Belize it!

Did you miss me? I'm in Belize, and I think I might stay. San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Gorgeous, with turquoise oceans and lots of beach. I snorkeled with nurse sharks, manta rays, moray eels, barracudas, sea turtles, and lots of pretty fishes. I have eaten a ton of marine life, and it's all deliciously fresh. The rum punch is to die for, and parasailing made me feel like all of my cares in the world could just eff-off, I was so content. We took a tour of Mayan ruins at Lamanai, and they were stunning, not to mention the wildlife. Tons of howler monkeys, which have earned their name rightfully by sounding like someone is strangling a lion into a microphone. I saw a baby crocodile, a bird called alternately the jesus christ bird and the feminist bird, and a tree chicken (big iguana). If I die today, I will die happy. If you're lucky, I'll write more about my trip, but if not, at least you know why I haven't been such a computer slave. Now, off to drink more rum punch...

The Miracle of Implanon

Birth control had become a major pain in the a** for me because last May I had an aura migraine (which was a lot like a stroke and landed me in the ER). Migraines, even just one ever, increase the risk of stroke for women on birth control pills by enough percentage points that no self-respecting doctor will prescribe the mainstream, estrogen-containing ones to me any more. When I went in for my annual in July, and the NP told me that I could never take Yasmin or anything like it ever again, I wanted to kick her in the shins.

The next simplest thing was to take progestin-only pills, or POPs. These are the old fashioned kind of pills, from the 70s. You have to take them at a very specific time of day or else it's time for some Plan B. That whole "take it the next morning if you forgot one" thing doesn't work. That sucked, but what sucked more was that I had my period almost continuously from September through November. So I went back to the NP that I wanted to kick, because as it turns out she really is a great lady. I was about to get an IUD, which ran me the risk of perforation AND debilitating cramps for months on end. Period all the time, or cramps all the time? Gee, I don't know, they both sound SO fun. Depo is not an option because it causes serious calcium deficiency and that's just no good. Modern America, and a woman can't get some decent contraception.

But then, the miracle occurred. NP Gloria, my new best friend, showed me this magical thing called Implanon, which is an implantable birth control (it goes in your arm, much like Norplant, but without all the scary problems). It's new in this country, but has been available in Europe for 10 years (we're only a little slow on the uptake here). And it works for three years, and I don't have to do a thing after it's in. Sign me up, I tell NP Gloria. The only catch: check to make sure my insurance covers it, because it's $658. No problem.

But then, the meanies at Anthem Blue Cross tell me that Implanon is not a generic drug, it's not a brand name drug, it's this *other* category called non-formulary. So I cooked it in my basement, I ask the guy? No, it's just non-formulary [which, by it's very construction, means "without a formula." I swear, insurance is so f***ed in this country] he tells me. I try to reason with him that Implanon is a trade name, it is, in fact, a brand name drug. But there's no reasoning with insurance drones. I almost cry, because I don't have $658 kicking around.

Saved again: Mom says she'll pay (she's utterly and totally paranoid that I'm going to have about 6 babies RIGHT NOW). Nevermind that I assure her I won't, she is worried. Gloria orders up the implant, and I go to the health center to be the first CU student to subject myself to this new thing. It's a little scary, and I could have problems, but I'm willing to be a guinea pig.

Well, I got the implant. And I LOVE it. Absolutely LOVE it. I don't have to take a pill every day, it's more effective than sterilization, I can have sex whenever I want, and I haven't had my period for TWO weeks. Which, unfortunately, is miraculous. With a little luck, I'll start having it only a few times a year. (My mom did say to use back up protection when I'm ovulating, just in case. And I told her it's more effective than sterilization. I told you she was paranoid.)

To ice the cake, they are giving me the implant for free, because I was willing to submit as the first person to have it done by NP Gloria and at the health center, and because my insurance is butt-headed. Three years of miraculous, fabulous, baby-free life, for free. Hence, the miracle of Implanon.

P.S. if you want to know more, here is the website for the product.

CU Law Student Passed Away

Some sad news-- A third year CU law student passed away the night before last. Here is the text of a brief article from the Daily Camera:

"Authorities are investigating the death of a third-year University of Colorado law school student who died in an apartment Monday evening.

Counselors were available at the university Tuesday for those affected by the death of Jennifer Lee Shelton, whose family lives in Parker.

Foul play is not suspected in the woman's death, said Boulder police spokeswoman Julie Brooks. Neither drugs nor alcohol are thought to have played a role in the student's death, she said.

Dayna Matthew -- the law school's associate dean for academic affairs -- said the school is doing its best to keep students informed with up-to-date information."

I didn't know her, but it's awfully tragic.

I'm having this party, if you're a friend, you're invited

"Free" Trade

Free trade zones have always been scary to me. Sure, they sound good. People think that they encourage global trade and grease the wheels of commerce. Perhaps, but there are too many negative consequences that people either overlook or are woefully unaware of. "Free" in free trade means unregulated, which means you don't know what the hell you're getting when it comes from or through a free trade zone. These zones are the antithesis to FAIR trade, which is something that I personally spend time championing and educating people about (it helps that my mom has a store stocked with lots of fair trade goodies, and that she is VERY opposed to "made in China"). Fair trade, for those of you who are unaware, means that the person/people making the goods are paid a living wage in their country of residence, and that they are treated fairly and ethically. Slave labor and child labor are huge problems in the world (this country is not excepted, by the way), and people need to be made aware (though I'm not sure I can do anything about the rampant apathy that people feel toward the children who weave their rugs - small fingers!).

Anyway, here is a New York Times article about free trade zones that raises yet another concern, related to counterfeit drugs. I know a number of people who order their drugs from Canadian pharmacies, and it's scary that the drugs they need to survive could be counterfeit, thanks to the black hole of free trade zones. It's such a shame that our country has not figured out how to serve its citizens so that we don't have to take such risks, but I know that the reason my friends use Canadian pharmacies is that they might otherwise have to choose whether or not to take their drugs at all, because they are so expensive here. I'm a relatively healthy 25-year old, I exercise, I eat well, I sleep enough, but still the drugs I take my mom pays for, because otherwise I would be making the choice- drugs or food? And she knows that, and sucks it up for me. What a country!

Puppy Mills, my kitty

Popular in the media, here is an article about the rich and famous getting their dogs, via an expensive Bel-Air retailer, from puppy mills. I hope this raises awareness, because I am surprised to know many people who know nothing about puppy mills and the deplorable conditions therein. EVERYONE should get their puppies and kitties from their local humane society, or at the very least from a local, knowledgeable, hobby breeder (who knows about inbreeding and health, but who doesn't breed 100s of puppies or kitties that then need homes. I have the world's greatest kitty, her name is Lucy, we got her when she was 6 from the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. I didn't even like cats before Lucy, and now I think she's the greatest pet ever. Also, we got an older cat, and that means we didn't have to go through all the training. That was reason enough not to get a kitten. So, that's my plug for shelter pets.

Wondering where I've been?

Probably not, but since I'm ego-centric, I'll tell you (besides, you're the one reading my page). It's exam time at the ol' law school, which means I use the internet to escape having to do productive things for considerably less time each day. Especially since my closed book Agency exam is on Friday. Here's a preview:

When is there an agency relationship?

¶ US v. General Electric Co.

² Price fixing/anti-trust claim

³ Mfg is prohibited from dictating prices at which product is sold by distributors

² GE says distributors are agents and so are selling on behalf of GE: there’s an identity of interest between the principal and the agent

² By finding that GE was selling through agents, not independent distributors, the court found that there was no price fixing/dictating going on

² In GE, the product is being sold for GE’s benefit, not distributors benefit.

³ Commission (= paid agency)

« Can’t sell for a higher price than they are paying (contrast MAI). Principal fixed the price and agent just got the commission

² Arguments against agency

³ Salesman has to pay for storage and transportation, which argues against agency

« These actions are consistent with acting on one’s own behalf

³ Distributors were selling competing products

« Agency is a fiduciary relationship, and selling competing products and taking risk runs counter to this

o Fiduciary relationship arises when one party places trust and confidence in another, and as a result the law places certain obligations on the fiduciary

§ Discharge duties with care and be loyal to the beneficiary

§ Agent is a fiduciary

o Back to GE, the agent is not loyal in selling competing products

Wasn't that fun? I thought so.

I should be shot for doing this a third time...

We can all use a little humor in the day, right?

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This one reminds me of GIR, and you are awesome if you know who GIR is:

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An open letter

If you ever decide that you are ready to move on and come back around, I am here and waiting. I still want you in my life, I still love you, and I can't give that up no matter how hard I try. You know how to find me.

Best,
PAL

Absinthe, part II

A while back, I posted an article about the comeback of absinthe in the United States. Here is a follow-up article about a distiller in the US who is making absinthe, and about the expected unfolding of the re-emergence of the wormwood-infused drink. Most of the absinthe I've experienced sounds like the stuff smuggled from the Czech in a mouthwash bottle referrred to in the article, and I'm looking forward to drinking absinthe that isn't colored neon green and set on fire.

Friends at Work

The New York Times has an article about having friends at work. The revelationary message is that is it a good thing, because such relationships reduce stress and foster productivity. Call me naive, but this is news? Support networks of people who understand where you're coming from help? No way. Seriously, who are we in this country? Bosses try to discourage friendships because they are viewed as bad, but that backfires because people who are stressed and depressed are actually less productive. Really?

Asperger's

As a psychology major and psychology graduate student in a past life, I retain a great fascination with all things psych-related, particularly in the field of abnormal psychology. Asperger's, and it's parent diagnosis of autism, have been making great strides in their public awareness, helped out by the media. Here is an article about a gorgeous contestant on "America's Top Model" who is an "Aspie," and I am posting it to help this awareness campaign, and also because I love reading stories like this. If you don't know much about Asperger's, the article gives some background, and also mentions a book by Augusten Burroughs brother John Robison about growing up with the disorder that I would recommend (though I must admit, it's still on order from Amazon, so I haven't read it).

Crested Butte NY Times Mention

The New York Times said the following about Crested Butte in a travel article:

"A Victorian-era oldie but goldie, Crested Butte (800-810-7669; www.skicb.com), far from the Aspen glitz in Colorado's outback southwest of Denver, is redefining itself as a family resort. The centerpiece of its $200 million renovation is the new Lodge at Mountaineer Square, a large condominium complex steps from the ski lift. The resort's moldy gothic building has been torn down and will be replaced by a 92-room luxury studio and retail complex called the Cimarron. And a former Club Med has been turned into a slopeside luxury hotel with spa."

I'm posting this only because I'm obsessed with my hometown, and love to see it mentioned! Also, the Gothic building was worse than moldy, and needed to go, so maybe those who associate such places with CB will take notice.

The Daily Coyote

The Daily Coyote is a tremendously terrific website about a woman in Wyoming raising an orphaned coyote. His name is Charlie, and he is ADORABLE, and the story is so heartwarming it will make your day, or days (since she puts up new photos every day).

Lol cats (I died a little more inside writing that)

I know I did this yesterday, but it's just too funny (or my brain is just too melted)...


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Electronics for Kids (that should be oxymoronic)

From my treasure trove, the New York Times, an article about how kids these day vastly prefer electronic toys to traditional ones. I hate this trend, as do educators and pediatricians. But apparently, kids will have it no other way. And, basic electronic devices designed to emulate adult "toys" like cell phones and computers are insufficient. They must be relatively sophisticated and functional, or kids will reject them. To make it worse, they have come up with an acronym: KGOY, which stands for "Kids Getting Older Younger." I ask you, what if we just said "NO" to the kids? I think it's awful what we have fostered this in our children (and ourselves, but at least we"re grown ups). Toy companies are making big bucks, but our kids are becoming more ADD than ever. If you over stimulate them, they will never be easily entertained. Which is a virtue, I promise.

Best Books of 2007

For those of you that like to read things on paper as well as on your 'puter, here is a link to the New York Times' best books of 2007. I love the NYT, so they're bound to be good (though I'm ashamed to admit I've read none of these). Besides, how can I read anything when my coffee tastes not unlike poop (I'm only guessing as to the taste of poop), see last post for context.

Darn Awful Coffee

Einstein's Bagels has this gimmick where they call their coffee "Darn Good Coffee," and it's the biggest lie of the year. I usually go to both Einstein's and Starbucks when I need a bagel and coffee, but this morning, I figured it couldn't be THAT bad. It is. The French Roast was actually Hazelnut (I'm not big on flavored coffee, which means I think it's disgusting), and it's so weak that it tastes like water with a splash of half and half. Which is gross.

Note: I did email Einstein's with my comment, so I am not just an idle whiner.

icanhascheezburger

If you know what that says and means, I feel better. A classmate, similarly bored during this HORRIBLE International Environmental Law class emailed me links to icanhascheezburger.com, which is also known as "Lolcats 'n' Funny Pictures," which makes me die a little inside. But I was hooked, and I gawk at the new images nearly every day. Apparently, so is the rest of the world. I have seen references to this website and it's adorably funny cat images on two websites today alone. On the one hand, I feel a little better about being addicted to a website that is pretty grotesque since everyone else is too. On the other, what is wrong with all of us?!? Are we not an intelligent people? But ohhh....just look for yourself:




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Jeans, and a dream website

Last year sometime, I went to EVERY store in the mall that carries jeans. And I couldn't find a single pair that fit BOTH my non-waist and my extremely long legs. I finally found a rather expensive pair that were SO worth it because I wear them almost every single day (they are Red Engine, and made in the US). Today, I found something great. It's Zafu.com, and I for once in my life I can't wait to go out jeans shopping. Money be damned. Maybe this whole internet thing does have some good things lurking out there...

Facebook [dot com]

You can call me old, and I often feel old, but let's be honest. 25 is not that old. Anyway, because I am a big nerd, I have been more acutely aware of the new -isms that crop up among young people (to whom I am exposed because I have a nineteen year old sister, and yes, I go to keg parties at her house). The example that is the subject of this post: Facebook-isms. Walking up the stairs at the law school today, I hear a group of well-educated adults talking about the romantic status of their friends, and BP says, "Well, they were in [some town] this weekend and both of their relationship status' changed, so I think they broke up." Status, on Facebook. Half of the former relationship didn't call her to say, "wah wah I broke up with Jimmy," or something. Not even email. BP took affirmative action to find out by looking on bloody Facebook. Which I think is creepy, although I suppose I am becoming ever more guilty of this action myself. Another example of this disturbing new language: the expression "Facebooking." It's a verb now? "The other day, I was facebooking and I found this great thing where I could throw a sheep at Susie." Facebooking itself is the action that generates all these new things we do, like finding out if our friends are dating by looking online. Is this supposed to be progress? At least someone made a lot of money by making us all creepy people who won't use the phone or communicate face-to-face.

Note: MySpace is guilty of all of the same things as Facebook, and maybe more so since it's the older forum.

OMG, did you see on Susie's MySpace that Joanna is talking s*** about Mary? I, like, so can't believe that she did that. Joanna is such a b****, and I heard from Erin's MySpace that she slept with Bobby.

Whatever happened to privacy, and having some self respect for ourselves that we didn't broadcast all of this publicly?

This is a great photo...

Not photoshop. NYT.

Pabst Blue Ribbon

In a NYT article about high-end catering and hostessing in Washington, D.C.:
"In that sense, catering by Costco is a style statement, like drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer."
It's known by some as reverse chic, and since I've never achieved chic, I'd like to think that maybe I could be considered reverse chic. Better than nothing, right? I have always been a PBR drinker, and a Costco caterer. Ahead of the curve? Behind the curve? Reverse chic. I like it.

Obama, Hillary, and Red Lady

So, after much deliberation, I have decided that I am a Hillary supporter for '08. What's wrong with Obama, you ask? He does not support the repealing of the 1872 mining laws, which is a MAJOR problem. These laws allow large corporations to buy public lands for $5 an acre (yes, that's right, even today), and then mine the hell out of them. They are seriously outdated laws, and Obama has publicly stated that he does not support the repeal of them. Hillary would likely do so. That, for me, was the deciding factor.

Why do the 1872 mining laws matter to me? I am from Crested Butte, in which our Mt. Emmons (aka Red Lady) had one of the richest molybdenum deposits known in the world. Kobex Corporation wants to mine the moly, and has begun the permitting process to do so. Why now, you ask? Well, a few years back, they bought the property for $5/acre. From the public. And Bush supports this law. So does Obama. Obama = Bush when it comes to my home town, and a mountain that I saw looking out my bedroom window as a child. Which would subside if mined. That is NOT cool. Plus, it would ruin Crested Butte, which would revert to a mining town, and the tourism economy would likely tank.

A little Irish cultural tidbit

From my favorite medium, NYTimes.com, a great article about a gentleman who wrote a book on slang. American slang, he says, is derived from Irish Gaelic. Being Irish, I rather like this theory. Plus, it's a linguistic topic, so let's just say I'm smitten. Dude (from the Irish 'duid'). It's an interesting etymological undertaking, and I'm pleased because I feel like we always figure that slang comes straight from our more formal language, and is just colloquialisms of the grammatical and proper form. But it's not that way! In fact, it's far more interesting. My personal favorites of the examples cited are 'grifter' and 'dork.' To think they come from Irish Gaelic!

Absinthe

Absinthe is finding its way back into the United States, legally, and with the traditional old wormwood-containing recipes. For those of you who think that absinthe is hallucinogenic and exclusive, you can have your fun. I for one like some absinthe, but have never found it to be particularly hallucinogenic. I do, however, like this NYT op-ed about it, and its bohemian mystique. That is, after all, the greatest part about absinthe-it's links to great modernist artists, many of whom hold the status "favorite" in my book. Ensconced worshippers beware, it does debunk the theory that wormwood is such a powerful drug. Absinthe is great, but it's mostly just a super charged liquor, not a magical green-fairy producing substance. I think it was a natural predisposition to departing lucidity that produced those tales we hear, and not anything inherent in the liquor. But, like I said, it's still great stuff, and now we can get it stateside.

WGA Strike

So they are probably overpaid, but I totally support the WGA strike. Mostly because it is a showing of union solidarity, and how unions give workers the ability to engage in collective bargaining, and therefore not get totally screwed. Like Wal-Mart workers. In this same vein, I am proud of Governor Ritter for taking a risk and opening the doors to more unionization in Colorado. I mean really, is it so bad to pay people a living wage?

Concealed Weapons

Yesterday on the CU campus there was apparently an "empty holster" protest which basically advocated for more concealed weapons rights. I strongly oppose concealed weapons (and firearms in general), and this article supports my position. If we didn't carry firearms, or at least legislated so that far fewer people did, I think that this sort of needless violence would decrease. I hope the protesters, who so want their concealed weapons that they organized a protest, are reading the news today and seeing what is happening just down the highway. With concealed weapons. That is all.

Food

This is a great article (op-ed, of course) in the NYT about the farm bills that subsidize farmers in the US. I always knew that these bills were outdated and made the rich richer, but I didn't know much about them. I like this author's slant that we are subsidizing high fructose corn syrup in a country laden with cases of diabetes and obesity. Basically, we are subsidizing the terrible way Americans eat, and with reform of the farm bill, we can change the way we eat. Change to a system in which we eat what are now "specialty" crops, such as carrots and green beans. The point is that high fructose corn syrup (the corn that produces it) is a staple of our diet, and other veggies are specialty foods, which is a twisted view of any kind of diet. Just another reason our politics are f***ed.

Puppercrombie and Bitch

There is a store in the Highlands called "Puppercrombie and Bitch." Their slogan is "Where bitch is not a bad word." If I had a dog, I would SO drive down to the Highlands for my DIY dog wash and treats.

Quote of the day (maybe the week)

"A thorn by any other name looks...bad." -LG, in my IEL class.

I am a member, because law school sucks

toothpastefordinner.com

Toothpastefordinner.com

toothpastefordinner.com


toothpastefordinner.com

I wish I was this funny...

toothpastefordinner.com

CMC Fashion Market

I went to a fashion show in LA at the CMC yesterday. It was SUPER. Plus, we snuck in (on accident, how the hell am I supposed to know how you legitimately get into these things?). There was free champagne and free cosmos and GOODIE BAGS! With vodka in them. I am a happy girl, and want to go to more fashion shows. Very glamorous.

My favorite part...

...is when I walked into the men's room at the Hilton North Glendale this morning. With luggage. And almost had a heart attack. I thought to myself, ladies' rooms don't usually have urinals. OH, it's not a ladies' room. It's a men's room. Back out the door quickly. Very quickly. Oh good, no one around. Open the door to the ladies.' Jump about 6 feet in the air when there's a lady there. It's ok, she didn't see you come out the other one. You're in the right place now. So is she. Proceed.

An uncontrollable consumer need.

I NEED THIS. Desperately. I hate my PC, want to go back to Mac, and this makes my lust ever stronger. Droooool. I need the whole Mac to go with it, and maybe an iPhone too. Oh how I love Apple.

A nod to Rex, and his Tex-Mex

The NYT had a great article today about Tex-Mex food, and it's place among cuisines in America. The author talks about the war that rages between those who think Tex-Mex is an abomination of Mexican food and those who think it stands unto itself as a glorious food here in America. He talks about how you can really only get it in Texas, and boy is he right. Tex-Mex is almost enough of a reason to move to Texas. Almost.

Sadder news for young Americans

Another great article (this one's an op-ed, also from the NYT). It outlines abstinence-only sex education, and how awesome it is (detect a note of sarcasm there?). Here are the high points:

• Gonorrhea and syphilis rates are on the rise for the first time since the 1980s, and chlamydia is being diagnosed TWICE as often as a decade ago. MmmmmYummy
• 93% of Americans have pre-marital sex before 30, and abstinence-only education teaches that they will suffer psychological and physical damage as a result. Good thing to teach little Johnny and Jane-- this is about as good as the "hairy palms" myth for "self-abuse."
• We have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the developed world. Because apparently, condoms are bad. So the converse must be true: extra babies to unfit parents are good?
• Abstinence-only sex ed includes lies about HIV, including that it may remain in your body undetected for up to 10 years. I think they have this confused with Mad Cow. But they are different. I promise you they are.
• And the kicker (which goes to my last post): if we cut funding for this terrific abstinence only sex education, Congress could fund insurance for 150,000 children per year. Now that's prioritizing.

Way to go, President Bush. As usual, your laws and initiatives are so super-duper the rest of us wish we could extend your term. But alas, we cannot. You're OUT in '09, thank Jebus.

Sad news for SCHIP

SCHIP, the child healthcare bill, failed to secure enough votes to override Bush's veto (article here). I am not surprised that Republicans hate children, just sad. Ok, so that's a tad dramatic. But I am in mourning. C'mon, let's do something for the little 'uns?

My Creepy New Obsession (Diamonds, part 1)

Well, it's not that creepy. The NY Times was running a pretty blue ad (you know the blue) for the new Tiffany's website. So I had to click. But then all I wanted to look at were engagement rings (check out the Nova, but with a much smaller diamond...). Then, of course, I started thinking about fair trade diamonds. NOWHERE on the Tiffany's site could I find information about the origin of the diamonds. Lots and lots of info about how they are the best diamonds ever, but can they be if children died for them? Maybe that makes them better for some people. But not me. So today, I googled "Free trade diamond engagement ring." Zero results. Then, "Free trade diamond" "engagement ring." Five results. This is very disappointing. Anyhow, since I foresee this as being an ongoing obsession, here is a link to one useful article. If nothing else, I suppose it's good to have it archived. After all, if this is all I can find in the wake of the movie Blood Diamond, once that fades from the public view, I won't be able to find anything at all. And I must have a fair trade diamond engagement ring. I wonder if Tiffany's would set my own diamond?

Rockies

Can we all please remember to root for the Rockies at 8pm this evening? If we win this one, well, you know...
World Series Here We Come!

Update: In case you live in a cave, WE ARE GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES. I am SO excited, I have to use ALL CAPS to express my delight with this turn of events. Plus, we SWEPT the D-backs. Are you wearing purple today?

In honor of Gore's Nobel Prize

Here's a good article about Al Gore, and why he drives right-wingers so crazy. (The answer: he's always right). It's good stuff, from the NY Times. The article talks about global warming in particular, which is always a good topic to read about. A quick note: Gore's estimates of sea level increase are, by all accounts, grossly overblown. But otherwise, Gore is pretty awesome.

re: Bush's veto of Child Healthcare

Congress wanted to spend $35 billion on health care for poor children, and in vetoing that, Bush said that he is "more than willing to sit down with the leaders and [find more money]" if it is needed. Specifically, he said he'd give $5 billion over the next 5 years. Which is almost "a little more money." Except that it's actually less. A lot less. And in my world, less does not equal more. Not in dollars, anyway. I think this could be good reasoning, though, because I could go to Nordstrom and tell them I want those $245 Blinde sunglasses, and I'll even give them a little more for them, say $50. Total. Because in this new way of thinking, $50 is more than $245. And I've really been wanting to start shopping at Chanel but could never afford it before. Now that more money = calculating 1/7 the stated cost and running with it, I can be the designer dud wearing girl I've always wanted to be. This sounds like fun! I'm going shopping, armed with Bush's unflappable logic.

P.S. Congress has vowed to override the veto, and while I do want to be able to shop at Chanel, this bill needs to pass and I hope it does. Sometimes, you gotta take one for the team. Which means that today my team is comprised of poor uninsured kids. I'm okay with that.

P.P.S.: A great quote from the article: "My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions."

free radiohead

So I just went online and bought the new Radiohead album "In Rainbows" for free. I'm sure that this is not news to you, but I still think it's pretty cool. You go on to their website, choose your option (discbox or download), and then you pick your price. So you can pay, or not pay, or whatever you want. Then you complete the transaction like any other internet purchase. Except that since I chose zero GBP as my price, they didn't ask for credit card information. And now I get Radiohead's new cd on October 10. I am very excited. You can read more here.

Note: I thought it would be nice to pay at least something so I'm not just another freeloading asshole, but I'm in class and it's not nice to pull out your credit card when sitting in the second row. Plus, I could have picked some dollar amount with soothing numbers that I like, but like I said, I'm sitting in class and I am incapable of waiting; I need instant gratification.

the most famous custody battle of this year

Mostly, I just wanted to post something because I'm bored in class. Britney is losing custody of her kids, which should shock no one. Least of all her. You can't violate EVERY order given to you by a judge (blantantly and in the public eye) and expect sympathy. Judges read the news too, and maybe the tabloids even. She may be severely mentally ill (and I'm inclined to think she is), but she can't still be alive and be this stupid. I am really struggling to understand her whole thing. Naked in front of bodyguards (good thing they had instructions to "act coy" when she does that), drugs with Howie Day, all the infamous car seat/lack of car seat stuff, trashing a house she was touring with a realtor, that awesome OK Magazine photo shoot with the dog pooping on the dress etc., and so on and so forth. What the hell is going on here?

Editor's Note: Apparently, some see the revocation of custody as a big shock that no one saw coming. Who are these people? And are they blind?

Ralph

The doctor says I wouldn't have so many nosebleeds if I could just keep my finger outta there!

Epi-LASIK

Eye surgery is cool and fast, but I'm blinder than a bat right now. And yes, still typing on the computer, albeit like Stevie Wonder with my eyes closed (seriously), and my nose about two inches from the screen when I open them to navigate. Ordering dinner was interesting, plus the side effects have been icky (with Rex, not the drugs). But what can you do. I still had to go online to do some work, and I'm bored because I can neither read nor watch television (I brought two books and a newspaper, plus about 5 dvds). But I can type, oh how I can type with my eyes closed (reading with eyes closed is MUCH harder). But, I loved the LASIK doctor, and I can already see much much better in my right eye. The left will be done later, and then I'll be able to SEE SEE SEE like a normal person!

Overeaters Anonymous

After writing the last post ("FAT people"), I went to the OA website, and now I'm fascinated. Like I said before, I have and irrational fear of becoming fat, and it comes with an unhealthy obsession with fat people. I stare, I lack tact, I overreact. Like the woman at the Snoop Dogg show with her vagina at her knees. I mean, how do you ignore such a thing. Anyway, I'm off track. This is supposed to be about OA. Here is the quiz to see if OA is for you:

1. Do you eat when you're not hungry?
2. Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason?
3. Do you have feelings of guilt and remorse after overeating?
4. Do you give too much time and thought to food?
5. Do you look forward with pleasure and anticipation to the time when you can eat alone?
6. Do you plan these secret binges ahead of time?
7. Do you eat sensibly before others and make up for it alone?
8. Is your weight affecting the way you live your life?
9. Have you tried to diet for a week (or longer), only to fall short of your goal?
10. Do you resent others telling you to "use a little willpower" to stop overeating?
11. Despite evidence to the contrary, have you continued to assert that you can diet "on your own" whenever you wish?
12. Do you crave to eat at a definite time, day or night, other than mealtime?
13. Do you eat to escape from worries or trouble?
14. Have you ever been treated for obesity or a food-related condition?
15. Does your eating behavior make you or others unhappy?

Have you answered yes to three or more of these questions? If so, it is probable that you have or are well on your way to having a compulsive overeating problem. We have found that the way to arrest this progressive disease is to practice the Twelve-Step recovery program of Overeaters Anonymous.

BTW, I answered yes to three or more. And sometimes I feel like a compulsive overeater. But I'm only pudgy, not FAT (size 12, 5'8," pretty reasonable, I think). But it scares me, that's for damn sure. Trembling in my boots, scary, makes me feel funny, not ok scares me. I'll say it a third time- irrational fear.

FAT people

As you may know, I have an irrational fear of getting fat. Fat fat, as in obese (though I don't really want to be just regular fat either-gah!). Here is an article about a 900 pound man (that would be nearly 6 of me all bundled together). This man had not left his house since 2003 (four years for those of you bad at math). A nurse became worried about his health, and so in order to get him to a hospital firefighters had to come and had to rip a hole in the side of the house, build a platform for a forklift, forklift him out, and transport him by flatbed truck. That's right folks. Flatbed truck. Like the kind used to move cars, or better yet, large farm/construction equipment. Humiliating, eh?

As a sidebar, this guy does have Prader-Willi syndrome, the genetic disorder that causes what I thought of until today as "legitimate" obesity. I am revising my opinion about that. This disorder causes people to constantly feel really hungry, which can lead to "overeating and life-threatening obesity" (from above linked article). To me, that sounds just like how regular people get fat. They keep eating and eating and eating (and eating and eating and so on), never apparently feel "full." And most of these people don't have Prader Willi. Why can't those with the disorder to what compulsive overeaters must do, and just STOP. They have OA, gastric bypass, you name it. I believe there are more effective treatments for obesity than for alcoholism and other addictions. I don't care if you're still hungry, if you're enormously FAT, you're costing me money in your unreasonable medical expenses, all for something that you brought upon yourself. So put down those cheetos, that ginormous Pepsi, and the bucket of ice cream. Take a walk, join a gym, hell, just walk to the fridge and throw out all your crappy food. It's a start.

Evolution

This article makes me feel like frat guys (and all those a**holes at the Buff game last Saturday) have failed to evolve. If evolution may be the key to moral behavior, then those that act as though they lack morals must be unevolved, right? Science doesn't lie (usually).

Awesome news headline

CNN online today had an outstanding headline: "Man puts rattlesnake in mouth, gets bitten." Really? It bit him? I wouldn't have thought that putting a rattlesnake in your mouth would piss it off, but alas, it did, and was considered front-page newsworthy. That's good journalism.

I have an opinion...

When I am looking at a concert lineup for a festival at Red Rocks, and I click on a band's link, if that link takes me to MySpace, that band is instantly fired. Discounted from being a potentially ok band. If you want to be a legit band, get a real damn website. MySpace is for pedophiles and people with nothing to do (yes, I have an account), not for legitimate business. Hmmm, maybe I can make it big as a lawyer with my MySpace account. Seriously. I thought maybe this band from the UK would be fun and new and exciting, but now I will never know, because I can't check them out. Because their "website" is a MySpace page.

Editor's Note: So it turns out that I was wrong about this particular band. The band is called The Editors, and they rock, and they DO have a real website. Red Rocks just thought that viewers would prefer the MySpace link (why, I ask you, why?!?). However, my above opinion still holds for those bands with MySpace pages only.

Fabulous news article

So it turns out that liberals are actually more open minded and flexible than political conservatives. The L.A. Times has printed an article about a study performed by UCLA and NYU scientists (pretty credible institutions) to that effect. Are all those hours spent debating with conservatives a waste of time? They really are more closed-minded, and are hardwired that way. Liberals were found to be more accurate, and more willing to accept new social, scientific, or religious ideas. How sad. I'm so glad I'm a liberal (and, therefore, more tolerant of conflict and ambiguity, and more willing to accept new ideas).

Brew at the Zoo (and wine too!)

Rex and I went to Brew at the Zoo last night, which is an all-you-can-drink beer festival, with lots of food, at the Denver Zoo. It's one of the most awesome events ever. You pay $50 ($40 if you're a zoo member like myself), and drink and eat all that you want. Interesting to note, however, that every single time I got in line for the first hour and a half of the event, someone cut in front of me. Every time. I felt like I had a note plastered to my forehead that said, "no, I'm not actually in line, I'm just standing here with this empty glass for no reason." The people watching was also pretty spectacular, and the dessert table never had a line the whole night. The mini-cheesecakes and hot apple pie were AMAZING. I now have two temporary tattoos and about 10 new favorite beers. I'll be going to Brew at the Zoo every year from now on.

Snoop Dogg

Rex and I went to a Snoop Dogg concert at the Fillmore Auditorium last night. And it was awesome. The people watching was just about the greatest ever. I saw a woman so fat her cha hung down to her knees. Lots and lots of short short skirts and stiletto heels (most of these girls were really struggling to walk/stay upright). Really drunk people. Lots of awesome white boy dancing. Plus, I never thought I'd end up at a Snoop show, and it was SO much fun. I knew all the old songs! (because I'm old- I've been listening to Snoop for about 13 years, which is more than half my life).

This guy is either cleverly entertaining, or

he is very, very crazy. Read this. I can't decide which, but his presence in a federal penitentiary might indicate the latter. Either way, I like ripping on Barry Bonds. I can't decide which was cooler: Bonds' storing HGH in Hank Aaron's corked bat (which he also used to crack the liberty bell), or Riches (plaintiff) bugging booth #10 at the Steak and Shake to catch Bonds in the act.

What not to name your kids

I'm sitting at Starbucks, and I just overheard this girl say into her phone, "Hey Chrissy, it's Britney..." and I thought to myself: what cruel parents to name kids such things. On the upside, it did kind of make me feel better about NOT being named Chrissy. Or Britney. Or Vicki, or Missy, or just plain Tacky.

A great FAQ about my favorite (!) religion, Christianity

Click this super link.

I talk to myself

Even when I am alone, I talk to myself. And not just any talk, this is utter nonsense (gibberish). I just discovered this yesterday when Rex heard me in the other room and came in to ask, "what?" I then realized that, yes, I was talking, but no, I wasn't saying words. Just some roaring/mewing noise. You learn something new every day.

The Fabulous People of Subway Restaurant

My job decided that I should go to some fast food restaurants to ask for free food for an event we are hosting. I went to Taco Bell relatively without incident, and then it was off to Subway. I walked in and asked if there was a manager on duty. I was told that there was not, so I was just going to give my letter of explanation to the cashier and ask him to pass it along. I told the guy that I was a law student from across the street and that I wanted free food in exchange for advertising at our event, and if he could just give my letter to the manager that would be great. Mr. Cashier proceeds to ask my name and introduce himself, which was nice. Next he asked where the law school was. I pointed to the big building right across the street, and said, that's it. That big new building that says "Wolf Law." That's the law school. Then he said that he wanted to go to law school but he's a felon. Someone told him that felons can't go to law school. First of all, felons can go to law school, and many do. They let convicted murderers practice law. Second, this guy did not strike me as the kind of person who was going to go to law school but something else came up. He wasn't very bright, and he works at Subway. You're pretty much overqualified for that job if you have a GED, and that won't get you in to CU Law. Third, why would you tell a total stranger that you are a felon? That was the most baffling part of all. How do you respond, "oh that's nice, I'm a non-felon." Seriously.

A Hispanic Catholic Wedding in Houston

This past weekend I went to a wedding in Houston. But it was not just any old wedding. It was a Catholic wedding with an infusion of Hispanic tradition. It goes something like this: First, the bride's father hates her mother so they have to modify the opening bits. Then, on the altar the bride and groom have to kneel the entire ceremony. Which is very dignified. The priest makes a long speech about how you have to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. Jesus must be a central part of your marriage (PN says, "That sounds like a threesome to me"). If you don't pray enough, every night before bed, before every meal, and most definitely in public (don't be embarrassed), then Satan will get you. This is all very natural, as it is a Catholic wedding. Then it gets interesting. Someone "close to the bride" comes up with a lasso. The lasso is rope with two loops tied in it (and some lace for effect). Then, these "special people" put the rope around the bride's and groom's necks, "binding them together." Sound kinky to you? It did to me. No joke, they tied them up, while kneeling, right there on the altar. Then they untie them, give them a giant bible on doilies, and it's all over. Thank God for it being over.

Late night television

It's not even that late, but sitting here in a hotel in Houston, I am SO amused by what's on the networks. Between crappy syndicated programming are the most awesome ads ever. For one, the Fancy Feast commercial mentioned below. Then, there was a commercial for the ASPCA, which is a great organization, but the commercial was simply stunning. The language about "vicious criminals" and how you can provide love and care with just some dollars per day really amuses me. If people who don't feed their pets are vicious criminals, what are rapists? Cuddly teddy bears? And how about that love and care? Couldn't you just actually adopt an animal and then be sure it's getting that TLC you're paying for?

Great new product!

So Fancy Feast just came out with a fabulous new dry cat food. It's Filet Mignon flavor, and it has real seafood and shrimp flavor! The website confirms this. I just never knew that filet mignon was seafood. I always thought it was cow.

I miss

the greatest man in the whole world. Texas is too damn far away, and I'm lonesome.

Thoughts on the severely retarded

When children are born with severe developmental disabilities (like the kind where the kid can't feel any pain and chews of it's own limbs), why isn't euthanasia accepted? It seems cruel to let them survive. We wouldn't allow a dog in a lot of pain or who was suffering live. We would "put it down." Isn't it a violation of human rights (or at least really mean and cruel) to keep some child alive who just hurts all the time, who can't have friends, who doesn't understand, and will probably die young but after years of misery?

I am so hungover

I feel like burning. Bartenders should not put my cocktails in pint glasses. That's just asking for trouble. Mmmm blueberry vodka. Dancing with JEB's mom was pretty awesome (except that we did it not when the band was actually playing, but when they had taken a break...way to go). Dinner parties are also trouble. My dad picked me up at the bar at 1:30 in the morning. He made fun of me this morning. This is ridiculousness.

I am concerned....

that the Chinese insist on putting cardboard and antibiotics and antifreeze in my food. That is all.

I just gotta say.....

Lindsay Lohan is awesome. If you're gonna drink, maybe don't wear a voluntary alcohol monitoring device? Someone just might know. Silly girl. All I can say is wow.

The Zoo, Part II

So, as mentioned in the previous post, I am one proud zoo member. Which means I get invited to after-hours zoo events. Last Friday, they had a fundraiser for the zookeepers, called Comedy Night at the Zoo. Well, it turns out that at the zoo, when they say bar, they mean open bar. Free drinks. And hors d'oeuvres. And a silent auction. But mostly, free drinks. Alex took me, let me get tanked on pink wine, and bought me a picture of a duck. Then, it was time for the stand up comedy. Boy, was that stuff funny [after lots and lots of yummy pink wine]. Next year, I'm bidding on the picture by the two elephants and the rhino and the chance to meet Shawn the penguin back behind the scenes.

The Zoo, Part I

I love the zoo. I pretty much think it's the greatest place ever. Granted, I'd rather not have all those furry and feathered friends locked up, but for what it is, it's awesome. So, for my birthday, my boyfriend bought me a membership for a whole year! I can go to the zoo whenever I want, for free. Plus, I get discounts on crappy zoo stuff. I also get invited to special members-only zoo events. I now go to the zoo about once every two weeks. I am in love with a baby gorilla. And I am a philanthropist (all zoo membership fees are tax-deductible donations to benefit the little guys).

Air Conditioning

Why is it that in the summer, when it's effing hot outside, businesses insist on setting the AC so low? Every time I leave the house, it's ninety degrees outside (maybe more). So, I make sure to wear pants and grab a sweater, because it's sure to be freezing wherever I go. I'm having lunch on another scorching summer day, and can barely feel my numb fingers it's so cold in this restaurant. I am wearing jeans and a wool sweater. I work for an environmental group that specializes in energy security, and our office is always FREEZING. Given the current state of our energy security (that is, seriously not secure), can someone tell me what the rationale for this is?

A question...

Why does eye dilation (like at the eye doctor) make me feel stoned? Today I felt like I smoked a lot of weed. And looked like I ate some good mushrooms. Then I had to sleep it off. How can those little drops do that?

The Second Life

Call me technologically challenged, but I just learned of the creepiest thing EVER. It's called Second Life, and it's an entire virtual world. Nearly 2 million U.S. dollars are spent there each 24 hours (though you have to buy "Linden Dollars" to spend, then convert them back). Over 7 million people have Second Life avatars. People buy and sell virtual land (for real money), they have jog-a-thons, people go clubbing, they have jobs, you name it. So instead of doing this stuff in the "real world," people sit in front of their computers and pretend to do all of this. Now, non-profit organizations have started raising money in Second Life, and legitimate foundations fund this sort of virtual-philanthropy (NYT). My job is considering opening an office in Second Life. Creepy, huh?

Friendship

Friendship is a fluid concept. But given the fact that we invest so much time and energy in friendships, why is this the case? You can be friends with someone for years at a time, and then -flash- it's gone. One misstatement. Or, there are those friends that you invest so much time with, trying to "get" them; help them cope with their various issues. You try and try and try to understand these people, you try everything you can think of to help them, and they will not reciprocate. They persist in their state. When do you give up?

Introduction

I am bored law student. This blog is simply my musings on life. Anyone and their mother can have a blog, and now I do too. That is all.