Since I got sober many things are less fun, including hurricanes and sex.
Claudette has arrived and once again we aren't even getting a good rain out of it. I realize it's a little insane to wish for more out of a hurricane rather than less, but I'm an OKIE, okay! Dustbowl refugees do not believe there is such a thing as too much rain (Allison and Frances -two rather wet tropical storms I've seen- not withstanding.) Also having grown up in a place where watching tumbleweed races was one of the more entertaining activities, I have no objections to a little high wind and lightning from time to time.
I've lived in Houston now since 1986, and the hurricanes (not to be confused with the tropical storms) have on the whole been rather underwhelming. When I was drinking this wasn't such a problem because there was always the hurricane hangover to deal with which tended to obscure the disappointment of the hurricane itself.
Since I've been sober, however, I find that I'd rather go kayaking than do a lot of things -- like watching for hurricanes and sex. At least when I get in my kayak I know for sure I'm going to get wet.
As a journalism teacher I found this article very pertinent AlterNet: Rethinking Objective Journalism. I don't think there is anything wrong with truly objective journalism. Truly objective journalism, of course, is likely not achievable by human beings, however, BALANCED journalism is. I think what is lacking in the mainstream media is not necessarily a question of objectivity, but a matter of balance. The media has been pitifully unbalanced in its coverage of the current administration and anything having to do with it since 9/11/01. It's time to get over it and get back down to business.
I consider Thom Marshall a pretty uneven columnist. But sometimes he really gets it right and today is one of those times. His commentary on this story reminds me of my own confusion and frustration with the values we support in our society.
I have been wondering for quite some time why we subsidized the private businesses of those who are already QUITE wealthy with money that could be used for more parks, libraries, salaries for firemen and police, etc.
I mean, if I went to city council and said, “You know, I live in an underdeveloped “blighted” neighborhood and what our neighborhood really needs to stimulate new business in the area is a good taco stand. There are no places to get a decent lunch in our area and we think that is why businesses are not renting space here.
“Never fear city council, I have a solution. I want to build a taco stand that will serve my community and attract more businesses to the area and that’s a wonderful thing to do. Consequently, I humbly request that you, the fine council of the city of Houston, help me get this business going by working out some problems with me, like you know, permits, tax abatements, monetary guarantees, interest-free loans, that sort of thing. You’ll be doing the right thing for the community, and the businesses attracted to the area will more than pay for these small things I’m asking from you, I guarantee it.”
I’m quite sure I’d be laughed out of the building, if not arrested and immediately sent to a psych ward for a mental health evaluation. But Les Alexander not only walked in and made the same type of arguments – he actually got what he wanted. Why?
That’s bad enough, but Bob McNair, who paid a mere $700 million for the pleasure of owning his team, and Drayton McLane, Jr. are also riding on the city gravy train. BTW, anybody interested in buying a somewhat used, but perfectly good Astrodome?
Three more class meetings -- and I'm free to live again!!!!!!! Until I decide to go back for another useless degree. It should be awhile before that happens, I think.
37. I’m about twenty -- okay, thirty, pounds overweight – and trying to lose. I’m also a sugar addict (I think it’s related to alcoholism.)
38. I have brown eyes.
39. I have flat feet.
40. I drive an old Ford pick-up truck.
41. I once worked in graphic design.
42. I once worked in the real estate appraisal business.
43. I have been a technical writer and an editor.
44. My bachelor’s degree is in Creative Writing.
45. My master’s degree will be in Secondary Education.
46. I will graduate in May 10, 2003. Wooooo Hoooooo!!!
47. My favorite fruit is apple.
48. The other fruit I like is strawberry (okay, I can deal with an occasional banana or nectarine, but that’s it!).
49. I am was born in 1965 – a very good year.
50. I love peanut butter and jelly.
51. Mark Twain and Zora Neale Hurston are my favorite authors.
52. I subscribe to The New Yorker, Harper’s, and sometimes National Geographic and usually Newsweek. Paper copies all.
53. I read the Houston Chronicle and peruse The New York Times and the Washington Post (on the web) daily.
54. I love outdoor activities: hiking, camping, paddling, etc.
55. I belong to The Sierra Club.
56. I vote Green Party when it’s reasonable and possible to do so.
57. I’m single, female and heterosexual, but not desperate.
58. The San Marcos is my favorite river.
59. I tend to get frightened in big waves, especially big surf.
60. I’ve known my best friend since we were about three years old; she lives in Oklahoma.
61. I’m somewhat cold-natured – I like living in South Texas.
62. I’ve never had a broken bone.
63. I’ve done a lot of falling in my life.
64. "King Lear" is still one of my favorite plays.
65. "The Wizard of Oz" is probably my favorite movie.
66. Canoe poling is one of my favorite sports.
67. It took me ten years to earn my bachelor’s degree (mostly going to school part-time.)
68. I don’t eat many vegetables.
69. I have a freckle on the bottom of my left foot, a tattoo of a tiny moon and star on the back of my right shoulder, a lavender lizard on my left arm and a beauty mark so high up the inside of my left leg that few people have seen it.
70. I’m still in therapy.
71. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was in the fourth grade.
72. I wrote my first “song” when I was in second grade. It was hideous, but that didn’t prevent me from conscripting four friends to sing back-up while I performed it for my teacher.
73. I don’t trust easily – maybe not at all.
74. In addition to the guitars and the bass, I also own a banjo and a fiddle.
76. I’m not big on pomp and ceremony (weddings, graduations, etc.)
77. I belong to a writer’s group (mostly women, mostly poets.)
78. I believe in teaching my students about citizenship as well as literature and journalism.
79. I worry far too much about my students’ futures.
80. There is an anole wintering in my apartment for the third winter in recent memory. I like him. I call him Clyde. He has free run of the place.
81. I am a packrat – my apartment is very cluttered.
82. I like to dye my hair different colors and get it cut in different ways (yes I was into the punk scene in the eighties). But, 3 years ago it was below my waist.
83. When I wear jewelry it’s almost always silver; usually kind of funky.
84. I don’t like to wear make-up, and usually don’t.
85. I hate to do laundry, wash dishes and generally anything else that has to do with housekeeping.
86. I remember TRS-80s and Zork.
87. I collect cartoons out of newspapers and magazines.
88. I frequently eat Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream for dinner.
89. I still have many issues with my parents.
90. I frequently go to movies, plays and out to eat alone and it doesn’t bother me.
91. Most of the time I find being alone easier than being with other people.
94. I love music, but often spend days listening to nothing but the bubbles in the aquariums.
95. I am against “gentrification” in my neighborhood. If you people want to live in places that look like suburban subdivisions – move to suburban subdivisions!
96. I’m terrible at managing money.
97. Politically, I lean pretty far left.
98. I’ve been AWOL from my jazzercise class for almost a year – but I’m still paying and planning to go back – just not today.
99. I’m trying to get into the habit of meditation, but I guess I’m not trying very hard. I can’t even remember the last time I sat and concentrated on my breath.
100. I apparently have a wish (need?) for understanding or acceptance or maybe just acknowledgement: else I would not have written and posted this list.
I don't like it. I don't want this war to happen. Not now. Not like this. I'm worried about my former students who are in the service. I'm worried about my civil rights. I'm worried about what crazy Saddam Hussein will do -- he's not likely to go out quietly or alone, I'm afraid. I'm worried about more terrorism here in the good ol' US of A. I think I need a large dose of chocolate.
