bright light.

starfireming — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:37:57 GMT

So, I'm really sorry to have to tell you all this, and even sorrier for myself: my dad died suddenly last week of a heart attack. Since he lived in New Hampshire, I've been out of state all week and haven't even gotten to say kaddish yet. My brothers, my mom and my grandmother have all been a huge source of comfort for me.

People are dumb

starfireming — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:47:19 GMT

From a review of Chadwick's, a clothing store:

I have ordered several skirts recently and have found that they run really small compared to what the size chart says. I wear a size 4 in skirts and so I got the size according to what the size chart says a size 4 is, weather it be a size small or a size 4. I got one skirt it had an elastic waist band, so I got a small I got it on but it was really squeezing my waist, it was so uncomfortable. For it to fit I would have to be a size 0 or 2! Then I got a skirt on clearance and the only size they had left was a 6 so I got it thinking I'll just take in the waist, well it fit like size 2, it was too tight for me to be comfortable in it.

I just went back to Chadwick's and looked at their size chart for a skirt, I have a 28" waist so according to their size chart, by my waist measurment, I would wear a size 10/Medium and just a 1/2" larger in the waist and I would be in the size 12/Large category! WOW, not in 2 1/2 years have I EVER worn a 10/medium to 12/large skirts! There is no way I want to either, so I guess I'm done trying their clothes! I don't even wear those sizes in jeans, I wear a 6! And I wear size 4 in skirts! What is going on w/ their size chart?

I would like to point out that I hate wearing tight clothes so my size 6 jeans and size 4 skirts fit me perfectly with some room to move in them, they are not skin tight, they fit like they should, not too tight and not too loose. So if I got a size 10 or 12 according to Chadwick's size chart the clothes would be swimming on me.

Attention shoppers: No matter what the tag in your clothes says, your ass is still the same size. Women's clothing sizing in America is extremely variable and means nothing. Just because you normally wear a 4 doesn't mean all 4s will fit you, because "4" is a meaningless number. Buying a 10 or 12 does not make you a fatass(nor will it help with that dusty, empty skull). You want reliable numbers? Get the manufacturers to label them with actual measurements. Gasp!

In conclusion, buy clothes that fit. Because it's not the clothes that make you fat, it's your fat that makes you fat.

ranting, because we can can can!

starfireming — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:58:27 GMT

This article about the SciFi channel name change engenders in me this response. The very idea makes me wanna slap a bitch! Syfy? SYFY? NO! It sounds like a pet name for syphilis! They went through 300 names and picked this bullshit? "'When we tested this new name, the thing that we got back from our 18-to-34 techno-savvy crowd, which is quite a lot of our audience, is actually this is how you’d text it,' Mr. Howe said. 'It made us feel much cooler, much more cutting-edge, much more hip, which was kind of bang-on what we wanted to achieve communication-wise.'" Uh, no, honey. "Syfy" is how you'd text it if you were a) dumb b) mocking it. Your ignorance, it pains me.

Not to mention how incredibly insulting it is that they are rejecting the geek community with this bullshit. They are seeking to create "a more open and accessible and relatable and human-friendly brand". Human-friendly? Pardon me, what was it before? Just because we joke about burninating villages doesn't mean we're giving up our claim to humanity!*

It may be true that the SciFi channel was struggling to stay afloat and that its major demographic was the living-in-his-mama's-basement stereotype. But as most of you know, that doesn't necessarily reflect the geek community- and we're the ones they should be courting. As Tycho & Gabe know, there are plenty of resources in the geek world that remain untapped by the SciFi channel. But, shit, what did we expect? This is what happens when you have subculture-specific programming run by people who have no understanding of that group at all.

To be honest, I should admit that I am not actually a consumer of the SciFi channel and so they really could give a shit what I think.** I don't have a TV and I don't like watching TV in general. However, when I do watch TV, SciFi was on my top ten list of preferred channels. "Syfy", however, is untenable.

* Yeah, yeah, I know, bargain-brand buzzwords. But seriously. "Human-friendly"?
** Like they'd give a shit anyway.

Bad creationists! No advanced degrees for you!

starfireming — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:03:30 GMT

So I read this article on my cellphone and it angered me so that I had to jump onto the actual tubes and express my disgust. For those that don't like clicking on links(and I don't blame you, it's a) spyware b) terrible, mind-tainting porn and/or c) Fox News), there is a Texas legislator named Leo Berman trying to pass a bill that would allow private colleges(like the Institute for Creation Research) to grant a Master of Science degree without reference to the Texas Higher Education Coordinatin' Board. He argues that since they are not taking state or federal funds, they shouldn't be regulated.

Of course, this is being met with overwhelming amounts of outrage(check), disgust(check), and ridicule(check). The two major arguments are:

SCIENCE, BITCHES.
This bill would open up Texas to degree mills, and "all sorts of chicanery" says Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education. “I mean, all you have to do, it looks to me from the bill, is start a non-profit organization, don’t take any federal or state money, and then offer degrees in any fool subject you want.” Right on, Dr Scott.

"Berman sees the board's decision to deny ICR certification as a double standard.

“If a school’s teaching all evolution, would that be a balanced education?” he asked. “So it’s the same thing on both ends of the stick.”"

You know, guys, he's right. Let's give our young bright minds a balanced education! Medical schools around the country are totally ignoring other medical theories- I move that we force them to teach about the four bodily humors as a source of illness as well. Otherwise, shit just ain't balanced, is it?

ICR is actually already offering a Professional Certificate in Creationist Worldview. I actually had to doublecheck that because it sounds so fake. In the section on student requirements, the very first requirement is that students are "expected to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior". You know, this is actually not the first institution of higher learning I've encountered that requires the students to conform to certain beliefs*, but it is the first "scientific" institution to do so.

* Back in the day, my dad tried to convince me to go to Berean Baptist College, which now is a bible school, but back in the day also taught "regular" subjects, such as offering degrees in Home Economics and other subjects vaguely related to the whole ideal of happy, sexist Christian families doing God's work.

So, to sum: AAAAAAIIIIEEEE WHY YOU SO CRAZY?!?

/stomps back to her cave now

starfireming — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:08:27 GMT

Whoa, I'm becoming one of those terrible LJ updaters. How queer.

I'm making it official: I am abandoning the fat girl cause. I'm jumping off the bandwagon. I'm gonna lose all this weight and not miss it one bit. Thank you fatshionista!

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't think it's immoral to be fat, I don't think it means that you're sloppy or lazy or piggish. Oink oink!* But I know for a fact that for me, personally, I was NOT meant to be this weight. I've been fat all my life, but I know that this isn't the size my body wants to be. My body wants to run, and run fast. I've been waylaid by depression and emotional eating, but I've really committed to losing the most of the extra weight I'm carrying.

* It is possible to be piggish regardless of size- and I for one will always revere Miss Piggy.

So, that's what I've been up to. I'm working out pretty regularly and keeping a food/weight diary at The Daily Plate, and blogging boring details of my exercise life over at Runner's World. I'm also trying to keep up with school, etc, and pondering weddingness, but since I'm the worst bride in the world, my ponderings so far are mostly, "I don't want to do XYZ, it is D-U-M-M dumb." I just want to marry him, is that so much to ask?! I've also been taking out HUGE... stacks of books from the library. Now that they are all technological and I never have to interact with a person who might conceivably judge my book binges, I'm all up in their grill, reading their books. And that is my boring life in a nutshell. No great ideas, no awesome realizations... just doing my thing over here.

♥

starfireming — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:50:55 GMT

starfireming — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:02:50 GMT

There is SLUSH falling from the sky. Literally. I let the dogs out this morning and Andy didn't even make it down the steps before doing a U-turn before I even closed the door. There wasn't even a second of decision-making; he just ran out and ran back in without even blinking. It's his prerogative, I know he won't pee in the house. I waited by the door for Phoebe to come back too; I knew no one would want to be out in the nasty.

In other news, I got a new mp3 player as motivation for running and I am hooked on it. This is my first iPod and I am really digging iTunes in particular and how easy everything is. I especially like the NPR podcasts- I love Car Talk and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me but I hardly ever listen to them on the radio.

News articles re: Obama.

starfireming — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:34:50 GMT

Obama breaks from Bush, avoids divisive stands

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama opened his presidency by breaking sharply from George W. Bush's unpopular administration, but he mostly avoided divisive partisan and ideological stands. He focused instead on fixing the economy, repairing a battered world image and cleaning up government.

"What an opportunity we have to change this country," the Democrat told his senior staff after his inauguration. "The American people are really counting on us now. Let's make sure we take advantage of it."

In the highly scripted first days of his administration, Obama overturned a slew of Bush policies with great fanfare. He largely avoided cultural issues; the exception was reversing one abortion-related policy, a predictable move done in a very low-profile way.

The flurry of activity was intended to show that Obama was making good on his promise to bring change. Yet domestic and international challenges continue to pile up, and it's doubtful that life will be dramatically different for much of the ailing country anytime soon.

Obama's biggest agenda items — stabilizing the economy and ending the Iraq war — are complex tasks with results not expected soon. Even as Obama made broad pronouncements and signed a stream of executive orders to usher in a new governing era, his actions leave unanswered or unresolved questions, including how he will close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp for suspected terrorists.

In other cases, Obama set out new policy, only to signal it could be applied selectively.

He decreed that interrogators must follow techniques outlined in the Army Field Manual when questioning terrorism suspects, even as he ordered a review that could allow CIA interrogators to use other methods for high-value targets. Also, while a new White House rule limits staffers' previous lobbying activities, exceptions were made for at least two senior administration officials.

"It's always a delicate task to maintain your coalition and try to expand it," said George Edwards, a Texas A&M University political science professor. "He's making the moves in the right direction to please his supporters on signature issues. At the same time, he has not elicited immediate outrage from Republicans because he's gone out of his way to reach out to them."

Certainly, some Republicans are griping about Obama's economic stimulus plan and closing Guantanamo. But their protests are somewhat muted, perhaps because little of what Obama has done thus far is a surprise. He had prepared the country and Congress for such steps during the campaign and transition. He also has emphasized a pragmatic, bipartisan approach, and enjoys broad public support.

Most of what he tackled came in areas where there is agreement across the political spectrum for a new direction, although the country is divided over shuttering Guantanamo. Obama long has emphasized solutions over partisanship, and he doesn't seem eager to address issues — at least for now — that create great ideological divides.

That is a sharp contrast with Democrat Bill Clinton, who set the tone for an ideological presidency when he tried to overturn the ban on gays in the military. It pleased liberals, enraged conservatives and angered both the military and Congress, neither of which was consulted.

So far, Obama's only real brush with issues that stoke partisan passions came when he revoked a ban on federal funding for international groups that provide or promote abortions. He did that quietly by issuing a memorandum late Friday afternoon. The move was expected; the issue has vacillated between Republican and Democratic presidents.

Obama was sworn in Tuesday with huge support — 68 percent in a Gallup poll released Saturday — and incredible optimism from the public; Bush left Washington with record-low job approval ratings.

A picture of poise, Obama didn't get rattled when Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed the oath of office, an exercise repeated a day later to ensure constitutionality. He breezed through his speech — which repudiated Bush's tenure though never personally attacked him — without a misstep. Even with the weight of the country's troubles now on his shoulders, he was relaxed as he twirled his wife, Michelle, at celebratory balls.

"I don't sweat," Obama said on the eve of his inauguration — a comment meant literally, and, perhaps, figuratively.

Maybe not. But he has yet to face a crisis head-on as the country's leader, and it's only then that his confidence truly will be tested.

Still, Obama clearly has made the transition to governing.

"It's as if Superman stepped out of a phone booth and became Clark Kent," said Fred Greenstein, a Princeton University professor emeritus of politics. "He's beginning to put aside the rhetoric in favor of listing the policies and doing the checklist. He's not going out of his way to show a lot of flash. It's much more lets-get-down-to-work."

That said, there's a limit to what he can immediately accomplish, Greenstein said, and "the really big things can't be done on Day One, particularly if they are going to be done well."

In a mix of symbolism and substance, Obama used a host of executive tools to put his stamp on the country without having to go through Congress, making statements from the bully pulpit and signing White House directives.

He pledged to take bold steps to reverse the recession while meeting with his economic team, and told top military officials to do whatever planning necessary to "execute a responsible military drawdown from Iraq." He issued new ethics rules for his administration and pledged to preside over a transparent government.

He ordered the Guantanamo detention center shut within a year, required the closure of any remaining secret CIA "black site" prisons abroad and barred CIA interrogators form using harsh techniques already banned for military questioners. He also assigned veteran troubleshooters to the Middle East, and Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Throughout it all, Obama demonstrated noticeable stylistic differences with his predecessor.

The high-tech Obama chose to keep his cherished BlackBerry, becoming the first sitting president to use e-mail. He made an impromptu visit to the White House's cramped media quarters just "to say hello." He also was spotted at one point ducking into the White House press office to consult with an aide. Bush avoided both areas at all costs.

In one Oval Office ceremony, Obama went through each executive order as he signed them, reading parts of each and methodically explaining them. He even halted a few times to ask for clarification from his White House counsel. That sort of deferral to someone else in a public setting and admission of a less-than-perfect command of the facts was never Bush's style.
I have to say, I am heartened by the way he's going about things. We didn't want flash; we wanted someone who would come in and bring some thoughtfulness to the process. I don't know what's going to happen; I certainly don't agree with all of President Obama's stands. But I like his values and I like the way he goes about things, and that's good enough for me for now.

But seriously: the FIRST sitting president to use email?? Dear America: Why are we electing Luddites?!

Top chefs push Obama to improve food policy

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Visiting one of his favorite Chicago restaurants in November, Barack Obama was asked by an excited waitress if he wanted the restaurant's special margarita made with the finest ingredients, straight up and shaken at the table.

"You know that's the way I roll," Obama replied jokingly.

Rick Bayless, the chef of that restaurant, Topolobampo, says Obama's comfortable demeanor at the table — slumped contentedly in his chair, clearly there to enjoy himself — bodes well for the nation's food policy. While former President George W. Bush rarely visited restaurants and didn't often talk about what he ate, Obama dines out frequently and enjoys exploring different foods.

"He's the kind of diner who wants to taste all sorts of things," Bayless says. "What I'm hoping is that he's going to recognize that we need to do what we can in our country to encourage real food for everyone."

Phrases like "real food" and "farm-to-table" may sound like elitist jargon tossed around at upscale restaurants. But the country's top chefs, several of whom traveled to Washington for Obama's inauguration this week, hope that Obama's flair for good food will encourage people to expand their horizons when it comes to what they eat.

These chefs tout locally grown, environmentally friendly and — most importantly — nutritious food. They urge diners, even those who may never be able to afford to eat at their restaurants, to grow their own vegetables, shop at farmer's markets and pay attention to where their food comes from.

Dan Barber, chef at New York's popular Blue Hill restaurant and a frequent critic of the country's food policy, says a few small gestures from the president and first lady Michelle Obama could accomplish what many of the chefs have been working toward for years.

"I recognize that I'm an elitist guy," says Barber, who cooked a $500-a-plate meal for incoming Obama aides and other guests at a small charity fundraiser the night before the inauguration. "Increasingly raise awareness, but don't do it through chefs like me. ... My advice would be more of a symbolic nature, and to not underestimate what can be done through the White House."

Barber said good food needs more publicity, and he hopes Obama and his wife will advertise what they are eating and what they are feeding their children, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha.

Many high-end chefs like Barber believe that most food in the United States is over-processed, over-subsidized and grown with no regard to the environment, making it harder for small farms to make a profit selling more natural, nutritious food.

Barber cooks with food grown at his farm, the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, N.Y. At the pre-inauguration fundraiser, organized along with several other dinners by food guru Alice Waters, passed hors d'oeuvres included carrots, lettuce and cauliflower — untarnished and raw, delicious in their natural form. Sweet beets had been recently chiseled from Stone Barns' frozen ground, and hog snouts left over from slaughter were used as a garnish on a plate of Maine sea scallops.

Most of the chefs say they realize food policy and government support for larger corporate farms won't change any time soon. Congress, with Obama's support, overwhelmingly enacted a $290 billion farm bill last year that directs many subsidies to the largest agricultural players.

But Obama has already given chefs like Barber a small reason to hope. At his confirmation hearing, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made an overture to the growing number of food groups and experts who have criticized government subsidies for large corporate farms, saying he will seek to work "with those who seek programs and practices that lead to more nutritious food produced in a sustainable way."

"There's a lot of work that can be done in this area," Vilsack said after he was sworn in.

Other chefs in town for the inauguration and Waters' dinners had many suggestions to improve food policy. Daniel Boulud, the veteran New York chef of the restaurant Daniel who has cooked for at least five former presidents, said he thinks the Department of Agriculture should form an agency that exclusively oversees small farms. Lidia Bastianich, a New York-based Italian chef who has starred in several cooking shows on public television, says the government needs to encourage regulations and incentives to small farmers to give them the opportunity to compete against the "big giants."

Chef Tom Colicchio, the lead judge on the popular cable television series "Top Chef," agrees. He says foods that are genetically engineered should be labeled as such and fewer subsidies should go to corporate farms.

But despite loftier goals, Bayless, the Chicago chef, says the Obamas could make a world of difference if they just publish what they are eating every day.

"Everyone's going to want to be like the Obamas," he said.

God, what wouldn't I give for a food policy that encouraged local suppliers & discouraged abuse of animals and the global petroleum supply? When I was in elementary school they taught us that Virginia was known for many crops, including apples. Why then are the apples in my local grocery store all from Washington State? Lord!

starfireming — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:35:05 GMT

I strolled outside to get the newspaper and the air was delicately but undeniably scented with the aroma of popcorn Jelly Bellies. Isn't that queer?

Maybe I'll just put this one down to "medication does weird things to my hormones and gives me preggo symptoms".

starfireming — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:06:01 GMT

Oh and p.s. I'm gonna marry jeffbernath. Because I'm crazy in love with him & he's the best ever.

Fibromyalgia

starfireming — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:48:48 GMT

Oh dear sweet baby Jesus how can any one body spontaneously hurt THIS MUCH?!? Ow. Ow. Owwwwww.

I don't think 8 lb, 6 oz newborn infant Jesus can help with this. THIS is a job for... Led Zeppelin Jesus!

I do have a little bit of an explanation. There are several parts:

A) Last night I went and worked out for the first time in a VERY long time. I marveled at how out of shape I've gotten. Fibromyalgia is a delightful disease that requires a delicate balancing act with exercise; you have to exercise to keep the bloody thing at bay, but too much exercise will destroy you utterly. As I am utterly destroyed.

B) Since I'm keeping the new dog in the utility room at night, and since when the heat is on it heats ONLY the utility room, I've been leaving the heat off at night. Because if I don't, I'll be shivering in my bed no matter what, and when I open the door to the utility room in the morning, a wave of heat comes wafting out, and there's the girl, panting and dreaming about being boiled in her own oil, no doubt. Fibromyalgia is worsened by the cold(one of the reasons I became a sunworshipper in 2007) and last night I was woken up by being so incredibly cold. Sigh.

C) I stayed up late watching all four hours of Jodhaa Akbar, for which I have conceived a great and lasting love. Awesome movie. Too bad it put me past my bedtime. Lack of sleep = pain!

D) God hates me. Basically the best explanation for fibromyalgia! Or, actually, what is more in line with my beliefs, God's saying "Sorry, kid, I tossed the dice and you got stuck with chronic pain! Sucks to be you!"

So, given all that, can you understand why I'm just more determined to get back on the wagon? (And move to a tropical island where it's always warm and sunny?) Back to the gym for me!

music, as always

starfireming — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:14:31 GMT

I'm not a big fan of Beyonce, but I'll admit that some of her songs are super catchy. For instance: Upgrade U. Ow. It hurt me to type that. But I still had to put it out there, if only for her enunciation. Plus her video portrayal of Jay-Z amuses the hell out of me. For those that don't know, Jay-Z & Beyonce are engaged, or maybe they're married now. Celebrity gossip of the day!

The subject of the song is a little unhealthy though. I can understand having that sort of dynamic in a relationship, where someone bolsters their partner's weaknesses & provides support, but it seems like it should be a self-limiting situation. I gather that the main character feels that she has to provide essential nonemotional services to keep the relationship stable. Plus, some of the lyrics creep me out a little:

Don't doubt yourself
Trust me you need me

What?

Speaking of gender-bending, Ciara's Like A Boy is an awesome video. I love seeing her dressed and dancing like a guy, it's too cool. Plus I just have to mention that Ciara is a brilliant dancer- as much as I love her music, I'd venture to say that she's a better dancer than she is a singer. She is capable of the most amazing stuff, totally inspiring. Must be why all of her music is dance music.

starfireming — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:38:37 GMT

I have this desire for soup cups, soup plates and gravy boats. I think I am the only person I know who would use such things on a weekly basis. The soup cups in particular really catch my fancy... just so practical and hand-warming!

Now I'm off to synagogue. David, one of my conversion classmates, peer pressured me into showing up for the Saturday service. Plus we made a pact- if he'll wear a prayer shawl, I'll wear a prayer shawl. We'll see how it goes!

starfireming — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:57:31 GMT

So, one of the reasons I have not spent a whole lot of time updating my livejournal lately is that I have tentatively adopted another dog, who is somewhat more work than I had expected.

You have to understand that my dog, Andy, is perfect.* He and I have been together for years, we suit each other to a T, he's my perfect dog and I'm his perfect girl.** We both know the rules of the house and abide by them.

* For those of you who don't actually read my livejournal or know me in person.

** Mostly; he wishes I wouldn't engage in activities outside the house that he can't tag along at, and I wish he wouldn't bark at the neighbors.

I expected a new dog to throw a wrench into the works of our perfectly ordered household. I'm not totally disconnected. But I didn't really expect this much trouble. And really, it's a sign of how totally spoiled I am that I'm whining about this; Phoebe's really pretty well-behaved, by and large. She just doesn't know how we roll.

Phoebe came from the pound. Not just the SPCA- Animal Control. She'd been there since September, largely because she's geriatric(she's seven or eightish, according to the pound) and she's heartworm positive. She was a backyard dog for most of her life; her owners surrendered her when they moved to a place they couldn't have dogs. She's not spayed, she had mange on her ears and is growing back fur there(or, rather, we HOPE she will grow back her ear fur.) I'm treating her for a bladder infection and I'm softening all of her food with hot water because her teeth and gums are in bad shape- which I didn't realize until I handed her a bone and she took it, then dropped it, and I noticed the blood on the end. She couldn't eat dry dog food for the pain. But you know how dogs are- they're often not very communicative about pain. Anyway, she'll be treated for her heartworms(for free!) as soon as the pound makes the appointment, and once that ordeal is over(a month of calm is recommended; no ordering pizza for THIS house for a while!) she'll be spayed and her extra dewclaws will be removed, since they get caught on things and are totally useless. Guess we'll see what the vet says about her mouth when we get there.

Personality wise she's very sweet, but a little clingy for my taste- Andy and I established our space bubbles years ago, and while he's always THERE, he is also usually out of my hair. Best example is when I'm in the kitchen, cooking, he's in the doorway, being one with the rug and keeping an eye on me. Whereas Phoebe is generally sitting right beside me, head on my lap for petting, or getting between me and the cabinets I want to get into. I don't think it helped with the clinginess that we had technical difficulties with the invisible fence collar, which shocked her continuously for a good 30 seconds. Now she's afraid of the yard. It's hard for me to figure out what really motivates her... of course, she's sick and stressed out and not feeling at her best, but it bums me out to see her tail between her legs all the time. Plus she's not totally housebroken, which is a dealbreaker for me. However, we haven't had any accidents in two days(big deal!), so we're taking baby steps forward in living together. Tonight she'll sleep with the gang instead of in the utility room.

Another factor in this whole situation is that I had really wanted another dog to keep Andy company. He gets so bored! But she's not very dog-oriented, she's far more people-oriented... and he is a jealous lover. Yesterday I was petting her in the yard and praising her for leaving the front steps... and he tackled her. Like a battering ram, he ran right into her and knocked her on her back. Neither is aggressive or anything, but the dog-dog situation is far from ideal.

So, I dunno if we'll keep her forever ever, but I'll certainly foster her till she's over the heartworm treatment, bladder infection and spaying. Then we shall see how she fits in. I kinda dig what a great running partner she could be... so focused on moving forward! But I worry that she's too old, she certainly seems really stiff when she wakes up in the morning.

Anyway, enough with the yammering. On to pictures! She's a husky-shepherd mix(something something... definitely husky), and she's got the cutest face and softest fur.

I came upstairs to give Phoebe her pill and there she was, curled up in the bowl chair. Methos is not amused.

OMG, so cute.

Peekaboo!

starfireming — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:13:00 GMT

Oh Thank You God. Someone else had the crazy. This isn't something I talk about a lot, because I'm justifiably completely ashamed of this period in my life, but I had the absolute, no holds barred crazy. This was back in the day, of course, I'm 'bout rid of it now. It makes me feel so much better to know I'm not the only one who used to have The Crazy. Plus, Dooce makes it funny. A++++, would read again.

the chevra

starfireming — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:17:24 GMT

I bet you didn't know there was a Orthodox Jewish boy band. That page in particular is totally up for the Nice Jewish Boy calendar.

I'm imagining squadrons of teen girls screaming for these guys. "DOVID IS SOOOO CUTE!"

And, after careful perusal of youtube, I have determined that there are WAY too many Jewish kids bringing their camcorders to religious camp. (I already knew there were way too many Christian kids bringing their camcorders to religious camp.)

At some point I'll catch up on LJ again. It forgot who I was- and I'd nearly forgotten my password.

<3 my boys <3

starfireming — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:35:09 GMT

Happy Birthday, Andy! Seven today. Wow. And conveniently being taken to the beauty parlor too, awesome. I can hardly believe he's seven already, it was just last month he was a shaved puppy with staples up and down his leg. Oh my baby!

And happy birthday to jeffbernath too. Even though it was yesterday. I'm a bad interneter. But I personally made certain that it was a very happy birthday!

♥♥♥♥♥

starfireming — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:44:30 GMT

My give-a-damn's busted.

I'm so, so, so, so glad it's Shabbat. Even though I won't be keeping it properly, I'm just so glad it's here!

starfireming — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:49:36 GMT

Damn you Polyvore for linking me to Browns Fashion! I can't stop looking at cute shoes!

Well, there is one benefit to being addicted to this website. It is better to internet-window-shop for things you could not ever possibly afford, especially if conversion rates are involved.

Did I mention I have the worst taste ever? That ring is so gaudy but yet so pretty!

starfireming — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:21:14 GMT

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Science/Math Nerd (Absolute Insane Laughter as you pour toxic chemicals into a foaming tub of death!) Well, maybe you aren't this extreme, but you're in league with the crazy scientists/mathmeticians of today. Very few people have the talent of math and science is something takes a lot of brains as well. Thank whosever God you worship, or don't worship, so thank no deity whatsoever in your case, for you people! Most of us would have died off without your help.
Literature Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Social Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Drama Nerd
Anime Nerd
Musician
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

DEAR ABBY: My older sister, "Iris," has suffered from depression for years, partly due to the success I have achieved in my life. I have traveled internationally, received scholarships, and now at 26, have a well-paying job and a loving husband.

Iris dropped out of college twice, works a minimum-wage job and has never had a boyfriend. I never brag about any of my achievements, but we talk on the phone often and she knows everything that's going on in my life.

My sister has never openly displayed any jealousy or resentment, but our mother has confided to me that Iris has been taking antidepressants for years and feels that she has never accomplished anything "great."

I have now learned that I'm expecting my first child. I'm afraid that when Iris finds out, she may be devastated. How can I tell her without sending her into a deeper depression, and how can I enjoy the good things that happen to me without feeling guilty about my sister? -- GUILTY ACHIEVER IN CANADA

Dear Abby's response, as printed in my paper: DEAR GUILTY ACHIEVER: The time has come to stop feeling guilty for your blessings. Tell your sister about the baby and let her share your happiness until she's well enough to find it on her own. It could help with her healing.

My rage at reading this was fearsome indeed. How incredibly narcissistic is it to think that YOU can cause depression in others?! This woman needs to get over herself, learn about depression and how it is a DISEASE- that is, no matter how much more awesome you are than someone you cannot spontaneously generate depression in them- and then maybe she'll get a grip. In fact I expect the whole family needs to learn the facts about depression, since it seems like the mom is also in on this nonsense, and the sister doesn't appear to be getting treatment. Depression is a disease and it is TREATABLE. I cannot emphasize that enough. It's true that sometimes circumstances can cause depression, like the death of a spouse, but that sort of depression is generally understood as such and self-limiting, unlike major depression. Major depression is not related to your success or lack thereof in life- look at Winston Churchill.

Fortunately for Dear Abby, I looked up her column online and there was another paragraph that got cut from my paper:
A step in the right direction would be for you to do some reading about chronic depression, so you can understand that your achievements did not cause your sister's problem. She is taking antidepressants to help her regulate a chemical imbalance in her brain that, apparently, she has been trying to cope with for many years -- which would explain why she had difficulty with personal relationships and her studies. If she's not already receiving it, psychotherapy -- in addition to her medications -- could help her.

Thanks, Times-Dispatch, for cutting the helpful part. :PPPPPPP

rain

starfireming — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:32:22 GMT

We're having a major rain event here in RVA, which is awesome except that a) my "rain" jacket apparently didn't get the memo and b) every time it rains like it means it, it underscores the COMPLETE LACK OF DRAINAGE. VCU is the worst when it comes to drainage(although in all fairness I haven't visited Shockoe Bottom today) but even out in the 'burbs some roads have inches of water on them.

Note to self: Get a real rain jacket.

In other news, I bought myself pretty shiny jewelry today. Some day when I buy myself pretty shiny jewelry it will be the real deal. But I'm patient.

Finally, this is for jeffbernath:

♥ ♥ ♥

where is my mind?

starfireming — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:20:53 GMT

p.s. for once in my misbegotten life I have my keys, cell phone AND wallet. Normally none of these things are missing, but this week is just chaos & hell. Like that other dimension in Event Horizon. I lost my cell phone this morning just as it died. I finally found it in a place that's only slightly less ridiculous than the refrigerator- the bathroom drawer. I don't even remember opening that, I normally don't. My wallet still isn't in my possession... but fuck it, at least I know where it is and I'm getting it back. I'll count that a win.

Because music is the only thing that makes me feel better:

these bonds are shackle-free

starfireming — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:06:53 GMT

can't sleep, nightmares will eat me

starfireming — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:31:20 GMT

this video is just freaking perfect.

If that ain't love then I don't know what love is

I'm gonna die in these four walls...

starfireming — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:45:31 GMT

Dogs go to Heaven?? Stolen from beldar.

Show me trouble I'll take him down
I drew a line on this patch of ground
Everything's safe and everything's sound
In these four walls