Silliness stolen from kerri

1. If you had to choose an alias, what would it be?
Isn't Roni good enough? Suggestions?

2. Where were you on 9/11?
at home when the planes hit.

3. What is your ideal vacation?
Anywhere warm with a beach and a personal cabana boy to bring me drinks and new books to read.

4. How many first cousins do you have?
I think 30 on my dad's side and 8 on my mom's. We have too many estranged family members to have a real count.

5. How do you take your pizza?
Deep dish - cheese.

6. If you could be fluent in any foreign language (that you are not already) what would it be?
I would be fluent in Spanish

7. What is your favorite website?
I don't have one fave site other than My Yahoo! just cause it gives me my mail, news, and Boondocks each morning

8. If you could experience another era of history, which would it be?
The first wave of feminism era...hanging out with Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony. They look all boring, but I'd give anything to hang with them even for a day.

9. What is your favorite genre of movies?
Comedy

10. If you could have any one superpower, what would it be?
Super strength

11. Can you whistle?
Not well

12. If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?
Dolphin, hands down! Swim, eat, have sex all day long.

13. Who is your favorite fictional character?
Lisa Simpson

14. Star Wars or Star Trek? is neither an option?
Star Wars

15. What is your favorite beverage?
At this point...anything but water.

16. What brand of toothpaste do you use?
Tom's of Maine for sensitive teeth

17. What is your favorite professional sports team?
Chicago Cubs

18. Are you "indoorsy" or "outdoorsy"?
Outdoorsy...not so much to hike, but just to be outside.

19. What is your earliest childhood memory?
The boy next door smooshing my face into the sand box.

20. If you could play any musical instrument, what would it be?
Drums or piano

21. What's your favorite accent?
British

22. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Archeologist, teacher, astronaut, marine biologist, writer

23. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Both

24. If they were making a movie or TV show of your life, who would you choose to play you?
Dunno...hard question!

25. What is your favorite element (earth, fire, water or air)?
water

26. If you could compete in any event in the Olympics (summer or winter) what would it be?
Gymnastics All-around

27. What is your favorite Sunday comic strip?
The Boondocks

28. What kind of music do you listen to?
Pop, country & western, whatever happens to make me dance.

29. What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
Lucky Charms, I eat the cereal part first and then the marshmellows. I do the same thing with Captain Crunch w/ Berries.

30. What is your worst habit?
Putting things off

Labels: sports

Paris Pride

What a weekend! Saturday I barely had enough energy to get thru yoga and get my ass back into bed. Paris is not only sucking my brain power, but also my physical power. Thus, I missed out on the Dyke March, which I hear was fab. But we were able to make it to the Pride Parade yesterday and had a great time.

Right now all of Chicago appears to be totally enthralled with the party-gone-bad on Sunday morning. While very sad, I always find it interesting when the news decides that this is the story of the next two weeks and no other news can really penetrate that zone. I also wonder how the news decides which of the victims will be THE showcased victims. The wonders of media. *shrug*

And of course, the Cubs-Sux 6-game series is finally over. Damn, my Cubbies got their asses whooped 4 out of 6 games. And somehow we're still only 1 game outta first place. Gotta focus on that...can't let the Sux fans get in my way! haha...

Labels: sports

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No kidding! I've been trying all day to get into the new FTC, do not call list. No luck. It's worse than the day I tried to get into Ticketmaster for Cubs tickets for the first night game. I just hope that this isn't a big scam by the GOP. hahaha!! Off to try again...

Finally got in! Now I'm just waiting for my email from the FTC so that they can confirm who I say I am. One thing the hubby mentioned thou is what's gonna happen to all the telemarketers? Will this just throw another log on the fire of a bad economy? How much is our economy built on telemarketing? I guess we'll just to wait & see.

We'll take a mile...

Last night's celebration was wonderful. I got up close to take some pics (I'll post them later) and while the crowd was much smaller than I had imagined, it was still electric.

Sight seen on t-shirt: 6 out of 9 think gay sex is fun (front)
But who would want to have sex with the other 3? (back)

Of course, that's from memory, but I think you get the gist.

After a few great speakers, we marched down Halsted Street chanting a few catchy slogans. So catchy, that my lil brain can't remember them. D'oh! Anyone watching closely to the channel 5 news last night got to not only see me woo-hooing, but hear me. I guess that's the camera I was standing next to.

Oh...and I got a lot of attention from the gay men in the crowd. Never thought a pregnant belly was a gay magnet. haha... And to think I've been wasting it all this time!

I am

Of slight build
lots of charm
appeal and attraction
pleasant aura
flirtatious
adventurous
sensitive
always in love
wants to love and be loved
faithful and tender partner
very generous
scientific talents
lives for today
a carefree philosopher with imagination

taken from Mer...get yours here. Not totally correct, but hey...

Sex it up!

Yeah! We can all have our sex whatever way we want, as consenting adults, of course. The USSC just struck down the Texas sodomy law, clearing the way to invalidate all the other sodomy laws of the land.

As I mentioned a few days ago, there will be a celebration later today around the country. In Chicago, the plans are:
7 pm - Rally at the corner of Halsted & Roscoe.
Co-sponsored by the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network and Equality Illinois
Contact: CABNstopthehate@aol.com / cabn.org or 888.471.0874.

I'll be there and I hope it's one hell of a celebration!

Tasting my past

After my initial anger at mom's death and her not being here for the baby, I started to miss her cooking. I've always wanted to know exactly how she made some of my favorite dishes. Yet, I always kept myself in the dark, so that I'd always have a reason for her to make them for me. Who doesn't crave their mom's home cooking?

Thankfully, I took it upon myself to begin to learn how she makes enchilladas. She never really made a lot of things with a recipe, so it made it tough for her very analytic daughter to learn how to feel and taste a recipe and not go at it like a chemistry experiment.

One food item I've been craving since mom died was her banana pudding. I don't think she had made it for me in years, but I guess nostalgia took over my stomach. So I bought the ingredients that I remembered mom used. I knew it was a simple recipe as well. So a few nights ago, I scoured the internet for a recipe. I found one that looked right and was simple. I tired it out last night (with the necessary diabetic exchanges) and yum! Not as good as mom's version, but will anything?

After Paris arrives, I think I may attempt to recreate her apple pancake. Gawd, that was one thing I use to ask over & over for. I think she made it for me at Christmas, the last time I really saw her. I now know it's a killer meal - diabetically speaking - but it's just too good and I must learn to make it for Paris. It's not like the apple pancakes you get at IHOP. The apples are baked into a pancake. One huge mother pancake in a skillet. A deep skillet. You slice it like a cake and then smother it with butter & syrup. *drooool* We've always been a huge breakfast family. My dad's pancakes will sit on the bottom of your stomach for hours. I'm still attempting to get Swedish pancakes down, heck regular pancakes would be a good start too.

I think this is what the black community calls Soul Food. How food is the link, the witness, the memory of a certain day or a routine. Now for me to recapture them all.

Oooh...I think I found a recipe for the apple pancake! Damn that I have to wait to try it.

Happy Birthday, George!

Today is George Orwell's 100th birthday. In celebration, Democracy Now! is playing The Two Georges, Orwell and Bush: A Dramatic Reading of George Orwell’s Classic Work 1984 Interspersed With Recent News Clips From President Bush and Others. I listen to DN! on the ride into work, but the closer I get to the Sears Tower the worse it sounds. I know that DN! is played at different times around the country, so if you can, tune in. You can also listen to the hour online.

A lot of people throw around the idea that our climate today reflects 1984, but DN! goes one huge step further & presents readings from the novel and then plays snippets of Bush Adminstration press conferences or speeches. It's eerie & makes my tummy go all icky.

If you've never listened to DN! try it. The reports are far longer than NPR and thus in greater depth. It's pure liberal media, not the so-called liberal media of CNN. It's great.

Unbutton your pants!

The 2003 Taste of Chicago is ready to begin on Friday! Included in this annual gluttonous-fest, is lots of music to move that butt to. This year's headliners are pretty damn good, IMO. I feel like I need to be out there almost every night. *drum roll*

June 27: Erykah Badu
June 28: Loretta Lynn
June 29: John Michael Montgomery & Deana Carter
June 30: Kenny Rogers
July 1: Broadway in Chicago with Dennis De Young *yawn*
July 2: India.Arie
July 3: FIREWORKS: If you hate crowds, this is not the night for you.
July 4: The Wallflowers *yawn* & Pete Yorn
July 5: Sheryl Crow *yawn*
July 6: Elvis Costello (on a smaller stage is a good local act, Dylan Rice.)

Ideally, I'd love to see Erykah, India.Arie, Kenny Rogers, and Elvis. Of course, he'd better play "Veronica" or he'll get his ass kicked. *lol* Who knows what we'll catch, as we usually play the Taste by ear. BTW - There seems to be a big Eli's Cheesecake party happening almost every day, so there are a few chances to grab a free piece of yummy cheesecakey-goodness.Of course with my diet, I won't be able to gorge myself. Hmmm...and maybe that chocolate-dipped chocolate chip cheesecake is out of the question too. damn!

Too Thin for Tennis?

The new Anna Kournikova, Hantuchova can actually win a match or two. But is she too skinny for tennis? "Good Morning America" showed an awful picture of her this morning. She was playing in an outfit that wasn't more than a sports bra & boy briefs. It was sickening how skinny she was. Not in the "I'm fat and you make me sick, skinny chick" way, but the "Karen Carpenter" sickening way.

A lot of high profile female former tennis players are saying that she's too thin. That tennis is about power. And really, does she look like she could take on either of the Williams sisters? I think they could beat her with a sneeze.

What's not really being pursued, yet, is the link between sex & sports. We've gone thru it during Anna K's sucky play, but still #1 in recognition. The Chicago Suntimes has a section in the print edition where they use to print a picture of Anna K just for the hell (and lust) of it. Then in the last year, they've started to print pics of Hantuchova. When we let sports media focus on female players first as sex symbols and then as athletes, we're really doing them a disservice. These young women should be worrying about pumping iron and working the court, not if they look good.

I've heard sports folks say, if it brings more attention to the sport, so be it. Well, then, so be a skeleton playing at Wimbledon. Don't say it's ok for the LPGA to, firmly, ask their players to sauce it up, for Brandi Chastain to pose in the nude, and many other female athletes who put their looks before their game and then point your finger at Hantuchova for trying too hard to live up to the sexy standard.

A decision needs to be made and soon. Do we want to watch sex kittens on the court, playing field, and ice? Or do we want to watch athletes?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Stolen from amytart:

What's on your nightstand:

As with Amy, I have two...but I've merged directly into taking over the hubby's side (long pregnancy story).

Pregnancy journal
Harry Potter #1
used lancets
hair things (ties, rubber bands, barrettes, etc.)
Panda lamp (was hubby's as a kid)
pens
used kleenex
3 volumes of feminist fairy tales
eye pillow

Of course, all of this isn't just on top, but also in the lil shelf. That's not counting all the goodies I have stored in my nightstand's drawers.

A Big Day?

It's expected that the USSC will announce their verdicts on two very important civil rights cases today. One is affirmative action and the other is the anti-sodomy case. In the sodomy's case, whenever the judgement is handed down, there will be a party or a protest. To find out where the party/protest is happening near you, check out the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network. They have listings for all over the country. Unfortunately, I haven't received word from any pro-affirmative action group about a protest/party that may be planned. *shrug*

Chicago's rally info:
7 pm - Rally at the corner of Halsted & Roscoe.
Co-sponsored by the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network and Equality Illinois
Contact: CABNstopthehate@aol.com / cabn.org or 888.471.0874.

Let's hope for two parties today!

Oh, and if it does go down today, I won't be there. I'll be enjoynig yummy goodness at Cinnamon's!

ps: Thanks to Rachel for testing out All Consuming. My code's back up and hopefully I'll be picking up a new book tonight!

My Time of the Month

This week's collab topic at we have brains is:
1. How (if at all) do you think about your own or other's menstrual cycles? Is it horrid? A minor inconvenience? Something to celebrate?
2. Medically, are we over- or under-sensitive to the changes of monthly cycles and to menopause?
3. What about politically? Is it reasonable to allow a woman to plead insanity due to PMDD or hormonal imbalances?
4. And for those of you who currently menstruate - do your political leanings play a role in your ideas about period (for instance, do you use non-corporate, non-disposable pads, or allocate that time for specific types of action)?

1. It ebbs and flows. (*giggle*) There are times in my life when I'm really hanging out with a few women and as always, our flows start to get in synch. In high school, a bunch of us on the color guard were super in-synch and even at a time paralleled our womanhood with the size of our tampon. Thus, the smaller the tampon, the less woman you were. We were insane. As for celebration...Outside of thanking the Goddess for not being pregnant, I've never celebrated my period. My mom had a hard time with hers and I think gave me a negative feel for my own. If Paris is a girl, I do plan to have her celebrate her first period. I dunno if it'll be a party with other girlfriends or not, maybe just a nice day out being girls together.

2. I think both. Some of us do have horrid periods and then some medical folks thing we're just crazy. That or they are all too ready to give us a pink Prozac for our womanly needs. gah!

3. Yikes! Hard one. I dunno. I've heard of women who really do have some major psych problems during their period. Me...if I hacked someone to death and then blamed it on my period, you all have permission to slap me. I've never had a period *that* bad. But who knows what the future holds for me.

4. I use to try to buy organic, but still mainstream, tampons and pads. That flew out the window once it started to get harder to find them at the Target. When it's time for me to start buying again? I dunno. I'll sure try, but sadly, I think it'll fall into the "can I afford it" category.

Don't Mess With the Cubs

You can beat us on the playing field, but don't even think you can kick our ass. Exhibit A & B:





Right now, our um, pitcher, Estes is pitching like a dead warthog against the dreaded White Sux. But it's still early and hopefully Farnsworth is kicking Estes' ass in the locker room. Maybe we can trade him for a bucket of chicken. BTW, I'd show you a pic of Farnsworth after the fight, but I can't find one online. But he didn't seem to have more than a scratch on him.

Labels: sports

Hispanics Outpace Blacks as Largest Minority Group

So we're #1 now, right? Woo! *yawn*

Hispanics are the largest minority, but also a mish-mosh of differences. You might say that we're a reflection of the country in that we have so many differences, but are all 'one people'. Not all of us are Catholics or even Christian. Not all of us are poor, althou, we lead in that department as well. The numbers are most likely underreported considering how many Hispanics are here illegally.

So 2 negatives...add to the growing population of immigrant Hispanics who may not speak English and there's our 3rd strike. Stikes?

Well it won't matter how many Hispanics we have, until we have some economic & political power, it won't mean squat. We have to push our new Hispanic hermanas & hermanos to become citizens and then get out and vote. We have to instill in our communities that it might take longer, but an education is really the best way to bring the family out of poverty. We're too damn short to be woo'd by the NBA! Seriously thou, Hispanics seem to have an overwhelming desire to take care of not just themselves, but the family. So we often do short-sighted things like quit school and work to help out. It solves the problem right then and there, but where are we, as individuals, left? Waiting for our own kids to grow up and help us sell elotes on the street, work in a store, etc.

I admire the strength of those who push heavy carts up and down my street each day in the rain, snow, blazing heat, and prefect weather. I always try to buy from them. I'm not a snob (unlike some neighbors) who think they dirty up our neighborhood. But, I do think that if Hispanic kids were pushed to wait it out, focus on school, and maybe a part-time job to help out, they could reward their families with more than minimum wage.

My dream is that when Paris is older, Paris can look at the landscape and see its heritage reflected in more faces than just the servers, busboys, maids, and lawn workers of this country. The hubby & I still attend events where we wonder why the guy handing us a mini-pork chop is smiling at us. Then we realize, shit! We're the only Mexicans in here that aren't serving! Things are changing...don't get me wrong. And I have full faith that we'll get to a more balanced society.

Speaking of spas and facials...

warning: this is a total ramble post. proceed.

I don't know how I feel about all of this. On one hand, I don't think it's good to get lil girls all into the spa & make-up scene so soon, but then I think about when I was lil and well, I dunno.

When I go to the mall and see those new girly-girl stores with make-up areas, I think "why didn't we have those when we were little?" Seriously. Instead my younger sis & I depended on our Grandma to buy use the Cinderella plastic shoes with tiara set at the drug store, raid her old make-up drawers and dress up. Yeah, this ardent tomboy use to play with make-up. Secrets out. I may have to give back my tomboy card. *sigh*

I do think there's a difference between my sis & I and the girls at these stores. I dunno. But there is a feeling that today's girls do it not outta youthful play, but as a way to be pretty like their moms or the pop stars they adore. We did it to pretend to be Cinderella, not Lizzie McGuire. Is that a real difference? I dunno.

But I was shocked last night while watching VH-1's Top 100 Songs from the last 25 years. They were on Duran Duran's "Hungry Like A Wolf" (#80) and they said, 1982...I was barely 8 then AND a huge fan! I started lusting after John Taylor at 8. EIGHT! Add Ricky Schroder into the mix and I'm a sick puppy. Considering that I had 2 "boyfriends" by the second grade, I'll back off on the sick puppy label.

It just starts to bring it all home again that our society greatly underestimates how young we can be when we start to daydream about love and wonder what do you do with your crush of the week? Maybe pretty princess parties & fashion shows aren't so bad, if we put them in context.

And I didn't even go near the insanity of introducing karaoke to such impressionable children!

GO DOG GO!

I always knew we were surrounded by stupid drivers, but in today's Sun-Times, it is revealed that Chicago is #1 in stupid drivers, who run red lights! Take that NYC and LA! We're #1!!

Da Mayor wants to install cameras to catch all us red-light runners and give us a $90 ticket. Considering how often people I know pay their parking tickets (we always pay ours right away, FTR) I doubt we'll see a huge increase in revenue. I think something broke in Da Mayor's head when he kicked ass in the last election. He's lost it. I really hope this is his last go around.

I'm so prissy, oh, so prissy...

I've been dying for a haircut and a manicure for weeks. I just haven't had time to go in for either. Plus my stylist is a tad expensive for me right now. But I've got the money, so it's a matter of getting my ass in there. So the manicure, I decided on a whim at Target to get one of those home french manicure kits.

Picture this chica on Sunday night trying to paint her nails with the kit. It's not that hard, but you can tell they are home-painted, if you really look close. The weird thing is that normally when I paint my nails, by this time in the week, they are all chipped at the top because of how much typing I do. But the french manicure stuff seems to be holding its own. Anyone know if the white manicure stuff is really any stronger than the usual stuff? Or am I just imagining it?

I'm Not Sorry.net

You may notice that I added a new link to my sidebar. It's to a fairly new website that collects positive stories of abortion. Whether or not you have had one, it's a great site. It's great to read stories of women and young women who made a choice and haven't looked back. And really, it's more than just moving on, it's being at peace with a decision that you made. And if you have had an abortion and have a positive story to pass along, go for it.

ALSO...the new we have brains collab topic is up! It's my turn this week, so enjoy.

Now for some lunch...*grumble*...excuse me!

Labels: abortion

ROAR

As some of you may recall, the hubby is on the board of a local school. He got into it because he felt that our schools needed help from the community and wa-la, there were two community member seats available. He finally had a job where he could put in some after work hours and help out the kids & the community at large.

OH MY GAWD...while I can't generalize for every board in the city, but he's is just insane. I say that because last night they had a meeting and one of the teachers got up and asked him how he could speak about anything since he missed the last meeting. He missed because of my mom's death! AND the hubby knows that the whole school and board know about it. The fucker.

The funny thing is that the hubby is too nice and too respectful to use my mom as an excuse. I woulda ripped the teacher's head off with a stern explanation of why he wasn't there. The teacher only said it, IMO, to hurt him. There's no other reason that I can see.

So he's involved in this microcosm of the larger political world we all live in. It's ugly. It's scary. Are you someone who bitches and moans about Congress & the President not getting things done? Go sit in on a local board meeting. Don't bother to learn the issue. Just go and watch. See how even at such a small level with not a lot to gain (no lobbyists showering representatives with golfing vacations), people will forget why they are there and wrangle for power. What power one wields at a local level board is beyond me. Especially when some people just want the power to hand the power to someone else. *shaking head*

VAGINA


You've been cast in "My Angry Vagina."
You take pride in your vagina, and dislike any
unnaturally cultivated intrusions. You prefer
to nurture your womanhood, and tend to cater to
its wants and needs.


Which Vagina Monologue Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

oh, I can't wait to see what kind of silly boys I get from Google on this one. Thanks, Kerri.

Egads!

If you're reading this, you musta waited for a long time! I know that I'm having a hard time getting to this blog. I dunno what the freakin' deal is. Paris' blog isn't acting up like this. Must be some Blogger bug. hmph!

Sarah, who redesigned my main website is looking to score some bux quickly. So if you need someone to code something, make a layout, or what-not, give her a buzz. I just might throw a few bux her way to set me up with MT.

Happy Monday folks!

Thanks to dru, I now know that it was the All Consuming code that was fucking up the blog! So I deleted it and if AC gets back into gear, then the code will go back up. I also sent Rachel an email about it.

More update...it appears that trying to get here by putting in just www.veronicas.org/blog takes much longer than using the longer url of www.veronicas.org/blog/index.html...so try using that one until Blogger gets into shape. I'm assuming it's Blogger since I have no trouble getting to Andrew & Cinnamon's sites.

Happy Father's Day!

As today was the hubby's first Father's Day, Paris got his/her daddy a lil gift. It was a picture frame that said "My Daddy Loves Me" and knowing the hubby, he just might put the ultrasound in it until he gets a "real" picture of Paris. *grin*

Hope that you had a good Father's Day either remembering your daddy, BBQing with your daddy, or if you are a daddy!

Paris Birthday Pool

The deadline is July 1st. If you want in, get in now! :)

Our Best American is...

Homer according to a new BBC online poll. While not scientific, he is kicking some major ass at 40%: Abe Lincoln-10% & MLK Jr-10%. While I could rant about there not being any women on the short list, I'll just rave about how much Homer is such the best American.

Homer embodies all that is great with America. He freakin' failed to graduate from college, but still ended up working in a pretty good job at a nuclear power plant. How's that for the American dream?

Homer has faced up to his homophobia, xenophobia, and while tempted, did not give into the lustings of his very pretty co-worker.

Homer, while not on the surface, is a great dad. He loves without abandon for all three of the lil munchkins. While I think he's kinda given up on really understanding Lisa, he still admires his daughter.

Homer's a man of flaws! And thru those flaws, he's still a great guy, great husband, and great father. Sure, he falls asleep in church, but he's learned that he must go every Sunday. What other TV show has the family going to church each week? (of course, outside of any show that has the dad as the minister.)

So Homer might not have freed the slaves, ushered in a new era of civil rights, or been President, he has given us all years of laughs woven in with some great lessons on how even a 'simpleton' can rise above his out-dated notions of the world and learn to love others despite their differences. And isn't that what the others on the list (minus Mr. T) all worked towards?

I'm in the 2% club!

According to a Chicago Tribune article and the Ms. Magazine blog, only 2% of women who marry keep their last name. About 10 % use both last names. I didn't realize I was such a freak! *giggle*

But it kinda explains how I've been getting cards in the mail from friends of the hubby (FoH's) addressed to Mrs. Roni ### and not to Ms. Roni ***. It's not a real big deal to me, unless someone who should know better does it. *That* tweaks me. One of my mom's cousin's called me last night & asked for my address. She then asked, it's ### right? I said, "that's the hubby's name, I didn't change mine." She was kinda in shock...not a bad shock thou. She had just never written to me before so it was a new thing. *giggle* That's me...always blowing someone's mind.

So why didn't I change my name? Well not for this reason: Chicagoan Alison Hefele Bonney agrees. "Not changing your name signifies ambivalence about the marriage. Changing your name is like, `I want to do this,'" she said.

While I freely state that getting married was scary and I've always had a sense of doom about it. It's just the way I try to protect myself about life. That's a Cubs fan for ya...*smirk*

I kept my name because I felt that I had already accomplished a lot in my short life (we married when I was 24) and that I needed to keep it. It was my identity. I also have a fairly weird last name and it finally felt comfy to me. So why change it?

Now that Paris is coming along, some are asking if I'll change now. Why? Cause Paris will be using the hubby's last name. Any kids after Paris will also use his last name. Sure, I'd like a double last name for them, but it's one of those things that we discussed and I didn't 'win'.

As Kat said over the weekend, our kids will have a hard enough time growing up with the two of us as parents. One's a liberal, feminist, pagan and the other is a more conservative feminist Catholic. Our kids will be brought up in both traditions - a kinda Catholic Paganism if you will. Having to learn 2 last names and correct people all the time would be too much ask my lil ones right now. Heck, it'll be hard to be my kid, dontcha think? Oh, well.

we have brains:pragmatism

What are feminist actions you have taken? What are some ideas for taking action (as feminists, activists, whatever) that go beyond marching or signing petitions? Brainstorm. Be creative.

The one big thing that I'm trying to do lately is watch how I say things. Last night at a business dinner, the hubby & I were waxing about who gets the car after Paris arrives. He said, "You should have it because of the baby." What he meant is that with his new downtown job, it's much cheaper for me to have the car. So I corrected him. He totally understood why I was correcting him. I told him that he is going to be parenting Paris just as much as him and that if he was still at the old job with free parking, he'd have the car. He nodded and smirked at me. It was a good smirk.

Considering that I'll have to curb my potty mouth when Paris arrives, I figure I need to keep a short leash on my mouth on how I say things as well.

I love April's idea of leaving signs that you've been there. Some small stickers can do the job...hmm...new project?

Back to our business dinner last night. I can be a mole. The hubby works in the corporate sector and boy, you get a load full when you attend dinners like that! Althou no one said anything sexist or anti-feminist, one guy was going on and on about Augusta National and how every golfer would rather be at Augusta than go the the US Open. It wasn't about winning the dumb thing, it was because when pro golfers go there for the Master's they get treated like kings. Could that be why not too many pro-golfers nor the PGA are willing to confront Augusta about their no-dicks/no-membership policy? The hubby always reminds me to "be nice" at these events. Of course I always am, cause well, the shit that comes outta these (mostly) men's mouths is just too good to blow my cover as the perfect corporate wife! *giggle*

SAVE THE DATE

Save Women's Lives: March for Freedom of Choice | | April 25, 2004

At this moment, I can say that I'll be there. Chances are that if you want on a bus from Chicago, I'll be organizing it in one fashion or another. Some have already asked, why so far in the future?

1) It takes time to get the media ready for an event like this.
2) It takes time to get activists ready for an event like this.
3) It takes time to get the money for an event like this.
4) It'll be taking place less than 6 months before the 2004 Presidential election. By the time the march takes place, we will know who the Dem candidate is.

So mark your calendar and save up your quarters for April 2004!

Fun and spunky, you link, there for you are! This
is all fun and games, and you do what you
damned well please!


What kind of blogger am I?
brought to you by Quizilla

stolen from greybird

tap-tap...anyone here?

Ah...it's good to be back here. Missed you all darlings!

This weekend was jam packed with fun, friends, and tears.

Fun was had with Kat since she got here on Thursday. I love it when she comes to visit cause she is so low-maintainence. All she requires is a good book and our couch. And that's good enough for me. But we did have errands to run, which included hitting my hometown area to put finishing touches on Mom's memorial get-together for Monday night. Thankfully she was there with me Friday morning at the doctor's, as for what seemed like forever, they couldn't find Paris' heartbeat. But I knew it was still in there as Paris had just kicked me in the waiting room. Then we headed to the church to pick out passages & music. Is there anyone less prepared for this than a CCD-dropout & current Pagan? GAH! But we did it. Then the guy who helped us organize wanted to pray - oy! I was fine until he got to the Lord's Prayer and expected us to say it along with him. Hello? I haven't really said the Lord's Prayer since I was like 8. Kat had a great time laughing at me afterwards. After the hubby got home, we finished watching the Cubs game and then hit Gale Street Inn for dinner. It has a cheesy commercial running in Chicago and we finally gave into it. I have to say, thank the gods! It was sooooo yummy! The hubby & Kat shared ribs & streak and I had some delish BBQ chicken with garlic mashed potatoes. *drool*

Saturday the three of us decided to make a day of being couch potatoes and watch Kerry Wood spank Roger Clemens. *evil cackle* Afterwards, my dad came over & we headed out to dinner. This is how insane my father is...he drove from NC, no stopping, and drove right to Wrigley to get tickets for Saturday's game. He did manage a ticket with a seat. Considering that Kerry finally won a game, I'd say Dad brought his fave player a little luck. After dinner the hubby picked up Paris' mattress that my aunt had ordered. The crib's almost done!

Sunday was the bookfair, so Kat & I met Cinnamon and another friend for brunch at Ann Sather, which was my ultimate challenge thus far. Their cinnamon rolls are to die for, seriously. And I couldn't have one teeny bite. argh! The bookfair was fun, the weather played peek-a-boo with the sun and we were late to the Margaret Atwood talk. In reality, I think if we had been there at noon, we would had been late as the place filled up quickly. So we decided to all head home and thank god we did cause it really started to rain then. After a nice nap and letting the rain gods to their thing, Kat, the hubby & I went to the Cubs-Yankees game. woo-hoo!!

Yesterday was Mom's memorial. It was very nice, much nicer than her mass in NC. The priest just did a better job. One of my teachers from middle school showed up. I hadn't seen him in almost 10 years, but we keep in touch with letters. As soon as he had me in a hug, I started to cry. My former teachers know how much Mom did for all of us girls and pushed us to exceed all expectations. So being in his arms and hearing him cry just let the floodgates open. After the mass, the three of us joined my dad's family at a local Mexican place for dinner. Cinnamon & Andrew came as well. It was a good time.

But here I am, back at work and ready to get moving. And believe me, there's plenty to get moving on.

Labels: sports

Oooo...

This looks interesting. I've been looking for more excuses to carry my new camera along with me. Thanks Cinnamon for the link!

GGGUrlacher Bear for Life?

Lost in the shuffle that is Sosa-mania in Chicago, Brian Urlacher was resigned by the Bears and given a career contract. Given that he is *the* player in Chicago at the moment, this such a good thing. He's definately a player that the Bears can build around on and off the field.

The hubby & I are hoping for some kick ass weather in October. That's when the Raiders come in to get their old asses kicked by my Bears. haha!! And yes, we're planning on taking Paris if the weather is nice enough.

Congrats to Brian. He's one athlete that deserves the glory.

War Profiteers Card Deck

Thanks to Andrea for the link! Get your deck today and start up a friendly game of poker, go fish, whatever suits your fancy.

we have brains:A Room of Your Own

Do you feel that this is a necessary space for you? Do you feel that females are more willing to compromise their space to nurture a space for others? And, if you could have your ideal room - space - that was all yours, how would it look?

I finally get a chance to respond to a whb topic! There is a goddess!

I totally need my own space. I've never lived alone, but I'm sure I could handle it. Growing up, I was often forced to share a room with the younger sis, but once I did get my own room for a few years. That was the best! I dunno if women are more willing to compromise...I've never been, my mom never did, and my baby sis cherished her own space (while I shacked up with younger sis). The hubby says the reason we got our current apartment with 2 rooms is for the baby, I got it for me. I think I can handle sharing a room with Paris for awhile.

The hubby is the type of person who loves family rooms, gathering, even just to watch TV together. I can squirrel myself in my room for hours. I don't get to, but I can dream. While we were in undergrad, we use to fight about the way I can study and get lost. I wouldn't hear him talking. I like to study late at night too. He likes to go to bed with me in bed. I can stay up til 2 am studying and crawl into bed with him. He finally just accepted that was who I was - after I started grad school. And I tried to study in bed or get things done in time for bed.

My ideal room of my own is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling books. A desk for my computer. A big comfy chair with a small table next to it. The ceilings would be plastered with feminist posters. I'll never outgrow that teeny-booper postering the walls phase. Never.

Sammy

By now, some of you have heard the news that Sammy Sosa of my precious Cubbies was caught red-handed cheating last night with a corked bat. Sammy says that it was a mistake. He picked up the wrong bat.

Sammy's never been my fave player, but I give him his due when he earns it. I've been teaching Paris the rules of the game and who is who on the Cubs. I keep telling Paris that even thou Sammy hits a shit-load of homeruns, I still expect him to either strike out or hit into an inning-ending double play. That said, I have to say, this man is an idiot.

Mistake or not, he cost us a run and a run that could have saved us having to play the bottom of the 9th. You could also see that it took Alou out of the game for his first at-bat. Shoor...the man is having a hard season and needed a little pick-me-up, but a corked bat? The laws of physics state that it won't help that much, esp when trying to catch up to a 90 MPH fastball.

Boys are so dumb sometimes.

Labels: sports

My name is Roni & I'm a bookaholic

This weekend is my drug. There's no anti-drug to my drug of choice. OK, maybe a good martini can distract me, but really, I'd rather have both with me on a hot sandy beach. Ahhh....

This weekend is the Printer's Row Book Fair. A few streets of Chicago will be plastered with books, books, and more books! Not only that, but each year there are always quite a few authors that I'd like to hear speak. Chances are that I'll go on Sunday to try to catch any of the following:

Alice Walker: 11 a.m. Sunday, June 8
Harold Washington Library Center, Auditorium
Walker, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple," is a renowned women's and civil-rights activist. A recent work, "The Way Forward Is with a Broken Heart," is a collection of autobiographical and fictional stories that examine relationships. Her latest book is "Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth: New Poems."

Margaret Atwood: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 8
Harold Washington Library Center, Auditorium
Atwood, the author of more then 26 books, is the recipient of the 2003 Harold Washington Literary Award for her creative use of the written word. Atwood's latest book, "Oryx and Crake," was published last month.

Ana Castillo: 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8
Heartland Literary Tent
Considered one of the leading voices to emerge from the Chicana experience, Chicago native Castillo is a celebrated poet, novelist, short story writer and essayist. Her latest book, "Peel My Love Like an Onion," published in 1999, was named a Los Angeles Times Book Review "Best Book of the Year."

With all the fab speakers, I dunno how I'll find time to look at actual books! And then there's the issue of all the fab speakers on Saturday. Egads! Can one OD on books?

Labels: Books

Gotta Give 'em Credit

The Bush adminstration is saying all the right things about the Air Force Academy rapes. They say they'll investigate, blah, blah...then they go and do this. They appoint one of the founders of the anti-feminist, anti-women-in-combat, Independent Women's Forum as the executive director. Apparently she's in charge of finding out what's wrong and to make sure it doesn't happen again.

If her final report doesn't come back suggesting that women not be admitted or in a separate academy, I'll fucking faint.

Another member of the panel, Amy McCarthy, has already set the tone: The panel has already come under scrutiny because another member, Amy McCarthy, has said some of the female cadets' allegations may be suspect because some engaged in "high-risk behaviors."

"Rape is wrong," McCarthy, an academy graduate who lives in Littleton, said Friday. "I'm not trying to blame the victim here. What I'm talking about is a woman who drank too much and woke up and said, 'Oh my God.' I will be as objective as possible about this."

Because as we all know, getting drunk is a good excuse for getting raped. ARGH!!!!!!

Hard Hats Required

I'm tweaking with the sidebar. I hate to have so much crap over there, but right now, I think it's all worth it. One of the things I that decided needed to go back on there was my list of my All Consuming reading list. Andrew mentions All Consuming in his aside today. I also moved my lil buttons to the bottom of the blog. They don't mean any less to me, but I think they just look better there and lay better there.

Anywho...I'm a total CSS dork. Does anyone know if there's a way to limit how long lines like blogsnob and All Consuming take in your sidebar? I'd like to keep the text to just about as wide as the buttons. Am I making sense? If I am, please leave me a note on how or where I can look to mess with my CSS. TIA!

update: This is the All consuming code: < script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://www.allconsuming.net/xml/users/currently_reading.roniweb.js" >< /script >
Since it's a script, I don't think that putting a < / br > will help the situation, since I have no idea where to put it. Thanks thou.

update #2: Well I said, fuck you to CSS and just put the whole damn thing in a table with fixed width. So far, it looks like it did the job. If it just makes me blog look even more lame on your computer, please let me know. Thanks.

Chop, chop!

With all the misinformation floating out there about the new tax cuts, I thought I'd give you all a link to a nonpartisian group that has investigated the new tax cut. It's too bad that there isn't a law that Congress must submit a budget and give the PEOPLE a good month to digest it and then have an opportunity to voice their opinion. Instead, 2 different budgets go into a back room, have some political sex, and out pops some bastard* looking budget that the Prez just signs before anyone can really get their hands on it.

*I can use that word, I was one.

Loner - yeah, right

All weekend, CNN kept showing people who kept saying that there's no way that a very paranoid man like Eric Rudolph would have accepted help from anyone. Then I read this: "He didn't look like he'd been living in the woods," said Murphy Police Officer Charles Kilby. If you continue to read, you'll see the lovely quote by a lovely elderly woman: "My heart aches for him. What he did was wrong, I know, but I understand where he was coming from," said Sarah Greenfield, 63, of nearby Marble. "People around here, they take care of their own. You can't put a price on a man's head, and I don't know anybody who would have given him up, even for a million dollars."

If that man didn't have help, he's one terrific thief. He was clean-shaven, clean-clothed, and not looking like he was living in a cave. Hmmm..maybe it's a bin laden speciality cave? Or a Saddam royal bunker? He may be good, but he can't be *that* good.

I did it!

I spent the entire weekend with just Paris. The hubby headed to DC on Saturday for a conference and was worried to death that I'd be sulking at home. The MIL also was worried about me being left alone. Of course, I wasn't. And my designated babysitter wasn't either.

Saturday I got up, received more flowers, went to yoga, hit TJ's, went to the bead store, ate lunch at a cafe, hit Whole Foods, went to the bank, hit Carson Pirie Scott & got the hubby's watch fixed, and then got home to watch the Cubs. While watching the game, I beaded a prayer bead necklace (pagan rosary) too. I'll take a pic of it once the hubby gets home with the camera. Not bad for a girl who shoulda been home crying all day. Sure, I still cry...I won't lie, but I also know I can't stay home and cry all day.

Sunday I was a lazy ass for most of the day. But how many more will I have like that? But I did manage to clean up the baby's room some more, do the dishes, and make some ravioli with turkey meatballs for a potluck at Women & Children First. And lucky me! Cinnamon went too. So we had fun with a store full of feminists. I really do think that would make a great reality tv show. I'm a geek, sue me!

Tonight the hubby comes home. I'm sure he missed me more than I missed him. Not that I didn't miss him, but I really cherish the time alone I get. Maybe it's that inner mother in me. Knowing that in a short amount of time, the shower or the toliet will be the only way I get time alone. Hope all of your weekends went just as fab as mine. Or rather better considering I had to tell one of Mom's oldest friends that she died. I wished I could had done it in person since she broke down on the phone...I just wanted to hold her. *sigh*

Labels: sports