" but time is just continuing. There's no time like the present.
So Governor, is the budget approved yet?
I saw Bourne Identity on Sat with Marjie and as we got into our seats, I heard my name called out across the packed theater. I recognized one friend and say hey back, then saw like 5 waving hands. After the really good flick, we caught up in the lobby and chatted with the group. Funny and cool.
Then I was running around LM on Sunday and passed another friend, who recognized me first. We just did a quick wave and "Hi" before I kept running but it's nice to see familiar faces. People asked me why I moved back to the East Bay after four and a half years in San Francisco. It's because of this large extended community of friends, acquaintences, and history. I love running into people in the grocery store, at a movie matinee, around the lake, etc. Sometimes we're close friends, othertimes it's just a former student or staffworker that we only know each other's names. But it feels like family, and makes me think more and more how I don't want to live anywhere else.
Ah, nothing like a birthday next week to remind me that I'm not young. Not like I'm that old (yet) but turning another year is another yr gone. Don't get me wrong, I like my birthday and I like how my life is going so I'm not bummed I'm turning 29. But I've been thinking about sometimes I wait to do things for certain other things to be "just right" but time is just continuing. There's no time like the present.
So Governor, is the budget approved yet?
I saw Bourne Identity on Sat with Marjie and as we got into our seats, I heard my name called out across the packed theater. I recognized one friend and say hey back, then saw like 5 waving hands. After the really good flick, we caught up in the lobby and chatted with the group. Funny and cool.
Then I was running around LM on Sunday and passed another friend, who recognized me first. We just did a quick wave and "Hi" before I kept running but it's nice to see familiar faces. People asked me why I moved back to the East Bay after four and a half years in San Francisco. It's because of this large extended community of friends, acquaintences, and history. I love running into people in the grocery store, at a movie matinee, around the lake, etc. Sometimes we're close friends, othertimes it's just a former student or staffworker that we only know each other's names. But it feels like family, and makes me think more and more how I don't want to live anywhere else.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Sign the f**** budget already, California
Yes, this is one those situations that deserves the strong language.
SF Chronicle has some good articles about this crisis, including this one http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/08/03/MNK3RC8D82.DTL.
It's very serious. No payments are being sent to Medi-Cal providers who, in the face of having to close, are doing heroic things like personally trying to get loans or taking out second mortgages to keep their agencies alive. So that people don't DIE when they can't get to their dialysis or Alzheimer's clinic. I hope the Chronicle posts everyday the number of elderly and disabled people who pass away if this budget stalemate continues.
From the SF Chronicle:
Medi-Cal was supposed to make a large payment today - $189 million to managed care and dental plans - and another payment of $213.5 million to institutional providers on Thursday, said H.D. Palmer of the state Department of Finance. Those payments, in the absence of a budget, cannot be made, he said.
Child care providers that rely on state funds to care for low-income children also are sounding the alarm that programs could be forced to close if the budget impasse isn't resolved soon.
The state is $300 million behind in payments that should have been made on July 15. Child care centers use those funds to pay their first-quarter salaries, rent and other expenses. The delay is forcing many programs to take out loans, and when a budget is finally passed, they won't be able to use their state funds to repay the interest.
This also affects community colleges, and employees getting paid.
"The people who work in this field are not well paid. What little they do get, they need," said Corinne Mohrmann, executive director of St. Vincent's Day Home in Oakland.
Will there be more bankrupticies and house foreclosures if the low-paid nonprofits employees don't get paid?
We need one more Republican vote to pass the proposed budget (only one Republican has voted yes so far) but they are being stubborn asses and the Governor appears unable or unwilling to exert power and make them pass it. Their argument is that they don't want to approve overspending. Here's the Republican Senate leader holding it up:
Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine, Senate Republican leader
Age: 64
Contact: (916) 651-4033, senator.ackerman@sen.ca.gov
I think I'll be giving him a call today...
SF Chronicle has some good articles about this crisis, including this one http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/08/03/MNK3RC8D82.DTL.
It's very serious. No payments are being sent to Medi-Cal providers who, in the face of having to close, are doing heroic things like personally trying to get loans or taking out second mortgages to keep their agencies alive. So that people don't DIE when they can't get to their dialysis or Alzheimer's clinic. I hope the Chronicle posts everyday the number of elderly and disabled people who pass away if this budget stalemate continues.
From the SF Chronicle:
Medi-Cal was supposed to make a large payment today - $189 million to managed care and dental plans - and another payment of $213.5 million to institutional providers on Thursday, said H.D. Palmer of the state Department of Finance. Those payments, in the absence of a budget, cannot be made, he said.
Child care providers that rely on state funds to care for low-income children also are sounding the alarm that programs could be forced to close if the budget impasse isn't resolved soon.
The state is $300 million behind in payments that should have been made on July 15. Child care centers use those funds to pay their first-quarter salaries, rent and other expenses. The delay is forcing many programs to take out loans, and when a budget is finally passed, they won't be able to use their state funds to repay the interest.
This also affects community colleges, and employees getting paid.
"The people who work in this field are not well paid. What little they do get, they need," said Corinne Mohrmann, executive director of St. Vincent's Day Home in Oakland.
Will there be more bankrupticies and house foreclosures if the low-paid nonprofits employees don't get paid?
We need one more Republican vote to pass the proposed budget (only one Republican has voted yes so far) but they are being stubborn asses and the Governor appears unable or unwilling to exert power and make them pass it. Their argument is that they don't want to approve overspending. Here's the Republican Senate leader holding it up:
Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine, Senate Republican leader
Age: 64
Contact: (916) 651-4033, senator.ackerman@sen.ca.gov
I think I'll be giving him a call today...
Funny Gavin Newsom
Thank you Mayor Newsom for making me laugh this morning on the way to work. I liked your being silly on the Renal show and how you kept insisting on "keeping it real" and being ready for the "homies" and "haters." Your riff about mocking your overuse of hair gel showed you can make fun of yourself. I didn't expect you to be so funny and I found myself coming out of my grumpy sleep-deprived mood to laugh out loud at your comments. When people called in, you seemed ready for the hard questions but glad to hear the compliments. It was sometimes hard to hear you (can you stay closer to the mic next time?) but I would definitely tune in if you ever got a radio show after you retired from public office.
With that... why again did you decrease the number of trash cans on the street of San Francisco? Did that really save that much money?
With that... why again did you decrease the number of trash cans on the street of San Francisco? Did that really save that much money?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Ddol-So Bee-beem-bahp...mmmm
I picked up a good college friend Patty from her work in San Jose last night to grab dinner. We had to make it a quick bite especially as I was fifteen minutes late (I forget how much I dislike the 101. Then I drive on it. And I remember.) and as she jumps in my car, we start right in on where we should go.
Patty: "Ok, so there's this good Mexican place behind us. And there's this really good sandwich place up here that I just ate at for lunch today, but it's really good and I could go again..."
Orangecat: Silence.
Patty: "So what do you think? Which one do you want?... Oh, wait, you're not saying anything. You want Korean again, don't you?"
Orangecat: "Yes!!" (hiding face behind seatbelt, laughing)
"Ok, no, it's fine..."
"But only if you're ok with it..."
"No, it's not like I have it EVERY night of my life..."
No words, just muted laughing.
"No really, it's fine. it's not like I'm Korean or anything and I have Korean food all the time. Sure, we can go..."
"But I like going with you! I like the place down here and I never eat Korean in Oakland. And I love ordering that one dish and you play Korean mom and mix it up for me. But if you really don't want to, we can do the sandwich place..."
We're both laughing. She's teasing me but we both like the food. And I do love ordering Ddol-So Bee-beem-bahp and her insisting on taking the bowl and mixing it up for me. When I know I'm going to eat with Patty, I think about that dish for a week before I actually eat it, and then for a week after the delicious crispy rice and flavors stay in my mouth and mind. Mmmm... good. Sorry Patty, maybe the sandwich place next time? Who am I kidding, probably not :)
Food with good friends makes me happy. Patty and I have had our ups and downs, and life after college and IV hasn't been what either of us anticipated. But I think we've both been faithful to pick ourselves up after our struggles, and keep on keeping on. And I have so much fun with her. She's one of the few close friends that I've known since freshmen year and still talk with - life seems to drift people away after awhile. If you think I'm detail-oriented, Patty still remembers the exact shirt I was wearing the night we met.
I stayed with her family on spring break our sophomore year and she taught me how to say "thank you" and "hi, how are you." She's been patient and gracious with my mistakes, and has taught me a lot about Korean culture and history through direct words but also just by sharing her life. I'm glad you're in my life :)
So to you Patty: "Korean best!"
Patty: "Ok, so there's this good Mexican place behind us. And there's this really good sandwich place up here that I just ate at for lunch today, but it's really good and I could go again..."
Orangecat: Silence.
Patty: "So what do you think? Which one do you want?... Oh, wait, you're not saying anything. You want Korean again, don't you?"
Orangecat: "Yes!!" (hiding face behind seatbelt, laughing)
"Ok, no, it's fine..."
"But only if you're ok with it..."
"No, it's not like I have it EVERY night of my life..."
No words, just muted laughing.
"No really, it's fine. it's not like I'm Korean or anything and I have Korean food all the time. Sure, we can go..."
"But I like going with you! I like the place down here and I never eat Korean in Oakland. And I love ordering that one dish and you play Korean mom and mix it up for me. But if you really don't want to, we can do the sandwich place..."
We're both laughing. She's teasing me but we both like the food. And I do love ordering Ddol-So Bee-beem-bahp and her insisting on taking the bowl and mixing it up for me. When I know I'm going to eat with Patty, I think about that dish for a week before I actually eat it, and then for a week after the delicious crispy rice and flavors stay in my mouth and mind. Mmmm... good. Sorry Patty, maybe the sandwich place next time? Who am I kidding, probably not :)
Food with good friends makes me happy. Patty and I have had our ups and downs, and life after college and IV hasn't been what either of us anticipated. But I think we've both been faithful to pick ourselves up after our struggles, and keep on keeping on. And I have so much fun with her. She's one of the few close friends that I've known since freshmen year and still talk with - life seems to drift people away after awhile. If you think I'm detail-oriented, Patty still remembers the exact shirt I was wearing the night we met.
I stayed with her family on spring break our sophomore year and she taught me how to say "thank you" and "hi, how are you." She's been patient and gracious with my mistakes, and has taught me a lot about Korean culture and history through direct words but also just by sharing her life. I'm glad you're in my life :)
So to you Patty: "Korean best!"
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Um...hmmm...ok... maybe not?
You're Love in the Time of Cholera!
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Like Odysseus in a work of Homer, you demonstrate undying loyalty by
sleeping with as many people as you possibly can. But in your heart you never give
consent! This creates a strange quandary of what love really means to you. On the
one hand, you've loved the same person your whole life, but on the other, your actions
barely speak to this fact. Whatever you do, stick to bottled water. The other stuff
could get you killed.
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
TV is eeeevvillllll
I confess to watching more tv than is good for me. A year or so ago, I put a time cap of 5 hours a week on my TiVo recordings which really helped. I rarely watch tv that isn't recorded bc I'm way into efficiency and watching live tv is very inefficient. No time-wasting, boring, manipulative commercials for me! When I would go over my 5 hour limit, it would usually be for live sports (usually football - go Cal Bears!) which I don't count as tv. Sports don't blur your brain and leave you spaced out like a couch veggie. I find that I'm more engaged and awake when I watch sports. And as I don't watch sports every night, I'm ok with my 5 hours not including 3 hours of weekend football.
(And yes, I am excited that football season is starting again! No, I'm not an expert so don't quiz me on names and stats but I really love a lazy Sunday with three games playing in the background as I watch here and there, and do stuff around the house. Except for the awesome Saturdays with me glued to the tv when Cal is playing. I get very enthusiastic and jump up and clap loudly - all passed down genetically from my dad, I have to say.)
So last night I came back from watching the Simpson movie with James and people (funny movie, worth seeing on the big screen with a discounted ticket), and my natural inclination is to turn the tv on. But I resisted as it was already late and I was tired. "But tv will relax you," some conniving part of my brain said. "Yes, relax me so much that I end up watching too late and am oddly too tired to go to bed. No, voice in my head, I won't turn it on."
I ended up drifting around the house doing such fascinating small chores as emptying the kitty litter, taking it to the garbage, refilling the bathroom soap dispenser, putting clean dishes away, and starting the dishwasher. I know, like I said, Fascinating. But it was nice and chill. Time seemed to tick slower and the chores didn't take as long as they seem to when the tv's on. Maybe bc I'm super aware of the time with tv, and life becomes tracked into 30 minute increments? And without tv, life is just wide open, barrier-free. I liked it.
After a relaxing shower (I do love feeling clean), I felt God calling me to sit and journal. I haven't been in a journaling mood much lately and I didn't really want to. But I know journaling is one way I pray, that as I write I interact and dialogue with God. Often my writing is a transcription of the conversation God and I are having, sometimes significant transforming words from God that I remember and sometimes just the same everyday "I love you" words that are so needed too.
When I'm really not feeling the desire to pray or journal, God gently says, "Just ten minutes." That feels reasonable and doable, and so I sit. Once I start it usually goes longer but it's nice to know that even ten minutes in quiet with God makes a difference.
It was really good, I wrote freely, God spoke, and I was so happy that I listened and sat with Jesus. Why does it take me so long to do that? I slept better and woke up feeling very rested.
And all bc I didn't turn the tv on.
(And yes, I am excited that football season is starting again! No, I'm not an expert so don't quiz me on names and stats but I really love a lazy Sunday with three games playing in the background as I watch here and there, and do stuff around the house. Except for the awesome Saturdays with me glued to the tv when Cal is playing. I get very enthusiastic and jump up and clap loudly - all passed down genetically from my dad, I have to say.)
So last night I came back from watching the Simpson movie with James and people (funny movie, worth seeing on the big screen with a discounted ticket), and my natural inclination is to turn the tv on. But I resisted as it was already late and I was tired. "But tv will relax you," some conniving part of my brain said. "Yes, relax me so much that I end up watching too late and am oddly too tired to go to bed. No, voice in my head, I won't turn it on."
I ended up drifting around the house doing such fascinating small chores as emptying the kitty litter, taking it to the garbage, refilling the bathroom soap dispenser, putting clean dishes away, and starting the dishwasher. I know, like I said, Fascinating. But it was nice and chill. Time seemed to tick slower and the chores didn't take as long as they seem to when the tv's on. Maybe bc I'm super aware of the time with tv, and life becomes tracked into 30 minute increments? And without tv, life is just wide open, barrier-free. I liked it.
After a relaxing shower (I do love feeling clean), I felt God calling me to sit and journal. I haven't been in a journaling mood much lately and I didn't really want to. But I know journaling is one way I pray, that as I write I interact and dialogue with God. Often my writing is a transcription of the conversation God and I are having, sometimes significant transforming words from God that I remember and sometimes just the same everyday "I love you" words that are so needed too.
When I'm really not feeling the desire to pray or journal, God gently says, "Just ten minutes." That feels reasonable and doable, and so I sit. Once I start it usually goes longer but it's nice to know that even ten minutes in quiet with God makes a difference.
It was really good, I wrote freely, God spoke, and I was so happy that I listened and sat with Jesus. Why does it take me so long to do that? I slept better and woke up feeling very rested.
And all bc I didn't turn the tv on.
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