Aran, and guest blogger submits the following:
It was Friday night and Gretchen and I thought it would be nice to go down to Central Market for a cheap dinner. Everything was going well, we had a nice little dinner and got in some shopping. Elsa was starting to fuss so we packed things up and made our way to the checkout. And that's when our luck ran out. It started raining pretty hard and being rookie parents, I suggested that Gretchen and Elsa wait inside and I would run out to car and drive it back so they wouldn't get wet. Right at that moment, the rain really started to pour down, it was cold and dark and I wasn't wearing any rain gear. As I pulled the car around Gretchen ran up with Elsa in her arms and jumped into the back seat to strap Elsa into her car seat. The rain continued to flow down as I loaded the stroller and all the other baby stuff into the car. After getting everything loaded up, I then jumped back into the driver seat. I was cold and dripping wet, the windows were all fogged up and all you could hear was the rain pelting the car and Elsa sreaming in protest, because she hates her car seat. In a calm voice I tried to reassure her that we would be home soon. I went to turn the key and nothing happened, the lights and radio came on but not the engine. For the next twenty minutes I tried everything to get the car started, to make things worse Elsa was really belting out her frustration. I could stand outside of the car in the cold rain where it was quiet or I could sit inside and be dry and listen to Elsa scream.
To make things worse Gretchen and I both forgot our cell phones. At that moment, we would of gave anything to have our cell phones, just because we could of called a friend to help get us home. Niether one of us could remember a single persons phone number because that info is programed into our cell phones. To get us through this crisis we had to join AAA road side assistance to have the car towed, call a taxi that has an infant car seat attachment, and find a shop in the area that could work on the car. All of this on a Friday night around 9 PM. We also needed the tow truck driver and taxi to arrive at the same time, because its still raining. After waiting for 45 minutes the tow truck driver arrived and then we waited with the tow truck driver for anther 20 minutes until we finally had to accept that yellow cab wasn't coming and Elsa wasn't happy. I guess in desperate times you do things you normally wouldn't do. So we bribed the tow truck driver to take us home after he dropped off our car with the mechanic. I guess its agianst the law and tow truck policy to put two adults and an infant without a car seat in the front cab of the truck.
In the end we made it home safely, that cheap diinner wasn't so cheap and I will never buy a Ford again. Because what pisses me off the most is that I've done all the scheduled maintance on that Explorer and it has less than 60K miles....the car shouldn't off just died like that. And these guys want a bail out, maybe they should make cars that work.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Eight is Hate
So today, I walked with a few thousand other people to chant and cheer for equal rights.
It's obvious to say that the crowd supports equality for all now. The order of the day was opposition of the Prop 8, CA constitutional change that prohibits gay marriage.
My comment on this entire subject reverts back to a simple litmus test I use for evaluating laws and policy: Does it increase or decrease freedom or choice? Clearly in the case of prop 8, there is a decrease in freedom.
Shame on you Californians!!!! You too Florida. However, in the case of Florida and the current conservative octogenarian population currently voting in the state, I could halfway understand. Give the Florida situation a few years, and things will change. That being said, there is no excuse for a bellweather state such as California to make such a blunder as limiting freedoms.
On the bright side, and if todays crowds are any indication, perhaps the frustrations of the masses who desire change and equality have been ruffeled enough to act.
One of the speakers, who I could barely here advised that for the next year, the 10th of every month would bring a new rights-sporting opportunity. FYI. You heard it here first.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Just unstuck the mystery jam in my Brother printer. It made the worst cracking sound when I attempted to print off my spin work out just minutes prior to my class today.
I note this because the printing problem has been resolved and I feel good about the "repair" which really just involved opening all the various door on the printer and then closing them.
With that said I listened to Dave Ross today. Not much to report. There was some talk about Rev. Jesse Jackson's son noting that all (paraphrasing) the black community now is reflecting on the president. It's interesting to think about this in that Jackson's comments seem absurd, but are they really? Take me for example, do my actions reflect back W? I would hope so, but really I think not. However, in the sense that there are those out there who still don't think a black politician should hold the highest office, perhaps the actions of us minions do reflect back.
That being said, having a black president is not a racial get out of jail card for anybody. Live still takes effort. Just because Obama is President, doesn't make getting in to Harvard Law any easier for anybody. And, for people who struggle with bigotry, it's still going to be an effort to learn another way of treating people.
So, the thing I find most exciting about the whole election process is that there is this sense of hope and excitement in the future of our country. It's a new feeling for most I think. For some, those who have felt the thumb of oppression in what ever form it takes, this feeling is new and possible something they have never felt. It is this feeling and energy, that must be harnessed to the struggles we all face.
Back to the printer. I know, lame comparison, but I had thought that the printer had crapped out and the struggle I faced, I was not looking forward to. In the end with a little effort, I prevailed, but that was not before I groused around the house being generally an ass.
Out
I note this because the printing problem has been resolved and I feel good about the "repair" which really just involved opening all the various door on the printer and then closing them.
With that said I listened to Dave Ross today. Not much to report. There was some talk about Rev. Jesse Jackson's son noting that all (paraphrasing) the black community now is reflecting on the president. It's interesting to think about this in that Jackson's comments seem absurd, but are they really? Take me for example, do my actions reflect back W? I would hope so, but really I think not. However, in the sense that there are those out there who still don't think a black politician should hold the highest office, perhaps the actions of us minions do reflect back.
That being said, having a black president is not a racial get out of jail card for anybody. Live still takes effort. Just because Obama is President, doesn't make getting in to Harvard Law any easier for anybody. And, for people who struggle with bigotry, it's still going to be an effort to learn another way of treating people.
So, the thing I find most exciting about the whole election process is that there is this sense of hope and excitement in the future of our country. It's a new feeling for most I think. For some, those who have felt the thumb of oppression in what ever form it takes, this feeling is new and possible something they have never felt. It is this feeling and energy, that must be harnessed to the struggles we all face.
Back to the printer. I know, lame comparison, but I had thought that the printer had crapped out and the struggle I faced, I was not looking forward to. In the end with a little effort, I prevailed, but that was not before I groused around the house being generally an ass.
Out
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
American Dream
The people have spoken. In my opinion, and the numbers reflecting the vote of the people, the people have stated clearly no more. No more of the same old policy that for the last eight years hasn’t served anybody but right, religious elitists.
I listened to President Elect Barack Obama’s acceptance speech last night and I was exited as I have never been. For the last several elections, even with Clinton, the rhetoric always seemed hollow and laced with promises that never seemed to materialize for me or people like me. However, with Obama’s speech, it seemed to be more of a promise of hard work and asking all to carry the load. This idea really resonates with me, because as much as it is a politician accepting responsibility, it perhaps is a chance for the people to once again accept their responsibilities for a great society.
The idea of race is exciting. I’ll just say that there seems to be an excitement of possibility that has never existed. All manner of good can and likely will spring from simply the inspiration of last night’s election. As I sit here, pecking out these words, my mind jumps from folks (really of any race) who haven’t felt represented or connected here in the US to the world which has been watching our democracy at work. Perhaps this is the air of excitement and promise that I spoke of earlier. Perhaps it is just that people have an innate sense of true possibility.
Now on to elements of the speech that I liked: I especially liked it when Obama told Republicans that he may not have been their candidate, but he would be their president and he would work for them. I liked the relatively few promises proposed, and finally I liked his personal piece about the 106 year old woman who, in her age really represented everyone.
My impressions are amazement, relief, and satisfaction. I am amazed that this country could make history in this manner. It seems so organic, real and raw in a way that Carl Rove could have never orchestrated. I feel relief from almost two years of tension. And finally I feel satisfaction in the notion that the people have spoken and for perhaps the first time, have finally been heard.
I listened to President Elect Barack Obama’s acceptance speech last night and I was exited as I have never been. For the last several elections, even with Clinton, the rhetoric always seemed hollow and laced with promises that never seemed to materialize for me or people like me. However, with Obama’s speech, it seemed to be more of a promise of hard work and asking all to carry the load. This idea really resonates with me, because as much as it is a politician accepting responsibility, it perhaps is a chance for the people to once again accept their responsibilities for a great society.
The idea of race is exciting. I’ll just say that there seems to be an excitement of possibility that has never existed. All manner of good can and likely will spring from simply the inspiration of last night’s election. As I sit here, pecking out these words, my mind jumps from folks (really of any race) who haven’t felt represented or connected here in the US to the world which has been watching our democracy at work. Perhaps this is the air of excitement and promise that I spoke of earlier. Perhaps it is just that people have an innate sense of true possibility.
Now on to elements of the speech that I liked: I especially liked it when Obama told Republicans that he may not have been their candidate, but he would be their president and he would work for them. I liked the relatively few promises proposed, and finally I liked his personal piece about the 106 year old woman who, in her age really represented everyone.
My impressions are amazement, relief, and satisfaction. I am amazed that this country could make history in this manner. It seems so organic, real and raw in a way that Carl Rove could have never orchestrated. I feel relief from almost two years of tension. And finally I feel satisfaction in the notion that the people have spoken and for perhaps the first time, have finally been heard.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)