Friday, May 26, 2006

There's nothing I would rather do.

It's 12.17pm. I need to vacuum and dust and make sure all the dishes are put away and maybe do some laundry and walk the dog and figure out dinner and a few other things. And I need to finish quilling a bonsai tree. I'll have to go to the hobby store for more papers first, though. This bonsai tree design is very simple but very time consuming.

In two weeks, we should be in Florida. I'm excited about this. I think. I've never been to Florida. I should be trying to get a better tan before we go but that requires being outside and the heat is NOT agreeing with me lately.

Looking at house plans bugs me. I wish for money to be no object.



Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Things I dislike today

The taste of teeth-bleaching strips. *gag*

Having to buy ONE more piece of tile for the bathroom and then finding out that the tile is discontinued.

Having to buy 7 extra pieces just in case something crazy happens.

Crooked bathroom walls. Putting a vanity in becomes a hassle.

Excel 12 Beta. Don't tell me to use the Tools menu when you know damn good and well it's not there anymore.

Getting phone calls from people I don't know. On my cellphone. That's just obnoxious.

Monday, May 1, 2006

Sounds like someone's got a case of the Mondays.

Today is May Day. Years ago, it was still tradition to leave May Baskets on neighbors' doorsteps or even hanging from doorknobs. People don't do that anymore. We don't celebrate the seasons by reaching out to each other. Why not?

I'm celebrating May Day (Beltane) by working in my yard and soaking in all the prettiness of the flowers and birds.

Stars hockey is over for the season. They lost game 5 yesterday, putting the Avs up 4-1 in the series. I guess I should have expected it? The whole season has been a series of freaky occurences and the other playoff series going on have also had unexpected results in several cases. Edmonton is trying to bowl over Detroit (8th place knocking out 1st) and the Rangers had pretty much no chance against the Devils. Nashville lost out to the Sharks yesterday. Blah. Hoping to see the Stanley Cup finals star the Oilers and the Devils. I'd be happy with the results no matter which way it went.

Today is also Day Without Immigrants. Lots of businesses are closed, lots of people not going to work. All in support of... what? I don't remember anymore. I know the bill in question proposes tighter immigration laws, fewer convictions of felonies necessary to lead to deportation, tougher penalties on businesses hiring workers without verifying their status/withholding taxes/offering insurance, and assigning 'ward of state' status to children of illegal immigrants if the parents are deported. Some of this is unfair, sure. Children shouldn't be separated from their family like that. Maybe the immigration laws need to be overhauled, not just battened down. I can't help but agree with the felony = deportation concept, though. When a citizen commits certain crimes, they are (hopefully) punished accordingly. When someone who has no legal right to live in the country commits certain crimes, they should be punished as well. Since they have no right to live here, sure, send 'em home. That's getting off easy, if you ask me.

If one wants to be in the US because their home country doesn't grant them the liberties they desire, I can understand trying to come here by any means necessary. But why not protest your government? Why not support reforms in your home country when possible? Meh. I know, people come here because sometimes they have no recourse in their own country. But I see no reason for an open door policy. Might as well change the name of the country to "Big Dumb America" and get it over with.

Anyway. What's the protesting for? The people showing up to protest are likely legal immigrants or children of immigrants. Those with questionable citizenship/residency status aren't likely to march in the streets demanding to be allowed to stay. That's an invitation to be arrested and deported. So if you're already here legally, enjoying all the rights/privileges the rest of America enjoys, what gives? What're you asking for? What actions are being taken against you that you feel are unfair? I don't think I've seen or heard a clear case for why the Day Without Immigrants needs to happen. The laws are not being changed to close the borders completely and halt all immigration. It's about making the borders more secure and establishing a clearer path towards legal immigration. In theory.

Our Statue of Liberty announces to the world, "Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Maybe it's all just a big miscommunication.

Actually, it sounds like our school grant system. If you're making just enough money to get by but not so much as to be able to shell out tuition up front, you don't get any kind of help. You either have to drive yourself into debt to pay for school or you can just forget about going. Only the absolute bottom gets a leg up. You're nothing if you're not filthy rich or dirt poor.

Ignore this.