ramblings of a mad professor

Well, Super Tuesday arrives finally.  Due to my schedule, I voted today, a day early.  The lines were long.  Even though Arkansas has so few delegates, the people are excited about the chance to vote for either a woman or an African American.  I have to admit the choice was hard.  History is being made with this election.  And I can only hope that whichever way it ends, the candidate will win in November. 

Bought milk lately? 

Thanks, W! 

hey yall.  been awhile.  But after my week at the beach, I've come up with some rants and ramblings that need to be said.  But, first, Happy New Year!  I truly hope that you have a great year and that at least some of your dreams come true.

1.  Smokers who throw their cigarette butts on a beach:  there is a special hell for you where you will be forced to pick up nasty cigarette butts from a beach forever.  No matter how many you pick up, there will always be more.  How disgusting is it to walk along a sandy white beach and see cigarette butt after cigarette butt in the sand, in the waves.  Clue:  just because there is sand that doesn't make it an ashtray.

2.  Drivers who drive slow in the fast lane.  Stop it!  There is a slow lane for a reason.  What makes you think that you are so special that you can drive in the fast lane no matter what?  huh?  I'm just curious. 

3.  Baggy pants.  To you guys who persist in wearing those baggy britches:  WHY?  Ladies notice how a guy looks in his pants.  They notice how his pants fit.  And trust me when they say, that there is nothing attractive about those baggy pants.  NOTHING! 

4.  When shopping with one of those carts, do not park it on one side of the aisle while you stand and look on the other side of the aisle.  What are you thinking?  huh?

5.  and lastly, for today anyway, fireworks on the beaches:  Where I was staying there was a rule about no fireworks on the beach.  But, come New Year's Eve, and there were fireworks on the beach.  Which, I would not have a problem with except for the litter left behind by the exploding gadgets.  Beaches are not trash cans. 

and I do have more.  I have paid attention to the debates and campaigns.  But, geeze, there is so much to say.  One thing I have to say now.  Do not vote for Huckabee.  Even republicans I know who live here would never support him after his run as Governor.  Please, look past his preaching.  Have a great Day! 

California is not going to fall off into the ocean, it's just going to burn up.  I can't imagine what those folks are going thru.  I know that my mom and dad lost a house to fire before I was born, and I know that growing up with a wood burning stove, I often would lie awake at night and plan on what to take with me when the house caught fire.  And it did several times.  They call them flu fires.  And the terror never goes away.

I think about all the animals, and I just shake my head and pet my cats a few more times. 

and where is the National guard in all of this?  apparently  a lot of them are in Iraq, and a lot of their equipment is there also, or outdated, or in need of repair.  But out money is going to Iraq.  Billions of dollars.  Trillions of dollars.  And we Americans have to suffer because of it.  How many decades will Americans have to work to get out of this ever climbing debt?  How many lives lost for a fraud of a war?  We shouldn't be there.  We need to be here. 

well, well, well....  you probably know that the Republican party and George W. Bush vetoed the health insurance bill that would have provided children in middle class families insurance?  and you heard about the attack tactics of those same people?  putting addresses of children who either spoke up in support, or their families spoke up in support of the bill?  Or running an add that pretty much said the parents of a 3 year old who had had to have major surgery shouldn't have been born if her parents could not afford her?

Oh, wait!  WAIT a MINUTE!  so, people shouldn't have kids unless they can afford them?  This from the same party that calls themselves "PRO-LIFE"?  WHAT?  So, they want you to have kids only if you can afford them, but they also want you to never have an abortion?

So, I'm confused.  Are you?  The Democratic party has always said that we should be responsible for those who have less.  That there are those in society who need an extra hand.  We want to take care of others (read your Bible, it's in there).  And one of the reasons we have always questioned the Pro-Life movement, is that they tend to wash their hands of the child once it is actually born.  They want every woman/child who gets pregnant to have that baby, but they don't want to help take care of that baby. 

The thought of being our 'brothers' keeper' for the Republican party is distasteful.  But to put an 11 year old boy's address out so that his family can be harassed by complete strangers just because this 11 year old boy spoke up in support of insurance for kids?  What kind of party does that to innocent people?  innocent children? 

A party that puts party before people.  When are they gonna get it?  That putting people last, especially children, won't fly anymore?  I encourage each of you to stand up and voice your displeasure at the rogue tactics used by the Republican party!  Stand up for what is right...  no matter which party. 

This weekend Fayetteville plays hosts to one of the top 5 Bike rallys in the country.  Just a few short years ago, it was a blip on the map, but as quickly become the place to be if you own a Bike.  And if you live here, you either love it or hate it.  OK, that's not true.  I know some people who actually are oblivious to it.  But the battle is between the lovers and the haters.  There are some old timers (as in lived here most of their lives) that resent the hell out of it.  they don't like the noise or the crowds that come to our fair city.

I say, "it's one week in the year."  For one week, long weekend, anyone can deal with a little noise and a lot of people.  But, the battle continues.  The winner of course will be "money".  Because this event brings in big bucks for the city.  The people who ride these bikes are professional people who have slowly changed the image of the 'biker' and the 'biker babe'.  they have lots of money invested in their bike and they show it.  They rent homes for $1500 for the 4 nights they are in town, and so a lot of the haters go on vacation and rent their homes out.  Vacation paid for.

Anyway, it's a hoot.  If you have never been to a bike rally, then by all means, go.  Until then, you cannot imagine what 200,000 bikers with their bikes sound like.

Anyone still listening to Rush?  Just curious.  Countdown on MSNBC has been mentioning his latest foot in mouth incident.  They say he still has listeners.  I say, 'really?'  And has congress come out and decried his comments like they did MOVEON's add in the NYTimes?  Just curious.  Curious as to where Congress was when the Swift Boat Veterans were trashing someone who fought in Vietnam?  Curious as to where Congress was when vets like Max Ceveland running for office were trashed?  Is it you can trash soldiers or vets who run for office?  or you can trash soldiers or vets who disagree with W?  just curious.

speeking of congress, where are they?  So many issues they promised to fix or take care of if elected, and so many issues that they have failed us in.  I read every day on the web how the govt is misusing our tax money in one way or another; violence is increasing; the dollar is falling; and W wants to attack Iran. 

I am going to go watch the new version of Bikers, and forget about it for awhile.  obviously congress has forgotten us.

a thunderstorm is moving thru right now.  It has the rumblings of thunder and the flicker of lightening leading the dance of rain.  I've honestly avoided politics for the last few days.  Grading has taken a lot of my time.  I visited our Farmer's Market yesterday morning.  We have a great one.  Different musicians play at every corner:  some bluegrass, guitar, sax.....  you name it and you can hear it  And everyone brings their dogs.

Big dogs, little dogs, ugly dogs, cute dogs; all sorts of dogs with their owners parade around the town square among the veggie venders.  It was a beautiful day.  And I have realized some things that I probably should have already known at this age, but oh well.....

You always have more friends than you realize.  And sometimes when friends change, it doesn't mean that you did anything wrong.  It just means that your friend changed.  That's all.  I have been told that I over analyze everything.  And I guess I do.  Something I need to work on as I make some major changes in my life.

I look at everyone around me, and notice that everyone is facing some big decision or quandry in their lives.  Is it the times we live in?  Or is it just the time in our lives?  I'm not sure.  But we all have to look within ourselves and find out what we want from this life, and what we are willing to give.  I have also been accused of being a giver.  I've been told that you can give too much, and that sometimes, you have to take a little.  I'm not comfortable with that.  Therefore, I need to face it.

I look at our country, and I realize that there are rocky times ahead.  For everyone.  It won't matter what party you support, or what side of the war issue you take, life is not going to be easy.  Our leaders (scoff) have made some very bad decisions, and we are all about to pay the price for them. 

wow!  Imagine.  Wishes do come true.  Of course, they both bailed before their skeletons could all be found.  And they knew they were on the verge of being found.  Of course, Rove is going to keep up his nastiness.  I wonder if his mother is proud of his actions?  Those two men definitely needed to go, but they needed to go a long time ago.  I sit here and watch as W says Gonzales is a man of integrity.  I wonder what his definition of integrity is?  I suspect it is very different than mine.

These two men both, in their own way, set this country back decades with their partisan actions while serving this country.  And that is the problem.  They didn't serve this country, they served W, and themselves.  The country was not considered in their actions, or decisions. 

I'm not spending a lot of time on this because it will be covered by bloggers and the media in depth.  But I do hope that W will not cause a huge battle with his next choice for AG.  Hope?  hard to have that where this President is concerned.  Does he not realize how much of a mess he has put this country in with his partisan decisions?  (sigh)

I have to have faith that the next President will work for the good of the country, not just the party. 

School has started back.  I have ended the summer after teaching both sessions, and began the new semester without much of a break.  I hear the call of the beach, and just can't find a way to get there.  So, I will ramble.

In Arkansas, it has been hot.  damn hot.  And humid.  damn humid.  And since I have curly hair, I have frizz.  lots of frizz.  And I sweat.  It becomes almost unbearable at times.  We have finally cooled off to the lower 90's.  And the students have come back to town.

They all drive cars and there is limited parking so the side streets close to campus (like where I live) are now packed with cars driven by people who cannot parallel park.  So, it is a nightmare driving on these streets right now.  And the students?  are so young this year.  They just get younger.  every year.

and one of the things they will do, if they live off campus, is get a pet.  They will get a dog or a cat and then, when the pet becomes too hard, they will dump it.  At the end of the Spring semester, I found I had a very gentle lady cat outside my door.  I could not let her starve.  So, I have fed her all summer.  As well as the stray gray-striped Tom, and the big Yellow Tom who has been abused (you can see it in his walk).  And I try to be gentle with them and pet the gentle lady (whom I've named).  She will let me pet her, and I can almost get her to come up on the screen porch, but not.  She is so sweet. 

and yet some student became overwhelmed and moved and left her behind. 

And then I hear that there are people who actually support Michael Vick's actions.  Dog-fighting is only a sport?  It's no different than racing a horse?  And then I hear people say this is about race?  Trust me, if he had been a white man, I would still be as angry and as sickened as I am now.  It is not about race.  And dog fighting should be illegal and should be dealt with harshly.  Those dogs are destined to die because they can never be integrated back into society.  They can never be a pet to someone now.  And I look into those faces with those gentle eyes, and I know that men did the damage.  Those puppies were not born mean; man made them mean.  And man has to face the consequences of their actions.  Whether they be black, or white, or green.  It doesn't matter.  All that matters is the cruelty, the pure greed of men who would care so little about another living being. 

I am sad today. 

so I'm in the grocery store yesterday, and I'm walking by the meat counter.  A young woman (probably mid-twenties), stops me and asks my advice about the packages of meat she is holding.  She wants to know if one of them will be OK for grilling.  In one hand, she has a package of steaks, but the package in her other hand, the one she is asking me about, is a (drum roll please) pot roast.  Yes, I said pot roast.  I tell her that you don't grill pot roasts, and she says to me, "Well, I'm trying for a really thick steak."

A really thick steak?  I know the look on my face was priceless, and one of my friends, upon hearing the story, asked me if I was sure I wasn't on candid camera during this exchange.  I never had anyone jump out and say, "Gotcha!"  But who knows?  After I walked away, she turned and asked another woman the same question.  So, was she going to ask the question until someone said, "sure, grill the pot roast"? 

I have to wonder, "why did God make mosquitoes?  Anyone?  What good are they really?  And they are rampant in my neighborhood.  Our city does not spray for them, but the next closest one does.  So, all the mosquitoes come here.  And these are big enough that when they land on me, I feel them.  You know how usually they bite and run before you even know they were around?  Not these demons with wings, they are huge.  HUGE!   They are drinking blood by the quart easily.

Speaking of bloodsuckers.....  yes, I had to get around to politics again.  The Republicans in the senate are now accusing the Democrats in the senate of Partisan Politics.  So, what they were doing while they were in control of congress (or not doing) was not partisan politics?  Please......  If they had done their job when they controlled congress and policed this administration, instead of putting party before country, the Democrats wouldn't have to do it now. 

The other day I was watching Chris Matthews, and I almost spit beer all over my TV.  OK, I wasn't drinking beer.  But, if I had been, I would have probably spit it all over my TV.  Chris is talking to his panel about crime, and how it is going up in the big cities around the country.  And then he says something to the effect that the Republicans could use that when running for office and be the 'law and order' party.  What?  How quickly we forget.   When Clinton was president he passed a law that put more cops on the streets in major cities.  Crime went down, especially violent crime, and things were looking good.  He also had some other laws passed that benefited police and hurt criminals.

Lo and Behold, when W came to office, he decided that we didn't need those pesky laws that Clinton had signed into law.  And he quickly did away with them, including the law that put more cops on the streets in big cities.  So, you explain to me how the Republicans (who controlled congress when W did this) can be called the 'law and order' party? 

Which brings us to the AG, the idiot that can't tell the truth or keep a straight face when testifying in front of congress.  He has corrupted the office he holds making it a joke among the legal profession.  The really good lawyers got out while the getting was good, and if they didn't, they were later forced out if they didn't pursue what the party wanted them to.  Party before country.  Enough is enough.  And this President still supports this man.  I am beyond being surprised by anything this man does. 

But let me say this:  if the politicians in office do not stop putting party before country, nothing is going to get accomplished, and the very future of this country as we know it will be in jeopardy.  When W was elected he said he was bring the parties together.  He said he was unite, not divide.  Instead, he divided even further.  When Clinton was President, he was able to work with congress even when it was controlled by Republicans.  He understood that compromise brought about results.  Of course this President doesn't see that.  He just takes the law into his own hands and does what he wants to with or without the support of Congress.  And the Republican led Congress let him get away with that for way to long. 

This country was established on the basis of checks and balances.  Each of the three branches (yes, Cheney, despite what you think, there are only 3) has a purpose and a job to do within that system.  But the Republican led congress let W and Cheney take on more power and more power without doing their job, which was to check their power grabs.

Partisan politics?  Please.  Republicans made that an art.  and now that Democrats are trying to establish the system of checks and balances back like it should be, the Republicans dig in and call the Democrats names.  Whatevah!  Of course, if we had a President that would have reached out and tried to compromise through the years, maybe, then maybe something would actually get accomplished by congress. 

And the latest figures I've seen on Iraq have me totally disheartened.  Did you know that the Iraq government is going on a month's vacation (wonder where they got that idea?), and it will costs our country $200,000 per minute while they do?  What kind of mess are we in?  And what could our country do over here on American soil with that money they are spending in Iraq?  Not to mention how many American lives would be saved? 

I am trying not to give up hope.  But each day it becomes harder and harder.  Maybe it's all the blood I'm soding to the mosquitoes.  Or maybe, I should try grilling a pot roast. 

When I was a child, we had flip flops.  They were for wearing to the creek, or outside to play.  And as children, we could wear them in public, but not to school, or church, or any place considered formal.  I'm not even sure my mother owned a pair of flip flops, and I know my dad didn't.  Beyond the age of a child, we never wore flip flops outside the yard, or lake.

Now, flip flops are worn by everyone everywhere:  to school, to weddings, to parties, to church, to the White House....

Good lord, it is ridiculous.  I will see students wearing flip flops in the middle of winter.  Recently, I saw pictures from a wedding, and there was a young female guest wearing flip flops.  A recent story on the web discussed the fact that a young woman had been told her casual work wear was inappropriate:  she had worn an outfit with flip flops.  She didn't see anything wrong with it.

Which brings me to the other part of this ramble.  I usually have one of the news shows on in the morning when I am getting ready for work.  The background noise is almost soothing in a way.  And one morning this week, the news woman interviewed the young female star of the latest Harry Potter movie.  Her question was something along the lines of, 'how does it feel to be a smart girl instead of one of the stupid girls we see so much of?'  She quickly tried to say by that she meant 'stupid characters'.

But think about it.  Who are the role models in today's world for young girls?  Can you think of a female under the age of 30 that you would want your daughter to emulate?  The young women who are capturing the eye of the public right now, are scrawny, self-centered, party girls, who believe the world revolves around them.  Have you seen the Sweet 16 parties on MTV?  Neither have I, but I know what they are about:  competition to see which parents can throw the biggest Sweet 16 party for their daughters?

Yes, there are worthy young women out there, but where are they in the public eye?  Does anyone in our media realize what they are doing by the constant parade of young women in rehab?  driving while intoxicated?  baring their breasts and whatever else they can think of in front of the cameras?  seeing just how thin they can get?  More rehab?  but not staying in rehab?

I heard the story just this week of a young girl who got on drugs.  She wrecked 2 cars and end up in rehab where she met a friend, and they left to party.  But, they were surprised when they got back and were not allowed back in?  So, she went to another place.  and met another girl.  Together, they left the place before their time was up, and her mom finally told her, 'you are on your own'.    But those girls the media cover keep hopping in and out of rehab like it's the star football player's bed, so what are young ladies learning?  And those girls in the media appear to be 'stupid girls.'  Why can't there be some smart, intelligent, young women in the headlines?  What would be wrong with that? 

So, how many of you are members of a gym?  and how many of you actually use the thing?  Our campus has a great gym.  for some time I've been using the pool as I participated in water aerobics.  It's a great exercise, and you use a lot of calories (see, your body has to work harder to get to the core temp and keep it). 

but at the end of March, I signed up for a 4 week course:  Women on Weights.  With this, they did a fitness evaluation, and they gave your group a personal trainer.  For those 4 weeks, we went twice a week, and learned how to use the machines, both weight and cardio.  After the 4 weeks ended, I started working out on my own, combining weights, cardio, and the water aerobics.  And this summer I started taking a class that one of my students is teaching:  Body Sculpting with weights.  mmmmm, sounds like a slow methodical workout with weights, right?  Not.  It's an aerobic workout with weights.  And it kicks my ass every time.  I keep thinking that it will get easier.  It doesn't.

Of course, most of the people I see working out are young college students.  There are a few older professors in the gym on occasion.  But, for the most, they are young and beautiful.  Which brings up the reason for this blog today.

Why does everyone else look so good working out, while I look like someone who has been worked over?  Their hair stays in place, their clothes show muscle bulges, and their sweat glistens on their bodies.  The guys especially catch my eye when I'm working out.  Then, I catch a glimpse of myself in one of the mirrors.  Who is that?  Hair flying in all directions, clothes drooping and sagging, and sweat dripping off the end of her nose?  That can't be me?  Surely?  That one girl over there doing the splits?  A person can split like that without breaking?  That guy just leg pressed 300 lbs.  And that one pulled 210 on the tricep pull?  (I do 15 to 20).   I have to adjust machines to make it easier on my knees, and because I'm short.  They tighten everything so tight, that I can't adjust them.  I carry around a towel and some water.  They have their i-pods plugged into their ears. 

I don't feel old really; no one ever believes me when I tell them my age.  But when I go to the gym, I feel outdated and frumpy.  Frumpy?  There's a word  you don't hear every day.  But, it's been 3 months and one week, and I'm still there.  I still mix my water aerobics with my weight sculpting class, weights, and cardio.  I can see muscle definiton:  hey, I do have triceps.  And I feel better about myself.  I'm not losing a ton of weight yet, but my body is changing, re-shaping itself.  And I still get to spend time at the gym looking at those guys with their muscles.  (do you know how hard it is to take a look without them noticing when there's mirrors all around?)

peace out......

who can blame them?  Wednesday, it was the dreaded fireworks all around, and now it is my crazy landlord.  He decided that this weekend he would paint the place.  but first, since it's been ages since this place was painted, he has had to scrape and blast the old paint off.  If he would keep up this place on a regular basis, it would be an easy job, but no, he waits until forever has passed.  First, he has to talk about it for a year or two, or maybe three?  I learned a long time ago not to ask for anything from him because he won't do anything.  The only time he really jumped in and did anything was after I called the police on the drug dealer he had rented to.

OK, that deserves some explanation.  While I live in a house, I live on only the top floor.  Below me are two small apartments, and we all have our own entrances without access to the others.  Now, a few years ago, my Landlord rented one of the small apartments to a 17 year old.  He smoked pot so much that I got the munchies.  Which, I complained to the landlord.  And I told him that starting about 3 in the afternoon, traffic was crazy, with cars going in and out of the place.  Months passed.  I had my car vandalized, and when friends would stop by, young guys would go up and down the street right in front of the house, either on skateboards, bikes or cars, and just stare us down if we were outside.  It had gotten really kind of scary.  I begged my landlord to do something.  NADA.  I finally went to the police.  I took them license plate numbers.  The guy was dealing, of course, and he ended up moving within 5 days.  Right after all of this, after the police had contacted my landlord, he did some things around the place that needed doing.  This lasted about a week.  He's a loser.  I have a private drive, but it just has gravel which tends to get washed away.  I have asked him for 2 or 3 years for more gravel, and he keeps telling me about his plan to pave it.  but, the years keep passing.

so why do I stay here?  Because I can walk to campus.  And parking on and around campus is hard to come by.  Heck, I even have people parking in front of my place to walk to campus.  Also, it has a screen porch.  and I can let my cats out without really letting them out.  It has been great for them.  But back to the landlord.  While he's scraping paint, he is making a lot of noise, and a mess.  Does he clean the mess up?  No.  He just leaves old paint where it lands.  He trimmed a tree, and left the branches where they fell. 

and then, he has the audacity to knock on my door, and ask me if he's making enough noise for me?  Well, I was on the phone when he knocked, and although I answered the door because I thought he might need me to move something, or whatever, I just shut the door in his face.  What a goober.  He's always got a funny story, but I don't always have time for funny.

Anyway, this has become a rant.  and what do you know?  It's not a political rant.  Although, I do think my landlord is a republican.  Mmmmmmm, now it all begins to make sense.  LOL.

I have been traveling around some blogs the last few days.  It's been a long time, but I decided to get back in touch with some of the special people I have found around the Blogosphere.  And I'm glad I did.  There are some amazing people out there.  And as the noise gets louder, I think I'll join my cats, and hide.

But, please, come by and see me when you can.  I promise to try to blog more, and visit more.  and from this hippy chick a loud peace, love and light to all of you who stop by........

well, well, Happy Birthday tomorrow to the Prez!  You should be proud.  No, really. 

Who decided that we have to have firecrackers going off on the fourth of July?  And why is it that people think shooting them off until and thru midnight is kind of cool? 

I have to teach today.  Getting students interested in literature is hard, but not as hard as some people make it. 

So, what are you doing 07/07/07?  and why is it that some people think that's going to be a lucky day?  People are strange. 

anyway, have a great summer day wherever you are.