Who needs Bloglines when you have a cool plugin? These are the latest entries from my Peeps links category.
Kate
A couple of recent Andy picsWednesday August, 27 2008 11:06 AM EDT
Andy has started smiling, but I never seem to have my camera nearby at the right moment. So, here are a couple of non-smiling shots for now.
Amber Rhea
Quick rant against regional biasWednesday August, 27 2008 11:01 AM EDT
I’m busy w/ work so I’m just going to dash this off. A few weeks ago Creative Loafing had this story about Atlantans who moved to New York, and what they thought of NYC. I didn’t read it, but in this week’s (or I guess now it’s last week’s) Creative Loafing they had letters responding to it. There was one that was thanking them for running it bc the person said they get sick and tired of hearing the self-righteous assholes who move to Atlanta from cities in the North and talk about “You have no culture, you don’t know good food, you’re not educated, blah blah blah.” Then there was a letter by one of those assholes! It was doing everything the previous letter had said - telling Southerners we have no culture, telling us we deserve to be made fun of by the rest of the country. GOD! Fuck those people! I am so SICK of shit like that! And it’s always from people who describe themselves as progressive and liberal, too. Guess what… even if you’re right about some of it (not saying you are or aren’t, but let’s just put it out there for the sake of argument) it doesn’t matter because you’re being a complete tool about it! Bias against the South remains an acceptable form of bias among progressives and I’m fucking sick of it. It is NOT OKAY. Own your shit before you point fingers, assholes.
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[This is a post from Being Amber Rhea. If you are seeing it on another site, it is being used without permission.]
Queen Dee
My cup runneth o-vah!Wednesday August, 27 2008 10:36 AM EDT
- Actin the Foo' with mommers
There are few things I enjoy more in life than being an idiot with my mom (and grandma when she isn't busy trying to dominate the world. Hmm - genetic predisposition much?). Here are a few precious moments...
(very important to that note this is on my grandparents *newly built* deck! The Fjord du Saguenay is in the background - absolutely stunning)
- Family Festivus to the Awesome-est!
I really must say that this the past few days in Canada were more than I could of hoped for. From an all night dance/jam/disco DJ fest to the bonfire to swinging in the moonlight at midnight to line-dancing until our feet were sore, the family reunion/wedding anniversary this weekend touched my heart in a way few family functions have in a long time.
We rented out the summer camp all of us spent school trips and summer vacations at and the swings hadn't changed one bit. My cousin, uncle and I tore it up for an hour straight swinging under starry skies.
My mom and aunt played the best family songs on an all-too-rare guitar jam fest, we managed to make my 30-year married-always-active-never-weepy aunt and uncle cry AND my mom's and I dominated at line-dancing!
It was an absolutely heart-rendering weekend that makes you wish you could extend your family to everyone. They are the most loving people I have ever met...and as a member of that family I will always try to practice what I was taught: open door unconditional love policy. I might fall short of that sometimes but with these loving people as role models, I know where to turn when I need advice.
Tearin' it up one log cabin at a time! (I added more incriminating pics to Facebook - that can be incentive to those yet to sign up!)
30 year wedding anniversary roast!
The Clan
Serious line-dancing champs
~Dancin' in the moonlight ~
- "29 and foine"
"29 and Foine": One of the sweetest compliments I've gotten (as a 29 year old!)
I blew out all the candles and I legitimately honest-to-goodness had nothing, absolutely nada, to wish for! I mean really - "my cup runneth over"! I never thought I would understand what tears of joy were but they were a plenty when I walked into my friends home, filled with balloons, and Oreo cakesters and brownies ;) and cards and loving friends. The only thing I could dream of asking for was for me to be able to share this joy and happiness with others.
This state of complete joy is one I've never felt before. But you know what the best part is? This too shall pass. I'm sure (or at least, I won't be shocked) if the day comes where I'm bummed - no one lives on a pink cloud forever - but y'know what? That'll be ok too! Life just ain't the end of the world anymore and to be quite honest, it's more fun and suprising and beautiful than I ever thought it could be. Is it because I got an amazing car or anything like that? Nope. I don't know what it is about life these days but I just couldn't ask for more.
Well, the kicker to all this is that due to some serious family shopping and travelling over the past week I realized and accepted the fact that I'd have to clamp down on spending for a couple weeks. That's cool, right?
Well my friends, I think I have joined the new exclusive ranks of some very fortunate Southie residents. In case you don't know this, Southie people hit on scratch tickets like it's nobody's bidness - and that's all I'm gonna comment on about that. Well I got my first ever birthday scratch tickets and with the help of some loyal scratchers I discovered that I hit for several hundred dollars! That's right! I'm a hundred-aire! Of course I gave my "bookie" a cut of the profits after cashing-in at none other than The Rotary.
Life is good, my friends. Life is good!
Y'know what the best part is? Today is the day - This is it! This is the big show - today. Live it - and live it large!
Grift
My Morning WootenWednesday August, 27 2008 06:29 AM EDT
Just when my heart filled to the brim with hate for Democrats, here comes Wooten.
This, friends and neighbors, is the high level of political discourse distributed by the largest selling newspaper in the southeast.
You know what? I'm no longer going to defend the south against inane criticism from the rest of the country. We get what we deserve.
Is Hillary married? Just asking.Are you kidding me? Are you effing kidding me? Why not just roll out the old lesbian canard.
This, friends and neighbors, is the high level of political discourse distributed by the largest selling newspaper in the southeast.
You know what? I'm no longer going to defend the south against inane criticism from the rest of the country. We get what we deserve.
Grift
DoneWednesday August, 27 2008 05:58 AM EDT
Words thrown either in my general direction or the direction of this Powell mess.
Shill
Witchhunt
Staggering
Cute
You know it's that last one that probably sent me over the cliff.
Katherine Harris. Election rigging. Ken Blackwell.
Just a few more things cavalierly tossed at the wall in the monkey cage.
Is it the fact that Democrats won't admit that the real reason they are happy is they get to keep a strong candidate on the ballot? Is it the fact that Democrats won't even admit the fact they pulled a judge right in their wheelhouse? Is it the incessant preening that somehow they have won a great noble victory? Is it the continued refusal to acknowledge those who disagree also concede portions of their argument? Is it all of these things and more?
No.
What it is, is the not the first time attitude by the party of tolerance and ideas that if you are not willing to run through the brick wall with the rest of the herd then you are the enemy.
Fine. You win. I have little doubt Powell will be on the ballot. And you guys can use whatever justification you want to claim your victory.
But trust me. The next time the screen pops up the Rs and the Ds, it will be remembered.
Shill
Witchhunt
Staggering
Cute
You know it's that last one that probably sent me over the cliff.
Katherine Harris. Election rigging. Ken Blackwell.
Just a few more things cavalierly tossed at the wall in the monkey cage.
Is it the fact that Democrats won't admit that the real reason they are happy is they get to keep a strong candidate on the ballot? Is it the fact that Democrats won't even admit the fact they pulled a judge right in their wheelhouse? Is it the incessant preening that somehow they have won a great noble victory? Is it the continued refusal to acknowledge those who disagree also concede portions of their argument? Is it all of these things and more?
No.
What it is, is the not the first time attitude by the party of tolerance and ideas that if you are not willing to run through the brick wall with the rest of the herd then you are the enemy.
Fine. You win. I have little doubt Powell will be on the ballot. And you guys can use whatever justification you want to claim your victory.
But trust me. The next time the screen pops up the Rs and the Ds, it will be remembered.
Grift
One More TimeWednesday August, 27 2008 05:04 AM EDT
Maybe if I put it in big letters it'll make a difference.
The specific address in the county or municipality in which a person has declared a homestead exemption, if a homestead exemption has been claimed, shall be deemed the person's residence address.
The specific address in the county or municipality in which a person has declared a homestead exemption, if a homestead exemption has been claimed, shall be deemed the person's residence address.
Amber Rhea
Protected: MemorialTuesday August, 26 2008 10:21 PM EDT
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[This is a post from Being Amber Rhea. If you are seeing it on another site, it is being used without permission.]
Betsy
I want this dogTuesday August, 26 2008 03:31 PM EDT
This is possibly the sweestest thing I've ever seen.
Babble.com
No, I didn't Snopes it and don't really care if it's Photoshopped. Still cute.
Grift
GustavTuesday August, 26 2008 12:58 PM EDT
First the bad news. Practically every model has Hurricane Gustav getting out into open water in the Gulf. If this follows it practically guarantees as U.S. coastal hit.
Now the really bad news. The Gulf is very warm right now which makes Gustav a potential "bomb".
The slightly hopeful news is the water near the Florida coast is slightly cooler meaning Gustav could weaken before landfall. Also there is a new disturbance just to the north which may cause this bad boy to weaken.
No matter what. This is a scary looking storm and bears watching.
Now the really bad news. The Gulf is very warm right now which makes Gustav a potential "bomb".
The slightly hopeful news is the water near the Florida coast is slightly cooler meaning Gustav could weaken before landfall. Also there is a new disturbance just to the north which may cause this bad boy to weaken.
No matter what. This is a scary looking storm and bears watching.
Grift
In Which I Hate On EveryoneTuesday August, 26 2008 09:04 AM EDT
Georgia is quiet. The Dems are partying in Denver and you can follow their exploits at Tondee's and BfD.
You can even check out the antics of those who breathlessly grab their precious credentials and race to the convention floor to hear a speech that doesn't happen. The over/under on his retractions/non-disclosures is set at 2.
Back here in Georgia, far from the glitter, Fay sputters and spews, running rivers down into the sewers. Something compels me to follow the flow down into the darkness. Today, I'll be your janitor. Welcome to the sludge.
Atlantans And The Weather
What can keep a veteran political journalist from scooting off to Denver to rub elbows with the current powers that be? Well, probably budget cuts in the travel office. But what better to salve that wound than to send him out in the rain to stand in front of a blowed over tree to talk about Atlanta's never ending obsession with bad weather.
Two weeks ago, I sat in my little cabin in south Georgia as a squall line walked in. It was serious enough to make me consider crawling under a desk. But I never did. I continued watching my television with its spare, tiny crawl unobtrusively listing the counties under the ubiqutous tornado watch and ate a sandwich.
If I had been in Atlanta, there is little doubt I would have been inundated with bobbleheads screaming about STORM WATCH '08!
It's a good thing to have a place of perspective to flee the madness.
SpaceyG and The PP Boys
Yeah, I haven't commented on it. So what? Okay, fine I will.
As I told a friend, "Peach Pundit is the idiot pool but Spacey knew the rules before she jumped in". Spacey knew the site is primarily dedicated to Georgia politics, she continued to flaunt her violations of this parameter even after being warned and ultimately got booted. During her tenure and even after, she was heaped on with abuse - much over the line and uncalled for. Having said that, part of my own personal ethic is if you are an online persona you have to be able to defend yourself. Knowing SpaceyG as I do, I'm pretty sure she's got that covered.
So why comment now? Because of this stupid and classless comment. Some of the PP boys obviously miss their old whipping post. Even after successfully vanquishing the uppity woman they just can't resist the desire to take one more smack.
Classless. Erick, you're editor-in-chief. Does class not count for the "premier political blog in Georgia"?
Republicans And The Chi-Coms And The Nazis Blah Blah Blah
Williams Ayers, Reverend Wright, Tony Rezko, Chi-Coms, The Red Scare, wash, rinse, repeat.
Of course some take it a step further. Some choose to wade up to their chests in Godwin's law.
Comparison to Nazi Propogandist Leni Riefenstahl? Check. Actually comparing the Democratic Convention to a Nuremburg Rally? Check. (To be fair that last one was an idiotic commentor and as far as I know has no relationship to Jason who even when we disagree doesn't resort to this crap)
Yeah. You guys are the ones that relate to mainstream America. Keep on ascribing such self-importance while spewing statements so assinine a mule would disown you and we will continue to watch your party slip further and further into the wilderness.
Powell And The Democrats
As good as the copy is, I am rightly sick of Handel vs. Powell. What was once an interesting conversation about the law and separation of powers has become an opportunity for every tin-foil hat, voting conspiracy nut to crawl out of Democratic Party woodwork.
As I told an insider the whole thing can best be summed up as "Wendy Shoob is a nut and you guys got lucky."
But go ahead and continue to overplay your hand. Jump at every imagined booger in the Diebold bush instead of coming up with a coherent message to actually beat Handel in the court of public opinion instead of the court of crazy.
It's worked so well for you over the past six years.
Sincerely,
The Shill For Karen Handel
And now back up out of the sewers to the greasy skies of Fay panicked Atlanta. I'm not sure which is better.
You can even check out the antics of those who breathlessly grab their precious credentials and race to the convention floor to hear a speech that doesn't happen. The over/under on his retractions/non-disclosures is set at 2.
Back here in Georgia, far from the glitter, Fay sputters and spews, running rivers down into the sewers. Something compels me to follow the flow down into the darkness. Today, I'll be your janitor. Welcome to the sludge.
Atlantans And The Weather
What can keep a veteran political journalist from scooting off to Denver to rub elbows with the current powers that be? Well, probably budget cuts in the travel office. But what better to salve that wound than to send him out in the rain to stand in front of a blowed over tree to talk about Atlanta's never ending obsession with bad weather.
Two weeks ago, I sat in my little cabin in south Georgia as a squall line walked in. It was serious enough to make me consider crawling under a desk. But I never did. I continued watching my television with its spare, tiny crawl unobtrusively listing the counties under the ubiqutous tornado watch and ate a sandwich.
If I had been in Atlanta, there is little doubt I would have been inundated with bobbleheads screaming about STORM WATCH '08!
It's a good thing to have a place of perspective to flee the madness.
SpaceyG and The PP Boys
Yeah, I haven't commented on it. So what? Okay, fine I will.
As I told a friend, "Peach Pundit is the idiot pool but Spacey knew the rules before she jumped in". Spacey knew the site is primarily dedicated to Georgia politics, she continued to flaunt her violations of this parameter even after being warned and ultimately got booted. During her tenure and even after, she was heaped on with abuse - much over the line and uncalled for. Having said that, part of my own personal ethic is if you are an online persona you have to be able to defend yourself. Knowing SpaceyG as I do, I'm pretty sure she's got that covered.
So why comment now? Because of this stupid and classless comment. Some of the PP boys obviously miss their old whipping post. Even after successfully vanquishing the uppity woman they just can't resist the desire to take one more smack.
Classless. Erick, you're editor-in-chief. Does class not count for the "premier political blog in Georgia"?
Republicans And The Chi-Coms And The Nazis Blah Blah Blah
Williams Ayers, Reverend Wright, Tony Rezko, Chi-Coms, The Red Scare, wash, rinse, repeat.
Of course some take it a step further. Some choose to wade up to their chests in Godwin's law.
Comparison to Nazi Propogandist Leni Riefenstahl? Check. Actually comparing the Democratic Convention to a Nuremburg Rally? Check. (To be fair that last one was an idiotic commentor and as far as I know has no relationship to Jason who even when we disagree doesn't resort to this crap)
Yeah. You guys are the ones that relate to mainstream America. Keep on ascribing such self-importance while spewing statements so assinine a mule would disown you and we will continue to watch your party slip further and further into the wilderness.
Powell And The Democrats
As good as the copy is, I am rightly sick of Handel vs. Powell. What was once an interesting conversation about the law and separation of powers has become an opportunity for every tin-foil hat, voting conspiracy nut to crawl out of Democratic Party woodwork.
As I told an insider the whole thing can best be summed up as "Wendy Shoob is a nut and you guys got lucky."
But go ahead and continue to overplay your hand. Jump at every imagined booger in the Diebold bush instead of coming up with a coherent message to actually beat Handel in the court of public opinion instead of the court of crazy.
It's worked so well for you over the past six years.
Sincerely,
The Shill For Karen Handel
And now back up out of the sewers to the greasy skies of Fay panicked Atlanta. I'm not sure which is better.
Kate
Drivers owe city millions in finesTuesday August, 26 2008 08:01 AM EDT
[Publisher's note: This was sent via email by Badtad]
On occasion you blog about the ridiculous and I think this fits right up there with the best. This was in the AJC a few days ago. I can't believe the city is so far over budget and cutting back on basic services and yet they can't collect $10m in unpaid parking tickets! Sometimes the bureaucracy of this city astounds me! GRRR
It has been
Amber Rhea
Quote(s) of the dayTuesday August, 26 2008 07:46 AM EDT
Both from Laura Kipnis, via Aspasia:
“[F]or the sake of the children” is rather a selective enterprise, holding sway far more frequently when it comes to guilty matters like divorce than when it comes to pocketbook issues like education spending.
and
Sentimentality about children’s welfare comes and goes apparently: highest when there’s the chance to moralize about adult behavior, lowest when it comes to resource allocation.
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[This is a post from Being Amber Rhea. If you are seeing it on another site, it is being used without permission.]
Sarawaraclara
Like a hurricaneTuesday August, 26 2008 07:03 AM EDT
I have dumb luck sometimes. I began thinking almost a month ago of going to Biloxi over Labor Day weekend in order to play poker. Everything was booked before it all sold out, vacation days were reserved at the office, money set aside, and it looked like everything was going to line up perfectly.
Including, apparently, a big ol' hurricane Gustav churning its way through the Carribean and headed straight for the gulf coast, if the computer forecast models are to be believed. Some of those models have Gustav hitting Category 5 strength once it gets into the warm waters of the Gulf.
What are the odds, right? I still want to go on the trip, presuming that usually the models are unreliable and change often, so the storm will ultimately end up hitting Texas or Florida. But if not, if that sucker heads straight for the Mississippi gulf coast like a Katrina part 2, I'm going to be mighty pissed.
Including, apparently, a big ol' hurricane Gustav churning its way through the Carribean and headed straight for the gulf coast, if the computer forecast models are to be believed. Some of those models have Gustav hitting Category 5 strength once it gets into the warm waters of the Gulf.
What are the odds, right? I still want to go on the trip, presuming that usually the models are unreliable and change often, so the storm will ultimately end up hitting Texas or Florida. But if not, if that sucker heads straight for the Mississippi gulf coast like a Katrina part 2, I'm going to be mighty pissed.
Amber Rhea
Summaries in lieu of completionMonday August, 25 2008 11:41 PM EDT
Executive summary of a few posts that have been in draft mode entirely too long. Bold part is the current title of the draft.
- class privilege - it’s not a game of pick-up-stix
There was a meme going around several months ago where you have this big list of things that supposedly indicate class privilege, and you bold the ones that apply to you, and… I guess everybody gets to compete to see who wins the Oppression Olympics. It was apparently adapted from an exercise for a college class, where everyone stands in a row and you take a step forward for each thing that applies to you. But the whole thing annoys the crap out of me because of all the assumptions it’s based on - and I think THAT speaks volumes. Like, one of them was, “You had a lot of books in your house.” And?? How does that indicate class privilege?? Give me a freaking break! We always had a lot of books, because my parents valued reading very highly, not to mention that my mom worked at a bookstore in the 70s so she got a bunch of free books - so I guess that makes me more “privileged,” except for the part where we never had health insurance. Funny, that. Just goes to show, yet again, that you can’t judge by surface appearances only. Sure, someone may have a lot of books, but that tells you exactly jack shit. And why the assumption that only “upper class” people have books?? - If you can’t stand the heat, and other meaningless clichés
I hate when people say, “Well, if you can’t stand criticism, you shouldn’t be blogging; huff huff huff!” They’re always so proud of themselves, and they wipe their hands of the issue and that’s that. They’ve got it all figured out. Except, that’s total crap. So basically what you’re saying is that if I’m not okay with being treated like garbage and having things that are not meant to be open for “criticism” being micro-analyzed, then I basically need to just shut up. I don’t deserve to speak my truth; my voice doesn’t deserver to be heard. What if this is the only place I can speak such truths, and now you’ve told me I can’t even do it here? As if it’s up to you anyway. - SitPS local action idea
Elizabeth’s comment made me think, there really should be local action committees to mobilize around issues of sexual freedom in specific communities. I wish someone other than me would get it together for Georgia, though. I just can’t right now. - youth sexuality
Yes, teenagers are sexual beings. Why can’t anybody admit that without having a conniption fit about it? Look, admitting that simple fact doesn’t mean you’re saying you want to have sex with teenagers. Why are we all so weird about it? Have we forgotten what it’s like to be a teenager? Sexuality doesn’t magically appear at age 18, and teenagers are not children. Maturity levels vary greatly, obviously, but that’s true in people who are over 18, too. Frankly when I was a teenager I was offended at being treated like a child, and being told that my feelings and wants didn’t count, because clearly I just didn’t know myself yet, I was too young. - Two things
Men absolutely must call out other men on sexism. <– That’s the only thing that’s in the draft. I don’t know what the second thing was supposed to be.
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[This is a post from Being Amber Rhea. If you are seeing it on another site, it is being used without permission.]
Betsy
This might be good enough reason to move to the desertMonday August, 25 2008 12:17 PM EDT
Alas, I won't be flocking with other 80s nostalgists to see Rick Springfield perform here in sunny, stifling hot Phoenix, as the concert is a few days before they chase this little bugger outta me via induction.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy some righteous RS right here on E-Normal...
Joe Wall
Monday August, 25 2008 09:04 AM EDT
2 solid days, 1 used and donated air conditioner, 10 sheets of T1-11 rough-cut siding, 1 roll of tarpaper, 1 roll of white aggregate fiberglass roll roofing, 6 tubes of roof sealant, 30 minutes measuring windows, 1 giant spider in the outhouse, 1800 feet down the Potomac, 2 mild cuts from snail shells, 45 minutes baking on the broad, warm stone of Cleveland Rock in the sunlight, 15 minutes up the towpath, 240 miles in a Sprinter driven by a friend who prefers not to be photographed, 2 really loud, satisfying arguments about geopolitics, 6 Nathans dogs on the grill, thirty minutes with the broom, 1 afternoon of almost nothing, and the autumn is coming—time for a roaring fire in the woodstove and a place to read a book, trains beyond counting, blue skies, huge, beautiful woodpeckers flying high, hawks wheeling slowly above the trees, all that, all that.
You stop thinking of numbers.
There is no time, only trains, only green.
Soon, some of you will know it, too.
Grift
Betting Window Back OpenMonday August, 25 2008 07:46 AM EDT
Handel files an appeal in the Powell case.
I've been wrong on practically every prediction in this bizarre little story. Still, no one will take my wagers. 3-2 Court of Appeals overturns Shoob's wacky decision. Any takers?
I've been wrong on practically every prediction in this bizarre little story. Still, no one will take my wagers. 3-2 Court of Appeals overturns Shoob's wacky decision. Any takers?
