March 31, 2006
links for 2006-04-01
-
Check out #225
-
this one is close to home.
Blog Free Weekend
We are expecting spring like weather this weekend, and I'll be out in the woods enjoying it. Move along now, nothing to see here...
Permalink | Comments (0)March 30, 2006
links for 2006-03-31
-
Morningstar overstates sector performance in every single mutual fund sector it tracks. Duh! Index funds are your friends.
It's Baseball Geekery Season
With Opening Day literally just around the corner, and my fantasy baseball draft tonight, it's time to geek out on baseball. I plan to write a lot more about baseball this year. I've had my fill of the homeschool community lately ;)
Without further ado, I give you a really well done interview with Bill James, and the text of the email that Red Sox owner John Henry sent to Bill James back in 2002 when he floated the idea of hiring him.
Both links courtesy of The Soxaholix.
BTW, I have done absolutely no research for the draft tonight. After several years of geeking out prior to the draft, and still not winning, I'm drafting more on gut instinct this year.
Permalink | Comments (2)March 29, 2006
links for 2006-03-30
-
Private school tuition breaks the 30K barrier.
GMALASHEP
It's pronounced Ga-Mala-Shep, and it's apparently some sort of secret organization that is organizing the boycott of Homeschoolblogger. I'm just a tool they are using to spread their anti-Christian message far and wide.
And here I was thinking that I was potentially helping a small child somewhere. Silly me.
BTW, it stands for Gay, Marxist, Atheist, Libertarian, ACLU Supporting, Home Educating Parents. You can thank Annette for the Acronym. She is the one that pieced together the pieces to see that this has nothing to do with kids, it's all about Christians.
Another acronym for you.
WWJD?
I believe he would do the same thing that GMALASHEP is doing. He would try to convince parents that God never told them to beat their children with plumbing instruments, and that anybody who writes a book that says so is not speaking for God.
I think I know who the real tools are, and it's not us.
Update: Comments are closed. I'm sick of reading them.
Permalink | Comments (13)March 28, 2006
links for 2006-03-29
-
Danny equates disagreeing with him about TTUAC with censorship.
March 27, 2006
links for 2006-03-28
-
It's about time!
Google is making us dumber
Google's simplicity and impressive search prowess trick students into thinking they are good all-around searchers, and when they fail in library searches, they are ashamed as well as confused.
I can see that. Finding useful and reputable information on the Internet is a very different skill than doing so in the library sans Internet. The argument is that Google is so oversimplifying information retrieval that we are in fact getting worse at it, not better.
In December, the National Center for Education Statistics published a report on adult literacy revealing that the number of college graduates able to interpret complex texts proficiently had dropped since 1992 from 40 percent to 31 percent. As Mark S. Schneider, the center's commissioner of education statistics, put it, "What's disturbing is that the assessment is not designed to test your understanding of Proust, but to test your ability to read labels."Permalink | Comments (0)
Apparently, 42 really is the answer
Wow. The math is a little over my head, by it turns out that 42 is a really, really important number that may hold the key for unlocking the code to predict prime numbers.
For some weird reason, this doesn't surprise me at all!
Permalink | Comments (2)The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
The holy book hits the store shelves on Tuesday.
The guy deserves a lot of credit for taking a one off joke, written mostly in frustration, and turning it into what I have to assume is at least a decent bonus check, if not a decent living.
Permalink | Comments (4)We'd put the kids in school if the teachers were better paid
That seems to be the message of this post from a homeschooler-to-be. Are teachers in Cananda starving in the streets due to low pay?
Permalink | Comments (9)March 26, 2006
links for 2006-03-27
-
...a black child was more likely to grow up living with both parents during slavery days than he or she is today...
Fear Me, For I Am Manure Boy
I was standing around the barn at the 4-H clinic minding my own business. which is what I usually do at these things. Delaney is totally self sufficient with the horse, and even if I try to help, she can do it herself quicker than she can explain it to me.
So as I'm standing there I hear, "Hey manure boy, Shado left you a present." Apparently I can be trusted with the manure rake, so I got that going for me.
Really, the whole day was surprisingly uneventful. This was the first time we had taken the horse off the farm, the first time I had towed the horse, and the first time we were out somewhere on our own with the horse. I even backed the trailer into its parking spot back at the farm. It took 4 tries, but still...
I'm hoping that with a lot of hard work this summer, I can get promoted to Saddle Boy. Maybe I should remind her that I already am Guy Who Is Sacrificing His Early Retirement For His Daughter Boy. I'm also Guy Who Got Up at 5AM To Drive His Daughter and Her Horse to a Clinic Boy.
Breck passed the day by knocking off a 600 page novel. I think he enjoyed having 8 uninterrupted hours to read. I should note that he didn't need all 8 for the novel, that was completed in about 6 hours. He'll probably get to do a lot of reading this summer as the girls are talking about adding another show series to the schedule. This is the danger of living withing a 15 minute drive of 4 or 5 show barns.
Permalink | Comments (1)I'm just a bill...
I'm only a bill,and I'm sitting here on Capital Hill...
Except in the Bush administration, where bills can apparently bypass all that pesky constitutional stuff and just get signed into law on the whim of the President.
(lyrics from memory - likely not 100% correct)
HT: Lioness
Permalink | Comments (2)March 25, 2006
links for 2006-03-26
-
She wrote a very nice "goodbye homeschoolblogger" post that I saw via Bloglines. Yeah!
-
Heh. Battlestar Galactica humor.
-
heh
The Child Beaters Fight Back
Permalink | Comments (13)March 24, 2006
What's The Deal With Dell Support?
Bashing Dell seems to be a popular sport on the Internets. I've had to deal with Dell twice this week.
I got nothing to complain about.
A couple of weeks ago I came back from lunch to find a BSOD on my laptop screen. I can't remember ever seeing a BSOD with XP. Anyway, I rebooted, it seemed fine, so I didn't worry about it.
About a week later, the laptop got real unstable. At first I thought I had a driver issue, but eventually I decided it wasn't that and something I found on a web board pointed to a bad DIMM. So I downloaded a memory tester and ran it. It reported hundreds of errors before it was even 1% done.
Houston, we have a problem.
So I called Dell support. I immediately got somebody on the phone who spoke passable English. After explaining all the troubleshooting I had done and how it pointed to memory, we jumped right to the memory test. That's right, I was not asked to reboot or do any of 500 other stupid things first. The memory test confirmed the bad memory, and identified which DIMM was the source, something my freeware test didn't provide. Dell agreed to overnight new memory. Total time on the phone - about 40 minutes.
When I went to reboot, the boot failed due to a corrupt system file. This is a very bad problem. Being a Dell, I didn't have an XP disk - I had the ability to Control F11 into a Dell Recovery Console, except that it didn't work. So I pulled out an old XP disk and used the Windows Recovery Console to restore the system file. The laptop rebooted into Windows but failed on some unknown password. Some research via Google indicated that the Windows Recovery Console pre SP1 is not compatible with SP2. Did I mention my disk was pre SP1?
Oops.
So once the memory arrived next day and was installed, I logged into Dell support chat and explained my predicament. They quickly agreed that I needed boot disks to do an in-place upgrade that hopefully will preserve my data, and they overnighted the CD's to me. Total time in chat - maybe 15 minutes.
Like I said, I got nothing to complain about. And no, this post is not an invitation for you to bash Dell support in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (4)Homeschooling Thread at Redstate
A fairly long homeschooling thread has spun out of the Domenech affairs at Redstate.com
For the record, I'm waiting to hear from Ben before commenting further on the controversy.
Update: Ben has resigned his blogging post at Washingtonpost.com. The official explanation is here, and Ben's explanation is here.
The appearances of impropriety were certainly pretty strong, and I think the lesson here is that in an age if instant information gratification, it would be prudent to take a deep breath before you jump off the deep end about something you think you just read on the Internet.
Of course, those leading the charge were doing it out of spite, not because they care for the truth. And that is what bothers me most about our current political climate. Neither side really cares about what is best for the country and it's citizens. It's become a big game of Gotcha!
A pox on both their houses, if you want my honest opinion.
Permalink | Comments (1)March 23, 2006
links for 2006-03-24
-
Lawyer, embroiled in ugly divorce dispute, offers his wife the pictures of himself having sex with her then 16 year old sister many many years ago, if she will drop an inquiry into his bankruptcy. Lawyer now has possession of child porn charges to deal with
Cars (not the song)
The movie sounds fantastic. Score another blockbuster for Pixar.
Permalink | Comments (0)What Freedom of Religion?
Daryl found this story by a homeschooler who was sacrificing animals in pagan rituals.
Not really of course. But since the government said it, it has to be true, right?
Freedom of Religion indeed.
Permalink | Comments (0)March 22, 2006
Some people have no shame
Like the 19 bloggers at Blogspot that include "To Train Up A Child" as a favorite book in their profiles.
We also have 72 mentions of the phrase at Homeschoolblogger.com. I'd hope some of them are criticism, but I wouldn't count on it.
I had a much stronger title in mind, but I wimped out.
Permalink | Comments (22)A defense of The Pearl's
Go read this defense of beating your children that was left in the comments at Shannon's blog. If you agree with it, never ever come back here again.
If I thought God answered prayers I'd pray for the author's children.
Permalink | Comments (9)I love the smell of a good rant in the morning
Melissa goes off on Socialization Warriors, and other neighborhood pests.
Permalink | Comments (1)March 21, 2006
links for 2006-03-22
-
One of my poker buddies goes big time - a blog on Washingtonpost.com Congrats Ben!
-
Another one joins the ause
The Kids Are Alright - Goth Edition
Kimberly reports that Goth kids grow up to be normal productive adults. This is absolutely no surprise to me. Us metalheads from the 80's mostly survived and grew into productive adults, so why would goths be any different?
Permalink | Comments (4)It's a Festivus for the rest of us
Head on over to the 12th Carnival of Homeschooling, where Phat Mommy Shannon will be schooling us all in the feats of strength.
Permalink | Comments (0)I'm very popular in Canada today
American Idol fans have nothing on their Canadian counterparts.
Permalink | Comments (0)March 20, 2006
links for 2006-03-21
-
Somebody has too much free time - but damn is this cool.
-
This is funny - watch it all - it's only about a minute
Women aren't cut out to home educate
The more time I spend on the Internets, the more scared I get. This guy apparently believes that women can't handle the job of home education, so the menfolk must find a way to do more to help the poor helpless women, who after all were created by God just be help meets, and not actually do anything important in life.
Yes, he actually does insinuate that mom leading the homeschool effort is unbiblical.
Go get him Doc ;)
You know, every time I try to imagine my wife using a term like help meet, I break out giggling.
Permalink | Comments (7)The Socialization Myth Will Never Go Away
A California writer valiantly tries to refute the socialization myth. I think we are stuck with it forever. They have completely and totally lost the academic argument, and they know it. All they have left is stories of meeting some HEK somewhere that wasn't up to their socialization standards.
Of course, the utter lack of civility in the schools doesn't seem to bother any of these folks. Funny how that works...
Permalink | Comments (1)March 19, 2006
Non-official boycott logo - feel free to copy and use on your site
Doc is having blogger issues again, however she reported in my comments that the boycott total has exceeded 100 bloggers. That's about 90 more than I ever expected!
Permalink | Comments (5)March 18, 2006
links for 2006-03-19
-
The Happy Homeschooler on The Pearl's child beating advice
The Joy of Small Music Clubs
As mentioned previously, we celebrated St Patrick's Day by attending The Kennedys show at Jammin Java, where I partook of Harp Lager and some damn fine chili. The opening act was Parthenon Huxley, who was also very good. Towards the end of his set Huxley called a friend up onto stage to sing a song they had just written together.
The friend was Kalan Porter, who we learned after the song was the 2004 Canadian Idol winner. While he was singing (and he has an amazing voice) I was thinking to myself...I wonder why this guy hasn't tried the American Idol route.
Update: Wow - I had no idea how popular I was going to get among Canadians :) To answer the questions from the comments - they played one song, with P. Huxley accompanying Kalan on acoustic guitar. The song was sort of a pop ballad, although I think it could go in more of a rock direction depending on the arrangement Kalan and P. Huxley decide on. And for those of you asking about his hair...it is much longer and straighter than when he won Canadian Idol.
Permalink | Comments (45)an eloquent defense of the child
I have to use humor and sarcasm to cover up my lack of real writing ability. Valerie doesn't have that problem. Her take down of biblically supported beating of children is far more eloquent than anything you will see here.
Permalink | Comments (0)March 17, 2006
links for 2006-03-18
-
Mardi Gras post Katrina. New Orleans is still a hell hole. However, this is an incredibly well written and interesting story. Read it!
-
What if MS designed the Ipod? 3 minutes of funny - primarily because it is all too true.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Contrary to popular opinion, everybody IS NOT Irish today. If I'm not black on MLK day, you aren't Irish today. (Unless you are, of course).
Funny how getting drunk and mocking the heritage of the Irish is perfectly acceptable today. Do you think we could get away with something similar on MLK day?
We are celebrating by attending a concert, The Kennedy's are at Jammin Java tonight. We are taking the kids - their first concert. Taking them works out cheaper than a babysitter, and Jammin Java is a family friendly venue.
Permalink | Comments (4)March 16, 2006
links for 2006-03-17
-
Blooger Fred First (http://fragmentsfromfloyd.com) is following through on the blogger dream and publishing a book.
-
Decent discussion of the BSG season finale
Do Not Link to HomeschoolBlogger.com
Homeschoolblogger.com accepts advertising from No Greater Joy Ministries, who publish To Train Up A Child, a Christian parenting manual that advocates lashing your children with plumbing supply lines, because they sting, but don't bruise.
In an article published today about a child abuse case in NC, Gina Suarez, publisher of Homeschoolblogger.com, is quoted defending the use of plumbing supply lines to beat your child.
"[The Pearls] are talking about something that would fit in a purse," Suarez said. "The only way you can kill a child with that is by shoving it down his throat."
Isn't that nice? Should the sane members of the homeschooling community really be sending traffic to their site? I say no fucking way.
I only had one HSB blogger in the blogroll. I like Scott Somerville personally, but he needs to find another place to hang his blog hat. I suggest Wordpress.com.
If you are blogging at HSB, I ask why? If you have HSB bloggers in your blogroll I suggest you join us in delinking all of them. HSB is advertiser supported. The more traffic they get, the more money they get from No Greater Joy. Do you really want to support that?
Credit to Doc - it was her idea.
A baby boomlet in San Francisco
This is not good news for Scott.
The natives are panicking as they fight over spots in the "right" pre-schools. I wonder what happened to all those egalitarian society ideals that we always hear from left coast liberal elites?
I guess mixing with the riff-raff at the local Kindercare is something they think is only good for the kids of Republican parents.
Permalink | Comments (4)March 15, 2006
links for 2006-03-16
-
A Noodly billboard in Baltimore
March 14, 2006
links for 2006-03-15
-
The best anti-social software ever. Helping you find where other people aren't.
Congressional Representative Jo Ann Davis makes an Internet Boo Boo
A while back I faxed a note to Representative Davis regarding one of the homeschool related issues that we were dealing with last year. I never did receive a reply, but one of her lackey's was kind enough to add my email address to her distribution list.
It turns out that the distribution list is not broadcast only, as some clown with xenophobic illegal immigration issues, a humorous inability to spell illegal correctly, and a total lack of understanding of the US Constitution, sent a message back to the list address, which I've thoughtfully included below.
Dear Congresswoman Davis
I am fed up with illegal immigration; about a week ago I heard that CASA De Maryland members are picketing the homes and children school of Minutemen project. Most of these people are here ILLEAGALLY, and yet they have the nerve to protest legal citizens!
I have voted in every election, local, state and national since 1976, but today I am going to change that streak if I don't see significant progress made on this issue. Therefore, my family (total of 6 voting adults) and I will no longer vote for any candidate who has not produced or enforced the laws of the land to stop ILLEAGAL immigration.
In my view the following needs to take place and soon, say by the Nov 2006 election:
1. Fine Business": The reason the Illegal's are coming is for jobs, therefore, beef up and enforce the laws that fine business for hiring ILLEAGAL immigrants, $10,000.00 dollars a day for each person hired for each day they are employed. 2. Government Assistance: Stop any and all government assistance for ILLEAGAL immigrants, following is a short list, but you get the idea: 1. Medical 2. Education, at all levels, elementary, Jr. High, Sr. High and College. 3. Welfare, IE food stamps, WIC and other welfare programs 4. Drivers License 5. Birth Certificates; just because you are born here should not mean you are U. S. Citizen, there should be more of a criteria than that, say your parents are citizens too would be a good start. 6. Social Security Cards and benefits 7. Casa-De-Maryland, STOP funding advocacy groups that encourage ILLEAGAL immigration, even if only a small percentage of the membership is not U.S. citizens. 8. Housing 3. Boarder Enforcement: Build a fence, hire more people, and use technology to stop those coming in this country ILLEAGALLY, to include airports, bus stations and Ships. 4. Empowerment: Change federal, state and local laws that permit law enforcement at all levels to arrest, detain, hold and ship back to the country of origin after he or she has been cataloged, so if they come back, we have a record and then come up with new strategy to deal with this issue. 5. Temporary Visa: Improve the Temporary Visa process, if people who want to come here and work and assimilate into this country fine, figure out a way to allow people to come here legally and then after five, ten years and can speak the language, know our history and customs, and have no criminal record, then they can become U.S. citizens.
This is not rocket science, and if you will not deal with this issue, then maybe your replacement will agree. I will no longer vote for anyone who does not support this or and this is the tricky part actually do something to stop the flow of ILLEAGAL immigration.
Thank you for your time.
Robert W. Martin
I think I speak for most Americans when I say, "Robert, please don't vote."
Permalink | Comments (0)Fencing update - now with video
Is it scary that I already take for granted the ability to post a video at Google, and then stream it to anybody in the world - all without cost, and without using my own bandwidth?
Breck is on the left.
March 13, 2006
links for 2006-03-14
March 12, 2006
links for 2006-03-13
-
I'm posting at Horseshues again. And this time I mean to keep it up!
Evolution, the game
Actually, the real name is Spore. If the promise in this demo of the game comes through, it will be the greatest game ever.
Warning - Google video link is a 35 minute walk through of the game by it's creator, the same guy that gave us Simcity and The Sims.
The is rePinged content.
Permalink | Comments (0)Joss Whedon Explained
I found this really well written examination of Buffy, Angel, Firefly, and Serenity. Good stuff, both for fans, and also for those of you that perpetually confused as to why so many of us really like these shows.
Part 1 - Buffy and Angel
Part 2 - Firefly and Serenity
March 11, 2006
Future Olympian?
I don't know about that, but he did have a grand time in his first semi-formal fencing competition. The Squires of Dark Horse Fencing (ages 9-12) traveled West to Harrisonburg, VA to battle their foes, the Harrisonburg Fencing Club, in a team relay challenge.
Two teams from DHFC and two teams from HFC met on the strip in a battle of mind and mettle. The Dark Horse teams finished 1-2. Breck's team came in 2nd, although he is quick to remind us that they did defeat the tournament champions on the strip. Breck fought 9 bouts, and by my count he outscored his opponent in 7 of the 9.
More pictures are available in the Flickr sidebar. And I'll have a few seconds of video available as soon as Google processes it and makes it available. I do mean a few seconds though. Pre-teen fencing is best described as many 8 second bursts of activity, separated by 30 second breaks as the official explains the action and awards touches.
March 10, 2006
links for 2006-03-11
-
Now they blame it on Western Europeans, and rats.
Jesus appears in bowl of Manicotti
I mean really, if God was going to make himself visible again, I gotta think He can do better than appearing in a bowl of pasta. I'm thinking card tricks in a courtroom that is debating His existence, or something like that.
(BTW - I'm not seeing it in the Pasta pictures in the link - but then maybe that's because He doesn't me to see Him.)
Permalink | Comments (2)Another HS'er on Wife Swap
This time, they sucker punched the classic stereotype, a Christian homeschooling mom with a gazillion kids.
It sounds like she stood her ground, however the source is her hometown newspaper, so the story could be slanted in her favor.
And there is 10 cents in it for Tim too.
Permalink | Comments (3)March 09, 2006
links for 2006-03-10
-
Allegedly because NBC is thinking of putting it on the main network. I hope not though.
Scientists create superheated 3.6 billion degree gas
and they didn't even eat at Taco Bell first :)
OK - that was bad. But seriously, I find it a little frightening that they don't know how they did it. It seems like a lot of things could go very wrong with a energy source that we don't understand creating heat hotter than the center of the sun.
Daryl?
Permalink | Comments (3)March 08, 2006
links for 2006-03-09
-
Mr. Spunky provides some sound financial advice
-
Cool animated short by somebody on one of music related mail lists. Check it out - he is paid by the click.
-
A guide to online discussion combatants - it's funny because it's true
Holy Juggling Balls Batman!
Now this is talent. Wow.
Sad about Firefly
I watched the final Firefly episode last night. I've been avoiding that final DVD - not wanting the ride to end. To think where we could have gone with those characters. It's just an inexcusable screw up on Fox's part that they didn't give the show a chance. Another case of the fans being way smarter than the idiots running the networks.
I wonder why Sci-Fi hasn't made a run to resurrect it? Pair it with BSG on Fridays and they would totally own the geek crowd. If they can make money on BSG I've got to believe Firefly could do just as well.
I watched Serenity again over the weekend, and even talked Michelle into watching it with me. She hates any movie with a spaceship in it. She liked Serenity. Now I have to watch it with the director's commentary turned on.
Permalink | Comments (3)How a textbook is born
The challenge, should you choose to accept it: Read this entertaining and horrifying article that describes the process by which textbooks are written, then come back here and try to convince me that my kids are at a disadvantage by not having these government approved texts as part of their education.
Hat Tip via the Carnival of Education
Permalink | Comments (0)The problem is the lazy students, and their parents
A public school teacher wrote an Op/Ed in USA Today blaming lazy American kids for all the ills of the public school system. Apparently, if our kids just worked as hard as the Asian kids in school, all would be well.
Of course, the writer never stops to look at what the lazy American kids all have in common. Might it be parents that were educated in the US public school system? And if the problem is endemic to US kids, shouldn't it be just as prevalent in HEKs?
Permalink | Comments (3)March 07, 2006
links for 2006-03-08
-
sex evolved as a way to purge harmful mutations from a population.
-
Virginia's Anti-bullying law
Barry Bonds Exposed
If it's true, of course.
Permalink | Comments (0)When you make Keith Richards look young and vital
I don't want to pick on a guy who in the last year or so has battled cancer, and watched his smoking hot wife of many years walk out - but damn, Eddie Van Halen is not aging well.
As with anybody my age, Van Halen was an integral part of my youth. Seeing reality catch up to him is not pleasant.
And kids - if you need any more motivation to not smoke, and not abuse alcohol and/or drugs, this picture should do it.
Permalink | Comments (2)March 06, 2006
links for 2006-03-07
-
interesting explination of why arranged marriages fell out of favor in the West
-
Homeschooling and The Creative Class
-
The coyote population has exploded - and they are moving into the city
24 Spoiler - read no further if you haven't watched the show yet - too late for Tim though
OMG, they killed Edgar. Those bastards!
With the exception of Kim Bauer's 5 minutes of screentime, that was 2 amazingly intense hours of TV - which I watched in about 1:20, thanks to the magic of Tivo.
I love my Tivo.
So now Henderson, who Tony believes to be responsible for death of his wife, just got wheeled into ICU,, where Tony is currently residing.
What is the over/under on Tony killing off Christopher in a fit of rage, before Jack can get him to talk?
And why wasn't Rudy's access card deactivated when he was locked up?
I expect better from a pretend top secret secure facility.
Permalink | Comments (2)Don't feed the trollblogs
I've been advising against feeding the trollblogs for a while, even as I link to them in the link dumps. However, young Wil has written on trollblogs now, and since about 10,000 people read his blog, and 10 read mine, he will probably have a wee bit bigger impact :)
The really interesting thing that he brings up, that I had not really thought of, is trollblogging for profit. It's not really just losers that want attention anymore - it's losers that want money by getting attention.
Don't feed the trollblogs. In fact, effective immediately, I won't even point them out anymore.
Permalink | Comments (1)March 05, 2006
Sorry I missed this conference
Men are the ‘‘natural” heads of their families and should persuade their wives to give up birth control, quit their jobs and home-school their children, a keynote speaker at the annual Boston Catholic Men’s Conference said yesterday.
Well, at least he did say persuade, implying wives actually have a choice.
Forrest also told the men to ‘‘learn the truth about homosexuality,” suggesting that they read a book called ‘‘A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality.”
I wonder if the book suggests not drinking the water?
Permalink | Comments (2)Willie Nile - Streets of New York
If there was any justice in the music world, Willie Nile would be have been rich and famous a long time ago. He combines a Dylanesque voice with the song writing talents of Springsteen or Lou Reed, and an ear for melody that I think exceeds any of the above. It's simply a brilliant album that ranges from piano ballads to folk to punky rockers, with amazing songwriting at every turn.
Permalink | Comments (0)Dooce on being a SAHM
Reacting to what law professor Linda Hirshman recently said on Good Morning America about how it’s a mistake for educated women to stay at home with their kids.
My reaction then, I guess, is that here is my middle finger and here is me waving it at Linda Hirshman. This IS my choice. It is mine. I want to be at home with my child, not because my husband said I had to want it, or because my mom said that I had to want it, or because I am blinded by society’s bias toward women and their role in the family. I had the option of going to work outside the home or staying at home with my kid and I made a choice. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything more fundamentally feminist than exercising that choice.
RTWT. Warning though - sex with soap stars is involved.
There are probably some gems in her comments too. There almost has be be, considering that she over 1500 comments on this one post. That's almost 1/2 of my total comments in 5 years of writing here.
Permalink | Comments (0)March 04, 2006
links for 2006-03-05
-
The new Scott Miller album, Citation - sounds amazing. It hits the street 3/14.
-
I'm surprised it took this long for somebody to dothis
On the dangers of following the law
4 film students at Georgia State decided to drive exactly 55 mph around the Atlanta Perimeter Hwy, blocking all 4 lanes at the speed limit, and film the results.
Driving the speed limit in Atlanta can get you killed.
Permalink | Comments (0)And the leading referrer to ODonnellWeb in Feb 2006 was...
They picked up on Gay bashing, Christian Homeschooler Style on Feb 1, and sent about 500 visitors over to the article. Cool. I wasn't expecting to see that in my monthly perusal of my server logs.
Daryl was runner up. The Carnival post alone sent 125 people this way.
Homeschoolblogger.com was #19 with 44 incoming hits. Apparently, the gay community found me way more interesting in Feb than the christian homeschool community did.
BTW - 34 of those 44 incoming hits were courtesy of Scott.
Permalink | Comments (0)Monogamy going the way of the dinosaur?
Maybe. maybe not. However, if monogamy was an evolutionary result of man's desire to
1. Know who his children are, with some reasonable assurance
2. Not waste scare resources raising other men's children
then science today provides the ability to cover those issues without the hassle of the old ball and chain.
Is monogamy just a blip on the evolutionary radar, destined to become a memory as it's reason for existence is more easily managed by science? Or is the idea of a lifetime mate hard wired into us?
Permalink | Comments (6)March 03, 2006
links for 2006-03-04
-
Skipping out on a check at IHOP can get you killed in VA.
-
Troll of the week award to JustCara. I'd comment on it, but I'd rather be subjected to an anal probe by aliens, than waste time on an idiot like this.
-
I knew it. It was the JELLY!!!!!
-
This blog is a pipe bomb.
March 02, 2006
links for 2006-03-03
-
Your cat wants to be saved.
-
It's been around for a while - but its still funny
-
When Americans pay off their credit cards, the terrorists win
Harry Browne has died
Author and Libertarian presidential candidate Harry Browne died yesterday. Those of you that have been hanging around here a long time may remember my efforts to help his cause in the 2000 election.
One more time...for old times sake.
Coach K's newest commericals
Permalink | Comments (1)Any BSG fans in the house?
Any Battlestar Galactica fans have a comment on Friday's episode, Downloaded?
I keep getting stuck at Wow.
Permalink | Comments (2)March 01, 2006
links for 2006-03-02
-
I surprised Mel didn't think of this first.