Friday, August 20, 2010
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Here's a good article for people like DBI and me who have kids in their teens and twenties. Things are different than they were for my generation, but everything is still the same as it ever was.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine…
Here's a real landslide..in Italy from Feb of this year.
http://sorisomail.com/email/42722/ja-viram…
Nice rundown of solutions.
A new New Deal.
http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article21916…
A couple of up-coming public programs at the Clinton School of Public Service may be of interest to some central Arkansas boggers:
Mike Tackett, Washington bureau chief for Bloomberg News
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
- Tackett, a veteran political journalist, will discuss the political climate heading into the 2010 midterm elections. Before joining Bloomberg, Tackett served as Washington bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune.
"The Ousted U.S. Attorneys," in partnership with the Bowen School of Law
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. (UALR Bowen School, Friday Courtroom)
- The Clinton School and Bowen School will co-host a panel discussion featuring former U.S. Attorneys, including Arkansas’s Bud Cummins, who were fired in 2006 during an unprecedented political shakeup of the Bush Administration Justice Department.
*Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu, or calling 501-683-5239.
I got kids from 18-37. Not one living at home currently. Two college, 2 career. I told one who was late to leave, "You have a home here as long as you need it. However, I am the one who decides when you need. it."
Whoscrumdown, my older son appears (on the outside) to be happy as a clam, living with his dear old dad and basically having the same lifestyle as a 14-y/o. he has been to a very expensive grad school with a 50% scholarship and you would still not believe how much he owes. I am so worried about him. How depressing.
yes, the economy sucks, especially for a specialized field like he studied. But there are jobs out there and he does have a few skills here and there.
So why in the hell doesnt he want to get OUT of there?? We were all out of our parents' houses by the time we were 21 at the very latest, earlier if, like me, you were too stupid to go to college.
that's one major difference that I see. Doesn't the kid want his own apartment (which he had in grad school) and his own life with nobody telling him to go mow the yard?? he and his dear old dad dont get along that well. This is the part that drives me nuts: Why dont they want out? Are the flat-screen TVs and the leather couches (neither of which I have by the way) worth putting up with living with one of your parents? is that more important that independence?
I could name at least ten of his classmates who are still living with mom or dad or both, and when I was his age, I probably couldn't have ID'd anybody still living at home.
Kid #2 lived at home for most of college and then said he had to get out of this town or go crazy. He thinks I dont know exactly what he's doing up there that he was doing here, too, or what? But the difference is that he's self-supporting and independent.
I moved to Little Rock on my own when i was 19 years old. Found my own job, apartment, etc. All my idea. my parents didnt like it but what could they do? I never once asked them for money.
I was lonely a lot because I was too poor to go out and do anything, and this was pre-Barnes and Noble. I hope no one just had a heart attack out there. But I had my own apartment and my own life and that was so important to me and all my friends. My own kids --One may never leave home and the other one is more like we were, but im afraid for nefarious reasons, at least partly. Im sure our parents would've thought our lifestyles were one step away from death row, too.
Tina, Its beyond me. When I got out of college I couldn't wait to get my own place, 1] I had NO plans to live in my small town .
2] Couldn't wait to get to LR. My roommate and I had a nice apt. but no decent furniture, we didn't care! We were independent!
I think I missed my adolescent rebellion,,,but I made up for it on my 20's...living independently!
"A pox on them!" (sorry I couldn't resist).
A Dozen Duggars Sick with the Chickenpox
http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/a-dozen-duggars-s…
Tina:
I know exactly what you are talking about. It was always a given, or understood, that when I graduated from college, I would be on my own. I got my own job, apartment, and all of the bills associated with living on my own. However, it was expected of me by my parents, and I really did want to be on my own.
I was fortunate enough to have my parents pay for my college education, but I never did ask for, or expect, money from them once I did graduate and get a job. Anything I have ever owned after was because I had earned it from my paycheck.
I understand that these are difficult economic times for almost everybody, but a parent is not doing their child any favors by letting them get a free ride.
Tina, I have paid my own bills since I was 18 years 6 months old.
Those who can't have been crippled by their parents.
You?
My ex had the best story today...(don't worry, I'm not cheating on WBW. My ex and I are the best of friends and talk on a daily basis).
Anyway, Ex has been a high school teacher in the LRSD for close to 25 years and nothing surprises her when it comes to her students.
On the first day of school, she has this exercise to help her and her students remember each other's names. For instance, the first person stands up and says their name and something they like, and the second student has to repeat the first person's name and hobby while reciting their own name & hobby, and the pattern continues.
She normally only has about 18-20 kids per class so it's always been an excellent tool for her to remember names.
Today, Ex experienced a first. She had gotten to about the seventh student in the name game and came to a girl whom she described as being very conservatively dressed, wearing glasses and having a smart, book-worm look.
She got up, successfully repeated the names and hobbies of the classmates who were called before her and then said, "My name is Amy and I like females.''
Ex actually thought she had mis-heard her and asked her to repeat herself. Yep, she had heard correctly the first time.
Ex said the reactions of her classmates included a few muted snickers but nothing disrespectful or condescending. Ex said it wasn't an issue and that the class really didn't care one way or the other. Wow, and this is Little Rock, Arkansas.
So, Louie, Pat Lynch & FBL, gay equality is coming and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. The youngsters will see to that while you'll be 6 feet under. Enjoy your last hurrah, fellows.
P.S. Happy Anniversary HHW and Mr. HHW. Y'all give "traditional'' marriage a good name, for a change:) HHW, make sure you pat Mr. HHW's sexy ass for me. He is undeniably lovable.
Hey Cammack--nice to see you on the blog! It's been awhile.
When most of us were young adults, we couldn't wait to get out on our own like Nanc & Tina said. I got married right after college and we were poor for a long time. I had student loans to pay off and when we finally bought a house money got even tighter. We often ate peanut butter sandwiches for lunch and dinner. We didn't have money to go out and spend on much, but we were proud that we were making it on our own. We made do with old hand-me-down furniture and used cars.
Kids today have it way too easy and have gotten used to their parents providing anything they want. And giving them a place to live for a short while after college graduation is one thing if they are doing it to help them get started. But as Cammack said--they are doing the child a disservice if they don't make them get out and learn to live off of their own income.
Happy Anniversary to HHW and hers.
Welcome back Cammack.
Good story, stj. Anyone who thinks the clock can be rolled back to what it was 5, 10, or even 2 years ago . . . is fooling himself or herself. People can't close their eyes and pretend these are "freaks" or "perverts" who demand equal rights -- sons, daughters, siblings, parents, best friends, teammates, co-workers. Human beings. (And for those of us who believe in God, His children, made from the womb in His image and for his purpose. And if those who don't believe in God, can we just skip this parenthetical rather than debate it?)
Did my part for world peace by participating in Iftar tonite. Iftar is the evening feast following a day of fasting for Ramadan. From sunrise to sunset Muslims take to fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The times, sunrise and sunset, are strictly set depending upon whether the observers are Sharia or Sunni. Best I could gather our hosts, from Azerbaijan, were Sunni because they referred to the Sharia folks as "them." It was Azerbaijan Culture Day in Fayetteville.
Fasting we were told is for patience, humility of the spirit. Our young, pretty host said it taught her about hunger and how so many people who go hungry every day feel. Additional prayers are offered during Ramadan.
Food dishes were exceptional for a potluck. I safely chose watermelon, took two, and noted that every Muslim man there had a slice.
Ramadan, like other observances, are set by lunar month and hence rarely will ever fall during the same time each year. The first verses of the Qur'an were said to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan.
The old test for determining sunset or dinner-feast time was holding 2 peices of sewing thread, a black and a white thread at arms length then when it was dark enough so that you couldn't tell the difference it's time for the feast.
Dancing was erotic and wonderful and I learned to located Azerbaijan on the map.
Our young lovely presenter said that after the Russians have been moved out Azer women, if they chose, once again had the "right" to wear the hijab which the Russians had discouraged in an attempt to make it a more secular society.
We saw several slides of buildings and monuments built 1,000 to 1,200 years ago. Amazing structures.
Nanc - this was my week 38 years ago! Left Texas for Fayetteville and for the most part haven't been back. I loved my independence and found a way to put myself thru the U of A. This state has been pretty good to me!
Tap,
I didn't include a pertinent part to the story. The young lady in question was black, which I didn't think was applicable when I posted.
Now that I think about it, it is. The African-American community is much harder on teens who "come out.''
Good for "Amy.'' This was probably an extremely stressful day for her.
The "Amys'' of the world are our leaders.
You have to admire "Amy" for her courage. Being a teenager is hard enough anyway but to make that admission before all of her classmates took a lot of courage. I hope that your Ex is right Sister and that "Amy" is not ridiculed outside of the classroom--that they really don't care. If so, then it makes me feel that there is hope for the world because in the future there will be a entire generations who don't make race or sexual preference an issue. The norm will be acceptance of people of all races and lifestyles.
Tina,
I left home the weekend after high school graduation to move 150 miles away. I was 17 and still four months away from my 18th birthday. So, at one point my mom came out to where we're loading my meager belongings into a truck, put her arm around me and teasingy said, "Well, you know...you're not 18 yet. I could make you stay".
Without a doubt, we'd been through some rough times as mother and daughter (picture two HHWs), so I just grinned at her and said, "Yeah, you could, but then I'd just be a bitch...and you KNOW what a bitch I can be!"
Next thing you know, she's helping us put the rest of my stuff in the truck!
I got my first job right after turning 15 and worked at the same place all through high school. My first job after moving to Arkansas was checking groceries at the Piggly Wiggly. We were dirt poor, but from the day I left home, it was never in my thoughts or expectations that either one of my parents had a responsibility to provide any kind of financial assistance. At one point, many years later and prompted by an unforeseen emergency, I did have to ask my dad for a small loan, but it was repaid in full in less than a year.
Unfortunately, we've not had quite the same experiences with our own kids. Although, knock wood...it's been a while!
Thanks for the anniversary well wishes, y'all.
Sister, consider Mr. HHW's ass appropriately patted. My pleasure!
I am indeed a very lucky woman! His cute little ass is just one of many perqs.
Sexual orientation (rather than "preference'') doesn't seem to be a problem at our state's largest high school, NVR.
I think Ex was more curious about the repercussions for Amy because there has been less acceptance among blacks than white for gays in our country.
In reality, blacks & whites didn't care and don't care at our largest high school.
I'm just gigging you about the "preference'' remark, NVR, because I know you're with me and WBW 100 percent.
But, I have to say this, if my "orientation'' was a "preference,'' I would've insisted on Tap's hand in marriage long before I met WBW.
Tap, dearest, this would be my song to you if I had the "preference'' gene before I met WBW.
Well, I have the orientation gene, so it's my song to WBW. I do miss her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFnD3uwKHag
So true, NVR, and what I learned, when my heart started to go Thumpa over Sally M. in her tartan jumper in the fifth grade (way before I knew anything about sex) is that some of us are wired to be attracted to one thing, and some are wired to be attracted to something else. I never chose a preference or elected a lifestyle; it just was. And if 17 million people around me fall in love and marry same sex-mates, my heart will still go thumpa someday for the 50 year old version of Sally M. People who are wired to be attracted to something different are no threat to me.
Hang on, stj. Till the holidays (you'll see her then, right?) and then just a little bit longer. I want for you, and all others I regard as Neighbors, what I want for myself.
Meantime, you can trifle with me and Durango.
Yes, my love, I will see her in December. What? You won't be my blog boyfriend when she's home for good in May? Hell, I think I could probably sign Durango to that deal. Sheesh! Some kind of blog boyfriend you are.
You men are so frustrating. It's no wonder I "chose'' this "lifestyle.'' :)
TARP, stj.
When your WBW gets home you'll be: who were those guys I used to talk to on the AT blog? Tarp? Dorado? Pat?
Oh well, doesn't matter. . . .
My bad Sister. I know better than to say "preference" but my worn out, Friday night brain didn't catch that I had written that. You are right when you say that I am behind you and WBW 100%. And I know Tap is too. We may get the terminology wrong sometimes but you know our hearts and minds are in the right place.
Arkansassports360.com has the story of the candidate in Alabama (mayoral I think, for a small town) who photoshopped herself onto a picture of Crimson Tide coach Lou Saban, stating on a flyer that she had his endorsement.
If that doesn't get the gatorhatgate off the blog pages, I don't know what will.
http://www.arkansassports360.com/penthouse…
Tap,
Wasn't Lou Saban the coach of the Buffalo Bills? :) And you call yourself a former sportswriter? Tide Nation calls him St. Nick..I think he's just a plain d***.
NVR, I know your intentions well and you're great, my dear. I was just giving you a hard time.
My bad, stj. Last time I covered the Crimson Tide was a game in Birmingham some years back. Old guy with a funny hat was the coach.
Ah, Legion Field...when it wasn't an obsolete stadium. I have many fond memories of Legion Field, my love, as a native of the Redneck State. They actually got us out of class when that guy died. His funeral was a state holiday.
Another example of how Arkansas' Wet-Dry Laws are completely backward.
YELLVILLE -- A Marion County liquor store owner filed a lawsuit this week to stop voters from deciding a state question that would outlaw the manufacture and sale of alcohol in nine precincts in the county.
Read more at the link.
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.as…
I usually am around on the blog, just not a big poster. There are much better writers who are able to express my thoughts better than I seem able to at times.
And once this dang heat breaks, I am hooking up my teardrop and finding someplace to head for a week or so. I did manage a nice trip to Buffalo City and a float on the White from Rim Shoals down last weekend. Best of all, I saw the camel on the trip up and the trip back, and it made me think of Jazzy!
sister, that's one brave little girl there. Amy, I hope it all works out for you.
I got my first job when I was 15, and so did most of my friends. most of us got different jobs when school started so we could go to school till noon and then to work. we were very lucky, and we knew it; we spent most of our money on clothes & records and gas for our cars.
curiously, none of our daddies wanted us to work, but it was just fine with our mothers.
My daddy had a heart attack when I was a senior in high school and sociable security benefits were not so great then, considering the bushel basket of medicine he was taking then. So I worked 40 hours a week my first semester in college and then I did the FIRST really stupid thing in my life: quit college. There was nothing I wanted to study, doing both was just too hard, and I just wanted to be a mommy anyway. Then I majored in STUPID for a long time.
I suffered through a truly horrible marriage to be a stay-at-home mommy with a part-time job until the kids and I couldnt stand it any longer and then we were on our own. I raised them for 10+ years without child support. Best years of my life. we had a great time. Normal life is a great idea and very relaxing after living with an alcoholic.
and then as most of you have suffered thru hearing many times, I got a flesh-eating bacteria, nearly died, and lost everything I had, except my kids and my dogs, thank God. kids had to leave to survive. my life was totally shattered. But I am ok now, except I miss my kids so much; I never thought I'd end up shut out of my son's life.
So many people dont know me any more, either. people treat you differently when you've gone through something like that. I dont know why - I think its just human nature. it's not like i asked these people for help or anything. The Typhoid Tina syndrome?
So now I have one kid with a college degree and a J.D. living with his dad, wont talk to me, havent seen him for 3 years, breaks my heart. Other kid, as i have repeatedly bragged about here, is totally self-supporting but couldnt afford to go back to school this fall for his last semester because he made too much money last year at his job and they lowered his grants, I dont know. i wish i could afford to help him but I can't. i still work 7 days a week but not as fast as I did before. ;) Probably should be doing that now.
We arent doing too bad at all for a bunch of liberal democrats, for the most part, are we? Im glad you are all my friends.
by the way, when i said we werent doing too bad for a bunch of liberals -- In my case, I meant Im just lucky to be alive. when you lose your house and your car and you come back to a world where your medication bills are around $1250 a month, but you don't qualify for any help, you dont tend to measure success in terms of money. I wish I could, but I cant even work as much as I could before.
my medicine bills are way down now and Im much better, but it is hard to start all over again. most of y'all seem to be doing very well, and Im happy for you; it was obvious before this thread that none of us are slackers or snake oil salesmen. Y'all know what I mean.
Tina,
It's clear you've had many hardships, although I can't empathize with your plight (i.e., horrible ex husband, flesh-eating disease, isolation from your oldest son). However, it's also evident that you're a glass-half-full-type of gal.
You're a blog treasure because you radiate happiness and warmth rather than dwelling on the bad stuff. You're a survivor, Tina. There's no doubt about it. I bet there are lots of folks who envy that trait.
Your post reminded me of one of my first jobs as a teenager. My dad had an ownership stake in a nursing home and all of us kids did a stint in some job capacity for at least a year.
(My older brother was fired because he dyed this 90-year-old man's hair from white to jet black. The man insisted on it - according to my brother - but his family was horrified, prompting the abrupt firing).
By the time it was my turn, I got the job of social director and just loved it. I got to organize activities and especially loved when I'd go room-to-room just listening to folk's stories. They liked it too and seemed to perk up when I'd show up at their door.
This was in the early '80s and these folks told me all about WWI and the Great Depression. I was captivated by their true-to-life stories of how hard things were. It was probably one of the most valuable work experiences I ever had.
After my stint was completed and I left for college, I remember going back to that nursing home about six months later to check on some of my "favorites.'' Some were dead and most of the others had no recollection of who I was. It was a sad yet eye-opening experience for me.
I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.
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