« June 2005 | Main | August 2005 »
July 31, 2005
Books I Read in July
Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination
by Helen Fielding
Book Description: With the irrepressible Bridget Jones, bestselling author Helen Fielding created an unforgettable one-of-a-kind female character beloved by millions the world over. Now, Fielding gives us a sensational new heroine for a new era. From the white heat of Miami to the implants of L.A., from the glittering waters of the Caribbean to the scorching deserts of Arabia, journalist-turned-master-spy Olivia Joules pits herself against the forces of terror armed with her own pocket survival kit, her Rules for Living, her infamous overactive imagination, and a very special underwire bra. Join Olivia in her heart-stopping, hilarious, nerve-frazzling quest from hip hotel to ecolodge to underwater cave, by light aircraft, speedboat, helicopter, and horse, in this witty, contemporary, and utterly unputdownable novel.
My review: I actually like Olivia more than Bridget, since she was less whiny, more confident, and just as entertaining. I listened to this novel on audiobook, and the narrator was delightful. I didn't anticipate a chick lit book about Al-Qaeda to be non-offensive, let alone funny, but Helen Fielding walks a fine line while still presenting endearing, likeable characters. My only criticism, real men don't ever call their women "baby"--no matter how cool they are.
----------
Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules
by David Sedaris (Editor)
From Booklist: Consider the irresistible narrative arc of Sedaris' personal essays, his indelible voice, and his crisp timing, and it will come as no surprise that he is an avid, insightful reader of short stories. He is so inspired by the form that he has put together an A-list anthology of his favorites, thus creating a collection that will seduce readers heretofore resistant to the form, and induce fellow short story lovers to nod in pleased recognition. One can't go wrong with an anthology that includes Katherine Mansfield's "The Garden Party," Flannery O'Connor's "Revelation," and stories by Alice Munro, Lorrie Moore, Tobias Wolff, and Jhumpa Lahiri, let alone appearances by Dorothy Parker and Patricia Highsmith. An epilogue by Sarah Vowell explains that the proceeds from this collection will go to 826NYC, a nonprofit tutoring program designed to help students learn to write, one of a string of programs being established across the country by the creative and enterprising group at McSweeney's.
My review: I am always unsure about short stories, but this book was a great collection--perfect for book club. We agreed that the only serious improvement would have been more commentary from David Sedaris--which could have provided a nice context about what he was doing when he read each story, why it resonated with him, and what he took away from it. Nevertheless, I will definitely return to this book again and again.
----------
The Ape Who Guards the Balance : An Amelia Peabody Mystery
by Elizabeth Peters
From Publishers Weekly: In April of this year, Peters, who has been writing mysteries for 30 years, was honored as a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America. This captivating novel, her 10th Amelia Peabody tale (following Seeing a Large Cat, 1997), validates her peers' high regard. Prospects for the 1907 excavation season in Egypt seem lackluster for the Emersons, since Professor Emerson, Amelia's beloved husband, can't abide the fools who administrate such activities?and makes no secret of that fact. But the family, including their adult son, Ramses, and his foster siblings, Nefret and David, departs for Egypt nevertheless after incidents in London point to the resurfacing of their old nemesis, known as the Master Criminal. The younger generation buys an ancient papyrus from an antiquities dealer and sets in motion a sinister chain of events. Two horrendous murders draw all of the Emersons further into the fray, and at times it seems as if the Master Criminal and his minions will at last best Amelia. But by drawing on the skills of all, the Emerson contingent once again brings villains to justice. The plot is complicated and involving, but the maturing of Ramses, Nefret and David offers particular pleasure and gives the book depth and poignance. Rich in characterization, incident and humor, this latest adventure of Amelia Peabody is a grand, galloping adventure with a heart as big as the Great Pyramid itself.
My review: I've read (or listened to) the previous nine Amelia Peabody mysteries and have enjoyed them all (except for the Hippopotaumus Pool--who knows what went awry in that one). I was delighted to listen to this tenth installment. In fact, I've moved directly on to #11.
Posted by madchen at 02:12 AM | Comments (0)July 29, 2005
All Over But the Scratchin'
My big plan to explore the post-rain backyard was thwarted by swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitos. It's too bad there aren't digital SLR cameras with built-in mosquito repellant.
Posted by madchen at 11:33 PM | Comments (1)July 28, 2005
No Sign of Relief
The week is progressing relatively smoothly. As I refer back to my original list of things that needed to be done, I am batting about .500.
Of course, I also realized that I left off at least one very, very crucial task: finishing the edits of my thesis. Yes, dear readers, it's finally time to wrap up my second Master's degree for good. Or bad, as the case may be. So far, I'm not finding the additional degree to be much help in bringing me fame, fortune, or a full-time job.
On the other hand, I finished researching THPON--now all that's left is to write up the summary of social and environmental issues. It shouldn't take too long, I just couldn't bear to deal with it any more today. So tomorrow, hopefully before my meeting at work (to discuss the NEXT project), I can complete this behemouth of a company.
Embarrassing moment of the day: My mom, Janie, and I went to see March of the Penguins at the movie theatre. I believe my disdain for birds is well-documented on this blog, but let me repeat: I HATE THEM. Having said that, I readily acknowledge that penguins are the least evil of all birds, and even have rather adorable moments (in which they lull humanity into a false sense of security). Anyway, the movie was very cute, with amazing cinematography and cool information. However, the most memorable scene is the courtship scene. You know, where the penguins--having chosen their mates for the season--engage in the physical manifestation of their love. When they, ahem, procreate. I am shocked to say it, but the scene was actually quite erotic! Something about the way they looked into each other's eyes, with the music playing in the background. Who knew penguin sex could be so hot?
Or perhaps this is a sign that it's been too long since I, um, personally engaged in the physical manifestation of love.
Posted by madchen at 10:37 PM | Comments (2)No Rest for the Weary
I would like to issue a big "pat on the back" to someone very special in my life: me.
Having used an Acccess Database regularly for the last 4 years, I haven't had much experience developing and programming a database. In fact, not since my illustrious days in government.
I knew I was going to eventually have to develop a database to house the information that is crucial to my business idea, but I've been putting it off, remembering the frustration of my last project (tracking all 180+ nominations through the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee).
But tonight, in a record-setting 2.5 hours, I have the first draft of a database--complete with reports for clients.
This accomplishment has given me new enthusiasm for my big idea, and I'm determined not to let the stupid Maryland SBA (although their website says they do free counseling, it's only for businesses that have already started--and what help is that, really?) or my stupid housing situation (I can't run a home-based business on federal property) keep me from persuing my dream of being independently wealthy and saving the world.
Now if I could just finish my research on THPON. I really should be done by now, but I'm having a mind-block that won't allow me to summarize any more foul corporate information.
I hereby commit to finishing THPON tomorrow. After I see March of the Penguins with the family tomorrow, of course.
Posted by madchen at 03:06 AM | Comments (1)July 27, 2005
Pffft for Phthalates
A recent discussion on phthalates has been circulating on my class listserv. After reading a lot about the issue, I'm more than a little worried and thought I'd summarize my research.
First, what is a phthalate?
According to the Phthalates Information Center:
Although you never see them, phthalates play an important part in making everyday life more convenient, colorful, and fun. Thanks to their varying characteristics, this family of workhorse chemicals makes a wide range of consumer and industrial products work better for us.
Dozens of phthalates have been developed over the years, and some have been in use for nearly a century. The dozen or so types in general use today have some traits in common – they are clear liquids resembling common vegetable oil, have little or no smell, and do not readily evaporate. They all break down rapidly in the environment and in living organisms.
In my opinion, the first problem with the Phthalates Information Center is the general vaugeness of the information presented. Ooh, "workhorse chemicals" that make my "everyday life more convenient, colorful, and fun"--sign me up!
The real information is much more complex. According to Our Stolen Future, one of the most credible groups decrying phthalates:
Phthalates are a class of widely used industrial compounds known technically as dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid. There are many phthalates with many uses, and just as many toxicological properties.
Phthalates crept into widespread use over the last several decades because of their many beneficial chemical properties. Now they are ubiquitous, not just in the products in which they are intentionally used, but also as contaminants in just about anything. About a billion pounds per year are produced worldwide.
So what's the problem?
Many, MANY people are worried about the health effects of these chemicals, believing they have a role in the following health problems:
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Endocrine Disruptors
- Sick Building Syndrome
Our Stolen Future has a great article summarizing the general health concerns associated with phthalates--information you won't find at the Phthalates Information Center. Some of the highlights include:
- An explanation of why traditional approaches to toxicology don't work with chemicals like phthalates (even though the chemicals industry pretends that they do).
- How extremely low doses of phthalates can change the male reproductive development, which is acutely sensitive to some phthalates. For example, the "phthalates dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) produced dramatic changes in male sexual characteristics when exposure took place in utero, at levels far beneath those of previous toxicological concern."
- A section on the debate between regulation and public health concerns. As the article points out:
The debate heated up further in the US when an industry PR firm that masquerades as a public health organization, the American Council on Science and Health, put together a panel to review the safety of phthalates. Headed by retired Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, the panel ultimately issued a flawed report that concluded phthalates were safe. Their report failed to consider several key recent publications and misrepresented another, citing the latter as stating that no kidney damage was caused when in fact the research did not assess kidney damage. They committed an even more basic error, moreover, by accepting the absence of data as proof of safety. Absence of data proves only ignorance. A devastating critique of this report was published by Health Care Without Harm.
Our Stolen Future has further publicized a number of important stories on phthalates, including the following:
- Our Stolen Future: Phthalate levels in children
- Our Stolen Future: Phthalate exposures in the general population higher than expected
- Our Stolen Future: Phthalate alters gene expression at low levels
- Our Stolen Future: Phthalate contamination of infants from neonatal intensive care units
(For the very latest news on the effect of on unborn children, check out last month's press release from Health Care Without Harm on the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society.)
Of course, the Phthalates Information Center disputes this claim, with all the panache of an industry trade group.
The Industry Response
Not to worry, says the Phthalates Information Center:
Phthalates have established a very strong safety profile over the 50 years in which they have been in general use. There is no reliable evidence that any phthalate has ever caused a health problem for a human from its intended use.
Some advocacy groups complain that phthalates are all around us, and therefore must pose some special kind of concern. But recent government data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that human exposure levels are far below minimum safety levels set by regulatory agencies. And because phthalates have been around for so long, and are so widely used, they are also one of the most widely studied and well understood families of chemicals.
What a relief!! Oh wait, all these research studies were funded by the phthalate producers themselves (the Foundation Panel Members--the ones funding the research--include BASF Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Chemical Company**, Ferro Corporation, and Teknor Apex). Come to think of it, the Phthalates Information Center is itself a website run by the American Chemistry Council--no conflict of interest there!
The Phthalates Information Center, along with its member organizations, throws a lot of vague information out to dispute findings that phthalates may be dangerous, even publishing critiques of specific studies. But authors of the original reports have always been able to justify their findings, as shown in this latest example.
**If the fact that ExxonMobile is connected to this organization doesn't immediately make you question the validity of the Phthalates Information Center, you are too dumb to be reading this entry. I refer you instead to ExxonMobile's generous funding of the Global Climate Coalition, an industry group created solely to give the public the false idea that actual scientific dialogue was occurring around the existence of climate change.
How to Respond
The problem with phthalates is that they are EVERYWHERE. (Just check out Not Too Pretty for a list of beauty products with phthalates in them). What's more, it can be impossible to determine which untested products have them. As my friend Susan wrote:
For years I have used co-op bulk shampoos and conditioners after reading the labels because I wanted to make sure I was not putting anything harmful on my body. Then, while in humid Tennessee and Georgia recently, I got tired of having a three foot afro and decided to try Pantene Pro V conditioner for "smooth and silky hair." Turns out a few of Pantene's products were listed as having phthalates. I called the number on the back of the bottle to find out if my newly purchased product did and they said I had to get a doctor's note on letterhead specifically requesting to know if a certain ingredient is present due to concern for allergies or some other health condition before they would tell me! (because under law they are only required to list "fragrance" on the label).
It's disheartening to think that there is virtually no way to avoid phthalates (or the hundreds of other chemicals) that are invading our bodies every day. Just this week, in fact, the LA Times ran a story on the new CDC report on human exposures to chemicals. The main finding?
In the largest study of chemical exposure ever conducted on human beings, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday that most American children and adults were carrying in their bodies dozens of pesticides and toxic compounds used in consumer products, many of them linked to potential health threats.
Right now, it's not clear to me what the right course of action is. I can certainly buy phthalate-free brands of personal care products, but I can't really avoid all the other phthalate-drenched products (although I could eschew the phthalate-caused "new car smell").
While the evidence against phthalates seems to be growing, I'm not sure where the leverage point is. Certainly, governments could be regulating (or preventing) phthalates from being produced. But industry could also take the lead (excuse me while I insert an ironic laugh). But what is my role? It doesn't quite seem like the kind of thing for which a letter-writing campaign would be suited.
And now, I will go be sad and depressed, and probably phthalate-ridden.
Posted by madchen at 04:00 PM | Comments (3)July 25, 2005
Monday, Monday, how could you leave and not take me?
At the risk of being one of those blogs that merely (and only) recites the daily happening of the author, I have to admit that I'm running out of ideas. It's just so much easier to write the first thing that comes out of my head--which is normally a list of things I have to do, or a list of things I have just done, or a list of things that I should do but won't get to because I'm lazy. You get the idea.
In fact, it's so easy that I'll make a little list right now.
Things to Do This Week
1. Finish researching THPON today.
2. Book club on Tuesday (finish reading book before then).
3. Softball on Tuesday and Wednesday.
4. Make an appointment with the SBA to discuss business plan.
5. Finish business plan.
6. Stop being lazy.
Whew. That was quick. But not very satisfying.
The real news is that my mom and I are embarking on a little mother/daughter project. We're writing a novel--well a chick lit novel to be truthful. The premise is that a grown daughter comes to visit her mother (and father) for the weekend, and dramedy results. The twist is that I'm going to write the mother part and my mom will write from the perspective of the adult daughter. We have lots of fodder for inspiration, and the prologue reads like any afternoon in our kitchen. While I'm not sure how the main characters will turn out, we agree that there is much comedic potential in the father figure. Personally, I am gunning for a running gag through the entire story where the dad can't find the remote control. Not that the "lost remote control" is a running bit in our real lives. No, certainly not.
And now, in an effort to fulfill #1, #4, and #6 on the list above, I need to make some phone calls. Then I'm whisking myself away to Starbucks. I think I will be much more productive if I'm in a place without internet access, but with copious amounts of caffeine.
Posted by madchen at 09:19 AM | Comments (1)July 22, 2005
Around the House
Click on the thumbnail to the left to see the latest round of pictures of our house, taken on the most muggy, unpleasant day this month.
On Thursday, I had planned to go down to Capitol Hill for a briefing on Genocidal Rape in Sudan. Not a particularly cheery topic, although I have been curious (although that seems like the wrong word) about the issue for a long time--ever since I wrote a paper on women's human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
But I didn't. Instead, I stayed up late reading the Harry Potter book, which--after being delayed in transit finally showed up in duplicate--and slept in the next day. Does that make me a bad person? Probably. On the other hand, I did make it down to the D.C. Women's Human Rights Action Team (part of Amnesty International) on Wednesday night, and maybe one human rights event a week is enough.
Anyway, I've now finished HP6--whose last 5 pages were incredibly stupid. And unlike the last time a new book came out, I am content to leave it for another couple of years, which I suppose is a good thing considering the writing of #7 has not yet commenced.
Now, I think I'll take a shower (once every few days seemes appropriate) and go pick up dinner for the family. With any luck, I'll also finish up some research for work (I've put aside THPON to work on boring corporate actions) and get a good night's sleep so that I can meet Ms. Elizabeth tomorrow for brunch and shopping with plenty of cheerful goodwill.
Posted by madchen at 06:44 PM | Comments (0)July 21, 2005
The Puzzle is Solved!!
Step out the front door like a ghost into a fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white And in between the moon and you the angels get a better view of the crumbling difference between wrong and right I walk in the air between the rain through myself and back again Where? I don't know...
But I being poor have only my dreams. I have laid my dreams beneath your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. --William Butler Yeats
Well, sort of. I am almost SURE that I read JUST the first line in a book somewhere. And I thought to myself, "wow, the Counting Crows must have taken that sentence and written their own thing from there". And I've never read Yeats either, so there's another hole. Is it possible that ANOTHER writer cribbed the first sentence for ANOTHER literary work? The search goes on...
Other quotes that I liked:
----------
You win.
I never climbed Kilimanjaro. Never studied a primitive culture. Never got my pilot's license or built my own telescope. Never played with a band, or published a poem, or learned to speak Spanish. Never put away a million dollars. I didn't spend enough time with the kids (but who does?) and I never watched the sun come up from the top of Ayers Rock. I married too early. Never saw Machu Picchu. Never had enough time. And I took too many God damn orders. ---Adbusters, Nov/Dec 2003, #50
----------
Come to the edge He said. They said: 'We are afraid.' Come to the edge He said. They came. He pushed them, and they flew. --Guillaume Apollinaire
----------
Posted by madchen at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)July 20, 2005
Blogiversary
I can't believe that I missed my 1-year blogiversary--July 18th. It's hard for me to remember the initial foray into the blog-world, but I'm sure it was a fun mix of:
1. Post-break-up angst.
2. A lot of time on my unemployed ass.
3. Jealousy that Ms. Wish to See was technologically advanced.
And now, let's do a quick re-cap.
1. I'm still getting no action in the bedroom, which I guess is okay since it would be action in my parents' guestroom and that would be icky.
2. I still don't have a permanent job, although contracting and getting my business idea off the ground are taking considerable chunks out of days I would otherwise be spending on my ass.
3. After visiting Ms. Wish to See last weekend, I am still totally jealous of her technology--this time in the form of wireless speakers--connected to her computer, no less!--all over her house.
But I digress. My real query is this:
The following sentence is both the opening line of a Counting Crows song, and also the first sentence of a famous book.
Step out the front door like a ghost into a fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white.
I've read that book within the last 3 years and it's driving me CRAZY that I can't remember the title. I have no other information about the book--just the connection to that first sentence sticks with me.
A special prize to anyone who knows...
Posted by madchen at 11:07 PM | Comments (2)Conspiracy
It makes you wonder, doesn't it?
Update: Ooh, I would like to clarify that I don't think the conspiracy claims in this video are true. I just thought they were interesting and presented in a very catchy way. I hadn't ever heard of this missile idea (or did I, and just forget about it?). As Mr. Bad Apologies points out, the whole notion has been debunked here.
Interestingly enough, I never made the connection about the video's implication about the REAL flight 77. As another friend points out, "as heinous as I think our government can be, I don't think they'd make a plane full of people disappear so a different plane could ram the Pentagon". Excellent point.
And now, back to normal life.
Posted by madchen at 02:10 AM | Comments (2)Renewed Energy
Alright. I admit it. I have been momentarily distracted with Harry Potter (still no delivery on #6, but I am re-reading #5 so it doesn't matter so much), my new camera, and my new video camera (I have 10 minutes of Janie singing in the baby pool out back).
But today I--as they say--got my shit together. I met with Ms. Amy today for coffee and a little brainstorming on future job plans. Then I spent the majority of the day in training--which basically was a repeat of the training I did the other day (in which I avoided death-by-boredom by silently repeating my hourly salary).
At any rate, I got home and managed to upload some new software (does ANYONE really understand how to use Microsoft Money?), do some laundry (I practically drooled over the extra-large washer and dryer), file some papers, and generally clean up my desk. Then, feeling quite smug, I even managed to do some EXTRA work (so I can attend a briefing on Genocidal Rape in Sudan at Capitol Hill on Thursday without feeling guilty about missing prime working hours).
With everything else off my plate, I finally got around to working on The Big Idea. I've put aside the business plan for a bit to work on a marketing survey (which was sent to several people tonight for beta testing) and even managed to make a reasonable budget.
I didn't realize how time consuming a business budget could be! I carefully scrutinized my expenses, federal tax, state and local tax, self-empoyment tax, and sales tax. Like all good business planners, I have several different scenarios--ranging from a business that is an immediate success to one where I have to scrouge by. Under the different scenarios, I estimate walking away at the end of 2006 with either a) $29,890.80, b) $12,683.93, or c) $4,817.93. The actual numbers are actually probably closer together, since I estimated by expenses as equal across all three options, when in reality my expenses would probably go down in the more spendthrift models.
Anyway, I am feeling quite proud of myself. And now I think I'll hop into bed, where a chunky cat is awaiting me--right next to the Harry Potter book.
July 18, 2005
The Magic of Technology
I'm sitting in the living room working on THPON (secret acronym for the company I'm researching). Through the magic of technology, I am able to stay connected to the internet with my wireless router. Natural light, comfy couches, less shrieking from the 4-year old. It's marvelous, I tell you. No more basement for me!
All this got me thinking, from where else could I work? I'm not willing to shell out money to pay for an hourly account to T-Mobile (damn their expensive hot spots!), and I haven't seen that many places offering free internet access. But a quick search on Google shows the following locales:
Bethesda
Quartermaine's Coffee Roasters - 4817 Bethesda Ave - (301) 718-2853
Saphire Cafe - 7940 Wisconsin Avenue - (301) 986-9708
Mayorga Coffee - 8201 Wisconsin Avenue - 301-907-3081
Apple Store, Montgomery Mall - 7101 Democracy Blvd, Space 2044
Bethesda Library - 7400 Arlington Rd - 240-777-0970
Chevy Chase
Panera Bread - 4459 Willard Avenue
Rockville
Options Korean Restaurant - 4870 Boiling Brook Pkwy - 301-230-0600
Mayorga Coffee - 801 Pleasant Dr - 301-990-8722
Amada Amante Italian Restaurant - bar area - 9755 Traville Gateway Drive
Panera Bread - 1780 Jefferson Street
Panera Bread - 14921 Shady Grove Road
Montgomery County Library - 99 Maryland Avenue - 240-777-0140
Silver Spring
Mayorga Coffee - 8040 Georgia Avenue - 301-562-9090
redDog Café - 8301-A Grubb Road
Panera Bread - 8541 Georgia Ave - (301) 495-0860
Montgomery County Library - 8901 Colesville Road - 301-565-7689
So once Janie discovers that she can "entertain" me in the living room too, I may start exploring my other options.
Posted by madchen at 02:07 PM | Comments (4)July 17, 2005
Blueberry Overload
Why is it that eating blueberries makes people want to spend lots of money? Or is that just me?
I spent today with Ms. Wish to See. We were experimenting with making homemade jam. These jams are a potential wedding favor for May 2006. Since jam is such an iffy thing, we had decided that starting early was the best chance of getting it right in time for next summer's nuptials.
I arrived with my mom's canning equipment in hand to see quarts and quarts of blueberries. While I felt some trepidation about starting with such a stain-prone berry, it turned out lovely. Mr. Wish to See set up the video camera for us, so we were able to record the jam-making process. That video is testament to the copious amounts of shrieking that ensued. Between the boiling-berry splatter, the dropping of cold lime juice on my feet, and the terrifying-yet-amusing episode where the camera is taken off its precarious position atop the refrigerator for a close-up of the cooking blueberries, only to topple over during the replacement attempt.
After canning 24 jars of the jam, I packed up some leftovers (as of this writing, the jam is still more of a syrup, but I'm hoping it will solidify by morning) and headed home. I swung by Best Buy, with a mere 10 minutes before closing, and did a little spontaneous shopping. You know, because the blueberries made me.
I am now the proud owner of a new digital SLR camera (eat your heart out Ms. Leading by Learning) AND a new digital camcorder. Who-Hoo!
I will skip over the part where I had to explain to my parents why I could afford $1,500 worth of camera/video equipment, but am still living in their guest room. My arguments were not the most coherent, but I will blame that on my preoccupation with charging various batteries, installing software, and the like. Janie, however, was very pleased (see evidence above).
So tomorrow, I'm back at work, researching another monster company. I'll give you a hint: I don't really think it's the happiest place on earth, but others might disagree.
Posted by madchen at 11:57 PM | Comments (2)July 16, 2005
Am I Really A Grown-Up?
The entire row of golfers was so sweaty, it was like we had just climbed out of a swimming pool, where for some reason we decided to enjoy fully clothed. And let's be honest, it's not like the driving range is a "high-energy" sport. But even just standing outside created little rivulets of sweat that gave me a striped look. Even my knees were sweaty. SWEATY KNEES, for goodness sake. I blame the humidity, which made my hair frizz up in a 12-inch afro that could not be tamed. Good times.
Lesson of the Day: Playing golf (even if just visiting the driving range) during a heat advisory is stupid, stupid, STUPID.
Anyway, aside from the horrific effluvium, I had a lovely day with Lily. Single while Mr. Lily is in Japan, we had a lovely lunch with her family and a visit to the local nail salon. Pretty nail polish was enjoyed by all.
This evening, I was lured into watching 4 episodes of 24: The First Season. Somehow, I managed to escape the entire 24 phenomenon, only to be suckered into marathon viewings on DVD. Damn that Richard and his generosity!
All this is to say that, while I was immensely irritated that my copy of Harry Potter didn't show up (UPS last tracked it Jul 15, 2005 at 3:34 P.M., where it was logged in Laurel, Maryland, US as "IN TRANSIT TO FINAL DESTINATION") as guaranteed by Amazon.com, I am still breathing at a normal rate. The down side is that I have no book to greedily read tonight. On the bright side, the oversight by UPS means that Amazon will refund the price of the book.
The strange thing is that I don't really care all that much about missing the order. My attitude is somewhere between "I bet the neighbor sneaked over and took it" and "Oh well, I'm sure it will arrive on Monday". When HP5 came out, I was at the midnight opening of Barnes and Noble, but when I discovered they had no extra copies, I spent the entire next day tracking down a copy. Diligent and determined do not even come close to describing my tenacity that day.
And now, I'm sort of in a "shrug--what can you do?" mood. Am I growing up?
Posted by madchen at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)July 14, 2005
News Round-Up
In order of the very personal to the very global:
----------
NUMBER ONE
I've been struggling to balance my contract work (8 hours a day, usually worked into 2 or 3 chunks of time) with my enthusiasm over my new business idea. I've bought a couple books on writing a business plan, which is keeping me occupied until 3 a.m. every night. So far, I'm just clarifying the business concept, but the financial estimates are coming up and that is a scary, scary thought.
I've contacted the Montgomery County Small Business Administration, which offers free counseling to entrepreneuers and hope to set up an appointment next week. Then at least I'll have a good idea of what legal and technical hurdles I need to jump through to get this idea off the ground.
----------
NUMBER TWO
Last weekend, I went to Arena Stage with my mom, sister, and two of my mom's friends from church. We saw the highly acclaimed Crowns, which my mother enjoyed so much last year that she just had to see again. While the Washington Post review was mixed, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm normally not much of a musical fan, but this one was not so show tune-y. And while I wasn't one of the audience clapping and stomping, I did notice my foot tapping along with some of the more catchy numbers.
----------
NUMBER THREE
Last night, I went to the Studio Theatre downtown to see The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow. The production is described thusly:
Jennifer Marcus and her robot replica, "Jenny Chow," face off when she discovers that her creation has a mind of its own. Jennifer is an obsessive-compulsive agoraphobe with a genius IQ. Frustrated with her adoptive parents, she builds a robot replica of herself in a quest to learn more about her biological parents. The play earned Jones the 2004 Elizabeth Osborne Award for Emerging Artists.
I would submit that this bare summary does not do justice to the talents of the actors, particularly the actress (whose name escapes me at the moment) who plays the lead role of Jennifer Marcus.
I was accompanying Mr. Bad Apologies, my most urban chic friend, who managed to get us front row center tickets to the play. The entire theatre only held 187 seats (or so noted the Maximum Capacity sign on the wall), so we were up close and personal. The most impressive part was that the tickets were FREE! (Mr. Bad Apologies is connected in ways that constantly amaze me.)
During the intermission, we marveled at the transformation of the 14th Street corridor. Several years back we had seen a Cherry Red Production of Seven Deadly Dwarves--also at Mr. Bad Apologies invitation. It was scandalous, but very, VERY funny. I'm not sure the sheltered boy we brought along will ever be the same. Anyway, at that time the neighborhood was uber-gritty. While the neighborhood still has an edgy "ooh we might be shot" feel to it, it's NOTHING compared to the scene in 2001. Which just goes to show that I should buy some property in Southeast D.C. right now--after all, it will probably be worth $720,000 in a couple of years.
(Mr. Bad Apologies, incidentally, can no longer be bothered with blogging, as he is encumbered with the tedious process of finding meaningful work with the government. Good luck to him, I say.)
----------
NUMBER FOUR
I'm in Karl-Rove-Overload mode. I'm jaded to the point where it no longer outrages me (except in moments where I feel there is too little drama in my life) that politics in D.C. has become a circus freak show. I'm tired of half-heartedly defending America to the tiny slice of the globe that came to Sweden last year. I'm exhausted from explaining that while I support the Democrats more than the Republicans, I can't say with any conviction that one side is more honest or more accountable than the other.
Now there's this "Karl Rove outs Valerie Plame as an undercover CIA agent in order to discredit her husband, Joe Wilson (who today called for Rove to be summarily fired), for reporting back that Iraq did NOT try to buy uranium from Niger in direct contradiction of President Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address which bolstered the (trumped up) case of Iraq's WMD program" thing. Sheesh.
All the news media can talk about is what Karl Rove said, when he said it, whether it meets the very strict laws against revealing CIA operatives, and whether or not this is a sign that the Bush White House has gone too far. One of the very few articles pointing out the misplaced fury over the Rove story is this very excellent this editorial in the Washington Post today. As Richard Cohen so eloquently points out:
The inspired exaggeration of the case against Iraq, the hype about weapons of mass destruction and al Qaeda's links to Hussein, makes everything else pale in comparison. It was to protect those lies, those exaggerations, that incredible train wreck of incompetence, ideologically induced optimism and, of course, contempt for the quaint working of the democratic process, that everything else stems from.
So the question is, has the Bush Administration crossed a line?
OF COURSE THEY HAVE. There is a line of decency, honor, and truth that has been crossed. But the little secret that no one wants to talk about it that the line was crossed years ago, by every single politician in the government all the way down to the local level.
We have created a system where it is IMPOSSIBLE to play fair, to look out for the common good, to fight for the little guy. I cannot point to a single politician on either side of the aisle who can pass a true test of personal integrity.
One example is John McCain, my favorite Senator currently serving in Congress. I admire John McCain for his willingness to speak his own mind on issues that are traditionally divided down party lines. I admire his ability to work with both Republicans and Democrats, to negotiate tough compromises, to point the finger at ALL pork-barrel spending.
And yet...
I lost a lot of respect for him after he conceded the 2000 Presidential Primary to George W. Bush. When he got on that stage and threw his support to the man whose campaign staff led a smear campaign against him in South Carolina (calling homes under the guise of "public opinion polls" and insinuating that McCain had fathered an illegitimate black child) among other insults, everyone could see that he didn't believe Bush was going to be a good president. But he stood by him in a show of loyalty that made me want to move to Canada.
Some would argue that McCain has to make sacrifices to continue to acheive his great successes in Congress. They say that McCain's contribution to America greatly outweighs the sketchy compromises he's had to make along that journey. And mostly I agree. But it makes me sad and resigned to know that we are stuck in a system that encourages the acceptable over the good and the end over the means.
The worst part is that these compromises are justified. Without them, we would never get anything done, legislation would never be passed, funding would never be distributed, and progress would never be made. But how sad it is to live in a world where compromising, not just one's position on an issue, but one's personal integrity is justified.
Rant over.
Posted by madchen at 03:52 PM | Comments (2)July 13, 2005
Books I Read in Sweden and the US
The Cider House Rules
by John Irving
Philadelphia Inquirer: "John Irving's sixth and best novel . . . He is among the very best storytellers at work today. At the base of Irving's own moral concerns is a rare and lasting regard for human kindness."
My Review: This audiobook took me months to get through. Based on Wish To See's excellent advice, I have read a number of John Irving's novels. Frankly, I was surprised not to see the mention of a circus, a bear, or a boys school--as these seem to be some of Irving's favorite motifs. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story, although at times I wish the story had moved faster. I think this one would be better read than listened to.
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
by Alexander McCall Smith
Publishers Weekly: Starred Review. In this sixth entry in McCall Smith's consistently delightful series, Botswana detective Precious Ramotswe, the traditionally built—and newly married—owner of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is saddled with a surfeit of challenging cases and personal crises. There has been an intruder in her home (he managed to escape, but left a telltale pair of trousers in his wake). And the levelheaded sleuth is flustered by an encounter with a man from her past. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe's husband, master mechanic Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, is neck-deep in work after the resignation of one of his apprentices, who has become romantically entangled with a married woman (Mma Ramotswe and assistant detective Grace Makutsi slyly gather the scurrilous details). Scotsman McCall Smith, who was born in what is now Zimbabwe, renders colorful characters with names that trip off the tongue. Among the new arrivals: Mma Makutsi's new suitor and dance partner, Phuti Radiphuti, a stuttering furniture salesman with two left feet; and Mr. Polopetsi, a wrongfully imprisoned pharmacist Mma Ramotswe deems worthy of a second chance. As always, when troubles are brewing, nothing puts things in perspective like time spent on the verandah with a cup of bush tea. Amid the hilarious scenarios and quiet revelations are luminous descriptions of Botswana, land of wide-open spaces and endless blue skies. The prolific McCall Smith dispenses tales from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency at a rate of one per year (he's also author of a second detective series featuring Scottish-American moral philosopher Isabel Dalhousie). That's good news for loyal fans, who eagerly await new adventures with Precious Ramotswe.
My Review: Another delightful book in the series. I consistently enjoy the audiobooks, particularly because of the narrator, who reads slowly and with great emphasis. While my mom finds the pace too slow when read aloud, I think it improves the quality of the experience. You really get a feel for the Botswana way of life--slow pace and all.
Posted by madchen at 12:02 AM | Comments (1)July 12, 2005
The Power of RSS
Interesting Things That Have Happened This Week:
1. I began my first full week of contract work. Ok, not so very interesting, although I will thoroughly enjoy getting paid.
2. I bought some books about starting my business, made arrangements for getting my website up and running, and now have a contact to discuss the tax implications of being an independent consultant.
3. I got poison ivy on my leg. My inner thigh, actually. I must be sleepwalking to the woods in the back yard, taking off my pajamas, and rolling around in the grass. Or at least smearing strange, isolated spots of my body in suspicious looking patches of leaves.
4. I bought a "custom" series of performances from the Washington Performing Arts Society. I was sad to discover that the first one isn't until November. But come 2006, I'll be one cultured lady.
5. I met up with lots of friends, including one that has a city apartment with an extra room. There is rampant speculation that I might be the perfect roommate. We'll see if Mr. Bad Apologies can get over his allergies to cats.
Posted by madchen at 09:57 PM | Comments (0)July 11, 2005
The Big Idea
While Madchen has been sitting on the dining room table, and the deer have been eating the flowers in the front yard, I have been contemplating my future. Having spent the past year being extremely introspective, and thoroughly enjoying my first couple weeks back in the United States, it is definitely time to make a new plan. Some general feelings about my future had been fomenting in my brain. And the first step was this discovery:
I want to start my own business.
This is an obvious choice for several reasons:
1) I tend to [come into conflict] with my bosses, but I *adore* myself, so it would be an interesting experiment to see if I could continue to hold myself in high esteem while simultaneously giving myself orders.
2) I can't see myself getting rich working a traditional job.
3) Setting aside the money issue, I can't seem to find a job at all.
My main problem was that, while I had decided to start my own business, I didn't have an IDEA for a business. Hard to sell something that you can't describe, right?
So I started by asking myself some basic questions:
1) What is my goal in life? The glib answer is to leave the world a better place than I found it. I'm kind of a cynic when it comes to the whole idea of sustainability, and I don't really subscribe to the whole religious idea of good and evil. On the other hand, I feel very strongly about wrong and right, and I want to live according to my values in a meaningful way.
2) What do I enjoy? I enjoy knowing things. One of the great pleasures in life is feeling smart. There are many things that I am not, but I am pretty damn brilliant--not in a natural genius sort of way, but in a "wow she has an amazing amount of data in her head" sort of way. I gather facts and ideas for the sheer pleasure of feeling my brain work.
3) What do I enjoy that also fulfills my goal in life? Over the past few years, I have come to believe (not just intellectually, but also with my gut) that education is the key to solving the world's problems. I'm not a "teacher", but I am good at packaging information in a way that makes it easy to understand. And real, meaningful understanding leads to better decision-making. So by providing people with better information, I can help decision-makers make better choices.
But I was still at a loss for a great idea.
Well, tonight it came to me. On Sunday night, July 10, 2005, after watching 3 back-to-back-to-back episodes of TLC's The Property Ladder, I had my big idea. No, it has nothing to do with buying up old property and selling it for ridiculous sums of money (although that is a splendid idea). And no, I can't explain the actual idea now--since I haven't done the business plan, trademarked the name, or reserved the website, some ruthless thief might come along and steal my idea. But rest assured, it is a spectacular idea that is guaranteed to make me a millionaire and to also save the world.
Ahh, bliss.
So between 1) researching evil companies, 2) reading my book club book, 3) chasing Madchen down from the table every 30 seconds, and 4) mingling with Washington's young elite, I will also be doing the following:
1) Writing up a preliminary business plan.
2) Figuring out how much $$ I would need to really explore the feasibility of this project.
3) Contacting my favorite graphic designer to discuss designing a website.
4) Deciding how to spend my first million dollars. I'm thinking shoes.
July 08, 2005
The Working World
OK, so I'm not really part of the working world. But I *am* enjoying the perks of being back among the young Washington elite.
Last night I went down to Harry's Tap Room in Clarendon to meet up with my friends from the Senate. They had brought along some other friends from the State Department, where they are now both affiliated. It was lots of fun to get caught up, and in the spirit of "widening my circle of friends" I even stayed for dinner with two of the other people in the group. It was a great relief to talk seriously about things other than sustainability, such as world politics, China, and the perils of buying Washington real estate.
Today, I continued the social trend and met up with friends from my old/new work for lunch. It was scheduled to say goodbye to one of the people in my department, which was very sad. On the other hand, Faris will be in town for the rest of the month, so I'm sure to see him again before he heads out West to seek his fortune.
The afternoon took a quick nosedive after lunch when I buckled down to work. My job for the next week will be to look at a particularly nasty company and decide which circle of hell it belongs to. I vow to never shop there again--a decision which should be obvious to every thinking person, but which is really drilled into one's head after reading about sweatshops in Bangladesh.
This evening, while the rest of the family is off meeting potential in-laws (oh, the horror), I am hanging out at the house. I briefly considered renting some movies, but decided that good old cable TV would be sufficient for the next couple weeks.
The weekend is looking very low-key. I was going to play golf with Lily, but she is being whisked away to an estate in West Virginia. Too bad for me, but I'm not sure that slogging around in post-hurricane grass would have been the most entertaining use of my time. Instead, I plan on waiting with cautious optimism to discover if the wild raspberries I picked in the backyard will assail me with Cyclospora misery.
Posted by madchen at 08:09 PM | Comments (1)July 07, 2005
Fun Facts about Pornography at Work
From the San Diego Business Journal, May 16, 2005:
More men check out non-work related sites than women, 62 percent for men vs. 54 percent of women, and--surprise--more men view pornography sites than women. The percentages may be the surprise: 23 percent of men admitting they viewed porn, while 12 percent of women did as well.
The only time I've viewed porn at work is when I accidentally mistyped an internet address that opened a pop-corn porn site--new windows opened faster than I could close them. Ironically, one of my co-workers happened to walk by and was goggle-eyed at the sight.
Posted by madchen at 03:13 PM | Comments (1)July 06, 2005
Vindicated
Well, the company came back with a MUCH-improved offer and, for the next 2.5 months at least, I am no longer among the ranks of the unemployed. Of course, I have no idea how a contract position works (what about fica?), but I am eager to start nonetheless. So tomorrow at 10 a.m. I'll be back in the office to have some department-wide training. I'll avoid eye contact with anyone who might induce laughter and just keep repeating my hourly salary to myself.
And with that, I'm off to watch VH1's Awesomely Bad Hall of Fashion. They had a snippet of Will Ferrel in a gay pirate outfit that I just have to see in full.
Posted by madchen at 09:07 PM | Comments (1)July 05, 2005
Home Life
I've spend the last couple days getting reacquainted with life in the United States. Saturday was my first opportunity to see the girls from high school. The shenanigans were running high (as least what I can remember in between black raspberry margaritas at Alero), but I have been sworn to secrecy on the details. All I can confirm is that there was talk of vaginas.
On Sunday, I did lunch and shopping with Elizabeth. After hearing that I would be receiving a more reasonable offer from my former employer (the one that tried to lowball me with a $12/hour summer job), I was feeling quite sure-to-be-wealthy-in-the-near-future and got some fun summer clothes from Ann Taylor Loft.
Then on Monday, I eschewed all patriotic fervor and instead reveled in the opportunity to have the WHOLE HOUSE TO MYSELF, if only for the 2 hours everyone left to go see the fireworks. Looking back on that precious time, I wish I had remembered to walk around naked for a bit. Oh well, next time.
Today I have been exceedingly grumpy. I attribute it to the gray, drizzly weather, my mouldy bathroom (which was inspected today with the discovery that the toilet has been dripping and the whole back wall is softened from the ensuing fungus), and the following response to a job application:
Thank you for your interest in our vacancy.
Unfortunately it is not possible for us to hire you. Dutch law dictates that we need to proof that there is currently not one single person in the Netherlands who could fill the vacancy if we want to hire someone without residence permit and/or work permit. The situation changes completely in case you already live in the Netherlands as the spouse of..... and having the required documents.
I wish you success in finding a suitable position and to your future career.
First of all, I am quite positive that there is at LEAST a small possibility that I am uniquely qualified for this position. (Several people from school independently sent me the job advertisement.) But I am more disgruntled by the fact that this position was advertised on CSRChicks, an international yahoo group. I've had enough with putting serious time and effort into applying for jobs that I don't have a change for, so I sent the following reply:
Thanks for your quick reply. While I'm obviously disappointed that [your association]—especially as an international organization—is only considering Netherlands-based applicants, I understand that national law is rarely easy to circumvent. May I suggest that in your future job postings that you mention this restriction? I know that the position was advertised on several listservs that cater to a wide international audience, and it's a shame to have people get excited about a chance that really isn't an option.
On the other hand, there have been small pleasures, such as coming upon my dad and Janie sleeping in bed, attired in the socks and eye masks handed out by Virgin Airlines. Special thanks to Joana, who left multiple packs of airline goodies so that the whole family can rest easy without unwanted light in our eyes, cold feet, or bad breath (the "fresh" toothpaste is another favorite).
I'm also almost completely moved in to my "new" room. I've taken the frumpy wreath down (just kidding mom, I LOVED the ribbons and sea shells motif) and put up my painting from Lithauia. I've unpacked both suitcases from Sweden, although there is admittedly still some sorting to do in the attic. But at least I have my own space, even if Janie is constantly leaving stuff on the bed. The next time I find her "Baby Janie" doll in my room, there may be an unfortunate incident of infanticide.
My next step is to confirm employment for the rest of the summer. I'm waiting to hear from my previous employer about the contract work, and I'm about ready to just show up at the NGO I've been waiting to hear from for the last 6 weeks. And, of course, I'm constantly searching for other positions. Who would think such a brilliant, talented, well-qualified girl would have so much trouble finding work?
Posted by madchen at 05:37 PM | Comments (0)July 01, 2005
The Cost of Mobility
It's a bad sign when the auto mechanic's first words to you are, "How long are you planning to keep this car?"
Yikes.
The estimated costs of my 60,000 mile tune-up (plus new brakes) is a whopping $1,500. That's not even counting the additional $450 for a timing belt, which I will put off for another 6 months.
And since my potential contract job with a former employer seems to have fallen through (they were offering an insulting $12/hour when regular consultants get upwards of $25/hour), money is now a primary concern.
Lucky for me, the funds I squirrled away at the beginning of my Swedish adventure have earned a tidy sum of interest. And so, I took another step towards adulthood and sold some stock. Now I can breathe a little easier, knowing that I can pay my car bills AND afford the $15 for my book club selection.
Being a grown-up sucks.
Posted by madchen at 10:39 AM | Comments (1)Books I Read on the Airplane Back from Turkey
Austerlitz
by Winfried Georg Sebald
Publishers Weekly Review: The ghost of what historian Peter Gay calls "the bourgeois experience," molded in the liberalism and neurasthenia of the 19th century and destroyed in the wars and concentration camps of the 20th century, haunts W.G. Sebald's unique novels. His latest concerns the melancholic life of Jacques Austerlitz who, justifiably, exclaims, "At some point in the past, I thought, I must have made a mistake, and now I am living the wrong life." The unnamed narrator met Austerlitz, an architectural historian, in Belgium in the '60s, then lost track of his friend in the '70s. When they accidentally run into each other in 1996, Austerlitz tells the story that occupies the rest of the book the story of Austerlitz's life. For a long time, Austerlitz did not know his real mother and father were Prague Jews his first memories were of his foster parents, a joyless Welsh couple. While exploring the Liverpool Street railroad station in London, Austerlitz experiences a flashback of himself as a four-year-old. Gradually, he tracks his history, from his birth in Prague to a cultivated couple through his flight to England, on the eve of WWII, on a train filled with refugee children. His mother, Agata, was deported first to Theresienstadt and then, presumably, to Auschwitz. His father disappeared in Paris. Austerlitz's isolation and depression deepen after learning these facts. As Sebald's readers will expect, the novel is filled with scholarly digressions, ranging from the natural history of moths to the typically overbearing architecture of the Central European spas. In this novel as in previous ones, Sebald writes as if Walter Benjamin's terrible "angel of history" were perched on his shoulder.
My Review: Not too bad, considering the entire book is ONE SINGLE PARAGRAPH. I admire the creativity that involved inserting photographs throughout the story, but the stream-of-consciousness style and overall lack of plot left me wishing I could watch Ocean’s Twelve again instead.
Posted by madchen at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)I’ve discovered the best way to go on a diet…
...and it’s called French lentil soup and warm chickpea salad.
In my customary habit, I wrote a note in the margin of the recipe book: “June 30, 2005 – Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad. NEVER, EVER MAKE AGAIN.”
Actually, the soup wasn’t so bad, just a little bland. I’ll throw in some carrots and curry powder today and see if I can liven it up a little. But the chickpea salad was left outside for the deer to eat. If they’re smart, they’ll avoid it like the plague.
