I read a beautiful post on the NY Times blog Happy Days: The Pursuit of What Matters in Troubled Times yesterday that I can't stop thinking about. Thought I'd share:
http://happydays.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/a-light-in-winter/
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Worth a Read
I've been reading The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson for the past couple of weeks. It's a memoir of Bryson's childhood that humorously describes life growing up in the 1950s. For me, the book started out a bit slow, with observations of 1950s life that weren't all that intriguing; but Bryson's humor and wit really came through at the end of the first chapter, and it has turned into an enjoyable read. Bryson's writing is especially hilarious when he is describing his personal experiences during this time period and focusing less on the stats of the day.
Here's the excerpt that reeled me in, describing his visit to a local restaurant and his experience with an employee and the restaurant's "gift box":
"I seem to have got a doll," I said, with something approaching an ironic chuckle.
Here's the excerpt that reeled me in, describing his visit to a local restaurant and his experience with an employee and the restaurant's "gift box":
"I seem to have got a doll," I said, with something approaching an ironic chuckle.
He looked at it carefully. "That's surely a shame because you only git one try at the gift box."
"Yes, but it's a doll," I said. "For a girl."
"Then you'll just have to git you a little girlfriend to give it to, won'tcha?" he answered and gave me a toothy grin and an unfortunate wink.
Sadly, those were the last words the poor man ever spoke. A moment later he was just a small muffled shriek and a smoldering spot on the carpet.
Too late he had learned an important lesson. You really should never fuck with the Thunderbolt Kid.
Good stuff.
Friday, September 11, 2009
To Those Who Camp in the Rain: I Salute You!
Have you seen those commercials, there is a whole series of them these days, that outline some of the humorous oddities of life in the Northwest? Socks and sandals guy, obsessive recycler, 50 degrees shirts off guy, etc? They have been created by PEMCO Insurance and you can view a whole list of them on their website . It's a hilarious campaign if you're from around here, but I have to say that my personal favorite is the Blue Tarp Camper. The first time I saw this particular commercial I laughed my ass off, recalling fond memories of childhood camping trips spent underneath that familiar blue glow, playing cards and......well, really cards are kind of the entertainment limit when it’s raining buckets on you for hours on end.
This past weekend I had the pleasure (and yes, I have made the correct word choice here) of revisiting this fond childhood memory as my partner and I, our dog, Radley, and our next door neighbors made our way to the Cascades for a Labor Day weekend camping trip. Our neighbors had arrived the night before and, as Chris and I woke up to the sound of pouring rain in Seattle, we received a phone call to let us know that the same wet weather had hit and drowned the campground as well. We looked at each other with that "do we still do this?" face: the furrowed brow, half grimace, nose wrinkled up like you've just smelled something not quite right, and decided that, of course we do. We were born and RAISED here for Christ sakes! Our neighbors are from CHICAGO! There's no way they can be more tolerant of this weather than we are. We've actually been conditioned to live in a constant state of denial about this weather. "Aren't you going to use an umbrella?", most will ask. "Naw, it's just barely drizzling out!”, I'll say as I cover myself in a thin layer of nylon and skip happily out the door. Of course, I'm yadda yadda-ing over the part where I end up cursing the "drizzle" that minutes later will have formed a puddle in my shoes, but I digress.
So we packed up our gear and headed out, being sure to stop by the local hardware store and pick up the requisite Northwest campers’ tools: a 12' X 16' blue tarp and about 50 feet of nylon rope. When we arrived at the campground, the rain was still coming down pretty heavily. It ceased long enough for us to put up our tent and tarp shelter without being drenched, however, and the rest of the evening was reasonably pleasant; dry enough for a campfire.
Early the next morning, we awoke to the sound of the returning downpour. Maybe it's because I've lived so long here in the Northwest, but honestly I find nothing more comforting than the sound of a heavy rain, and find it especially soothing on the roof of a tent. For someone who loves the outdoors, there are few things better than being that close to the elements while still knowing that you will remain dry and comfortable.
Although the rain did slow down enough to the point that we could get out of the tent, its quick return made us especially grateful that we had purchased that large blue tarp and that Chris had risked breaking his neck when he shimmied up that tree to string it up. (For those of you that know Chris and his tendency to break things, you understand how real this risk was.)
The rest of the day was uneventful. The rain continued and the four of us + dogs spent our time by the fire, under the shelter of our most crucial accessory. The dogs gave us the occasional look of disgust, not quite understanding what we seemed to find so appealing about all this sitting around in the damp, dreary outdoors. But for the four of us, it was obvious that you don't often get an opportunity like this. It was a genuine excuse to stay put, enjoy a lot of laughs and good conversation, and not so secretly hope that it doesn't stop raining.
This past weekend I had the pleasure (and yes, I have made the correct word choice here) of revisiting this fond childhood memory as my partner and I, our dog, Radley, and our next door neighbors made our way to the Cascades for a Labor Day weekend camping trip. Our neighbors had arrived the night before and, as Chris and I woke up to the sound of pouring rain in Seattle, we received a phone call to let us know that the same wet weather had hit and drowned the campground as well. We looked at each other with that "do we still do this?" face: the furrowed brow, half grimace, nose wrinkled up like you've just smelled something not quite right, and decided that, of course we do. We were born and RAISED here for Christ sakes! Our neighbors are from CHICAGO! There's no way they can be more tolerant of this weather than we are. We've actually been conditioned to live in a constant state of denial about this weather. "Aren't you going to use an umbrella?", most will ask. "Naw, it's just barely drizzling out!”, I'll say as I cover myself in a thin layer of nylon and skip happily out the door. Of course, I'm yadda yadda-ing over the part where I end up cursing the "drizzle" that minutes later will have formed a puddle in my shoes, but I digress.
So we packed up our gear and headed out, being sure to stop by the local hardware store and pick up the requisite Northwest campers’ tools: a 12' X 16' blue tarp and about 50 feet of nylon rope. When we arrived at the campground, the rain was still coming down pretty heavily. It ceased long enough for us to put up our tent and tarp shelter without being drenched, however, and the rest of the evening was reasonably pleasant; dry enough for a campfire.
Early the next morning, we awoke to the sound of the returning downpour. Maybe it's because I've lived so long here in the Northwest, but honestly I find nothing more comforting than the sound of a heavy rain, and find it especially soothing on the roof of a tent. For someone who loves the outdoors, there are few things better than being that close to the elements while still knowing that you will remain dry and comfortable.
Although the rain did slow down enough to the point that we could get out of the tent, its quick return made us especially grateful that we had purchased that large blue tarp and that Chris had risked breaking his neck when he shimmied up that tree to string it up. (For those of you that know Chris and his tendency to break things, you understand how real this risk was.)
The rest of the day was uneventful. The rain continued and the four of us + dogs spent our time by the fire, under the shelter of our most crucial accessory. The dogs gave us the occasional look of disgust, not quite understanding what we seemed to find so appealing about all this sitting around in the damp, dreary outdoors. But for the four of us, it was obvious that you don't often get an opportunity like this. It was a genuine excuse to stay put, enjoy a lot of laughs and good conversation, and not so secretly hope that it doesn't stop raining.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Do you know what you're voting on?
So I've decided to enter the world of blogging with a rant about an f'd up piece of legislature, or, I should say, an f'd up opposition to a piece of legislature, that is currently making its way (in disguise, none the less) onto the ballot here in Washington State.
Earlier this year the state legislature approved and Governor Gregoire signed an expansion of the domestic partnership law, broadening the rights of gay and lesbian couples and unmarried couples over the age of 62 to (nearly) equate those of the legally married. Before the ink was dry, however, a group called Protect Marriage Washington was beginning to gather signatures on Referendum 71, blocking the ability of the expansion to be immediately placed into law.
The tricky thing about Referendum 71, and the thing voters have to be most conscious of if it does make it onto the ballot this November, is that a 'yes' vote on the Referendum will in fact approve the expansion of the domestic partnership law. Protect Marriage Washington is working to place the referendum on the ballot simply because they are playing the odds and assuming voters will reject, as they statistically do with referenda.
This somewhat backwards agenda has also worked against domestic partnership law supporters as it has forced them to have to convince voters not to sign for the approval of Ref. 71, but to support it if it does make it onto the ballot, creating a great deal of room for misunderstanding in the process.
It never ceases to amaze me the length to which some individuals and organizations will go to control the rights of others who are causing them no harm. Some will argue that the addition of Ref. 71 on the ballot is important because the public should be able to vote on this expansion of the domestic partnership law; that politicians shouldn't be making these types of decisions for the public. I believe it is more important to consider the significance of the fact that we are still having to debate who is deserving of particular rights in our society. Politicians aren't setting moral standards for our society by enacting this expansion of the domestic partnership law; they are simply recognizing the fact that these aren't debatable issues. They are making the statement that it isn't the place of government to hinder the ability of individuals and families, regardless of their makeup, to live their lives without fear of losing what matters most to them.
Please, Washington State voters, beat the odds. Don't place your vote on Ref. 71 without truly considering what it means for our citizens, our state, and our ability to preserve justice for all in our society.
Earlier this year the state legislature approved and Governor Gregoire signed an expansion of the domestic partnership law, broadening the rights of gay and lesbian couples and unmarried couples over the age of 62 to (nearly) equate those of the legally married. Before the ink was dry, however, a group called Protect Marriage Washington was beginning to gather signatures on Referendum 71, blocking the ability of the expansion to be immediately placed into law.
The tricky thing about Referendum 71, and the thing voters have to be most conscious of if it does make it onto the ballot this November, is that a 'yes' vote on the Referendum will in fact approve the expansion of the domestic partnership law. Protect Marriage Washington is working to place the referendum on the ballot simply because they are playing the odds and assuming voters will reject, as they statistically do with referenda.
This somewhat backwards agenda has also worked against domestic partnership law supporters as it has forced them to have to convince voters not to sign for the approval of Ref. 71, but to support it if it does make it onto the ballot, creating a great deal of room for misunderstanding in the process.
It never ceases to amaze me the length to which some individuals and organizations will go to control the rights of others who are causing them no harm. Some will argue that the addition of Ref. 71 on the ballot is important because the public should be able to vote on this expansion of the domestic partnership law; that politicians shouldn't be making these types of decisions for the public. I believe it is more important to consider the significance of the fact that we are still having to debate who is deserving of particular rights in our society. Politicians aren't setting moral standards for our society by enacting this expansion of the domestic partnership law; they are simply recognizing the fact that these aren't debatable issues. They are making the statement that it isn't the place of government to hinder the ability of individuals and families, regardless of their makeup, to live their lives without fear of losing what matters most to them.
Please, Washington State voters, beat the odds. Don't place your vote on Ref. 71 without truly considering what it means for our citizens, our state, and our ability to preserve justice for all in our society.
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