Monday, December 6, 2010

Trading Futures

This article from the NY Times about Breastfeeding at work was almost enough to make me apoplectic. Not the article itself mind you. The article was fine. Nothing overly radical. Not really. It's the comments that made me furious. Especially the one about needing a smaller population on planet earth.
I'm sorry, but if we stop having babies we will soon be seeing problems similar to France and China. (France is struggling with a lack of native frenchmen, and China's problems with population control have been well documented.)
America has ceased being a world leader in that instead of creating we are consuming. We are putting capitalism ahead of families. Small steps are being seen in hybrid vehicles, smaller affordable housing, eating and buying local, and creating things with our own two hands. The "green" trend is about sustainability. Something our culture is severly lacking. We need to stop taking and start giving.
Our need to self-gratify is short circuiting the future of our nation. Fewer young adults are getting married. More couples are waiting to have children. Families are getting smaller. I don't see this as a good thing. I don't see this as a way to make sure that everyone is provided for. I see it as selfish. An unwillingness to sacrifice. The great mothers and fathers that I've known (and have) sacrifice everyday for the future. It's hard. And they love it. Most days. They've given up careers and hobbies. They've given up "figures" both physical and financial. And I don't know one who regrets the children they're lucky enough to raise. I see larger families and small towns as building community. I see it as a selfless way to increase the amount of love there is in the world.
When I read people's opinions stating that children are obnoxious or whiny or out of place, I can't help but think that they are just frustrated with the competition. Children are the future. We won't be young forever. Neither will they. When they're "adults" I expect them to sacrifice too.
There is a reason it's called the circle of life. I expect to sacrifice for my children so it can continue. And if it means being "poor" and spending time with them, I will gladly follow my mother's example of selflessness and sacrifice. If I had to cut back hours or quit my job to feed my child, I would. The life of a child is more important to me than money. I can get by on less. I have before. I hope I can remember that when push comes to shove.

Addendum: I'm not saying everyone should be seeing fertility specialists and going baby crazy. I'm not saying that every mother should have her toddler at work. But healthy families should be supported and encouraged.That's what I'm saying. Have your family the way you want. I'll have mine the way I want. 

Weekend News update!

P and I did indeed sell our trusty vehicle this past weekend. Gone and DONE! Yay! We are now pedestrians and public transportation users. Which we kind of were already. Which reminds me. Gotta get rid of that insurance plan! I watched  No Impact Man on Friday, so I felt rather funny selling the car on Saturday. Very trendy. Anyway, I'm really liking the feeling of getting rid of stuff and cleaning out our tiny apartment.
In celebration of selling the car we stopped at IKEA and bought a smaller table to go in our kitchen. And it's perfect! I really love it.
Part of this cleaning frenzy has to do with the fact that we're going out to the East coast for 10 days over the holidays... and then once we come back my older sister will be coming to stay for awhile with us. So I'm busy making room. And it's frustrating to know that some things are REALLY lost. And some things are just gone. No clue where they went. But we know they aren't in our apartment any more.
I've been on a documentary kick recently. I watched The Royals, The Lottery, Food Inc, and No Impact Man. I'm a fan of the genre, but mostly because it fuels my interest in finding out more about the topics. As documentaries are skewed to the extremes, one way or another.
It's been a good weekend here in the city.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Saturday is an amazing day

I may have sold my car. I'll let you know on Monday for sure. But for now we'll wait and see if the transaction goes through. Thank heavens for bus passes!

Friday, December 3, 2010

blahg

That's what I came home to last night! Right after blogging about our dirty kitchen I went home to find my hubband in an apron washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen! And he hadn't even read my post yet. Such a sweet man.
In other news, Bones last night was so good. I love the fact that they are allowing Hannah to be a real character and not just a foil. The problem is that while I like the growth that Brennan is going through in seeing what a good relationship can be, I think they're going to kill off Hannah. I just don't think it's permanent. (Also I could have sworn that she was on an ad for a show premiering in January. But maybe that's just some other similar hot blond chick. Nah. We all know there's only one of those in Hollywood.) And they're going to have to kill her, because what girl in her right mind would leave Booth? On another side note, Kathryn Winnick (Hannah) is a licensed bodyguard. Awesome.
Oh, and if any of you loyal readers are wondering what to get me for Christmas? Bones is definitely on the list.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Waiting ...

Sometimes you learn new things about yourself. Today I'm grouchy and tired. I have a bit of a headache. I'm looking forward to the end of work though. It's been a rawther quiet day as a friend of mine would say!
Unfortunately Em and I aren't having our Thursday tradition... I think. Em?
But that's okay, I'm meeting a couple of other friends for dinner. At Cafe Rio!!! YAY!! I love their nachos. And not cooking. Especially since our house (read: kitchen) is a MESS! I don't mind too much, because P washes dishes. So I'm okay with the clutter. This is the agreement we have. And I like it.

Also, I like buying people presents. Which is why P is getting loads of stuff this year. :)

nuthouses

I am trying to coordinate a meeting with over a dozen people. Not regular people mind you. Doctors. People whose schedules are already nuts, and I want them all to stop for an hour in ONE room. I am attempting the impossible. Again.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Christmas Season

I really can't believe that the year has gone by so quickly. I blinked and it's December already. Usually at this time of year I'm scrambling to figure out what to do for the holidays, but this year? This year I'm going home. And knowing that I would have to get presents to the other side of the country, I shopped early. I shopped often. And online. That way everything would go straight to my mom's house. Well almost everything. I'm still waiting for a few packages...
Christmas is well on it's way, and I only have a two more weeks before I actually leave to go home! (Can you tell I'm excited?) I get a 10 day vacation and lots and lots of family.
Having crazy family. That's the true meaning of Christmas right?