At this point in my life, with what I have experienced, it is difficult for me to believe that all relationships won't eventually fail, fall short, die out, that love or attraction won't ultimately wain...
Yes, of course I see that for some this isn't the case; that there are couples that live and grow and continue to be happy and healthy throughout their relationship. I just am having trouble keeping the faith for myself. I know that I deserve it, but am I capable of it? Doubting yourself is a tough reality. I thought, for the first time in my life, that I was going to spend the rest of my life with a woman. Now I look back and feel a bit foolish. Perhaps it was overzealousness of having a serious relationship for the first time in 9 years. Not that I've been hunting for one these past years mind you, quite the opposite actually. This one just wolloped me from behind while I had long been reserved to solitude. Who knows? It is lonely at times...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Evidently pinchin' pennies ain't for politicians.
Greetings fellow Californians! So we still have no budget. Surprised? No? Well how 'bout this: the current proposal to curb the state deficit is to levy an advanced state tax increase of 10%, returned to us in 2010. With the 8th highest tax rate in the country and a wopping 15 B I L L I O N $ deficit...what the heck?! Ok so the government is inept, this I understand. Why not then have us, the citizens, take over and correct that which the government could not. I live in California, I love it, so sure, I have responsibilities. Seems reasonable, right? Oh, did you know that there will be no interest due to us tax payers for lending our hard earned money to the state?. The CA government gets to take our money in advance and we get nothing in return. Now, is it greedy to expect some sort of bump, something in return for bailing out our state? I don't know.
Well, consider this. The per capita personal income for CA residents is approximately 40,000$. CA is one of the wealthiest states in the country. We also have the greatest number of millionaires per capita in all of America. In addition, our state has a greater disparity between the rich and the poor than the entire USA! This illustrates that although there is such an enormity of wealth, there is a greater concentration of poor. So what's my point already?
A previous proposition to curb the state debt was to increase taxes on those earning over 321,000$ a year in an effort to prevent budget cuts to state wide services such as education. It was denied. By whom you ask? By Republicans. As the proposal was presented by Democrats and the rich majority tends to be Republican, go figure. So because of their greed, it very well may be that the scores of struggling families and everyone barely getting by on the skin of their teeth, will have less money to put food on the table with, and an even further decrease in their quality of life. And it's all because those who have more than they'll ever need and who can actually afford to, are too damn selfish to pitch in a little extra. Ah, freedom of choice at it's finest.
Well, consider this. The per capita personal income for CA residents is approximately 40,000$. CA is one of the wealthiest states in the country. We also have the greatest number of millionaires per capita in all of America. In addition, our state has a greater disparity between the rich and the poor than the entire USA! This illustrates that although there is such an enormity of wealth, there is a greater concentration of poor. So what's my point already?
A previous proposition to curb the state debt was to increase taxes on those earning over 321,000$ a year in an effort to prevent budget cuts to state wide services such as education. It was denied. By whom you ask? By Republicans. As the proposal was presented by Democrats and the rich majority tends to be Republican, go figure. So because of their greed, it very well may be that the scores of struggling families and everyone barely getting by on the skin of their teeth, will have less money to put food on the table with, and an even further decrease in their quality of life. And it's all because those who have more than they'll ever need and who can actually afford to, are too damn selfish to pitch in a little extra. Ah, freedom of choice at it's finest.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
What the heck is Cream of Tartar?!
So I'm making myself dinner this fine eve and decided to experiment a bit with some spices. As I shuffled around my collection I unearthed two small, mostly full and unused shakers of Cream of Tartar. I pillaged them from my mum's cupboard (back in the 90's) and I've had them for yeeeeeears! Why?
Growing up when I did, home cooking was all there really was. Sure, fast food became popular in the 80's, but throughout my childhood my grandfather and mother were always a cookin'. It was a blessing for me as I've reaped the benefits of learning my way around a melon baller! ;D Out of all of the spices I have seen, known and used in my life thus far, I have never understood what the heck cream of tartar is or what it's really used for. So for those of you who have ever pondered the curious teleology of cream of tartar, enjoy the results of my arduous and taxing research on the subject.(actually it was more like 2.56 seconds on the interweb)
Cream of Tartar is an acid salt that is created when tartaric acid is half neutralized with potassium hydroxide, thus transforming it into a salt. Grapes are the only significant natural source of tartaric acid and cream of tartar is obtained from sediment left behind during wine making. Hunh! So why would you use it?? Well, if you wanted to stabilize and volumize your egg whites or make that frosting or desert sauce a bit creamier, use C of T. Oh, and it's great for polishing your brass or copper cook wares!
Growing up when I did, home cooking was all there really was. Sure, fast food became popular in the 80's, but throughout my childhood my grandfather and mother were always a cookin'. It was a blessing for me as I've reaped the benefits of learning my way around a melon baller! ;D Out of all of the spices I have seen, known and used in my life thus far, I have never understood what the heck cream of tartar is or what it's really used for. So for those of you who have ever pondered the curious teleology of cream of tartar, enjoy the results of my arduous and taxing research on the subject.(actually it was more like 2.56 seconds on the interweb)
Cream of Tartar is an acid salt that is created when tartaric acid is half neutralized with potassium hydroxide, thus transforming it into a salt. Grapes are the only significant natural source of tartaric acid and cream of tartar is obtained from sediment left behind during wine making. Hunh! So why would you use it?? Well, if you wanted to stabilize and volumize your egg whites or make that frosting or desert sauce a bit creamier, use C of T. Oh, and it's great for polishing your brass or copper cook wares!
Monday, September 8, 2008
With great power...
My last entry got me thinking... Would it be irresponsible of us to dispose of all of our country's nuclear weapons?
For the better?...
It's pretty apparent the education system in this country is less than lack luster. It's been in a steady decline for several years and America is far behind many countries in the quality, quantity, and access of education. It has been buffeted by so many budget cuts, soaring tuitions, ineffective/unaffecting teachers and leaders, corruption, unfair standards and a continually less enthused and inattentive student body.
As with our government, radical change is severely needed. Up to the plate comes Washington D.C. Chancellor of Education, Michelle Rhee. First she closed several schools that were suffering and not keeping students up to par. She then 86'd a number of principals and teachers who were not, pardon the pun, making the grade. And now, in an attempt to boost not only GPA's but overall upstanding behavior of students/children, she has implemented a cash incentive in the amount of 100$, to be paid each month to those who are studious and excercise good moral comportment in the community.
As a child and certainly as a parent who is at wits end trying to motivate their child to do well in school, this is awesome!!! There are however, several people, both parents and faculty alike, who are deeply opposed to such actions. They feel that it will only hurt students in the long run.
I believe that it starts with solid nurturing from the parents and then ultimately culminates in the child's sense of self and achievement (which are constantly bombarded by multiple external influences). I'm not entirely sure on which side of the fence I sit regarding this issue. I certainly give credit where credit is due. Kudos Chancellor Rhee! I am behind brave and radical change to break through hurdles 150%. It's the cash incentive that I'm uncertain of. In a progressively desensitized society, however, I suppose it comes down to using whatever stimulus you can find that instigates positive response...
As with our government, radical change is severely needed. Up to the plate comes Washington D.C. Chancellor of Education, Michelle Rhee. First she closed several schools that were suffering and not keeping students up to par. She then 86'd a number of principals and teachers who were not, pardon the pun, making the grade. And now, in an attempt to boost not only GPA's but overall upstanding behavior of students/children, she has implemented a cash incentive in the amount of 100$, to be paid each month to those who are studious and excercise good moral comportment in the community.
As a child and certainly as a parent who is at wits end trying to motivate their child to do well in school, this is awesome!!! There are however, several people, both parents and faculty alike, who are deeply opposed to such actions. They feel that it will only hurt students in the long run.
I believe that it starts with solid nurturing from the parents and then ultimately culminates in the child's sense of self and achievement (which are constantly bombarded by multiple external influences). I'm not entirely sure on which side of the fence I sit regarding this issue. I certainly give credit where credit is due. Kudos Chancellor Rhee! I am behind brave and radical change to break through hurdles 150%. It's the cash incentive that I'm uncertain of. In a progressively desensitized society, however, I suppose it comes down to using whatever stimulus you can find that instigates positive response...
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