I haven't had much time, as of late, to read anything, be it magazines or books or online articles. But, as I was checking into my yahoo at lunch, I came across this article.
Having worked for nine years in the same casino's various restaurants, I was outraged at the arrogance of this banker. A "real" job? Please define "real." If we were all bankers, who would provide utilities to the banker's office? Or stock the shelves at the banker's grocer? Or clean and press the banker's suit? If there were no demand for the services each of our jobs offer, the jobs wouldn't exist. More importantly, a significant portion of the investment income the banker deals with undoubtedly is the fruit of these labors.
Did I enjoy working nights and weekends and holidays at the casino? No, I sure didn't. But for a right-out-of high school graduate with no degree to ultimately make $60k per year (fully clothed) is otherwise unheard of. My career (and yes, I think nine years substantiates a career no matter what industry) in waitressing afforded me the opportunity to make ends meet, put myself through school and be at home with my daughter (during the day) during her early years. I think that qualifies as a "real" job.
While this article alludes to the ongoing 1 vs 99% "battle," I think this is just another example that assholes come in all shapes and sizes and from all socio-economic backgrounds. During my nine years at the casino, I dealt with many members of the 1%, and I was never treated with such disrespect. In fact, it was in dealing with the 99% that I dealt with the most hostility (most likely from their having spent money they never had to spend at the casino).
I thought for some time about the ultimately repercussion to come of said banker, but nothing seems appropriate. If humility came in doses, I would serve him two. And not even ask for a tip.
Monday, February 27
Friday, February 24
"My Friend the Dictionary" makes me think of Gilmore Girls,
Must spare enough time to...
Brag on my amazing kiddo.
From the beginning...
Last spring she and I went to Oxford to see The Univerity of Mississippi's performance of 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee, which we both absolutely loved!
Kiera found out a few weeks ago that her school was going to be piutting the musical on this spring. So she ditched the audition she had planned for Kudzu's Seussical and auditioned for PCSB yesterday. For weeks she has been debating on what song she should audition with. It seemed completely last minute (and I was worried about the lack of preparation) when she chose Dixie Chicks' Cold Day in July (which she has loved since she was about four years old).
Well she must have done really well because she got the LEAD female role in the musical.
That's a pretty big deal when you're 14 and competing with 18 and 19 year olds for the part (who are part of the school's theater and thespian programs).
When I picked her up from the audition I asked her to sing her audition song for me (she hates it when I ask her to do this); she obliged and absolutely killed it (that's "killed" in the good way). Natalie Manes is one of those singer that is SO difficult to duplicate but Kiera sounded amazing. I literally had chill bumps. I asked her to video it so I could post it and she said she would "later." I don't know how much she meant it, but I'm definitely going to pester her for it so I can share it online. It wasn't one of those look-how-great-my-kid-is versions of amazing, it was legitimately amazing.
We ate a celebration dinner on the patio at Huey's (79 degree high yesterday? Yes, please!) and she was beaming from ear to ear the entire time (I'm not ashamed to admit I was too). We spent a little time looking up her solo parts online and I have to say: It's a little intimidating. She has a pretty big role to fill (although almost all the characters have a signifigant role, Olive's character is the most developed, imo) and some pretty difficult solos. Eek! But I have faith! Those years of theater camp can finally be put to good use (and some of her camp friends have already committed to seeing the performance). I'll post more details as I get them (regarding performance schedules, etc).
And if you want to learn more about the Tony award-winning musical, here's a LINK.
Brag on my amazing kiddo.
From the beginning...
Last spring she and I went to Oxford to see The Univerity of Mississippi's performance of 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee, which we both absolutely loved!
Kiera found out a few weeks ago that her school was going to be piutting the musical on this spring. So she ditched the audition she had planned for Kudzu's Seussical and auditioned for PCSB yesterday. For weeks she has been debating on what song she should audition with. It seemed completely last minute (and I was worried about the lack of preparation) when she chose Dixie Chicks' Cold Day in July (which she has loved since she was about four years old).
Well she must have done really well because she got the LEAD female role in the musical.
That's a pretty big deal when you're 14 and competing with 18 and 19 year olds for the part (who are part of the school's theater and thespian programs).
When I picked her up from the audition I asked her to sing her audition song for me (she hates it when I ask her to do this); she obliged and absolutely killed it (that's "killed" in the good way). Natalie Manes is one of those singer that is SO difficult to duplicate but Kiera sounded amazing. I literally had chill bumps. I asked her to video it so I could post it and she said she would "later." I don't know how much she meant it, but I'm definitely going to pester her for it so I can share it online. It wasn't one of those look-how-great-my-kid-is versions of amazing, it was legitimately amazing.
We ate a celebration dinner on the patio at Huey's (79 degree high yesterday? Yes, please!) and she was beaming from ear to ear the entire time (I'm not ashamed to admit I was too). We spent a little time looking up her solo parts online and I have to say: It's a little intimidating. She has a pretty big role to fill (although almost all the characters have a signifigant role, Olive's character is the most developed, imo) and some pretty difficult solos. Eek! But I have faith! Those years of theater camp can finally be put to good use (and some of her camp friends have already committed to seeing the performance). I'll post more details as I get them (regarding performance schedules, etc).
And if you want to learn more about the Tony award-winning musical, here's a LINK.
Thursday, February 16
You're no one 'til National Enquirer covers your story.
And I thought National Enquirer was all about aliens (and celebs sans their makeup).
TRUE CRIME: PAWN SHOP HOMICIDE - The National Enquirer
TRUE CRIME: PAWN SHOP HOMICIDE - The National Enquirer
Tuesday, February 14
...but without the orange jumper!
I'm always searching for a cheap (or better yet FREE) way to do things. Party planning is no exception to this. While I wouldn't say I am truly creative, I am inspired from time to time and, more importantly, I'm great at the blessed art of googling.
So it's no surprise that for Lea's Sweet Sixteen, Jay's funeral and the three baby showers I'm hosting this month, I did a little research and put in a little tlc, which added up to big bucks saved!
Here are three share-worthy finds from those searches:
This link for a Martha Stewart Banner allows you to print off whatever letters you want to make a cute, personalized banner. Its design indicates its intended purpose is weddings, but I printed enough letters to do all three baby shower banners + Lea's sweet 16. I simply printed off the letters, used card stock for the background (about one inch larger than the letter cut-out), used a two-hole punch at the top of the letters/cardstock and weaved a coordinating ribbon through it.
Here's the one I did for Kaylynn's baby shower:
Another find for the baby showers was this FREE printable onesie's sticker template. These are, evidently, all the new rage in baby-growth documenting. I have to admit: I love the idea and am in more than a bit of envy that these weren't around when Kiera was a baby. If you don't want to take the 15 minutes to print and cut them out (I did them in the sticker version using Avery label sheets as opposed to the iron-on version), you can buy them online for about $10 (shipping and all). If you have a 4 inch hole punch (even better)--it'll take you about 2 minutes!
Lastly, I decided to take on a few tasks for Jay's memorial (as a side note, the memorial was perfect- I wouldn't change a thing about it), which included the creation/printing of the programs. Since funeral homes charge several hundred dollars for a substandard program, it seemed like the perfect task. There were a free templates online, but the best was actually on the Microsoft Office template site (no signups, no extra downloads, no gimmicks).
You can find the template I used right here. I even kept most of their formatting and their poem, since I thought it was fitting. I was going to print them at work, but I didn't want to abuse the company's resources (especially considering it's two full color pages), so I emailed them to Kinkos, used a friend's FedEx discount and had a slew of them done for about $15 total. And quite a few people remarked on how nicely they were done.
The best thing about all three of these is that none of the projects looked "home"made. I like personalized stuff, I like saving money, but I refuse to display or promote something that's sloppily done.
[Is "sloppily" a word? Hmmm]
Hope you find at least one of these helpful.
Although...on second thought...I hope you find at least one of the first two helpful. :)
So it's no surprise that for Lea's Sweet Sixteen, Jay's funeral and the three baby showers I'm hosting this month, I did a little research and put in a little tlc, which added up to big bucks saved!
Here are three share-worthy finds from those searches:
This link for a Martha Stewart Banner allows you to print off whatever letters you want to make a cute, personalized banner. Its design indicates its intended purpose is weddings, but I printed enough letters to do all three baby shower banners + Lea's sweet 16. I simply printed off the letters, used card stock for the background (about one inch larger than the letter cut-out), used a two-hole punch at the top of the letters/cardstock and weaved a coordinating ribbon through it.
Here's the one I did for Kaylynn's baby shower:
Another find for the baby showers was this FREE printable onesie's sticker template. These are, evidently, all the new rage in baby-growth documenting. I have to admit: I love the idea and am in more than a bit of envy that these weren't around when Kiera was a baby. If you don't want to take the 15 minutes to print and cut them out (I did them in the sticker version using Avery label sheets as opposed to the iron-on version), you can buy them online for about $10 (shipping and all). If you have a 4 inch hole punch (even better)--it'll take you about 2 minutes!
Lastly, I decided to take on a few tasks for Jay's memorial (as a side note, the memorial was perfect- I wouldn't change a thing about it), which included the creation/printing of the programs. Since funeral homes charge several hundred dollars for a substandard program, it seemed like the perfect task. There were a free templates online, but the best was actually on the Microsoft Office template site (no signups, no extra downloads, no gimmicks).
You can find the template I used right here. I even kept most of their formatting and their poem, since I thought it was fitting. I was going to print them at work, but I didn't want to abuse the company's resources (especially considering it's two full color pages), so I emailed them to Kinkos, used a friend's FedEx discount and had a slew of them done for about $15 total. And quite a few people remarked on how nicely they were done.
The best thing about all three of these is that none of the projects looked "home"made. I like personalized stuff, I like saving money, but I refuse to display or promote something that's sloppily done.
[Is "sloppily" a word? Hmmm]
Hope you find at least one of these helpful.
Although...on second thought...I hope you find at least one of the first two helpful. :)
Friday, February 10
Currently...
Woe List
- Heat is out at the house for the fourth day. Low of 24 tonight and 16 tomorrow. Eek
- Sisters' Dad's death on Tuesday--memorial on Monday
- Baby shower for Sunday...which I thought was planned for next Sat. Completely unprepared.
- Sick. Again.
- Programs, flowers and music for Jay's funeral + Urn necklaces for sisters
- Banner, signs & candy for baby shower
- Clean my house (50- degree temp tends to delay the desire to clean)
- Oil change (three weeks ago)
- Heat
- EXERCISE!
- Get well
- Renew auto insurance
- Willingness of Tommy, Steve and Ben to fix heat
- Care of mom to help secure part for the above
- Cold (but otherwise perfect) roof over our heads
- Witty daughter who charms me daily
- Great job/coworkers
- Ability and skills to complete to-do list without losing my mind
Monday, February 6
Because OMM is easier to remember than Four Thousand and Ninety-Five Moms.
I've spent far too much of my day on this page:
[Click here to doubt the intellectual evolution of humanity]
basking in the stupidity it perpetuates. Just when I think I've done all the smh'in I could do, I move on to the next post and realize there is yet more stupidity to be discovered.
When November rolls around and you think you're too tired/busy/irrelevant to vote, just remember that these 40,095/1,000,000 (someone was optimistic) will undoubtedly be voting in line with their hate-ridden agendas.
While I'm not proud that this group (and its parent NFPO) is from Mississippi, it certainly didn't surprise me. In fact, as I read over their page, I thought, "Hmmm, wonder where they are based? Kentucky? Mississippi? Texas?" Well, one out of three ain't bad.
At least stupidity is centralized...I suppose that's a positive.
Feel free spending a little time marking their page up as I did today. Sure, it won't make you feel any better, but, speaking from experience, it's better than screaming at the computer screen as your co-workers stare on in shock and disbelief.
[Click here to doubt the intellectual evolution of humanity]
basking in the stupidity it perpetuates. Just when I think I've done all the smh'in I could do, I move on to the next post and realize there is yet more stupidity to be discovered.
When November rolls around and you think you're too tired/busy/irrelevant to vote, just remember that these 40,095/1,000,000 (someone was optimistic) will undoubtedly be voting in line with their hate-ridden agendas.
While I'm not proud that this group (and its parent NFPO) is from Mississippi, it certainly didn't surprise me. In fact, as I read over their page, I thought, "Hmmm, wonder where they are based? Kentucky? Mississippi? Texas?" Well, one out of three ain't bad.
At least stupidity is centralized...I suppose that's a positive.
Feel free spending a little time marking their page up as I did today. Sure, it won't make you feel any better, but, speaking from experience, it's better than screaming at the computer screen as your co-workers stare on in shock and disbelief.
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