I've traveled a lot this summer, but was considering one more trip. Unfortunately, new and exciting bills are starting to pop up. Here they are:
Dental work on Piggie, and boarding : $400
Mouth guard for me: $350
Framed two posters: $350
Fix A/C on Washington car (Black Beauty, or BB): $250
120k service on California car (Vera): $250
New laptop: $650
Plus three trips to the family, and having my nephew visit.
Oh, and I don't get paid for two summer months...
However, the real reason that I'm not taking my friend up on her offer of
a visit to Omaha is that I'm running out of time this summer. I had 19 projects that I wanted to accomplish this summer, and I've only done four of them. Plus, with all of my traveling, it seems like I've barely spent much time at home. I was at home and bored for a few days a month ago, but mostly I've been on the go. But, the extra costs that I shared above are good reasons, too.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
The Innocent Victims of Season 1 of Charmed
I watched the first few seasons of Charmed when it was on, and somehow lost track of it before the show ended. I started re-watching the entire series to catch up. Plus, who doesn't love witches in tank tops? After watching the first few episodes, I started to get worried that most of the "innocents" that the Charmed Sisters were to protect, or who would die as an indicator that there was a demon around, were women. So I decided to start this blog, and keep it up through the entire series.
But, come on, the whole series? That's ridiculous. So here is Season 1.
And because I'm me, I also noted the race of the innocent victims.
E1: Something wiccan this way comes- young women witches (One White woman was shown)
E2: I've got you undertaken skin- young women (Two White women were shown)
E3: Thank you for not morphing- the sisters
Although the Charmed sisters are obviously women, they are also the main characters of the show, and supposedly super-powerful, so I'm not counting them in the "innocent victim" category. With power comes people who want to take, regardless of your gender.
E4: Dead man dating- Chinese man
E5: Dream Sorcerer- young women (One White woman was shown)
Additionally in this episode, Prue gets attacked in a bath tub. Really? Let's just reinforce that naked women are vulnerable, why don't we?
I have noticed good thing during the shows is that the sisters are shown eating. Mostly snacking, but also meals. It's nice to see women who actually eat. Rare, but nice.
Also, Phoebe made it clear that she had safe sex. Lots of safe sex. :)
E6: The wedding from hell- young, White straight couple, and the groom's (White) mother.
E7: The fourth sister- The sisters, and a teenage girl (White)
E8: The truth is out there, and it hurts- scientists (one White man, one Black man) and the (White) mother-to-be of a future scientist.
Although I give kudos for having a scientist of color, why is the one woman who is attacked not a scientist? She's basically just a carrier, a vessel. She's attacked for what's in her uterus, not for anything that she personally accomplishes.
E9: The witch is back- the sisters. Two random White men with their last name were killed, too.
E10: Wicca envy- the sisters
E11: Feats of Clay- 3 male thieves
E12: The wendigo- 2 White men, and Piper.
E13: From fear to eternity- 13 unmarried witches. All White, young, and pretty.
Yet again, Prue is attacked while naked. This time, in the shower instead of the bath tub.
E14: Secrets and guys- Black boy with powers
E15: Is there a woogy in the house?- Everyone who went in the basement: White gas man, White woman professor, White male neighbor, White male police detective (and Prue's sometimes-boyfriend), and Phoebe.
E16: Which Prue is it, anyway?- The sisters
E17: That 70s episode- the sisters, or may be their mother (She's also a powerful witch, but White and female, too).
E18: When bad warlocks go good- White guy, but a random blond (White) woman also was almost sacrificed. A pagan symbol was drawn on her chest. Not over her heart, but riding the tops of her breasts. Classy.
E19: Out of sight- 2 boys, and a good person (a Black man)
More mentioning of safe sex, though; woot!
E20: The power of two- Revenge killings (man, old White man, old White woman)
I think Detective Trudeau (Prue's sometimes-boyfriend) should have his own show. Except that, when he learns of Prue's powers, he says that he can't date her because he doesn't want a wife with as dangerous of a job as he has (as a police detective). This is quite the double standard.
E21: Love hurts- A White woman and a White man. He is a White Lighter, and she's a White Lighter To Be.
This episode had a controlling (ex?)boyfriend stalking a women. He was a demon, but he did say what abusers typically say to their victims.
E22: Deja vu all over again- the sisters, but Prue's sometimes-boyfriend sacrifices himself so that the sisters can live. You rarely see a man sacrifice himself for a woman. BTW, he's still White.
Also, this episode made me cry.
And those are the victims in Season 1 of Charmed! There were 22 women threatened or killed, 26 men threatened or killed, 35 White people threatened or killed, and only 4 people of color threatened or killed; 48 victims' gender was known, while only 39 victims' races were known.
My hypothesis that more women would be in danger than men (not counting the Charmed Sisters) was incorrect; there were about equal numbers of men and women killed. It might be interesting to only look at one main victim, rather than everyone who was harmed in an episode, though.
Unsurprisingly, the show is very, very White. I had hope that this would not be the case because one of the secondary characters is a Black man (Prue's sometimes-boyfriend's police partner). The beginning of the season had some men of color as victims, too, but that soon faded to only Whites. It is interesting that there is no women of color anywhere on this list. I wonder why?
But, come on, the whole series? That's ridiculous. So here is Season 1.
And because I'm me, I also noted the race of the innocent victims.
E1: Something wiccan this way comes- young women witches (One White woman was shown)
E2: I've got you undertaken skin- young women (Two White women were shown)
E3: Thank you for not morphing- the sisters
Although the Charmed sisters are obviously women, they are also the main characters of the show, and supposedly super-powerful, so I'm not counting them in the "innocent victim" category. With power comes people who want to take, regardless of your gender.
E4: Dead man dating- Chinese man
E5: Dream Sorcerer- young women (One White woman was shown)
Additionally in this episode, Prue gets attacked in a bath tub. Really? Let's just reinforce that naked women are vulnerable, why don't we?
I have noticed good thing during the shows is that the sisters are shown eating. Mostly snacking, but also meals. It's nice to see women who actually eat. Rare, but nice.
Also, Phoebe made it clear that she had safe sex. Lots of safe sex. :)
E6: The wedding from hell- young, White straight couple, and the groom's (White) mother.
E7: The fourth sister- The sisters, and a teenage girl (White)
E8: The truth is out there, and it hurts- scientists (one White man, one Black man) and the (White) mother-to-be of a future scientist.
Although I give kudos for having a scientist of color, why is the one woman who is attacked not a scientist? She's basically just a carrier, a vessel. She's attacked for what's in her uterus, not for anything that she personally accomplishes.
E9: The witch is back- the sisters. Two random White men with their last name were killed, too.
E10: Wicca envy- the sisters
E11: Feats of Clay- 3 male thieves
E12: The wendigo- 2 White men, and Piper.
E13: From fear to eternity- 13 unmarried witches. All White, young, and pretty.
Yet again, Prue is attacked while naked. This time, in the shower instead of the bath tub.
E14: Secrets and guys- Black boy with powers
E15: Is there a woogy in the house?- Everyone who went in the basement: White gas man, White woman professor, White male neighbor, White male police detective (and Prue's sometimes-boyfriend), and Phoebe.
E16: Which Prue is it, anyway?- The sisters
E17: That 70s episode- the sisters, or may be their mother (She's also a powerful witch, but White and female, too).
E18: When bad warlocks go good- White guy, but a random blond (White) woman also was almost sacrificed. A pagan symbol was drawn on her chest. Not over her heart, but riding the tops of her breasts. Classy.
E19: Out of sight- 2 boys, and a good person (a Black man)
More mentioning of safe sex, though; woot!
E20: The power of two- Revenge killings (man, old White man, old White woman)
I think Detective Trudeau (Prue's sometimes-boyfriend) should have his own show. Except that, when he learns of Prue's powers, he says that he can't date her because he doesn't want a wife with as dangerous of a job as he has (as a police detective). This is quite the double standard.
E21: Love hurts- A White woman and a White man. He is a White Lighter, and she's a White Lighter To Be.
This episode had a controlling (ex?)boyfriend stalking a women. He was a demon, but he did say what abusers typically say to their victims.
E22: Deja vu all over again- the sisters, but Prue's sometimes-boyfriend sacrifices himself so that the sisters can live. You rarely see a man sacrifice himself for a woman. BTW, he's still White.
Also, this episode made me cry.
And those are the victims in Season 1 of Charmed! There were 22 women threatened or killed, 26 men threatened or killed, 35 White people threatened or killed, and only 4 people of color threatened or killed; 48 victims' gender was known, while only 39 victims' races were known.
My hypothesis that more women would be in danger than men (not counting the Charmed Sisters) was incorrect; there were about equal numbers of men and women killed. It might be interesting to only look at one main victim, rather than everyone who was harmed in an episode, though.
Unsurprisingly, the show is very, very White. I had hope that this would not be the case because one of the secondary characters is a Black man (Prue's sometimes-boyfriend's police partner). The beginning of the season had some men of color as victims, too, but that soon faded to only Whites. It is interesting that there is no women of color anywhere on this list. I wonder why?
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Dog Personality
After dog-sitting for a few days, it's really obvious how I have the personality of dogs.
In no particular order:
In no particular order:
- Dogs get super-excited about food.
- Dogs love to take naps.
- Dogs express their joy very enthusastically.
- Dogs can go from enthusiastic to napping in seconds.
- Dogs love to wander around outside.
- Dogs love finding new things.
- Dogs love going for a walk.
- Dogs love to be cuddled and pet.
- Dogs can be trained, but their humans have to be very, very patient.
- Dogs love routine.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
"Why Does the World Exist?" by Holt
Since I lost a Facebook posting of my and my friends' reviews of Star Trek: Into Darkness, here's a book review.
My review from GoodReads:
Why Does the World Exist: An Existential Detective Story by Jim Holt
I hate this book. It's a bunch of (White) men pontificating on an obtuse topic that has no practical value. Despite my best efforts, I did finish reading it. But I will be blaming my book club for years to come about the waste of my time.
The only vaguely positive thing that might have come out of reading it is that I now know that people have tried to answer this "Why is there Something rather than Nothing?" question for centuries. That's it. I learned it's a tough question. An impossible question. And that people have wasted their time on it for a very long time.
My review from GoodReads:
Why Does the World Exist: An Existential Detective Story by Jim Holt
I hate this book. It's a bunch of (White) men pontificating on an obtuse topic that has no practical value. Despite my best efforts, I did finish reading it. But I will be blaming my book club for years to come about the waste of my time.
The only vaguely positive thing that might have come out of reading it is that I now know that people have tried to answer this "Why is there Something rather than Nothing?" question for centuries. That's it. I learned it's a tough question. An impossible question. And that people have wasted their time on it for a very long time.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Membership Care Committee
Recently, I joined the Membership Care Committee at my fellowship. Because it's such a small congregation, this small group (of women) are in charge of both membership stuff and the, well, caring stuff. I joined to contact new visitors since that's an effort that many congregations aren't very good at. But joining this committee also means that I'm asked to do some of the caring part.
I'm not a touchy-feely person. I mean, I'm all about cuddling with people that I care about, but being empathic and supportive to just anybody? Not really my thing.
Today, we had a memorial service at the fellowship. The 33-year old brother of one of our members, another young adult, died suddenly. I really wanted to be there for the young adult and her family, so I was willing to do this caring bit.
I helped set up tables and chairs, I laid out platters of cookies, and helped keep the drinks cool. During the service, I also took the 4-year old daughter of the young adult to the playroom.
I found that I really enjoyed being of service. Being able to support someone, or some family, during a really hard time for them was very gratifying. I'm still not touchy-feely, but I guess I can fulfill all duties for the Membership Care Committee.
I'm not a touchy-feely person. I mean, I'm all about cuddling with people that I care about, but being empathic and supportive to just anybody? Not really my thing.
Today, we had a memorial service at the fellowship. The 33-year old brother of one of our members, another young adult, died suddenly. I really wanted to be there for the young adult and her family, so I was willing to do this caring bit.
I helped set up tables and chairs, I laid out platters of cookies, and helped keep the drinks cool. During the service, I also took the 4-year old daughter of the young adult to the playroom.
I found that I really enjoyed being of service. Being able to support someone, or some family, during a really hard time for them was very gratifying. I'm still not touchy-feely, but I guess I can fulfill all duties for the Membership Care Committee.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Accidental Five Miles
This evening, I went to my first running club event. We met near the river walk path. I figured that I wouldn't keep up with most of them, but didn't want to have them loop around without me. So I was very relieved when the host stayed back at all of the turn-offs to wait for me (and the woman behind me).
The running went well. The first mile, as always, made me regret going. But then I got in a groove, like I usually do. Jogging isn't as light and refreshing as it used to be, but that's probably because I weigh around 20 pounds heavier than I used to.
After running 2.6 miles (round trip), the group met up again near the parking lot. It took me 30 minutes, which is my normal time (3 miles on flat ground is taking me about 35 minutes at this point). Some runners were going to keep going the other way, so I said that I would walk behind them but that they had to make sure to find me and tell me when to turn around or I would just keep walking!
As they jogged away, I also started jogging, albeit slowly. I still had some energy left in me. I saw them take a side path, so I followed it, too. That's the last that I ever saw of them. I eventually hit the main path again, and took it back to the parking lot. That second run (with walking intervals) took another 35 minutes, and covered 2.3 miles (round trip).
As I was jogging, I got pretty angry at the other runners. As a woman, I don't want to be running alone on side paths but they didn't seem concerned about me once we started on the second run.
It reminded me of some hiking groups I have been a part of; they say that they are welcome to all levels, but end up leaving people behind. It's no fun to be left behind.
Plus, the sun was starting to set. That always makes me worried that I'll be running in the dark.
And I got blisters.
In sum, my first experience with this running club wasn't that great. Well, it started out really good, but then turned not-so-good. On the bright side, it wasn't too hard to do the 5 miles, not counting the blisters.
The running went well. The first mile, as always, made me regret going. But then I got in a groove, like I usually do. Jogging isn't as light and refreshing as it used to be, but that's probably because I weigh around 20 pounds heavier than I used to.
After running 2.6 miles (round trip), the group met up again near the parking lot. It took me 30 minutes, which is my normal time (3 miles on flat ground is taking me about 35 minutes at this point). Some runners were going to keep going the other way, so I said that I would walk behind them but that they had to make sure to find me and tell me when to turn around or I would just keep walking!
As they jogged away, I also started jogging, albeit slowly. I still had some energy left in me. I saw them take a side path, so I followed it, too. That's the last that I ever saw of them. I eventually hit the main path again, and took it back to the parking lot. That second run (with walking intervals) took another 35 minutes, and covered 2.3 miles (round trip).
As I was jogging, I got pretty angry at the other runners. As a woman, I don't want to be running alone on side paths but they didn't seem concerned about me once we started on the second run.
It reminded me of some hiking groups I have been a part of; they say that they are welcome to all levels, but end up leaving people behind. It's no fun to be left behind.
Plus, the sun was starting to set. That always makes me worried that I'll be running in the dark.
And I got blisters.
In sum, my first experience with this running club wasn't that great. Well, it started out really good, but then turned not-so-good. On the bright side, it wasn't too hard to do the 5 miles, not counting the blisters.
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