And I am so in love with her voice!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Dorm Life
This is my 7th semester living in the same dorm. I've been on the 3rd floor for two years, the 9th for one (and I would have been on it this year if not for health problems) and now I'm on the 2nd.
The dorm has 10 floors and the 1st is not residential.
Each floor has had its pluses - it's much quieter on the 9th, but when the elevator conks out or the fire alarm goes off, wow that's a lot of stairs.
And now I have a room near the elevator, so much noise outside my door and above my head as somebody walks their elephant nightly.
My first year I was on the Honors floor and we had earlier quiet hours, and I would turn on my TV and then stand in the hall to make sure it wasn't loud. I'm a bit... weird. I've had a number of roommates, and I'm the only one who watches TV with headphones on. I can't listen comfortably with another TV going.
Anyway, a lot of people say that rules in dorms treat college students like children. I say they make you act like you care about other people. The biggest is visiting hours - at least you can't sexile your roommate all night, I get to come back at midnight or 2am. My sister thinks living in an apartment will be quieter - HA!
This morning was the first fire alarm of the semester. It went off at 4am. We stood outside for more than 30 minutes. It was less than 30 degrees outside, and few people were dressed for it, because your main thought when that damn thing starts blaring is to get out as soon as possible.
My biggest dorm issues stem from noise - the pipes (I think) make this shhh noise, you can't hear anything over it, but there is one plus side to it. At home, when I hear a noise upstairs, there's no one up there, so I get scared. Mostly because my mom picks on me. But here? There are supposed to be people in the hall and upstairs and out my window.
My roommate this semester is awesome - she gets overheated too, so she didn't mind having the window open until we got the heat turned off. Well not "turned off" - it's 68 right now, but it's not 80 and the air isn't all heated and nasty. We may have to get it turned back on when it's AC time, though. And the people in charge - maintenance, desk workers, RAs, grown-ups working in Residence Life - all tell me to stand on the toilet, move a ceiling tile, and "there's a switch up there!" No. Just... No.
Some rambling, but gripes about rules always bother me - there's a reason, you're not the only person in the building, so shut up, it's 1am on a school night!
The dorm has 10 floors and the 1st is not residential.
Each floor has had its pluses - it's much quieter on the 9th, but when the elevator conks out or the fire alarm goes off, wow that's a lot of stairs.
And now I have a room near the elevator, so much noise outside my door and above my head as somebody walks their elephant nightly.
My first year I was on the Honors floor and we had earlier quiet hours, and I would turn on my TV and then stand in the hall to make sure it wasn't loud. I'm a bit... weird. I've had a number of roommates, and I'm the only one who watches TV with headphones on. I can't listen comfortably with another TV going.
Anyway, a lot of people say that rules in dorms treat college students like children. I say they make you act like you care about other people. The biggest is visiting hours - at least you can't sexile your roommate all night, I get to come back at midnight or 2am. My sister thinks living in an apartment will be quieter - HA!
This morning was the first fire alarm of the semester. It went off at 4am. We stood outside for more than 30 minutes. It was less than 30 degrees outside, and few people were dressed for it, because your main thought when that damn thing starts blaring is to get out as soon as possible.
My biggest dorm issues stem from noise - the pipes (I think) make this shhh noise, you can't hear anything over it, but there is one plus side to it. At home, when I hear a noise upstairs, there's no one up there, so I get scared. Mostly because my mom picks on me. But here? There are supposed to be people in the hall and upstairs and out my window.
My roommate this semester is awesome - she gets overheated too, so she didn't mind having the window open until we got the heat turned off. Well not "turned off" - it's 68 right now, but it's not 80 and the air isn't all heated and nasty. We may have to get it turned back on when it's AC time, though. And the people in charge - maintenance, desk workers, RAs, grown-ups working in Residence Life - all tell me to stand on the toilet, move a ceiling tile, and "there's a switch up there!" No. Just... No.
Some rambling, but gripes about rules always bother me - there's a reason, you're not the only person in the building, so shut up, it's 1am on a school night!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Rep. Steve Cohen
Steve Cohen is not my representative, sadly. He's not perfect, but he's better than who I do have.
I don't really care that he pointed out that the repeated lies - in many forms - that the government was taking over health care (I wish) was similar to what the Nazis did with propaganda. It's true. Maybe he did it cynically - in a better world, pundits would notice him because of his "uncivil" rhetoric and then go, yeah, he's telling the truth. Hey, maybe there's a reason he cares. I'd love to see if he went on the cable shows and said why health care reform matters, just to get it out there.
That won't happen, if it does he'll be shouted over.
It really really bothered me that the Daily Show jumped on it last week, but pointing out FOX's hypocrisy today kind of made up for it. Maybe he'll be on the show to explain it. More people will notice than if he was on some talking head program on some 24/7 news channel, because I think plenty of people are like me and can't stand "normal" news shows for more than a few minutes.
Also, I think the Daily Show covered just him last week is kind of a "we go after democrats too, democrats say things that aren't nice too, we're not biased, we're civil."
Anyway...
Health care reform is so important to Memphis. The city is very segregated still and poor, and white flight doesn't help. My god the mayor of the suburbs are immature, as we learned when school consolidation seemed close. When people think of the county, they think rich, white kids go to "good" schools, and poor, black kids go to "bad" schools in the city. That's nonsense, there are "bad" schools in the county, and "good" ones in the city - the same year the county schools made all As in standardized testing, my sister was offered a small scholarship because the high school she was from did not make all As. That high school is in the county.
But I ramble. The main reason health care reform has to happen and is so important to Memphis is our shameful high infant mortality rate. If people, not just pregnant women, but everyone had equal access to good health care, it would go down.
Health care reform is very important to me, as I contemplate joining the military for the health insurance*, and I choose to believe that it is important to Representative Cohen. A sign that he cares about his constituents.
*I'm not kidding. The military offers a guaranteed job, a guaranteed roof over your head, and guaranteed health insurance. All of my relatives who enlisted from my parents' generation on did not do so because they adore their country, but because the military offered an escape from rural poverty.
I don't really care that he pointed out that the repeated lies - in many forms - that the government was taking over health care (I wish) was similar to what the Nazis did with propaganda. It's true. Maybe he did it cynically - in a better world, pundits would notice him because of his "uncivil" rhetoric and then go, yeah, he's telling the truth. Hey, maybe there's a reason he cares. I'd love to see if he went on the cable shows and said why health care reform matters, just to get it out there.
That won't happen, if it does he'll be shouted over.
It really really bothered me that the Daily Show jumped on it last week, but pointing out FOX's hypocrisy today kind of made up for it. Maybe he'll be on the show to explain it. More people will notice than if he was on some talking head program on some 24/7 news channel, because I think plenty of people are like me and can't stand "normal" news shows for more than a few minutes.
Also, I think the Daily Show covered just him last week is kind of a "we go after democrats too, democrats say things that aren't nice too, we're not biased, we're civil."
Anyway...
Health care reform is so important to Memphis. The city is very segregated still and poor, and white flight doesn't help. My god the mayor of the suburbs are immature, as we learned when school consolidation seemed close. When people think of the county, they think rich, white kids go to "good" schools, and poor, black kids go to "bad" schools in the city. That's nonsense, there are "bad" schools in the county, and "good" ones in the city - the same year the county schools made all As in standardized testing, my sister was offered a small scholarship because the high school she was from did not make all As. That high school is in the county.
But I ramble. The main reason health care reform has to happen and is so important to Memphis is our shameful high infant mortality rate. If people, not just pregnant women, but everyone had equal access to good health care, it would go down.
Health care reform is very important to me, as I contemplate joining the military for the health insurance*, and I choose to believe that it is important to Representative Cohen. A sign that he cares about his constituents.
*I'm not kidding. The military offers a guaranteed job, a guaranteed roof over your head, and guaranteed health insurance. All of my relatives who enlisted from my parents' generation on did not do so because they adore their country, but because the military offered an escape from rural poverty.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Letter to My Representative
I just wrote this:
I am a member of your constituency, and I just want you to know that I do not support the repeal of the health care bill. I'm 22, and I have an ongoing illness. Even if it cleared up before I turn 23 in August when I'll be dropped from my dad's insurance (Tricare), I will have to take medicine for the rest of my life. Being covered by my mom's insurance (Cigna) until I'm 26 will make my life much easier. The Affordable Care Act doesn't go as far as I'd like, but it will make my life easier and much better than it would have been before it was passed. Even though this repeal vote is symbolic, it still frightens me. I need this and I'm not the only one in your district who does.
I'll post the reply, even if it's just a form letter.
My representative is a Republican who is a fiscal conservative and supports limited government. He's also a social conservative, but my main concern is the fiscal part. I didn't check what party he belongs to before I wrote the letter, but now I'm 99% sure I'll get a form letter about how "Obamacare" will bankrupt us, even though it won't, and blah blah blah bullshit bullshit.
If he represents the area I think he does, his "limited government" stance cracks me up, though I'm not completely comfortable revealing why. Let's just say it's very hypocritical and a sign that people don't pay attention to their representative's stance beyond party. Also, he may be a Tea Partier, but I don't think he is, or at least he didn't say or do anything to get us on the national news, so that's a plus.
One last thing about this whole thing - my dad says "No soldier wants their kid insured until 26," which is completely false, Tricare was exempt because of a budget misunderstanding and changing it to cover dependents until they're 26 is tied up with defense stuff, and it looks like it didn't make it. Bleh. Anyway, my dad. Some people would make exemptions for their family, like somebody anti-abortion, except for them! At least my dad is consistent, he doesn't think I should be on Tricare past this August and kept asking me if they'd dropped me because I wasn't in school full time this fall. So loving!
I don't want to go on Cigna, the copays are double for appointments. At least I'll keep my doctors. And I won't need referrals! Those are a pain. I've been seeing one doctor since November 2001, but still need a referral. And since I only see him twice a year or so, I have to get one before each appointment. At least I don't need to see my PCM, I can just call them. But Cigna is better than nothing!
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Mid-Term Elections!
The first election I voted in was a mid-term election.
In a state I no longer lived in, but I'd registered as soon as possible of course, because I was 18 and duh, I'd been looking forward to this since about 2004! (Illness gives you a lot of time to read.) So when I got back home, it was too late to be registered for the election here.
Happily, it looks like Fincher will not win in my district. He's the Republican candidate. He called out his opponent for being so evil he... I don't know if I can repeat this... voted/worked on/whatever Tenncare. Health insurance for poor people. It's so evil. While Herron said Fincher lied about his taxes and snooze.
As for governor? Too close to call. I hope it's not Haslam because in his ads, he says he has a plan. What is that plan? No one will say. Also, he thinks the state can be run like a business. It can't.
Consolidation of Memphis and Shelby County? I have no idea what this will do or not do. Nashville's consolidation has helped it and Davis County, but... if it does pass, I hope that means we'll go back to the old library system where by gum, I could ride my bike to the library and pick up books I'd ordered from downtown Memphis libraries. Now you kids get off my lawn!
A result from my state that hurts my head. I was ignorant, I didn't read up on the issues ahead of time, but when I did, I did not regret my vote.
There was a proposed constitutional amendment to make it legal to hunt and fish in Tennessee.
Yes, it's already legal. No one was doing anything to make it illegal or to restrict either in any way.
However, gay marriage. So if some states let gays get married, in 10 years, some PETA freaks could take away our hunting rifles and fishing poles.
And, to quote one concerned citizen (I shit you not),
So. It will most likely pass - only 99% of the districts are in, and it's only 84% in support.
Our state constitution. We're changing it for fishing. Way to live up to stereotypes, Tennessee voters!
Though we didn't vote for Rand Paul, so we're not that bad. We didn't field any big tea party candidates, none weird enough to make national waves, so yay?
In a state I no longer lived in, but I'd registered as soon as possible of course, because I was 18 and duh, I'd been looking forward to this since about 2004! (Illness gives you a lot of time to read.) So when I got back home, it was too late to be registered for the election here.
Happily, it looks like Fincher will not win in my district. He's the Republican candidate. He called out his opponent for being so evil he... I don't know if I can repeat this... voted/worked on/whatever Tenncare. Health insurance for poor people. It's so evil. While Herron said Fincher lied about his taxes and snooze.
As for governor? Too close to call. I hope it's not Haslam because in his ads, he says he has a plan. What is that plan? No one will say. Also, he thinks the state can be run like a business. It can't.
Consolidation of Memphis and Shelby County? I have no idea what this will do or not do. Nashville's consolidation has helped it and Davis County, but... if it does pass, I hope that means we'll go back to the old library system where by gum, I could ride my bike to the library and pick up books I'd ordered from downtown Memphis libraries. Now you kids get off my lawn!
A result from my state that hurts my head. I was ignorant, I didn't read up on the issues ahead of time, but when I did, I did not regret my vote.
There was a proposed constitutional amendment to make it legal to hunt and fish in Tennessee.
Yes, it's already legal. No one was doing anything to make it illegal or to restrict either in any way.
However, gay marriage. So if some states let gays get married, in 10 years, some PETA freaks could take away our hunting rifles and fishing poles.
And, to quote one concerned citizen (I shit you not),
"I'd be bored."
So. It will most likely pass - only 99% of the districts are in, and it's only 84% in support.
Our state constitution. We're changing it for fishing. Way to live up to stereotypes, Tennessee voters!
Though we didn't vote for Rand Paul, so we're not that bad. We didn't field any big tea party candidates, none weird enough to make national waves, so yay?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A video for your (okay my) pleasure
Dhoom Again from Dhoom 2.
Description: Some backup dancers do their thing and then Hrithik appears and does that famous amazing loose limbed dance that made my friend go "Legs don't work that way." A million people across the globe faint.
One thing of note: the female backup dancers are dressed in skimpy clothes - short skirts or shorts, paired with shirts that bare their midriff. But all eyes are on Hrithik. People have said he seduces everyone in this movie and I buy it.
Dhoom 2 is streaming on Netflix, and yes there is a first Dhoom, but it's pretty boring compared to this one. This features a shirtless Hrithik multiple times, including the time he disguises himself as a Greek God. For other tastes, there's Bipasha Basu looking amazing and Aishwarya getting to kiss Hrithik. And Abhishek being grumpy, but he's stuck with Uday Chopra (apparently I am his sole fan), and Ali is pretty bad at being a cop...
Um, what was I saying?
Oh yes. The lyrics.
Dhoom again and run away with me on a roller coaster ride
Dhoom again and see your wildest dreams slowly come alive
Dhoom again we gotta break the rules and party all the time
Dhoom again we gotta steal the show you know that ain't no crime
So steal all that you can
The magic you began
Let's shout! Break out!
Come on once again let's hear it
Dhoom Machale
Once more come on you people
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom again and feel the beat of the rythm-rythm of the night
Dhoom again and hear the voices calling creatures of the night
Dhoom again and see the shadows dancin' in the pale moonlight
Dhoom again and feel your heartbeat pumpin' now the time is right
So go walk out the door
Get down get on the floor
Let's shout! Break out!
Come on once again let's hear it
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom machale
Dhoom again and see your wildest dreams slowly come alive
Dhoom again we gotta break the rules and party all the time
Dhoom again we gotta steal the show you know that ain't no crime
So steal all that you can
The magic you began
Let's shout! Break out!
Come on once again let's hear it
Dhoom Machale
Once more come on you people
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom again and feel the beat of the rythm-rythm of the night
Dhoom again and hear the voices calling creatures of the night
Dhoom again and see the shadows dancin' in the pale moonlight
Dhoom again and feel your heartbeat pumpin' now the time is right
So go walk out the door
Get down get on the floor
Let's shout! Break out!
Come on once again let's hear it
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoom machale Dhoom machale
Dhoooooom
Dhoom machale
DHOOM MACHALE!!!!!!!!!!!!
For a good look at this song with just pictures (as if that does it justice!), Filmi Girl did an in-depth look at Dhoom 2, and this is the page featuring the song.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Today's Garfield is awesome.
The comic:
She really loves him. That is adorable.
A transcript:
First panel - Jon, Liz, and Garfield are minding their own business, when Mr. Muscles come up, and asks, "Excuse me, is that your girlfriend?" Jon says, "Yes."
Second panel - KICK
Third Panel - The only change from the first is that Jon is covered in sand.
Mr. Muscles: Hi, I'm Rolf.
Liz: Hi, I'm Get Lost.
Garfield (via thought bubble): And I'm with Mr. Sand Face over there.
Jon and Liz's relationship has always been adorable, once she reciprocated and started dating him and kissing him. This just cements the awesomeness. She loves Jon for who he is as a person, she doesn't care about Rolf.
Sweet.
She really loves him. That is adorable.
A transcript:
First panel - Jon, Liz, and Garfield are minding their own business, when Mr. Muscles come up, and asks, "Excuse me, is that your girlfriend?" Jon says, "Yes."
Second panel - KICK
Third Panel - The only change from the first is that Jon is covered in sand.
Mr. Muscles: Hi, I'm Rolf.
Liz: Hi, I'm Get Lost.
Garfield (via thought bubble): And I'm with Mr. Sand Face over there.
Jon and Liz's relationship has always been adorable, once she reciprocated and started dating him and kissing him. This just cements the awesomeness. She loves Jon for who he is as a person, she doesn't care about Rolf.
Sweet.
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