Sunday, May 31, 2009

Abortion Doctor Killed in Church

This story is of interest today. There are a lot of strong feelings on either side of the issue, and I will not be speaking my opinion here as it is just too inciteful, but I do believe that people should be educated about whatever stance they take.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Mancow Waterboarding all a Hoax?

Why I'm Here

Hi, my name is Sundance Kid and I'm a blogger.

The reason I first started this blog was so that I could have a place of my own to strut my literary stuff, but lately it's more turned into a platform for my views and interests. I'm fine with all of that. Of course, when I have something to say, I write, and when I have something to show, I show it.

When I heard of a blog for the first time, I laughed with great surprise at the concept of a person telling details about their life in a place for all to see. I couldn't understand why someone would want to do that. But then I began to read blogs (some favorites are in my sidebar) and saw that really, people chose what they said and how much they said. I began to see the allure.

I even started a blog quite some time ago (it is this very one and was surprised to see it still available to me because I had deleted it... hmm) but it petered out because I didn't keep up with it at all, really. But now, obviously, I do. I like it this time 'round. It works for me at this moment in time and I am rather enjoying the process and results.

So, there you have it. The alpha and the omega.

Cheers.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Lieutenant Dan Choi

An inspirational speaker, an American citizen, an Iraq war veteran, a gay man. Listen carefully.

Random Thursday

I, like many parents, dread this time of the year for one reason: the kids get out of school. *Dun dun dun!!!* As one blogger put it, it is like staring into the jaws of hell. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. It's hard enough keeping them on track and entertained when they go somewhere for 8 hours a day, five days a week. But 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Hell. Pure hell. I mean, look. There are going to be good things and moments and events to look forward to, etc. They especially are looking forward to the break and I can't blame them. All they can think about is the fun they'll be having and NO SCHOOL!! But the parent, the poor poor parent, is the one that really has to deal with the whining and boredom and such. Every day is a fight to keep the debacle at bay and keep sanity in the home. Can't they have some aunt to go visit for a month or something? That would be great. In fact, they had the chance to go to England for the month of July but that didn't pan out - for good reason - so it's all us, baby. *Sigh* I've been stocking up on arts and crafts and have designed a schedule for them to follow because I cannot. live. in. chaos. Period. Can't do it. It's hard enough for me to keep things cheery so when there is a schedule to follow, one, it eats up time, and two, gives structure to an otherwise unstructured day. That makes me happy inside and not want to pull my hair out an banish everyone to their rooms - including myself. So, like all the other summers I've endured, I will make it work and there will be good memories to look back upon. I wish that I had the summer off -- in fact I was planning on being able to do so, but alas I still have to complete my statistics class -- BOO. That will be a 6-week class, four days a week, 3 hours a day, not including homework time. But as with all other dastardly math classes I've had to complete, I just devote myself to the math lab and complete homework there so that when I come home I don't have to stress about the class and can just enjoy the time off. Because of the schedule there won't be much going away from the home, but then again our car can't really fit everything anyway - that's why we're looking into buying a minivan or an SUV because we NEEEEEEED to get away. You know, I was thinking the other day about the concept of vacations - because we study things like how much vacation time a country allows its citizens and the like - and I realized that I have never, ever been on a vacation. I've gone places and done things, but maybe my idea of a vacation is different that that of the average American's. When I fantasize about going on vacation, I think of a place where there are no phones, no TVs, no computers (I'll get over it quickly, I'm sure), no kids (sorry girls), and no bloody demands. Just me and the man, relaxing, laying about, eating good food, repeat. So. This is a goal of mine. I doubt I'll be able to accomplish this goal any time soon, but it is a good and worthy goal nonetheless.

Phew. Thanks for listening.

Bicycle! Bicycle!

See that beaut over there in the sidebar? You know, the fantastical bicycle? Well, I'm a tryin' to win it. Now that I'll be in university come fall, I could really use an awesome and stylish utility bike to transport me and my school supplies to and fro on the gargantuan campus. If you wanna help a girl out, go ahead and click on the bugger and give 'em some traffic from my site.

She'd make me so very happy! I haven't had a bike this cool since I had my pink and purple huffy with a bell and tassels when I was a little girl. Sweet!

(25 extra points for anyone who guesses the song the title of this post came from. Hint: it's a rock-n-roll song.)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Shia LaBeouf


Ouch.

End of the Debate

In this video, a conservative radio show host, Mancow, volunteered to be waterboarded to prove that it was not torture. The result was not what he expected. Watch below:

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Bonjour! EDITED

Well I suppose it's time for a new post, don'tcha tink? After all, it is a very important day. Why, you ask? Because of this and this. Can hardly wait to see how they rule. But word is that they aren't going to overturn it - I can't believe that this is even an issue! I realize that for as far as we have come in terms of social justice, we still have a long way to go, but for goodness' sake! It is unconstitutional! And SHAME on religious groups saying that it isn't a matter of whether being gay is right or wrong and that it's only about the definition of marriage. So fucking what, if it's the definition of a word?! The claim that your children will suddenly be subject to the gay "agenda" because two people are allowed to commit to one another legally and have the same RIGHTS that you enjoy is asinine! Just asinine! Grow up, people. Grow. Up.

Anyway, on other news, I am finally done with the spring semester and am enjoying the short break before I start summer school. Statistics. I have full hope that I will be able to understand and apply what I learn as sociology utilizes statistics in all facets. Then it's off to university!!!!! Yay! It has been a long time coming. I have had to prepare and learn and get up-to-speed from a place of not knowing how to do much beyond long division. I have gained so much knowledge about everything from chemistry to anthropology. It has been wonderful and I am grateful for all I have learned and experienced. I discovered the love of my life (sociology) and have set out on a path to attain the dream of being a professor. I have grown to love the academic environment and have found that that is where I want to spend my career. I love learning and would very much like to be able to pass that along to students.

So I'm just taking care of the various red tape items in preparation for university. It is both exciting and scary. I may have to adjust how many classes I can take as I may need to get another job here (making that job # 3), but that's just how it is these days. I hope to be able to grade for a professor or something of the sort. We shall see.

Happy day to you all.

UPDATE:

F you to all you bastards who voted for the ban on gay marriage in the first place.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

True Love

My Next Step

I've already graduated from the school I'm at now, but as I am moving into university come fall, I treat this time like my own graduation. Who better to give a speech for grads (other than the Prez, though). I love Miss Ellen. I really do.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Scragga Fragga Ragga!

I am so stressed out with finals and home stuff that I can't really post anything until that's all over - which will be this weekend. I will have two weeks to get my house back in order, settle the girls into the summer schedule, and prepare for my 6-week course in statistics. Joy! I also have a little surprise that I am really excited about, but I'll save that for another upcoming post.

Cheers.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

The Father of Our Country

The wisdom and compassion of this man humbles and inspires me.



Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Carrot Top

The Best Carrot Cake... In The WORLD

2 eggs

1 C oil

2 C brown sugar

2 C sifted flour

1 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

2 t cinnamon

3 C grated carrots

1 C (or 5 oz.) crushed pineapple; drained

1 C chopped nuts (I use pecans)

Combine the eggs, oil and sugar. Add the brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix in the carrots and pineapple. Stir well, then add nuts. Pour into 9" x 13" greased pan. Bake at 350 F for 35-45 min. Frost only when cool. Adjust cooking time if making into cupcakes.


Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8-oz. pkg. softened cream cheese

1/4 lb softened butter

2 C powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla


Yum! To make recipe VEGAN, you would:

Cake: Substitute eggs with bananas or any other egg alternative

Frosting: Substitute cream cheese with vegan cream cheese, and use margarine instead of butter.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

It's True, I'm DEAD

I am one of the last lucky few to know the magic that is the Grateful Dead. I had hippie parents (yeah, the real deal kind - I ate granola and smoothies before it was chic), but my Dead intro really came from my sister. Whenever I hear the Dead, my heart warms and I instantly smile - can't help it. I will forever be a Dead Head and am so happy to say that. Unfortunately, I was just on the very tail end of the Dead movement so I never got to see a live show, but I may as well have because I lived the experiences my sister told me about. If there is anything that I am so very grateful to her for, it would be her introducing me to the Dead. Listening to the Dead brings me to one of the most Bohemian parts of my soul. There's nothing like it in the world, really.

A few favorites (don't you just love YouTube?) Enjoy.





Sunday, May 10, 2009

Gotta Give It To Yer Mama

Sooooo... it's Mother's Day. This isn't a day that I acknowledge much, especially in terms of recognizing my own mother. It is nice that my girls make me little cards and small gifts, but that's all that really happens around here (husband "forgets" and I have to practically dial his mother's number so he'll talk to her).

I didn't have a good mother. Under very, very different life circumstances, I very well could have had a good mother. But alas, the circumstances were what they were and that's how the cookie crumbled for me. She was a woman who if given the right life would have not only been a happier woman herself, but would have produced happier daughters.

My sisters are in denial about who our mother really was and that has caused a deep rift between us that I don't see the solution to any time soon. I am not in denial about her and in fact am quite resentful of the childhood I had to endure because of her poor choices and disregard for me. The only thing that I learned from my mother is what not to be.

Now that fill the shoes of a mother for two little girls, I can't say that I appreciate my mom, but I know that I've been able to be what she wasn't for me. I care. I listen. I love. I make sure that all the little things that need to be done and taken care of are. I don't accept the laziness and lack of concern she had for me and I am proud that I am able to give those things effortlessly to my two girls. No, I'm not perfect. Far from it. My girls will tell you that, too. But what I do is leaps and bounds more than what my mother did for me.

So, I guess some of the important lessons in life are from examples that taught us in ways that weren't pleasant. I don't know if I buy the whole concept that we choose our parents/life, but I do believe that we have the choice to either learn from our parents - regardless of whether our parents were good or bad to us, or we can mindlessly repeat the things that we hated and have our children go through the same resentments.

I see myself doing a few little things that were OK that my mom did with my girls. The way I prepare their baths is similar to how she did mine, my voice sounds like hers, I really look like her more and more every year. Luckily for me, I don't hate her. I have every reason to, but I don't. I am neutral about her. She is a fading memory, and for that I am grateful.

My paternal grandmother, on the other hand, was and is the mother I never had. Even though we've never lived near one another, I've always felt close to her. As the years have gone on and I've been able to intellectualize her more, I realize that she wasn't all I had cracked her up to be, either. But she was like a mother figure to me, and for that I am grateful.

So, Happy Mother's Day to all the good moms out there today. You deserve all the little hugs and kisses and letters you get today. To all the bad moms, may you reflect today and resolve to be better to your precious children. They won't be children forever, and they won't forget what you were. It's up to you how your future with them plays out.

And so, in conclusion, my life is very good. I never want to go back to that fear and darkness, ever again. And I don't have to. Like I said, each year that passes makes that whole time nothing more than a blurry and fading memory. I am so grateful for that.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Bunglin'


There is something so mysterious - dark, even - and yet so sexy about this man, Mr. Mike Patton. I first heard of him when I was introduced years ago to Mr. Bungle (I don't remember by who) and realized then that he was also the voice to Faith No More. He has so many different bands and sounds that I'm not a fan of them all, but certainly still a fan of the aforementioned. Anyway, what a babe. And anyone who knows me knows that I am an absolute blithering sucker for this haircut. I don't know why, but it makes me utterly weak in the knees. Whew!

Slumdog

I really want to see Slumdog Millionaire. I have an affinity for all things East Indian, from the food to the clothes, to the music, to the religion (Hindu), to the English-speaking accents and their native tongues - everything! I also really care about issues that Indians face, including their very impoverished states. I don't understand how the caste system can still exist in today's India, but perhaps that is changing? There is so much more awareness and compassion today, and it only makes sense that certain social and religious things will start disappearing as time and awareness moves onward. Caste is decided by the color of someones skin. How very sad.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

#%$^*#$%@!

I am just green with envy. Green, I tell you!

*sigh*

So here's the deal. Years and years ago, when I was a child, specifically, I lived with family G* (not the real first letter of their last name). I was to the the eldest child in the G family, as their two eldest children were too old to live at home any more and had long since gone. So that made me the oldest of their three younger children: a twelve-year-old boy, a ten-year-old girl, and an eight-year-old boy. I was fourteen.

So I lived with the G family at this time and I was for all intents and purposes part of the clan. I didn't stay long, as they were raving Fundamentalist Christians and I just couldn't take any more of them burning my t-shirts and books if they didn't agree with the "messages" therein.

Fast forward to today, nearly 12 years later, and that twelve-year-old boy is all growed up. And is a famous photographer in L.A.. And is really hot. Albeit conceited and wild, but really hot.

There was a time when it was thought that we would marry. ... He's rich, fun, HOT, famous, and I am so fucking jealous of him right now! My life is so not rich, fun, hot, or famous!

Call the waaambulance, I know. Well, you'd be jealous if you were me, too. I guess I'll link to a picture of him. Well, maybe I shouldn't just in case someone gets the bright idea to contact him and tell him that I am some seething little jealous woman peeking at his blogs to see what new adventure he's up to.

I totally wouldn't fit into his life or lifestyle at all today. I'm not his type and he's not mine. But it sure is fun to wonder about the what-ifs. Oh who am I kidding? It isn't fun at all! It bloody stinks! :(

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Horchata!


Horchata is one of my favorite drinks, and I really like making it too. I figured my last post may leave some wanting for a little Hispanic flare seeing as how today is Cinco de Mayo and all, I thought I'd post my recipe for this light and delicioso drink. Enjoy!


1 C uncooked, white long-grain rice

5 C water 1/2 cup milk

1/2 T vanilla extract

1/2 T ground cinnamon

2/3 C white sugar


Pour the rice and the water into the a blender; blend until rice just begins to break up, about 1 minute. Let the rice and water stand at room temperature for a min of 3 hrs. Strain rice water with a cheesecloth into a pitcher and discard the leftover rice. Stir in the milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar into the rice water. Chill and stir before serving over ice.


Horchata is sooooooooooo good!

मसाला चाय Spiced Tea



In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I am going to post a delicious chai recipe. You may be saying to yourselves, "But Sundance, chai is an Indian (Asian) recipe, not Mexican." To which I would reply to you, "I know. I'm chic like that." :)

Here be the spices ye will need to brew up some lip-smackin', knee-slappin', good ol' chai.

  • A gallon + stockpot for the water
  • 1/4 C green cardamom seed pods, lightly crushed w/ a pultice to break open
  • 1/4 C fresh ginger root w/ skin, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 C cinnamon bark, broken into chips
  • 1 T whole black Tellicherry peppercorns
  • 2 T whole cloves
  • 1 C honey
  • 5 T loose black tea leaves (Assam is most common)
  • 3 star anise

Add one gallon of cold, filtered water to the stockpot. Add all the ingredients except for the honey and black tea. Simmer everything for 45 min., uncovered. The spices will begin to release their aromas; you want to get it to the point where all the bulk ingredients are spent. Add the black tea, simmer for another 15 minutes, then add the honey. Strain entire contents over a cheesecloth into another large pot to cool, compost or discard the reminents from the spices. Serve hot or cold with equal parts chai and milk (any substitute is great here, too), and enjoy!

Jai Papaji, Om SatGuru Ki Jai Om shanti


May all beings enjoy masala chai with aromatic, milky smiles!


Jai Guru Dev!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Eh... (crunch, crunch, crunch) What's Up, Doc?

WARNING! WARNING! HEAVY SARCASM AHEAD! PROCEED WITH SENSE OF HUMOR! WARNING! WARNING!

So what is up with doctors not reading your chart? I mean, com'on! So I'm at the hospital last night because 6 days of influenza with no lift was frankly just dragging my ass down. So luckily for me the ERD wasn't that busy and I got to a bed within about 45 minutes (I've waited upwards of 3 hours before, so 45 minutes was fast!) and the intake lady was really nice, crackin' jokes and being very thorough with her questions as to what has been going on between me and this flu.

So then I get to the bed and she tells me to disrobe 'cause I'm gonna have to have a chest X-Ray (fine) and wait about a half-hour for the doctor to come in (fine, I'm in the ERD and not bleeding to death, it's understandable, even though my head feels like it's going to explode).

Once the doctor arrives, he begins with, "So, you have a bit of a runny nose, do you?"

...

Are you serious? Do you really get patients in here who come in with a bit of a runny nose. Do I look like the kind of person who comes into the emergency department with a bit of a fucking runny nose?!

...

"Among other things" I replied.

"Like what?"

"Oh well, spiking fevers, body aches, blasting headaches, hot flashes, cold chills, eye pain and eye sensitivity, nasty crackling coughs, chest pain, stuffy nose, waterfall nose, ear aches, weakness, fatigue, and generally feeling like I have the FLU."

"And that's just for today?" he asks.

...

Are you serious?? Now I'm getting pissed off!! NO IT'S NOT JUST FOR TODAY, ASS, I'VE BEEN FEELING LIKE THIS FOR 6 DAYS NOW AND I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED THAT I COULD YANK YOU DOWN TO THE BEDSIDE BY YOUR SHOULDER-LENGTH HAIR AND BREATHE ALL OVER YOUR POINTY LONG FACE SO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS FEELS LIKE, "DOCTOR"!!! FEEL MY WRATH AND BURN IN THE FIREY PITS OF HELL!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!

...

"No, for 6 days, actually."

"Oh, okay. Well, we'll give you something for the body aches, something for the cough, and something for the stuffy nose. We're also going to take a chest X-Ray to make sure everything's OK in there."

That's more like it.

So chest X-Ray comes back, everything looks good. This is good.

Interim between discussing the X-Ray and him writing me the prescriptions, a baby comes in with a 104.4 F temp and is seizing. Nice. Nothing like a little trauma to liven the spirits, I always say!

Finally he comes in and tells me what he's going to prescribe. Ibuprofen, Claritin, and an inhaler.

...

Are you seri... oh never mind.

So I take the prescriptions and come back home, only to wake up today, day 7, still feeling mighty ill. I've taken the dosage of Ibuprofen he prescribed (I am not going to pay for a prescription of what I already have bottles of at home), take a Claritin (ditto), and put up with another 12 hours of coughing until I can get over to the pharmacy to get the inhaler (because I don't have one of those). He couldn't prescribe the Tami-Flu stuff because it's only effective during the first 48 hours of infection. And well, let's just say that I have a husband who was VERY reluctant to take me to the hospital because of his OWN damn complex about appearing "whiny". IT AIN'T MY DAMN COMPLEX, HONEY! I'LL WHINE - I'M THE ONE THAT'S SICK!!!

So there you have it. I had to miss every class last week because I could barely stand up and certainly didn't want to infect anyone, especially my teacher as he already has a weakened immune system. I also had to miss going to the Asian Art Museum in SF with him, too. I really can't miss any more class, but I'll tell you what, if I feel tomorrow like I do today, I ain't going. My temperature this morning was 99.8, still pretty high, considering, and just took it right now and it's 100.0. So we shall see. I would like to go and be able to clean my bloody house, but if I'm ill, I'm ill. And seeing as how I ain't Christian, or religious in any sense of the word, or even "spiritual", ain't no amount of prayer being said in my head, or in my house. I figure nature will take its course. Whether I like it or not.

Friday, May 1, 2009

I'm Not Going Your Route

I'm too sick to post anything meaningful, so you're stuck with videos for the next couple of days until I have my wits about me again.

One of my all-time favorite shows, one of my all-time favorite episodes. Enjoy.

 
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